Perfect Time To Heal During Olympic Break
After leaving the HSBC Arena last night, my initial feelings were those of disapointment. Then I began to realize that the Buffalo Sabres just committed highway robbery as they stole a point that they had no business taking. To me, that is a sign of an exceptional hockey team. With under 30 seconds remaining in the game, Pominville tipped the puck past Huet to even the score at two and force an overtime. Montreal came in last night and took it to the Sabres from start to finish. Although there were a few moments of brilliance from Ryan Miller, I am surprised that the score was not more one sided.
The team looked tired and the crowd never really got into the game (unless you were one of the few thousand Hab fans.) Although I am willing to give the Sabes a hall pass for last night's performance, I was very encouraged by what I saw at the post game interviews. McKee and Pominville could barely look into the camera and Lindy Ruff was fiery as ever. This just shows that these guys have the attitude of winners and playing badly (even if it is for one night) is just not acceptable. This should propel them to take the last two games before the Olympic break and get some much needed rest.
Who would have thought that after the first three meetings with Ottawa, the Sabres would only be trailing them by three points with a game in hand right before the break? The only question is do the Sabres dare make any moves over the course of the next month? Briere is ready to come back and is going to be a gigantic boost for this team down the stretch. Connelly is on the road to recovery as well and when it is time for the playoff push, I cannot see too many weaknesses on this team. If an opportunity presents itself, I am sure Lindy Ruff will make the right decision as nobody knows more than himself how important team chemistry is.
In the meantime, sit back, enjoy the Olympics and know that one of the best hockey teams around is right here in Western New York!!
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Jonathan
First its Huet and he looks pretty good. They should do everything they can to get rid of theodore. Sure taking he was taking "propecia" The guy has more hair then ryan miller. Lindy might have to use 2 defensive guys on the power play, this shorthanded goal problem, can't happen in the playoffs.
But the Sabres are doing great, almost makes you think the Bills? you mean cable or gas?
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peter scott
I'm fine with the shorthanded goals as long as we keep scoring power play goals...top 3 in the league most of the year...
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peter scott
I'm fine with the shorthanded goals as long as we keep scoring power play goals...top 3 in the league most of the year...
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Salad King
Watching the team Saturday night vs last night, the Saturday Sabers would have been up by at least 5 goals by the 2nd period. They were easily a step or even 2 slower than ther exceptional performance against Ottawa. I agree with Tonk 1 bad game is not a big worry & just what they need to kick it into gear and finish strong b4 the olympic break.
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Linda_D
Over a long, long season, every team is going to throw in a clunker or two, and especially after their win over the Senators on Saturday, so I'm not worried.
The Sabs are looking so-o-o good, they're scary ...
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Steve
I was lucky enough to finally catch a game (out here in LA) I went down to the same sports bar that I watch the bills games on. It was awesome to see the sabres, and the whole msg network for that matter ...buffalo commercials and all. It's too bad that they lost like that, but either way they are rocking right now.
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bflover
Sad the Jochen Hecht is going to miss the Olympics. I hope he heals completely for the stretch run. We need him!
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Andrew Kulyk
Allow me to also chime in about Jochen Hecht... what a bitter bitter disappointment! When I interviewed him a couple of weeks ago to talk about his Olympic experiences, he was so looking forward to representing Germany for his third Olympics. He particularly mentioned all the kids from Germany who wear their local team jerseys to internarional events, and how much pride their is on the streets of his home town of Mannheim in their nation. This has to be tough.
Tatonka is right on about his Sabres takes... you could sense the players' frustration at themselves in the locker room last night... "stealing a point" is no longer acceptable. March will be really exciting... maybe, just maybe, the best is yet to come!
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bflover
"Stole" another point from Carolina last night even though Sabres were outplayed. But I'll take it, given we took the second best team in hockey to an overtime shoot out on their ice, even though we played the night before. Maybe this is what great teams do...
Going to be a long, lonely break. But when we resume, we'll have this gritty group of hard working non-stars, plus Briere, Connolly, Hecht, Kalinin and maybe Mair. Should be a very exciting 26 games.
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