GAME DISCUSSION THREAD

[Kristian]

Telling stat of the year from TSN:

 

Good thing they face so many backups.

 

Stafford with the hattrick - I fully expect him to go scoreless the next 20 games now, before being a healthy scratch.

 

Remember that come from behind 4-3 win again Pittsburg last season? 'Nuff said.

[kishoph]

You would think the front office would want to bank on his potential so they will sign him for 2.5 a year for 3 or 4 years this off season.

 

 

Are you kidding, he just scored a Hat trick, they''ll give him at least $7 Million next year. :doh:

[Calvin]

Florida and Tampa coming up, must win.

Those are both potential four-pointers.. gotta win, in regulation too.

[Guest Sloth]

I'll agree w/ what has been said about Stafford. He's in a contract year, and when he doesn't have the puck he often doesn't take care of his other responsibilities. I'm going to semi-contradict what I just said. Stafford seems to make the Sabres a better, more agressive team when he is on the ice Stafford and Roy seem to be developing good chemistry, and this will help Roy out a lot. As for Niedermayer, scratch him or something. I'd like to have Luke Adam back on the ice. Neidermayer and Grier have a VERY slow line, and it is a line I'd try to exploit if I were an opposing coach. Just my opinion, though.

[SabresFan526]

I am in town and was at the game last night. My first game at HSBC. I've been to the Aud before many times. It was great fun. I had seats in the 100s behind the Sabres bench along the blue line. Excellent seats.

 

It was pretty quiet until the third. Stafford had a good game and he definitely makes this team better when he's on the ice. I like what Carp said in that it's funny how Stafford-Roy-Vanek has been working better than Vanek-Roy-Stafford. I noticed it as well and thought it was really interesting.

 

Overall, it was a great night, with great seats, and nice action at the end. I narrowly escaped a fight with a Bruins fan over an unfortunate comment I should not have made at the end of the game. Oh well. All I can tell you is that "Little Fake Artists" with a history of concussion problems really should not be getting involved in fights with Cody McCormick. That's all I will say about that incident.

[ROC Sabres]

I'll agree w/ what has been said about Stafford. He's in a contract year, and when he doesn't have the puck he often doesn't take care of his other responsibilities. I'm going to semi-contradict what I just said. Stafford seems to make the Sabres a better, more agressive team when he is on the ice Stafford and Roy seem to be developing good chemistry, and this will help Roy out a lot. As for Niedermayer, scratch him or something. I'd like to have Luke Adam back on the ice. Neidermayer and Grier have a VERY slow line, and it is a line I'd try to exploit if I were an opposing coach. Just my opinion, though.

You will see this happening a lot in the next two games. Both teams have good speed and they won't be able to keep up.

[SwampD]

Good game, all around.

 

Harry - "Chara looks like he might be cut. You see that, Rob?"

Rob - "Aah, he's just got a big nose, it's scratched on the end there. He's okay."

[Stoner]

I have not read the posts above; pardon me if there is repetition.

 

1) PA, the first period tonight was more quiet than a Catholic church before a noon weekday Mass. I mean, it was so quiet, that the quiet was loud in its quietness. I say this for two reasons: (a) it was quiet tonight (already explained), and (b) I hope you'll trust me when I say it isn't quiet. But tonight, during the first, damn. F*cking silent.

 

2) Third period, it was loud. I hope it came through on TV.

 

3) Sabres beat the Bruins ! ! !!!

 

4) I have sworn to my friends, and I will swear to you all now, that I will not rag on Stafford for a full week, starting now, even though he was completely useless in his own end and shunned the puck whenever it was more than five inches away from the blade of his stick. Still, three goals, a reprieve. I'll leave him alone. One week.

 

5) I started a Tooooooooka chant in the "aristocratic" 100 level. It grew legs and was spreading. Then, it was overwhelmed by a "Let's Go, Buffalo!" chant. Fine by me, I love that chant, but stop telling me that the 100s don't yell; we do.

I wouldn't say it sounded loud in the third, but I did notice the LGB chant. The cool thing about HD of course is seeing more of the crowd. When the chant started, the camera swung around the one corner and I could see lots of people clapping. I expected it to sound louder based on the number of people joining in. Unless they were clapping and not chanting. There might be something there with the audio, I don't know. But the crowd noise has to be in the background, it can't overwhelm Rick. When it's loud, though, it does come through. So... it was pretty loud. Happy? :)

[wjag]

Good game, all around.

 

Harry - "Chara looks like he might be cut. You see that, Rob?"

Rob - "Aah, he's just got a big nose, it's scratched on the end there. He's okay."

 

Were any penalties handed down after that scrum at the end? Isn't fighting after the game's over a "fine-able" issue by the league?

[Stoner]

Good game, all around.

 

Harry - "Chara looks like he might be cut. You see that, Rob?"

Rob - "Aah, he's just got a big nose, it's scratched on the end there. He's okay."

 

Even funnier was Kevin trying to convince Roby the scrum at the end was some kind of big deal. "Chara taking liberties." Mike called it something like "hit and giggle," which is dead on.

 

Kevin -- what a tool.

 

Miller v. Chara at the end was pretty interesting. Chara was definitely in Miller's head, if not in his crease. Miller was initiating contact at his peril. 50 some seconds to go Miller is extending his arm to try and push Chara, who was above the crease I believe, and got himself so far out of position the net was basically abandoned. A Bruin lifted a shot off the outside of the yawning cage. So good on Chara for doing his job.

[SwampD]

Connolly clearly interferes with Bruins skater on the 3 on 1 and you want to complain about a no call?

I just watched that play again and there is not a ref in the world who would call that a penalty.

 

This is the NHL. Refs just don't give unsportsmanlike penalties for nothing, especially that late in a close game. For Lucic to get that penalty when he did, he must really have deserved it. What a stupid penalty to take.

 

On a personal note, I really hope you have a better day today than you obviously had yesterday.

[wjag]

I just watched that play again and there is not a ref in the world who would call that a penalty.

 

This is the NHL. Refs just don't give unsportsmanlike penalties for nothing, especially that late in a close game. For Lucic to get that penalty when he did, he must really have deserved it. What a stupid penalty to take.

 

On a personal note, I really hope you have a better day today than you obviously had yesterday.

 

Boston sure put a bunch of heat on Buffalo at the end, 5 on 5. You would never know that Buffalo was on a PP and the Boston net was empty. That was crazy.

[Weave]

Overall, it was a great night, with great seats, and nice action at the end. I narrowly escaped a fight with a Bruins fan over an unfortunate comment I should not have made at the end of the game. Oh well. All I can tell you is that "Little Fake Artists" with a history of concussion problems really should not be getting involved in fights with Cody McCormick. That's all I will say about that incident.

 

 

That's pretty damned funny. I remember back in the old days at the Aud when fights in the crowd during Bruins games were almost expected. Sounds like the old rivalry is starting to heat back up again.

 

:clapping:

[spndnchz]

Were any penalties handed down after that scrum at the end? Isn't fighting after the game's over a "fine-able" issue by the league?

 

Chara, Savard, McCormick and Gaustad all got 2 minute fighting minors, plus Chara got an extra 2 minute fighting minor. I wish Savard hadn't come in there, McCormick and Chara were about to go at it. That would've been good.

[Weave]

Chara, Savard, McCormick and Gaustad all got 2 minute fighting minors, plus Chara got an extra 2 minute fighting minor. I wish Savard hadn't come in there, McCormick and Chara were about to go at it. That would've been good.

 

 

I would enjoy watching it but I'm not sure it would've ended well for McCormick. As much as I hate to admit it, Chara is one damn tough dude who has no trouble handling the biggest heavyweights. Buffalo doesn't have anyone on the roster that can make that claim. Cody is a tough kid but is outclassed with the really big guys.

[carpandean]

Even funnier was Kevin trying to convince Roby the scrum at the end was some kind of big deal. "Chara taking liberties." Mike called it something like "hit and giggle," which is dead on.

Anyone else think of Beerfest? "You looking for a little slap and tickle?"

[Marvelo]

I think people forget how young he was when the Sabres brought him up, and it was too early. He has the speed, size and shot to be a regular 25-30 goal scorer. That being said, I would trade him in a heart beat.

 

I think now would be the time to trade him as his stock is high.

[nfreeman]

Why not? Not saying I don't agree with the contract year deal but it's only his 4th, correct me if I'm wrong, year in the pros and has been gradually progressing. Last year was a dud for him I know but I think he has a lot more upside if he has the right players on his line.

Whaaa? You were serious about extending him? For 3 years??!!

 

I would enjoy watching it but I'm not sure it would've ended well for McCormick. As much as I hate to admit it, Chara is one damn tough dude who has no trouble handling the biggest heavyweights. Buffalo doesn't have anyone on the roster that can make that claim. Cody is a tough kid but is outclassed with the really big guys.

+1. Chara was throwing bodies around at the end like a raging bull. He would've crushed McCormick.

 

I give credit to Gaustad for sticking up for Miller and going after Chara.

[wjag]

Chara, Savard, McCormick and Gaustad all got 2 minute fighting minors, plus Chara got an extra 2 minute fighting minor. I wish Savard hadn't come in there, McCormick and Chara were about to go at it. That would've been good.

What does that do? Is there any penalty for getting a 2 minute fighting minor after a game?

[Buffalo Wings]

Boston sure put a bunch of heat on Buffalo at the end, 5 on 5. You would never know that Buffalo was on a PP and the Boston net was empty. That was crazy.

That wasn't the first time I've seen that and it pretty much disturbs me.

 

You know the Bruins were desperate, but was a simple ENG too much to ask for?

[deluca67]

I just watched that play again and there is not a ref in the world who would call that a penalty.

 

This is the NHL. Refs just don't give unsportsmanlike penalties for nothing, especially that late in a close game. For Lucic to get that penalty when he did, he must really have deserved it. What a stupid penalty to take.

 

On a personal note, I really hope you have a better day today than you obviously had yesterday.

Actually I had a really good day yesterday. A much better days than the refs had to say the least.

 

What Connolly did is 100% obstruction, interference or whatever you want to call it. You are right, most refs wont call it. Which is why the game is slipping back to the pre-lockout days.

 

The point about "Refs just don't give unsportsmanlike penalties for nothing, especially that late in a close game." is completely ridiculous. I will guess Lucic did said something to cause the penalty. I am certain it happened after the imaginary boarding call that cost Bruins a goal, not the final two minutes of the game.

[SabresFan526]

That's pretty damned funny. I remember back in the old days at the Aud when fights in the crowd during Bruins games were almost expected. Sounds like the old rivalry is starting to heat back up again.

 

:clapping:

The funny thing in all of this was I didn't even insult the guy who was a Bruins fan or say anything about him or to him. I said something about Savard, and he got really angry when I said it. And again, admittedly, I should not have said what I said about Savard. It was very mean spirited and classless. But, if it were Philadelphia, people would have said much worse than what I said. That does not justify what I said, but I think we have gotten to a point where this world is just way too PC and people get too sensitive about what people in the stands say. I'm just saying stuff in good fun and totally joking around with absolutely no intention behind what I say, and I'm not serious at all. But, I learned from last night that making concussion type statements about Savard is apparently offensive to Bruins fans, so I will not say such things in public again. Frankly, that near fight made the night even more fun for me, and I've been laughing ever since it happened. Even when I think back on it, it's still hilarious that someone would get so upset by me saying something about Savard that was completely a joke and not even serious. Oh well, all in good fun, I guess.

[carpandean]

I will guess Lucic did said something to cause the penalty.

Rob Ray, who stands between the benches, said that Lucic was really giving it to one ref hard and that the ref had given him several warnings to knock it off. Regardless of what else was or wasn't called, it sounds like he cost his team by being stupid.

 

There were a ton of missed calls throughout that game, but the last couple of minutes were definitely "swallowed whistle" minutes.

[deluca67]

Rob Ray, who stands between the benches, said that Lucic was really giving it to one ref hard and that the ref had given him several warnings to knock it off. Regardless of what else was or wasn't called, it sounds like he cost his team by being stupid.

 

There were a ton of missed calls throughout that game, but the last couple of minutes were definitely "swallowed whistle" minutes.

Which was my initial point.

 

After reading posters trying to blame the Pens loss on the officiating I felt it necessary to point out it goes both ways. The officiating in the NHL is just poor. It's not targeted at one team and it is certainly not an issue just for the Sabres. For every "bad call" against the Sabres you can find one, and sometimes two or more, calls that go in the Sabres favor and are equally bad.

[Eleven]

Which was my initial point.

 

After reading posters trying to blame the Pens loss on the officiating I felt it necessary to point out it goes both ways. The officiating in the NHL is just poor. It's not targeted at one team and it is certainly not an issue just for the Sabres. For every "bad call" against the Sabres you can find one, and sometimes two or more, calls that go in the Sabres favor and are equally bad.

 

Last night was evenly officiated. There was a crappy hooking call that put a Sab in the box, too.

 

The Pens game was not evenly officiated. It wasn't even close. Few games involving The Bint are. I'm certain, though, that that is not the reason for the loss.