Playing Like You Want It, Postgame 3-3-11.

It's too bad that this postgame is actually going to be the opposite of what my title says.

The Sabres came out playing well in the first and for the beginning part of the second. There were a lot of Sabres fans in the crowd and I'm sure it made the Sabres feel right at home. There were plenty of hits and some good, missed chances. For instance, Thomas had a great chance that he just missed to put in the net since it went behind Cam Ward and across the crease. There were huge saves at each end of the ice but the first period turned out scoreless. You go to the second period, and Steve Montador scores the first goal of the game. Then the Canes came right back on a horrible, defensive breakdown. Brad Boyes managed to get his second in as many games as a Sabre to make it 2-1 again and then - you guessed it! - the Canes came back after Ryan Miller mishandled the puck and got stuck spun around in his net and facing the other way. If you look at both of those goals, they were terrible reads by Miller himself but the defense gave him no help at all, either. I just wonder how Ryan reacted to this on the postgame...I never listen to the WGR postgame after away games but perhaps I should start to hear what the players have to say. I'm sure it wasn't at all pleasant.

The game unfortunately went to overtime and it wasn't even a minute in when McBain scored the game winner for the Hurricanes. The shot easily went through his pads (five hole) and into the net. People saw my Twitter reaction to that goal...let's just say, that damn five hole needs to stay closed, Ryan. Seriously.

I am significantly less angry than I was as soon as the game had ended just so I could write this blog post with some logic. I realize, you Miller apologists out there that Ryan has played 38 of the Sabres last 39 games. You know how crazy that is? I bet his body is fatigued. It isn't his fault that Lindy is making him play, but maybe he should step up and say 'hey, maybe this is taking a toll on my body. I believe that my backup can win a game or two for us.' ...Or he's a hockey player, and a lot of fans don't believe that they're human in the slightest.

The Leafs won tonight so they're one point behind us, while we are now two points behind the Rangers. Looks like it's time to catch the blue shirts if anything. Also, just read on Alex's Facebook status that Ryan had indeed admitted to playing the puck badly. You sir are starting to realize that you can indeed make mistakes. Hopefully your fans start to realize the same.

TEAOTAS returns for the preseason.

Tamara and I actually attended the Leafs game together too, but since I made a video for that game I figured it was unnecessary for the TEAOTAS post. So for the first time this season, TEAOTAS has returned! I know you're all excited to hear about our stupidawesome adventures throughout this season as we go to games. We sat fairly close at the game yesterday and neither of us brought our cameras. Can you say epic fail? Ah well, I'm dangerous with a camera to begin with and sitting up close would have been more of a disaster if I had it on me. Tamara and I apparently were on the Flyers feed at one point if you were watching online or on the NHL Network, and were seen talking. Honest to God, that's not different from how we usually are during games anyways.

The Flyers got off to a quick 2-0 start and the annoying Flyers fans that were sitting near us caused a ruckus. Then that's when the onslaught began with eight straight goals. I was hoping for ten, but I GUESS nine is okay. :P It was a good way to end the preseason with a huge win like that, but as Flyers fans would probably say 'YOU BEAT OUR B-TEAM!!!111' That's your B-Team? They need some work. Better get on that, Phantoms.

Can we talk about Drew Stafford for a minute? You already have? I'm going to talk about him again anyways. I'm talking about the goal. You know what I'm talking about. As soon as the puck went into the net, I turned to Tamara and went 'that was an Ovechkin goal'. There's no video of it online as of yet, but it reminds me of the goal he scored against the Leafs two seasons ago. I stand by my statement that I said on Twitter that the guy is going to get 35+ goals this season. Not good in a contract year? I don't care, the guy deserves a good season and everyone to get off his back. He also got the first star which we were happy to see. :) Aww, Drewseph.

It's weird to think that the real season starts on Thursday for the league. It's about time, to be honest. I just wonder how the boys are going to come out against Ottawa on Friday...we shall see, won't we?

As an end to this post, I am leaving you with the new Ryan Miller ad. If you haven't seen it yet, please do. There's something about the frustration in his eyes when Don LeGreca says over the commercial 'but do you think they can be a Stanley Cup contender?' It speaks for this city, those eyes. Enjoy.

Training Camp: Day One.

For the record, I always keep forgetting that the Sabres split up the boys into three groups - the practice squad for the day and then the two teams who are playing in the scrimmage. Team Seymour (I think) was out for the practice squad today. Stafford has been looking extremely sharp these past few days and I heard that he lost quite a few pounds for the new season. I think he wants to prove everyone wrong because I do believe he just had a rusty season last year. It happens to every player.

For some reason, Miller was wearing his light blue mask during practice. I never took a liking to that one mainly because it clashes against the navy blue of the home jerseys. I don't know if he'll wear it with the third, which it might look better with, but I'm just not a fan. I much prefer the one he always wears. Leopold looks like Lydman when he takes off his helmet and that kind of bothers me too. Toni. *sad face*
I heard Team Norty won the game today in the shootout (go Lalime!) and that was the team I was cheering for. We had left early for food and so that I could get my brother's away jersey and I found a new little buddy for my car.I won't be at practice tomorrow because of school, but I'll be there on Tuesday when they're at the Northtown Center since I don't have my class in the morning. Can't wait!

What if?

This post is not one for the negative nancies or those who want the entire roster changed up. When I say the entire roster I MEAN the entire roster, and I'm so glad we don't have fans as the GM.

This is a post about the positives I took away from this season. We ended up short obviously and I expected the Sabres to at least make it past the first round - we were even thought to be Cup contenders because of Ryan Miller as the goaltender. We just didn't have the pieces up front to do the job.

One positive is how great Ryan played during the whole season. Thanks to him extending his contract last summer, we now have him for at least five more years back in the net. I know that as a fan, I'm pretty comfortable with that.

Secondly, the play of Tyler Myers. I wasn't impressed with him when he was still in the 'is he staying or going' stage and a little bit after he stayed either. As the season progressed, I started to see what all the fuss was about. What an amazing player. It was as if he didn't miss a beat in the playoffs. I'm excited to see what he's going to bring in his sophomore year next season.

Finally, the baby Sabres. I cannot say good enough things about Tyler Ennis. Watching him with the puck, he did magical things. He continued to battle for the puck even when he was on his knees. I have a feeling he's going to make the roster right from the get go. Nathan Gerbe also had better stints up here than he did last season and that was great to see. I feel like he'll be up here at the start of next season as well; along with Ennis.

The offseason is the time for fans to complain about what went wrong and who needs to go, I know this. I'm going to wait until it's officially the offseason for that though. Still a ways to go before July 1st people. Enjoy the rest of the playoffs.

Ryan Kesler: Selke Finalist

The NHL today announced their finalists for the Selke Trophy, or the most defensive forward in the league. Yesterday they announced the Vezina Trophy finalists so congratulations to the Sabres own Ryan Miller for getting the nod as one. I personally think that he will either win the Vezina or the Hart but not both. That's my own opinion though.

The other two finalists for the Selke are Pavel Datsyuk (of course) and Jordan Staal. Datsyuk has gotten the award a thousand times in a row it feels, and I don't know if he deserves it as much now with Detroit not playing too well this year. It shouldn't matter team wise and I never watch the way he plays...though he'll end up winning again, I'm sure. Jordan is Jordan and has always been defensively minded. Ryan has a good chance of winning it but I'm not sure if his defensive skills are going to be looked at so much simply because he had career numbers in the offensive categories. I would absolutely love to see this man get an award but I know that the shiny Cup is a better award than the Selke. The Sabres have to win it first Ryan, sorry.

Speaking of the Sabres...I didn't pay very much attention to last night's game only because it bored me. I had known this was going to be a very defensive series but considering we've only scored six goals in the past three games...Yeah, I'm kind of concerned. Thomas is not the only offensive guy on this team and I want to know where the balanced scoring had disappeared to since the beginning of the season. I believe in this team and I know they have it in them. I just wonder if they believe in themselves.

Postgame: 12-9-09

Ryan Miller got a shutout. Thomas Vanek was a presence on the ice, even though he didn't get any points. Nathan Gerbe scored his first NHL goal. Overall, a pretty damn good night for the Sabres! I was certain Alex Ovechkin would score in this game only because he always seems to score on the Sabres in every single game he's played against them. Out of all the games he's played in against the Sabres, he hasn't scored in four of them. Simply insane. It seemed every line that was put out against him played well though. I was equally excited when they showed Thomas give him a little bump to knock the puck away. Glad to see he didn't get on the scoresheet.

I had been beginning to miss the wonderful pan shots of Thomas and him spewing the f bomb everywhere. I got my wish tonight. They just always seem to put him on the screen when he's yelling at himself or just in general. Love it.

If the Sabres played like that every game, they would have a good chance to win night in and night out. It was a good response to two pretty bad games on Saturday and Monday. I hope they can do the same against 20 Cent and the Hawks on Friday, since Tamara and I are going to that game. I'm really glad that I've been getting to see a lot more western conference teams than I ever have in person this season. It's a nice change.

That was some good redemption there, boys.

A nice shutout for Ryan and some goals for the offense made tonight turn out to be quite nice for the Sabres. I was over at my brother's house watching this game, and the other time I went over there to watch a game this season, Ryan Miller had his first shutout against Nashville. Maybe I should watch Sabres games with him more often...just kidding, Tamara.

It's about time the Primadonna Cuntnugget scored his first goal of the season. I was really hoping that it tipped off of Thomas' stick, but alas, no. My brother made me incredi bly happy tonight because he was bitching about how people always say that Thomas does absolutely nothing in front of the net. He defended him all night, with the standing in the crease and how he isn't lazy, but he just isn't a fast skater. I don't meet too many people now that defend him quite like I do but I occasionally find people who don't put the guy down so that's always nice.

It was good to see the power play in action tonight. I don't know how many power plays they had, but they scored two goals on it, and it's a start. It's time to get it cranking out. Remember when the Sabres were in the top five last year for the PK AND PP? Insane.

Flyers on Friday. I hate these games against them. Or I just hate their fans...one of the two.

Not going to Long Island was worth it.

As a spur of the moment thing, Tamara and I were going to head to Long Island for one reason and one reason only. That was because WE THOUGHT Patrick Lalime was going to start the game. Our assumption was completely wrong. Really good thing we didn't go to the game. Also, Lindy foiled our costume idea. Tamara was going to be Patty while I would be Marty. Ugh. It would've worked from the second period onward.

This game was awful from all ends of the spectrum and you can't even justify anyone's game last night, from the offense all the way to goaltending (except Patty because he had to replace Ryan). The offense just didn't show up and Marty was excellent. The defense backed up way too much and gave a lot of room to the Islanders, and Ryan did not look good. At least on the second goal. That was all him.

There's a quote that Thomas Vanek had last night that bothers me.

"This one falls on me. I'm the goal-scorer here, and I could have put the Islanders away in the first period myself, and I didn't."

Shut up, Thomas. Just shut up, please. There is more than one guy on the team that has the capabilities to score. I'm just sick of him taking all the blame when it either wasn't his, or wasn't entirely his fault. I feel like he needs a hug. All the time. I love you Thomas, but don't start the blame game on yourself this early.

"I smile because I love the children."

I think we all knew by the Tampa game (if not before then) that Tyler Myers was probably going to remain a Sabre for a duration of the season, but there was a small sense that he would be sent back to juniors for contract reasons. He is now a restricted free agent one year earlier. He could be an unrestricted free agent a year earlier if he plays at least forty games this season. I have a feeling that the team is going to keep him in the lineup for most of it, unless they need to scratch him for injured defensemen coming back. For now, he's here to stay with the big club. Congratulations Tyler! I hope you decide to shave that Dirty Sanchez you have starting sooner or later...

So, how crazy was the save Ryan Miller made in the second period? At least, I think it was during the second period. He jumped because of an incoming puck, and then he slid back into the net to make a very nice save. The Devils feed didn't show the whole thing and we were disappointed. That was worth a second look.

I never want to watch a Sabres game on another feed again. I should have said that last year during their road trip. Ugggh, I am not looking forward to the west coast trip in January.

Fisticuffs a plenty, we'll see you next Saturday.

Forget that the Sabres blew a two goal lead going into the second period and lost the game by one goal; it's only the preseason. Even though it is pretty irritating they let that happen...Thomas even took one for the team and bled! The power play has been fail this preseason. We are missing Ales and Jaro on the backend, ugh.

Anyways, the main thing about this game tonight was the various scrums and scuffles going on during the game. I can't remember who Patty K hit exactly, but all I know is that he got in a huge fight with Ryan O'Byrne, and then ended up getting a game misconduct. That was the first fight. Then later, Goose went after someone else and got a 10 minute misconduct. Then there were a lot of other scuffles going on. This makes for a nice little rematch next Saturday at the home opener, which I now cannot wait for. I hope that there are plenty of fights, but with my luck, that won't be the case.

Even Ryan got into a little fight of his own which Gerbs had to sit in the penalty box to take his penalty. No one beats up on the little guy. The goaltender won't even tolerate that.

Tomorrow the Sabres face the Leafs for the last preseason game. Finally, regular hockey is going to be around the corner. I am so pumped for next Saturday!

Ryan Miller let's us know he dislikes stalkers and what he's doing.

Ryan gave us a little update today on his website to let us know he's still around. He mentions that he doesn't like the thought of these social networking sites because of the fact there are many stalkers abound on the internet. I don't really agree there because the networking sites are also there for long lost friends and family members so you can keep in contact, but I do agree that talking on the phone is almost dead it seems. No one really talks on the phone anymore because of texting, email, and such sites like Facebook and Twitter.

It's funny because he says all of this, and then he proceeds to say what he's doing this month and how he's coming back to Buffalo early. This Friday, actually. If you want to see him, he'll be at Watkins Glen to be the grand marshal. Sabres.com better have some video of this.

Happy birthday, Ryan Miller!

I have heard that our beloved number one goaltender has turned 29 today. I can't believe he's almost 30. I feel so young in comparison! Oh Ryan, I hope that you have a wonderful birthday wherever you are. Don't drink too much and don't do anything you'll regret. It's not like you're 30 yet.

The NHL schedule came out on Wednesday, and I plan on getting tickets to some Value games and I would also like to go to the Party In The Plaza for the season opener, if they have one again. Since I'm 18 I can buy my own tickets now. I have enough money saved up to buy tickets at a Value price I think. I'd like to take my mom to some games since she hasn't gone in so long. I'll talk about how I feel about the schedule in another post. There's some interesting games for the Sabres during the season.

Ryan Miller the lone Buffalo Sabre to be invited to the Team USA Orientation Camp

Team USA announced the invitees to the Orientation Camp for the 2010 Olympics, and Ryan Miller was one of them. I expected this as seeing there aren't many American goalies in the league as there is, and Ryan was supposed to play in the 2006 Olympics if it weren't for a broken thumb that kept him out of it. The big debate at this camp I think will be who will be the starter goaltender. If you asked me before this season, I would say Ryan hands down (and I'm bias). Tim Thomas has really come into his own the past two seasons and even won the Vezina trophy so you know there will be some major competition. I'll be interested as to see how everything goes.

I love when goalies do windmills.

I give Ryan Miller a 9.1. He didn't get his legs up all the way like a true windmill move, but he did it on Sidney Crosby and it makes it that much better.

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.

Boy, you're a natural wonder.

There are too many good things I could say about this game. Tim Connolly being on fire lately. Drew Stafford's amazing, highlight reel goal. Ryan Miller with the shutout. And my boy, Thomas Vanek, with his 5th career hat trick and fourth straight natural hat trick. I'll have to think of some things to talk about during school tomorrow, because for now, I'm dead tired.
Just one more thing: Thomas and his interviews are too sweet because he's so humble about everything. He never takes credit for anything he does. I really like that about him. I wish he didn't put so much pressure on himself, but the way that reflects his character? That says a lot about the kind of person he is.

My goaltender likes photography and a sophisticated lifestyle.

Katie brought up a good point about how she hasn't given enough love to Ryan Miller on her blog, and I realized I have done the exact same thing This is my love!post for our favorite asymmetrical eyebrowed goaltender (which, by the way, I have the same thing going on with me. I feel you, Mills!)

If you look at the stats from this past weekend and the two games the Sabres played, Ryan stopped around 80 something shots altogether. Um, defense? Hi, your job is to try and make sure that the other team doesn't take that many shots against the goaltender. Also, the offense needs to get cracking on shots themselves. They had less than half of what the Rangers and Red Wings had together. Only getting two goals from the same player all weekend doesn't help matters either. Ryan has been getting back on the top of his game, and I love to see that. Seeing his grinning face after a win makes me happy. I love watching him and Lalime give each other a goalie hug after wins. Depressing!Ryan makes me unhappy. I hope this team understands that whenever they see Ryan very unhappy.

I liked how Ryan was trying to describe his techniques with goaltending, and relating it to a golf swing. I thought about my girlfriend while reading the quote (she would like to be a goalie), and I notice some of those techniques with her. She subconsciously makes a move for the puck like an NHL goaltender would and I mentioned this to her yesterday. Ryan is one of the goalies that she looks up to the most...he inspired her to start trying. I want to thank him for that because she loves making saves against me. It's one of her passions now. I know it makes her happy too, so...thanks a lot Ryan. <3

"Let's be professional here."

That man right there gave the boys a shutout tonight. That's what I like to see to put a little spark back into the team. Nicely done Ryan! *round of applause* He made some key saves to keep the Kings off the board, and played wonderfully. I think that play radiated off the rest of the boys, so that's good to see at home.

Quick things to note:
- Gauthier needs to get punched in the balls. Actually, something worse. I hope he doesn't get away with that sucker punch that he had on Patty K. He didn't even have the balls to fight Petey sometime after that hit. Bastard.
- "Buffalo Bloggin' with...Jason Pominville. *pause* As Jason Pominville."
- Chris Butler looks like the female version of this girl I go to school with. No freaking lie. I noticed it during his postgame interview. Pretty creepy.
- Dreeeeeew, Roysie, and Ryan get my three stars of awesome tonight.
- I love that Thomas passed the puck to 'Buts' (teehee) who then threw it at the net so Mairsy could score. Giving the new kid a point, loves it.
- Speaking of Thomas, when they were showing clips of the Winter Classic and they showed the Buffalo bench, my mom's like 'Thomas, you tard. You lived in Austria and you couldn't handle the cold?' when we saw he was wearing his hood thingie, haha. So all night I was going 'Thomas, you tard!' (But I said it out of love, okay. Okay Thomas? I love you.)
- And speaking of Mairsy...hey, let's go out to dinner sometime...with your wife, and we can talk about the SPCA, all right?
- I'm pretty sure the PA announcer said 'Number twenty-four...Chris Butler.' instead of 'Number thirty-four.' Nicely done.
- What the hell was with the lines all night? I never thought I would see a line of Peters-Roy-Stafford. EVER.
- Ryan's postgame interview? I need a GIF of his facial expression when Rayzor said 'Let's be professional here.'

Speaking of voting...

I hope those who could vote today, did. (: I couldn't since I'm only 17 but I hope the guy I want to win wins.

In other voting news, the NHL has released who will be on the All Star ballot. Four of the Sabres have made the list:

Ryan MillerHonest to God, how could you not want that on your All Star team roster?

Teppo NumminenThanks to Anne for originally finding this photo. Not so much Bono in this picture, but *whistles* Teppo was and is a fox. Besides, Ye Old Faithful going for his 4th All Star game? Yay!

Derek Roy
Obligatory tongue picture. That tongue could be shown at the All Star game. My girlfriend would be happy. Cari from Sabre Chaser would be happy. The fashion industry would be ecstatic.

Thomas Vanek
Do I even need a reason? At the Youngstars game two years ago, he was the only player to wave to the crowd. ONLY I WOULD NOTICE THINGS LIKE THIS FROM THE MAN HIMSELF. Waving to the crowd = A+.

I think the two that really have a chance of getting in are Ryan and Thomas. If they could only sneak one Sabre in, I would see Thomas getting the nod, but the All Star game is still about two and a half months away. Things could quite possibly change. All four of them getting in would be super sweet - as a Sabres fan, I am urging you to vote vote vote for our boys! Get some write-ins in there too. They need our support for the starting lineup!
Oh, and what's this I hear about Ryan Whitney and Sergei Gonchar still getting on the ballot? I don't even know what to say about that.

AhhhhhHHHHhhhhHHHHhhhh, shutouts are scary (good).

Sabres won 2-0 against the Devils. Pominville scored late in the first period on the power play, and then Kaleta made it 2-0 when he scored on a deflection in the third period. I can't think of a scarier game I've watched all my life besides this one. I thought for sure when the Devils had around six power play chances in a row, the Sabres would have karma bite them but it never happened. I'd just rather not witness another game like this especially against a team like the Devils, ugh. It didn't help Versus was broadcasting this so I almost fell asleep in my chair.
- Ryan got his second consecutive shutout; the first time that's happened in his career! Great job, Millsy. (': He's mainly the reason why we won in the first place, if it wasn't for that stellar performance in the last half of the game. He was solid.
- I think the only reasons why I enjoy watching games on Versus are:
- Hockey in beautiful HD.
- I love seeing what Versus screws up on next.
- Shots of Thomas Vanek before the game starts with that cool spin-y thing that some players do? *melts* I think I about died when they showed clips from his little interview last season. It looks sooooo much better in HD. I was mesmerized by that cut on his forehead, thank you Versus.
- Speaking of Vanner, I love the fact that whenever he gets a penalty, he seems to be shouting along the lines of 'Fucking *add something* fuck *something* ahhh!' It's even better when they get it on camera for all of the nation to see. Such a potty mouth, but I love that potty mouth.
- When's the Sabres next game? Friday against Atlanta or something? Man, that's too long. I'mma go hide under a rock until they play next.
- CAPTAIN CRAIG IS BACK, WOOT WOOT!