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.

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...

:D

"Let me just lean over the table here..."

Go Sabres!

Postgame...of the greatest game this season.

Ryan Kesler should have scored on this breakaway, JUST SAYING.

So yesterday was a great game despite how it turned out, with the Sabres losing thanks to a stupid call by Kerry Fraser. It was fast paced, and to be honest, it went FAR too quickly for me. I wish it had never ended.

Ryan didn't get a point last night, but...
THOMAS SCORED ON THE POWER PLAY WHEN RYAN WAS IN THE BOX! EXCITEMENT COMING FROM ME! Can't you tell? That was probably the highlight for me, besides the green guys mocking Thomas when he went in the penalty box first. I burst out in a fit of laughter.

So the Sabres ended this road trip with a loss and they get to host the Devils tomorrow night. Oh joy, you just HAD to give them a hard team, didn't you dear NHL? Oy. I hope this road trip didn't show any signs of things to possibly come...

The day everyone has been waiting for!

Or only me, whatever.
The Sabres and Canucks are finally playing one another! I've had this date in my head since the schedule came out and I'm glad that it's come at last. Last time these two met up, Ryan Kesler and Steve Bernier were the only ones scoring the Canucks goals and Thomas Vanek had a three point night. I'd like to have a big night out of Ryan and Thomas again...except the Sabres should win, of course. The Canucks are on a hot streak so it's okay if they lose ONCE. The Sabres have lost the past three games in a row so they need a win here to close out the road trip.

Can you guys believe the road trip is over after this game? Insanity. Good to know the boys are coming back after tonight. It seems like forever since I've last seem them in person.

Postgame: 1-21-10

I would like to pronounce my utter disappointment with the Kings not wearing their thirds yesterday. I was hoping to see the sleek babies on the ice but of COURSE it didn't happen like that. Oh well. I'm sure when I see the Canucks play the Kings next, they will be wearing them. Unless they don't play the Kings anymore at the Staple Center, I don't know their schedule like the back of my hand unfortunately.

So the Sabres lost yet again in a shootout on this road trip, but at least they received a point for their efforts. To be quite honest, I don't mind if they only get one point against Western teams. I see it as that they don't really effect one another anyways so it's no big deal. Still, it's awesome to know that we still have the best record against the West.

Goals came from Clarke, Thomas, and someone else. I don't remember who that person is. I kind of wasn't watching the game when that goal went down so it doesn't exist, DO YOU HEAR ME RICO?! DOESN'T. EXIST. Anyways, Clarke's goal was his 13th I think, and Thomas scored his 14th on the power play apparently. That's what the Sabres site says anyways. I'm so glad he's playing well on this road trip, it's about time people lay off of him and his lack of goals from this season. If he scores only 20 goals, I won't even give a damn. You go, Thomas.

T-minus three days until the Sabres play the Canucks. It would be an understatement if I said I was excited about that game. Definitely an understatement.

Happy birthday, Thomas Vanek!

Have a good one, you studly man.

Go Sabres!

I don't think anyone cares about this except for me. And people in Austria.

Today is the day that Thomas Vanek's biography hit the shelves in German speaking countries. Unfortunately for myself, I have to wait until an English translation comes out and who KNOWS when that will be. I'm pretty bummed about it to be honest. It doesn't help that his website posted an excerpt from the book and it made me want to get it even more.

Since I'm giddy for this, I'm going to post a few paragraphs from the book:

"My mouth is wired shut and still hurts. It’s been six days now that a puck hit me in the face. It happened in the game against the Ottawa Senators when Anton Volchenkov ripped a slapshot from just a few feet away and broke my right jaw. I underwent facial surgery the next day. To help heal the injury faster the doctors had my mouth wired. I can’t even talk. It hurts not being on the ice in this emotionally charged game, only watching from above and crossing my fingers for my team.

[…] That’s why it’s so important to win tonight – or at least to give our very best. We want to help the people in the arena to forget the tragedy. We want to entertain them for an evening, detract their thoughts and lessen their suffering. It’s not so different from any other given night, people from all social stratums unite during a game. No matter if they are bankers or construction workers, they are all one in their suffering. Just like they are one in their exultation when we score tonight. There is no place like a rink or a stadium to break down social barriers."

As you can tell, this excerpt is from the day of the plane crash. That last paragraph really hits the nail on the head. Thomas is right - this city is made up of people of so many professions, but that does not mean they do not share the same exact suffering.

"I walk over to Tim Connolly and Derek Roy, the Centers I play with most of the time, and give them a friendly slap on the shoulders. Most players are already standing, anxiously waiting to get out in the rink. I give a nod to Ales Kotalik, one of my best friends on the team, and then leave the locker-room. I want to be up in the players’ box when the game starts. On my way out I pass the box with our sticks, ready to hand for the players taking to the ice. I can’t help it but my arm twitches toward my “Warrior”-stick. After a moment’s thought I put it back in the box. I won’t be needing it tonight. Wistfully I push open the heavy, chrome-plated door with the Sabres logo on it.

A few reporters are waiting outside in the hallway. They want a short comment from me. All I can do is point to my swollen jaw, shake my head and walk on. After 50 meters I come to a branch in the corridor. To the right the way leads to the parking deck where my Land Rover is parked. To the left the corridor continues on to the public area of the arena and the elevator that will take me up to the second level. I give a nod to Stan, the security guy, who guides me through the security door. Most fans are already in the arena by now, so I’m all by myself in the elevator. Everyone who visits HSBC Arena for the first time feels more like in a hotel than a sports arena. What a difference to the mostly sterile and purely functional arenas in Europe."

'All by myseeeeelf...'
Okay, really. As I read the part about how his arm twitched towards his stick, it made me extremely sad. It also makes me realize more how much he wanted to be out there and couldn't be because of his first REAL injury.

"[…] It’s 19.38, the moment Buffalo has been waiting for hours. Everybody is looking down on the 12 players on the ice. There are exactly 18,690 people in the arena, hundreds of thousands more are watching at home or in bars on television. My thoughts go out to my comrades. I can think my way into everyone of them. I know what Tim Connolly thinks, waiting for his first shift, I can feel the energy when our backup goalie Lalime gives a high five to every player returning from a shift. I can feel the tension and the camaraderie which is more pronounced in our sport than in any other. Hockey is the fastest game in the world and also one of the most exhausting. You can’t be on the ice for more than a minute and give your best. Then you have to get off and have a few moments to talk to your line mates about the last shift. This welds guys together."

How true is it that these game completely welds guys together. Not only are they all on the same team but all these guys are a family. Especially when they play together for so long. THIS team is a family.

Stuff...like the Bandits.

I forgot to mention in my last post that it was The Coldffalo Train's 52nd post, HA! I can't believe it's been that many, since most have been Shelby. 

This post will be a bit tricky, as Lalime will not stop licking my hand. I, of course, mean my kitten and not the goaltender...sadly. The damn animal also broke off a piece of the bobblehead. Tragic, I know, hopefully we can repair (if I find the missing piece). Clearly, this is a name jealously thing. 

Anywho, actual Sabres. 

Shelby already covered the depression of Roy once again scoring in OT. You're probably wondering ' geez, why does the crazy bitch think game winning goals is such a bad thing?'

Well, you crazy Miller fans that should be tied in a jacket that makes you hug yourself, if it wasn't a month long egotistical boost that was a result of these goals, who would care. Now WGR won't shut up, and we'll never know the next few scores of upcoming games because Derek Roy got lucky (at least no one gets a disease when he gets lucky like this). 

Furthermore, if Vanek had scored that OT goal, would people make such a big deal? No...and he's way better. 

In happier Buffalo sports news, the Bandits home opener is tonight! I wish I was going, but Shelby is poor, haha. They're playing Rochester, a rival team who they lost to the other night. 

If you've never been to a Bandits game, I highly recommend it. Even if you're not a lacrosse fan (you'll start) it's really a great atmosphere, and when they score a minimum of five to ten goals per game, it's a lot of fun. 

My friend Shannon and I accidently ended up at a Bandits game about two (three?) years ago, when some pushy scalpers wouldn't accept no as an answer, and it was love at first sight. We were also there when they won their most recent championship, and I cannot describe the feeling to finally see a home team win something (though they had won in the past). 

I mean, if the teachers and landscapers can do it, why can't the pros?

(Side Note: Ricky D is said to be in net tonight. Between him and Timmy, lets see if everyone can make it out alive)

The more you know.

I was looking up stuff on Sabres Edge to post here about how Chris Butler and Craig Rivet were split up unfortunately. I'm upset about this. Anyways, I was going to talk about that when I saw in written form what exactly Lindy said about Thomas' playing lately.

"

Thomas Vanek scored his first goal in seven games Saturday, and coach Lindy Ruff expressed hope today it will be the catalyst to a scoring binge for the left winger. He averaged 40 goals per year over the past three seasons but has just 12 through the Sabres’ first 44 games.

"He’s struggled until last game," Ruff said. "The offensive side of it, there hasn’t been a lot of production. There haven’t been a lot of opportunities. We need him to get going.

"I think when he doesn’t score he puts a lot of pressure on himself. There’s frustration you can see in his game. He’s got to just get by that part and make sure that you put the work in. Whatever your route or assignment is on the forecheck, on the back check, in the defensive zone, you do that first and that work will lead to the opportunities.""

Sorry, we've been winning games but...you still want him to get on a tear soon? I've said time and time again, I don't care who is leading this team in goals just as long as we are winning games. I LIKE the balanced scoring. Thomas knows he has to score more, Lindy is saying it, and the media keeps asking him. Just leave him alone. Or better yet, while you attack him why not another player that doesn't have many goals that should, eh?

Quick thing.

You know how the tape gets me going...

The Epic Adventures of Tamara and Shelby: Did I mention how much I hate shootouts?

I would have inserted a picture of Thomas scoring in the shootout, but alas, Yahoo! fails me in that department of awesome HQ pictures. Whatever.

Tamara and I somehow arrived forty minutes before warmups started at the arena last night. I am pretty sure that's a record for the both of us. We both bought our posters that had Tim Connolly on them, and headed up to my brother's seats to go hang up our sign. Unfortunately we had no idea how light the yellow was on the sign until we hung it up, but it looked pretty good from the 300s and the 100s as we watched warmups.

As soon as the game started (or right before it) we ended up on the Jumbotron. I had to poke Tamara a few times to go 'there we are!' It was pretty cool but as far as we saw, we weren't on the Jumbotron for the rest of the night.

When the game got to the shootout, we just hugged each other pretty much the entire time. It was comforting to do that, haha, especially when it went to sudden death shootout. When Thomas went out to shoot, I at first wasn't going to watch but I'm glad I did. I softly whispered a prayer to myself; hoping he would indeed score - and he did! I actually think I legit cried after he scored. It's been a long time since I've cried at a hockey game. It was no better after the Sabres lost the game, and Patty wasn't able to win his 200th game. We know that he will get that 200th win though!

The Sabres now embark on their annual west coast road trip on Thursday. They'll be at Atlanta and New York before heading out west. Last night was the first time they lost to a Western Conference opponent (which is really good) so let's hope they can rack up a few wins out west!

Postgame: 1-8-10

I almost had a heart attack at the end of the game when the score was 3-2 and the Leafs nearly tied the game. It happened before in the first meeting between these two and I was sure that it would happen again. Thank goodness that didn't happen to be the case this time around. Despite being outshot 25 to whatever in the third period, the Sabres managed to not let the game go to overtime.

Tyler Myers is making a case for himself since he had three points last night. Most people are now saying he could be up for the Calder Trophy? It would be a cool honor if he got it but I'm not expecting too much from just rumors being spread around. If it happens, then it happens, and I will see it during the NHL Awards in June.

It seems like forever since Thomas has had a point and he got one last night on Tyler's second goal. Thank God. He has been doing the little things but it was sure nice to see him be awarded for once on the scoresheet. I'm pretty sure he has more assists now than goals. Who would've thought THAT would happen? Maybe he's going to score thirty something goals for the rest of the season, but we will see.

Thanks to my awesome brother Jason (as Tamara mentioned in her last post), her and I are going to the game tonight! Make sure to look for our sign in 318 if you're going or if you're watching on television.

So about that biography...

This is a little snippet of the biography that is coming out about Thomas on the 18th of this month. As you can see, it's in German and who knows how long it's going to be until an English translation of this comes out. I hope soon because I would like to be able to read it...As weird as it is, for the past year or so I was thinking about someone possibly writing a biography on him eventually. I didn't expect it to be THIS soon but maybe after he retired. I mean, Sidney Crosby has a biography based on his play in midgets and juniors, so I'm guessing that's what's mainly going to be discussed in this biography for Thomas.

Here is a snippet from his website on what is in the book. It's roughly translated so it may not sound right.

"Curtain call for Thomas Vanek. Born on January 19th 1984 as the son of a Czeck refugee family near Vienna, raised in Zell am See and Graz he has the courage to leave his home for North America only 14 years old to pursue his dream. The game of his life was taught to him by his father: Hockey.

After seven years in the juniors and minors finally a dream comes true: 2005 Vanek takes to the ice for the Buffalo Sabres for his first NHL game ever, surrounded by the greatest hockey-talent in the world. Following in the footsteps of Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr he’s been breaking records ever since. Already in his sophomore season Vanek scores 43 goals and 41 assists.23 years old Vanek over night becomes the highest paid hockey player in the world. 50 million dollars for 7 years.January 2009 sees Vanek becomes the first Austrian ever to take part in the NHL All Star Game. On February 4th he scores his fourth consecutive natural hattrick, matching an NHL record from the year 1924."

When I told my mom about this, she said 'it's probably going to be a pamphlet'. It better not be! As soon as it comes out, I may spend money on getting it imported here just so that I can have the original version as well, as a collectible.

Postgame: 1-3-10.

I was planning on posting something else today, and then I remembered there was a game yesterday. Oh yeah.

One of the most boring games in existence but a win is a win, correct? That is how I felt after the Pittsburgh and Atlanta games. No matter how they get the points, I will take it. Ryan Miller was stellar in the net once again and got a shutout which I think he needed after what happened against Pittsburgh. A good confidence booster. He's now tied with Ilya Bryzgalov with the most shutouts in the league. Good job Ryan! Do any of you remember when it used to be a miracle when Ryan would get a shutout? Not the case this year. I would also like to mention that the defense has been awesome this year too (most of the time) so Ryan should say thank you to them too. A shutout is a group effort!

There is now a three way tie between Thomas, Timothy, and Clarke for the leader in goals on this team. Who is going to break that barrier first, hmmmm? Honestly I don't care as long as SOMEONE is putting pucks into the net on this team. WHOA, I JUST FOUND SOMETHING OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF TYPING THIS. Clarke only has ten goals! Okay, Thomas and Timothy have to fight it out now. As I said, as long as we're scoring goals and we're winning, I
don't care. There are going to be people at the end of this season though if Thomas has a (god forbid) low point in his career for goals and they'll ask why we're paying him so much. Everyone, just chill out. We have him for four more years after this. Get a grip.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

I had no doubt, but RYAN KESLER! AHHHHH, I AM SO HAPPY! THIS NEW YEAR HAS STARTED OFF GREAT! Bring on February, and soon! ksaihifieojrmoweofroasdfhasofoe!!!!!!!!!!!!

:D :D :D Time to save up money for a nice and shiny Kesler USA jersey, byyyyyyye!

Edit: Not only does Ryan make Team USA, but THOMAS HAS A BIOGRAPHY COMING OUT, OH MY GOD, MY LIFE. Though when it comes out it will only be in German, but I still plan on buying it. Why? Because I'm a freak. Woooooo, I love 2010!!!

We interrupt this programming for an important announcement.

Dear citizens of Buffalo, New York!,

Contrary to popular belief, Austria's National Men's Ice Hockey Team is not, I repeat, is NOT in the Olympics this year! I've gotten many 'wait, Austria doesn't HAVE a national team?' They do indeed, they just didn't qualify. 'Wait, Thomas is also part Czech, part German, and you can throw in the USA too, right?' WRONG. Since Thomas is practically perfect in every single way he is very loyal to his country and would not play for any other team during the Olympics. Good for him I say!

Okay, you can all get back to your daily lives now. Happy New Year's Eve!

If Airport Security Wasn't Rough Enough.

I have to learn that we kept Ottawa's undefeated streak alive...at least against us. The back up goalie now does better in shootouts than our starter, let that sink in folks!

Anywho, I'm sitting in JFK airport, watching my delay time get higher and higher and higher....Shelby kept me updated on the game. Perks to Derek Roy finally not playing in a game, but boo to Drew Stafford being benched. What the heck! You bench DREW before other people!? Because he was on the ice for the goals? You know who else was...Ryan Miller. 

Thomas came back, but Shelby covered that.

It's cool, we needed to get Mike Fisher an engagement present anyways, right? 

But enough about the game. 

I hope everyone had a nice holiday. My dad had a layover in NYC so my mom and I met him down here, and are yet to have our ' family ' Christmas at home. 

If it wasn't for the damn rain, it would have been a fantastic trip (that and my mothers horrific snoring in the hotel last night, ugh). We still walked around today, we went to the Plaza where I got a picture with the bobblehead (who is on his way to Dubai with my dad). 

And, since my mom made my dad and I lay around about 45 department stores, I got to go to the NHL store! I was stoked for it, but then was slightly disappointed. I thought it was so much bigger, and I'm not sure why. There was nothing there that I couldn't have gotten elsewhere, so I stuck to a present for Shelby, who kindly took time out of her Christmas Day to go check on my furry little man. 

The cashier and I had an interesting conversation, which started because he had a Whalers shirt and an Islanders hat on. 

...woah. I had a brief panic moment when I saw the Flyers won. Then I realized it was to Carolina...in a shootout. No worries!

I tell ya, that bobblehead is going to have some serious air miles on it. My dad isn't too keen on taking his picture in Dubai, in case he looks nuts. BUT...if we can get Ryan Miller to do it, he'll survive. 

We had a little incident with him in Buffalo at security. They took him out of my bag and were like what is thisss and had to run him through security again. The girl said she was a Sabres fan and I was like ' no, so am I, it's Lalime!' and the guy there told her to turn it around. THEN he started going on about how Patty was only doing well because he was trying to up his trade value...because " that's what happened to Hasek."

Those security dudes pretty be grateful they have guns.

...but a comparison to Hasek, not bad. 

Happy Boxing Day!

The Sabres are facing off against the Senators tonight, and I have no faith in them whatsoever. Alfredsson and Spezza are both out with injuries but I feel like the team could beat us with a bunch of rookies. It's rather disgusting. The only positive for tonight I feel (for me, anyways) is that Thomas is coming back in the lineup tonight! Woo! I attended the practice today and he looked primed and ready to go out there. I'm so glad he's back. I say this after he's only been gone for two games, but this is still exciting news for me.Welcome back! :D

Postgame: 12-14-09

I'll be honest with you all - last night, I was falling asleep during the game. FALLING ASLEEP! It was an entertaining game to say the least, and it was hard for me to stay awake. I'm at least glad that they won and are now four points ahead of the Bruins in the Northeast Division. We all know who they see on Wednesday...oh boy.

What about that clock mishap, huh? Most Sabres fans would have been furious if a goal had been scored during the time the clock stopped, and thank God that didn't happen. Tamara and I didn't even realize the game had ended because the clock was stopped at eight seconds and then when they changed the clock time, it was supposed to have ended already. I'm sure Habs fans are finding a way to bitch about it but whatever. It was just nice to see the Sabres not completely collapse and lose two points.

Clarke MacArthur is now leading the team in goals. Stop the presses. I'm pretty cool with it as long as Thomas can keep it up in other categories because to be honest, I like the balance scoring happening on this team. This team has been lacking it for the past two seasons, and if it means that his goal amount has to go down a bit? I'm okay with that. He's said it himself that he's just happy if the team can win, not about how many goals he can get or whatever.

Heeeey, the last time the Sabres played the Senators was when we went on our Ottawa trip. let's hope it doesn't turn into the same kind of game it was last time.