And all I wanted for Christmas at this point was a win for the Buffalo Sabres... well, okay, that and a return to a sound currency, the dissolution of most governmental power structures and news that someone picked up Arrested Development and Firefly. Waking up this morning my first desire had been fulfilled after a rousing performance by the boys in the AGH sweaters... one out of four isn't bad, I guess, and there may be movement on the AD pickup front.
Going to the Ice Palace twice a year to catch the Sabres has become nearly a tradition. Last night was my Christmas present from Capt. Charity Vain (for non-readers of my old blog, she's my wife), two tickets, section 102, Row G, Seats 1 and 2. These seats were exactly 5 rows right behind where Lindy Ruff stands (mostly motionless, btw) for the entire game. We got to the arena early and hung out with the other Sabres faithful next to the tunnel to the locker room. Nearly everyone I meet is shocked to hear that I'm not from Buffalo originally, and that the Sabres are my adopted team. So, I happily recount the moments that irrevocably changed my allegiance from the Isles to the Sabres and they are almost always very patient and considerate.
But, enough setting the scene. Thursday night's loss to the Panthers was a predictably flat performance. And it's becoming a habit for us. Florida always seems to play us well at home, just like we always seem to be able to go into Tampa and walk away with points. So, my outlook for this game was confident and my gut feeling was that Miller was going to have a little extra going on tonight knowing that the guy in the other crease was going to Turin in February and he wasn't. And, no, that wasn't the nachos from the night before talking either!
In the spirit of the season here are my choices for Christmas wish lists:
- Ryan Miller: His job back. Two starts, 2 goals allowed, 2 wins.
- Max Afinogenov: slightly better hands. Another 1/4 inch and he had a good, garbage goal last night.
- Danny Paille: His first goal. Seeing as he got his first assist last night.
- Paul Gaustad: A New Sweater. Because I'm going to steal the one he's wearing.
- Danny Briere: A Faith Healer. Can't do any worse than the team doctors at this point.
- John Grahame: One unit of Stick Um.
- Martin St. Louis: The respect he got from Defensemen in 2003-04.
- Toni Lydman: A raise
- Jay McKee: a new contract
- Adam Mair: See Gaustad. Because I might get to him first.
- John Tortarella: A new chalkboard. Because the one that drew up pulling your goalie with 2:41 to go is defective.
- Nolan Pratt, Tim Taylor and Dave Andreychuk: Applications for retirement.
- Don Koharski: A donut. Eh, it was just that easy. Actually, Don K. wasn't the problem last night, the other referee was.
- Jay Feaster: Brad Lukowich, Nikolai Khabibulin, Cory Stillman, Pavel Kubina
- Lindy Ruff: The Jack Adams Trophy.
- Chris Drury: A mouthpiece endorsement... no wonder we have to pay him so much.
- Tim Connolly: Hair.
- Mika Noronen: A fresh start somewhere else.
- Martin Biron: a donut. No make that two. By god, that boy is skinny.
That pretty much sums up last night's game for me. It was a solid game in all three zones. Tallinder played his best game of the season. He and Lydman have really grown together into a confident and efficient defense pair. Mair got to play with Roy and Afinogenov last night and they created a buncha havoc. Mair took a lot of abuse during the 3rd period last night and then sent a message later on with a definite boarding penalty that the boys took a little extra enjoyment killing off.
Miller made a few stops last night that were flat-out fantastic. Deflections, re-directs from in close. He looked confident and secure, no rebounds to speak of. Grahame (GRAY-HAME, YOU SUCK!) let out enough for any three goalies, so I guess Miller was just trying to balance things out.
Top to bottom, this was another team effort and the contrast between the Lightning and the Sabres is stark. Tamps is a one-line team right now, this may be skewed with Vinny out for a game, but that just speaks to the utter lack of depth on their roster. At this point in time, they don't scare me at all, even healthy.
Ta,
p.s. No BY-RON, YOU SUCK guy last night. I think he haunts the other end of the rink from where we sat. I was so keyed up to be within 15 feet of the boys that I forgot about him until after the game.
p.p.s. For Mr. Golbez, I had my un-named Sabres sweater on and the wife wore my Russian Larionov one. I wasn't even all that obnoxious.
Yeah... I'm with you on the Arrested Development thing. Sadly, the higher ups at FOX think that there's no room for award winning shows. They so love their mindless stuff like "The Simple Life" and "American Idol" and the completely unfunny "That 70's Show".
The cancellation of Arrested Development will go down with the cancellation of "Freaks and Geeks" as one of the biggest television travesties.
Posted by: David Lee | Tuesday, 27 December 2005 at 08:22 AM
I can agree about F&G's as well. It was a wonderful show. Thankfully the morons at FOX don't work in the DVD dept.
The good news is that AD is getting picked up by Showtime.
Now, if only Firefly/Serenity would get a new life cable might almost be worth the money for the entertainment that isn't hockey.
Ta,
Posted by: Tom L | Tuesday, 27 December 2005 at 03:29 PM