SOMETHING THAT TICKS ME OFF

So Cari and I were discussing this with Anne outside JJ's last night after we had bid adieu to the rest of the bloggers. We were talking about how guys (not any guys in particular) seem to think that because we're girls that we somehow know less then they do about sports. Now from the time i was very young I was raised on hockey if there was a Sabres game it was on my living room TV and no one was allowed to change the channel. In my family my mom and my brother love it as does my grandmother, my dad watches it but doesn't get emotionally invested like the other members of my family.

But still I've been going to hockey games since I was little and now my family splits season tickets with my uncle so I go to at least 20 games a year and watch all the other games on TV. I know the hand motions for penalties and I know all the players, I've had guys behind me at the games ask what a certain call means or what icing is or off-sides is I am in no way a PUCK BUNNY. Most guys assume that because I like hockey I'm in it for the men and while yes the good looking players are an added bonus the fact that I like hockey has very little to do with that fact. I like hockey for its intensity and its ability to make me forget about everything except grown men pushing a disc of galvanized rubber around a big sheet of ice while occasionally getting it into a big netted contraption which means that team gets a point.

While Mark Mancari was up from Portland there were two guys sitting behind my mom and me discussing him. They were saying that they knew he had the fastest shot in the AHL but they weren't sure how fast it actually was, being me I turned around and told him matter of factly that the slapshot registered at 102.8 mph which was .4 mph less then Zdeno Chara. The guy looked at me like I had grown three heads and said "wow you know a lot about hockey for a girl." And there they are the magic words I would have been fine if he had just said that I knew a lot about hockey but then he had to go and add the words 'for a girl' I hate that stereotype and that's exactly what it is a stereotype that because I have boobs and ovaries that I somehow should know less about sports then they do.

So guys if you ever meet me anywhere and want to know anything about hockey please for the love of all that is holy don't add the words 'for a girl' on the end of a sentence. As a matter of fact I'm pretty sure that any of my fellow girl bloggers would appreciate it if you would refrain from using the words 'for a girl' and 'Puck Bunny' in their presence.

OH, LIFE.

So Saturday night was pretty much awesome.. That is, until about 2 am, at which point Lucas and Jay decided to argue about which anatomical area on the male body fosters more bacteria: The groin, or the hands. And then they were arguing about when they should wash their hands--before or after they use the bathroom. WAY TO KILL A FABULOUS MOOD. They pretty much ruined the party. Oh well.

And then, I was planning on driving home, but since, in that particular area of Amherst we were in, you couldn't see out the front window of their house, I spent the night at Britt's, since she lives two minutes from there, and myself 15.

So yesterday morning, I found myself comfy in B's bed, trying to post from my phone. Alas, since Verizon has what I am sure is the worst mobile internet around, I had written my entire post, and THEN IT WOULDN'T LET ME. And I was too frustrated and tired and hung-over to write it again once I had come home.

But anyways, it mostly consisted of something like this (I'm going purely from memory, here, kids. Bear with me.):

WTF, SABRES. WTF.

See, now, I'm think I'm an extremely devoted person, when I want to be. So when I take the time to be devoted to a flailing hockey team, YOU TAKE IT.

I almost abandoned you, though. See, my 16-year-old cousin Trevor plays hockey for his high school. I almost took up cheering for his team full time instead of you, Sabres. Because his team is actually good. And he's my cousin, so I have to like his hockey team. But Sabres? You're making me want to like his team.

THAT IS, UNTIL I DECIDED TO BREAK UP WITH PRINCESS D, AND NOT PAY TOO MUCH ATTENTION TO YOUR GAME, AND INSTEAD GET DRUNK. THEN YOU DECIDE TO WIN.

Thanks. Thanks a lot.

But I'm glad you won. And I'm glad Derek scored. We're broken up until further notice. But just so you know, D, I want you back.

Just to prove that we do, in fact, belong together: At the party we were playing Fuck the Dealer. Now, the first deck of cards that Tom grabbed from somewhere in the house was a deck Luke had received when he went to Aces and Blades a couple years ago. I had never played this game before, so when my turn came around, I had no strategy, or anything. I just picked a number--8--and who was on that card, a winning card, mind you? DEREK ROY. FATE-TASTIC, FOR REALS.

But anyways, I don't really have much to say in the way of hockey. Nothing's really happened.

Oh... Wait. My Pirates.

So I'm sad that Marky Mark's stay in Buffalo has ended. Lindy really didn't utilize him correctly, but whatever. Moving on. GERBE DERBY!!! AHHHHHHHH. Enough said.

And my poor Mikey Funk... Remember how he had a concussion during camp, that he suffered on, like, the first day? Yeah, well when Kim and I were up in Portland for a game, it just so happened to be my love's first game back from the head injury. So Saturday night, who gets absolutely obliterated from behind into the boards? MIKE FUNK. Who has another concussion as a result? MIKE FUNK.


I'M SERIOUSLY GOING TO KILL ANSSI SALMELA IF I EVER SEE HIM ON THE STREETS. UGH.

I swear to God, if he becomes the next Tim Connolly/Brett Lindros/Pat LaFontaine in regards to bruised brains, I'LL SERIOUSLY CRY, because I love him.

Okay then. Now that I got that out of my system... I baked cookies last night for a friend, and then I made some special ones for Kim and myself, for our little soiree this evening.

If I could send cookies (the edible kind) through the internet, I'd have a big platter full of them for you all. But, since I can't do that, here's something sweet instead:

BACKGROUND INFO IS NECESSARY, THOUGH. Remember that picture that caused quite a ruckus in these parts recently?? Well, remember how we thought that it was one Clarke MacArthur that was grabbing the junk of one Derek Roy??

WELL IT WASN'T THE GENERAL, AND I HAVE THE PROOF.

Here's a snipet of the picture in question:


Notice the man on the left--supposedly Clarke MacArthur. Notice the writing on D's shirt. Also, notice the man to the right's striped green shirt.

Now take a look at this picture, which I got off of another Facebook account:


HMMM... RECOGNIZE ANYONE??

The guy in the green Fox track jacket and the green Von Dutch hat would be D's younger brother, Scott. Hmm, that other green shirt looks awfully familiar, doesn't it? And the guy next to Derek--supposedly Sparky--doesn't appear to look like Sparky at all, actually.

So there you have it, folks. Derek's sexuality status is still in limbo, but as far as I'm concerned, the second coming of the Man-Child is straight, and as innocent as can be.

LET'S GO BUFFALO!!!

Life, Jaroslav's Eating Habits, and Unanswered Questions

Here's the part where I complain about my personal life for a moment:

Okay, so we all know that I don't have the most glamorous job around--I change the diapers of the elderly, bathe them, and put them in bed. Not that spectacular, and pretty smelly, which is why I don't often go out after work. At least, if I do, I shower first, which means I don't go out until 1 am, which, in Buffalo, is not late at all, but still...

ANYWAYS, because I had to work last night, and then told a coworker that I'd cover her overnight shift, I couldn't go shopping this morning. I mean, not that I can really afford to spend my money unnecessarily, or anything... But I love shopping, and Black Friday shopping is like, the most fun ever.

So I'm a little bummed that I didn't get to go shopping, and now I'm running on four hours of sleep, and about to get ready to head back to work. And my supervisor even had the gall to ask if I'd do another double tonight. NO THANK YOU. I have plans for tomorrow. They're not that exciting, but it's stuff that needs to get done. I have to go to the post office and find a box big enough to fit a Sabres jersey and a container of cookies to send to Andy, I have to make the cookies (which Kim has so kindly offered to assist), clean my room, make preparations for Sunday's Bills/49ers' game, and, oh yeah, WATCH THE SABRES.

And then there's always the Sociology tests that I have to take online by the 17th, and the lab practical I have for Anatomy on Wednesday.

Yuck.

BUT BACK TO MY PURPOSE IN LIFE, TALKING ABOUT THE SABRES.

All of these videos about the boys and their Thanksgivings are just adorable.

I love how Patty's mom lays down the law and gives him a time to be at the 'rents house by. I also love how Jason got that sheepish smile when talking about Thanksgiving (which I think is extra cute because he still celebrates it even though his American mother and himself have lived in Canada for how long?), and how Jaro talks about his abilities to cook foul, when we all know all he really does is bite the head off, Ozzy Osbourne style. And I especially like his name pronunciation correction during the Sabres show (it's right after the commercial).



I really think that I adore that man.

In other news, I'm really hoping Tommy is okay. Because the more effect Milan Lucic is having on this team, the less I like him, and the more inclined I am to hurting him. And I really don't feel like going to jail anytime soon, so Tommy had best be alright. If he wants to sit out tonight, fine, okay. But not tomorrow. We need him tomorrow more than tonight, because, when it comes down to getting into the playoffs down the stretch, we'll need divisional points more than conference points. Therefore, Montreal on Saturday is more important.

Plus, once Al comes back healthy, who sits? Danny's supposed to be playing, so I don't necessarily see him sitting anytime soon, and I don't see the Sabres sending Mancari down in the near future. Well, at least they wouldn't have any legit reason for doing so...

OH!! And to the person who found us by searching for this:



I give you your answer. Also someone found this by searching for "Adam Cari Miller." What, did I all of a sudden marry Ryan Miller, and now we have a son named Adam? And no, for another person's inquiring mind, I do not know the colors of the Sabres' respective bedrooms, I do not love Maria Genero, I don't want to ship Derek off to Maine, I'm not friends with Garnet Exelby on Facebook, I've never seen Daniel Briere shirtless (nor do I want to), and I'm not going to trash talk Marky Mark's beautiful girlfriend. If you want to do that, and I suggest and beg that you don't, go over to those trashy forums. Because I don't have vendettas against the girls that the guys I love decided to go out with. I'm not a jealous bitch, so you've got no business being here if you want that (Can you tell that I can't stand those forums, no matter how addicting they are??).

Well, kids, I have to go get ready for work. Thankfully, though, the nurse I work with is awesome and likes the Sabres, too, so I never miss a game while I'm there. I'll post after the game if there's something good to talk about.

RUMORS OF MY DEMISE...

So looking back I realize that I haven't post in about a week and a half and I realized that many of you, that is if you care, might be wondering where the hell I am, or maybe you didn't notice, well if you did I thank you for caring. Let's put it this way, I am the bug on the windshield of life, I'm feeling all good and happy and then all of a sudden it's not so good and happy.

But anyway I have the rest of the week off so yay to vacation and sleep, which is what again? oh that's right something I haven't had a lot of in the past 3 weeks, unlike my wonderful counter part who has class tomorrow (sorry Cari, you know I love you). But that means I've also had time to update my profile information here, which previously looked like Old Mother Hubbard's cupboard, as well as catch up on some reading which involved books not composed of really long complicated words that I don't know the meaning of.

But in other good news Cari and I shall be attending tomorrow night's game against Boston and I feel I must remind you of what happened the last time we attended a Boston game together...oh that's right they LOST, something new and different for them (complete sarcasm there). We'll have played Boston three times in the last three weeks tomorrow night having lost two of those contest, so needless to say our track record against Boston has been less than stellar this season.
But, hopefully we can turn that all around tomorrow night with the return of Hank and Max to the line up, oh hockey gods let's hope.

The question remains, however, who sits out? The most obvious bench warmer for defense would be Nathan because he's been the odd man out all year, but well, I happen to think he played pretty damn well for someone who's had a pretty good view of the ice from the press box for most of the season. Offense is trickier, Boston is a pretty physical team which means we're going to need the enforcers patrolling the ice so that rules out Peters and Kaleta most likely. Paille is another player who could take a seat but seeing as it was his line that scored the first goal, YAY MARK, in Saturday night's game I'm thinking he's probably going to be playing. That leaves us with everyone's favorite rockstar, Drew Stafford, who, and it pains me to say this, has been really sucky lately, so he has my vote for bench warmer tomorrow night. But I guess we'll just have to wait and see what Lindy decides is best for the team.

Anyways, I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving, I'll be going to my brother's in Rochester, gorging myself on turkey, stuffing and potato puff, staying over and then going shopping with my sister-in-law early on Friday. Which means I probably won't be posting until after Friday night's game unless something drastic happens betwen now and then, let's hope not, unless it's of the good variety.

So until then, LET'S GO BUFFALO.

Dear Ryan

Dear Ryan,

I just want to say a few things, because I need to get them off of my chest, and you, being the amazingly understanding and sensitive guy that you are, are the person I need to say them to.

Before I make my points, I just wanted to tell you that your taste in music is impeccable. We'd do well sharing a car on a long road trip. And, having seen the way you drive, you can take the wheel. I like a guy who drives a hot car really fast. And, don't take that the wrong way...

But anyways, let me get to the point.

Ryan, we've known each other a long time, right? So I think I can say this without you getting all defensive and crossing your arms over your buff chest...



Oh, yeah.. Just like that. You know what? You look really hot like that...

ANYWAYS. I think you need to steal a game for us. Obviously our offense is seriously lacking, if you take Mark out of the picture, because there's no reason what so ever that we cannot win a game after having 40 shots on goal. (Oh, and can you tell Mark that I'm so impressed with his play since his call-up? And that if he keeps it up, I second the quote from Kevin Dineen: "I don't know if we'll see him again [in Portland]." Thanks, Ry!)

So I've decided that the only way to get us out of this, what did you call it, a "little bit of a rut," would be for you to stand on your head, give the performance of your life, and win for the team. Because they obviously can't do it themselves.

I mean, don't get me wrong; you know very well that I love every single guy in that locker room, and I would defend them tooth and nail, but they're just off. Or awful... Or both.

Ryan, that's all I ask of you. In the issue of The Hockey News that came to my house yesterday, you were listed in the Plus Column, saying this: "After signing a long-term deal with the Sabres, netminder Ryan Miller is delivering the goods." Well, somewhere along the way, the goods turned into the mediocres, and we need the goods back. Okay?? So, maybe, on Wednesday, we can turn it around?

Because I have this theory that this year, the Buffalo teams are mirroring each other a little bit. I mean, the Bills start off 5-0, the Sabres start off equally as well, if not better. Then the Bills lose 4 in a row. You guys have now lost 5 in a row. Well, the Bills kicked ass yesterday, as I'm sure you know. So I think Wednesday would be the perfect time to get this entire city all riled up again, don't you?

Let's try that then, okay?

Send my love to the team, especially Derek, for obvious reasons...

Love, Cari

PS--Can you please tell me when tickets for the Third Catwalk go on sale? Because I most definitely have to get some...

Housekeeping.

The Sabres need to learn how to do it, so they should take a lesson from me.


(1) As I'm sure you've noticed, I got bored with our layout/template/thing, so I freshened it up. And can I please tell you how obnoxious it is to mess around with Blogger's templates? They're all kinda ugly, or already being used, and since I like to be all cutesy with my stuff, and I don't like to copy people, I get really annoyed when you're only given a handful of options. Whatever, though.


(2) MARK MANCARI SCORED HIS FIRST NHL GOAL LAST NIGHT!!!!! I was soooo proud. We (the nurse I work with and myself) were watching the game at work, and she was laughing her ass off when he scored because I was awing, and saying "Aw, Mark, I love you! I'm so proud of you!" She said I looked like a doting mother watching her only daughter get married. BEST ANALOGY EVER.


I LOVE YOU.


(3) Derek scored again, finally. And he couldn't have done it at a better time, as far as I'm concerned, because, while I was driving to work yesterday, a guy from the Sabres Store called me, and left a message saying that my NEW THIRD JERSEY CAN BE PICKED UP ON WEDNESDAY. YAYYYYYY!! So now I take back saying that I wasn't too sure if I wanted his jersey anymore, because Princess D is starting to play better.


(4) When D scored yesterday, Kim texted me and said "he doesn't skinny dip, he chunky dunks." This is why I love her.


(5) Awesome reader Katie told me that she saw D eating spaghetti at Chef's yesterday, and that he eats like a pig. Now, I don't know about you, but I tend to view all the Sabres as perfect people, kinda like every girl's expectations of Mr. Right. So I never expect any one of them to shovel pasta into their mouth and let the mozzarella cheese that was melted all over it to stick to the plate as they chew a mouthful. So, Katie, as fantastic as that was, I'm going to forget you ever told me that, and go on living in my blissful, delusional world. No offense though. I still love you.


(6) I decided that I'm not going to comment on actual game-play until the Sabres start winning again.


(7) If the playoffs were to start today, we'd be out. That's depressing, considering the start we had.


(8) I totally called Timmy C's injury--BROKEN RIB. Called it. And I'm not one to say I told you so... Actually, who the hell am I kidding. I TOLD YOU SO!! =]


(9) I never commented on Paul's fish story. A-FREAKING-DORABLE. I hate worms too, but that's mostly because when I was little, my friend Kevin used to (AND I'M NOT KIDDING YOU. I SWEAR.) squirt chocolate syrup on them and eat them like spaghetti. At least Derek doesn't do that... But I don't like fish, either. My friend Kristle's dad used to fish all the time and he'd gut them in the backyard while we were laying out in the sun. Gross.


I leave you with my last comment of this Sunday, as I'm currently watching the Bills, leading the Chiefs. *crossing fingers* ...maybe??


(10) My dad made these up last night and sent them to me; they're absolutely hilarious, and you really should take the time to watch them all: Dance 1, Dance 2, Dance 3, Dance 4

That was AWESOME.

And I'm not talking about the Sabres game, because that was terrible.

And I felt terrible, because it was Jason's first Sabres game, and the only exciting thing that happened was Peters' fight, which wasn't even that good to begin with.

I mean, it was obvious that they were trying, because things worked pretty well, at times. But there is absolutely no excuse that we get shut out when we miss at least four wide-open nets. It's just not right.

There are only a few guys that I think played decently enough: Mark Mancari (who got the third star YAYYYYY), Nathan Paetsch, and Paul Gaustad. You can argue others, and I'd probably agree and apologize for omitting them in hindsight, but that's what I've got.

I seriously think that the only way to get through to these guys would be to place Timmy and Al on IR, and call up Gerbe and Kennedy, and let some guys who have something to fight for play. If the regular guys' jobs are in limbo, they'll show up. They will. Nobody likes being benched so a guy from the minors can show them up. That's like you being at your job for five years, and you're being told by your boss that the guy who just got promoted from the mail room is more efficient than you.

Another couple things about them: Craig, as much as I love him, hasn't been the same since he sat out with his knee injury, and we need a game from Ryan that's a win from the goalie. And there are others, as well. Drew needs to stop gripping the stick so tightly, and get angry for being benched. He just seems to go with the flow, and it kills me. I'm too angry to go on.

On another note, I saw dear Timmy at the game last night. He was sitting up in the press box. And funny story... I never usually look in that area of the press box, because I didn't think the players sat there, but for some reason my eyes sort of gravitated to him. AND I STILL DON'T GET IT. HE'S NOT THAT ATTRACTIVE. idk. He just has a really powerful aura, I guess.

Shannon and I were going to flash him, but we couldn't really see him, mostly because he was sitting down, so we decided that possibly getting his attention wasn't worth her boyfriend Mark and my friend Jason getting all sorts of angry and the most-likely public indecency charge. But, in hindsight, I'm sure Timmy's got a sensor for that sort of thing, and he probably would have noticed... Yet again, another missed opportunity.


BUT I HAVE SOMETHING AMAZING TO SHARE.

Are you ready???

Are you sure? Because I'm not so sure that you are.

Well, alright. So, remember how last year, Derek was playing fantastic, and this year, he kinda sucks? And remember how we've been saying it's because he's a chunky monkey???

WELL I WANT THIS DEREK BACK:



Thanks much to awesome reader Katie for this gem. She's my new best friend (Sorry, Kim).

And I think MJ put it best, by saying, "UM BRB clawing my eyes out because I never want to see another pic again because this one is the winner. We as a society can stop taking pictures now."

Amen, sister. Amen.

If only that picture could help the Sabres play better...

One can get from Portland to Buffalo in 1 hour and 27 minutes.

So, after my not-so-little rant last night, I'm much more collected this evening. But that's not to say that I'm not still aboard the Bench-Derek-Roy-Bandwagon, because I'm driving it.

That being said, if when he does have a nice view of the game from the press box, I hope he gets to watch Mark Mancari play for a game. Then he'll see what a good hockey player should be doing... Carrying his team, even when he doesn't necessarily have to, because there's ample talent spread around.

Take, for example, Mark's stats on the season thus far:

In 13 games, he's netted 11 goals, along with 13 assists, to plant him firmly in a tie for 2nd place in the AHL for points with 24. In case you don't have time to do the math, that's 1.85 points per game. And, like Anne mentioned, he's only spent 2 minutes in the box. That's it. Oh, yeah, and he's a +16.

All this from a guy who's 6'4" tall, weighs 225 pounds, has a slapshot that registers 102.8 miles per hour, and supposedly skates slow. I DON'T CARE IF HE SKATES SLOW, HIS STATS ARE BETTER THAN MOST THE SABRES, SO HE SHOULD BE A SABRE. Only Vanek has more goals (13), and he's got Sekera, our leader of assists (9), by 4. So he's got more points all-around than any guy on our team. +/-, you ask? Well, he's got 11 on Toni Lydman, who leads with a +5. Oh, and only three players on the active Sabres have yet to take a penalty (Connolly, Paille, and Hecht), which is shocking, actually, and two more have only 2 PIM (Pominville and Paetsch). So, yeah. I BELIEVE MARK WARRANTS A PLANE TICKET TO THE B-LO.

Besides, only he can rival Adam Mair in the category of funny-face pictures:







Okay. That's good enough for now.

BUT JUST SO YOU KNOW,

Mark Mancari can fuck a bitch up.

Just ask Darcy Tucker.



That lead to this:



I THINK I'VE MADE MY CASE.

Lindy, tell Darcy to make the call. Trust me, it'll do the blue and gold a whole lot of good. DO IT. NOW. Pretty please with sugar on top?

Procrastination is my friend...

Once again I'm posting because I'm trying to avoid studying for a lab quiz that I have tomorrow, the work never seems to end but this was just too good. So while I was legitimately trying to get some studying done I decided to take a little breather and peruse my usual Sabres haunts. Of course that includes the blogs and Letsgosabres.com as well as the mecca of all Sabres news Sabres.com.

So, I had to let out a big squeeeeeee, when I saw that Mark Mancari had been named AHL player of the week. Which considering that Cari and I drove all the way to Boston and then to Portland just to attend our first Pirate's game of the season makes that fact that we saw him and the rest of the team in action so much better. Now if any of you are wondering why he was named AHL player of the week, let's just say that Mark has had 4 goals and 4 assists in 3 games, for a grand total of HOLY CRAP! Just kidding that would be 8 points folks, 8 points that's more then most of the Sabres players have had all season.

Am I wrong is saying that I think we should have a team transplant for a game? I think that the whole Pirates team should come up and play an NHL game and I think that the Sabres should be demoted for a game and sent back to the AHL. I'm starting to wonder if maybe the Pirates could actually beat an NHL team because, and let's face it, with the way that they've been playing I'm thinking that it's a definite possibility. Any thoughts???

Adventures in Portland

So, as we sit in the comfy queen bed in my aunt's second master bedroom, looking into the dreary, wet nature preserve that is her backyard, we are going to tell you every ridiculous story we have from the Pirates game last night.

(1) I freaked out because Mike Funk took to the ice for the first time this season.

(2) We swear some of the players (coughcough Mark Mancari) recognized us.  Not a stretch because we did go to, like, five Amerks games last year, and we did go to a bunch of preseason practices, and of course sat right behind the bench for all of them.  So he was probably thinking, "Oh, God, not those girls again."  Whatever, though.

(3) Colton Fretter literally had to dive into the Pirates bench to avoid being assessed a too many men penalty.  He landed face down on the floor, but I think the heart attack he gave Tim Kennedy, who was sitting right there, was worse than any bumps he may have sustained.  Kim laughed about this all night.  No lie.

(4) Speaking of Tim Kennedy, we decided to come up with a new nickname for him.  Since using "The Little One" could be interchangeable between he and Nathan Gerbe, I somehow, for some reason, came up with "Shirley Temple."  So, from now on, in SC, TK will be Shirley Temple.  And since e did score the game winner in the shoot out, props to dear Shirley.

(5) At first, I was going to title this post "The Gerbe Derby got rained out," because, as you probably know, he was held pointless, thus ending his streak.  Sad.  But watching that little maniac one the ice is insane!  He's so darn fast and smart, it's incredible.  When they say he'll be in Buffalo in no time, they're not far off the mark at all.  He did almost die at one time when two Falcons players sandwiched him, and he fell to the ice, and one of them almost stepped on him.  Yikes...  But we did get some interesting pictures of him...

Apparently Mancari has Mair's job in Porland.

He's protecting the Gerbe Derby.

But look how ridiculous they look next to each other...  =]

Can you see Gerbe?  Because I can't...

Actually, look just above the trainer's head and you'll see Nate's.

(6) Mark Mancari scored a nifty little power play goal, deking around the net and putting a Nathan Gerbe pass above the goalie's shoulder.

(7) I love going to games in Portland so much more than games in Rochester for the following reasons:  they pack the house (as opposed to a peppering of fans); despite being 556 miles away from Buffalo, there was a smattering of Sabres apparel in the crowd, including a Drew Stafford jersey (which I thought was a little ironic, because it was the only jersey worn that I saw); their fans know that a goal for the home team means they stand up and scream and act like idiots (in Rochester, they just sat and clapped, and failed to inform us of this, and when we stood up and cheered we got weird looks); THE TEAM ACTUALLY WINS GAMES; the players seem almost jovial at times at the bench, other than downright depressing in Rochester; the crowd cheers when they show the Sabres' score on the Jumbotron and we're winning.  There are more, I just can't think of them.

(8) Speaking of actually winning games, which Rochester didn't really know much about, when we would go there, the Amerks never won.  So, at some point, before the commencement of overtime last night, I said something along the lines of "we better win because I don't want to have driven this far to see them lose."  At that point, I realized what I had just said, so I needed some wood to knock on.  Well, seeing as the floor is concrete, and the seats are plastic, the closet thing to wood I could find would have been Kim's head.  So I knocked on that.  (Oh, it's detrimental to the story to know that we were sitting a couple rows behind Springfield's bench.)  Well, apparently #4 for the Falcons, Taylor Chorney (whom we affectionately renamed Corny), saw, and laughed.  I love amusing the hockey players.  It makes it all worth while to know that they think we're funny.

(9) Along those lines, more laughing by the Falcons at us ensued when the person in charge of the music decided to play Sweet Caroline.  Anyone who's anyone knows you have to sing along to this song, and, apparently it's funny, because this time #18, Colin McDonald, had a laugh.  But he was laughing because Kim decided to reach out, and put her hand on my shoulder as Neil Diamond instructed her to, and somehow that was funny.  I don't know...

(10) And, yet again, they had another laugh, when that song they always play at sporting events came on.  You know the one I'm talking about ("Twilight Zone," by Underground Spell, if you really don't know).  But anyways, we "woo"-ed when you're supposed to, and apparently #25 Derek Bekar and their equipment guy thought this was cute because they laughed too.  Apparently we're just cute, funny girls.  But you'd think they'd take the hint from the Pirates shirts we were wearing.

(11) There was an older guy sitting right behind us, and his friend, or someone he talks too often enough, was sitting in the row in front of us across the aisle, and they were talking about the Sabres at one point.  The old guy said, "I don't know them well enough to talk about them yet, really."  And if they had kept talking about the Sabres, I would've turned around and said, "I'm from Buffalo.  What do you want to know?" just because I could have.

(12) There was a scrum in front of the Springfield bench during the second period, I believe, and someone went after Funk.  BAD IDEA.  Wanna know why?  Because you'll have 215 pounds of this on your ass.  And you did.  Idiot.  And, while skating away, Mark flipped you off.  Yeah, that's right.  He doesn't have to use words.  He's just too damn intimidating.

(13) Jimmy Bonneau also got in a scuff in the Pirates' corner at one point, and we kind of told Jimmy what to do.  Although, I'm not quite sure "use your words, and your inside voice, remember your manners, and say hello to his mother" were quite what he wanted to hear.

There were more ridiculous stories and happenings, but I think that's enough for now.  There's a few more pictures from last night, and there will be plenty more from the Sabres/Bruins game!!!!!!!

So, we're off to shop some more, and maybe (probably) go by the Ritz to see if Paul, Derek, Ryan, or Craig are hanging around.  But don't worry, I'll link up all the pictures Monday morning.  I don't have the time, the patience, or the battery life to do that now.  Sorry!!

But Go Sabres!!

I've got nothing.

I have nothing to say about the pitiful loss to the Lightning. Nothing at all. Except this: Drew, maybe I really did need to bake you a cake. Maybe you would've had more incentive to play. But I don't know about the rest of the team... Maybe they expected cupcakes, or something. I guess I'll have to try again with Jason's birthday...

Anyways, I have to say that MJ's post today is fantastic! You should all go read today's installment of My Safety is Harvard. Now. But then come back, because I have some pictures to show you:

Thomas Vanek. Wow. He does pull Dumb and Dumber off well, though.


I think Paul took my flapper idea too far... Though, the balloons are a nice touch.


Pat looks like he's trying to be... Well, I don't know exactly.


Clarke is going as the winner of Pretty, Pretty Princess.


Mark's friend makes a nice, cute fairy princess, and Mark is Pippy Longstockings.


Stefan is a very sexy hula dancer. The hair is incredible.


Nathan wears that headdress nicely.


Jason's dressed as a very flamboyant member of Buffalo's Fire Department.

That's all I've got. And those are all stretches (except for Vanek's) because they're actually from the Amerks at Your Service Dinners, but whatever. They serve my purpose. And since you've all seen this picture, I couldn't very well use it:


I do like Vanek's, um, stance as he impersonates Lance Armstrong, and Paul's exposure of his legs as John McEnroe. Very nice, boys... Very nice.


And really, if you haven't read MJ's post yet like I told you do, do it now. You won't regret it.

Happy Halloween!!

The Pirates Won, But The Sabres Can't.

Does anybody else think this is a bit ironic?  I mean, I know the Pirates play in the AHL, and the AHL isn't nearly as difficult as the NHL, but come on.

I mean, ALL of these guys were HERE, and the guys that ARE here can't do it, but the guys that are THERE can???  Now I'm not saying we would've won last night if Jhonas Enroth was in net and if we had Marek Zagrapan centering the second line (notice I left Derek his rightful place on the first).**  Whatever though.  I'm still pissed that they took Derek's goal away from him.

Lindy Ruff pretty much sums it up in the TBN:

"It's tough.  Ty Conklin has been tough on us, we get one and it doesn't count."

It just drives me nuts because every time we've played him since he took off the blue and gold, we've lost.  Ice Bowl?  Lost.  The game Kim and I drove down to Pittsburgh for?  Lost.  Last night?  Lost.  Sound familiar?

I've worked myself up enough about a preseason game, so I'm not going to talk about it anymore.

In other news, neither Kim or I mentioned that MARK MANCARI CLEARED WAIVERS!!  I guess it was pretty obvious because neither of us have stopped paying attention to the world, and if he had, trust me, YOU'D KNOW.

**Stats for the Portland Pirates/Albany River Rats preseason game:

Marek Zagrapan:  2 goals, 1 assist

Nathan Gerbe:  1 assist

Jhonas Enroth:  30 minutes (approx.), 1 goal against

Adam Dennis:  30 minutes (approx.), 2 goals against

Fights, waivers and stupid tests...

So because I was doing my duty as a dutiful college student and studying for my test last night, I made a promise to myself that I was not going to listen to the game so that I could concentrate. Needless to say that promise lasted all of 20 minutes and because the draw of the Sabres, damn you Rick Jeanneret why must your voice be like crack, was too great I broke down and listened. But never fear, I was getting updates from Cari the whole time I wasn't listening so that I could be kept up to date on all the goal scoring our boys were doing last night.

How funny was it that Andrew Peters was named alternate captain last night? That's the only time that guy is going to have letters on his jersey that aren't his name. But, nonetheless I have to say that the fight he was involved in was impressive as far as I could tell from the news report last night. HE WAS ACTUALLY HITTING THE OTHER GUY!!! I didn't feel like I was watching a bad rendition of Swan Lake like I used to everytime Petey would spend two minutes dancing around the other guy before pathetically throwing punches and inevitably dragging the other guy to the ice and then being broken up by the officials. We all remember last year's preseason against Columbus with the huge brawl in front of the players' bench and Peters saluting the crowd well if you don't you can watch the video. So here you go Petey, you get cookies today because somehow over the offseason you actually learned how to fight, I'm sure your Bobo the clown punching bag really appreciates all the use he's been getting.

In other news Sabres.com is reporting that the Sabres have sent more players to their AHL affiliate the Portland Pirates. Forwards Mathieu Darche (pending waivers), Mark Mancari (pending waivers), Nathan Gerbe, Tim Kennedy, Dylan Hunter and Marek Zagrapan; and defensemen Chris Butler and Michael Funk were all sent back. As previously reported Cari and I have an unhealthy attachment to Mark Mancari and if he were to be claimed you must be informed that this blog will be shutting down for at least a week while Cari and I mourn the loss of a most beloved hockey player. So faithful readers keep your fingers crossed while Cari and I wait with bated breath for any news regarding our dear Mark.

YAY WE WON, But There's No Channel 4..

Okay, so I'm full of mixed emotions today.  SO EXCITED BECAUSE WE COULD FINISH THE PRESEASON ABOVE .500!!!  But totally bummed because Channel 4 has been replaced with CBS College Sports and The CW is MIA.  On that subject, tonight I'm going to be missing the season premier of a show that I sometimes watch (because for some odd reason math intrigues me), Numb3rs, and that also means Sunday afternoon I'll be missing the first 45 minutes of the Bills game, and I'll be sad, because I love the Bills.  And on Monday, I'll be without my teenage angst-driven dramas, Gossip Girl and One Tree Hill; Tuesday evening I'll be missing my dear Anthony DiNozzo on NCIS.  Guys, I'm really upset about this.  Like... well, not nearly as upset as I am when the Sabres lose, but close enough.

On to happier subjects.  Can I PLEASE just express my love for Craig Rivet and Patrick Lalime right now?  They are pretty much two of my favorite people now.  At first I wasn't so sure I liked that Rivet had The C, but hell, he can have it.  I like any guy who sticks up for his teammates and can actually fight (coughcoughandrewpeters).  And Lalime, you can stop pucks AND you fight?  I love you.  This brings me back to the days of my childhood in which basically every other game I can remember, either Steve Shields, Dwayne Roloson, or Marty Biron were fighting.  LOVE.  Goalie fights are the absolute best.

OH and I basically love Matt Ellis now too.  Watch this and you will appreciate him as well.  First of all, HAHAHAHA because they're blasting "Promiscuous Girl,"  and then someone came in and turned it down.  But back to Matt:  I mean, how can you not love someone who grew up playing with Danny Paille???  He's a member of the Man-Child crew now, as far as I'm concerned.  And he was so excited when he got the call saying we claimed him...  Normally, these guys are pissed when they get waived and claimed by a new team, but he was all smiles and giggles.  How cute is he?

And before I talk at all about the game (and by at all, I mean not really at all since I couldn't see it and therefore don't really have anything constructive to say), let me get my Derek Roy fix.  Janet and Nick on Kiss 98.5 I believe have the Derek Roy Report, or whatever it's called, on Thursday mornings, but it could be Friday.  I'm not usually up that early, but if I am, I'm usually listening to my iPod because I LOATHE Janet and Nick.  But whatever.  So they had some snippet of an interview with Derek yesterday which went like this:

Janet:  So what exciting stuff did you do this summer?

Derek:  Uhhh, I went to Cabo for a week.

Janet:  Nice!

Nick:  Didn't you skates get stuck in the sand?

Derek:  [Chuckles, followed by a dramatic pause, then seriously,]  Um, no.

HAHAA.  Ask Kim; I DO THE SAME THING.  Now, I have to take a page out of MJ's book right here, because I swear this is fate.  I DESIRE MORE THAN ANYTHING TO GO TO CABO.  That is, if you bump going back to Germany off of the top of my list.  But whatever.  Derek, how could you go to Cabo without me???  And then not take me to your lake house up in Muskoka?  You know I love the ocean, and I love lakes.  That's just mean.  But, in your favor, our favorite shows do include Entourage, and you can't go skydiving due to contractual stipulations, and I won't go skydiving due to a fear of heights, so I mean, look!  It's totally fate.  And now I'm kind of creeping myself out...

And this video of certain players just BEGS for commentary:

Mark Mancari  :  Yay!  I'm so excited you cut your hair.  Kim probably won't be too thrilled, but I am, and since I won you in our lame little draft thing we had last year, that's all that matters.  And honestly,  I'm so glad your parents moved from Italy to Canada, and that you have random family in Buffalo, because then I have a better chance to see you than, say, if you lived in Italy.  Plus, you're a beast, so play your heart out, and if you don't make the Sabres, I'll see you November 7th in Portland.

Mike Weber  :  Is staying out of the penalty box a part of your plan?  Because it should be.

Nathan Paetsch  :  (1) You're adorable.  (2) That's the Brotherhood of the Traveling Hoodie hoodie!  Don't you own any other clothing?  Every time I see you, you're wearing that hoodie.  It doesn't look bad or anything, I'm just curious as to if I took it away, if you'd just be walking around with nothing on.  Now THAT'S a win-win situation.  (3) You were injured?  That's why you weren't playing?  I wish I knew...  I can't wait to have complete injury/ailment updates when the regular season starts.  This not knowing is bull.

Sparky Clarkey  :  Your hair's getting long...  I like the curly poofy thing you had; kinda like old-school Timmy C.

OH!!! I am SO excited that the game will be on TV on SUNDAYYY!!!  That means I'll actually have something to watch since the Bills game (probably) won't be on.  But I will have to sync up the radio so I can listen to Rick and Harry.  Hopefully there won't be too much of a delay.  Whatever though.

Now I'm going to go pamper myself a bit; I'm getting my hair done today which is SO exciting because I haven't gone in, like, 4 months, and my highlights are so grown out it isn't even funny, and my ends are so split.  But I'm definitely having Kim (my hairdresser, not the Kim on this thing) thin it, dye it back to my natural dark red, and some sweepy bangs might be in order.  But then because my hair won't be so strawberry blonde, I definitely have to go tanning, or else my pale, pale skin that's COVERED in freckles would look freakish.  I'd be a female version of Brian Campbell.  Yuck.  (I think I'm the girliest legit hockey fan ever...)  So I think I'd better go do that.  Then work yet another double.  So I probably won't be back until Sunday, unless I find something good in the meantime.

Have a nice weekend, loves!

Sadness

So after spending the last hour talking to Cari on the phone because we haven't seen each other in 2 days, seriously I don't know how I survive without her, we read something that depressed us both. According to LetsGoSabres.com if Mark Mancari and Clarke MacArthur don't make the team out of training camp we could be bidding them both a long farewell as they would have to clear waivers in order to be sent back to Portland. This is also true for Nathan Paetsch if he loses his spot on the blueline to Mike Weber he would have to clear waivers also.

After learning this information we then proceeded to talk to each other like we were five years old and our favorite pet had just died. Which speaking of pets I feel the need to mention that Cari named her first three fish who died after, you guessed it, these three . I'm noticing a disturbing trend here. Cari, no more naming your fish after hockey players anymore...

The aforemention fish were named Mr. Muscles, Sparky and Mohawk because Cari couldn't just give them normal names. Instead she decided to use the affectionate nicknames for the aforementioned player. So children now comes story time...

If any of you watched the AHL All-Stars Skills Competition you probably have noticed that Mark broke an AHL record for fastest slapshot at 102.8mph. In the interview that followed this feat of strength the interviewer decided to refer to Mark as Mr. Muscles and Cari being Cari decided to henceforth refer to Mark as such. So Cari once again being Cari named her first fish Mr. Muscles.

The name Sparky which refers to Clarke MacArthur comes from the movie National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation which Cari decided to watch before partaking in a Sabres game. In a stroke of genius when Clarke was mentioned Cari thought of Ellen's nickname for Clark in the movie, Sparky, and now refers to Clarke as such, which she once again decided to name her fish.

Mohawk is Nathan Paetsch because for a short period of time Nathan could be seen sporting a mohawk which made Cari love him even more so she just HAD to name her last fish Mohawk. FYI: Derek Roy has been sporting a fauxhawk hence one of the reason why Cari has a SMALL obsession with him.

So now you know something about our pathetic lives which we spend making up equally pathetic nicknames for our favorite players:

• Maxim Afinogenov is Maxi when he's doing good, and Maxi Pad when he's doing bad.
• Tim Connolly we refer to as Timmy-Ho because he's a confirmed man-whore or T-Con.
• Paul Gaustad is Goose for more obvious reasons.
• Jochen Hecht is Yoyo.
• Patrick Lalime and Craig Rivet are both Newbie.
• Toni Lydman and Henrik Tallinder together are known as Nickel and Dime, apart we don't have a nickname for Lydman but Henrik is Hank the Tank.
• Adam Mair is The Pacifier because he has to make sure the 'little ones' stay in line.
• Ryan Miller we just call Ryan because we're suddenly on a first name basis.
• Daniel Paille is the Man Child (thanks MJ) because he looks like he's 12.
• Andrew Peters is Twinkle Toes because he seems to like to dance during fights instead of actually hitting something.
• Jason Pominville is refered to as JT because he bears a scary resemblance, when sporting his aviator sunglasses, to Justin Timberlake.
• Derek Roy is Shawty for obvious reasons.
• Andrej Sekera is Reggie because that's what the rest of the team calls him.
• Jaroslav Spacek is the Caveman because I think we'd all be afraid to trust him around small animals and children for fear he'd eat them.
• Drew Stafford is Rockstar because he's in a band.
• Thomas Vanek is Tommy because for some reason we think it's cute.

So as you can see we neither have lives nor want them deal with it.

Training Camp Worries

So while the Sabres were at the Pepsi Center or the arena until late afternoon, and then I presume a bunch went out to celebrate Pommer's extention, Kim and I were at my house starting production of our 2008-09 homemade Sabres shirts.  (BTW, if anyone wants one, let me know.  I actually got complements on the Amerks ones I made last year buy a woman who worked in their merch store.  I'll put pictures up.)

But then I was thinking, honestly, if you go out and get trashed the night before you're supposed to report for your yearly physicals, I don't think that would turn out too well.  I mean, seriously, who likes having a physical done anyways?  Drinking might make you a little bit more loose, but then you run the possibility of throwing up, or getting a migrane, both of which present as symptoms of a concussion.  So boys, let's not end up like Timmy C and end up sitting out the entire season.  And if you do have a concussion, don't be stupid and lie about it like Drew did.  Please?  Because as much as I hate to see my guys sidelined and in the press box, I'd rather have them there than in a pine box, which is where you'd probably end up if you got checked by, oh, let's say Pat Kaleta.

This is what happens to you when you get concussions.

You make stupid decisions in regards to your appearance,

yet you still get an ample amount of ass.  Go figure.

In other news, I think we've got a few too many players...  I'm kind of hoping that youngins like Clarke MacArthur (who I affectionately call Sparky), Pat Kaleta, Mark Mancari, and Andrej Sekera give a good push for the team, but so many roster spots are filled by my loves, it makes it so difficult for me to comprehend that my boys like Nathan Paetsch and Tim Connolly are sort of on the bubble this year.  Well, I suppose we'll see in a couple weeks whether or not my loves will be in Buffalo or Portland.

Pominville!!!! and Ladies, Start Your Engines!!

BREAKING NEWS!!!  JASON POMINVILLE HAS SIGNED A 5-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION!!!

Yay!  That means I get to stare at my favorite Justin Timberlake look-a-like way past my 21st birthday...  =]

So on this beautiful, albeit a bit chilly, September morning, I should have been attending classes at Erie Community College, and Kim should have been cozy in her Tonawanda home, studying.  BUT, since TRAINING CAMP IS MERELY HOURS AWAY, we could not resist the temptation to see our guys before The System starts to work them over.

At 8 am, we started our adventure.  Now, we weren't quite sure what to expect, because we weren't too sure that they would show up, seeing as it's technically their last day of vacation until at least April, but hopefully June.

But...  Here's what we did encounter:

8:20 am : A white Cadillac Escalade pulls into the parking lot.  No one exited.  About 15 minutes went by with no activity.  We did notice, though, that the truck had a California license plate, so by default, we determined that the mystery man inside was none other than new-comer Craig Rivet.  At this point, he backed his truck up and proceeded to talk on the phone and drive to the other end of the lot, where he put the truck in park.  Here's what we assume he was saying to the person on the other line, who we decided was one Derek Roy:

Craig:  Dude, where are you?  Is anybody coming today?

Derek:  Um...  Yeah, dude.  What are you talking about?

Craig:  Well no one's here yet.  Don't you guys know that I have no idea where the hell I am?  I've only been in Buffalo for three weeks, you know.

Derek:  Yeah, Craig, we know.  We're coming, man, don't get your panties in a bunch.

Craig:  This just better not be some kind of joke or trick that you play on the newbies.  'Cause if it is, it'll be your panties that are in a bunch.

Derek:  Whatever dude.

8:45 am : Whilst poor little lost Craig Rivet is chatting furiously with Royzie, he is ignorant to the fact that Jason Pominville just drove right by him in a silver Expedition, blaring the Jonas Brothers, and thinking he's all hot in his aviator sunglasses (we're not 100% sure that he was listening to the Jonas Brothers, but admit it, it's not a far-fetched idea).

9:10 am : A wacky little bird scuttles across the parking lot, chirping.  Apparently he was as excited as we were.

9:20 am : Jochen Hecht arrives in a white BMW, but is apparently too cool to get there so early, so he stays in his car for a while.

9:25 am : An older model black Cadillac pulls up.  A tall, dark, and handsome man gets out, but his back is to us, so we are yet left to wonder as to his identity.  That, though, is revealed when Mr. Patrick Lalime pulls out his brand-spankin-new bright blue goalie mask.

9:30 am : Henrik Tallinder apparently didn't know what the weather was going to be like today, as he exited his BMW wearing a sweatshirt with shorts and flip flops.  Also arriving at this time was Paul Gaustad, dressed similarly, but driving an older model Mercury Mountaineer (I have to say, I was quite surprised he wasn't in some little, economical hybrid).  Ryan Miller appears to double as Mary Poppins, considering that he can fit all of his goalie equipment into a sporty little BMW, and Toni Lydman arrived in a black Audi.  A black Equinox or Torrent

9:35 am : Goaltending coach Jim Corsi arrived, Tim Horton's in hand.  Adam Mair pulled up in a white Lexus ISF (SOOOO JEALOUS.  Adam, I'm stealing your car.), and a mystery Sabre, who we are guessing is Ales Kotalik came in a silver Mercedes.

9:40 am : At this point in time, a black Lamborghini parks across from us.  Who on the Sabres could possibly afford a Lamborghini besides Thomas Vanek?  No one.  He carried in an armful of colorful jerseys.

9:45 am : Almost hitting my car, Drew Stafford literally flies into the parking lot in a black Suburban with a Minnesota plate.  About the same time, Derek Roy, chauffeuring Daniel Paille and Adam Dennis, arrive in his boxy Mercedes SUV, which is very stupid-looking.  Immediately, all three gentlemen jump out of the truck and literally run over to Tommy's car, and proceed to gawk at it for a few moments, like kids at FAO Schwartz.

9:50 am : Teppo Numminen arrives, looking better than ever, and pulls his gear out of a gold Mercedes SUV whilst chatting on the phone.

10:00 am : An unidentified Sabre arrived now, in a black BMW SUV.  We couldn't figure out who it was, but he was skinny.  And because he didn't appear at any other time, we assume this was Nathan Paetsch.

10:05 am : Trying very unsuccessfully to be fashionably late were Maxim Afinogenov (looking like a big, hot mess), Andrew Peters (in short shorts), and Jaroslav Spacek (in a lime green polo), driving black cars, a BMW, an Acura, and a BMW, respectively.  I guess it's better late than never.

10:45 am : Another unidentified Sabre arrives in a white Range Rover, after we left.  I can only hope it was Tim Connolly.  I have yet to see him outside of a Sabres event in person in so long.  I don't think Tim Connolly actually exists anymore...

We took pictures of them all for you to see...  We're not so mean as to keep them all to ourselves.  Just I get Derek, and Kim gets Paul.  The rest are fair game.

So that was our morning.  I was glad to see that the Buffalo News had an article about one of my favorite minor-leaguers, Mark Mancari.  I really hope he gets a chance to show off his game in the NHL.  After going to a few Amerks games last year, he's truly quite a presence on the ice, and a leader for that young team.

And I seriously cannot wait until tomorrow.  Like, this is honestly the most excited about a hockey season that I have ever been, and that, my friends, is saying something.