Jan

29

After the Buffalo Sabres beat the Dallas Stars last Thursday, it now seems like they can do anything! This inconsistency is frustrating, simply because this team has it in them to win against good teams. I am a little skeptical about the team being able to completely dig themselves out of the hole they dug. However, I still stand by my team. The main goal is to generate some offensive chances, score a bit, and play a complete 60 minutes. If the Sabres can do that, even without the win, I will be a lot happier than I have been!

The Sabres play tonight, January 29th, at 7:00 PM against the Tampa Bay Lightning. This is also a struggling team, so it should be a good chance to see who took advantage of the All-Star break and really wants to win this season!

Jan

22

Might as well make a bad situation look good, right? Another losing streak seems to have begun, after a loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs over the weekend. Yesterday afternoon’s game was not all too memorable, either. There was no fire, no passion to win. Harry Neale and Kevin Sylvester had it right: The Sabres played a very easy game. Paul Gaustad and Drew Stafford scored some very nice goals, but it was not enough. Reminds me of the worst space in the Chutes and Ladders game near the end. How do I know? Because board games are a way of life for me when the Sabres are not playing. It was a difficult game for Jocelyn Thibault, since he really is better than the scoresheet tells. That first Phoenix goal was sickening, and he never seemed to recover. Come on! To go from a 10-goal game to two low-scoring matches is disgusting, in that way that almost makes you sick, but really only hovers about.

Buffalo next plays on Thursday, January 24th, at 8:30 PM against the Dallas Stars. This is a pivotal game, since a two-game losing streak means nothing until it turns into a three-game losing streak. For all those keeping track of stats, the Sabres are still winless on the road. Turn the tide!

Also, for those wondering where Rick Jeanneret has disappeared to, he is apparently taking a family vacation in Florida, according to The Buffalo News. We wish him all the best, and hope he enjoys his time off!

Jan

18

Getting that first win of 2008 sure was memorable for the Buffalo Sabres! They did not settle for simply squeaking by with a one goal margin. Rather, it seemed like everyone on the team had a hand in a goal. Drew Stafford had a hat trick, and Derek Roy found a way to be welcomed back with open arms! This is exactly what the team needed, and it was a very nicely played game… Finally! The offense had it together, the defense was a lively force, and Ryan Miller stood tall in the net. I think we all have been anticipating a game like this. A 10 game winless streak has to be broken at some point, and what better way to do it than by burying the Atlanta Thrashers?! Time for a horrible pun: Those Thrashers sure got thrashed around! Another factor that led to the win was the color-coded outift of Lindy Ruff. Any coach who adorns a blue jacket, gold dress shirt, and peach-colored tie means business!

The Sabres will next play on Saturday, January 19th, at 7:00 PM against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Perhaps this will be somewhat more of a challenge than tonight, yet the momentum we saw should carry the Buffalo Sabres to another good hockey game. It is interesting to see how these offensive bursts come every now and then: A little more consistency might be warranted, but how else could we enjoy these adrenaline-filled attacks?!

Jan

17

Does anyone not know about how the Sabres are currently struggling? A few local news stories seem to make the 10 game winless streak something that no one knows about. WE KNOW. All of the negative news coverage can make any optimist a pessimist, and I think this feeling has been passed on to the players. They know that they are in a slump, and every team struggles at one point or another during the season. Perhaps it is time to focus on the positive aspects, or at least shine a little light in another area.

Last night, Jason Pominville scored a goal on a successful offensive rush. The goals and rushes are few and far between, but to see a fully capitalized play was a treat, indeed! The physical style of play has also picked up, and there have been some fancy-dancy plays. Which, in my mind, means some good hockey! Besides, Rick Jeanneret is still going strong, and all of the excitement is still alive and well in Buffalo.

The Sabres will next play on Friday, January 18th, at 7:30 PM against the Atlanta Thrashers. Go Sabres!

Jan

12

The past week has been pretty difficult for the Sabres, as they continue their trend of outright losing or taking the wrong end of a shootout. The good news is that of the 5 games played in the new year, three have resulted in one point. The margins have not been terrible, either: Buffalo has not been shut out since December 29th! I have been sad to see the team struggle, yet they are still pushing forward. Jocelyn Thibault illustrated that he could carry the team to at least a point, and the defense has had moments of brilliance. Concern, at least for myself, has shifted towards the offense. Scoring  a goal seems to be a very difficult task, even though the Buffalo Sabres are a team gifted with talent. As a die-hard fan, I find myself looking away from time to time and expecting the worst. All in all, though, this team is starting to come together, and a win can not be far off!

The Sabres play tonight against the New Jersey Devils… A team that has been part of the woefullness of 2008, yet also a team that is beatable. With the right skills at the right time, this could be that night we have all been waiting for!

Jan

6

2008 has not been a pretty sight for the Sabres so far. It has been painful to watch them at times, and I seem to only get frustrated by what they attempt to do. The crisp passing and offensive attacks seem to have found their way to every place but Buffalo. Not only are we, the fans, suffering from this slump, but the players are, too. There does not seem to be much confidence in anyone. Even Ryan Miller has struggled at times. Is there someone to blame? Nope. There is just a cloud over the Buffalo Sabres that does not want to go away. Add to that the mounting injuries, and it is difficult to see how this team will be able to pull themselves together. Perhaps it is the rotating captaincy, which has only served to create confusion for the team. Jaroslav Spacek is the newest captain, and I do not doubt his abilities. It just seems like the team really needs one person to stand up as the leader. Face it: There is little to no leadership at this point in time. Not one line meshes together, and the offensive slowdown is just one symptom of the major problem.

The Sabres next play on Tuesday, January 8th, against the New Jersey Devils. They do not have an easy schedule ahead of them, and I am a little nervous about seeing what they will do. Still, something good will come out of the next few weeks! Just wait and see.

Jan

1

A quick reminder that there are two scheduled autograph sessions at Dave and Adam’s Store! Remember that tickets are on a first-come, first-serve basis, and that there are a limited number available. Also, tickets must be purchased in one of the store locations. Enjoy meeting more of the Buffalo Sabres team!

January 3rd: At the Sheridan Store from 7:00-9:00 PM, meet Daniel Paille!

January 13th: At the Transit Store from 3:00-5:00 PM, meet Jochen Hecht!

Jan

1

Today was truly an inspiring day for anyone who has ever loved hockey. The Winter Classic lived up to all of its expectations, including the crazy wintery weather that dumped snow, sleet, and rain all over the ice. Outdoor games rarely come along in the NHL, and I was proud to see the Buffalo Sabres cement themselves in the history books. Of course, the playing styles of both teams had to be adjusted to meet the new conditions. Brian Campbell was able to notch a goal in the second period, but the offensive woes for the Sabres continued. There were too many opportunities with too few finishing plays. Truthfully, I was surprised that the team made it to a shootout! Crosby’s shootout goal was a heart breaker, to say the least. Buffalo may not be the best team this season, and they might not always have the determination and passion to win. However, this was a game that they wanted to win. Sadly, the Penguins had a little more fight in them to seal a win for themselves.

I also would like to take this time to say how much I love the broadcasts by Jeanneret and Neale. No national broadcast has ever come close to the talents of the Buffalo Sabres broadcast team, including those behind the scenes. Today, there was probably a total of 3 minutes of play-by-play action. Jeanneret deserves an award for the passion and committment he has put into his career for so long! He makes the game so much better, even when we lose.

The Winter Classic may be over, but the season sure is not. The Sabres next play on January 4th at 7:30 PM against the Ottawa Senators. Believe.