Hockey Trifecta in pictures

I will keep words to a minimum because I’ve already bored you to death with the story.  That said, I do have to preface that my digital camera is a piece of shit when shooting hockey games.  I took about 1,000 pictures at the Sabres game hand had to delete 952 of them.  Which also happens to be why there are just a few pictures from the other game.  If I can get flicker to cooperate, I will most likely upload all of the pictures from the game into the set. 

Friday, Feb 27

Montreal Canadiens vs. Philadelphia Flyers 

The view from our seats

Marty: "Let me in coach, I'm ready to play!"

The awesome Philly fans. That place was ELECTRIC.

Bad picture, best Cheese steak

It doesn't look like the Spectrum to you?

Saturday, Feb 28th 1:00PM EST

Florida Panters vs. NJ Devils 

I liked Stevens. He was hot for an old guy. Daneyko has grown on me since he was added to the broadcast team. It's amazing what teeth can do!

Yeah Devil! Well, except for that year the Avs won the cup. I do love me the Avs and Ray Bourque.

Ok, I can admit, I do like you. Even if you are trying to pass Patty Roy's records. I still love him more.

Yes, we really sat that far away.

Dear Devils Fans, Before making fun of the opposing goalie you may want to review the goals allowed to shots on goal ratio. In this game they are almost identical. Now, I understand the Devils scored 7 goals but they had 48 shots. The Panthers scored 2 goals on 17 shots. Just sayin'.

Saturday, Feb 28th 7:00PM EST

Buffalo Sabres vs. NY Islanders

As you’ll notice, I have a lot of ass shots.  This isn’t because I have a fascination with hind quarters, but actually due to my crappy camera.  90% of my pictures are from a stoppage in play which is the only time I could actually get the players standing in one place.  See, the shutter speed on my digital camera sucks.  Ergo, most of the pictures I went to take, were not there when the photo was actually snapped.  The other 10% of my pictures are from when I accurately guessed where said Sabres would go and was able to have them skate into the picture I was taking.  Such is life I guess.  Oh, and I love Goose, but you’ll know that soon enough.

It doesn't look like THAT big of a shit hole from the outside.

Holy Teeny Tiny Arena Batman! This game was like attending an AHL game...really, it is THAT small.

This is what "on the glass" means to the Islanders. Don't try to "bang" on the glass because you will get yelled at.

That bright light is Kevin Sylvester. Squint and I swear you can see him! (I think)

Droy leading Pommer to the face off circle while he scratches his muzzle.

Derek and the Ho

Goose about 2 minutes before getting ejected for 10 minutes.

Goose about 2 seconds before he heads to the box and then off the ice. Sniff, sniff

The Zamboni entrance. I wanna drive the Zamboni.

Best part of the intermission. Nassau doesn't have "holes" in the ground in which to shovel the ice/water dropped by the Zamboni. So this poor guys job is to mop up the floor and then SHOP VAC all remaining liquids. Shop vac, I kid you not.

Oh, Patty! You deserved MUCH better then this.

Hank, not Honk, more Honk later.

Pie-YAY! I tried to get an action figure, because he really does skate around with his tongue hanging out of his mouth. Careful boy, or you could lose that thing.

Cap'n Craig, Patty and Yo-yo

Jaro eat ref's whistle. mmmm, crunchy.

Last Honk I promise

Sparky the magic dragon, lives by the sea...

~Le Fin~

It’s all coming back to me now

Last Thursday through now is a total blur.

Thursday = official “I’m a new homeowner” day.
Friday = appointments (HVAC/Floors, etc)/ long drive/Flyers/Habs game/drive to Whippany, NJ
Saturday = Devils/Panthers and Sabres/Islanders game
Sunday = long drive home and a few birthday parties

(Pictures will follow once flickr stops being an ass.)

Friday recap -

I HATE traffic.  I got into Philadelphia just before 6pm.  Due to my new home purchase I had a long list of items to purchase at IKEA.   I somehow managed to fly through IKEA in an hour at which point Diebeige and I headed to the arena.  (Yes, yes we know the game started at 7)  In Buffalo this wouldn’t have been an issue.  In Philadelphia, a totally different story.  For starters, every lot we passed was “reserved”.  We finally found an open lot only to realize we were really far from the arena and mixed in with all the traffic from the Phantoms game.  Note to Philadelphia – Putting all your arenas in one place is a great idea to consolidate parking.  Not so much when multiple games are scheduled during the same time.  There was just a few minutes left to the first by the time we go into the arena and to our seats. 

I want to thank the Wachovia center for serving me the best Philly cheese steak I have EVER had.  Seriously that shit should be illegal, and that’s what was in the arena.  Could you imagine one on the street?  It’s mind blowing to me.

Now, correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t there a penalty for a player carrying a broken stick?  Every timeI see a player with a broken stick it gets dropped or thrown like it’s a steaming turd.  Saku Koivu though?  Nope, he carried his all the way from the goal to about 10 feet from the Montreal bench.  All while skating straight towards a ref and his team scoring the game winning goal behind him.  That should have been a penalty BEFORE they scored.  The Flyers got screwed.

The atmosphere in the Flyersarena can only be described as electric.  It was UN-believable.  I also wouldn’t want to be a Sabres fan in the Wachovia Center when they’re playing the Sabres.

This led to Diebeige and I returning to IKEA to pick up my car and head out to our free hotel room.  (Thanks Marriott!)  What I didn’t realize when I was picking out our free hotel is how far it was from Philly.  My main focus was how far it was from our Saturday schedule.  After 2 hours, we finally pulled into the Courtyard at 1 am.  I don’t remember much else because I was exhausted. 

Saturday recap -

Hmm, sleeping in!  Ok, sleeping in as much as we could sleep in.  The hotel internet says it’s going to be 57 with a low of 30, so I head out in a T-shirt and sweater.  My Sabres hoody in tow for later.

We decided to head down to the Prudential center around 11 am.  No need to miss part of the game like we did the night before.  We pulled up to the arena and just about crapped our pants when we saw the $25 parking.  Wha?  Am I back in St. Paul?  We proceeded a little further down the block and found a lot for $15.  SUweeeeeeeeet.  Not sweet?  57 was the temp for Friday, not Saturday.  It was 34 and windy.  A very cold walk up the block. 

We got into the Prudential center with plenty of time to spare.  So we walked around, took pictures and decided on lunch.  My choice?  The $1 hotdog, a soda and the largest vat of popcorn ever seen.  The hotdog was cold, the soda flat and the popcorn never ending.  THEN it happened, the Devils appeared.  It was at this point I realized I have never seen Marty play live.  The atmosphere was awesome for all 10,000 people that were there.  I can am a little shocked with the product that is on the ice, a Saturday matinee and being in a city that the arena was half empty.  Seriously folks, you need to support your Devils they deserve it.

All that said, the people in front of us had a child they stated was turning 1 on the 8th.  I think he looked a little young to be 1, but that is beside the point.  I was there in a t-shirt, sweater and jeans.  I was cold.  This baby had a onesie, a devils onesie and a pair of pants.  His parents occasionally covered him in a blank.  I wish he could speak because he would have told them he was freezing his ass off.

I’ll step off my soap box now.

1 hour and $20 in tolls later, we pulled into the Nassau Coliseum.  From the outside I was happy to see there was sand in the parking lot.  How cool.  There wasn’t much else that was real exciting.  When we entered the arena we found we had to wait about an hour before we could get into the arena.  We got in, found our seats and decided we’d take a trip around the arena and see if there was any decent nosh.  Compared to NJ and Philly, the answer is no.  Then we headed back to our seats for the game.  We had awesome seats, just a little off the left shoulder of Danis. 

The gentleman behind us commented on how awesome the logo on our shirts were.  Then came the best line of the night.  “Helen Keller could have created a better logo then the slug.”  That is my new moto, just in case you want to know. 

I’m going to forget the game ever happened, because, well you know why.  The Islanders are a last place team, played like a last place team, and the Sabres were SHUT OUT by the Islanders.  I sat there thinking how awesome it would be when someone got checked against the glass.  The only problem is it never happened. 

That leads me into tomorrow.  Tomorrow is my birthday AND the trade deadline.  SO, I respectfully ask Darcy to make an impact.  A BIG one.  Other than Goose, Miller, Vanek, Rivet and Lalime the rest can go.  No, really, it’ll be alright with me.

I think we should trade Max for the McDonalds singing fish.  I love this commercial and think this would be awesome for locker room moral. 

I’d like to see the rest of the players return some draft picks and maybe a few players. 

Let the madness begin!

Day late, dollar short

I’m gonna keep the game recap brief because it happened, like 12 years ago or something.

So here are my high/low lights of Tuesday’s game.

• Did anyone else have a coronary when Cap’n CRiv blocked the shot and then made a bee-line for the bench?  I totally thought they were going to have to amputate a limb and then send him back out on the ice.
• I couldn’t believe Goose got an elbow to the face.  He’s like 100 feet tall, so that was impressive.  Thankfully, there was no damage.
• Ruutu bite Peters.  I’ll admit it, I was a little surprised.  I hate Peters, but he didn’t deserve that…ever.  I’m glad Ruutu got two, but I think his smug post game interviews professing his innocence should have gotten him 15 more games.
• Uh, Crunchy, Ottawa score twice in like .0000000000000000000019 seconds.  I get the first one, but you should have had the second.  I really thought that was going to be the end of the winning streak.
• Congrats to Razor and his wife. 
• I was very excited for the Cap’n CRiv interview.  I think he should do TV intermission interviews even when he’s not playing.

Onto other news,

Did anyone hear about this?  Seriously?  I don’t know what’s worse, that a four yr old would shoot someone for stepping on his toes (accidentally) or that he knew where the gun and bullets were and how to load the bullets.  This is very scary on many accounts.

I’ll believe Timmy is playing tomorrow when I see him take the ice.  I’m not convinced he won’t trip over his own feet on the way out for warm-ups and missing the rest of the season.  Sorry, folks.  If he makes it out of this weekend, I’ll be surprised.

Congrats to Vanek for being the only Sabre to get picked for the all-star game.  You’re the only one that deserved that honor.

What’s not scary is some nice dude upgraded our seats for the Isles/Sabres game to row A….ON THE GLASS.  So, when the Sabres score 1000 goals in the first and third, the two chicks wearing Sabres apparel will be Diebeige and I.  To celebrate, I had to get some new Sabres gear. 

If they are losing 1000-0, you'll see the hood instead of my face. Just sayin...

Now, I have to get back to work.  =(

The hard questions

I think it’s about time someone around here starts asking the hard questions. 

Who’d be better, Max or Gerbe?  Timmy or Tim?

I get people think Gerbe and Tim Kennedy need more time in the minors where they would play consistent minutes.  I also get we can’t buy out contracts mid-season, but this broken record says dump Max.  This is like real estate, you drop the price enough and someone will take it.  I think the Sabres have proven what they can do with draft picks.  As for Timmy Ho, at this point, I think the Sabres are prepared to keep him on IR for the rest of the season.  My dad  broke a rib a few months back, so I get it hurts.  blah, blah, blah.   We all know it’ll be 2 maybe 3 games back and then another injury.  So, get a few draft picks for Max, keep Timmy on IR and pluck (no offense Goose) Gerbe and Kennedy out of Portland. 

What took so long to get injury updates?

Update: Goose and Gerbe are a go for tonight.  Peters and Max to warm the pine in the press box.

Today we found out Rivet is now day to day, Goose could play tonight, Gerbe is close and Timmy won’t play anytime in the near future.  No update on Kaleta.  I’m very excited to hear we should be seeing Gerbe soon.  With Timmy out for near future, he should see a spot in the line up. 

Private to Chris Butler,

Great Job!  I know you’ll be heading back to Portland soon, but want to make sure you know, from the fans in Buffalo, just how well you filled C Riv’s big shoes.  You should be proud and I’m sure there will be a spot for you in the line up in the future. 

See you soon,

Chaz 

I'm back and I'm fighting mad!

 Goose, I really hope you weren’t being literal just now.  Between your chin and your thumb, I’m afraid for you.

You really think Peters is a heavy weight in this league?

He’s a fuckin’ joke.  You know it and I know it.  All the heavy weights in this league know it.  He’s BY FAR the worst fighter in the league, and we’re proud  forced to say he’s on our team.  This best be the last year he gets some ridiculous contract. (read: a contract) Patty Kaleta can easily fill the shoes left behind by Peters.  Easily.

Is it really tennis elbow if it happens playing Wii Tennis instead of watching the Sabres game?

Err…I don’t know the answer to this question, but if anyone does my friend Shaz, yeah, that’s it Shaz, would really like to know.

Do we win tonight?

How the hell would I know!  You act like I have ESPN or something.  What I do know is Semin is out and Ovechkin is in.  The question should really be “Is Miller “out” or in?”  I think we’ll see Brashear pummel Peters with that, deservedly, shit eating grin on his face.  Ovie will score with 2 seconds left, the Sabres, as a collective team, will show-up for the game will follow the system to Lindy’s liking and ultimately win the game in a shoot out.  Mean while, Chaz, errrr, Shaz will continue to perfect her backhand. 

I believe the following two search terms accurately sum up my Tuesday morning feelings.  Don’t piss me off and where was I last Friday?

It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

Tomorrow is a holiday for those of us in the Ol’ US of A.  It also launches the official, “holy shit!  I only have 4 weeks until Christmas meltdown” for me.  In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I would love to wish all my American readers a wonderful Turkey or Tofurky day.  To all the Canucks, I’m happy belated Thanksgiving. 

I set out this morning to rack my brain for things I’m grateful for and found the list came much easier then expected. 

I’m thankful for-

My Family.  They are what they are and I love them for it.  Without my parents, I’d be paying rent out my nose instead of living rent free while I try and buy a house.  They get on my nerves sometimes, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.  They’ve made me realize that the time we have with our loved ones is precious.  You never know if this will be your last holiday with your family, so always treat it like it is.  It’s no life to spend the rest of your life regretting things you did or didn’t say before someone passed.  Let those around you know what they mean to you.  I enjoy my nephews more than I can put into words. 

My friends.  I’ve been a craptacular friend over the last few weeks and yet you still seem to call and e-mail.  I promise I’ll remove my head from my ass.  You’re all appreciated more than you know, and you put up with my stories of “the boys” even if you don’t really care.

Hockey.  It’s SO much fun to watch live and barring a few cities has the nicest fans.

Pommerdoode.  Interviews with Pommerdoodle are always refreshing.  It’s obvious he’s drunk on Sabres blue Kool-Aid and I’m OK with it.  He truly believes the system will fix everything when we fans feel it won’t.  Your attitude, Pommerdoodle, keeps me enjoying Sabres hockey.

Goose.  Our environment remains beautiful because of the efforts from the non-crazy tree huggers like you.  I’ve lowered my thermostat, recycled and re-purposed products just because you asked me too.  Who really cares that I’m freezing my ass off and the blankets made out of old clothes are cutting it.  We still have trees and lakes.

Crunchy.  Not so much for your on-ice play as of late, but for just being you.  In many ways I think Goose has rubbed off on you.  I know you price your jeans outrageously expensive, not because they are but because you want people to think twice before they throw them away.

“Well, they did cost $300.  I guess I can wear them a few more times, then cut them up and sew them back together in the form of a baby blanket.”

Your love of twigs and berries is going to slowly put the farmers out of business.  There will be no need to cut down trees or put pesticides on the land or in the water.  Wegmans will be a large forest surrounded by an organic fence made from recycled old Wegmans stores.  We’ll pick our own berries and twigs and pay by the pound on the way out.

D-Roy.  You are the antithesis of Goose and Crunchy, and yet they still seem to love you.  So, I feel compelled to follow suit.  Score a couple more goals and I won’t have to rely on the opinions of Goose and Crunchy.

Jaro.  There is nothing that makes me smile more than an interview with Jaro.  It makes a bad game good.  It’ll take my 5 minutes to try and translate what he said and then I realize it was “Fuck the system, we sucked tonight.”  It’s funny and refreshing all at the same time.

Andro Peters, Timmy Ho and Max.  Without you, I would have very little “low hanging fruit” to rail on.  When I’m pissed at the whole team, you’re my first target regardless of if you played in the game.

Thomas Vanek.  I’m sorry I called you a slag-faced whore.  You were one, but seem to have reformed.  Be careful, it’s a slippery slope right back to slag-faced whore, but this week I’m convinced you will overcome.

C Riv.  I’m glad you appear to have warmed to Buffalo, because Buffalo fans sure have warmed to you.  If you hate it here, please be honest, we can take honesty.  We can’t handle another Drury or Briere.  Just don’t lie to us.

Pattie LaLime.  After watching your interviews, who isn’t enamored with you?  Plus, I think you’ll allow Crunchy a few nights off.  It’s hard for him to forage for all is food, so a little extra time is always appreciated.  Hey, maybe you could help him?  Being a FC lumberjack like you are, I’m sure you have a few pointers on new leaves and moss he could add to his diet.

My blog.  I totally fucked up my 100th post and no one seemed to mind.

I hope everyone has a fun, safe and stuffed holiday.  Only 4 more weeks until the next holiday.

Has this ever happened to you?

I came into my blog today to write a new post, only to find, I’m a complete dumbass.  See, I wrote a post  and in the heat of “shit, I need to get this published ’cause I’ve got things to do” accidentally saved it instead of posting it.  To those of you who were worried I may have keeled over, fret not, it was only my brain that keeled over.  The rest of me is sitting here at work searching for the hardest surface in which to bang my head.

Onto today’s random thoughts -

It’s an “I love Crunchy” day.  First, I saw this picture.  Like most women in child baring age, there is something about a guy that looks comfortable with kids and vice versa.  It’s some sub-conscious way of sending our ovaries into overdrive.  It sent me straight from Crunchy’s gay to Crunchy could father my children in about 2.6 seconds. 

Should I really even bother to keep up the Timmy Tracker?  I have some serious hopes doubts that he never plays another game in a Sabres jersey.  If you can’t bare to part with him, then make his sell beer in the arena.  The women will LOVE it.

Now onto Sunday’s post which is a little redundant now, but what the hell.  Heather also talked about a lot of this stuff, and I tend to agree with her, so you can read it here.

I realized a few things this weekend -

First, bringing up Mark Mancari might not have been a bad idea.  Is there anyone else in Maine who might be ready for the jump? (Please, oh, please!)

Second, remember when I said we needed to dump some of our dead weight?  Well the offer doesn’t still stand, but I still think we need to get rid of a few of our “low hanging fruit.” 

I know you’re dying to know my opinion, so here it is -

You can shift Timmy to arena payroll by dropping 4 zeros off his game day salary, free beer and free women.  Come on, you know it’ll work.   (And I’m not saying this because he’s from Baldwinsville and I hate him.)

You can shift Andro Peters to arena payroll by dropping 3 zeros off his game day salary, free beer and free women.  (Oh, that’s right…you’re happily married now.)  Come on, you know it’ll work.

You need to suck it up when it comes to Max.  You aren’t always going to get what you want.  Shit happens sometimes, so take a low draft pick or put him on waivers.  Wake the rest of the team up with a “this could be you” moment. 

I don’t think you should trade DRoy.  I do think he needs a hard core benching.  He will probably enjoy riding the pine…ahem, moving on….

I think Pommer should be made the temporary Captain until C Riv gets his mojo back.  I think he’s shown himself as obedient to the system and is being rewarded accordingly. 

I think Crunchy needs to be sent to a therapist.  He sucked last year after his cousin passed which is completely understandable.  I’m not sure what happened this year.  Did he find a stray pair of last year’s jeans in his closet?  A shirt?  Get dumped?  Either way, a good shrink and some good organic trail mix should have Crunchy back to new.

Please don’t touch Mancari and Goose. 

The rest are open for debate.