Boyes Boyes Boyes, postgame 3-1-11.

After the lack of exciting trades in the NHL yesterday (seriously, the Sabres had one of the biggest ones), the Sabres came to the Big Apple to scrounge two huge points against the Rangers. Carolina won their game against Florida so they are still two behind, but continue to have two games in hand on the Hurricanes. They play against them Thursday so this should be a good game we have in our sights. At least, I hope so. I'm going to assume that it'll be a pretty tight affair with a lot of hitting and chances. At the same time, I don't think a lot of scoring will happen. Both teams aren't going to want to give up much...there's much at stake for this game.

Brad Boyes scored his first as a Sabre tonight and I'm pretty excited. Yes, we've seen this happened with Steve Bernier when he came here and scored two goals in his debut. At the same time, Boyes has been productive even in St. Louis so I certainly hope that this isn't just a flash of something that won't exist in the future as well. He had a number of hits during the game and made some pretty good plays. I say that this was an excellent debut for him. Tim Connolly got an assist tonight so I think that him and Boyes together is a good combination.

So Thomas Vanek likes to scare people (not just with his intense sniffling action) and when he limped off the ice, I was mildly concerned that it was extremely bad. So I didn't see him come back because I was searching for some things in my basement with Tamara, then I came back up to see that - BOOM - number twenty-six was back out there and being a boss. He had a great backcheck on Dubinsky I think, and overall had another great game. I think that A does something to him. Whatever it is, I like it. Lindy says he shouldn't be out at all but he was still limping when he got off the ice. I can't imagine if it's painful or just uncomfortable but I admire him either way for deciding to play through it. I just hope it doesn't hinder his game too much.

I'm thinking about making a new blog that combines both the Sabres and Canucks since I rarely talk about my second favorite team here...I've been trying to come up with a name but I lack in creativity. Also, I would switch to Wordpress if anything. I just feel like a need a change to spark my ability to write more here. I use school as an excuse too frequently. I miss blogging, you guys.

Postgame: 10-11-10.

No one wants to see a player get hurt, no matter what team it is. Unless you're Flyers fans but that's a whole 'nother story for a different time. As most of us know Jason Pominville got hit from behind by Niklas Hjarlmasson last night. Niklas isn't a dirty player by any means but the hit itself was quite dirty and left Jason motionless on the ice for a little bit. Lindy says he has a concussion and will be out for a least a week. Niklas received a two game suspension for it.

...Wait, only two games?!

I think it would be different if the James Wisniewski/Sean Avery incident didn't happen earlier yesterday too. If you haven't heard about that, Wiz made a very inappropriate gesture towards Avery and that caused a ruckus. Now, he was also suspended for two games. Are you telling me the league is putting inappropriate gestures in the SAME category as getting a concussion and thankfully not being hurt worse? You bet they are.

This league is a joke and frankly, I don't wonder why anymore they don't show it on national television. Colin Campbell doesn't understand how to hand out suspensions. Neither do I, but I'm sure there's a better person out there for the job. If anything, Niklas should stay out until Jason comes back as punishment. An eye for an eye so to speak. It would just make sense.

I know I put 'Postgame' in the heading, but I don't know what to say about last night other than I'm glad Jason is all right. I don't know what happened to the boys out there and so far, I've only listened to one interview about what went on. From reading others' Tweets, it sounds like they said the right things after the loss. Hopefully they can turn it around for tomorrow night's game when they face a familiar looking dude - Henrik Tallinder.

TEAOTAS is going to the game tomorrow too so look out for matching Rivet jerseys if you want to say hi. Go Sabres.

TEAOTAS crashes the home opener.

And the Sabres manage to crash it too, in a horrible way.

They dropped a 6-3 decision against the New York Rangers and decided to let Derek Stepan get his first NHL goal PLUS a hat trick in his first NHL game. For the record, congratulations Derek! He is only the fourth rookie to ever do that in his first NHL game which is pretty impressive. He capitalized on his chances which the Sabres did not do for most of the night last night. He is now the answer to a trivia question.

Tamara and I made it to the arena rather early and got our magnet schedules (!!!). We then did the usual, watching pregame warm ups and whatnot. The Sabres decided to change the Sabres In Traffic photos around the arena so now I get to see this whenever I get up the stairs:


*wiggles eyebrows*
Moving on.

My brother and mom were at the game too, FUN TIMES. My mom hasn't been to a game in a couple of years, and it's sad she had to see that monstrosity of a game last night. Seriously, they had almost forty (if not over) shots on goal and could only score three. Their power play units need to be shot. Everyone would not skate last night. WHAT GIVES? I understand back to back nights but you can't always use that as an excuse.

I was so angry by the end of the game that I was yelling at Rangers fans to go back to the city. Like, literally screaming it. Also calling the Sabres bastards but I never booed them once since I don't roll like that. Yesterday was just SUCH a sloppy game. I started laughing in the third just because that's all you can do when your favorite team plays like that. I'm pretty sure all of my screaming helped me feel much better though.

For the record, Thomas Vanek has the lowest +/- on this team with a -5. Go figure. Haha, man, I hate life right now.

The Sabres face the Stanley Cup champions tomorrow and I hope that it'll be more exciting in that both teams will score a lot of goals. With the Sabres coming out on top, of course. Someone needs to wreck Patrick Kane's life too, that would be spendid.

Go Sabres.

Mark Mancari, you're up.

According to this Sabres Edge article, Mark Mancari has been called up to play with the Sabres since Drew's injured and is playing with Thomas and Derek for tonight's game. Looks like Lindy has a lot of confidence in him tonight to put him on that line and I know with those two guys, he can maybe get something going. I wasn't impressed with him when he was up here earlier in the year (also against the Rangers) but maybe tonight will be different for him.

The Pirates are also playing here today in Buffalo, so best of luck to them so they can defeat Rochester! Go Pirates! Let's go, Buffalo!

Postgame: 12-5-09

As I mentioned last night, losses like these are always better when you watch them with people who can make you laugh. Watching it alone can send you into hysterics; yelling at your television every so often or just turning the game off completely. Last night we sat through the entire game and watched as the Sabres gave up two points to the Rangers while I believe they are second in the division yet again.

If you were at the game, they showed a stat last night that I didn't even think of during the third period. The line of Vanek-Kennedy-Grier? They all won the NCAA championships when they played in college. I thought to myself 'Wow, that's really neat.' and decided also that I would call them the Wheaties line. The breakfast of champions!

Watching Tyler Myers play lately has been a headache. Ever since he was able to stay up here, he's been on a rollercoaster ride. I understand that rookies are always going to make mistakes but it seems to me he's been making the same mistake every so often in a game. He was definitely the reason for the first goal last night. Don't remember much about the second. I would just like to see him stay calm with the puck and not try and make a play all the time. It's not necessary.

Maybe for Monday there can be a Fabian reunion, eh Zach and Drew? Just need Jordan and some bad clothes, and you're all set.

Oh Al, I can't like you anymore now.

It has been confirmed that Ales Kotalik is now a New York Ranger. I think that is where Sabres careers go to die or something, or they're just all going there after leaving the organization. Details haven't been announced yet, but I'm sure they paid a lot for him...You know how the Rangers roll.

Sorry Al. If you had signed with a team I actually liked, I would like you. Now I have to hate you. Good day sir.

I am a very naughty blogger. Bad Shelby.

I haven't updated for the past three days, and I hardly paid any attention to the Flyers and Rangers games. I paid a lot more attention to the Flyers game than the one last night (of course I do that to the one where they lose 6-3). I watched the post game and saw Gomez hit Miller behind the net. I didn't really see if he could've stopped, so my verdict is out the window. I have no personal opinion on what occurred with Miller, but all we know is that he's out indefinitely with a high ankle sprain. Great.

I'm not going to say that the Sabres are out of the playoff hunt now. This happened before in 05-06, and Marty took over. Didn't he win thirteen straight games or something? I know that Lalime could do the exact same thing. The team just needs to play well in front of him, and with a few more games in a row under his belt, Lalime will get in the groove. I feel like the team has nothing to worry about.

Still doesn't mean I hope that Ryan recovers as quickly as he can, and Vanek is back soon too. This team can do wonders without them both, but the both of them will bring a lot back to the team once they're healthy enough to return.

Foiled again! SABRES WIN

How about that for a win, eh? Ryan Miller foiling Chris Drury of his dastardly plan to make the shootout keep going. Well sir, that was well played but...YOU FAILED! There was no way you were going to pull a Daniel Briere, a la last season and score on your previous team. It's okay. I still love you...not in a Rangers jersey, but I love you as a player. I promise.

I was surprised at how fast the first period was moving but thanks to there being hardly any whistles, this could've helped out the quickness of the first. By the midway point of the first period I noticed that no team really controlled the flow of the game. Yes, it was fast paced from both sides but equally. One team was not quicker than the other (though, the Rangers looked to be in a lot of trouble within the first few minutes).

Oh, how about the no call on Mara for manhandling Goose? It looked like he was all over him from my TV screen unless I'm completely blind. Then that gorilla decides to score a goal for the Rangers that bounces off three players. Vanek, Connolly, AND Roy. Guys, guys, guys...we must learn to not help out the opposing team when they want to score. (I'm just kidding of course, but I hate screened goals. When they're against us, I mean.)

The second period was ehhhhhh, at least until the Sabres finally got their first shot on goal in the period near the halfway mark. A miracle. I can't believe how many shots the Rangers had at the time, and if it weren't for Miller, the Sabres would've been doomed from the start of the second period. Then my mom's and my prayer was answered when Spacek stopped a cross ice pass from the Rangers, tossed it over to Roy would tapped it to Vanek, who quickly tapped it to Stafford (in an oh so sexy way because it went through the Rangers D's legs), who tapped it back to Roy, who put in a rebound for the Sabres first goal. Roy-Stafford-Vanek is magic, people. And that rhymes, too!

I didn't watch the beginning of the third period because I was in the midst of taking a shower, but it appeared to me that the Sabres decided to outshoot the Rangers this period. Nicely done, boys. And then the dreaded OT, and Harry pulls up some stats. The Sabres are 1-3 in 4-on-4 OT hockey. Can you say...ouch? I remember when I got excited for OT because I had a feeling the Sabres would win everytime. Now, not so much. I sat through that and almost had an ulcer when Vanek had a chance to score - twice - and then again when Roy almost put one home right at the end of OT.

Whenever shootouts come on, you'll either find me in my bathroom or my bedroom; waiting it out. I can't stand them. They make me anxious/jittery/nauseous. So I waited in my bedroom. Patiently. Until 10:07 when I decided to head back downstairs and hear Kevin Sylvester say that Ryan Miller foiled Chris Drury when he wanted to keep the shootout going and the Sabres won 2-1. Hurray! Not a very pretty win, but it's still a win. We can only hope that they somehow solve Ty Conklin and the Red Wings tomorrow. Please?

Ladies and gentlemen, your New York Rangers...

The Rangers are doing a seven page photoshoot for Men's Journal. Link>>
This picture makes me think three things:
1.) Wow, I have no attraction to Wade Redden whatsoever. Maybe it's the fact he was a Senator for a bajillion years. I can't stand those Senators.
2.) I still love Chris Drury, sorry folks.
3.) Markus Naslund...ahh, am I glad you're on the east coast. Then again, I loved you as Vancouver's capitano. ): I miss you as a Canuck...

Thank God Sean Avery isn't around the city anymore, otherwise he would be all over this spread. I still love how their was a GAP ad across the street from the facility where the Sabres practiced, and his big head was on there. Awesome. I hope one of the boys tried to TP the thing. (Danny, I bet it was YOU. You sly dog.) Then Adam would have to discipline him and everything.

If you have not seen M.J.'s latest post, then you are missing out. You're either going to need new eyes after you pour peroxide into them, or you're going to need a new pair of lungs after laughing so much.

Oh, and where are our Sabres in a magazine? I would like a spread of all the guys wearing nice suits and such. Or they could all do this;


Um. Yes. So, uh...what was I talking about again?
Oh yeah!
Sabres. Magazine spread for NeXt or whatever, I don't care. Make something happen, thanks.

I've got a Vanek attack going on. SABRES WIN.

6-0 for the Rangers? Setting a franchise record? I DON'T THINK SO, WOOOOOO.
Quick Summary:
- Our penalty kill is still 100% effective. Work it, boys!
- We scored the the PP again. Tim Connolly still isn't playing.
- Thomas Vanek is a man possessed, and I think I like it. <3
- I am falling hard for Danny Paille (not like I haven't already). He is getting involved everywhere. Plus, he assisted on both of my boy's short handed goals.
SPEAKING OF SHORT HANDED GOALS:
...Nevermind, NHL.com hasn't updated yet. THEY BETTER GET ON THE BALL.
Continuing on - The Sabres defensive game has been incredible so far. I am proud of these boys and what they have done these first games. Sure, it's only been three games, but this game was going to be a challenge and they pulled through. The last few minutes were not very fun for me though, to be quite honest.
- Markus Naslund, stay on the East side of the league forever, please. I love you.
- Chris Drury, one point in six games? What happened to Captain Clutch?

How Swede it is...NOT.

I was very mad yesterday when I was searching through my Time Warner Cable guide to find that not only were they not showing the Lightning/Rangers game on television, but they also weren't showing the Penguins/Senators game either. I live in the Rochester area of WNY, so CBC is out of the question here (but one of my friends at school gets it?) and my family doesn't want to pay the extra five bucks to get the NHL Network. I would've watched it on the internet, but why do that when there's a nice, HD television down in my living room where I could watch Sidney Crosby attempt to grow a five hair?

Another point I wanted to make was...the NHL is trying to broaden the market in Europe, yes? They should let the fans who don't have CBC/NHLN have a chance to watch the ongoings in Europe with all four teams. I know they're showing the games today, but I would've preferred to watch all four instead of just two. It worked last year, didn't it? (I missed those games too, by the way.) The NHL and the way they do their marketing confuses the heck out of me. I probably shouldn't ponder otherwise I'll be thinking about this all day.

It's amazing how much younger Sid the Kid looks without sort of longish hair, and a clean shaven face.

I'z b twnty-1 noaw?

What a babyface! If he still look like this when he hits his early thirties, he will be like a certain French Canadian we all know (and might love? Maybe? You know who it is.)

On the flipside of the European games...

My other favorite 26 in the East!

Marty St. Louis! Or 'Luis' as according to these captions. I'm going to apply for an editing job for these photos, for real. I mean, how do you get the number '66' from '87'? HOW DOES THAT EVEN WORK? But, I digress.

I plan on watching both of these games, including...

SABRES @ RED WINGS, WOOOOOOO.

Hooray for televised preseason games! Too bad it's the Detroit feed. But still, TELEVISED PRESEASON GAMES, YAHOO!

My prediction is that the Red Wings are going to place Ty Conklin in net because you know they're saying 'Hey, this guy totally stonewalled the Sabres when he was in the net last season. LET'S PUT HIM IN TO GIVE CHRIS OSGOOD SOME REST.', but then, they'll realize their mistake when all of the sudden the Sabres power play turns out to be really good tonight. (It will be, right?) Or Tim Connolly miraculously has a healed back before the game and decides to play. (Highly doubt it.)

Whatever happens, happens. IT'S ONLY THE PRESEASON. It all starts on Friday, baby~ Which makes me wish I wasn't a senior in high school, but a freshman in college so that I could go to the Party In The Plaza. ): My Homecoming game is on Friday, so I must DVR the game...And they usually lose when I DVR games, so this is bad. Hopefully they won't do it this year!

Speaking of Homecoming, this week is my school's ~Spirit Week~! I have:

Tomorrow - Toga Day
Tuesday - Twin Day (In thus, my best friend and I are dressing like each other. Too bad she hates hockey/the Sabres.)
Wednesday - Elegant Day
Thursday - Class Distinction Day (The senior class got stuck with black. We're rebelling.)
Friday - Spirit Day

Then the Homecoming game is on Friday, along with our pep rally. Oh, we also have a bonfire on Tuesday but I still don't know if I'm going to that...

About one more hour until the Lightning/Rangers, fwee! I don't give a care who wins this game, I just want to see Markus Naslund in some High Def. Oh, and Chris Drury with that 'C' on his jersey. I can't hate the guy, it's really hard.

And for the Penguins/Senators...Go Penguins!