Eleven

Huh what?

Well I had a fun time at the game, but that wasn't the best third period I've seen out of the Sabres. And that call in OT was just disgusting. Also, memo to Dan: Might want to get the skaters some practice on shootouts. They're going to be even more important next season.

Well at least no one read the article.

Wait 'til you learn what Dolan is doing in NYC.

You can blame that squarely on the Russian government instead of deflecting responsibility to the Sabres.

Skates. Hockey players wear skates. No, as Melissa Burgess, but some seltzer mom may have retweeted her. I think my sister is secretly a seltzer mom.

A lot of Russian players aren't. Some have cited fear. Let's not forget that Artemi Panarin had to go into hiding this season because he criticized Putin. It's a different world over there. Good on Bobrovsky and Panarin for wearing the sweaters, but we can't know the family circumstances of every Russian player. Lybushkin lives in Russia and has family there; I don't know about the other guys. Lots of Russian players had no problem flying, either, but Mogilny was in fear for his life. Ok, let's work with "chicken shits" for a moment. What in the world would they have been afraid of? The city has a lesbian mayor, for crying out loud. I think it's more likely that the owner doesn't support the cause, or even that the team showed solidarity with one player. I don't see fear as a potential motivation.

That was Melissa Burgess of Die by the Blade, no? And I think she deleted the tweet. It's still insipid.

It's almost like they had this 15-ish paragraph article ready to go: https://buffalonews.com/sports/sabres/buffalo-sabres-ilya-lyubushkin-pride-night-nhl/article_29cad16e-cca6-11ed-85e9-6b99400357f5.html

Just because it hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It's easy for those of us in countries with safeguards for free speech to criticize, because we don't know what it's like over there. But people have been punished for supporting gay rights in Russia (the band ***** Riot is one notable example) and for criticizing the Putin administration. I don't think they make money off of it.

I don't think that's how it works.

I guess it depends on whether one thinks Levi gives the team the best chance to win. I'm not sure that he does, but I'm also not sure that he doesn't.

The "bet," as you call it, is relative to the other goalies on the team. It's not a bad idea IMO. I know Comrie had a great night last night, and I'm happy about it, but from what we've seen, he's unlikely to repeat the performance tomorrow, and UPL and Anderson could screw things up too. I'm not saying Levi SHOULD start, but I can't see it as a bad idea in light of the alternatives. Absolutely.

It could be that there is a Soul Exchanger in your garden.

OK, if Chz is going to post 80s music videos, I'll leave it open.

Once upon a time, I wanted the Sabres to wear navy blue sweaters and metallic gold helmets, and I still think that would look cool.

I think you're right. It may have been a bad idea to start this thread, which was intended merely to convey news and express a hope that everything goes without incident, i.e., that the Sabres aren't making news because of Pride Night and distracting from the slimmest of hopes of playoffs. I'm going to close it now. I guess if there IS an incident, someone can start a thread to discuss that.

Yeah, I did that stuff too. Not built to be a hockey player, though.

Please no.

Please no.

On no rest, too. Sleep well, my Sabres. Don't even wake up until Monday morning.

I think everyone knows my thoughts on Casey MIttlestadt. And they are not about to change. But he certainly built up his trade value in the last ten minutes.

Uh, guys? Don't expect Comrie to pitch a shutout. Sure, it would be nice. But maybe try for another goal?

THERE.

I made the right choice!