The Epic Adventures of Tamara and Shelby: In which Dany Heatley did not score.

Dany Heatley did not score last night, which is a tragedy for all of us. All of us being Tamara and I. I called him scoring in maybe the last two seconds of the game, but no. Ryan doesn't let the other Ryan score and then he doesn't let Dany score. Come on! Unfair. Then again, Dany scored IN San Jose when the Sabres played them so I GUESS it's okay. Sort of.

It was nice to be at the arena again after about two weeks. Also nice to see them win again, because the last time I saw them in person was the last time they won a game. Good for them to go into this Olympic break without being on a losing streak. It would have sucked and they probably would've kept thinking about it if they had lost so I'm glad they go into the break on a high note.

No offense to Ryan, but I was surprised at the amount of signs that lacked saying good luck to the other Olympians on this team. I know that this is the United States and Ryan is the only one playing for the US, but the other Olympians need some love as well. I was very disappointed. If I had known there was going to be a ceremony, I would have made a sign for all of the guys. At least we get to see some of the boys on our television screens. It's going to be strange without Sabres hockey for a few weeks but it's also nice to get a breather.

Best of luck to all of the Sabres Olympians. Let's hope some guys come back with a medal!

Postgame: 2-11-10.

Two points out of twelve. That's how many the Sabres have gotten throughout the month of February, and boy, is that number a whole lot of ugly. Friends of ours said that they want the Sabres to at least get three points this month. It'll be a miracle if they can get to OT with San Jose the way they've been playing so I feel like three is a reach. It's hard to be optimistic when unlucky bounces, not enough saves, no heart from the offense, and the defense not showing up contributes to the six losses the Sabres have had in a row.

No thanks to the number one penalty kill in the league breaking down last night. I believe Carolina scored on two out of four or something like that. They scored the tying goal with .1 seconds left to go. .1! How often does that happen in hockey?! They scored their go ahead goal after Ryan Miller made a huge save on a three on nothing, and gave it up on a two on one. I'm sorry, but if you can stop a three on nothing you should be able to stop a two on one.

In OT, what can you do? Steven falls on the ice which happens to everyone, he's really the only one back and the Canes put the game away for good. An unlucky bounce as usual. They got a point again, but that's not good enough right now.

The Olympic freeze for trades comes up in about twenty minutes. Will Darcy do anything? Probably not, but you can't help but hope that MAYBE he changes something in this team before the break starts.

I'll be posting again like usual shortly.

Sorry for me not posting lately. The college life has been getting to me and lately, I just haven't had time to come up with anything worthwhile really. Besides, who really wants to read what I have to say about the Sabres depressing streak at the moment?

Puck drops at 7:00 tonight at the RBC Center. Go Sabres.

TCT Does Columbus (I think).

Some weeks ago, sitting in an Ottawa hotel room with a broken headboard after a tragic loss, we received an offer to take part in a bus trip to Columbus. It took a bit, but I considered it to be a good idea because, we should be able to beat Columbus.

Score on Columbus?

Not even. 

We, myself and two friends (Shelby manned Buffalo in our absence, and seemed to do a good job at such, seeing as city hall is still there...I think), departed the Buff at about 8:30 in the morning. We were on a bus with 50 people we didn't know for the six hour drive. We got there, had lunch, realized it was a horribly boring city, and then napped in Starbucks until Nationwide Arena opened. 

It's actually a very nice arena, the expansion teams got the nice ones. It's about 500 seats plus smaller than HSBC, but had a nice structure and seemed a lot cleaner. There were more shops and such, and had a lot more going on which was nice. 

We were right against the glass for warm ups, which I haven't done in ages. All the players saw our sign (as did getty images, see above) and we even saw another pro- Patty sign across the way. Luckily, when heading to our seats, we found the gentlemen and were excited to see one another. 

Evidence that other Patty Lalime fans do exist.

The game of course tragic, but we tried to make the best of it. Mr. Drew's fight was certainly the highlight, it's the only thing that got us on our feet. We were surrounded by Sabres fans, and a few Jackets fans (nice to know they exist!) and one goal would have been ice to hear how loud it would have been. The guy in front of us was constantly angry about Patty and texting people about trading him. Honestly, if you're in a Paille jersey, it doesn't mean you're an expert on people getting traded off this team. 

Now I know people think I'm bias, and sometimes I am. But, even if one or two goals were Patty's doing, we still would have lost. Our offense took the night off, simple as that. The sooner people start seeing this team more clear, the better.

After what was apparently a hockey game, we returned to Starbucks to avoid the cold and wait for our bus. It appeared as though people on our bus were kicked out of the game for not only being obnoxious, but for hitting another Sabres fan. Even if it was a Jackets fan, that is entirely unacceptable. Is it so difficult to act like human beings? This is why Buffalo fans get a bad reputation, because people like that do things like that. Put down the beer and represent your team and city in a respectable manner, I promise you it isn't hard!

Being the three only sober people on the bus wasn't as bad as we were worried about, the loss probably helped in that amount. We did math homework, watched movies, and tried to sleep. It was rather uncomfortable, as you can imagine. We returned to Buffalo around four in the morning, exhausted, and still hearing people bragging about getting kicked out. I did a half ass job at scraping snow off my car, and we were asleep by 5 until 1pm. 

However, a picture of our sign on getty images and Dany scoring two goals somehow balanced things out. 

Word on the street is Patty will start against San Jose, much to the expense of Tamara's nervous system. Though, when he has one bad game he doesn't play again for weeks, unlike Ryan who plays the next night. Regardless, Shelby and I are going, and can be together for what could be the 200th win. 

He just wants to do it at home, clearly.

 I wouldn't do a bus trip again, I don't think. You know it's a bad time when you can already decide that the Montreal trip coming up in April is going to be better...

Meeting!

Members of The Coldffalo Train will be at HSBC Arena this Saturday, February 13th following th Sabres and San Jose game from roughly 9:30 to 10 in the pavilion.

Feel free to come by and be a little punk in person, if you dare ;)

Postgame: 2-6-10.

Let me tell you about a stat I saw last night. Mike Harrington from the Buffalo News put in his postgame article from last night that Nationwide Arena is the only arena where the Sabres have NEVER WON A GAME. The streak continued last night when the offense failed to show up and thanks to the game winning goal being fluky as hell, the Sabres lost 4-0. 4-0! Steve Mason was AWFUL so far this season, and I know the Blue Jackets have a new coach but...SERIOUSLY!

Okay fans, let's breathe in and out...the Sabres staff had at least a twenty-three minute meeting after the game (which hopefully included people getting their heads knocked together because it's hilarious in my mind). This is far from what the ten game losing streak had been. I'm not dumping them again unless that happens, which it will not. The Sabres will get back on track again, we just all have to be extremely positive, right? Send that energy to the team.

It starts on Tuesday versus the Bruins. Depending on the circumstances today since they are currently going to play the Habs, they might be a desperate team...but so are we.

Postgame: 2-5-10.

The Sabres lost to one of the worst teams in the league last night. Regardless of stats and how well we are doing in the standings, we have indeed hit rock bottom. If I were you Sabres fans, I would be extremely scared of what this team has at this moment. I'm pretty sure that the west coast road trip killed the Sabres in one way or another and this part of the season is always the rocky part. Will Darcy do something on Trade Deadline Day? I don't know. He says something will change 'internally' on this team and at the rate they are currently playing, I hope it shakes things up. It's not going to get any easier after the Olympics, I hope they know this.

Last night was just bad all over the place. While I think that the boys did play very well for the game, the defense looked to be out of place on a few goals and the game winning goal...it shows that Ryan is tired. Yes Miller fans, Ryan is TIRED. It doesn't help that Lindy does not know how to play back up goaltenders. Patty plays one game where he lets in four goals and then he has not played since until tonight. It's not going to get any easier after the Olympics. If an excuse for this team if they don't make the playoffs is 'Miller was tired' then it's complete bullshit. A ton of people are like 'trade Lalime, get a better backup'. Guess what people? Have you NOT seen how this team plays in front of a backup goaltender? They suck, simple as that. They do this sometimes to Ryan as well, but even moreso in front of the backup goaltender. This is not about getting a backup, this about knocking some sense into this team and they need to do it fast.

Tamara has gone to Columbus with friends of ours to watch the boys play the Blue Jackets tonight so expect a recap (maybe) of her trip. Should be an interesting one.

What do we have to look forward to on Trade Deadline Day now?!

Ilya Kovalchuk was traded to the New Jersey Devils last night for Oduya, Bergfors, Cormier (yes, THAT Cormier), and a first round draft pick. Apparently the Devils didn't get the memo that Ilya doesn't really backcheck...they're going to get a rude awakening once he plays tonight, I'm sure. Also, I'm pretty sure he's the leading goal scorer on the team, or at least right behind Parise. I'm too lazy to check up on my facts at the moment but if you feel like being exact, let me know in the comments.

Now that this is all over, I don't know what 'big name' guy we have to look forward to getting traded the day OF trade deadline day. Phaneuf is gone, Kovalchuk is gone...I can't really think of anyone else that's huge and might be traded. I'm probably overlooking people of course so when the day comes and someone is traded, I'll be like 'OH YEAH, I FORGOT ABOUT HIM!' Still, trade deadline day is one of the most exciting days of the year and I might skip school for it depending on what day it is.

I might as well make this note here too. For those of you who are posting nasty comments directed at Tamara, STOP. If you were mature enough you would not attack her on a site and maybe email or talk to her personally. It's simple really. Let's all be professional here and talk about this - and professionally, I say go fuck yourselves. Thanks.

Postgame: 2-3-10

This postgame is pretty much like every other Ottawa postgame that is going to be on this blog. Same old damn story. Either Spezza or Alfredsson score (in this case, they both scored twice), the Sabres screw it up, and they end up losing AGAIN to the Senators. I'm surprised that I haven't just not watched these games. Probably because I feel like if I didn't watch, they'll win one time and I will hate myself for awhile.

I've taken a few positives out of this game, and one is the play of Thomas Vanek last night. Anyone else notice how physical he was? I mentioned on Twitter that this was the most physical I have ever seen him in a game. He was hitting people, when he was shoved headfirst into the boards he punched whoever did it (can't remember for the life of me, but again, dude is in trouble). Considering his size, it's been nice to see him put it to good use besides standing in front of the net. I hope this is a sign of things to come with him because I would love to see him be more aggressive in games all the time. Not just because I want to see him take his helmet off and get in a fight but you know...a fangirl can dream, right?

The non-goal from last night seems pretty fishy. According to Mike Gilbert, the PR guy for the Sabres, the overhead view above the Senators goal was not working in HD but Toronto watched it on analog. That's probably why they didn't show it during the television broadcast or at the arena. It makes me think that if the HD overhead did work, it would have counted. The game might have went to OT. That really sucks. This team just has terrible luck with the Senators and I am getting so sick of it all. It's like the Bills and the Patriots tragedy even though I could care less about whether or not they lose to New England. Then again, I laughed when Alfredsson scored to make it 3-2 last night. The life of a Sabres fan.

Lucky for me, I get to watch the Sens take on the Canucks tonight. I never thought I would have to see them twice in a row with my two favorite teams. Gross. Whatever, Vancouver will win and Ottawa's streak will end so then I can do a happy dance. Or a Ryan Kesler dance.

Who is Honestly Shocked?

I have to admit, after Timmys goal last night, I thought to myself ' wow, we might actually beat Ottawa.' Then, reality set in when realizing that there was still roughly 12 minutes left in the game, and it's Ryan Miller. I even told Shelby that he was going to let in a bad goal. She told me to shut up, which she does a lot, and 11 minutes later, it happened.

Then, it happened again. But, I am yet to find a way to blame empty netters on Ryan. In fact, I'm not even sure Alfie's goal was entirely his doing, but Spezza's second goal...Patty could have stopped that from the damn bench. 

And I'm sure no one thinks that. But, thanks to Facebook privacy settings and the fact that certain people refuse to comment on my posts (big thanks for that, since I know you're reading ;) ) maybe for once those of us who don't appreciate our starter goalie can bitch in peace, no?

However, feel free to continue to sit there reading NHL stats (and nothing more) while ironing the tacky, bias USA shirts. Please, don't let me interrupt! Check on Crosbys updated stats while you're there.

It's going to be the same pattern as it always is....

-Ryan doesn't give a post game interview. Despite the rule that all players must give 5 minute interviews following any game doesn't seem to apply to the hot shot goalie. Even if he was able to get away with it, be a man! Tell the fans, the ones who know you're weak, what went down. If Rej and Timmy can do it, two players who practically saved the game, so can you!

- Rej will go back to the press box. I have two friends who are very big Sekera fans, and sadly they even know that despite no playing time, and doing a rather decent job last night, he'll go back to the press box and see ice time some time in April. I'm not saying Monty deserves to be benched, there are others before him, but this team is yet to realize how to work that. 

- Ryan will play Friday. After Pittsburgh and last night, he sure as hell deserves to be sitting in Pattys chair. But, he won't. Because I'm sure they're finding minor problems elsewhere, and he'll take on Cam Ward, who I'm sure he'll bitch about. Patty, so I hear, is  playing either Friday or Saturday. While I do hope it's Saturday because we'll be there, he deserves to help the team bounce back. I got to watch him a lot last night from our seats, and what he does on the bench. He does a lot more little things than people seem to realize. 

Then again, if you don't beat the 1 in 4 chances of making Team USA, what use are you to us?

Today is a National Holiday.

Number 28 turns 28 today!

Happy Birthday, Mr. Goose!

You're thrilled, we know.

In honor of this special day, us here at The Coldffalo Train would like to present Goose with the following gifts:

An energy conserving windmill.

Some cute orphans.

No Dany Heatly to slice your ankle open tonight. 

I am considering not going to class in honor of this very important day.

Happy Birthday!

Canada Says " Go Colts...uh...Bolts?"

Oh look, Tamara is back. Yes you lurkers, just when you thought you could have a break from taking time out of your oh so busy days, you have to go on with telling me how wrong I am. Death to Patty Lalime! Or whatever. 

Now, I know part of my New Years Resolution was to be nicer to Miller. But, when you let a little bitch score a hat trick, you are no friend of mine. And don't say he made saves, he wasn't even in the net. If he wants to be more like Patty, he should start small, little techniques he can handle. Unfortunately, I cannot think of any Patty qualities that I would want Ryan to dare take....maybe the hugging.

But, enough about the Sabres. They lost the other night, and they're going to lose tonight because it's Ottawa and that is just what we do (I will gladly eat my words should we win, as I'm sure many of us will). 

Yesterday, I was harmlessly doodling my my media criticism class when my teacher decided to talk about how the Superbowl as being the biggest ' coming together' sporting event in the world. I immediately objected (well, five minutes later) that the Olympics were far more hardcore...you know, Peyton Manning vs. the entire world coming together in one city for two weeks worth of games. 

Apparently, it's not. Furthermore, the Olympics would not exist without America. Also, and I was not aware of this, Canadians care more about the Superbowl than they would Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals (depending on the teams). 

I'll give you a minute to reflect on that...

...

So, basically, a series of games older than the Superbowl, and a sport itself whose major broadcaster is even older somehow fall short of one night of drinking and artery clogging? 

Hmmm. 

I'm going to take a guess that, since he thought Canada had a population of only 20 million, that he's never heard of a little city called Montreal. 

Just to name one.

I'll end it there.

TV ratings be damned, football ain't got nothin' on us. 

Sidney Crosby wishes he was Thomas Vanek.

I hope Patrick Marleau ends up scoring the most goals this season so he can blow everyone's mind. There are other people in the league other than Ovechkin and Crosby, thank you kindly NHL.

Last night's game sucked. I know there are people who are like 'but I LOVE watching Crosby play, he's such a great player'. Well, I certainly hope you don't enjoy watching him score a hat trick against this team because it made me physically ill. I woke up this morning with a stomachache and was wondering why that as, and then I remembered HE got a hat trick. I keep seeing it all over Twitter, most of my Twitter friends are Pens fans and I can't avoid it. It disgusts me. I'm saying this as a former Pens fan and then I realized after they won the Cup how annoying they are. Okay, the players aren't annoying but constantly having Crosby shoved down my throat is. He's the only one I can't stand anymore.

Rant, over. Phew.

Oh yeah, and whoever the Penguin was that decided it was a good idea to shoot the puck anywhere close to Thomas' face is in big trouble. I didn't watch the Ottawa game where his jaw broke so it scared me half to death when he held his face. Never. Again.

Ottawa is on Wednesday, my favorite. We got a point last time boys...

This Will Hold Over Until I Can Really Post (I'm Still Alive!)

“WHEN MILLSIE SEES IT, HE'LL MAKE THE SAVE.”

- Sabres right wing Jason Pominville after goalie Ryan Miller stopped 30 of 31 shots in a 2-1 win over Boston.
He was talking about when he shoots at Ryan's net.