GAME DISCUSSION THREAD

[carpandean]

After the lockout, through the events of that night, the Sabres held their own against their now-nemesis, going 10-10, including the playoffs in '06. Since that night, starting with losing the back end of the home and home in Ottawa, the Sabres have lost something like 17 of 22 games to the twats.

They went 3-5-0 against the Sens in the '05-'06 regular season with just one win in regulation and all losses coming in regulation (i.e., they got 6 points, while the Sens went 5-1-2 for 12 points.) The first three games were 5-0, 10-2, 6-1, all for the Sens. They were 2-4-0 against the Sens in '06-'07 going into that game. Basically, the 2005-06 team managed to win the close games in the playoffs (all five games were one-goal games and three Sabres' wins were in OT), but the Sens have otherwise owned the Sabres since the lockout before and after that game.

[SwampD]

 

Well, I suppose it depends on how you feel about head shots. To me, an intentional blow to the head is the dirtiest play in hockey.

 

Booth got hit in the head, but he was skating the puck up ice, didn't look both ways before crossing the street and got creamed in a high-speed collision. There were 2 players moving fast who collided. The drill-the-guy-into-the-boards-from-behind hits are plenty dirty, but usually the hitter drills the hittee in the back -- not in the head directly. Kaleta was standing still, and Ruutu lined him up and targeted his head with his rock-hard shoulder pad. Ruutu could easily have targeted Kaleta's back or his side/shoulder but instead intentionally nailed him in the head. That makes it, IMHO, the dirtiest hit I've seen this year.

 

This is spot on.

[SabresRepublic]

This is my first post in SabreSpace but I have read the valuable comments from you all and they have been enlightening. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Here are some of mine:

 

1.) Darko Roto Rooter (DRR) hits Kaleta from behind (to the head) moments after Kaleta got the puck along the right boards after it was shot in from the left side. NHL, this is obvious:

 

- DRR went after the man - NOT the puck.

 

- After the hit, DRR observes damage done to Kaleta - cares less about the puck.

 

- obvious intent!

 

2.) I thought it was a very bad idea to have flown from Montreal to Ottawa after the game on Monday. Better idea: Give them Tuesday off and fly in Wednesday afternoon. However, it still begs the question:

 

- Has the source of the food poisoning been identified?

 

 

3.) I have watched these Sabres develop since the beginning and grew up playing hockey (street and ice) in Buffalo - NOT an expert though. Here is what I think is at work:

 

- NHL, needs to better educate its on ice personnel in terms of consistency and violent

actions. Referees need to be graded/evaluated for adherence to the rules - every game -

- every period - every call! (e.g. the timekeeper in Montreal - should be fired

- no excuse!)

 

 

4.) I do NOT think it is in our best interest to retaliate for the foibles of a few goons

who will soon disappear from the premier hockey venue in the world.

 

- I am NOT saying that we should allow roughshod on Miller or any other unsuspecting

adherents to quality hockey - team and individual.

 

 

5.) A few other final thoughts on this matter:

 

- Lindy Ruff continues to learn and develop like the rest of the team but he should never

ever again say that one team has our number - or else we won't go all the way.

 

- Having said all of the above, and after 32 games, we are one heck of a work in progress

and everyone around the league knows it.

 

 

And I will conclude by saying: The Sabres are going all the way - GO Buffalo!

[Mbossy]

Roy's interview says that two separate groups of guys went to two separate restaurants and both groups got sick. Remind me not to eat in Ottawa.

[Stoner]

This is my first post in SabreSpace but I have read the valuable comments from you all and they have been enlightening. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Here are some of mine:

 

1.) Darko Roto Rooter (DRR) hits Kaleta from behind (to the head) moments after Kaleta got the puck along the right boards after it was shot in from the left side. NHL, this is obvious:

 

- DRR went after the man - NOT the puck.

 

- After the hit, DRR observes damage done to Kaleta - cares less about the puck.

 

- obvious intent!

 

2.) I thought it was a very bad idea to have flown from Montreal to Ottawa after the game on Monday. Better idea: Give them Tuesday off and fly in Wednesday afternoon. However, it still begs the question:

 

- Has the source of the food poisoning been identified?

 

 

3.) I have watched these Sabres develop since the beginning and grew up playing hockey (street and ice) in Buffalo - NOT an expert though. Here is what I think is at work:

 

- NHL, needs to better educate its on ice personnel in terms of consistency and violent

actions. Referees need to be graded/evaluated for adherence to the rules - every game -

- every period - every call! (e.g. the timekeeper in Montreal - should be fired

- no excuse!)

 

 

4.) I do NOT think it is in our best interest to retaliate for the foibles of a few goons

who will soon disappear from the premier hockey venue in the world.

 

- I am NOT saying that we should allow roughshod on Miller or any other unsuspecting

adherents to quality hockey - team and individual.

 

 

5.) A few other final thoughts on this matter:

 

- Lindy Ruff continues to learn and develop like the rest of the team but he should never

ever again say that one team has our number - or else we won't go all the way.

 

- Having said all of the above, and after 32 games, we are one heck of a work in progress

and everyone around the league knows it.

 

 

And I will conclude by saying: The Sabres are going all the way - GO Buffalo!

Excellent first post! We're getting some really good new posters of late. It's good to see.

[Stoner]

They went 3-5-0 against the Sens in the '05-'06 regular season with just one win in regulation and all losses coming in regulation (i.e., they got 6 points, while the Sens went 5-1-2 for 12 points.) The first three games were 5-0, 10-2, 6-1, all for the Sens. They were 2-4-0 against the Sens in '06-'07 going into that game. Basically, the 2005-06 team managed to win the close games in the playoffs (all five games were one-goal games and three Sabres' wins were in OT), but the Sens have otherwise owned the Sabres since the lockout before and after that game.

 

Like I said, the Sabres went .500 against the Sens after the lockout through the end of the Neal-Drury game, winning the playoff series between the two teams during that time. After that game, to present day, the Sens have won 17 of 22, including a playoff series they won. Is that equal ownership?

[SabresRepublic]

From an earlier post:

 

"2.) I thought it was a very bad idea to have flown from Montreal to Ottawa after the game on Monday. Better idea: Give them Tuesday off and fly in Wednesday afternoon. However, it still begs the question:

 

- Has the source of the food poisoning been identified?..."

 

 

 

An early morning Bucky Gleason blog yielded this tidbit of information....

 

"....---Kaleta did not skate today. Neither did the injured Nathan Gerbe and Chris Butler as well

 

as Henrik Tallinder, Tyler Myers, Steve Montador and Jochen Hecht. Ruff said Tallinder and

 

Myers were both in the group that suffered food poisoning from a meal Tuesday night in an

 

Ottawa steakhouse."

 

 

The watchword being complicity begs the questions:

 

1.) Were reservations made ahead of time?

 

2.) Did the food poisoning affect any of the local population?

 

 

The NHL NOT suspending DRR is a stain on the quality of the game that is the NHL - SHAME!!!

Selective enforcement is the wrong message and it will affect those responsible sooner rather than later......it's called cognitive dissonance.

 

My personal appeal to the Sabres Team: Do Not retaliate as in stooping to the same level of

goon hockey that teams will resort to against us for lack of the ability to skate with the best. Video doesn't lie.

 

I have spoken to many people about hockey from many parts of the world and those in the know

cannot seem to fathom that a blue collar rooted town like Buffalo could produce a World Class Champion - playing a hockey style that can be emulated by up and coming future stars.

 

Let the opposition wallow in their foolish and flawed demeanor - we will stay the course!

Go Sabres!!

[deluca67]

The guys I would expect to mix it up in that situation are: Gaustad, Grier, Kaleta, Mair, Kennedy, Ellis, Stafford (maybe), Rivet and Montador. That's 9 out of 18.

Why would you expect it? It rarely happens and we can probably name all the times in this thread. I can think of one when Gaustad went after a guy like he banged his girlfriend and made her walk home. If this team is not protecting their teammates you can't say they are any tougher. You listed 9 players and six, with no excuses, did nothing about what happened to Kaleta. Mair, Rivet, Ellis and Montador are not here for their hockey skills. They are here for that exact situation. They do not deserve to collect their game checks and since they are unwilling to do the one job they are paid to do they might as well hit the waiver wire because they are useless.

[carpandean]

Like I said, the Sabres went .500 against the Sens after the lockout through the end of the Neal-Drury game, winning the playoff series between the two teams during that time. After that game, to present day, the Sens have won 17 of 22, including a playoff series they won. Is that equal ownership?

My point was that Ottawa was 9-3-2 against the Sabres in the regular season pre-Neal/Drury, including some major blowouts. They owned us, even then. Something magical happened with that '05-'06 team in the playoffs, but that was the only time that they held their own post-lockout. It was the anomaly. If you don't buy that, then one could argue that winning that playoff series was somehow the turning point, because the Sabres were already 2-4-0 against the Sens that season before the Neal/Drury game. Maybe, the Sens have never forgotten us ending their magical season and always bring their best game against us, while our younger players remember how "easily" they swept the Sens and always underestimate them, even if it's just subconsciously. (I'm not really serious, but you get my point, right?)

[billsrcursed]

Why would you expect it? It rarely happens and we can probably name all the times in this thread. I can think of one when Gaustad went after a guy like he banged his girlfriend and made her walk home. If this team is not protecting their teammates you can't say they are any tougher. You listed 9 players and six, with no excuses, did nothing about what happened to Kaleta. Mair, Rivet, Ellis and Montador are not here for their hockey skills. They are here for that exact situation. They do not deserve to collect their game checks and since they are unwilling to do the one job they are paid to do they might as well hit the waiver wire because they are useless.

 

Great post. I would throw Hecht into the group that SHOULD (and now that I think of it, probably would have had he been on the ice) mix it up after something like that.

 

The bottom line is, ANYBODY standing on the ice in a Sabres sweater after a play like that should have done something, save for Miller. Even if it's throwing your equipment on the ice, something to show some type of emotion. If I were Kaleta, I'd be looking for guys in the locker room for a little "player's only" meeting. I'd be pissed... And if I were Lindy, there wouldn't be any letters on ANYONE until crap like this changes.

 

I can't believe how upset I still am about this.

[deluca67]

From an earlier post:

 

"2.) I thought it was a very bad idea to have flown from Montreal to Ottawa after the game on Monday. Better idea: Give them Tuesday off and fly in Wednesday afternoon. However, it still begs the question:

 

- Has the source of the food poisoning been identified?..."

 

 

 

An early morning Bucky Gleason blog yielded this tidbit of information....

 

"....---Kaleta did not skate today. Neither did the injured Nathan Gerbe and Chris Butler as well

 

as Henrik Tallinder, Tyler Myers, Steve Montador and Jochen Hecht. Ruff said Tallinder and

 

Myers were both in the group that suffered food poisoning from a meal Tuesday night in an

 

Ottawa steakhouse."

 

 

The watchword being complicity begs the questions:

 

1.) Were reservations made ahead of time?

 

2.) Did the food poisoning affect any of the local population?

 

 

The NHL NOT suspending DRR is a stain on the quality of the game that is the NHL - SHAME!!!

Selective enforcement is the wrong message and it will affect those responsible sooner rather than later......it's called cognitive dissonance.

 

My personal appeal to the Sabres Team: Do Not retaliate as in stooping to the same level of

goon hockey that teams will resort to against us for lack of the ability to skate with the best. Video doesn't lie.

 

I have spoken to many people about hockey from many parts of the world and those in the know

cannot seem to fathom that a blue collar rooted town like Buffalo could produce a World Class Champion - playing a hockey style that can be emulated by up and coming future stars.

 

Let the opposition wallow in their foolish and flawed demeanor - we will stay the course!

Go Sabres!!

Mr. Stone, I have to say my favorite movie of yours was 'The Doors'.

[deluca67]

Great post. I would throw Hecht into the group that SHOULD (and now that I think of it, probably would have had he been on the ice) mix it up after something like that.

 

The bottom line is, ANYBODY standing on the ice in a Sabres sweater after a play like that should have done something, save for Miller. Even if it's throwing your equipment on the ice, something to show some type of emotion. If I were Kaleta, I'd be looking for guys in the locker room for a little "player's only" meeting. I'd be pissed... And if I were Lindy, there wouldn't be any letters on ANYONE until crap like this changes.

 

I can't believe how upset I still am about this.

Some posters have the nerve to question why I am so angry when posting about this team. This situation is a perfect example of why my frustrations continue to build. It is frustrating to watch a franchise so unwilling to protect themselves and their teammates. I wish someone could actually explain why one of the most fundamental aspects of being a team, protect your teammates they are your family, is lost on this franchise. I won't say roster since this goes way back before this current group was put together. Where is the foxhole mentality on the bench that you are responsible for the guy next to you and he is responsible for you? How does any player on that team look Kaleta in the eyes without a great sense of shame? How can they let a teammate get done like that and call themselves "a team?"

[SabresRepublic]

Mr. Stone, I have to say my favorite movie of yours was 'The Doors'.

 

 

I think I was fairly explicit when I used the word complicity. You are suggesting a conspiracy? There is a big difference. The fundamental one being the latter is what one would use in the absence of enough grey matter between the ears to be

able to ponder cause and effect in providing a rationale to an observed situation.

 

Again, when all the facts are in then and only then can one be certain it can be prevented in the future! Or, maybe the facts speak volumes and the repercussions could be unbearable!

What do our neighbors to the north have to fear? The truth?

[deluca67]

I think I was fairly explicit when I used the word complicity. You are suggesting a conspiracy? There is a big difference. The fundamental one being the latter is what one would use in the absence of enough grey matter between the ears to be

able to ponder cause and effect in providing a rationale to an observed situation.

 

Again, when all the facts are in then and only then can one be certain it can be prevented in the future! Or, maybe the facts speak volumes and the repercussions could be unbearable!

What do our neighbors to the north have to fear? The truth?

'The Doors' was way better than 'JFK'. 'Platoon' was really good as well. I didn't see 'W'. I lived through it so I didn't need to see it on the big screen.

[SabresRepublic]

'The Doors' was way better than 'JFK'. 'Platoon' was really good as well. I didn't see 'W'. I lived through it so I didn't need to see it on the big screen.

 

Yeah, definitely, fiction! Probably lived up to his name as far as state of mind and depiction of actual facts. I saw all of the above except 'W' - the trailers told me I would have to take a cue from "Stone" (d) - I don't like watching movies S'd!

 

However, fact is W did what the little C couldn't, wouldn't or was told he shouldn't for lack of B's. The free people in the world have more options against these international goons and even O while trying hard NOT to acknowledge the B's of W is aware of the importance of work completed as well as the fact that so much more that needs to be done to

assure the defense of Life, Liberty, Property. And, the international community is waking up to the reality as well.

[billsrcursed]

Some posters have the nerve to question why I am so angry when posting about this team. This situation is a perfect example of why my frustrations continue to build. It is frustrating to watch a franchise so unwilling to protect themselves and their teammates. I wish someone could actually explain why one of the most fundamental aspects of being a team, protect your teammates they are your family, is lost on this franchise. I won't say roster since this goes way back before this current group was put together. Where is the foxhole mentality on the bench that you are responsible for the guy next to you and he is responsible for you? How does any player on that team look Kaleta in the eyes without a great sense of shame? How can they let a teammate get done like that and call themselves "a team?"

 

I couldn't have said that better myself. In fact, I tried, but I ended up using curse words and punching my work keyboard.

 

I know you get the label of "Debby Downer" around here but I'll tell you what, it's hard to pull for a team whose players don't pull for each other.

[Stoner]

I couldn't have said that better myself. In fact, I tried, but I ended up using curse words and punching my work keyboard.

 

I know you get the label of "Debby Downer" around here but I'll tell you what, it's hard to pull for a team whose players don't pull for each other.

 

Where does Lindy fit into this equation? You know, the tough-nosed, all scarred up, hardass that the blue collar fans of Buffalo adore?

[deluca67]

Where does Lindy fit into this equation? You know, the tough-nosed, all scarred up, hardass that the blue collar fans of Buffalo adore?

Who's reputation was also built on a myth? I love hearing fans recall the whole Billy Smith incident. They look at me in stunned disbelief when I bring up that Lindy never threw a punch at Smith.

[Stoner]

Who's reputation was also built on a myth? I love hearing fans recall the whole Billy Smith incident. They look at me in stunned disbelief when I bring up that Lindy never threw a punch at Smith.

 

[deluca67]

Where have you gone Jim Schoenfeld? :beer:

[nfreeman]

Why would you expect it? It rarely happens and we can probably name all the times in this thread. I can think of one when Gaustad went after a guy like he banged his girlfriend and made her walk home. If this team is not protecting their teammates you can't say they are any tougher. You listed 9 players and six, with no excuses, did nothing about what happened to Kaleta. Mair, Rivet, Ellis and Montador are not here for their hockey skills. They are here for that exact situation. They do not deserve to collect their game checks and since they are unwilling to do the one job they are paid to do they might as well hit the waiver wire because they are useless.

As I said, I was disappointed that there was no payback for that cheap shot. You are well overstating your case though when you say that those 4 are not here for their hockey skills and that if they don't respond in that situation they are useless. In any case, let's flip it around: I think the Kaleta hit was the first egregious cheap shot this season that did NOT get responded to by a teammate. I also think Miller's space has been defended much more fiercely than in the past.

 

However, fact is W did what the little C couldn't, wouldn't or was told he shouldn't for lack of B's. The free people in the world have more options against these international goons and even O while trying hard NOT to acknowledge the B's of W is aware of the importance of work completed as well as the fact that so much more that needs to be done to

assure the defense of Life, Liberty, Property. And, the international community is waking up to the reality as well.

Excellent first post! We're getting some really good new posters of late. It's good to see.

Oh, dear. Still happy with your gushing welcome?

[SwampD]

As I said, I was disappointed that there was no payback for that cheap shot. You are well overstating your case though when you say that those 4 are not here for their hockey skills and that if they don't respond in that situation they are useless. In any case, let's flip it around: I think the Kaleta hit was the first egregious cheap shot this season that did NOT get responded to by a teammate. I also think Miller's space has been defended much more fiercely than in the past.

 

 

 

Oh, dear. Still happy with your gushing welcome?

:)

[Mbossy]

Where have you gone Jim Schoenfeld? :beer:

 

Oh Jimmy. "Go have another donut you fat pig". I loved that.

[Stoner]

As I said, I was disappointed that there was no payback for that cheap shot. You are well overstating your case though when you say that those 4 are not here for their hockey skills and that if they don't respond in that situation they are useless. In any case, let's flip it around: I think the Kaleta hit was the first egregious cheap shot this season that did NOT get responded to by a teammate. I also think Miller's space has been defended much more fiercely than in the past.

 

 

 

Oh, dear. Still happy with your gushing welcome?

 

Yes, why wouldn't I be? Sounds like an interesting poster. We need more of those. Why do so many on this board, even SDS, seem to almost reflexively attack new posters? It's weird.

[nfreeman]

Yes, why wouldn't I be? Sounds like an interesting poster. We need more of those. Why do so many on this board, even SDS, seem to almost reflexively attack new posters? It's weird.

Just joking around -- I was merely referring to the political remarks.