Buffalo Sabres Zone

Happy New Year everyone, what a night.  First let’s start with the US vs. Canada game.  I left you with the score tied 3-3, and after intermission, Canada showed that it is indeed a powerhouse, as they continued their intense quick pace style of game.  With the score 5-4 in favor of Canada, the US pulled its goaltender with a little over a minute remaining.  John Tavares scored on the empty net soon after this, completing his hat trick and putting the fans in Ottawa in a frenzy.  Another meaningless empty net goal by Canada would make the final score 7-4 and give them a bye in the first round of the playoffs.  The US will play Slovakia tomorrow night to see who will face Sweden in the semi finals.

Now onto the Winter Classic.  It was exactly one year ago today, when I bundled myself up and went down to Ralph Wilson Stadium…ticketless.  After several failed attempts of buying tickets, I had to turn to scalpers, and boy did I ever pay for it.  I still cannot believe how much I spent for those tickets but it was definitely worth it in my mind.  I was right at center ice sporting my Thomas Vanek jersey, I saw Doc Emerick, and enjoyed an amazing game with my brother.  The atmostphere inside Ralph Wilson Stadium that day was indescribable, I caught myself at times just looking around and saying to myself, “Wow.”  It sent chills down my spine when the Sabres came onto the ice.  That moment will be embedded into my brain forever because it was incredible to see 70000+ people get to their feet and began to cheer.  Unfortunately, Sydney Crosby thought it best to ruin the perfect game for Buffalo and score in the shootout to beat us, but that doesn’t change the fact that everyone walked away from that game in a buzz and not completely disappointed.   I was a part of history, just like all those people in Chicago are today.  My college roommate is now at Wrigley Field for the game and if possible, I will show pictures he brings back from the game and perhaps let him do a celebrity post and share his experience with everyone.   On a side note, Buffalo native Patrick Kane is expected to play in today’s game, despite being injured the other night in Detroit.  Kane is leading the Hawks in points with 16 goals, 25 assists for 41 points in just 34 games.  I’ll tell another story about Pat Kane at some point in the future, but for now, I’m rooting for Chicago and wishing for some snow.  As far as I know, the game will be broadcast on NBC and CBC, as well as online streams.

Now for a preview of the Sabres and Leafs.  A bit of drama this week, as coach Lindy Ruff called out Derek Roy and Jochen Hecht.  He said that if there are players that do not want to give effort night in and night out, he will bench them, regardless of what line they are on.  Buffalo boasts a 17-15-5 record, and sit 3rd in the Northeast Division, while the Leafs are 4th with a 15-16-6 record. Connolly and Kaleta are both out due to injury, while Rivet is now listed as day to day.  If we are going to win tonight, we need to play a quick pace game, something we haven’t done in a while, and play some solid defense.  Playing in Toronto will be no picnic, and getting the crowd out of this game is half the battle.  Let’s go Buffalo, I’ll do another post either late tonight or tomorrow morning.

-Sabs Hockey Nut

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