GAME DISCUSSION THREAD GDT: Boston at Buffalo 12-19-13 at 7:00 PM EST

[bcsaberks]

The good.

Stafford - Got a little lucky w/ bad goalie, but we need it.

Flynn - Mr. "AHL Player" getting the job done. Please never ever scratch him again to get John Scott in the lineup.

Leino - Nice dive to draw one on Lucic but that whole shift he was working hard. Noticed a solid backcheck from him too.

Myers - Great goal and playing with confidence, like it.

 

The bad.

Hodgson - His play in his own end before his injury, eesh.

Foligno - Side show fight? Identity crisis?

Rayzer - Please speak proper English. Endearing? Eh. "he come flying by!" Love Rayzer but come 'on.

 

Gonna miss Saturday's game, Fpt vs Pfd at Frozen Frontier! East side rivalry. Should be great.

[Derrico]

I'll take the win but watching it didn't look like a 4-2 type game. I thought right from the first period that Johnson looked horendous in their net and kept thinking if we can get some shots on this guy we're going to score some goals. Miller played very well and although we won, there were long stretches we got outplayed. Always nice to beat the Bruins though and props to Ott for tyring to fight Lucic in the first period.

[TrueBlueGED]

I'll take the win but watching it didn't look like a 4-2 type game. I thought right from the first period that Johnson looked horendous in their net and kept thinking if we can get some shots on this guy we're going to score some goals. Miller played very well and although we won, there were long stretches we got outplayed. Always nice to beat the Bruins though and props to Ott for tyring to fight Lucic in the first period.

 

Somebody was the wet blanked for me! Thanks!

 

But seriously, ###### Boston, I love beating that team.

[Eleven]

I'll take the win but watching it didn't look like a 4-2 type game. I thought right from the first period that Johnson looked horendous in their net and kept thinking if we can get some shots on this guy we're going to score some goals. Miller played very well and although we won, there were long stretches we got outplayed. Always nice to beat the Bruins though and props to Ott for tyring to fight Lucic in the first period.

 

That's ok. Even the best teams have wins like that, too. I just like that the team is learning to win.

[Doohicksie]

Rayzer - Please speak proper English. Endearing? Eh. "he come flying by!" Love Rayzer but come 'on.

 

No, you're right. But still, he's our Rayzer, dammit, and 100 times better to listen to alongside RJ than Harry Neal.

[Stoner]

No, you're right. But still, he's our Rayzer, dammit, and 100 times better to listen to alongside RJ than Harry Neal.

 

He said something about Foligno having the "whereabouts" on his goal. I couldn't figure out if he meant "wherewithal" or "wits about him."

 

Edit: Of course what's funny is that I made a typo — I'm allowed, but Rob isn't. (And one in the edit!)

[That Aud Smell]

He said something about Foligno having the "whereabouts" on his goal. I couldn't figure out if he meant "wherewithal" or "wits about him."

 

Edit: Of course what's funny is that I made a typo — I'm allowed, but Rob isn't. (And one in the edit!)

 

I love Ray on the color call. He's a lightly educated simple guy with a good heart and a sense of humor to match.

 

He regularly uses non-standard English and drops malprops like they're hot. What of it? He's our guy.

 

I spoke with him about this gig a couple of times a while back - our kids were playing soccer together - and he was really nervous, basically saying that he still needed a lot of work, training - but that he was going to have to get it OTJ. I assured him that if he just worked at it and remained true to himself, people in the Buffalo area would overlook the bumps and continue to show the love.

 

That's where I'm at still.

 

Edit: Not for nothin', but I love the idea that he could've coined a new idiom - "whereabouts" - to mean both "wherewithal" and "wits about him". That said, I tend to reserve the use of "wherewithal" to situations where you're talking about money, finances. Not so with sports announcers, though.

[LTS]

Goodness...is there any better illustration of how coaching CAN improve a team?

 

I'm thinking that Nolan is coaching in the NHL next year. If it's not Buffalo then someone is going to grab him because he can clearly get a team moving. However, I think if he's not the coach for Buffalo next year there will be a riot by the players. They clearly LOVE playing for him.

 

The words from Marchand on Nolan were pretty telling and hearing Moulson effuse over him made me think that there may be a chance to keep him.

 

It was a game that this team needed regardless of the backup playing, etc.

 

Finally.. suddenly this team can pass the puck.

[Iron Crotch]

Ted Nolan is really making Ron Rolston look bad. No way Ronny gets a shot in the NHL again given the "before-and-after" performance of this team.

[nfreeman]

 

 

 

Seriously. Ted Nolan is exactly what this franchise needed and the best thing to happen to the Sabres since Black Sunday.

He believes. The players are starting to believe. I think I'm going to believe too.

 

Preach it brother! Testify!

 

Ted Nolan is really making Ron Rolston look bad. No way Ronny gets a shot in the NHL again given the "before-and-after" performance of this team.

 

Indeed.

[Stoner]

I love Ray on the color call. He's a lightly educated simple guy with a good heart and a sense of humor to match.

 

He regularly uses non-standard English and drops malprops like they're hot. What of it? He's our guy.

 

I spoke with him about this gig a couple of times a while back - our kids were playing soccer together - and he was really nervous, basically saying that he still needed a lot of work, training - but that he was going to have to get it OTJ. I assured him that if he just worked at it and remained true to himself, people in the Buffalo area would overlook the bumps and continue to show the love.

 

That's where I'm at still.

 

Edit: Not for nothin', but I love the idea that he could've coined a new idiom - "whereabouts" - to mean both "wherewithal" and "wits about him". That said, I tend to reserve the use of "wherewithal" to situations where you're talking about money, finances. Not so with sports announcers, though.

 

Rob's analyses have gotten better, but they started out so bad, it's damning with faint praise. I'd almost like to see a solid analyst up top and Rob between the benches for the feel of the game, comic relief and so on. But, jeez, how many people can be on this broadcast team? Duff, Dan, Rick, Rob, Brad, Roby…

[TrueBlueGED]

Rob's analyses have gotten better, but they started out so bad, it's damning with faint praise. I'd almost like to see a solid analyst up top and Rob between the benches for the feel of the game, comic relief and so on. But, jeez, how many people can be on this broadcast team? Duff, Dan, Rick, Rob, Brad, Roby…

 

I'd love to see Rob back between the benches, I thought he was really good there and it gave me high hope for his color commentary. That didn't work out, but he was great for sporadic comments and humor.

 

Regarding the number of people on the broadcast team, keep in mind Roby retires after this season.

[Stoner]

I'd love to see Rob back between the benches, I thought he was really good there and it gave me high hope for his color commentary. That didn't work out, but he was great for sporadic comments and humor.

 

Regarding the number of people on the broadcast team, keep in mind Roby retires after this season.

 

He's still between the benches. At least at home.

[TrueBlueGED]

He's still between the benches. At least at home.

 

Right, but that's still in a color role, no? I just want him in a position to say a handful of funny things per period, rather than try to break down plays and whatnot.

[SwampD]

Right, but that's still in a color role, no? I just want him in a position to say a handful of funny things per period, rather than try to break down plays and whereabouts.

fixed.

[skaught]

He said something about Foligno having the "whereabouts" on his goal. I couldn't figure out if he meant "wherewithal" or "wits about him."

 

To me it sounds like he was trying to say he was in the right place on his goal.

 

Whereabouts - the place where someone or something is.

[That Aud Smell]

I'd almost like to see a solid analyst up top and Rob between the benches for the feel of the game, comic relief and so on.

Right, but that's still in a color role, no? I just want him in a position to say a handful of funny things per period, rather than try to break down plays and whatnot.

 

Not unfair.

[bcsaberks]

No, you're right. But still, he's our Rayzer, dammit, and 100 times better to listen to alongside RJ than Harry Neal.

Truth. 2 minutes or less!

 

Right, but that's still in a color role, no? I just want him in a position to say a handful of funny things per period, rather than try to break down plays and whatnot.

 

Yeah, lighter load might be good. I wonder why that came to be...maybe RJ's choice.

[qwksndmonster]

Ted Nolan is really making Ron Rolston look bad. No way Ronny gets a shot in the NHL again given the "before-and-after" performance of this team.

Maybe he'll get another shot in 10 years or so.

[JJFIVEOH]

My thoughts:

 

-You all can find as many excuses for Boston as to why BFLO beat them, but guess what? When a team wins it's usually because the other team doesn't play as well. And to say the Sabres still need to find a way to pay 60 minutes, I've got news for you...... no team, no matter how good they are, can and will play a full 60 minute game more than a few times over the course of a season.

 

-When I see modern-day journalists that have a limited vocabulary/grammar and lack of professionalism and pride in their work..... I find it really hard to pick on Rob Ray for his gaffes. High schoolers from 20-30 years ago could write and speak better than today's journalists who spent 5 years in college. Rob's the last guy who should be expected to speak correctly.

 

-The fact that anybody can even consider the fact that Nolan might not be here next year is absurd. This goes for fans, media and management. Not saying anybody here is really considering it, but I've heard the call-in shows. If/when Patty hires a GM, it damn well better be with the understanding that Nolan isn't going anywhere.

 

Just my 2 cents. :flirt:

[nfreeman]

I gotta say: I was kinda expecting more enthusiasm around here today. The Sabres beat Boston last night AND traded for a dynamic offensive talent.

 

I'm not the only one who's eagerly looking forward to the rematch tomorrow night, including Omark's debut and presumably Rask and a determined Bruins team at home, am I?

 

C'mon, fellas. It is ON.

 

Go Sabres.

[Derrico]

I gotta say: I was kinda expecting more enthusiasm around here today. The Sabres beat Boston last night AND traded for a dynamic offensive talent.

 

I'm not the only one who's eagerly looking forward to the rematch tomorrow night, including Omark's debut and presumably Rask and a determined Bruins team at home, am I?

 

C'mon, fellas. It is ON.

 

Go Sabres.

 

I am excited to watch on Saturday night do not get me wrong. But we were outshot 36-23 and had long stretches of being hemmed in our own end last night. IMO if Rask plays we get beat last night. Also, I'm excited to see this new kid, I really am. But I'm sure Edmonton made it well aware to everyone that they were looking to trade Omark. If other teams thought there was a reasonable chance this guy could end up a top 6 player I would have to think Edmonton would end up with more than a conditional 6th round pick. I'm usually as optimistic as any on this board but nothing in the past 24 hours has made me think wow, we're really going to turn this around. As always, I'll be watching though.....

[TrueBlueGED]

I am excited to watch on Saturday night do not get me wrong. But we were outshot 36-23 and had long stretches of being hemmed in our own end last night. IMO if Rask plays we get beat last night. Also, I'm excited to see this new kid, I really am. But I'm sure Edmonton made it well aware to everyone that they were looking to trade Omark. If other teams thought there was a reasonable chance this guy could end up a top 6 player I would have to think Edmonton would end up with more than a conditional 6th round pick. I'm usually as optimistic as any on this board but nothing in the past 24 hours has made me think wow, we're really going to turn this around. As always, I'll be watching though.....

 

We're on the same page lately. IMO all we're seeing is a team transition from being one of the worst in league history to the worst this season. I said earlier in the season I didn't think they could sustain a 30 point pace, so I expected something like this anyway which is probably another part of the reason I'm not overly excited.

[Iron Crotch]

Plenty of good Rob Rayisms...

 

Yeah, Miller seen that shot from the point. ... he was a little indecision there... he got that blocker side stick side to make a save.

[JJFIVEOH]

I am excited to watch on Saturday night do not get me wrong. But we were outshot 36-23 and had long stretches of being hemmed in our own end last night. IMO if Rask plays we get beat last night. Also, I'm excited to see this new kid, I really am. But I'm sure Edmonton made it well aware to everyone that they were looking to trade Omark. If other teams thought there was a reasonable chance this guy could end up a top 6 player I would have to think Edmonton would end up with more than a conditional 6th round pick. I'm usually as optimistic as any on this board but nothing in the past 24 hours has made me think wow, we're really going to turn this around. As always, I'll be watching though.....

 

Maybe they just did the guy a favor and traded him to BFLO because they knew this would be the best opportunity to have a chance to play in the bigs.