A Post Previewing the 2009-2010 Buffalo Sabres

September 26, 2009 at 12:00 pm | In Buffalo Sabres, Chris Butler, Dan Paille, Derek Roy, Frostee Does Predictions!, Henrik Tallinder, Jason Pominville, Jochen Hecht, Mike Grier, Nathan Gerbe, Patrick Kaleta, Paul Gaustad, Players, Ryan Miller, Thomas Vanek, Thought-provoking Stuff, Tim Connolly, Tim Connolly must be made of toothpicks and chewing gum, Tim Kennedy | Leave a Comment

So. The time has come to prepare a post previewing the Sabres. Where to begin? The Sabres were a mess last season, to be perfectly honest. Playoffs two years in a row, then no playoffs two years in a row, then they beat the Red Wings and the Caps in the preseason. Yes, I know we lost Drury and Briere, but seriously, dudes? Get over it. They weren’t the only players on this team.

The thing with these Sabres is that I can never decide if any of them have individual talents, or games like that 10-2 win over Edmonton are just a complete fluke. Yes, Thomas Vanek is good at putting the puck in the net. Yes, Tim Connolly is fabulous when he’s not lying in a hospital bed in a full body cast. Ryan Miller is frustratingly inconsistent, but when he’s on, good grief, is he on. Patrick Kaleta isn’t half-bad at throwing hits. Sir Christopher has a bright future ahead of him.

But I’m not sure if these Sabres are good enough to take the next step. Yes, if Gomez hadn’t taken out Miller we probably would have made the playoffs. But after seeing how the other teams played in the postseason, there’s an excellent chance that the Sabres would have been slaughtered in the first round. It would have painful, and it would have been ugly.

Darcy promised big changes this summer, so he let my Caveman go and signed Steve Montador in his place, and he brought back Mike Grier. Woo. Way to go, Darcy. Grier will (hopefully) be able to keep the whiny brats on this team in line, but that’s about it. He also signed about 27 enforcers and “gritty” players, so, you know, watch out, league. (I actually have a theory that Darcy watched Slapshot one too many times before free agency started and he wanted to be like the Chiefs and just beat up every team. If it’s old time hockey we’re going to be putting up with, I at least want a Killer.)

One thing Darcy didn’t do that we were all expecting was dump some of our dead weight. Yes, Max is gone, but we still have Hank and Jochen. Man, did those two frustrate me last season.

You know who else frustrated me? Jason Pominville. Jason effing Pominville. He was all cute and adorable and point-producing two years ago and then last season he completely sucked. It was awful.

Thomas Vanek was on track for fifty goals last season (remember when I was all freaked out that he would score more goals than Alex? Heh.) and then he broke his jaw. He’s definitely our best goal-scorer and I’d appreciate it if he could keep that up this year. I’m also counting on Derek Roy to be our best point-producer. Come on, Royzie. Do it for Kyle.

I’d really like some of the Portland kids to get a chance up here, but I’m not sure if that’ll happen or not since we don’t exactly have loads of roster space to give away. Gerbe and Kennedy might be ready to make the jump, but it really depends on who plays well in training camp and who else undergoes surgery right before the start of the season. Adam Mair.

Another concern is the Olympic Break. Yes, it will give some of our guys a chance to rest up, but not Ryan Miller. It became rather apparent two seasons ago that our fragile little goalie can’t handle playing a long season. The Olympics are kind of intense, and they’re going to exhaust him if he ends up being named the starting goalie.

I’m not going to make any predictions about this team, because I honestly don’t know where they’ll end up in the conference. What I do know is that they really are quite similar to the team we saw last year, and that team didn’t do a whole heck of a lot. Out of the playoffs is out of the playoffs, no matter what place you’re in.

Just a few personal letters to some of the players:

Dear Paul,

You just keep doing what you’re doing.

With Love,

Frostee

Dear Timmy,

Don’t break.

With Love,

Frostee

Dear Jason,

Come back.

With Love,

Frostee

Dear Jochen,

We gave you that contract extension because we believed in you, but you were kind of awful last season. Let’s just put the past in the past and move on. You can play better than you did. I believe in you.

With Love,

Frostee

Dear Mike,

Keep the little bastards in line.

With Love,

Frostee

Dear Sir Christopher,

I decided to make you my project this year, which means I love you even more and pay extra special attention to you. Not that there’s any pressure, I promise. I thought you were chivalrous and great player last year, and with even more time to grow and develop, you’ll get even better. Good luck, my young knight. May the force be with you.

With Love,

Frostee

Dear Danny,

Don’t forget your toothbrush on the road trips, sweetie!

With Love,

Frostee

Meh.

March 8, 2009 at 12:10 pm | In Jochen Hecht, Losing Sucks, Ryan Miller, That was absolutely terrible. | 2 Comments

You know what?  It sucks that the Sabres lost last night.  I fully expected them to, but a tiny part of me thought maybe, just maybe, they could win the second game of a back-to-back/beat Ottawa.

I did, however, get to watch last night’s game with all the lady bloggers and oh what fun we had.  If the Sabres are going to suck, I appreciate that they at least wait until I’m watching the game in good company so I don’t feel the need to jump out a window.  

I had tweeted about it but kept forgetting to mention it here, and I feel bad saying something after last night’s game, but if the Sabres trading for Tellqvist wasn’t indication enough that Miller’s done for the season, this is:  my uncle also happens to work at Roswell and saw him there with the children last week (let’s all say, “awww!” together!).  He went up to him and asked how his ankle was doing and how long he thought he’d be out, and Miller said he was at least two weeks away from even getting back on skates.  So, yeah.  I hope Telly gets the start on Tuesday to rest Lala, and hopefully Patty’ll get back into top form.

Honestly, though, you want to know what the worst part about last night’s game was?  JOCHEN HECHT scored and the Sabres lost.  I didn’t even think the poor guy knew how to score.  When he does, the Sabres should win.

Welcome To Rock Bottom

February 28, 2009 at 9:51 pm | In Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Buffalo Sabres, Clarke MacArthur, Dan Paille, Frostee Does Predictions!, Henrik Tallinder, Hockey Gods, Huh?, Jochen Hecht, Losing Sucks, New York Islanders, Patrick Lalime, That was absolutely terrible., This Irks Me, Thomas Vanek, Thought-provoking Stuff, Tim Connolly, Trading Madness!, Washington Capitals | 4 Comments

Embarrassing is the only word I can really think of to describe that game.  Getting shut out is bad enough, but getting shut out to the Islanders?  Really?

It makes me sad that the Sabres can’t get a win for Lala.  He’s been really reliable these past few games and has been making great saves, but apparently it’s way too much to ask the Sabres to actually score a freaking goal.  I don’t care how many good chances they had in the first period tonight, Harry.  Chances mean absolutely nothing when the team can’t actually score.  

Trade deadline is Wednesday.  I love the trade deadline because GMs can always be counted on to make completely wacky-doodle trades.  There’s been a lot of talk surrounding a Connolly trade but I actually don’t think Timmy’ll get traded.  He’s too important to this team right now and I get the feeling that Darcy will at least try to resign him.  I definitely expect to see Tallinder shipped out (sorry Heather), and even though I tear up just thinking about it I worry about Pie.  MacArthur has done absolutely nothing memorable lately and I really want Jochen Hecht to go away.  Tallinder, Hecht, and MacArthur might seem like a good package to some of those wacko GMs who go wild on deadline day.  

Semin’s OT winner in the Caps/Bruins game today was fantastic.  I feel really bad for Timtom but when goals like that are scored you can’t help but laugh.

TV is supposed to be back by Wednesday.  If the hockey gods have any mercy at all he will.  

Don Cherry seems to think Alex’s goal celebrations make him like Sean Avery.  Huh.  I really don’t see where he gets that from.  I do know that part of what makes the Capitals so fun to watch is their obvious love for the game and their excitement when they score.  Watching them get incredibly fired up by goals makes me really happy.

Speaking of the Capitals, uh, there’s still room on the bandwagon.  I don’t want to be a Debbie Downer but I’m just puttin’ it out there…

The Internet Connection Here Sucks

February 17, 2009 at 10:04 am | In Atlanta Thrashers, Frostee Loves Way Too Many Guys, Ilya Kovalchuk, Jason Pominville, Jochen Hecht, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins | Leave a Comment

It’s ridiculously slow, so before it stops working again a few quick things:

  • There was an article in TBN today about Jochen and how he needs to step up.  I agree.  When we were discussing the Sabres during the Ottawa game last Wednesday my mother mentioned at one point that it really didn’t seem like I disliked any of the Sabres.  I told her that if I had to pick one Sabre I really didn’t like, aside from Max of course, it would be Jochen Hecht.
  • Pommer updated his blog.  Oh, Pommer.  I really, really want to take him to the zoo and by him cotton candy or something.  I want to babysit him and watch “The Wonder Pets.”
  • I fell in love with the Atlanta Thrashers last night.  I feel terrible, but I can not control the heart’s desire.  They’re just so lovable.  I always had a soft spot for Kovalchuk, but now it extends to the entire time.  My love is actually based on three major points: 1) I’ve always had a thing for Ilya, 2) It’s really okay that I love them, because they kind of suck and they’re not really a threat to the Caps or Sabres, and 3) I desperately want to know why they call their goalie “Moose.”  We’ll have to see how long this relationship lasts.
  • Speaking of the Thrashers, while we don’t get Hurricanes hockey here we get Thrashers hockey.  I watched their game last night but I conked out after the first period.  (I’m pretty sure it was after the first.  It’s was 4-2 Atlanta and “Sex and the City” had already ended.)  When I woke up Clare informed me via Twitter that the Thrashers won 7-6 in the shootout.  Why do I ALWAYS fall asleep before the exciting comebacks!?!?!?!
  • The Rangers lost.  Heh.
  • The Penguins lost to the Islanders.  Their new coach must be INCREDIBLE.
  • Tonight’s game is on Versus, so we will be drinking root beer by the bottle and eating the best pizza on the planet.  I really know how to live large.

Shutouts and Super Bowls

February 1, 2009 at 11:01 am | In Buffalo Sabres, Dan Paille, Derek Roy, Football, Happy!!, Jaroslav Spacek, Jochen Hecht, Nathan Paetsch, Patrick Kaleta, Pittsburgh Penguins, Ryan Miller, Thought-provoking Stuff, Tim Connolly, Tim Connolly must be made of toothpicks and chewing gum, Toronto Maple Leafs, What Is Up With All These Injuries?, Winning Is Totally Awesome | 1 Comment

Last night’s Sabres game was awesome.  Just great.  I loved the game against Edmonton because, um, who doesn’t love it when their team scores TEN GOALS in one game?  The game against Calgary put me in a poor mood, but yesterday had been going so well for a hockey fan that I hoped the Sabres wouldn’t disappoint me.

They didn’t.

Where do I start?  With Ryan Miller and his REAL shutout, which was great?  I really think it’s all mental with him.  People in Buffalo like to beat him up for being a mediocre goalie, but he really just has to flip that switch.  He looked great last night.  I always got the feeling that he doesn’t do shutouts, but he’s already got four on the year.  Woo!

Speaking of Ryan Miller, that article in the paper was really great.  The picture on the front was a liiiittttllle creepy, but other than that I liked it a lot.  Hearing what his parents had to say about him was nice.  I know what it feels like to lose someone really close to cancer, and it really sucks.  I think it’s incredible that he managed to turn that into a successful charity.  It’s all very cool.  I fully expect a call from my grandmother this afternoon reminding me that Ryan really is “a very nice boy,” and that I should DEFINITELY marry him.  I absolutely love how my 86 year-old grandmother has a crush on Ryan Miller.  It’s even cuter than her crush on Michael Phelps.  (And just for the record, Grandma?  You know I would marry him!  He’s just a little old for me.  It would be a lot less creepy if Alex and I got married.  Plus there’s that thing Mom has with his eyebrows.)

You know who else is totally amazing?  That would be Derek Roy.  That pass last night was beautiful.  He did a great job just throwing that puck to Pie to set up that goal.  He was getting knocked down so there was a really good chance that the puck would go flying the wrong way or Pie would miss it, but the fact that Derek managed to get it to him and Pie managed to score was great.  I got all excited and started jumping around after that goal.

Pkaleta came back and got in a fight!  I was so excited that he was back in the lineup, but I freaked out when he got in that fight.  PATRICK.  You have been walking around in a NECK BRACE for the past two months.  BE CAREFUL.  He lost, but, you know, a fight is a fight, and I’m just glad he didn’t fall apart.

Jaro and Jochen did, however, fall apart.  I hope they both get better quickly.  I don’t want to hurt Jochen’s feelings, but I’m a little more worried about Jaro.  Aside from the fact that our defensive corps consists of like two players at this point, Jochen hasn’t really been a huge contributor out there.  He’s kind of been getting on my nerves this season.

Patches’s fight was really cute.  That’s the only way I can describe it.

I have a confession to make.  Tim Connolly is really good at hockey.  See, I have this mental state where it’s easier for me to just loathe Timmy, because then when he gets hurt I can say, “Oh, well, he’s a loser and I dislike him strongly so whatever.”  But Dear Readers, Timmy is really, really good at hockey.  When he’s healthy and playing like he’s been playing these past few games, he’s such an asset to the team.  The Sabres really can’t keep him because there’s such a risk of him getting hurt, but can you imagine if he was always healthy?  I get excited just thinking about it.  Maybe Darcy could sign him for a lot less?  Because If we could get him for a bargain it would be great to have him around…he’s just such a liability.  He has to realize that he couldn’t make as much as he’s worth though because of his injury history.  Hmm.  This will be tough.  As it’s the second half of the season, I’ve been thinking a lot about which UFAs the Sabres should keep.  Max is gone, but I almost think they should keep Al, even if for no other reason than to have him around for shootouts.  Timmy..I don’t know about him.  There would be pros and cons if he stuck around.

The Leafs beat the Pens last night (thank you Luke Schenn and your amazing hitting powers), so now there’s a four point cushion between the Sabres and the Penguins.  Only three points between the Sabres and the Panthers, and the Hurricanes somehow managed to sneak back in and are only two points behind.  It’ll be another huge game in Anaheim tomorrow night.  The Sabres need all the points they can get.

One quick question:  Why does Wayne Gretzky always look so EXTREMELY peeved when he’s coaching?  If he’s not careful, his face is going to freeze with him looking majorly pissed like that.

Tonight we will all be settling in to watch the Super Bowl.  I am rooting for Arizona for two reasons:

1.  I love a good underdog.  I rooted for the Giants last year because I wanted the underdog to win.  (I also rooted for them because I love the Manning brothers unconditionally and because Tom Brady is a douche, but that’s not important now)

2.  Remember the teacher I mentioned a few days ago, the one we all hate?  Well, he has a major man-crush on Ben Roethlisberger and absolutely loves the Steelers.  To put it in perspective:  his love for Big Ben makes me look like I’m mildly interested in Alex Ovechkin.  He had tickets to a Steelers game a few months ago and was actually kissing them before the bell rang.  His computer desktop is a huge picture of Ben Roethlisberger.  (Frostee’s Mom:  Well, you have a picture of Alex on your desktop, and you have tons of pictures of hockey players on your walls.  Frostee:  Yeah.  I’m also a teenaged girl.  Not a 30 year-old married man.  Frostee’s Dad:  *snorts on his water*)  He even got into a huge argument with one of the kids in class on Monday when the boy suggested that the Cardinals would win this year because they’re the underdogs like the Giants were.  My dear teacher spent a good ten minutes yelling about how this Super Bowl will be won by the team with the best defense, and that is OBVIOUSLY the Steelers.  It was absolutely hilarious watching him.  

So, Cardinals!  May the best defense team win!  I will be watching the Sens/Caps game working on my debate and helping with the pizza bread until then.  (Yesterday’s post game interview was SO CUTE because when Alex was talking about why 12:30 games suck he mentioned “sleeping before…in a bed.”  Oh, Alex.  What would we do without you always clarifying where and why certain things happen?)

Yeah. Nice Try, Hockey Gods

January 28, 2009 at 9:51 am | In Alex Ovechkin, Buffalo Sabres, Derek Roy, Drew Stafford, Happy!!, Henrik Zetterberg, Hockey Gods, Jaroslav Spacek, Jochen Hecht, Nathan Paetsch, Other Teams' Back-up Goalies Kind of Suck, This Irks Me, Thomas Vanek, Tim Connolly, What Is Up With All These Injuries?, Winning Is Totally Awesome, Zdeno Chara | 2 Comments

Last night’s Sabres game was AWESOME.  I can’t even come up with enough adjectives to describe how much fun I had watching it.  The Sabres scored TEN GOALS, and it wasn’t even against a bottom-feeder like Atlanta.  Staffy with the tour du chapeau (ever since I watched the French feed of a Montreal game back in December, I have called hat tricks by their french name because it’s funny), Royzie and TV with three point nights, Timmy with two goals, Patches with a goal (!), Spacek with a goal, Hecht with a goal.  (And did everyone notice how after Hecht scored last night, they showed Roy sitting on the bench?  My theory is that they have absolutely no idea who Hecht is and just showed a random Sabre.)  The commentators were all, “We love Buffalo!” the whole night, which was quite nice.  I was amused by how even when the score was 6-1 Sabres, they still thought the Oilers could make a comeback.  That was cute.

The Sabres game last night was definitely one of my favorite of the season, but that doesn’t mean I’m just going to forgive the hockey gods and forget what happened.  You see, as the Sabres game didn’t start until nine, I decided to tune into another game at seven.  The Caps/Bruins game last night looked to be a pretty good one, so I thought I’d check in and see what happened.  Greenie started the scoring, both teams looked good, it was a fun time.  Then, in the second period, Alex came roaring down the wing with Chara right behind him.  As Chara could think of nothing else to do to prevent Alex from scoring, he hooked him.  Alex then lost his balance and FLEW SHOULDER FIRST INTO THE BOARDS.  HE THEN STAYED ON HIS BACK WITH HIS EYES CLOSED FOR A REALLY LONG TIME.  Dear Readers, saying I freaked out would be a complete understatement.  See, as a hockey fan I realize that getting hurt is part of the job.  Injuries to the Sabres may or may not have cost them a Stanley Cup a few years ago, and right now defensemen are dropping like flies.  Still, I expect injuries.  That doesn’t mean I don’t worry when they happen, because last week when Teppo was lying face-first on the ice I had a panic attack, but it’s not like I’m taken completely by surprise.  Um, Tim Connolly plays on my favorite team.  I’m used to injuries.  See, the thing is, Alex doesn’t do injuries.  There’s a long list of games where he got hurt and bounced right back up and kept playing.  Seeing him lie on the ice with his eyes closed was really scary.  Then, when he slammed both of his gloves on the ground and threw away his helmet – with his left hand! – I got really worried.  I was all set to change the pink sheets on my bed to a more masculine, er, purple so that I could tuck him in and give him the ice pack I used after my Gardasil shots and make him cookies and let him flip through old Seventeen magazines and nurse him back to health when he came skating back out in the third period.  Alex, if you were fine, then WHY DID YOU SCARE ME LIKE THAT?!?!  Good grief.

And in the post-game interview, Alex claims that he forgives Chara.  They showed him talking to Chara in the third and Alex just shrugged, but I couldn’t figure out if he was saying, “Hey, that’s hockey, no hard feelings,” or “Yeah, I called the Russian Mafia, but they haven’t called me back yet.  I’d lock your door tonight if I was you.”

The hockey gods realized how insanely furious at them I was, so they sent me a good Sabres game.  I haven’t forgiven them, but at least the Sabres got two important points and an even more important confidence boost.  These Western Conference road trips usually give me nightmares, but the Sabres look like they might actually do good this time around.  Woo, Sabres!  Just keep this positive mindset going into tonight’s game, and you’ll be fine.

What’s that?  Zetterberg signed a 12-year contract?  Worth $72 million?  Yikes.

Let’s Talk About The Sabres

December 31, 2008 at 11:37 am | In Adam Mair, Alex Ovechkin, Buffalo Sabres, Clarke MacArthur, Derek Roy, Drew Stafford, Henrik Tallinder, I Was At The Game!, Jaroslav Spacek, Jason Pominville, Jochen Hecht, Lars Nicklas Backstrom, Losing Sucks, Patrick Kaleta, Paul Gaustad, Players, Ryan Miller, Teppo Numminen, This Irks Me, Thomas Vanek, Thought-provoking Stuff, Washington Capitals | 3 Comments

I feel as though I have neglected them a bit over the past few days, so now I’m going to talk about the Sabres, and the Sabres only.  (I thought it would be a good idea to get myself in a foul mood before going to watch “The Deer Hunter” for my school project.)

  • Nobody told me last night that Pkaleta was going to miss at least three more weeks!  Nooo!!!  We were just saying during the second period last night that the Sabres could use Patty K back in the lineup.  We need his spunk and hits.

kaletatop123008We need PK back in the lineup and healthy.  Stat.

  • I just got around to watching the post-game interviews.  Thomas Vanek’s was okay; he was definitely right when he said the Sabres play better when he plays better.  It was nice seeing Ryan Miller talk about how he needs to step it up (’cause, um, Crunchy?  You kind of sucked last night), and I enjoyed when he starting getting on the media’s case about quotes of his.  Heh.  Paul Gaustad’s interview was so good that I actually watched it twice.  Paul was angry and he was embarrassed and he thought that the effort was “unacceptable.”  Hear, hear, Paul!  He was right when he said that it’s everyone’s job to hit, not just his.  He looked quite pissed.  I hope he kicked everyone’s ass after the media left.   I don’t know what to do with Jason Pominville.  I used to love his adorableness and innocence.  Now I kind of want to throw him off the roof.  I couldn’t even read his blog without gagging.  Seriously, Jason?  YOU NEED TO STEP IT UP.  YOU NEED TO START SCORING.  Maybe we need to tell him that if he scores lots of goals the unicorns will come back?!?!  ANYTHING at this point.  I can’t believe I wanted him to be captain this year.  My new vote for captain is Mr. Gaustad.  He’s one of the only players who actually seems to care about winning.  He’d make a much better captain than Rivet.
  • Times must be bad when even the penalty kill is sucky.  I couldn’t believe the Sabres let the Caps score TWICE with a man-advantage.  (Although the Backstrom goal, which was right in front of us, was actually a very, very nice goal.  I wish the Sabres could score goals like that)
  • I’m looking forward to seeing who Lindy scratches.  I want Jochen scratched, definitely.  I feel almost blasphemous saying it, but Pommer could use a night off too.  Staffy could probably sit again, and maybe even (I’m sorry Cari!) Derek.  And Jaro.  And Teppo.  And Hank.  For the first 59 minutes last night I would have said Clarke too, but since he scored I guess he’ll stay.    Maybe Lindy should just bring up the rest of the Portland Pirates and have them play a night.  It might knock some sense into the Sabres.
  • The power play needs some serious work.  I don’t know what, but Darcy and Lindy need to do something.  They need to get someone good to quarterback the PP.  They need someone on the point who can actually keep the puck in.  They need to stop passing the puck around and just shoot.  Look at the Caps’ power play.  All they do is shoot.  You know, someone should tell the Sabres that one of the reasons Alex is currently the second highest scorer in the league is that he always SHOOTS THE PUCK.  If Pommer shot more, I bet he could score.  If Jochen and Derek shot more, I bet they could too.  I hate bringing up that obnoxiously cheesy quote of Wayne Gretzky’s, but the guy knew what he was talking about when he said that you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.  IT’S TRUE, SABRES.  WHEN YOU DON’T SHOOT THE PUCK, THERE IS NO WAY YOU CAN SCORE.
  • I really do believe that the Sabres have some talented players, but someone needs to teach them to start acting like it.  Remember last year?  Derek was pretty darn good last year.  Even Pommer looked pretty good out there.  Is it all mental with them?  Is there some sort of block in their brain keeping them from playing well?  We need to hire some sort of psychologist to get in their heads and figure out what the hell is wrong with them.
  • I didn’t pay much attention to the Sabres during warmup last night, and while we all know one of the reasons, there’s another.  I noticed it in November, and I noticed it again last night.  The Capitals look good even when they’re warming up.  The drills they do, and the passing, and the puck-handling.  All of it.  They look like a good team out there before the game even starts.  (One player in particular was absolutely mesmerizing with the puck before the puck even dropped, but I won’t mention him.  This post is supposed to be about how much the Sabres suck.)
  • And is it just me, or are all of the Sabres incredibly slow skaters?  Good grief.  It looked like they were trying to navigate through molasses at some times last night.  
  • Adam Mair scored the first goal for the Sabres last night.  It was actually a really nice goal.  The thing is, Adam Mair shouldn’t be the one scoring that kind of goal.  Thomas Vanek should.  Roy should.  Pommer should.  When Adam Mair, Matt Ellis, and Paul Gaustad are out against Ovechkin, Backstrom, and Kozlov, there is something wrong.
  • At this point in the season, I don’t think the Sabres will make the playoffs.  If they do, it’ll be a last minute eighth seed, which would (most likely) mean Boston, which would most likely be very embarrassing.  

Well, that’s all I have to complain about for now.  Have a happy and safe New Year’s Eve, everyone, and we’ll see you tomorrow for The Stupid Fucking Ice Bowl, Take Two!

That Was Fun (#48)

December 27, 2008 at 10:34 am | In 65 Reasons I Love A.M.O., Alex Ovechkin, Andrej Sekera, Andrew Peters, Bobbleheads, Buffalo Sabres, Chris Clark, Donald Brashear, Frostee Loves Way Too Many Guys, Henrik Tallinder, Jason Pominville, Jochen Hecht, Losing Sucks, Maxim Afinogenov, Patrick Lalime, Rick DiPietro, Ryan Miller, Thomas Vanek, Washington Capitals, What Is Up With All These Injuries?, Winning Is Totally Awesome | Leave a Comment

Just for the record, I’m trying really, really hard to be upset about last night’s game.  It’s kind of hard.

  • The majority of the first period was rather boring.  It was just back and forth, back and forth, with Frostee occasionally shrieking, “ALEX!!  GOOOO!!!!!  SKATE!!!!!”
  • Andrej Sekera is officially in my mother’s doghouse.  She was less than pleased with his performance last night and announced about halfway through the second period, “I don’t think Andrej Sekera is a very good hockey player.”
  • I really don’t like Harry Neale, but I loved him last night for all his, “Alex Ovechkin is spectacular.  Alex Ovechkin is the best player in the league.”
  • Ha.  I LOVE Crunchy’s skull caps.
  • I am very worried for Thomas Vanek.  I mean, first they had to DRAG HIM OFF THE ICE, and then all the sudden he was back and skating on one leg, and then he scored.  Is he becoming the Tiger Woods of hockey?
  • I was kind of looking forward to a Petey/Brashear fight, but I guess that’s not going to happen.
  • My jersey is huge.  I love it, but it is ridiculously large.  I will be able to wear it for the rest of my life.  (Dear Washington Caps,   If you change the logo again, we’re going to have some serious problems.  With Love, Frostee)
  • I really enjoy hearing RJ get all pissy about the guys who do the sirens after goals are scored.  It’s amusing to listen to him talk about how they need to learn to shut the things off when goals are disallowed.
  • Am I the only one who found it incredibly ironic that Max finally scored a goal when he was jumping in the air to try and avoid getting hit?  He’s such a bad player.  
  • Lala looked pretty darn good last night.  It’s too bad the rest of the team sucks.
  • When I went upstairs last night,  I had to put Mini Alex and Little Ryan on opposite sides of the room.  Little Ryan was giving Mini Alex the death glare and I got worried since they’re on a higher shelf and it’s a long fall to the ground.
  • Um, my secret boyfriend is back in the lineup, and I’m assuming he’ll be playing on Tuesday.  Uh-oh.
  • Jason Pominville really needs to step it up.  I feel kind of bad getting mad at him since he’s the nicest, most adorable guy on the team, but this is getting ridiculous.  I really need him to just score a freaking goal.
  • Ditto for Jochen.  He needs to start winning face-offs.
  • The Sabres’ plane is kind of awesome.
  • That goal Mr. Ovechkin scored?  Fabulous.  He just skated right through Tallinder (or Lydman, as Harry Neale likes to call him) and then he fell over and still scored.  Please, enjoy his post-game interview.   I would kill for one of those hardhats.  I would wear it everywhere.
  • Islanders tonight.  Pretty Ricky is back in the lineup and they finally won against the Leafs last night.  The Sabres kind of need a win, since I have absolutely no faith in them winning on Tuesday.

FiOS Comes to TFF Headquarters

October 14, 2008 at 6:13 pm | In Happy!!, Jochen Hecht, Patrick Kane, Randomness, Ryan Miller, Sidney Crosby, Trent Edwards Has STOLEN My Heart | 2 Comments

Um, what’s up with all our forwards dropping like flies?  Geez.  Get well soon, Jochen.  We need you!

I totally love Pkane.  As soon as my mom heard his name he came over to watch, and she agrees that he’s totally awesome.  Best part in the video?  When he confesses that he’s more of a lover than a hater.  Best part not in the video?  My mom going “He’s just fake fighting that guy, right?”

And it’s good to see that Pkane is trying to be an original and feels the need to wear the SAME FREAKING PLAID SHORTS that everyone has from American Eagle.  Good God.  If I see one more person wearing those shorts I’m going to scream.

Trentykins practiced today, BTW.  Yay!!  Trent!!!!

Today FiOS was installed (is installed what you would say?  Put in?  Hmm…) at our house.  Tonight I will be watching the Penguins and Flyers on Versus in high definition.  I might even DVR it, just for the hell of it.

Frostee:  I can’t wait to watch the hockey game in HD tomorrow night!!!

Frostee’s Dad:  Just think!  You’ll be able to count every single hair in Sidney Crosby’s fuzzy mustache!

***UPDATE***

I was just telling my dad (who is convinced that the Sabres are going to win tomorrow night) that I am starting to freak out now that Jochen is out.  This was my dad’s reply:

“Why are you worried?  We have Super Ryan!”

My dad called Ryan Miller “Super Ryan.”  What has the world come to? 

I Don’t Really Like Afternoon Hockey (Sabres @ Islanders, 10/13/08)

October 13, 2008 at 2:10 pm | In Adam Mair, Ales Kotalik, Andrew Peters, Buffalo Sabres, Clarke MacArthur, Craig Rivet, Dan Paille, Happy!!, Jaroslav Spacek, Jason Pominville, Jochen Hecht, Mike Comrie, New York Islanders, Other Teams' Back-up Goalies Kind of Suck, Patrick Kaleta, Patrick Lalime, Rick DiPietro, Ryan Miller, Thomas Vanek, Winning Is Totally Awesome | Leave a Comment

Um, I really don’t like afternoon hockey games.  They really bug me.  I like hockey games on nights when I don’t have school the next day.  I like curling up on the coach in my pajamas, not sitting at the desk trying to do homework and crane my neck at the TV at the same time.

Pregame

Ah, Kevin Sylvester.  How I have missed you.  The pregame show is on, and I am loving the messy-haired Crunchy interview.  I have this weird love of players with messy, sweaty, post-game hair.  I find it adorable.

Lalime is getting his start this afternoon.  I’m not sure if I should be worried or not.  He was pretty solid in the preseason.  I’m also not sure if I want Rick to play or not.  I wouldn’t mind getting Mr. Back-up if it meant getting to see Ricky without his helmet.  They don’t call him Pretty Ricky for nothing.

Okay, time to work on my Robert Mugabe research.  I’ll update with thoughts at each intermission.  Let’s Go Buffalo!!!

Hmm, sounds like Lindy doesn’t like afternoon games either.  That’s pretty cool.

So is spaghetti for breakfast!  Jealous!  

P.S.  Clare, thank you so much for the picture!  I LOVE it!!!   Reader Award to you!

First Period  1-0, Sabres

(These are basically my thoughts on the period as it was happening.  There is NOTHING on Mugabe’s thoughts on African tribes online)

  • Whoa, Jochen Hecht!  You badass.   Sabres score on the man advantage!  1-0.
  • Geez, Mike.  And just when I thought Hilary had made you go soft.  Leave our boyz alone.  (I think it’s hilarious that Mike Comrie was the highest scorer on the Islanders last year)
  • Ugh.  Just when I thought the Sabres’ power play was getting better, they don’t score in another four minute man advantage.  Nice job, Boyz.

End of period thoughts:  Lalime has looked solid from all the way back here in the kitchen, and it hasn’t sounded like the Sabres have been doing anything too bone-headed.  Time to register for Survey Savvy, then we can start the next period!

Guys, there wasn’t anything uber-important in that Darcy Regier interview, was there?  I was too busy eating a banana to listen.

Second Period  5-0 Sabres

  • Ehmagod I totally love Adam Mair!!!   2-0, Sabres!!!  (McDonald, that was absolutely terrible)  
  • You know what?  Screw working on my book project.  Word is being a retard (or, as Gena likes to put it, a “fucktard”) and the project isn’t even due until the 27th.  I’m just going to watch some good ol’ hockey.
  • Dear Readers, I don’t know about  you, but I think Patrick Lalime has been looking very trustworthy thus far.  Wouldn’t it be so nice if we all didn’t have to freak out about our back-up this year?
  • Whatevs, Al.  Just take a penalty.   At least I get to see “Kaltsy” now!  (I’ve decided that I like Pkaleta on the PK.  It’s almost as nice as Ovie on the PK)
  • 15 shorties, Islanders?  Wow.  You guys really do suck.
  • THOMAS VANEK PUTS A SHORTIE HOME!   WOOO!!!   3-0, SABRES!!!   The verdict is in, Dear Readers:  Frostee is starting to develop a soft spot for Thomas Vanek.  What the hell is up with this?
  • POPULATION OF POMINVILLE HAS MOVED UP AGAIN!!  POMMERDOODLING!!!!!!   4-0 Sabres!
  • Yet another reason why I love Pkaleta.  Did you see that body slam?!?!  And Craig Rivet, I do not appreciate your attempts at making me love you.  
  • Adam Mair, you are an OUTRAGEOUS BADASS.  
  • EEE now Teppo is being all sexy and captain-y as he fills in for Rivet.  And I feel so bad for Petey!   He was stuck on the bench when the fight started!  (My dad is at work and texted me to find out what happened in the fight and he asked “Omg! Wheres Petey?”)
  • Um, who is the blood from?  Because that’s really gross.  I hope the B-lo Boyz are okay!!!
  • What the HELL.  I am totally in love with Thomas Vanek.  This is so annoying.  Thomas, if you score more goals that Ovie this year, you die.   5-0 Sabres!!!
  • I just missed the last two minutes of play because I was discussing meeting Ovie with my dad.  He thinks Dr. Bisson won’t be able to get me in to meet the Capitals, since it’s the Capitals.  I told him to ask if I could meet the Sabres, and then I could go into the Capitals room and pretend I was dyslexic/illiterate.  Because sometimes I think I am dyslexic/illiterate.
  • Mairsy is back!  And yes, I did just reenact the Kaleta body slam for my dad.  This will be so much easier when we have DVR.
  • Um, why is Thompson going to the dressing room?  I’m really confused.  Maybe I should stop messing around on Facebook and just watch the game.
  • Spacek’s in the sin bin.  Delay of game penalties are lame.
  • Gosh darn it, Pommer.  I wanted you to score there!!!  (Wouldn’t two shorties be so awesomely kickass?)
  • Fuck.  Did I just hear that Paille is hurt?  Fuck.
  • Wait, I’m confused.  Do the Islanders want to lose?
  • Good grief.  Mike Comrie, what are we going to do with you?  *shakes head*
  • Wait, Paille appears to be okay.  He’s sitting up on the bench and everything.  Phew.
  • Dammit, Thomas!  Why are you making me love you so much!!
  • And now we are treated to “sensitive” Al Kotalik.  Awww.

Third Period.  Final score: 7-1 Sabres.

But first, a few more thoughts from the intermission report:

  • Did Kevin Sylvester just say that Adam Mair has an upper body injury?  Because, you know, that’s not very good.
  • Craig Rivet might not play on Wednesday?!!?  The Rangers are undefeated!  We need Rivet!!  No!!!

Okay, third period stuff now:

  • Ehmagod Crunchy just walked by!!  He’s got his skull cap on!!  Yay!!!   
  • My sudden squealing problem is even more concerning than my new-found love of Thomas Vanek.  
  • Whoa, Harry.  She’s probably young enough to be your daughter.
  • My brother just asked why it says that it’s the second period.  Geez.  Get it right, guys.
  • WOOO!!!   Kotalik sends it home on the 5-on-3!   6-0 Sabres!!
  • Whoa, Tony Romo is out for four weeks with a broken pinkie!  Ahahaha.  He has a broken pinkie. 
  • Ah, fudge.  I was hoping for a Lalime shutout.  But the Islanders and their fans don’t actually think that the Islanders are going to make some miracle comeback and win now, do they?
  • Al’s in the sin bin?  Why?
  • And Vanek’s going for goaltender interference?    You know what is the most concerning about all this?  I don’t feel a burning desire to cut of Thomas’s head for taking a penalty.  I just want to hug him and tell him that it’s okay.  I do not like this, Dear Readers. I do not like this one bit.
  • GOAL!!!   That was a GORGEOUS play, Clarke.  Gorgeous.  And it’s good to see that Paille is okay!!  7-1 Sabres.
  • Oh my God, they’re playing the Spongebob theme song.  I’m not gonna lie, that’s totally awesome.
  • Petey just got a roughing, but so did some Isle.  Oh, Petey.
  • I’m starting to remember how much I loved the music they play at Nassau Coliseum.  Now they’re playing “Welcome to the Black Parade”
  • Is it just me, or has this game gotten slightly boring?  There are only three minutes left and there appears to be a lot of skating up and down the ice.
  • Oh, no, wait, Mair just got slashed.  I guess he doesn’t have an upper body injury, then!
  • What the HELL is up with the Islander’s mascot?  It’s like some sort of dragon or something.
  • 146 penalty minutes, eh?  Good.  I kind of like hockey fights.  Not stupid, “we don’t really know how to fight so we’re just going to hug each other for a really long time” fights, but real, sticking up for your teammates, tough guy fights.  And fights with the Pkaleta Body Slam.
  • OMG I LOVE “What I’ve Done”!!!   Can the Sabres play all of their games  in Nassau Coliseum?  Because not only will they win, we will get to hear awesome music.
  • Who are the Islanders kidding?  They’re gonna win the first draft pick in June.  You heard it here first.
  • EEE Crunchy!!!   Happy Crunchy!!   
  • Seriously, Kevin?  ”It was probably harder than it looked?”  This is probably one of the easiest wins I’ve ever seen.
  • Dear Readers, I love Lindy Ruff.  He is the awesomest coach.  I can’t believe this is the first post filed in my new “Lindy Ruff” category.
  • Is it just me, or did Lalime look like Crunchy in that first shot of him?  that kind of spooky.  Speaking of guys that look like Crunchy, we decided that Ryan Gosling kind of looks like a wonky brow-less him.
  • Ehmagod, I love Patrick Lalime.  He’s adorable and well-spoken.  
  • Shit I was just thinking dreamily of Patrick Lalime and missed who they said might be out with an injury. Who is it??  I’m panicking!!

I’m just going to have to find out who’s hurt later.  Now I have to go shower so that after my lesson is over I can watch the Caps!!

That was an awesome game, I’m not going to lie.  If the Sabres beat the Rangers on Wednesday, I think I will go crazy.  

I can’t believe they’re undefeated!!   *squeals more* 

***UPDATE***

Hecht is hurt?  Hecht?!?!  No!!!!!  Yo-yo!!

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