U-S-A!

TEAM USA PRIDE!


Both teams played great. I got concerned when USA blew the 2-goal lead with just a few minutes to spare, but I'm glad we were able to get the win. I love Canada, and I'm sad they lost, but five gold medals in a row is enough (for now.)

USA! ♥

Paetsch Clears Waivers... Now What?

Happy to report that Nathan Paetsch has cleared waivers!

A couple of things to mention regarding this:

First... I'm surprised. No, he hasn't played a lot this season... but he's very useful. He can double as a forward and a defenseman, and he's a versatile player. Teams are missing out.

Second... now what? Are the Sabres going to send him down to Portland? That'd be nice in a way - he could get some playing time, and at least his skills would be put to use. Do we keep him up in Buffalo (similar to Adam Mair) and keep benching him & wasting his talent?

One of the Most Boring Games of the Year...

Well, I'm proud to say that the Sabres haven't lost yet this year! YAY!

In all seriousness.. we're 2-0 in 2010, and have won four straight. We're on a roll... even if some of the games weren't great. (I hardly consider two games with three-goal deficits "great.")

The game against Montreal yesterday was better. We limited their chances, and although we (again) didn't score in the 1st period, neither did they.

Most importantly, we were pretty disciplined. They've got the best power play in the league, so only giving them two chances (both thanks to Tim Kennedy... *ahem*) isn't bad. Too many penalties and we would've handed the game to them on a silver platter.

Ryan got the shutout - his 5th of the season... now he's tied for the league lead! That game also helped lower his GAA and save percentage, and he's now listed as second in both statistics.

It was a win... not very pretty, but a win. We played gritty, limited their opportunities, and stayed disciplined to wrap up the win.

The Sabres now have a three game homestand, with Tampa Bay on Wednesday, Toronto on Friday, and Colorado on Saturday.

(I expect Patty to play at least one of these games!)

Also... NATHAN PAETSCH has been placed on waivers... :( :( :(

Satan to the Bruins

Bob McKenzie of TSN just "confirmed" yesterday's reports. Free agent Miroslav Satan has, indeed, signed with the Boston Bruins for the remainder of this season.

He's also picked up a no-trade clause with the deal.

This means that three Bruins players used to be part of the Sabres organization:
Danny Paille - PIE! I MISS YOU.
Miroslav Satan - Meh.
Dennis Wideman - Wait, WHAT?

I didn't know this, but the Sabres actually drafted Wideman in 2002, 241st overall! (Thanks to Shelby for pointing that out!)

Well, Miro.. I wish you success in Boston. I'll always remember that time I saw you and your girlfriend (or whatever she was at the time, I don't think they were married yet) at the Galleria Mall shopping for jewelry.

Down, But Not Out

Three goals in less than eight minutes, and things weren't looking too good.

But have no fear, the Comeback Kids are here!

For the second straight time, the Sabres were down 3-0 and came back to win. A great performance by Hecht (2 goals and 1 assist) was pivotal in the game, and Jochen ended up getting first star on NHL.com. Granted there were only two games yesterday, but I'm still proud of him!

Dear Sabres,
Please stop falling behind during games. I don't mind as long as you come back, but it gives the fans a heart attack sometimes. I'd like it if you guys stop sucking during the first period (yeah... they've been bad) and started working hard from the first puck drop.

Anyways... I'm glad we won. The first period was not good - we looked like we did too much partying on New Year's Eve! And falling behind 3-0 wasn't good either, but I had no doubt that we could come back. And sure enough, we did.

Derek Roy, I don't really like you, but thanks for getting the game winning goal in overtime.

I'm very glad we won, especially with Boston winning earlier in the day. We're still top of the Northeast, and we've moved into SECOND in the conference, behind New Jersey! I'm proud of the way these boys have been winning as of late, and if they continue to work hard, I think we can do great.

Montreal might be a challenge tomorrow, and then we've got three home games in four days (Tampa Bay, Toronto, Colorado) and we've also got that West Coast trip coming in a few weeks... so it'll be a tough next few weeks. But we can do it!

(Oh, and a note I'd like to add: This is the first time in franchise history that the Sabres have won back-to-back games by overcoming a three-goal deficit!)

Winter Classic 2010

I am a fail at updating this thing. Sorry! I swear I will try harder. I promise.

First off, Happy New Year everyone! Hope you all had a safe and happy night/morning, and that 2010 brings you all whatever you wish. I had a very nice night with some friends, including Shelby & Tamara of The Coldffalo Train.

Second... the Winter Classic. I was cheering for the Bruins, because I simply can't stand the Flyers. Yes, Boston's a division rival, but... I don't care. Dating within the division XD The only Flyers I like are Carter, Richards, and Coburn, but I still don't like the team.

It was a good game - the most physical of all the WCs so far, including the first fights in a WC so far! I still say that having the event in a football stadium is better than having it in a baseball stadium, for numerous reasons:

- Football stadiums hold more people. Ralph Wilson Stadium's 2008 WC hosted over 71,000 people, while today's event at Fenway Park only hosted just over 38,000.

- The set up at baseball stadiums is awkward. The rink isn't shaped properly to be placed on a baseball diamond, which makes it uneven in terms of how far it is from the fans. Some of the fans are SUPER close to the rink, while others end up super far away. I just don't like that idea. The football field & ice rink are shaped the same, at the very least, offering for a more even view for all.

Also... nothing will ever beat the 2008 Winter Classic. The "snow globe" atmosphere made it truly perfect.

Anyways, yes. Boston won! In overtime! Cheers!

I'm hoping that next time they do a Winter Classic, it's between two Canadian teams. Toronto/Ottawa (Battle of Ontario) perhaps? :D

The Sabres are now playing the Thrashers, it's scoreless after one. Let's win this one, boys!

Cheers for Wins!

I'm so terrible at keeping this thing up! I'm sorry! School is nearly over (exam week coming up now) and I swear I'll try harder.

The Sabres have been working it out. They're first in the division, and third in the conference, with 38 points. This makes me super happy!

Ryan has been such a superstar lately. He's always been great, but this season, he's really been shining. He's top in GAA, save %, and shutouts. Some of the saves he's made... have been amazing.

Not to say that Patty hasn't been good! He did a FANTASTIC job of shutting down the Blackhawks last night.

I worked the press box at Wednesday's game (twas awesome. I love the press box and everything about being a sports journalist. It really is perfect for me.) It was my second time in the press box/locker room (the first was November 9th) and it was even better this time around. I can't believe I saw Semyon Varlamov! Unexpected. I also saw the Capitals kicking around a soccer ball before the game... I'd never been that close to Ovechkin before. Insane.

Oh, and I also talked to Paul Gaustad. No big deal ^_^

Also, Caroline's comment made me realize.. I should probably clarify things. I write for the Buff State newspaper (I'll be associate sports editor next semester), and we get press passes for some of the games. Therefore, when that happens, I usually eat dinner in the media lounge (which is next to where I saw Ovechkin & the Caps), sit in the press box for the game, and go to the locker room post-game to interview the boys. (This time, it was Hank, Monty, and Gerbe.) Lastly, I attend Lindy's post-game press conference... then write an article about it all for the school paper :)

Last night's game, I attended as a fan. I met up with Shelby (Puck Over The Glass) and Tamara (Robbing Him Blind) for warmups, which was nice because I LOVE CHICAGO. The Hawks & Penguins are my favorite teams besides Buffalo, so seeing them was awesome.

Shelby, Tamara, and I ended up sitting together for the 2nd and 3rd periods, so that was nice. I don't mind going to games alone - I do it a lot - but being with other people is obviously a lot better.

I hated that people booed Kaner. I LOVE YOU, KANER. I SUPPORT YOU. I was rocking my Kane shersey underneath my Gaustad jersey last night :O

Overall, we played really well. Lalime was spectacular, which is a huge part of why we won last night. Two-game winning streak say whatttt? :D

I just hope we can continue such play tonight against the Rangers.

Lastly... my condolences go out to Mike Grier and his family.