I know this is a tough day for the city of Buffalo as the hardest working team in hockey came up just short of advancing to the Stanley Cup. I have never been so proud to be a fan of a team in my entire life!! Just thinking about how badly I wanted this city and this team to stake claim to their first championship brings tears to my eyes. The Sabres played their hearts out and showed what being a team truly represents.
After going to four playoff games (all of which were victories) and witnessing the jubilation that the entire city grabbed a hold of, it just makes you want to shake the hands of every player and member of the Sabres organization. A special thank you goes out to Tom Golisano who ultimately kept and ignited the fever that took over this city with a vengeance. This group of guys represents EVERYTHING that makes the city of Buffalo so great and I can not express how privileged I feel to be a part of it.
Think back to some of the great moments that you witnessed throughout the playoff run. You saw some incredible hits, goals, passion and determination in the history of Buffalo sports. All of the gut wrenching feelings that I thought I would have this morning have been replaced by the anticipation of these guys coming back next year as a group and completing some unfinished business. JP Dumont said that after the game last night, the players got together and agreed that they wanted to come back as a unit. He mentioned that it is a very tight knit group which does not come along that often. Tell me that does not put a little spring in your step.
Rick Jeanerette told the Sabres that it was his most memorable season in his 34 years of covering the team and that meant a lot to many of the guys. Keep your heads up Buffalo fans; you have not seen the last of this special group. One fan said it best this morning when he stated that "These guys did not break my heart, they stole it." I could not agree more.
Just think, won't it be a lot more fitting when the whole team can hoist the Cup next year as they wear the blue and gold ?