Often a topic of conversation among hockey fans here in Buffalo, along with local media, and possibly throughout the league as well, I have a few thoughts about Ryan Miller.
First off, I like Ryan Miller. For the most part I think he's done a solid job in net for the Sabres. I will do my best to detach myself as a Sabres fan and look at the realities facing this team in the coming year.
Ryan Miller statistically is an average goaltender. He falls in the middle of the pack in GAA and save percentage. However, without looking at the numbers, that can be misleading. While not always, or even often, the case, it's possible for the #1 goalie to have a .935 save percentage, and the #20 goalie to have a .925. Same for GAA. That's a difference of 1 goal in 100 shots. Hardly a huge difference. My point is that of any position, the numbers don't give nearly the whole picture in terms of a goalie's "productivity" or effectiveness. Winning percentage to me is important. Do you give your team a chance to win every night?
That being said, I think Miller is a goalie that you can win with. Maybe even win the Cup. He's not likely to steal 2 or 3 games to win a series for you. But with a team playing decent hockey in front of him he makes most of the saves he's supposed to. He will let in a "soft" goal here and there, but I don't need, nor expect him, to be perfect every night. I need him to be steady and solid. Which I think for the most part he's accomplished. There are not that many "elite" goaltenders who can consistently play great hockey with a bad team in front of them.
That has been the biggest problem this year I think. The team has not played well in front of him. Defensively the Sabres have just not played consistently well enough game to game, and even period to period. And it's shown. There have been way too many times where I've said, "I'd like to see him make that save, but how many times do they expect him to bail them out of a bad play?" Tuesday's Ottawa game is a prime example. Yes, througout the season there were saves he could have, and should have, made, and in instances could have changed the momentum of a game or kept them in a game. But overall he has been steady, and that's all I need.
So what now? What does Buffalo's front office do next? Given their track record, nothing. However, I think they realize the importance and value of a decent goaltender, and will make an offer. I'm curious to see what transpires from the Miller camp. I can only imagine what influence the NHLPA and his agent will try to impart during negotiations (ala Brian Campbell). I feel Miller not signing and looking to end up in Detroit is a very real possibility. I would hope that the Sabres at least look into what they could get in return. Goatending prospects in the organization look good; Enroth is supposedly looking great over in Sweden. My concern is timeline. Buffalo likes to let their prospects develop before jumping to the NHL. I think that strategy has worked for the most part. Miller, Vanek, Campbell, Pominville, Stafford, Paille, etc. have all had time in Rochester and Cunnyworth has done a tremendous job preparing them for the NHL. But are the Sabres prepared to incur the wrath of their fan base if they trade or let Miller go and in effect "rebuild" for a year or two? It's not looking like there will be any better options than Miller available as free agents. Just as unlikely for them to trade for a goaltender, and who's going to give up a comparable netminder? What would be the cost?
So, as objectively as I can, I think the best course of action for the Sabres is to get a deal done
this offseason to extend Miller's contract. You're probably looking at $6M-$6.5M, 5-6 years. Then focus on tweaking the roster just enough to give them a spark to perform better next season. I think this team has a lot of talent, enough to have easily made the playoffs this year. I feel they badly underperformed and lacked real leadership, someone who can take control of the dressing room and get these guys to wake up and play with some fire.
The sky is not falling.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Did that just happen?
That just can not happen. Buffalo up 2 in the 3rd on the PP and you give up a shorty? Unacceptable. I could go on a rant about how 5 guys were on one side of the ice (and Paetsch no where near his RD position) when Shubert came down the left wing all alone and beat Miller with a perfect shot. Or how I'd like to see Miller's glove make a save. Or why their points can't seem to get pucks through and on net. Or why a guy like Alfredsson (ala Ovechkin) doesn't have someone glued to him all night. Or hoping Miller gets across and makes the save on the SH 2-1. Or another perfect shot that had eyes to beat Miller off the crossbar. Or why Alfredsson is wide open in the slot with our center watching the puck behind the net. Or how Alfredsson made Tallinder look stupid with that hit the brakes, spin, get to the slot, and fire a 20 footer past Miller. Or better yet where their offense whent after the SH goal against. I could rant about things like that, but I won't.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Yo.....yo home slice!
That sums it up pretty good Rocco......not much else. Just got done watching some hockey (great fanatsy night again...championship week) and I must say that I really want Washington to get into the playoffs. No clue how Boston wins, but they did again against a hot Leafs team.
Observations from tonight:
1) Caps made a HUGE deal to get Huet at the deadline. That deal may have really advanced the franchise a few years and makes them contenders soon. With Green to jump in from the D spot and Backstrom/Ovechkin up front, they really have a bright future.
2) Rangers maybe winning a lot lately and I love them as a fan, they are just not that good. They need Henrik to be an animal if they want any chance to represent the East. Even then, I am not sure they can handle the Montreal. They are young, fast and deadly on the PP.
3) The NHL really needs to address the point system. Just not the best way to do it. We can debate for awhile on what works best, but many systems are better than this one.
Observations from tonight:
1) Caps made a HUGE deal to get Huet at the deadline. That deal may have really advanced the franchise a few years and makes them contenders soon. With Green to jump in from the D spot and Backstrom/Ovechkin up front, they really have a bright future.
2) Rangers maybe winning a lot lately and I love them as a fan, they are just not that good. They need Henrik to be an animal if they want any chance to represent the East. Even then, I am not sure they can handle the Montreal. They are young, fast and deadly on the PP.
3) The NHL really needs to address the point system. Just not the best way to do it. We can debate for awhile on what works best, but many systems are better than this one.
O-Dogg
The newest addition to 50in39: O-Dogg. Well known throughout the Northeast for his endless knowledge of sports, including the WNBA. Not afraid to put a hurting on a double order of wings and a pitcher of beer. Favorite teams include the Seahawks, Sonics, and Rangers, and he's neither from Seattle nor New York City. Once described as the next Mike Keenan. Aka Ziggy Arbol. Big fan of zubas and hockey jerseys (patent pending). Knee injury during charity co-ed basketball game in high school ended his team sports playing days; currently enjoys golf, badmitton, and beer pong. Rolls in his luxury SUV.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Royal Flush
Question: Does doing Royal Flush shots (see title link for recipe) make me less manly? The problem is this shot contains peach schnapps, quite possibly the gayest of all liquors. I am blaming my buddy Pulli for this one. I thought I had learned my lesson by now, but noooooo, of course I meet him out Saturday. Any time I meet Pulli out it's a 4am or better night. This time it included shots of this tasty concoction. I'm torn over whether it's ok because it also has whiskey, or if because it has peach schnapps I should have denounced the creation of such an abomination. So, what's the verdict on such drinks?
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Facebook, Twitter, etc.
This is insane. I'm not that old where I didn't know what these were. (Most my info comes from reading magazines like Playboy and Wired, so I'm somewhat up to date on these tech things.) I've just never had much interest in getting involved with these sites. Not even sure why or when I created a MySpace page. I hardly ever sign in. Anyway, through a random series of events I've become a new member to the "social networking" scene. So far so good. Facebook has been a plesant surprise, seeing some old faces from college. We'll see where this leads to. I can only imagine what high school and college kids do with this stuff instead of school work. As well as some big league procrastination at work.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
3/19 Gamenight: Buffalo vs. Tampa Bay
Big game, have to have these 2 points. Need Chicago to shut down AO and the surging Caps. Buffalo might have to get 15-16 points of these last 18 to grab a playoff spot. No time to let up.
Can't take this one for granted, TB on a 3-game win streak
Lines:
Paille-Roy-Bernier
Hecht-Gaustad-Pominville
Vanek-Kotalik-Afinogenov
Kaleta-Mair-Stafford
Sekera-Weber
Lydman-Tallinder
Funk-Pratt
I like this lineup, can't argue with recent success. Let's hope they keep it up.
Note: Food/beverage selection: Large cheese pie, w/ crushed red pepper; OV
Cheers to Time Warner for broadcasting home Sabre games in HD. 47" HD LCD, big speakers, and Rick Jeanerette and Harry Neal calling the game makes for good hockey on TV.
1st Period:
Great start by BUF. Winning face-offs. Building seems quiet for such in important game, maybe people didn't make it to their seats yet.
17:10: TB goal. Halpern rips a short side slapper from the left face-off circle off a bad BUF turnover and change by the D. Roy needs to recognize the change and get it deep, can't lose the puck on a poke check at the blue line.
Seems like TB is stick checking the puck away from our forwards a lot. Dump and chase if they're playing you tight.
14:30ish: Roy sets up Bernier in the slot, nice save by Ramo. Need to bury these chances.
13:50ish: Good burst up the wing by Max, good decision recognizing room to the middle and shooting. Another good chance.
Pominville sets up Hecht for a scoring chance. BUF getting their chances.
12:32: Pommer with another nice play, good pass to Hecht going hard to the net, draws the call.
BUF's PP needs to get set up early and maintain possession. Need to get shots on net from the point, look for screens/deflections.
Pommer on the point; I'm not crazy about putting forwards back on the point. NHL D should be able to shoot from the point.
Ramo 9 saves on 9 shots, good save on Bernier from the slot.
Big pile up in the crease, gotta get that puck in with Ramo down. Good to see Max showing emotion during the scrum; Halpern hit him hard and clean clearing him out.
10:00ish: TB on the PP after a short 4-4. Miller with a nice save moving right to left on Vinny.
9:22: TB goal. Deflection on a point shot. 4 guys in the slot screening Miller, looks like St. Louis makes a great deflection. This should stand. Buffalo couldn't get their sticks into the passing lanes; TB moved the puck around way too easy.
Stafford gets poke checked. Get it deep!
7:30ish: Decent chance for Roy. Good save by Ramo. This kid looks decent.
6:53: BUF goal. Pominville lets a hard shot go from the right wing, goes far side top corner, might have gone under Ramo's arm. He'd like that one back. 2-1 Lightning.
Buffalo needs to keep skating hard; they're getting their chances the goals will come.
4:20: Sekera moving the puck well, great break out. I really like this kid the more I see him play. Next year we'll be saying Campbell who.
3:40: Miller with a good ave on Darche. Miller needs to play well. Not so much GAA or save %, but definitely timely saves and no soft goals.
Boyle holds up Roy on the dump in. The league needs to decide what they're gonna call interference and what they're gonna let go.
Buffalo can't play from behind too late into this game.
2:50: Weber with good speed pulls away from the forecheck and skates the puck out of the zone. Good decision and good effort. He looks strong.
2:10: Kaleta gets buried in the slot by Smaby with his head down. He can take 'em as well as give 'em.
Buffalo starting to lose face-offs, could be trouble.
Miller with a big save on Vinny. Timely save. Can't go down 3-1 in the 1st.
Vanek looks to have some jump tonight. Just made a nice rush to the outside, didn't result in a scoring chance but he's moving his feet.
2nd Period:
Great chance for Kotalik on the rush off the face-off, shot blocked by TB. Buffalo needs to keep skating and pressuring.
19:19: Miller with a huge save on St. Louis. An early goal against could have been disastrous.
19:08: BUF PP. Kotalik on PP. Again, I don't like forwards on the point.
Poor puck movement down low to start this PP. Use the points!
Vanek doesn't go hard to net on Roy's rush; possible scoring chance missed.
TB looks faster than BUF to start this period. Buffalo needs to skate!
BUF's young D look good. I like them in the lineup.
14:54: TB goal. Vinny. Horrible D zone play after bad turn over by Max. Miller commits to shooter way to early, down and out for easy open net goal by #4. Ugly. 3-1 TB.
14:15: 2 on 1 for BUF, Pommer doesn't get a shot off. Odd man rush off a TB turn over. Need to convert those!
Right now, Weber/Sekera are playing much better than Lydman/Tallinder.
Good pace to the game now around the 12 minute mark. This is good hockey, not a lot of whistles.
Buffalo's dump and chase is not working. Ramo is good with the puck and stopping their recovery cold. I need to see cross-ice dump ins to the corners. Punish their D.
The more I see the more I like Weber's play. Good composure with the puck in his own end.
Ruff is switching lines. Vanek and Bernier with Roy now.
9:10: Kotalik doesn't clear the zone. This happens way too often. Puck gets near the blue line but not out. That leads to goals.
BUF only has 1 shot 11 minutes into the 2nd. Unacceptable. Too much play below the goal line. They're not winning battles for the puck along the boards either. The effort isn't where it needs to be. TB just looks stronger.
Kaleta gets Smaby back with a good clean hard hit. That's how it should be.
BUF getting good pressure at times but no shots on goal. Can't score if you don't shoot.
BUF's dump in still not working. Bernier needs to be stronger on the recovery.
Boyle just ate up Vanek down the wing. Max digs it out to Vanek with an empty net; huge save by Darche I think. 3-2 would have been huge.
Weber almost with a bad turn over. Close call.
1:49: TB goal. Vinny strikes again. His line is killing us. Tallinder/Lydman look bad out there against them. Vinny beat Mair from his own zone. Both D on the same side of the ice. You'd like to see Miller get the pads stacked on that one. Almost did, but that's asking a a lot on Vinny all alone. 4-1 TB.
1:20: BUF PP. 4-2 going to the 3rd would be nice. Not hoping for much with this dysfunctional PP.
3 on 2 SH chance for TB. Way too many odd man rushes against on the PP this year.
Crowd not happy. The boo birds are out.
St. Louis on a SH breakaway. Just a horrible play by Max and Sekera along the boards; Kotalik going for new "wood" after snapping one on a the dump in. Kotalik also along the boards as St. Louis streaks out of his zone. Just can't let that happen. Miller comes up with a huge arm save at the end of the period. 4-1 is better than 5-1 I guess.
BUF not playing like their playoff hopes depend on these points. Miller is eventually going to have to steal a game if they're going to keep giving up chances like these. Top goalies makes saves they don't have a chance on. So far it's not happening tonight. And I like Miller. He's good enough to win a Cup with.
3rd Period:
Did they just ice the puck on the PP? That just can't happen.
BUF isn't playing physical. Getting out hit 24-9.
TB not giving up many 2nd chances. They're clearing the rebounds away from Ramo well.
Another dump in not recovered. This isn't working.
Lydman makes a turn over, St. Louis with a chance, big save Miller. That's what he'll have to do here on out.
Seriously, stop dumping in it letting Ramo handle the puck. He is killing our dump and chase.
16 minutes to go. 4-1 TB. BUF needs to get things going soon.
I'd like to clone Sekera, Weber, & Pratt to make our 6 D. Does the CBA allow that?
Vanek with good tough work on Halpern. He's playing with drive though it's not showing on the score sheet.
Goose and St. Louis jawing before the face off. St. Louis with 2 nice cross checks on the Goose. That's bush, he'd never drop 'em with Gaustad.
14:57: BUF goal. Pominville right off the face off. Designed play, Goose wins in forward, pass to the crease, Pommer taps it past Ramo. Good strong play by both. TB 4-2.
14:41: BUF goal. Hecht with a nice top shelf shot. Beat Vinny out of the corner. Another strong play. The crowd is back into it. TB 4-3.
Lots of time left. They can't let up and play it safe. This is where they need to turn it on and win this game. The next goal is huge.
Stafford gets held up, no call. So far the officiating has been pretty good. I just don't like the no calls on interference.
11:35: BUF goal. Roy shot from the hash marks on the left wing. They're really starting to kick it into high gear. Shots on goal! About time. Vanek set up shop right in Ramo's lap. Doing the little things that don't show in the stats. 4-4
The Hecht-Pominville-Gaustad line is starting to take over. Another good rush and scoring chance.
Max makes another bad neutral zone turn over. I'm a Max hater but liked his play the first few games he was back. He's becoming a liability again.
BUF: 3 goals in 3:22. Why? They're shooting the puck! It's a simple game.
Vinny and just disappeared this period.
Lydman/Tallinder out there again vs. Vinny and St. Louis. I don't like it. Not much ice for Funk, and even Pratt. I want Pratt out there more.
BUF finally starting to dump it in to the corners and forecheck the D. Much needed adjustment.
6:46: BUF goal. Vanek. Another strong play by a BUF forward. Roy gets it started with a nice steal in the corner. Vanek is one of the best in the slot with traffic. Great balance, uses his feet, smart play to come back short side. BUF 5-4.
HSBC Arena finally rocking.
Down 3 headed into the 3rd and fighting back with 4 unanswered shows this team has heart. Not what you want to see every night but good to see they have what it takes to dig down deep and turn it around. Gut check time. Have to finish the job and secure 2 points.
Lydman/Tallinder out against Vinny and St. Louis again. Good thing TB lost all interest in this game, I still don't like they way our top pair has been playing.
Bad turn over by TB on a bouncing puck. Roy in position to keep in in, nice quick, hard, high shot. Ramo no chance to control the rebound, Vanek bats in in for his 2nd. That's his goal. He's money in tight. BUF 6-4.
BUF keeping the pressure on. Bernier nice set up to Sekera going hard to the net on a 4 on 2 rush. Almost connected.
TB just disappeared this period. They have nothing to play for but they should be embarrassed.
Miller still making good saves late in the game. St. Louis with a hard shot from the left wing.
1:45: TB pulls Ramo.
TB going on the PP. Nice to be able to ice the puck down 2 men.
Pommer needs to get that puck out. Doesn't matter, clearing attempt goes wide, Hecht gets there first, shots past Vanny for the empty netter. BUF 7-4.
Good night now!
Can't take this one for granted, TB on a 3-game win streak
Lines:
Paille-Roy-Bernier
Hecht-Gaustad-Pominville
Vanek-Kotalik-Afinogenov
Kaleta-Mair-Stafford
Sekera-Weber
Lydman-Tallinder
Funk-Pratt
I like this lineup, can't argue with recent success. Let's hope they keep it up.
Note: Food/beverage selection: Large cheese pie, w/ crushed red pepper; OV
Cheers to Time Warner for broadcasting home Sabre games in HD. 47" HD LCD, big speakers, and Rick Jeanerette and Harry Neal calling the game makes for good hockey on TV.
1st Period:
Great start by BUF. Winning face-offs. Building seems quiet for such in important game, maybe people didn't make it to their seats yet.
17:10: TB goal. Halpern rips a short side slapper from the left face-off circle off a bad BUF turnover and change by the D. Roy needs to recognize the change and get it deep, can't lose the puck on a poke check at the blue line.
Seems like TB is stick checking the puck away from our forwards a lot. Dump and chase if they're playing you tight.
14:30ish: Roy sets up Bernier in the slot, nice save by Ramo. Need to bury these chances.
13:50ish: Good burst up the wing by Max, good decision recognizing room to the middle and shooting. Another good chance.
Pominville sets up Hecht for a scoring chance. BUF getting their chances.
12:32: Pommer with another nice play, good pass to Hecht going hard to the net, draws the call.
BUF's PP needs to get set up early and maintain possession. Need to get shots on net from the point, look for screens/deflections.
Pommer on the point; I'm not crazy about putting forwards back on the point. NHL D should be able to shoot from the point.
Ramo 9 saves on 9 shots, good save on Bernier from the slot.
Big pile up in the crease, gotta get that puck in with Ramo down. Good to see Max showing emotion during the scrum; Halpern hit him hard and clean clearing him out.
10:00ish: TB on the PP after a short 4-4. Miller with a nice save moving right to left on Vinny.
9:22: TB goal. Deflection on a point shot. 4 guys in the slot screening Miller, looks like St. Louis makes a great deflection. This should stand. Buffalo couldn't get their sticks into the passing lanes; TB moved the puck around way too easy.
Stafford gets poke checked. Get it deep!
7:30ish: Decent chance for Roy. Good save by Ramo. This kid looks decent.
6:53: BUF goal. Pominville lets a hard shot go from the right wing, goes far side top corner, might have gone under Ramo's arm. He'd like that one back. 2-1 Lightning.
Buffalo needs to keep skating hard; they're getting their chances the goals will come.
4:20: Sekera moving the puck well, great break out. I really like this kid the more I see him play. Next year we'll be saying Campbell who.
3:40: Miller with a good ave on Darche. Miller needs to play well. Not so much GAA or save %, but definitely timely saves and no soft goals.
Boyle holds up Roy on the dump in. The league needs to decide what they're gonna call interference and what they're gonna let go.
Buffalo can't play from behind too late into this game.
2:50: Weber with good speed pulls away from the forecheck and skates the puck out of the zone. Good decision and good effort. He looks strong.
2:10: Kaleta gets buried in the slot by Smaby with his head down. He can take 'em as well as give 'em.
Buffalo starting to lose face-offs, could be trouble.
Miller with a big save on Vinny. Timely save. Can't go down 3-1 in the 1st.
Vanek looks to have some jump tonight. Just made a nice rush to the outside, didn't result in a scoring chance but he's moving his feet.
2nd Period:
Great chance for Kotalik on the rush off the face-off, shot blocked by TB. Buffalo needs to keep skating and pressuring.
19:19: Miller with a huge save on St. Louis. An early goal against could have been disastrous.
19:08: BUF PP. Kotalik on PP. Again, I don't like forwards on the point.
Poor puck movement down low to start this PP. Use the points!
Vanek doesn't go hard to net on Roy's rush; possible scoring chance missed.
TB looks faster than BUF to start this period. Buffalo needs to skate!
BUF's young D look good. I like them in the lineup.
14:54: TB goal. Vinny. Horrible D zone play after bad turn over by Max. Miller commits to shooter way to early, down and out for easy open net goal by #4. Ugly. 3-1 TB.
14:15: 2 on 1 for BUF, Pommer doesn't get a shot off. Odd man rush off a TB turn over. Need to convert those!
Right now, Weber/Sekera are playing much better than Lydman/Tallinder.
Good pace to the game now around the 12 minute mark. This is good hockey, not a lot of whistles.
Buffalo's dump and chase is not working. Ramo is good with the puck and stopping their recovery cold. I need to see cross-ice dump ins to the corners. Punish their D.
The more I see the more I like Weber's play. Good composure with the puck in his own end.
Ruff is switching lines. Vanek and Bernier with Roy now.
9:10: Kotalik doesn't clear the zone. This happens way too often. Puck gets near the blue line but not out. That leads to goals.
BUF only has 1 shot 11 minutes into the 2nd. Unacceptable. Too much play below the goal line. They're not winning battles for the puck along the boards either. The effort isn't where it needs to be. TB just looks stronger.
Kaleta gets Smaby back with a good clean hard hit. That's how it should be.
BUF getting good pressure at times but no shots on goal. Can't score if you don't shoot.
BUF's dump in still not working. Bernier needs to be stronger on the recovery.
Boyle just ate up Vanek down the wing. Max digs it out to Vanek with an empty net; huge save by Darche I think. 3-2 would have been huge.
Weber almost with a bad turn over. Close call.
1:49: TB goal. Vinny strikes again. His line is killing us. Tallinder/Lydman look bad out there against them. Vinny beat Mair from his own zone. Both D on the same side of the ice. You'd like to see Miller get the pads stacked on that one. Almost did, but that's asking a a lot on Vinny all alone. 4-1 TB.
1:20: BUF PP. 4-2 going to the 3rd would be nice. Not hoping for much with this dysfunctional PP.
3 on 2 SH chance for TB. Way too many odd man rushes against on the PP this year.
Crowd not happy. The boo birds are out.
St. Louis on a SH breakaway. Just a horrible play by Max and Sekera along the boards; Kotalik going for new "wood" after snapping one on a the dump in. Kotalik also along the boards as St. Louis streaks out of his zone. Just can't let that happen. Miller comes up with a huge arm save at the end of the period. 4-1 is better than 5-1 I guess.
BUF not playing like their playoff hopes depend on these points. Miller is eventually going to have to steal a game if they're going to keep giving up chances like these. Top goalies makes saves they don't have a chance on. So far it's not happening tonight. And I like Miller. He's good enough to win a Cup with.
3rd Period:
Did they just ice the puck on the PP? That just can't happen.
BUF isn't playing physical. Getting out hit 24-9.
TB not giving up many 2nd chances. They're clearing the rebounds away from Ramo well.
Another dump in not recovered. This isn't working.
Lydman makes a turn over, St. Louis with a chance, big save Miller. That's what he'll have to do here on out.
Seriously, stop dumping in it letting Ramo handle the puck. He is killing our dump and chase.
16 minutes to go. 4-1 TB. BUF needs to get things going soon.
I'd like to clone Sekera, Weber, & Pratt to make our 6 D. Does the CBA allow that?
Vanek with good tough work on Halpern. He's playing with drive though it's not showing on the score sheet.
Goose and St. Louis jawing before the face off. St. Louis with 2 nice cross checks on the Goose. That's bush, he'd never drop 'em with Gaustad.
14:57: BUF goal. Pominville right off the face off. Designed play, Goose wins in forward, pass to the crease, Pommer taps it past Ramo. Good strong play by both. TB 4-2.
14:41: BUF goal. Hecht with a nice top shelf shot. Beat Vinny out of the corner. Another strong play. The crowd is back into it. TB 4-3.
Lots of time left. They can't let up and play it safe. This is where they need to turn it on and win this game. The next goal is huge.
Stafford gets held up, no call. So far the officiating has been pretty good. I just don't like the no calls on interference.
11:35: BUF goal. Roy shot from the hash marks on the left wing. They're really starting to kick it into high gear. Shots on goal! About time. Vanek set up shop right in Ramo's lap. Doing the little things that don't show in the stats. 4-4
The Hecht-Pominville-Gaustad line is starting to take over. Another good rush and scoring chance.
Max makes another bad neutral zone turn over. I'm a Max hater but liked his play the first few games he was back. He's becoming a liability again.
BUF: 3 goals in 3:22. Why? They're shooting the puck! It's a simple game.
Vinny and just disappeared this period.
Lydman/Tallinder out there again vs. Vinny and St. Louis. I don't like it. Not much ice for Funk, and even Pratt. I want Pratt out there more.
BUF finally starting to dump it in to the corners and forecheck the D. Much needed adjustment.
6:46: BUF goal. Vanek. Another strong play by a BUF forward. Roy gets it started with a nice steal in the corner. Vanek is one of the best in the slot with traffic. Great balance, uses his feet, smart play to come back short side. BUF 5-4.
HSBC Arena finally rocking.
Down 3 headed into the 3rd and fighting back with 4 unanswered shows this team has heart. Not what you want to see every night but good to see they have what it takes to dig down deep and turn it around. Gut check time. Have to finish the job and secure 2 points.
Lydman/Tallinder out against Vinny and St. Louis again. Good thing TB lost all interest in this game, I still don't like they way our top pair has been playing.
Bad turn over by TB on a bouncing puck. Roy in position to keep in in, nice quick, hard, high shot. Ramo no chance to control the rebound, Vanek bats in in for his 2nd. That's his goal. He's money in tight. BUF 6-4.
BUF keeping the pressure on. Bernier nice set up to Sekera going hard to the net on a 4 on 2 rush. Almost connected.
TB just disappeared this period. They have nothing to play for but they should be embarrassed.
Miller still making good saves late in the game. St. Louis with a hard shot from the left wing.
1:45: TB pulls Ramo.
TB going on the PP. Nice to be able to ice the puck down 2 men.
Pommer needs to get that puck out. Doesn't matter, clearing attempt goes wide, Hecht gets there first, shots past Vanny for the empty netter. BUF 7-4.
Good night now!
3/19/08 vs. TB: Need this win
I don't want have to rely on help from Atlantic and Southest division teams down the stretch here to get ahead of Philly and/or Washington. I need to see a continuation of the weekend's games tonight. 2 must have points before finishing up with 8 division opponent games. We'll find out exactly how much heart this team has. It's Lindy's job to have these guys motivated and ready to play tonight. Home crowd, no excuse not to come out flying. God, to be a player on this team! This is your chance to come storming back and prove everyone wrong who said this team can't get it done without Drury, Briere, etc. Show up boys! Play with pride. You have some of the best hockey fans in the world behind you. Give us a solid 60 minutes and the W. We know this team has the talent, let's keep seeing it for 9 more games.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
9 to go
9 games left in the regular season. Popular opinion among Sabre fans seems to be if they could just play with some conistency in these games they have a shot at finishing 8th, or even 7th. I like what I saw Friday and Saturday. Totally different team than the one who showed up (or didn't) against Pittsburgh. I like the lineup, I hope things keep rolling and Ruff decides to stick with the guys who are getting it done. Very impressed with Sekera; Weber looks solid too. I said last year that you need a guy like Kaleta on your playoff Roster, but I didn't think he was ready last year. He is now. He's your energy guy who can skate and will contribute on occassion. That "4th" line has created chances and they'll keep being rewarded for their hustle. I need to see this team clicking and Miller to get hot, aka .920+ save % and GAA under 2 here on out. This team has the talent to skate with anyone in the league. It's just a matter of if they decide to show up or not. Let's hope they finally got it figured out and head to the post season as one of the hottest teams in the league. Playoff hockey lives here.
Garth and the Buffalo Blog
Yeah, yeah, I know this is being a homer, but the consistently HUGE number of comments made on practically every post by Garth is impressive. Nice showing by Philly and Pitt fans as wel, not only on their boards, but the Buffalo boards too. I think it says a lot about the passion each city's fans have for their team, and hockey in general. I know there are some other great hockey towns as well, and it's great to see people discuss this great game. You can't deny the excitement and atmosphere surrounding most Sabres games. Let's look for a strong finish here and some playoff hockey!
Friday, March 14, 2008
Pronger/Kesler incident & Bettman
Noticed a lot of chatter on various blogs and message boards relating to the stomping incident by Chris Pronger on Ryan Kesler in Wednesday's Vancouver-Anaheim game. Who knows if the contact info is right, but I decided to send an quick email to Mr. Bettman and Mr. Campbell regarding the current lack of disciplinary action taken against Pronger, as follows:
Dear Mr. Bettman,
If the current reports regarding the Chris Pronger/Ryan Kesler stomping incident are accurate, I feel compelled to voice my enormous disappointment in the lack of any disciplinary action taken against Mr. Pronger. You are allowing this league to become an absolute joke. I will fully expect to hear from you personally when a player ends up seriously injured or dead due to the lax policies the NHL has towards such actions. I'm curious what kind of suspension the league will hand out when a player's intentional action results in someone being paralyzed, or worse, killed. What's the penalty to match the injury there Mr. Bettman? It is a disgrace that you and the others in charge of this league have turned a blind eye, in most instances (slap on the wrist 3 games suspensions are token gestures) and play favorites. I anxiously await the day when a real commission has control of our game.
Sincerely,
Rocco Russo
The opinions on this incident cover the spectrum, some of which I just can't understand. Regardless of this one specific example, I find it an utter disgrace what the league allows to happen and go unpunished, and what they do choose to punish at times. I find the complete lack of officiating and disciplinary consistency to be a major problem arising in the post-lockout NHL. For the sake of the great game we love I hope either Bettman and his gang either get their heads out of their asses or let new leadership take over before hockey and the NHL fades from the public (American lat least) consciousness.
Dear Mr. Bettman,
If the current reports regarding the Chris Pronger/Ryan Kesler stomping incident are accurate, I feel compelled to voice my enormous disappointment in the lack of any disciplinary action taken against Mr. Pronger. You are allowing this league to become an absolute joke. I will fully expect to hear from you personally when a player ends up seriously injured or dead due to the lax policies the NHL has towards such actions. I'm curious what kind of suspension the league will hand out when a player's intentional action results in someone being paralyzed, or worse, killed. What's the penalty to match the injury there Mr. Bettman? It is a disgrace that you and the others in charge of this league have turned a blind eye, in most instances (slap on the wrist 3 games suspensions are token gestures) and play favorites. I anxiously await the day when a real commission has control of our game.
Sincerely,
Rocco Russo
The opinions on this incident cover the spectrum, some of which I just can't understand. Regardless of this one specific example, I find it an utter disgrace what the league allows to happen and go unpunished, and what they do choose to punish at times. I find the complete lack of officiating and disciplinary consistency to be a major problem arising in the post-lockout NHL. For the sake of the great game we love I hope either Bettman and his gang either get their heads out of their asses or let new leadership take over before hockey and the NHL fades from the public (American lat least) consciousness.
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