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GDT: Panthers at Sabres 10/29/11 7:00PM


spndnchz

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Posted

I don't want to get into a quibble on the officiating or the Miller argument. But when does any of this blame fall on the coaching staff. Ruff has had what?15 years to accomplish something with this team, and has seem to lost control of his players. In any other sport he would be gone right now and I sincerely believe its time for a change in buffalo hockey. Whatever the "system" is, is clearly not working and many of our players seem to be suffering a lack if production from it. I don't think lindy is a bad coach, but his time here has grown stale and his mismanagement of players has become to glaring to turn the other cheek to anymore. Our work ethic as a team has dropped so steeply over the past seasons and this is a direct fault on the coaching. I don't mind a loss after a hard full played 60 minutes, but this whole playing hard for 3-5 min a period is something that should not be seen by fans, Especially on our own turf!! That's basically my only real rant after 10 games this year, I tried to hold this post back, but enough is enough, thoughts?

Posted

I like the expectations much better the way they are now. Everyone thinks they are garbage and the coaching stinks. Although it was nice to see them coast to the first two wins in Europe, everyone got way too far ahead of themselves. This team will get better and anyone who thought there would not be kinks is delusional. It will still be at least another month to gel and when Myers and Ehrhoff are back on their game, watch out.

 

Vanek is having an MVP type year and Pommenville is going to lead this team the way they have not been led in years. This division will be up for grabs all year long and it could be Montreal, Toronto, Boston or Buffalo in the end. Many ups and downs are coming so the more frustrated you get, the less you will enjoy the season.

Posted

Stop with the whining about the officiating. It sounds a lot like TSW on Sundays and Mondays. The Sabres poor play is the reason they lost...nothing more, nothing less. If Gerbe goes straight to the penalty box, he doesn't get an extra two. I don't care if he said something, or laughed in the face of the referee, he doesn't get the extra penalty if he goes to the box.

 

I really hope that the reason for the sloppy play is not the country club atmosphere that Pegula has created. The word needs to be relayed to the players that this crap is going to stop or changes will be made....and this edict should be extended to Lindy and Darcy!

 

Stop worrying about who is stepping on the Sabres logo in the locker room, and start focusing on fullfilling Pegula's goal.

Posted

I want the original forward lines from Europe back right now. I don't care if Leino thinks he's a wing, a center, Batman, whatever. Just put it back.

 

On D, I want Weber in. Enough is enough. Get the tuff (again, credit to SE Hinton) kid in there. I don't care if it's MAG or Sekera who sits, but I want Weber in NOW.

 

 

Handed to them by Buffalo maybe. 8 shots through the first? Are we just not playing that period? Everyone was so rested from that optional skate, so where were their legs?

 

Too many players reaching at pucks instead of skating, very few checks were finished, and puck battles weren't being won. Blame the refs if you want, but the effort left a lot to be desired. Matt Ellis was noticeably more into the game than anyone else. It was embarrassing.

Having gone to the game (and sat in the third row :w00t: ), here is what I noticed firsthand.

 

11 - I am finally coming around to the notion that Weber has to come in to the lineup. Sitting in the Sabres defend twice corner, it was painful to see that Regher was the one one to ever initiate contact in the corners. However, I don't think Sekera is the one to sit, he has been one of our best defenseman all year and looks very effective out there.

 

Darksabre - I noticed this too, and even mentioned it out loud at one point in the third. The biggest thing was that instead of taking the body or gaining position, they would reach for the poke everytime in the corners. From my vantage point the team won maybe 3 or 4 individual battles along the wall all game. Unacceptable.

 

Regher is the smoothest defender I have ever seen. He makes things look so effortless by just gaining the right leverage and positioning on his opponents. The rest of the d corps should be taking notes. (See Myers, Tyler)

 

My two goats of the game were definitely Stafford and Leino. Stafford in particular looked like he was coasting all over the ice and made terrible decisions in the neutral zone on numerous occasions. That whole line didnt seem to be moving their feet the whole game. For supposedly being the '#2 line', they have a long way to go.

 

Ellis was pretty impressive out there. He does not have an NHL level skill level but has all the heart and drive you could look for in a player. He's our Shane Falco. ;)

 

The call on Gerbe was garbage. That's why I was booing. I would never boo the sabres. never.

 

The crowd seemed pretty dead. Numerous times trying to the start the lets go buffalo chant and the people around me looked at me like I was crazy. To their credit nobody told me to be quiet lol. The only thing that got them going was the whole crowd wave and to get up and boo the officials late in the third. It was painful to cheer for the first 50 minutes of the game.

 

I don't know what is up with Miller. watching his side he looks cool and comfortable with great rebound control for most of the game, and then just falls apart for short little bursts. I don't know what he was doing on the second goal. everyone and their mothers in the F'N Arena knew the puck went behind the net. Patented 'Miller WTF Wave' on the GWG. :doh:

 

It was a fun time going to the game and seeing the players up close, but what a disappointing effort and last 5 minutes of the game. The g/f seemed to enjoy it despite the outcome which is points for me :thumbsup:

Posted

Stop with the whining about the officiating. It sounds a lot like TSW on Sundays and Mondays. The Sabres poor play is the reason they lost...nothing more, nothing less. If Gerbe goes straight to the penalty box, he doesn't get an extra two. I don't care if he said something, or laughed in the face of the referee, he doesn't get the extra penalty if he goes to the box.

 

I really hope that the reason for the sloppy play is not the country club atmosphere that Pegula has created. The word needs to be relayed to the players that this crap is going to stop or changes will be made....and this edict should be extended to Lindy and Darcy!

 

Stop worrying about who is stepping on the Sabres logo in the locker room, and start focusing on fullfilling Pegula's goal.

 

Switch lockerrooms for a week.

Posted

Stop with the whining about the officiating. It sounds a lot like TSW on Sundays and Mondays. The Sabres poor play is the reason they lost...nothing more, nothing less. If Gerbe goes straight to the penalty box, he doesn't get an extra two. I don't care if he said something, or laughed in the face of the referee, he doesn't get the extra penalty if he goes to the box.

 

I really hope that the reason for the sloppy play is not the country club atmosphere that Pegula has created. The word needs to be relayed to the players that this crap is going to stop or changes will be made....and this edict should be extended to Lindy and Darcy!

 

Stop worrying about who is stepping on the Sabres logo in the locker room, and start focusing on fullfilling Pegula's goal.

Agree 100%. They didn't win a single individual battle all game. Without Vanek and Pommers, this team gets blown out.

Posted

I was lucky enough to be able to attend the game last night (100 level center ice). The game was still enjoyable despite the outcome as it was nice to just get out of the house I suppose. Here are my observations:

 

  • Roy looked a little better tonight. He generated some decent offense (especially a one-man rush down the right wing in the third period that looked VERY good)
  • Leino looked terrible once again. The fact that we know he is entirely capable of playing well leads me to believe that his confidence right now is at absolute zero. I will not trash this guy as many people here have been doing until I see him get some confidence. IMO jumping on him right now is akin to jumping on Gerbe last year early in the season. I won't do it ... not yet
  • The hit on Leopold looked suspendable
  • Our power play was pathetic. Looked very much like last season where our power plays actually looked like we were on the penalty kill. We had so much difficulty entering the zone.
  • Miller looked soft. The first two goals against I was kinda shocked to be honest. I'm no Miller hater ... he had a rough game. I am one of those who definitely had hoped that playing Enroth would light an inspirational fire under his ass though.
  • Of our D-men I thought Myers looked the worst. More on this below.
  • The officiating seemed to be very "emotionally involved" tonight. I won't get into detail as it is fleshed out everywhere else, but it definitely seemed like the refs were a bit angry or power hungry there. What did Gerbe say to deserve an extra 2? A smile and an eye-roll? Really?
  • Ultimately, the Sabres lost because they were asleep for two periods.

 

 

In past posts I have said that I want Weber in. I still do. However, my opinion of who should be benched has changed after watching these past ten games. Unfortunately, My opinion of who needs to sit will never come to fruition. Tyler Myers needs to sit in my opinion. He is not bringing the offense he is always hyped up about. He definitely is not providing the defensive edge he showed in the playoffs last season. He seems lost out there. Also, I don't think he needs to be benched solely based on these facts ... if we benched anybody who had a bad 10 game stretch I realize we wouldn't be that popular with players. However, I just see him as the weakest link right now and Weber deserves a shot. Also, compare to the other Sabre defenseman right now:

 

  • Sekera - Statistically our best offensive DMan right now.
  • MAG - Again based on the stats he's right up there with Sekera. My opinion of his play has changed in the past few games. He doesn't seem to be getting nervous exiting our zone anymore.
  • Regher - Doin his job each and every night.
  • Ehrhoff - I would actually consider pulling him over Myers... but his role on the PP seems rather key to me.
  • Leopold - Our most balanced Defenseman in my opinion

Posted

Gerbe didn't just smile....he said something right away, the ref gave him the finger and said to knock it off....he says something again right after....then was still yipping in the box, although I don't know if that was before or after the 2nd penalty.

 

I know because there was no volume on and was paying close attention and I said he better shut his trap or he's going to get another penalty. He gets away with all kinds of stuff after the whistle because he is cute and furry and works hard.

 

He's a good kid, but if word gets around that he is mouthing off, watch more calls start to go against him. If he was Pronger's size, he'd probably be suspended 8 times by now for the stickwork he does after the whistle.

Posted

Gerbe didn't just smile....he said something right away, the ref gave him the finger and said to knock it off....he says something again right after....then was still yipping in the box, although I don't know if that was before or after the 2nd penalty.

 

I know because there was no volume on and was paying close attention and I said he better shut his trap or he's going to get another penalty. He gets away with all kinds of stuff after the whistle because he is cute and furry and works hard.

 

He's a good kid, but if word gets around that he is mouthing off, watch more calls start to go against him. If he was Pronger's size, he'd probably be suspended 8 times by now for the stickwork he does after the whistle.

 

That doesn't address the case I was making about emotional involvement by the refs in that game. Any opinion on that? Or just nitpick my details?

 

After all, I'm sure most people who get penalized for things they disagree with happily take it and say nothing. That must be why we see so few misconduct penalties for talking back to refs.

 

I don't buy that. So Kaleta with that schit-eatin grin never talks back to refs? hmmm

Posted

Looks like nobody noticed Roy deflect the puck that won the game for Tampa, a shot he should have been no where near, and hoff miss his man on the wrap around goal that tied the game.

I did. Good call.

 

I've just always thought better of you. What about the 500 other plays during a game that the official interprets correctly in your mind? It just seems petty and arbitrary to single out a couple of plays you didn't feel went your way.

Why is it not delay of game when a puck gets lost in a players equipment? Two player simply got tangled up.

 

I'm not saying the officiating was great. NHL officiating as a whole is pretty weak. I can honestly saying I didn't even think about the officials costing the Sabres the game until I started reading some of the posts tonight. It is a red herring thrown out there to distract from the real issues that cost the Sabres the game. It was a lack luster performance all around by the Sabres. A type of performance that can cost the team a playoff spot in a tough Eastern Conference if it happens again with any frequency.

I like the expectations much better the way they are now. Everyone thinks they are garbage and the coaching stinks. Although it was nice to see them coast to the first two wins in Europe, everyone got way too far ahead of themselves. This team will get better and anyone who thought there would not be kinks is delusional. It will still be at least another month to gel and when Myers and Ehrhoff are back on their game, watch out.

 

Vanek is having an MVP type year and Pommenville is going to lead this team the way they have not been led in years. This division will be up for grabs all year long and it could be Montreal, Toronto, Boston or Buffalo in the end. Many ups and downs are coming so the more frustrated you get, the less you will enjoy the season.

Stop with the whining about the officiating. It sounds a lot like TSW on Sundays and Mondays. The Sabres poor play is the reason they lost...nothing more, nothing less. If Gerbe goes straight to the penalty box, he doesn't get an extra two. I don't care if he said something, or laughed in the face of the referee, he doesn't get the extra penalty if he goes to the box.

 

I really hope that the reason for the sloppy play is not the country club atmosphere that Pegula has created. The word needs to be relayed to the players that this crap is going to stop or changes will be made....and this edict should be extended to Lindy and Darcy!

 

Stop worrying about who is stepping on the Sabres logo in the locker room, and start focusing on fullfilling Pegula's goal.

Thank God there are still a few grownups here. I am amazed that anyone with functioning eyes could have watched that performance by the Sabres -- in which they were outshot 36-26 (including 13-6 in the 2nd period and 18-12 in the 3rd) by a mediocre team and blame the refs for the loss. Give me a break already.

 

The Sabres completely mailed it in in the 2nd period and played a bit better in the 3rd but still allowed Florida to carry the play. That's just the truth. It wasn't because of a few calls here or there. It wasn't because Miller let in a soft goal. It was because Florida outworked them all over the ice and wanted it more. The Sabres didn't come close to earning a W last night.

 

A few other game notes:

 

1. I wouldn't be surprised if Weber is in on Wednesday, but I'd guess it would be more of a shake-up message to the team than a statement about MAG, who wasn't on the ice for any of the Florida goals. MAG had one awful turnover that resulted in a clean shot for Florida in the slot, but otherwise was far from a problem for the Sabres.

 

2. Ehrhoff had his worst game as a Sabre.

 

3. Although Miller was certainly at fault on the first goal, I thought he played very well and kept the Sabres in the game for 55 minutes.

 

4. Leino looks completely lost.

 

5. Roy is starting to come on and I think Stafford is not far behind him.

 

6. Although Sekera has been playing well, I think I agree with 11 that the D pairings were working better before Sekera's recent promotion -- i.e. Ehrhoff-Leopold and Sekera-MAG were both working better than Ehrhoff-Sekera and Leopold-MAG.

 

7. Taking the extra minor late in the game was a huge blunder by Gerbe. He put his own need to complain ahead of the team's need to lock down the win. I would be fine if he were benched for a game or 2 to learn a lesson. Completely unacceptable.

 

8. Vanek really schooled Soupy on his goal.

 

9. I thought Fleischmann was the best forward on the ice last night.

 

10. Boyes is improving.

 

My bottom line is that the Sabres need more desperation on the forecheck.

Posted

I did. Good call.

 

 

 

 

 

Thank God there are still a few grownups here. I am amazed that anyone with functioning eyes could have watched that performance by the Sabres -- in which they were outshot 36-26 (including 13-6 in the 2nd period and 18-12 in the 3rd) by a mediocre team and blame the refs for the loss. Give me a break already.

 

The Sabres completely mailed it in in the 2nd period and played a bit better in the 3rd but still allowed Florida to carry the play. That's just the truth. It wasn't because of a few calls here or there. It wasn't because Miller let in a soft goal. It was because Florida outworked them all over the ice and wanted it more. The Sabres didn't come close to earning a W last night.

 

A few other game notes:

 

1. I wouldn't be surprised if Weber is in on Wednesday, but I'd guess it would be more of a shake-up message to the team than a statement about MAG, who wasn't on the ice for any of the Florida goals. MAG had one awful turnover that resulted in a clean shot for Florida in the slot, but otherwise was far from a problem for the Sabres.

 

2. Ehrhoff had his worst game as a Sabre.

 

3. Although Miller was certainly at fault on the first goal, I thought he played very well and kept the Sabres in the game for 55 minutes.

 

4. Leino looks completely lost.

 

5. Roy is starting to come on and I think Stafford is not far behind him.

 

6. Although Sekera has been playing well, I think I agree with 11 that the D pairings were working better before Sekera's recent promotion -- i.e. Ehrhoff-Leopold and Sekera-MAG were both working better than Ehrhoff-Sekera and Leopold-MAG.

 

7. Taking the extra minor late in the game was a huge blunder by Gerbe. He put his own need to complain ahead of the team's need to lock down the win. I would be fine if he were benched for a game or 2 to learn a lesson. Completely unacceptable.

 

8. Vanek really schooled Soupy on his goal.

 

9. I thought Fleischmann was the best forward on the ice last night.

 

10. Boyes is improving.

 

My bottom line is that the Sabres need more desperation on the forecheck.

 

Great post.......on the money.Always good stuff. I would only add the following observations. Leino does look like a puzzle piece looking for his place on the table, but so do six or seven other guys. All this attention on him is a bit overdone at this point in the season. I like the posters thought of putting him on the one line to get him going. Sometimes i get tired of watching Adam miss scoring opportunities because his head is down and he is not catching the open man in his vision.(How many touches did Vanek get in the offensive zone in that game? How many shots? Geez.) I like Adam as long as he remembers his first priority is to pass and his second is to go to the net after passing. It may not hurt to insert leino on the one line to get a look at it under the right circumstances. Anybody who plays with Vanek is going to play better.

 

Do you think Roy misses Vanek?

 

 

Fleischmann was superb...

 

Gerbe needs to smile less and think more..The brain thing goes for Stafford too..You take care of the bad hit issue down the road.You skate to the guy and deliver that message and then score twice on your extended pp..Gerbe has snot coming out of his nose (he is a kid) , what is Staffords excuse.

Posted

Great post.......on the money.always good stuff. I would only add the following observatiosns. Leino does look like a puzzle piece looking for his place on the table but so do six or seven other guys. All this attention on him is a bit overdone at this point in the season. I like the posters thought of putting him on the one line to get him going. I am tired of watching Adam miss scoring opportunities because his head is down and he is not catching the open man in his vision.How many touches did Vanek get in the offensive zone in that game? How many shots? Geez. I like Adam as long as he remembers his first priority is to pass and his second is to go to the net after passing. It would not hurt to insert leino to get a look at it in the right circumstances. Anybody who plays with Vanek is going to look better.

 

Do you think Roy misses Vanek

 

 

Fleischmann was superb...

 

Gerbe needs to smile less and think more..The brain thing goes for Stafford too..You take care of the bad hit issue down the road.You skate to the guy and deliver that message and then score twice on you extended pp

Thanks. I think Adam has played pretty well for a rookie. I think Roy's issues have been more in the vein of needing to get healthy and reacquainted with the speed of NHL games. I'm not sure what the answer is for Leino, although with Roy and hopefully Stafford coming around, maybe if he keeps playing with those 2 he'll get better.

Posted

If only the Sabres would have scored 8 goals. Then the refs could have disallowed three and they still would have won. I'm grown up enough to know that 3 is more than 2, and don't tell me it doesn't make a difference because that is ridiculous.

Posted

This is the only game that I haven't watched this year........I went to a John Mellencamp concert and he was in fine form I have to say......... :beer:

Can "Cougar" play center?

Posted

Anybody think we need Brian McCutcheon back?

 

I had tickets for the game last night but something came up and i couldn't go.

 

Thank God.

Posted

On the Leino front...how many different guys has he played with so far during his time in Buffalo? He's 10 games into his career here and I think he's played parts on the second, third, and fourth lines here. One gripe I have with Ruff is that he has the tendency to move pieces around far too often in my opinion. Stick Leino with Roy and Stafford (they're the closest two players we have resembling Briere and Hartnell) and keep him there for at least 5 games. If things start to click reward him with some PP time. I think you'll see a rise in confidence after that. I love the energy that guys like Kaleta and Ellis bring but they should not be given equal or more ice time to a guy Pegula just shelled close to $30M to.

 

On another front, I wish I could be a fly on the wall in that locker room to see how the new leaders like Pominville and Vanek respond to this recent lull. We'll see just how adept they are at pushing the right buttons to instill some confidence in their teammates and to get the guys back to playing at a high level.

Posted

That doesn't address the case I was making about emotional involvement by the refs in that game. Any opinion on that? Or just nitpick my details?

 

After all, I'm sure most people who get penalized for things they disagree with happily take it and say nothing. That must be why we see so few misconduct penalties for talking back to refs.

 

I don't buy that. So Kaleta with that schit-eatin grin never talks back to refs? hmmm

 

My post had nothing to do with you. Gerbe said he smiled.....I saw him talking crap multiple times. The ref warned him at first, then rang him up.

 

I like his fire, but they will start getting him for rouging and crosschecking after the whistle if he lips off. They give him a break because he is small.

Posted

i'm offline more than i'm on of late, and i regret that i can't read through this thread to day in order to get the insight i need regarding our team.

 

the thing that i will say, want to say, is that, after having watched the bulk of the last few games, it began to dawn on me: my biggest takeaway from this squad is that they are not much fun to watch. the W-L record is okay, could be better -- but the fact that it's boring for me to watch the team is of greater concern.

 

maybe it's just that it's october/november hockey. days gone by, that was something of a gospel truth -- hockey season doesn't begin in earnest until around the winter holidays.

Posted

i'm offline more than i'm on of late, and i regret that i can't read through this thread to day in order to get the insight i need regarding our team.

 

the thing that i will say, want to say, is that, after having watched the bulk of the last few games, it began to dawn on me: my biggest takeaway from this squad is that they are not much fun to watch. the W-L record is okay, could be better -- but the fact that it's boring for me to watch the team is of greater concern.

 

maybe it's just that it's october/november hockey. days gone by, that was something of a gospel truth -- hockey season doesn't begin in earnest until around the winter holidays.

 

Reading this, your revelation applies to me as well. And has ruined my day.

Posted
Reading this, your revelation applies to me as well. And has ruined my day.

:wallbash:

 

i think it's just going to take some time for the moving parts to come together with this new edition.

 

hey! new edition

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZUq6N7Gx1c

 

the team will improve. i think it may be difficult, though, for them to match (this year, anyway) the expectations and hype that have arisen from what the new owner has done and said.

Posted

i'm offline more than i'm on of late, and i regret that i can't read through this thread to day in order to get the insight i need regarding our team.

 

the thing that i will say, want to say, is that, after having watched the bulk of the last few games, it began to dawn on me: my biggest takeaway from this squad is that they are not much fun to watch. the W-L record is okay, could be better -- but the fact that it's boring for me to watch the team is of greater concern.

 

maybe it's just that it's october/november hockey. days gone by, that was something of a gospel truth -- hockey season doesn't begin in earnest until around the winter holidays.

 

The team as a whole is very boring...you are absolutely correct. However, the Thomas Vanek show (co-staring Jason Pominville) that has shown up just about every game has been, probably the most (only?) exciting/interesting part of the season thus far.

Posted
The team as a whole is very boring...you are absolutely correct. However, the Thomas Vanek show (co-staring Jason Pominville) that has shown up just about every game has been, probably the most (only?) exciting/interesting part of the season thus far.

QFT.

Posted

 

7. Taking the extra minor late in the game was a huge blunder by Gerbe. He put his own need to complain ahead of the team's need to lock down the win. I would be fine if he were benched for a game or 2 to learn a lesson. Completely unacceptable.

 

Considering Gerbe is pretty much the only Sabre showing up regularly I absolutely think you are way off track with this idea. You don't know what he said or didn't say to that ref and it sounds like he didn't say to much. You want him to learn a lesson? Like what? If he makes a mistake hes going to get benched? Thats a great confidence booster for the teams most consistent forward... Bottom line anyone showing emotion on this team of any kind is freaking good because its been an emotionless crap fest. Gerbe was mad cuz he didn't think the call was legit and good for him, at least 1 player on this team has a little backbone... If you bench gerbe for this then you better be benching Ehrhoff or Leion or some of the other guys who have been playing like crap because they have made more mistakes than laughing at a ref after a stupid call. Gerbe is a team player and benching his probably the worst idea for this rabble of a sports team.

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