I'll say it

I'm kind of relieved that the Canucks didn't win. Part of me wanted them to win (and a larger part of me wanted the Bruins to LOSE) but another part of me was slightly vindicated.

If *my* Canucks couldn't get it done in 1994, then it's kind of okay that *these* Canucks couldn't get it done in 2011.

And now it's all back to square one. We will start over in October and the Sabres will have as much of a chance as anyone (and the Canucks will still be with us in our lonely 41-seasons and NO Stanley Cups exile).

But first there's the NHL Awards (and it still bothers me that they are in hockey-less Las Vegas), the Draft and Free Agency. (And in Pegula-ville, that might actually mean something!)

I still don't like Chara or Tim Thomas (but I'd take his stats any day of the week) or any of those bums on the Bruins, and I do still like Kesler, Bieksa, and the Canucks (though not Lulu and his seriously strugglin stats- WTF dude?) but in reality, the Sabres are my number one team, and I will be much happier having them to cheer for again in just 3.5 more months..

:)

Hockey time

First off, WE INTERRUPT THIS PATRICK SHARP FANGIRL SQUEEING TO PRESENT YOU WITH THE FOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENT-

TODAY IS DEREK ROY'S 26TH BIRTHDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROYZIE!

You may be a bit of a brat, and somewhat inconsistent in your scoring, but you are still my favorite Sabre. I hope you'll have a fantastic year. :)

Watching the Caps/Pens tonight. My man Sloaner is playing for Washington!!!!! HIs first NHL playoff game- I'm so excited for him. He also has an assist. :):):):) I KNOW THAT GUY!

Ovie had a hat trick. So did Sid. My goodness, but the League powers that be must be dying over this.. and YAY the Caps won! :)

I'm currently watching Oklahoma!, the stage version starring Hugh Jackman. Ahhh I've seen it before but it's quite enjoyable. So I'm back to that, just had to share those announcements. :)

oh my goodnesss

So... guess who is GOING to the Winter Classic II in Chicago next week?

ME!! My sis and friend found some tickets so we are going. I am super excited. It won't be Buffalo but it will still be hockey I care about (the Wings) and a very good friend and my very best friend, my sister! :) Woooohhoooo!

Also, for my Christmas present to myself, I bought tickets for my sis and I to see the Washington Capitals (AND TYLER SLOAN!) play the Sabres next Tuesday. WOOHOO! If the Caps send him down before Tues I'll cry. (I am pretty sure they won't but still..) I am mad excited.

Hockey hockey hockey!

I hope everyone had a great Christmas Day and continues to enjoy the season.

I should get to the recap

Friday Night- I was all set to watch the game on the couch at home with a cold Mt. Dew and my nephews. Then my brother-in-law called and said he wasn't feeling well and would I like his tickets? Ha. Of COURSE I would! So I went with my 4 year old nephew. He wore his little Ryan Miller jersey and we had a blast.

The dude has some sick seats too. 8th row, near the bench. Good stuff. Ya kinda lose the near corner but other than that it was all good. And of course the game was fun. The Sabres were pretty decent and that was good- except the Power(less) Play. Miller was bustin all night and that was WOOO!

It felt like we were surrounded by Habs fans. And the most obnoxious people EVAR were behind us. These dudes were ripping on anything and everything about the game. It got to the point when the girl next to me (who was cool) and I were like SHUT UP! And they kept dropping the f-bomb. Seriously, I get that it's a hockey game and maybe you talk like that but for hell's sake I HAD A 4 YEAR OLD WITH ME! Could you please *TRY* to tone it down a little? Well the answer to that is.. no. They couldn't, they wouldn't whatever. It was really awful but at least they won't be back.

*Oh and when we got there, people were sitting IN our seats. I was like WTF mate? But they were in the middle of the row and I had a 4 year old with me so I went to get the usher and have him sort it out.. and magically when we re-appeared the ppl in our seats were... gone. Hm. Interesting, eh? (they were wearing Canadiens jerseys too....)

Some random disjointed thoughts about the game:
-Paille was a MACHINE! I know that everyone and his dog mentioned this already but I wanted to say it too. The kid was all over the place and his stiff arm hit on Kostitsyn (dont remember which one) at center ice was killer. Good job Pie! You da MAN!
-Miller was rock solid all game and just a beast in the shootout. I like it.
-Mair looked good.
-All the boys seemed super jittery for the first half of the first period. But things eventually settled down so that was good.
-WTF power play?
-Nathan Paetsch (who I prolly wouldn't recogize if I saw him on the street) looks really handsome in a suit.
-I loved Hank's little jump over the carpet. don't know if it was intentional or not but it was cool. I think he was just showing off for Heather B ;)

I think that's all I have about that game. It was fun. I am super happy that hockey is back. Can't wait to go again. Let's GO BUFFALO!

Whaddyaknow

I saw Heather B and Katebits in the paper yesterday but missed the shout-out in Sabres Edge to my own humble blog. (also mentioned were some of my blog buddies- Anne and S(h)ara at Sabretooth's House,and Chaz over at ISMTC good job!) And now I have some new ones to check out. :)

So, maybe I should try to be a little more professional since I know that newspaper people might be reading this. Then again.. nyah. I like my style, and evidently enough of you fine folks do too. I try to keep it interesting and sprinkle just enough "real" hockey news in between my flights of fancy and babbling rants about the Sabres. I'm pretty thrilled that the season has (finally) started and I can have real hockey to write about again! It's been too long.

If you are new here, feel free to check it out. I like to have fun and be silly- see the Hockey Separated at Birth entries- but I try to keep it relevant and about hockey (and more specifically the Sabres). I do my best to avoid incessant squeeing but occasionally it just slips out. (please forgive me, it's the hormones (and Derek Roy), I swear! LOL)

So I guess that's it. Never be afraid to speak up about something you agree or disagree with, I love comments that spark conversation. I'm always looking for a good book recommendation, recipes, articles or just general news or nonsense.

thank you for reading!

Now back to your regularly scheduled hockey silliness.

LET'S GO BUFFALO!

(I'll be watching the game from my living room so you lucky readers just might get a liveblog.... stay tuned.)

well that about does it

Gee guys, NO comments on my last entry? Was it that painful? LOL

I didn't listen to much of tonight's game but I did hear Gerbe's breakaway!! Good job man! :)

5-2 is not a bad score. Lalime was in net. I have yet to SEE him play but I like it so far. :)

Lots of rough stuff tonight- Petey fought Dorsett, Staffy (??) fought Toffelson and Rivet (in what seems to be a theme for him) fought Picard. Mike Weber got a 10 minute misconduct for... something.. in the middle of one of those scrums and at the end of the game Nathan Gerbe and Rick Nash got roughing penalties. LOL Gerbe, don't you know that Nash is like twice your size? Good job. Oh and Lalime earned a rouging penalty too, way to stand up for yourself my man.

I like these tough Sabres. Very good. Even with Mair and Gaustad out they are sticking up for each other and throwing it down. Excellent.

I want to WATCH SOME HOCKEY!

Sunday's game is on MSG. WOOOHOO!

Oh and my sister got to ride on the Zamboni at tonight's game! She lives in C-bus and works for a company that is doing some signage and such for the blue Jackets foundation.. so basically, "she knows people" and they set her up with tix and a Zam ride. How cool is that?! PLUS she got to see my boys up close and personal. I'm jealous. I wish I could have made it to the game, but Thursdays are really tough days around here, lots going on. She said there were a lot of Sabres jerseys in the crowd- in Columbus. REPRESENT! ;)

argh

NHL is trying to add penalties to contact during a race for touch up icing- article here

that's lame. Bullshit. Just get with the times and institute no touch icing. It DOES NOT SLOW DOWN THE GAME THAT MUCH. Trust me on this one, I've watched a lot of games in the ECHL where there is no touch icing and it's just as fast and flowing. (I think college has the no-touch rule too but I'm not certain)

Anyway it eliminates injuries and that is GOOD. and will slow the game down less than penalties. STUPID.

The idea is good the execution sucks.

I have to work now. Stay tuned for this week's hockey SAB. :)

Did I mention this?

Last night I had a super long awesome chat about the Sabres and now I'm sooooo ready for hockey!!

But guys, I'm just destined NOT to get any pre-season Sabres action. I already told y'all a couple of days ago that I'll be out of town for the measly 2 pre-season GAMES that they boys have (at least I will be at a hockey game, even if it's not the Sabres) but remember that whole "Puck Drop 2008" day of fun and festivities the Sabres have going on September 20th?

Well, I can't go to that either because I scheduled (before I knew about the puckdrop thing) a hot dog sale for my church youth group for that day! I can't cancel it because we really need a fundraiser, and I can't not go because it was my idea! I suppose we could maybe reschedule but that was the first day they had available and then I'm out of town the next weekend, and things get super busy and the weather is going to get worse so yeah. Blah.

Has anyone heard if the Sabres are doing any sort of Party in the Plaza idea for opening night? If they are I totally want to go this year!

Speaking of going places, this has nothing to do with hockey, by the way- anyone want to go to Cleveland with me on Friday night to see Ingram Hill? They are totally awesome. I know, just like all the other bands no one wants to see with me! I need a road trip buddy. It's only 3 hrs to Cleveland. I'll drive. I just need a friend. Tickets are $12 and the band is AMAZING. Anyone want to go?

Back to hockey

Okay I'll take a break from my incessant swimboy stalkerage and talk about my true love- hockey.

Today I got The Hockey News's 2008-09 Yearbook with the team previews and such. There were good and bad things to be had. I didn't read everything yet but here is what I think:

*They underrated the Sabres, picking them to finish 11th in the east. I think they definitely can be better than that, and they will. They fixed the goalie problem, added a steady d-man in Rivet and kept the core of young talent together which was wise. Those guys have a better idea of what's expected this year and there isn't the cloud of lost free agents hanging over their heads from day one this year. I have high hopes, and I think they will make the playoffs at least.

*there was an article about Alex Ovechkin that made me like him even more than I already did. I don't know why Ovie doesn't bother me and the hype doesn't get to me, but it doesn't and I just like him. Check this: "When you have fun and you love it, you can go all the time. You love your mom all the time and I love hockey all the time." That is SO cute!
And then there is this stat: Most goals in first 3 seasons:
Gretzky- 198
Bossy- 173
Ovie- 163
Pavel Bure- 154

Yeah, I like goal scorers. (Pavel played less games than those other guys too.)

*They rated the top 50 players in the NHL right now. Sid was #1 of course, with Ovie #2, but guess who cracked the list at #47? My main man Derek Roy! :) Good job Royzie! Ryan Miller was #39, also reppin for the Sabres. And guess who DIDN'T make the list? Chris Drury. Ha, in your eye!

I think that's it. I'm off to find pretty pictures of Ryan Lochte. Shameless, I know, but one does what one can in these hockey-lean times. ;)

a tribute

To my faithful reader(s).: I promised a double dose of Hockey Separated at Births so here ya go. These are quite silly so just bear with me here. And feedback is always welcome and appreciated. :)

Is it time for the conference finals yet? All that hockey that I was skipping when it was on, and now I'm practically dying for a game here! I'm such a slacker but now I want it back. And I forgot (again) to change my fantasy team so I'm totally losing there I'm sure. Oh well.

Anyway here ya go, I put them in the same file to better use my space. Hope you like 'em:

Part Uno:

Skeletor (from He-Man) and Adam Oates (formerly of the Bruins, Capitals and Ducks for sure and possibly other teams as well) He looked a lot more like Skeletor when he was playing, you'll have to take my word for it since I can't find a good picture, but I can still see it a bit, int he jawline and the cheekbones. non?

ANd Part Deux: *yes, I know I switched from Spanish to French, sue me!*

Doug Funnie from the brilliant and sadly ended Nickelodeon show Doug and Buffalo's own Timmy Connolly. It's a bit of a stretch, but once in my head I could not get it out. What do you think?

Separated at Birth?

Now that you are all done lolzing we can move on. I read today that Derek ROy owns a boat. And that his boat is named "Love Potion no. 9" Are you KIDDING me dude? That's so corny that it's hysterical. I can't seem to get over it. He's hot but that is just silly. However, I would take a ride on him.. er I mean his boat, yeah that's it. Hate all you want, Royzie is one hot mofo. And if y'all dont want him, that's okay, more for me! ;)

okay I'm going to stop that lame puckbunny train of thought.

I watched a coupla episodes of Making the Cut tonight. That show was awesome. It was a reality show on CBC back in 2004 (the dark year of no NHL hockey!) It featured Canadian hockey players who were vying for a chance to one of 6 players drafted by the 6 CDN nhl teams. The show was basically a 2-week training camp or sorts for the 68 guys chosen from over 4,000 that tried out in like 6 different cities across Canada. Those players were whittled down to a top.. 15 I think that had a Superskills competition for the draft. It was so fun to watch. Each episode was a day at camp and they had scrimmages and meetings and drills, the whole nine yards. Great show. I watched it when it was on, and taped most of them. I have those tapes, then it was released on dvd so I procured myself a copy. Several of those players went on to play in the ECHL and AHL, I even knew a guy from when he was in Dayton prior to the show, and met another one when he was in Utah for a while. ANyway it was a good way to pass some time tonight while I was exercising. I find that riding a bike or working the elliptical machine is SO much easier when watching any sort of hockey. Agree?

:) enough babbling, it's time for bed. G'night!

our little sabres

Royzie and Pommers each scored a goal (both one-timers) in todays USA-CAN World Championship game.

Canada won 5-4. Sounds like it was a fun game to watch, too bad I couldn't!

Oh in the ECHl the Cincinnati Cyclones are playing in the Eastern Conf final. I know their coach and a couple of players. WOooo for them! (and hey, Chuck Weber, the coach is from Lockport!)

And in the west, the Utah Grizzlies are plying in the conf final. Who'da thunk it? They were superbad last year and did not win a game in February (or March, I forget which, but a whole month) this year and they still made the playoffs. And are, apparently, winning. I guess it helps when you get the players you sent up to the AHL/NHL back. anyway good for them, I know about 2 players and the coach and one guy on the staff there, but still, I did spend a year working for that team so I care a very teensy tiny bit about them stuff. They kinda shafted me at the end though so it's only a tiny bit of caring.

that's really the hockey news of the moment. when do the NHL conference finals start?

I *heart* Montreal

awww man the Habs are pretty much done. it's 6-4 with 20 secs left. :( I think I broke them, they were up 3-1 until I turned on the tv. WHOOPS!

but wow the Canadiens fans are very classy (at least they are tonight). They cheered their guys even when Philly scored that empty netter and they knew it was over. That's good stuff.

Poor Carey Price. Don't worry buddy, you're still just a kid. You did a lot here and I'm sure that you will have more chances. Don't beat yourself up too much over this.

Good job Marty Biron. I do still enjoy you, since you didn't shaft the Sabres. But I still don't like the Flyers. yick.

Oh dear. CHris Simpson is wearing a jacket that looks like someone's ugly random curtains. seriously, what is she thinking?!

weird. when Umberger scored one of his goals, he ran straight to the bench instead of hugging his guys on he ice.

e-surance commercials bother me.

ugh I feel gross. I ate too much dinner but it was good food. my family likes to cook too much and so I like to eat too much.

Hey, tomorrow is Derek Roy's birthday! I would like to spend the day staring and pictures of Royzie and watching his episode of 'cribs' but I have other things to do. Oh well. I guess I'll survive. ;) ;)

I've got nothin

I don't have a hockey SAB this week because I'm a super slacker. Maybe I'll do 2 next week. yeah, that's it.

I watched some hockey tonight! Finally. I saw most of the Pens/GROSSBADGUYRangers and then the first 2 periods of the Wings/Avs. HAHAHAHAHA Go Detroit! :) It was 7-1 after 2 when I decided it was bedtime. (see how I'm sleeping?) I bet Colorado was wishing they had a 3rd goalie.

and yo Penguins, where y'all be at? Just wonderin. And what in the world was that move Malkin tried for the penalty shot? Ran-Dom. I hate penalty shots, breakaways are so much more likely to score. Grr.

Oh well, it's all good. I may catch some Philly/Montreal tomorrow but I don't know when I'll be home so I might miss it. No worries, the Habs are comin back. ;)

and I'm going to bed. Night!

EDIT- Now it's 8-1 Detroit, 13 mins left in the 3rd. WOooooohooooooo! I want Osgood to score a goal. He did it once, he can do it again. Wheee!

Welcome!

Here it is, my first post in the dedicated Hockey-blog. Wheee! Like the title? It was the name of my college radio show for almost 2 years. :)

I have a livejournal, where I post my normal life- http://slysom.livejournal.com - but I needed a place to babble about hockey and particularly the Sabres without boring the life out of those friends I have that just don't care that much about how many goals Derek Roy has (27) and how terribly the boys have been playing lately (it's rough.... seriously) or when Henrik Tallinder is expected to return (Wed, they hope) and why the New York Rangers are where good players go to die (WHY DRURY, WHHHHYYY????) and.. well you get the point. I hope.

The real point is I. LOVE. HOCKEY. It has been my passsion, my soulmate, my bread and butter best friend lover for 14 years now. I've seen my teams lose it in the last game (first year being a fan, Vancouver Canucks.. yeah we dont' want to talk about that either ) and WIN it ALL (Red Wings in 97,98,02- Devils in 95-they weren't quite my team then but that's really when it started for me with Marty- and then again in 2000 and that wonderous playoff year of 2003) The good, the bad the ugly. Hockey is poetry, it's symphony, it's genuis on ice.

I can't quite explain it any better than that. Just that back in 1994, hockey took root in my blood and didn't let go. There's a bit more story there but I'll just leave it here for now. This blog should be about fun, because at its base, hockey IS fun. (sometimes the fun HURTS but so does skinning your knees and elbows when you jump off the swing.. yet it somehow doesn't stop your 7-yr old self from doing it again and again) and hockey seems the same way. No matter how many times "our boys" let us down during "our year", there is always NEXT year and next game and we'll keep hoping and wishing and waiting until maybe... just maybe one day it really WILL be our year.

All that being said, I'm currently a Sabres fan. (Living near Buffalo for 4 years will do that to ya.) I am first and foremost a Pavel Bure fan, for all that he's been retired for 5 years now. Marty Brodeur is my #2. I've been a Red Wings fan since I started watching hockey.. But the Sabres have slowly and steadily clawed their way to the top. This year has been tough, but the last few were something special, and I think they could get back there with a little tweaking and LOT of work. The Sabres of yesteryear were not afraid of hard work.. these guys just need to pick it up a little.

Oh and back to the fun. I have some hockey songs that I will get around to sharing one of these days, and I want to write some more, so stay tuned for that. I may also institute the idea from a former webzine I loved- "Hockey Snacks" in which the authoress would do a weekly installment of "Separated at Birth" featuring hockey players, as well as "Hockey Freaks of Nature"- peculiar merchandise items that were submitted by readers.. I've definetly got some ideas there. Hockey humor is something I enjoy and want to share.

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