WOW

After the game 4 loss, I was starting to get very worried. We were not playing well and it did not seem as if we had any answers.

Then came game 5 at home...

We started out skating well, making good decisions and passing and moving the puck. For the majority of the game, we forced the rangers to play our style of hockey. Apparently Lindy was able to get the guys motivated to play.

Even though we were forcing out style, we could just NOT find the net. In fact the post made a number of spectacular saves. Then the Rangers got a great shot on net that snuck by the screened Miller. Next thing we knew, there was 15 seconds left and we were still down by 1. Drury takes the face off, wins the puck from the corner, passes to Connolly who takes a shot, then who else but Drury was there to shove in the rebound to tie the game with 7.7 seconds left! Fast forward to 5 min in OT, where Max rips a shot from the point on the power play and it goes right through the 5 hole for the win!

All I have to say is WOW! And boy did Max earn his spot on the line up again!

WOW!!

Good and Bad

I guess we will start out with the bad in this one... We lost. (leaving us on top of round two, 2-1) Unfortunately tonight's (afternoons) loss came in a double overtime. BUT, when all was said and done at the end of the game, there was no way for me to be anything other than accepting of the loss. I can't be mad at the officials for blowing the game, because they did a good job. I can't be mad at goal tending, because lets face it, if Miller had not been SPECTACULAR then the game would not have gone on even into overtime. Granted Miller made a few plays that easily could have given NYR a bigger lead, but he still covered his ass when he did something wrong, and he was able to recover from any mistakes.

Even luck was on our side for most of the game. There were many bounces that went our way and many calls that got blown in our favor. So can't be upset there.


Now.... what to be pissed at...

1) the rest of the team
2) the coaching
3) the ice surface

lets take it from #1, Did anyone other than Miller make it to NYC for the game?? I was pretty sure that was an amature team out there tonight. Bad passing, No Hustle, all around bad play. Now, MAYBE the NYR were just able to get into our heads enough with their constant checking, but we should be able to overcome that and play our game. Even if someone uses that excuse, then we need to be EMBARRASSED that we let them force us to play their game all night and that we could not get them back on their heels when we attack with our speed and passing. I just have no words for how the team is playing right now. If they do not pick up the caliber of play, then we have no chance win it all.

#2. Lindy, it is your job to get these guys to play our game. find some words of encouragement and get them MOVING. Shuffle the lines even more, bench some guys, I DON'T CARE!! Just make it work. It is in YOUR hands to get these guys fired up. Don't get me wrong. I (and all sabres fans) know that you are more than capable of making it happen. Its time for you to do your thing!

#3. If you are the rink manager at MSG and your not SHAMED at how poor the ice was tonight, then you need to consider resigning IMMEDIATELY. This is the playoffs, having ice that bad is unacceptable and down right wrong. And that is not even something that will help one team more than the other. It is unfair for 2 of the top 8 teams in the NHL to be playing for the highest honor in the NHL and have to deal with a surface like that. I hope to god you get on the ball and fix this situation. its bad enough that the building is so old, but is it really necessary to have ice that looks as old as the damn building. GIVE ME A BREAK AND DO YOUR JOB!

Well, there is one thought that did enter my head that brings a grin back to my face. I will not elaborate on it, I will mention the thought and leave you to think about it until next time.
-The Rangers had their best game of the series (and probably of the playoffs), while the Sabres played their most horrendous and embarrassing games of the playoffs. Yet it still took the Rangers till the END of the SECOND overtime to beat the Sabres.

Think about that one....

Post Game 2 - Round 2

Well, we now have taken a 2-0 lead in the second round of the '07 playoffs. But I have got to admit, I am not happy with the caliber of play. In both game one and two, we have decided to let NYR decide the tempo and method of play. This is unacceptable because we play a very different kind of hockey game. We attack on transition and use our speed to beat the defense down the ice. For 80 minutes of the total 120 so far this series, we have forgotten to play our game. Luckily in each game we have 20 min where we play our fast game, and that is why we have won. We need to step it up and force our game on them. When we do this, the series will be over in no time.

I want to go on record as saying "I am furious with Max" His play so far this post season has been nothing short of embarrassing. All throughout the regular season he finds the fine line for his incredible speed and puck handling, and then he walks that line with precision and ease. BUT, when it comes to the post season, I don't know if he just gets nervous under the pressure or what it is, but he is afraid to walk the line that he is capable of doing. He has shown in previous post seasons that he does not produce in the post season. granted you need to do well in the regular season to get to the playoffs, but the playoffs are where players need to step up and show their game. It pains me to say it, because I know what he is capable of. But at this rate, there wont be a seat on our bench for him very much longer.

On the other hand, we have guys like Thomas Vanek. I could not finish this post without mentioning him. Not only did this guy produce in the regular season. But he has lit lamp and ignited this team here in the post season with 5 goals and god knows how many chances and stellar plays.

Keepin it in State!

Well, with last nights New Jersey win over Tampa Bay, we find out that it will be the NY Rangers in the second round.

Apparently we don't want to leave wonderful state of New York Quite yet.

Jagr and Shanahan... Damn these guys are OLD... everyone else from their generation has decided to put away the sticks, I think these guys should take a lesson from their peers.

We will see you on the ICE!

Round 1

So once again, I have gotten lazy with the postings, so here I am to catch back up.

Round 1... we made it through, had a few problems, but we made it through in 5. now we have a good couple of days to get rest up the sore body's and sharpen up on our game.

keeping this a little short, because it was the Islanders and that kind of speaks for itself. We were expected to beat them, granted it was supposed to be in a much more impressive style. BUT, everyone forgets, we are not a team who goes and buries teams left and right. we are a championship team because we have depth and figure out a way to win in every situation.

Playoffs

Tonight is our first game vs. the Islanders, and the second day of the playoffs. I have been counting down the Day/hours/minutes until tonight's game! WATCH OUT DUBIE!!

I was relieved to see that Lindy brought Stafford back up for the post season after being sent to Rochester for the last two games to make room for Connolly. From the look of things, it seems as if Peters is going to be a scratch throughout this years playoffs, just like last year. Which is a shame for peters, BUT unless he begins to have an impact on the play of the game and not simply the tough guy on the squad then he will not be able to play in the playoffs, which is what every player dreams of. Some might wonder if teams will try to muscle us around since they wont have to worry about Peters, but Mair is firmly on the lineup. And we all know that Mair is just as effective when he needs to be the tough guy, but he can also handle the puck well and make excellent plays.

On a side note, the Penguins LOST last night! I may be one of the few, but I DO NOT like the penguins and I DO NOT like Crosby. I will admit that he is an excellent hockey player, and he may be one of the best to enter the game in a while. BUT he IS NOT and NEVER WILL be good enough to compare to Gretzky. Gretzky literally CHANGED the game of hockey. while Crosby may be more technically sound in today's hockey game, he will not change the way the game is played. and the effect on the game is what makes Gretzky the best player of all time.

LETS GO SABRES!!

Time to get Geared UP!

Now that the regular season is over....

Its QUEST TIME!!

That means its time for the playoff beard. This morning will have been my LAST shave until its all over!

Sabres going into the Playoffs...
Presidents Trophy Winners
Set Franchise Record for wins in a Season (53-22-7)
Tie franchise point Record (113)
Miller Sets record for wins by a Buffalo Goalie (40)
7 that's right, 7 players with over 20 goals
Finally, and Most Importantly... All players are healthy except for 1 (Gaustad)


There is only one thing left to be said....

ONE TEAM! ONE GOAL!