GAME DISCUSSION THREAD

[Stoner]

I'm already a little worried about tomorrow night. Could be a big letdown after this one. A "should win" and probably a Lalime night.

 

Sabres at Senators in the penultimate game is starting to have a whiff of the deciding game for the division.

[rickshaw]

Guys, to say the reffing didn't have an outcome would be wrong.

 

Yes, calls are missed both way each and every night.

 

But on this night, Neil hits Hecht from behind into the boards, no call, and then the same shift scores the goal.

 

Then, Montador is high sticked in the face, cut and no call, but on the same shift we are penalized. Result, game winning goal.

 

It's cases like this that make me cringe. And on top of it, it is Ottawa. Our thorn. I can just see them giggling all day, knowing that they'll get 2 points. I wish someone would slap Alfie around just for fun. Or the, dumb as a post, Spezza. Just grab 'em, rag 'em and then continue on.

[SwampD]

Guys, to say the reffing didn't have an outcome would be wrong.

 

Yes, calls are missed both way each and every night.

 

But on this night, Neil hits Hecht from behind into the boards, no call, and then the same shift scores the goal.

 

Then, Montador is high sticked in the face, cut and no call, but on the same shift we are penalized. Result, game winning goal.

 

It's cases like this that make me cringe. And on top of it, it is Ottawa. Our thorn. I can just see them giggling all day, knowing that they'll get 2 points. I wish someone would slap Alfie around just for fun. Or the, dumb as a post, Spezza. Just grab 'em, rag 'em and then continue on.

If we could score on the power play then maybe the officiating would mean something.

[K-9]

SR...you really make me smile. I don't agree with you in the slightest on this one, but your unending optimism regarding this team is admirable. If the world was about to end, I would want to hang out with you until it happened.

 

I feel the same way about SR. He's busted me a couple times when I've let the boys get the best of my good natured spirit. His optimism is infectious. And I will believe in this team without fail.

 

Sometimes ya gotta take things on faith.

 

GO SABRES!!!

[LabattBlue]

Could someone explain what Vanek was thinking during the last minute of play, when he tried to hit the puck with his stick when it was 10 ft in the air? This resulted in a faceoff back in the Buffalo end and Miller back in the net.

[carpandean]

Rule 26 – Awarded Goals

(rule)

Basically, he's awarded a penalty shot without a goaltender, which they figure would just be dumb since nobody would miss ... well,

.

[carpandean]

Could someone explain what Vanek was thinking during the last minute of play, when he tried to hit the puck with his stick when it was 10 ft in the air? This resulted in a faceoff back in the Buffalo end and Miller back in the net.

"Maybe they'll think I'm Crosby and give me the goal anyway."

[SabresRepublic]

SR...you really make me smile. I don't agree with you in the slightest on this one, but your unending optimism regarding this team is admirable. If the world was about to end, I would want to hang out with you until it happened.

 

Look, I'm a rational observer. Just counting this season, if you go back and watch the games against Ottawa and at least another dozen or so against other teams there are so many obvious officiating blunders (putting it lightly) that one might start to wonder.

 

In this particular game, even TSN were astounded at that scenario that allowed Ottawa to take the 3 - 1 lead. Hockey is a competition were gravity is such an overwhelming force compared to perhaps any other sport. Aptitude and skill is paramount for excellence and success.

 

Let me ask you this:

 

Do you know who the Board of Governors are?

Do you know the members' profiles?

Have they ever posited their recruitment of officials?

Do officials get tenure like teachers?

Do you ever wonder how some teachers can continue to teach despite their foibles?

 

Look, the Sabres are a quality organization like the best of them in the world.

They will overcome this officiating mediocrity.

But we of the Sabres Republic will help them!

Because they do NOT need help with the aptitude and skill part!!

 

GO BUFFALO SABRES!!!

[SabresRepublic]

Guys, to say the reffing didn't have an outcome would be wrong.

 

Yes, calls are missed both way each and every night.

 

But on this night, Neil hits Hecht from behind into the boards, no call, and then the same shift scores the goal.

 

Then, Montador is high sticked in the face, cut and no call, but on the same shift we are penalized. Result, game winning goal.

 

It's cases like this that make me cringe. And on top of it, it is Ottawa. Our thorn. I can just see them giggling all day, knowing that they'll get 2 points. I wish someone would slap Alfie around just for fun. Or the, dumb as a post, Spezza. Just grab 'em, rag 'em and then continue on.

 

Yes, excellent post and thx for bringing up the infraction against Hecht were Ottawa subsequently scored.

It almost seems like the officiating is tasked with managing the shift or NOT of momentum! That was absolutely the case tonight and it was a repeat of what happened in Vancouver. And Frazer, perhaps unlike some of the other officials, cares less about hockey's New World Order because he is immune to its

dynamic nature!

 

Time to open the curtains and expose this behind the scenes Affirmative Action!!!

[LabattBlue]

Kovalev, Michalek and Kuba all out tonight for Ottawa.

...and Fisher got thrown out early. So much for that advantage. :wallbash:

[inkman]

[quote name='SabresRepublic' date='26 March 2010 - 10:38 PM' timestamp='1269657482'

Ottawa plays like the officiating is on their side!

The aggresors get the calls.

[inkman]

Could someone explain what Vanek was thinking during the last minute of play, when he tried to hit the puck with his stick when it was 10 ft in the air? This resulted in a faceoff back in the Buffalo end and Miller back in the net.

Vanek's hockey IQ is near zero. I can't tell you how many times a game he makes plays that have nothing to do with hockey.

[SabresRepublic]

The aggresors get the calls.

 

OK! I don't know how you did it but I am versed enough in Information Technology and Network Security to know it is done all the time. In this case either the webmaster or moderator or both.

 

Here is what you posted:

 

" Posted Today, 10:45 PM

 

SabresRepublic, on 26 March 2010 - 10:38 PM, said:

 

The aggresors get th

The aggresors get the calls.

View Postshrader, on 26 March 2010 - 10:32 AM, said:

There's a joke about these guys rubbing off on their new team in there somewhere.

 

View Postcdexchange, on 26 March 2010 - 12:17 PM, said:

Perhaps the SGM's have some rather rigorous initiation rites for the new guys "

 

The only problem with this is that I didn't post it.

There is no original post by Sabres Republic if you scroll back through the record.

And, finally, I don't mince words and when I'm NOT sure about the spelling of a word I look it up.

Certainly, I am well aware of the aggressors in my space!

 

In other words you have fabricated the above conversation in quotes!

 

For those of you who are sceptical scroll back and see for yourself!

[Xray]

I know I'm repeating myself, but a 1st-round matchup with these guys is exactly what's needed for this team to evolve.

How long is this team going to be evolving?

[theend]

How long is this team going to be evolving?

 

As mentioned in a mid-game post...it will evolve one way or another. Either these guys will grow up, or a crushing first-round 4-0 or 4-1 loss will leave Darcy no choice but to make changes. It'll be hard for even him to avoid the clamor after a loss that bad in the 1st round.

[Two or less]

As mentioned in a mid-game post...it will evolve one way or another. Either these guys will grow up, or a crushing first-round 4-0 or 4-1 loss will leave Darcy no choice but to make changes. It'll be hard for even him to avoid the clamor after a loss that bad in the 1st round.

 

I think they will make changes no matter what. No way they bring Lydman back. Tallinder is a question mark, depending on what he does in the playoffs and how much he demands and Stafford is a waste of space. Hopefully he scores some sick goal in the playoffs and some GM falls in love with him, i hope he's gone.

[BuffalOhio]

Have I mentioned how much I want someone to kill Alfreddson? Is it too much to ask that he be destroyed on a clean hit from any of these guys? Come on! FU Ottawa!

[Kristian]

I know I'm repeating myself, but a 1st-round matchup with these guys is exactly what's needed for this team to evolve.

 

Or get swept.

 

Take your pick.

[isthistheyear?]

Is it just me or is the Lindy Ruff game plan not working!!! Lindy talks about the team needing to be tougher, but the Sabres problem for years has been puck control. The power play is terrible because of this fact. Lindy needs to understand that he needs to balance the lines better than what they are. Each line needs a playmaker, a scorer, and a power forward. Practice passing the puck and creating passing lanes (vision and awareness of the puck, whether you're the carrier or the teammates without the puck). So many times I watch this team that has no clue where to pass the puck (lack of a game plan). Create more time and space with better puck control, more patience and less hesitation. I question the intelligence of this team, from the coaching staff, forwards, defense, and even Ryan (do not play the puck) Miller. Ottawa passes the puck really good, and the Sabres will not beat them until they are able to control the puck like that. So play tougher, but more important, play smarter.

[Corp000085]

Ugh... The good news is, we have one more "crack" at the sens to right some wrongs.

[Figster]

Or get swept.

 

Take your pick.

 

I for one really hope we don't have to face Ottawa in the playoffs, we just don't match up against them very well and get pushed around every time we play them. Sure we got allot of shots on goal, but not good scoring chances. The Sens make it impossible for the Sabres to play their game, we get smothered.

 

Its the style they play against us and I can't believe Ruff hasn't found a way to combat what they're doing.

[Kristian]

I for one really hope we don't have to face Ottawa in the playoffs, we just don't match up against them very well and get pushed around every time we play them. Sure we got allot of shots on goal, but not good scoring chances. The Sens make it impossible for the Sabres to play their game, we get smothered.

 

Its the style they play against us and I can't believe Ruff hasn't found a way to combat what they're doing.

 

I think the whole problem is that the "system" just doesn't fit against Ottawa, and as a result the Sabres are always trying to adapt to the Sens, as to where the Sens can just play their own style.

 

That said, the fact that Miller always seems off his game against them certainly doesn't help either, and last night was no exception.

 

That first goal is a killer, as I thought they started well and managed to break out of their own zone much better than they usually do, which where the Sens usually own them.

[Stoner]

As mentioned in a mid-game post...it will evolve one way or another. Either these guys will grow up, or a crushing first-round 4-0 or 4-1 loss will leave Darcy no choice but to make changes. It'll be hard for even him to avoid the clamor after a loss that bad in the 1st round.

 

Make the playoffs. Win the division. Lose in the first round. Building sold out.

 

What makes you think there will be any "clamor" beyond a few souls on these message boards?

 

What makes you think there will be any pressure on Darcy to make changes, from either ownership or the fan base.

[BuffalOhio]

I think the whole problem is that the "system" just doesn't fit against Ottawa, and as a result the Sabres are always trying to adapt to the Sens, as to where the Sens can just play their own style.

 

That said, the fact that Miller always seems off his game against them certainly doesn't help either, and last night was no exception.

 

That first goal is a killer, as I thought they started well and managed to break out of their own zone much better than they usually do, which where the Sens usually own them.

 

I hope you're not blaming Miller for that first goal. He made a great adjustment to it, but nobody stopped Kelly from whacking away at it after the great save. The second goal? Sure blame away. Great shot, but he could've had that one. Third goal? Blame Lydman for that stupid penalty. How many of us thought, oh ######, I bet Alfie scores immediately on this PP, and guess what happened? Stupid penalty by Sabres always = goal against.

[Stoner]

How long is this team going to be evolving?

Forever. That's what a lot of sports franchises like the Sabres sell -- hope. It's often the only thing they have in their wagon to sell.

 

I've been strung along since 1975. Others here since the beginning. Lindy was preaching "we're still too young" in the 2007 playoffs. It's three years later. This time we'll hear about how Myers and Kennedy and Kaleta will get better -- and Ennis and Weber are on the way -- and there's that rockem sockem draft class that will be a few years down the line so the Sabres can really compete in the physical league that the NHL has become.

 

LQ has said it. The "window" will last five years with Miller in his prime. Darcy has said it. "Continuous improvement."

 

All of that will add up to retaining Ruff and Regier to "finish the job." Forty years on, none of this is anything new.