My sad realization

I have to admit the Sabres downward slide left me unable to enjoy hockey. I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention this is a first for me. Not since the lock out have I been able to go a few nights during the season (regular or post) without watching a game. The few times I took vacation during the regular season, I found myself paying 30 cents per minute to keep me up to date on just what was happening during a game.

The last few weeks though, I’ve found myself thinking, “Ya know there is a game on tonight. Ya know what, so is  :insert a TV show here: and I think I’d rather watch :that show:.” I’ve been completely content to check the box score on my crackberry and call it a day.

Is there some form of hockey therapy out there to be had?

I made it a point to flip back and forth between the SU game and the Sabres game on Friday. Unfortunately, every time I flipped the damn leaves scored so I stopped watching and went to bed. They pulled that one out.

Saturday could almost be described as rinse, wash and repeat. This time the TV flipping was between TLC, The Food Network and the Sabres game. When the Habs started to score, I decided it was time for bed. I was shocked to find out the Sabres won on a Toni, Tony, Tone goal.

So, I’m wondering if I’ve lost my eternal love for hockey?

Will it change when I move into my own house and can watch the NHL network whenever I want?

I don’t know folks, but until then I’m going on a hunting trip and the game I’m hunting is hockey.

Wish me luck.

How’s it feel?

Dear Sabres,

Did you think I’d forgotten about you?  I feel you have forgotten about hockey, the playoffs and games into June.  You must have become pre-occupied with painting the molding in your new house or the tarragon that has just sprouted out of new planted herb starters.  At least that’s my excuse.

Chaz

There was a game tonight?

Cause I don’t think the Sabres knew about it. That game was just awful. Period. Did you miss my memo of which games should be won and lost? That wasn’t a suggestion.

So, after the second Sens goal, I decided I needed to shake things up. So, Lindy and Darcy, if you’re reading this, here’s your starting lineup for Friday fresh from the hotel ice bucket.

First line -
Pie-Yay – Ellis – Butler

Second line -
Staffy – Pommerdoodle – DRoy

Third line -
Kaleta – Moore – Sekera

Fourth line -
Rivet – Hank – Vanek

Spare Forward
LaLime

Top D
Timmy – Peters

2nd D
MacArthur – Max

3rd D
Tellqvist – Jaro

Spare D
Paetsch

Starting Goalie
Goose

Back-up Goalie
Yo- yo

Benched
Toni
Mair
Numminen

Chaz plays psychic medium

Dear Sabres~

The words “Do or Die” and “Must win” were used quite often in the description of Tuesday’s game. Since it’s obvious you didn’t understand those words how about we try these: Pebble Hill, Early April, Book Now.

Swinging mad,

Chaz

Ah, that feels MUCH better. Now onto the fun stuff! I’m going to play psychic and tell you exactly how the Sabres and the rest of the Eastern conference will finish off this season!

First Up – Where we currently stand.

Rank	Team	Games	W	L	Points
1	Boston	68	43	16	95
2	NJ	66	43	20	89
3	Caps	68	41	21	88
4	Flyers	65	36	19	82
5	Montreal	67	36	24	79
6	Pens	68	36	26	78
7	Carolina	69	36	27	78
8	Florida	67	34	24	77
9	NYR	67	34	25	76
10	Buffalo	67	33	27	73
11	Leaves	68	27	28	67
12	Sens	66	27	29	64
13	Atlanta	67	26	35	58
14	TB	67	21	32	56
15	NYI	67	22	37	52

So, I went thought the remaining schedule and picked who I thought would win. Then I took a look at the teams playing and decided if they could win it in regulation or if it would go to OT. Then using the NHLs great system of 2 or 2+1 calculated the new points values. Here’s where I had everyone shaking out.

Rank	Team	Projected Points
1	NJ	118
2	Caps	115
3	Boston	110
4	Flyers	103
5	Pens	102
6	Montreal	101
7	Buffalo	99
8	NYR	90
9	Florida	85
10	Carolina	85
11	Sens	77
12	Leaves	76
13	Atlanta	66
14	TB	63
15	NYI	59

I really don’t think I gave the Sabres too much credit in being able to squeak into the playoffs. I did give them a lot of wins, but have them going into OT for many games as well. I really think Ryan Miller will be able to come back on a high note and finish the season with much needed wins. Here’s how I think the Sabres will do.

Game Day	Team	Pts Earned	OT
3/12	Panthers	2
3/14	Atlanta	2
3/17	@ Sens	1	Yes
3/20	Flyers	2	Yes
3/21	@ NYR	2	Yes
3/25	Panthers	2
3/27	Leaves	2
3/28	@ Habs	1	Yes
4/1	@ Atlanta	2
4/3	@ Caps	2	Yes
4/4	NJ
4/6	Wings	2
4/8	@ Leaves	2
4/9	@ Canes	2
4/11	Bruins	2

Now to see just how wrong I am!

Throwing the baby out with the bathwater

Now I, along with everyone else, understands there are issues in Montreal. I think you’d have to be blind not to notice. However, I don’t necessarily think the problem lies with Guy Carbonneau.

Have there been off-ice incidents? Does a bear shit in the woods?
Did this impact the on-ice product? Uh, I would think so.
Unless Gainey was willing to PAY someone to babysit his stars how much impact does the organization really have on their lives. You can tell them not to do something, but it is ultimately their decision. Les Habs could have punished their players for their actions. Team suspensions? I don’t remember seeing any. Florida didn’t have a problem suspending Boynton for exchanging a few words with the coaching staff. I could be wrong but a few words with the coaching staff is NOTHING compared to les parties and les friends a few of the Habs have been keeping. Did Gainey suspend any players? Nope.

Gainey mentions the team has been relatively stagnant in the last 8 weeks. No offense, BOB, but you did NOTHING on March 4th. Nothing. What impact do you think this had on your team? You had the opportunity to try and trade some of the “cancer” you had in the room and did nothing. You could have sent these people to the AHL and replaced them, yet you did nothing. So, onto the Sabres/Habs game on the 4th. You have the Sabres who got a back up goalie to support Patty, a center that can handle faceoffs who’s not named Goose, and re-signed the Glassman. The Sabres were energized by what happened on March 4th, your team, not.so.much. AND IT SHOWED.

Unless this is a ploy to get Patty Roy behind the bench, Les Habs just threw the baby out with the bathwater. Not good, monsieur, not good.

On a completely different note, I was supposed to be in Nashville this evening attending the Preds/Caps game. Unfortunately, my business trip got cancelled last minute. So, if you know anyone that’s in Nashville and may want to go tonights game. Have them e-mail me at ISHMTC[at]yahoo[dot]com. I have the ticket in email format and will send out to the first person that emails me. It is one ticket in section 206, row E, seat 7.

T.O.

Time the fuck out!

A few days ago I was reading (or listening) to something and they were discussing the possibility that TO would land in Buffalo.  I thought it was so absurd I didn’t even pay enough attention to be able to accurately quote it here.  Yesterday, I wake up to a Sunday paper that says Buffalo HAS signed TO.  Seriously?  I’m surprised he chose to come to Buffalo because it’s not all “big town” like he is.  Maybe Mr. Lynch will let him bunk for the season.  They’re the perfect duo to cause a little B’lo havoc. *

On the  bright side, there is NOTHING the current group of Sabres could do that would out shine the stupidity of 90% of the current Bills. 

Congratulations…I think.

*ISHMTC does not claim in depth knowledge of the Buffalo Bills or NFL.