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....