'A Comeback Story And A Love Affair'
Things are going so well for the Buffalo Sabres that the continued absence of one of their most talented playmakers gets more notice for its salary-cap implications than its on-ice impact.
Real-world oncern over Tim Connolly,Aeos health remains one of the only blots on an otherwise shiny start to the 2006-07 NHL season in these parts. And the hockey world continues to take notice.
Even after the Sabres,Aeo first loss, in a shootout to Atlanta last Saturday, the gushing continued.
Darren Eliot of Sports Illustrated,Aeos Web site, cnnsi.com, wrote about the connection between the team and the community:
It's at once a comeback story and a love affair. There is an emotional connection between the fans and the players that gets to the core of community and the bond of civic pride. It reminds us all of the significant role that a pro sports franchise can hold in the best scenario.
Instead of dwelling on the importance of Buffalo's first loss -- which, in the big picture, means nothing more than not breaking a fairly meaningless record (especially given that the shootout only came along last season) -- Eliot was impressed with the crowd's reaction to it.
When the fans stood and applauded their team following the Sabres' first loss this season, after tying the best start in NHL history (10-0), it was a heartfelt tribute. When the players gathered at center ice and acknowledged the fans, it was one of those special moments that gives you goosebumps. Not so much because the salute was unique -- after all it has been done before -- but because you could sense the conviction behind the nod.
The loss didn,Aeot hurt the Sabres, who take on the once-hated Bruins in Boston tonight, in the weekly survey of power rankings, either, as they remained the consensus No. 1.
In explaining cnnsi.com,Aeos hierarchy, Scott Wraight wrote:
Let's face it: The Sabres weren't going to go 82-0.
But:
Don't expect the loss to slow the Buffalo express.
FOXsports.com, which uses a mathematical formula based on percentage of possible points earned, also kept the Sabres on top, as did CBS Sportsline.com, even while taking note of the ominous loss of defenseman Henrik Tallinder.
And our Canadian friends and TSN.ca also clearly know good hockey when they see it:
The streak was snapped, barely, by the Thrashers on Saturday -- in a really exciting, back-and-forth affair -- but the Sabres are still the tops.
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sbrof
well played Buffalo, well played.
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stephenjames716
I couldn't take it out here in LA anymore, just watching highlights. I subscribed to the center ice package last week, and I look forward to catching the games in real time from now on :)
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ExWNY'er
I get goosebumps just reading that. I hope tonight is the start of another great month. Congratulations to Millr for NHL MVP for October!
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bflover
Fear the Buffalo Flying Mullets!
The Greatest Show on Ice
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