OH, HEY...

So, I'm a little slow this season...

Did I comment on training camp at all? NO. Did I attend just about every single training camp practice? YES.

Did I have anything to say about the preseason? NO. Did I go to both preseason games that took place in HSBC Arena? YES.

Did I critique the clothing choices of our boys on the Red Carpet? NO. Did I attend said event, camera in hand, firmly planted at the edge of the carpet? YES.

Have I said anything at all about the season thus far? NO. Have I seen every single Sabres game thus far? YES.

Basically, WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?

Since I've already missed so much, as far as SC is concerned, I'm just going to jump right in and pretend that I've been blogging all along. Is that okay with you? Well, it had better be. I have a list of things to address.

First of all, Daniel Paille.

(Insert a rant from yours truly, because I had a few long, strongly worded yet deeply emotional paragraphs written, and then Safari decided to quit on me without Blogger having saved said writing.)

My dear friend Kelsey and I were in Pittsburgh for the Pens/Blues game when we got the news. And let me tell you, I FREAKED. We were eating dinner at a pizza place downtown when he heard about Stafford's tweet, and I was frantically trying to find out who was no longer a Sabre for TWO HOURS until we were sitting in our seats in the Igloo when Kim had the decency to call me and enlighten me.

My initial reaction? "NO! They can't trade Pie! He just got married! Now I can't run into Dan and Dana at Wegmans." :(

But really, I'm happy for Danny. He deserved to play night in and night out, and that wasn't happening here. So for that reason, I approve of the trade. Otherwise, I'm pissed that he went to a division rival, and livid that we received next to nothing for him. I don't know how to feel about this, Darcy...

Moving on.

Next up, Derek Roy.

Do I really have to dust off the wheels of the Bench-Derek-Roy-Bandwagon already? WE HAVEN'T BEEN PLAYING FOR A MONTH YET, D. I shouldn't be this mad at you already. I mean, 8 assists in 11 games isn't much to sneeze at, but really? NO GOALS?!?!? Come on, Princess. Kyle expects better from you.

And I will bring back the bandwagon if you don't have a goal before Game 15. In full-force. Yes, Derek... That's a promise AND a threat.

Thirdly, Patrick Kaleta.

Who lit a fire under his ass?! I mean, seriously! For a hot minute there, the kid was at the top of our score sheet! Don't get me wrong; I love every bit of it! But Patty K! I didn't make a ridiculous trade to get you on my fantasy team for you to stop hitting people so much. Your numbers in that column are so pedestrian. Step it up a little bit, babe. Please. Otherwise, keep up the fabulous work!

Oh boy, oh boy... Who's next? OH! Tyler Freaking Myers!

This "mammoth" never ceases to bring a smile to my face! Whether it's his spectacular manners (momma raised the boy right!) , or how impressed I am with his play, I'm beyond glad that the Sabres decided to keep him.

Timmy needs to be taught some manners, you know?

Now, Mike Grier.

I honestly believe that Mike Grier was the majority of the spark behind the teams that almost went all the way back in 2006 and 2007. The visible heart in the Sabres' game is so much different that anything we have seen the past two years, and it all came as soon as Grier was back in the locker room.

Look at the way Briere exploded when he came to Buffalo. Notice how Clarke MacArthur is coming around? Maybe it's just a coincidence, maybe it's not. I'm thinking the latter.

Imagine how we could be if we had Chris Drury still... But! I'm not going there...

Lastly, Jason Pominville.

Yes, yes, I'm glad his game appears to be returning to what it was the season before last, when he played well, but that's not what I want to talk about at all.

BABY POMMER!!! So the baby was born over the weekend, and that's all we know. Believe me, I fully intend on using my connections at the different area hospitals and cashing in favors to have my friends sneak up to the nurseries and look for Pommer and Kim's adorable spawn. (Not really, of course, but I'm tempted.)

Seriously though, I would probably have to kill myself if they ever dress that baby in a little sailor outfit, because the kid is most likely just too cute naked. That would just be overkill.


I think that's about all I had wanted to discuss... You know, the finer points of the first month of the season that normally I'd have rambled on and on about.

All we can do is hope that the Sabres can roll with the punches and stay atop the division. The way they bounce back Wednesday will show a lot, especially since we play the same Islanders team that threw us out of the Nassau Coliseum on Saturday. Hopefully, since Kaleta and Gaustad should be back, there'll be a little more attitude on the Sabres' bench.

WHERE TO BEGIN?

Okay, so I realize that I've become very neglectful of my dear blog. And I apologize for that.

But I'm trying this new thing for me, where I'm actually going to study regularly on my own time, and not just pay attention in class. That worked out well for me in high school, but I can't say it's doing much the same in college. So, in order to not waste my $354.50 that I had to pay in tuition this semester, I'm actually taking the time to do my reading and take my own notes.

Sad, right?

But school also messed up my blogging schedule. Last semester, my earliest class was at 10, which still left me plenty of time to wake up early, blog, get ready, and then be on my way. This time around? No. I decided that I wanted to get all of my school out of the way so I could have all afternoon and evening to myself. So, being the genius that I am, I made my Tuesday/Thursday schedule so that I go in at 8, and I'm done at 12:15. Wednesdays are a bit tedious, in that my lab starts at 9, but my last class lets out at 3:50.

For that reason, I'm not blogging nearly as much as I used to. I just have too many things on my plate once I get home from school, or I go somewhere... You know how it is. And it's not like I can even blog in between classes, because T/Th, I only have 15 minutes breaks, and Wednesday I have an hour and a half, but that's my lunch time (I only have two classes that day).

And then there's the whole work issue.

I used to be able to blog at work. The past few games I was going to, but out of the 12 patients I have, eight of them decided to come down with the stomach flu this week. Yeah, so I didn't really have time to blog, much less eat my dinner, because they all decided to get violently ill during my down time. Thankfully that wasn't during the Sabres game. Well, no, I actually did miss the first period of the Phoenix game. Kim and my mom were blowing up my phone about Paetsch and ridiculous calls, and I had no clue what they were talking about.

Shame.

So.

I'm back... At least, for the time being.

Thus far, I can't really complain about the west coast trip. Yes, we lost to Calgary, but we also walked all over Edmonton, and won a tough game against Phoenix. I can't really comment on the meat of the games, though, because I was in a stupor during the Oilers game, and at work for the 'yotes. The Flames game, though.. I don't even remember where I was. Well, it was Wednesday, so I guess I was home. But, again, in a stupor.

But what I can say is DAY-YUM.

Don't even get me started on Tim Connolly. I FREAKING LOVE THIS MAN, STD's included. If they've helped to make him the hockey star that he is, I'll take it. He's been absolutely phenomenal the past couple weeks, and I will be absolutely devastated if anything happened to him now. But I did freak out when they were stitching up his lip. All in all, though, he just won't be able to kiss any of the puckbunnies, or anything along those lines.

This, though, was my cousin's Facebook status, in regards to Timmy C:


(Sorry, Shelby... I wasn't knocking Tommy, you know I love him. I just love Timmy more.)

So basically, enough said. Thanks, Todd.

And Nathan Paetsch??

Dang, when did he get so feisty??


I'm not going to lie; I like it.

And Ryan Miller has been so foxy in net, and foxy on his living room couch, and just foxy in general.

Watch this, and you'll see what I mean. It's basically everything that was in the TBN on Sunday, but I just like how cute he looks in the video.

Yeahhh, and Derek's assist one Drew's goal was pretty sexy as well. Just like Drew's play as of late.

Oh, and Patty K, Patty K, PATTY K!!!! Way to cause a ruckus in your first game back! That's why I love you. Oh, and not to mention how adorable you were in your interview:


Who could punch this face??

Oh, wait... Denis Gauthier could. Funny thing, though, is that he's being told to report to a disciplinary hearing with Gary Bettman. Aww, shucks, Denis. Looks like you can't get away with being an asshole forever!

And in other NHL news, Ottawa has *finally* fired their coach. I mean, when did the rumors start for real? I know I wrote about it back in... Oh, wait, nevermind. I can't find it, but I believe it was back in the beginning of January when we doubled up on them, 4-2. Sucks to be you, Craig Hartsburg. But I find sick enjoyment in Ottawa's struggles, myself. I think I'm getting to the point where I hate the Sens more than the Leafs...

Alright, so my plan for this evening is to do some Psychology reading, watch the St. Louis/Detroit game tonight, and then the Sabres game at 10. It might kill me, but I might have to go to bed before the end of the game. I'm not sure if I can run on four hours of sleep again...

I will most definitely be back tomorrow, though. I promise. Even if it is at four in the afternoon. xoxo.

THE WEATHER CAN STAY COLD AS LONG AS THE SABRES STAY HOT

I admit that I forgot I was going to the game tonight and because of the first two periods I wasn't so sure I was glad I remembered. They were just awful, but the complete hideousness of the game was broken up by Derek Roy's goal with 3:53 left in the second and everyone in the arena at that point was thinking the same thing "It's about time". Through the first two periods it seemed as if the team couldn't do anything right. Their passing was horrible and they couldn't seem to get the puck out of our end with Rangers outshooting us 14 to 7 in the first period. The second period was even worse with first shot on goal coming with 10 minutes already gone in the period. The fans were getting frustrated with good reason because that shot was met with derisive cheering and clapping. The Sabres stepped it up in the third because I'm pretty sure I could hear Ruff yelling, from the dressing room up in the 300s, to get their asses in gear something they seemed to have a problem with in the first and second. The only player who showed up for all three periods was Miller and I'll even forgive him that goal because he was screened and it came from a wrist shot almost out at the blue line.

Overtime was back and forth between zones which was really frustrating because at that point you know that it's going to a shootout. I hate shootouts, I hate them on principle usually because we're always on the losing end but tonight the Sabres pulled it off. Ales Kotalik had the lone goal in the shootout for the Sabres but it turned out to be just enough with Miller stone walling the three New York shots.

It's horrible to say but the Sabres deserved to lose that game because of their play in the first two periods. The Rangers were the superior team for most of the game both out shooting, out skating and overall out playing the Sabres but once again the Sabres managed to pull a goal out of their butts and sneak away with a win in the shootout.

The scariest part of the game came with 16 minutes left in the first period when, after colliding with Paul Gaustad, Michal Rosival fell face into the open doorway at the Sabres bench hitting his face on the corner of the boards. He skated across the ice to the Ranger bench and sat down next to Henrik Lundquist who sat out the game allowing Steve Valiquette to get the start. After being examined by the trainer Rosival was escorted to the Ranger locker room and didn't return to the game. On the post game show it was reported that Rosival had recieved a gash that stretched the length of his cheek. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that he also suffered a neck injury after the way he hit those boards with his neck snapping back so quickly it looked like his head was replaced with a bouncy ball.

Speaking of neck injuries from the seats where my mom and I sit for the games we can see the part of the press box that the injured players sit in during the national anthem I turned around to see Pat Kaleta sporting a neck brace and managed to snap a picture of it with the phone on my camera, which is why it's really fuzzy, during one of the stoppages in play. He looked really bored which I would be if I had to sit and watch my teammates play without me. Max Afinogenov put in an appearance leaning over the edge to look out at the crowd during the first intermission. Jeanerette showed up during the second intermission talking to Kaleta all the while chowing down on a cookie.

That's him on the left.

Today marked the halfway point in the Sabres season and before tonights game they were dead even in wins and losses with 20 each counting shootout and overtime losses. Tonight's game was also the 4th win in a row for the Sabres putting them at 4-0 since the New Year if this streak continues the Sabres can say hello to a playoff spot (let's hope) because as it stands right now they are tied with Carolina for 7th place in the Eastern conference.

As the guy in the booth at the parking ramp said tonight it was an important win for the Sabres tonight because tomorrow we play (shudder, cringe) Detroit who we haven't played at all this season and who I'm not looking forward to playing at all for obvious reasons mainly Henrik Zetterberg and Ty Conklin (why is it that we get rid of a player and they do fantastically on another team it's got to be part of the Buffalo curse I tell you).

Well I'm attending the blogger get together tomorrow so for those of you who are going it'll be nice to put a blog with a face I look forward to meeting you.

HEY NOW YOU'RE AN ALL-STAR...

Thomas Vanek is as hot as a pancake (to steal a Harry Neale comparison) not only is he tied for first in goals with Jeff Carter and Alex Ovechkin (who has unsurprisingly caught up in goals scored) he's been named to the Eastern Conference All-Star team.

For me the actual All-Star game is boring because we all know it's going to be a high scoring game with very few penalties, very few hits and no fights (not that I can remember at least). Now that's not to say that I'm not going to watch it because I will but I'd much rather watch the skills competition which I believe to be the most exciting part of the All-Star break.

Now as Cari said in a previous post we are trying to make this blog less puck bunny and more intelligent hockey discussion which means that I have to curb those puck bunny tendencies that seem to want to surface every time Paul's name is mention. They include giggling, swooning and making keening noises when someone mentions his name or when he's on the ice during a game. I lead a sad and pathetic life, don't judge me. Now just because we're saying that we're going to try and make this blog not so puck bunnyish doesn't mean that it's not going to be puck bunnyish some of the time because we're girls with hormones and lots of 'em.

Back to intelligent hockey, now I don't know if any of you have heard about the live chat that the Buffalo News hosts Thursday mornings but if you haven't it's basically a question and answer session when fans send in their questions and Bucky Gleason answers them. One question in particular caught my eye someone asked what was up with Pat K. considering they said he would be out for three weeks after being put in a hard brace for his neck injury and it's already been two weeks with no word as to a date for a return. Bucky said in response that it's a ligament in Pat's neck that has been giving him trouble since being suckerpunched by Denis Gauthier. Correct me if I'm wrong but the Sabres haven't actually come out and said what's wrong with Kaleta's neck so at least now we know it's not a concussion or something really serious like a cracked vertebrae. The live chat is still up on Buffalo News.com under Sabres Edge for anyone who is interested.

RETURN OF THE GOOSE AND THE DERBY, AND WHY I LOVE DREW STAFFORD

So, is Paul really coming back tonight?? I'm not entirely sure. Yes, I'd like to think so, but since I didn't get to morning skate like I had hoped (Kim, it's not your fault), I have no idea if he was even skating, because no reports have come back yet.

Sad.

Whatever, though. I'm sure we're going to have a difficult enough time with Ovie and the Caps tonight anyways, with or without Goose. Not that I don't want him to come back tonight or anything, because I do. I really, really do. But I'm not sure throwing him into the lineup instead of Matt Ellis is really going to make that much of a difference tonight.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! WHYYYYYYYY!!!!???!?!?!??! I mean, I'm super duper excited that Paul and Gerbe Derby! are going to be back, BUT PATTY K???? SERIOUSLY??? WAAAAAA. Totally ruins my somewhat-decent mood.

And as I'm sure you've all noticed, I've really, really, REALLY gotten away from constructive, objective, and even smart hockey blogging. I'm hoping I can change that tonight, as I will be home with my mother, watching the game, with absolutely NO DISTRACTIONS, except for my cat, meowing for more food, which she will not get. So I'd like to liveblog tonight, but we'll see how that goes, since I have this tendency lately to not do what I set out to do...

But let me get to the point that I've been meaning to for days. (See what I mean?)

DREW STAFFORD. (But really, when is my point something other than he or Derek Roy? BTW, has anyone noticed that there has not been one inkling of juicy Sabres news since those pictures surfaced? Boooooooo!!)


So remember when I was explaining my love for Drew, and how he almost beat out Derek to be my favorite? Yeah, well this explains it all:

As I stated yesterday, I purchased the 2008-2009 Buffalo Sabres Yearbook. Now, I thoroughly enjoyed reading most of the players "Off The Ice" profiles, but some of them were just plain boring and useless.

Drew's, on the other hand, was a masterpiece. A masterpiece which Monet, Picasso, van Gogh, da Vinci, and Michelangelo would become teary-eyed in front of, and would worship for the rest of their now meaningless lives.

Let's read:

Nickname: Staff

What did you do this summer? Took power skating class

Favorite vacation spot: Minnesota

Ehh, nothing too, too interesting, but it says that he's a responsible, home-town boy. I can respect that.

Let's continue:

Pet's name: Dog (Gonzo), frog (Butters)

Ummmmmm... WHAT? Okay, Gonzo is cute and all, but why? And BUTTERS? I don't even want to know the story behind that one... But I think it's cute that he has a frog. I remember when I was little, my mom's friend Penny and her husband Al (who everyone calls Jake... weird) lived out in Arcade, and we used to go out there for bonfires and stuff, and I used to run around and fill these gigantic buckets with frogs and toads. And now that I think about that, that's kind of gross, and I'm sorry, I'm rambling again, and I'll get back to the point. Those names are just.... odd.

Favorite athlete: Brett Farve before his attempt at a comeback

YES!! Cynicism and witt!! My favorites!

Favorite food: Chipotle

Favorite band: Invisible Children

Okay, cocky, conceited, and self-centered? Sure, but at least he's consistent.

Favorite actor/actress: Brad Pitt, Mila Kunis

Favorite TV show: Tim and Eric

AHHHHHHH Adult Swim. Drew, ily.

Favorite movie: Gladiator

First car: 1999 Ford Explorer

Hobbies: Shredding, cooking, calculating breakdowns, hunting and gathering

Um, Drew? Have I ever told you that I love very strange and obscure senses of humor? Oh, I didn't? Well I do. And did I mention that I find those senses of humor to be extremely attractive? NO? Oh... Well...

If I wasn't a hockey player I'd be: an orthopedic surgeon

Okay, as much as I adore you--which is a lot, I don't think I'd be very comfortable with you operating on me... Yeah, no.

Best friend in the NHL: Zach Parise

Favorite book: James Patterson novels

Pet peeves: Toadies, weasels, gremlins, and bad drivers

Oh, Drew... What are we going to do with you?

Most influential person in your life: Myself

Alright, that's either super existential, or you're extremely cocky and arrogant. I'm going to believe the former, because I think that's definitely more interesting and becoming of you.

Best way to describe me: Normal

Yeah.... Right.

Drew, Drew, Drew... Can I dump Derek and marry you instead? Please? You know where to find me...

Anyways... Go Sabres!! xoxo

FAIR WARNING

Somebody please make sure that there is defibrillator on hand if Paul plays tonight because I'm pretty sure that my heart's going to stop beating as soon as I see him in the good old blue and yellow. Word came down that Paul would be evaluated today, after skating on an actual line in practice yesterday, to determine if he would play tonight so everyone please cross your fingers because I could do with a little good news.

Why may you ask am I literally dying for some good news? One we play Washington tonight which means Ovie which is never a good thing (sorry Frostee). Two I'm getting sick which stinks by itself but add to the fact that tomorrow is New Year's Eve and I'm going to start off the New Year sick doesn't make me very happy. Three I just got my book list for next semester and because I have to buy a stethoscope and blood pressure cuff and a whole ton of books for my nursing and regular classes the grand total comes out to be around 700 dollars not really something I'm looking forward to. But enough about my stinky life back to hockey:

To Jay McKee's finger: Hi finger Jay needs you and probably wishes that you would stay attached to his body so please do because we love Jay and want him to continue to be able to play hockey.

To Paul Gaustad's upper-body injury/face injury: Hi injury you know by now that I love Paul and your being around has caused me to not see him play for the last 5 games and therefore undeniable pain. So while I can appreciate that Paul got you while in practice and therefore doing his joby I and mostly everyone else that I know would really like it if you would go away so that Paul could play tonight. Oh and if you have messed up Paul's face in anyway know that I will hunt you down and gut you like a fish. (although it may seem impossible there are ways and just let me have my delusions its usually better this way because if not there are all kinds of medications and maybe some institutionalization in my future)

To Patrick Kaleta's eyes: Hi eyes I know that you took a hit from stupid Denis Gauthier and I know your causing Patrick some problems and while I know none of it is your fault because we all blame that overgrown nancy boy Gauthier it would be really nice if you would allow Patty to see again so that he could play.

To Nathan Gerbe's shoulder? upper body? whatever?: Gerbe Derby I miss you terribly and I want you BAAAAAACCCCCKKKKK. *goes to cry in the corner and curse out injuries*

To Craig Rivet's shoulder: Hi shoulder you suck that's all I have to say. You took away our captain and if how we've been playing lately is any indication we would really like him back so that he can use his amazing captain's powers (which I'm sure he has) to make our guys play well again. These powers include the ability to write inspirational speeches powererful enough to make the manliest man cry, Jaro I'm sure would be blubbering like a baby all the while saying "Jaro sad" over and over and then because no other player wants to see another player cry or they're just embarrassed for him they go out and play the best game of their lives....SEE, see what you have taken from us injury, damn you.

To Tim Connolly's broken rib: Well it seems that you have been but one injury in a long line of injuries and when I heard about you all I could do was sit back and laugh because let's face it you weren't unexpected. Actually I had a countdown on my wall as to how long after Timmy came back it would take for an injury to appear well congratulations you're the winner. I think that because of this latest injury Timmy needs to start being wrapped in bubble wrap before he goes out to play hockey and while this may not seem like the best solution who doesn't love bubble wrap? Seriously I'm sure Man Child I and II (Danny and Clarke) would get the biggest kick out of poking Timmy just to hear the bubbles pop at least it would give them something to do while sitting on the bench. Anyways injury I don't blame you at all Timmy is just very fragile and I believe that we should steal a bunch of those FRAGILE stickers that people but on boxes when they're moving and stick them all over his jersey so that people will have warning that before they hit him they are most likely to cause serious injury.

New Year's Resolution:

To stop swearing so much everyday, but during Sabres game make an exception.

I swear like a trucker most of the time and I really want to stop relying so much on curse words and start expressing myself using my big girl words. I can't hold to that during the Sabres' games though because it's almost impossible not to swear at them repeatedly throughout a game.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and that you spend it with the people you love.

SEE YOU IN 2009!!!!!

NECESSARY NOTES

I'm going to take the time this gloomy, windy Sunday afternoon in "wild Western New York" to write thank you notes while watching the Bills game, as well as write a few needed letters to deserving ones across the NHL.



Dear Derek,

I don't know what has gotten into you, but it has got to stop. I mean, it's bad enough that you didn't score on Monday for my birthday, but then you completely forgot to get me a present either for my 20th or Christmas, you don't make up for it against Washington, and then you play as terribly as you did last night to top it off? Puh-lease. Derek, I don't know what to do about you. I figured when Kim saw you across the street from the mall on Tuesday that you were, for sure, going shopping for me, but I guess you were just indulging yourself. But just let me say this: If I find out that you were eating lots and lots of Christmas cookies and turkey, instead of tofu brownies and tofurkey, you're in trouble Mister. And truly, if you refuse to shoot the puck--especially on a two-on-one--on Tuesday, I'm breaking up with you again. And believe me, I'll do it.

Love, Cari

*****

Dear Tommy,

So I see you're now on the third line... That upsets me. Not because you're on the third line due to injury, but because you're hurt. And it's obvious. You weren't taking strides if it wasn't necessary, and you don't seem to have that burst of intensity that you had a couple weeks ago. I'll make you some cookies and leave them on your doorstep. Maybe that will help. But, on second thought, Ashley might not appreciate some random girl baking cookies for her man. I'll leave that up to her, then. But seriously, though, get well soon, Tommy. The Sabres need Atlas.

xoxo, Cari

*****

To Paul and Patty K:

I saw you two last night. Paul, you looked positively smashing in your black suit. Very nice. But Pat? What was with the beanie? I mean, I know that it's cold in the arena, and yeah, you looked cute, but still... It kind of defeats the purpose of wearing a suit and tie if you're going to put a winter hat on indoors. Whatever, though. I still enjoyed knowing that you were sitting directly behind me.

Hoping for you speedy return, Cari

*****

Dear Portland Pirates,

I apologize that the Sabres' injury woes have hurt your position in the standings. Because once we took Mark Mancari from you, I believe in his absence, you only won two games. Sorry. And to make it worse, we now have Nate and Tim, which is only making a difficult situation worse.

Again, sorry. <3 Cari

*****

Dear Timmykins,

To Timmy C, I love and miss you. What's happening? Are you still hurt? Are you dead? Have you taken up residence in Childrens' Hospital, drawing with the children? Because that would be cute. But you could also have taken up residence at the bar at SoHo, drowning your sorrows in bottles of Skyy Vodka or Southern Comfort, and then going home with a different girl each night to disguise the pain... But I'd like to think of you as a really good human being, so I'm going to believe the former. Yeah.

To Timmy K, YAYYY!! I was so excited to read, as Kim pulled into my driveway last night, that you had been called up! And then you were in the starting lineup? Ahhhhh-mazing! I'm so proud of you, Shirley Temple! You played well last night, so we'll see how the rest of your stay with the Sabes goes.

Fondly, Cari

*****

Dear Sidney,

You're an asshole.

Love, Cari

*****

Dear Jay McKee,

I hope your finger can be saved. I don't like to think of amputations, in general, but especially not when they jeopardize the career of one of my all-time favorite hockey players, let alone Sabres. I just can't imagine a McKee-less NHL. And I don't want to see it anytime soon.

Best wishes, Cari

*****

Taylor Pyatt,

Maybe breaking your foot will teach you to not block shots from your teammates. I'll miss you, Bedroom Eyes.

--Cari

*****

To all hockey players,

You'd think you'd learned from Maxim Afinogenov's mishaps... HOCKEY PLAYERS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO WARMUP BY PLAYING SOCCER. It should be banned.

Regards, Cari



I had other letters to write, but I just can't remember them at the moment. I keep getting distracted by the sounds of tree branches snapping and the Bills game. So I'm going to go watch the game, and I'll come back, possibly with a few more letters, tomorrow. Love...

BIRTHDAYS, BICEPS, AND NATHAN GERBE IS NOT A FAN OF SANTA

So if any of you are friends with me on Facebook, you may have noticed that my status as of last night after the game read like such: "Carianne is really sick of Sidney Crosby, the biased referees, and the anti-Buffalo NHL. But thanks for the birthday wishes!"

I think that pretty much sums up my day.

No, really. It does. I had a fairly decent birthday, if you look past the fact that while I was driving home from work (my Monday shift) around midnight, my windshield cracked. And then Kim and I didn't go to the Sabres' practice or Chef's yesterday, because we figured the streets would have been horrendously snow-bogged. So I missed the possibility of having the guys serenade me with the birthday song over some delicious chicken parmesan. Sad.

Instead, we went to visit our friend Karina (who is home from school in Pittsburgh) and her sister Andrea (who is home from school in Chicago) and we played some Guitar Hero, and they're both terrible, but Andrea's singing made it all worthwhile.

Then we sat in the waiting room at the glass place for almost 2 hours, and then it was game time.

Psh. Bullshit. There is no way in hell that the height of Crosby's stick was less than that of the crossbar. No way. Thanks, Sid. You ruined a perfect pretty good birthday.

I was happy with the play of the Sabres (excluding some glaring mishaps by Numminen, Afinogenov, and some other turnovers and such), but the officiating just blew.

And I'm too angry at the refs and the War Zone operators to say anything else.

I'm just glad Patty K doesn't have a concussion.

But since my birthday was pretty shitty hockey-wise, I hope Ales Kotalik's 30th birthday is 1000 times better than my 20th.

SO HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BIG AL!!


Aww, shucks. We're nine years and 364 days apart. Ain't that sweet? No, not really.

But, while I'm in the mood to post pictures, here's a beauty for the Christmas lovers in all of us:


That's right, kids. The toddler-version of Nathan Gerbe is tearfully afraid of Santa Claus. Now that is sweet.

And do you know what else is sweet? Tim Connolly's biceps.


To steal a phrase from Caroline, ZANG BABY BOY!!! Hot damn... I knew there was a reason I found you attractive! (Oh, and I stole this picture from the wonderful Shelby Rose's Facebook.)

Hmm... I suppose I should get to cleaning, since I have a ton of it to do, and it has to be done by 2 pm tomorrow when my Aunt's flight lands. If it lands. I hate it when relatives stay at my house, because the houses in my area of Kenmore are not that big, and we have a three bedroom house. I live with my parents and my brother, so obviously all three bedrooms are occupied. But who gets the boot every time someone visits? This girl. Fair? Hardly. So I'm going to take up residence on the futon in my game room until Sunday. I hate futons. This is going to be a really uncomfortable week.

So I probably won't be back until Friday after shopping(!!!), so I hope you, my dear lovelies, have a beautiful holiday season, and if you go out to snow blow your driveway, don't pull a Joe Sakic and stick your hand in the blades, please!! xoxo

Itty Bitty Bitching Committee

Maybe that's an understatement because this committee, I'm sure, isn't so itty bitty it's...well I don't have a rhyme for something that is large. But anyways membership is up and includes everyone who is outraged by that suckerpunch on Pat Kaleta is last night's game. It's one thing to go after someone who ran you into the boards purposely it's quite another to go after someone who wasn't even going after you in the first place. Now that's not to say that Kaleta is innocent because as those of us here in Buffalo know he is far from it. Kaleta is not opposed to trash talking, running away from fights and basically being a pest but still that hit was uncalled for and everybody knows it.

If Gauthier had been successful in landing that elbow he tried to hit Kaleta with before suckerpunching him I'm sure the league would have had a thing or two to say about it. But so far not so much as a peep out of the Powers That Be which leads me to wonder if the league even knows what the word consistency means. They claim they're trying to eliminate headshots from the game by enforcing harsher punishments on the perpetrators but a suckerpunch, especially an unwarranted one, well that's apparently a different story. It still remains to be seen if the league will get their heads out of their asses and suspend Gauthier but if they haven't done anything by now I'm not taking that as a good sign.

Anyways, so it seems like Christmas has let me down, if you don't know what I'm talking about see the post titled My Christmas List. I haven't gotten that magical call about my new Sabres jersey so unless they call me Monday I won't have it in time for the game. The Sabres lost to Detroit so they didn't win all of their remaining games and it looks like Paul isn't going to be playing on Monday so he won't be able to score that hat trick I talked about. But there is one piece of good news it looks like my foot isn't broken so I won't be spending my Christmas break in a cast.

I've done my bitching for the day so I'm going to go make some cookies and fall into a Christmas movie coma before watching the Sabres game.

FACEBOOK SHOULD HAVE AN "ADD AS ENEMY" OPTION

SADFACE. =[[[


Anyways, if Facebook did, I would definitely search out the real account for LA's Denis Gauthier, and proceed with that request. Please allow me to indulge myself in sharing the message I would then send to him:

Dear Mr. D. Gauthier, Jr,

Let me, please, take this opportunity to express my disgust with your behavior.

First of all, Mr. Patrick Kaleta was not even attempting to hit you when he crashed into the boards. If you watch the replay of the event, Mr. Kaleta was attempting to hit, I believe, Mr. Jaret Stoll, with a clean hit, NOT YOU. But what do you do upon seeing this? You attempt to hit Mr. Kaleta, but in doing so, bring your elbow up to the level of his head. Luckily, at that time, you missed you check.

What you do at this point, is what infuriates me. Mr. Kaleta skates away, but yes, he turns back towards you. But you have to know that Mr. Kaleta has a reputation for doing such, and that he just came back from a semi-lengthy injury, and that he was going to be up to his usual tricks. But you just can't let it go. For some reason, unbeknownst to any of us viewers, you lose your head, drop the gloves, and instantly punch a defenseless Mr. Kaleta in the face.

Now, I am one to use the expression, "I am going to punch you in the face," quite often, BUT NEVER DO I MEAN IT. What you did classifies you as a "gutless puke," as Mr. Michael Robitaille would say. And I second the sentiments of one Mr. Lindy Ruff when I say that the NHL needs to suspend you immediately for you classless, careless, and hurtful actions. It was a despicable event which I wish was never seen in the great game of hockey.

I have one thing left to say to you; I present you with the wording from the rule-book of the National Hockey League that applies to the matter: An instigator of an altercation shall be a player who by his actions or demeanor demonstrates any/some of the following criteria: distance traveled; gloves off first; first punch thrown; menacing attitude or posture; verbal instigation or threats; conduct in retaliation to a prior game (or season) incident; obvious retribution for a previous incident in the game or season..

I have been of the thought all along that the instigator rule has to go, but you obviously fall under its range, and some action needs to be taken. I do not care how long you are out, or how much money you forfeit; only that the NHL does what they say they do, and that you are punished.

Because we all know that even if the NHL does not punish you, you will get your comeuppance because this is nothing new for you. You have a reputation for taking cheap shots and being dirty, so someone will give you a taste of your own medicine, somewhere along the way.

You had just better hope that Mr. Kaleta will recover from the issues with his eyesight, because if this becomes a recurring thing with him, not only will the Sabres remember it, but many of their fans will as well.

And yes, I alluded to Mr. Kaleta's reputation for hitting and turtling, but I do not care about his reputation. If that is what other people know that he does, it is their own fault for falling for his ploy. That is his game, and when people like you fall for it, it becomes effective. Players like you are the reason Mr. Kaleta has said reputation, because he would not have that role if his opponents did not react to his actions in a manner similar to yours.

But that is enough. I am through discussing your ridiculous actions. But if a redhead wearing a Sabres jersey ever slaps you across the face--EVER, you know why.

Good day, Mr. Gauthier.


*******


Alright, well, good game last night. We're fortunate that Ryan Miller and Derek Roy showed up for the entire 60 minutes, before the rest of the team slowly came around. Because if they hadn't, that game could've turned out widely different.

But props to the other goal scorers.

And I am very excited about Chris Butler. You always hear the rookies come up and say, "Oh, I'd like to just keep it simple, blah blah blah," but rarely do you see it actually translate to the ice. Butler actually did just that, and I was quite impressed, because I don't recall hearing his name in a negative way at all. And his post-game interview was adorable. After someone complemented him on the first pass out of the zone plays, he just went, "Aw, thanks," and now I'll always expect him to say "Golly, gee whiz," for some reason...

But anyways, hopefully we can carry that through tonight in Montreal. I'm assuming Patty L will be between the pipes since Crunchy played yesterday, but he did get the shut out, so who knows.

Like I said, hopefully we'll carry it through.

I have to work, unfortunately, so I'll probably only see about half of the game, but I'm going to bust my ass to get everyone in bed by 7 pm. Brittany is working with me, so that's good, and I don't plan on taking a dinner break tonight, just so I can get everyone in bed. I should rephrase that. Everyone who doesn't watch hockey will be in bed by 7 pm. If they watch hockey, they can go to bed whenever they want, because I'll put the game on in their rooms, and they won't mind at all.

I love the way I work. =]

EL DIABLO.

ETA: I have to say, that while I was watching this game, I was completely blinded by my love for Patty K and just ecstatic about his return. Therefore, I didn't actually blog constructively, and for some reason, felt that the Sabres played a good game. Ummm, what hockey game was I watching, you ask? I have no effing idea. So read this with a grain of salt, and please know that I am really, really, really upset with our defensemen, our forwards, our power play, and more specifically, Clarke MacArthur, Maxim Afinogenov, and a few others. Yikes... You call that hockey? Shesh....


My favorite thing having to deal with the Devils is this.

So, like I promised, I'm liveblogging tonight. For the first time since, like, October something. Sparky's in the lineup!! Yay ManChild II !!!!! Hopefully playing with Derek will help him out a little bit, production-wise. And, like I said, I really, really hope that Patty K runs someone--HARD--tonight. It'd be even better if it were on his first shift. Nothing like jumping right back into the game.


First Period

18:54 left Stupid Devils. Not a terribly bad goal, in my opinion, but the rebound was baaaaad. 0-1

16:30 Derek showed up to work tonight. My mother says he was "inspired by [my] beauty last night."

14:10 ANOTHER GOAL POST?? Seriously, I think we need to start a Monopoly-esque Free Parking for the player who hits the most posts in a season.

13:02 DREW STAFFORD ILY!!!!!!!!! Beautiful tip-in! OMGAH FINALLY WE'RE RUSHING THE NET. "Upon further review, it is a good goal." Yay! 1-1

12:31 That's the Patty K I love!! Way to put us on the power play, dear! <3

11:20 The power play looks impressive, thus far. I like that they're shooting a lot more. EMPHASIS ON A LOT. They're looked really good.

9:20 Okay, if anyone knows the count of 5-on-3's in our opponents' favor this season, please tell me. My curiosity has been peaked.

8:16 Booooo. Drew, you're not allowed to be friends with Parise anymore. 1-2

3:10 Oh, Max... If only you could score fancy goals like you used to be able to do...

2:26 Someone's got a death wish. You don't hit Patty after the play and live to tell the tale, Mr. Rupp (for long, at least).

0:00 Overall, a decent period. I'm pretty pleased with the Sabres thus far. Good enough job on the PK, and good puck movement and opportunities on the PP. It'd only be better if Pat had listened to me and had run someone, but whatever. There's still 40 minutes for that. =]

(Roby just called Tallinder a "wounded puma." What the hell is a wounded pew-ma, and what is it doing on ice?)

(TIMMY'S NOT DEAD!! And he can draw?? WHAAA??? It's too bad that he's such a man-whore. He'd probably be a really good father. That is, if he doesn't have a whole litter of kiddies already... Hmmm.... It almost makes me love him again.)


Second Period

16:30 Okay, this has nothing to do with the game, but I REALLY MISS TIM CONNOLLY. That video only put me back into withdrawal. =[

10:12 Did I mention that I <3 Patrick Kaleta? I did? Well, I did it again. Sue me.

9:08 Wow, that goal wasn't awful, or anything. I realize that it was tipped, but man, was that puck moving slowly. Yuck. 1-3

8:50 PATRICK KALETA, I'VE SAID IT TWICE ALREADY TONIGHT, BUT I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY LOVE YOU. Yayyyyy, you're really cute. 2-3

0:00 Kim called me right after Pat scored (to ask me if I was freaking out, which I was), so I have nothing constructive to say about the rest of the period. Sorry.


Third Period

17:32 Collin White has a dirty mouth. Anyone have any soap??

16:41 Seriously? Seriously? That was a stupid penalty.

14:45 Nice work, Reggie!!! Showing flashes of Timmy with his holding of the puck in the offensive zone on the PK.

13:58 WHAT. THE. HELL. Way to just fall apart there, guys. MacArthur should've had that puck out, and Paetsch should've had him. And Miller? NO MORE POKE-CHECKS. Next time I see you at Wegmans, I'm telling you to stop poke-checking. 2-4

12:06 Paetsch hit someone!! Yay!! (Sidenote: It's pretty pathetic when the only thing that I've cheered about thus far in the third is a mediocre hit...)

10:22 Ummm... What?? For reals? How was Ryan supposed to do anything about that when whatshisface bowls over him?? 2-5

10:10 YAYYYYY PAUL!! 3-5

6:42 Oduya? I wanna kill ya.

4:37 Um, so I really like how, as soon as Clemmensen is touched, the whistle blows, but a Devil can be on top of Millsie, and the Devils can then take possession of the puck, shoot, and score, and no one thinks twice about it. Cool deal.

0:03 Way to get emotional when it's way too late.

0:00 Devils win, 3-5. That's a damn shame.


Honestly though, that wasn't a bad game at all. That is, if you look past the fact that officiating was a little lame, and that we lost.

Patty K should get the pigeon in my opinion.

That's about all I've got to say... =[

...except this: FAIL.

RANDOM RAMBLINGS

The Sabres haven't played since Saturday and because of this there are some pretty slim pickings when it comes to news to report to the masses. Or in reality the twenty or so people who read this blog on a regular basis. So because of this I had to scour the sports news sites for even the smallest entertaining and/or new information about the Sabres or other teams that I actually care about.


For those of you who have ever set foot in the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport you're aware of what a happy, fun-filled place it is especially the lost luggage counter. Well tell that to Zenon Konopka the AHL player who got called up by Tampa for Wednesday's game. He arrived in Buffalo 30 minutes before the game started to discover that the bag containing his pads and skates didn't arrive with him. So what's a hockey player to do when his skates and pads don't arrive? He has to borrow these essential items. So he borrowed shoulder pads from Ryan Malone, shin guards from Gary Roberts and a pair of skates from Jeff Halpern. But trying to wear someone else's skates proved to be too uncomfortable so after 47 seconds of ice time and a fight Zenon, after the day he had, sat out the rest of the game. Let's hope he at least wore his own jock strap.


I was babysitting yesterday when Cari called me with news about my poor Paul's beautiful face. I almost cried even though scars serve to make a man, in my opinion, more rugged and handsome. But still this was Paul and I don't want my Paul with scars. Paul is my own personal David with the fig leaf for modesty's sake.

My David

Now I'm hearing the Derby Gerbe is hurt and is out for 10 days to 2 weeks with an upper body injury stemming from him being hit by Jamie Langenbrunner in Saturday night's game agains the Devils, my poor Speedy. But on an upbeat note, it looks as if everyone's favorite Boom Boy is going to be back for Wednesday's game, Kaleta's been cleared to play after missing the last few weeks with a neck injury.



So now we have Rivet out for at least two weeks with a shoulder injury, Gerbe out for 10 days to 2 weeks with an upper body injury, Timmy out for who knows how long, Paetsch with a missing tooth after being hit with a puck in the mouth and poor Paul being hit in the chin with a puck at the same practice. Ugh...and the injuries start piling up.

I have another theory...

Okay, I have to start off this entry by wishing my beautiful partner-in-crime and best friend Kim a wonderfully happy Birthday. She turns Paille years old today!!

Oh, and Paul?? Kim's hoping and wishing that you score a hat trick today. I'm thinking it's not going to happen. We'll see.

And I'll be the same in Stafford days...

Back to the real reason I'm so excited about posting today...

We all know that Derek Roy is the most high-maintenance of the Sabres, and we all know that he lives a lavish lifestyle that Kanye West dreams of. But Derek's a pretty simple guy. Wanna know why? Because he gets drunk, and does really ridiculous stuff, just like anyone else who's had a few too many.

But what I really love about this guy? The fact that he falls down on the sidewalk on Chippewa, with only one shoe one.


GOD, I NEED TO MARRY THIS MAN. <33333

So I have this theory about how D might have hurt his groin. Now, among the wonderful pictures that dear reader Katie so wonderfully gifted to me, there's one that puts Princess D in quite a compromising position... I'm not going to elaborate... I'll leave that for my dear friend MJ, as I couldn't do it any justice...

BUT. I honestly believe that Princess D was probably out drinking at Liars or somewhere, and decided he wanted a change of scenery, so he stumbled out onto Chippewa. But because he'd had a few too many already, didn't consider picking his feet up to step over the cracks in the sidewalk, and took a tumble. I'm sure he twisted his groin while rolling around on the sidewalk like a turtle flipped over on its back.

And we all know how my theories seem to be working out this year. Remember what I said about the Sabres and Bills winning and losing together???

And, as if this day couldn't start off any worse, I'M HEARING FROM SABRES EDGE THAT PATTY K MIGHT BE HURT???!!??!!! OMG NO. I adore him. So no. Please. Just, no.

I don't think my heart could take a blow like that one after those pictures... I'm just too elated about Derek Roy to take a hit with Patty... It would just kill me....

And I'm with Lindy. We need some "puck luck," and we need it bad.

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.

Friday's Fancies

A. Blue Jackets at Sabres

Soooo excited about this game. Probably, mostly, because Staffy and Patty K will be back in the lineup, I think, at least. They should be, anyways. Timmykins can sit this one out; we'll need him more tomorrow. Max will probably sit, as well, because Lindy was no more happy with him than I was with Derek yesterday morning.

And I'm thinking Patty L will get the nod tonight??? That's just my guess, because I'd rather have Miller in against Pitt.

Needless to say, since I'm going to be at the becking call of the elderly this evening, they'll be in bed by 7 pm, except for the ones who know anything; they can stay up later and wait for intermission. I'm so nice. They love me though. Especially Mrs. Miller. I really wish she were related...

Oh, and did anyone else see that, since Columbus became a team, we've played them 8 times, and have only won twice?! That's a bit upsetting, since Columbus is probably the next stop on mine and Kim's Sabres Roadtripping Excursions. Although, that's going to be next year, so we can bring a whole bunch more people with us, along with Boston, Round Two (btw, the invitation to join us on that one is still open, and always will be).


B. Catwalk For Charity III

Okay, some background information is needed before I address B. But anyways, my friend Michelle, who is six years my senior, but grew up next door to me, so basically she's the closest thing I have to an older sister, is getting married in June. She and her fiance moved to Phoenix last summer, and last time my girl was up to Buffalo for a visit, we grabbed our usual lunch at Duff's. She mentioned the date for her bachelorette party. Problem is, as you know, I'm not quite 20 yet, so a party with a minimum age of 21 wouldn't quite work for me. So, in a couple weeks, when I head up to Toronto for a friend's birthday party, you might have an idea of what I might be picking up while I'm there.

That being said, the date for THE THIRD CATWALK FOR CHARITY HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED!!!!!!

Sunday, February 8, 2009
MARK IT DOWN, LADIES. (Thank you, Jill!)

Because you know that if I can find someone willing to go and fork over the money (coughcoughNOTkim), you know I'm there. I think it'd be fun to make a blogess-es night out of it, don't you???

Because we all know that I want to see this:



And you want to see this:



But, who's that bald guy in the middle?? I don't believe I've ever seen him before...


C. Voting

Um.... HELLLLLLOOOOOO??!!

What the HELL is going on with this voting process? I honestly believe that it's stacked.

THE GAME IN IN MONTREAL.
IT'S MONTREAL'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY.
THE CANADIENS HAVE 6 PLAYERS ON THE BALLOT (AKA, THAT'S ENOUGH TO FILL A STARTING LINEUP).
AND, AT THE MOMENT, THIS IS HOW WE STAND:





COUGHBULLSHITCOUGH

It's a conspiracy. Really.

The Sabres, you ask? Where are they currently? Well... Derek and Tommy aren't on the visible horizon, and I can barely see Tepp in the distance; he's currently in 9th place with 12,119 votes. Ryan is faring slightly better; he's in 5th with 13,708.

GO VOTE. NOW. TEPPO FOR PRESIDENT. RYAN FOR VP. DEREK AND TOMMY FOR THE CABINET. Yeah, I know... Whatever.


Alright. I'm done. I'm working all night (literally, all night), so I won't be posting until tomorrow afternoon, or maybe right before the game, continuing throughout. I haven't decided. We'll see how long I stay in bed, since I won't be getting home until 7:30 tomorrow morning. Yuck. Why do I do this to myself? Oh, yeah... So I can afford more Sabres tickets. It's a win/lose situation, but I'll take it.

Enjoy the game, and your Friday night, kiddos. Don't do anything I would do, and Go Sabres!!

They broke Timmy...you bastards

So once again, the oft injured Tim Connolly is hurt...not really a surprise there, considering he's been back for 5 games it was bound to happen. So any of you who are shocked please raise your hand?...cricket...chirp...that's what I thought.

The Sabres Edge reported that Connolly has a bruised chest whatever that means I'm betting Timmy broke every rib in his upper chest after being hit by Keith Tkachuk. Timmy was apparently looking for someone to pass the puck to and didn't see Tkachuk aiming for him which resulted in Timmy going down, but miraculously bouncing back up in a very un-Timmy like fashion. But anyway even though Timmy did a great impression of a bouncy ball he's questionable for Friday's game against the Blue Jackets. On a good note, he didn't suffer any head trauma which most likely would have resulted in Timmy having to wear a football helmet for the rest of his life in fear of someone else hitting him in his delicate cranium.

It's sad and all but it also opens the doors for Stafford or Kaleta to play in Friday's game if it turns out that Timmyho is too hurt to play. I also have a feeling that Maxie is going to be getting a great view of the ice from the press box after playing for only 6 minutes in last night's game. Scratching him may be the only way to get through to him because obviously Ruff's talk about taking care of the puck and not going out for longs shifts didn't. As much as I love Max I wouldn't be surprised at all to see him sitting out a lot of games in the next few months, because I'm pretty sure if you put a coat tree out on the ice no one would no the difference. So depending on the whole Timmy situation we may have both Stafford and Kaleta back in the line up, I guess we'll just have to wait and see how broken Timmy truly is.

Ummm...Holy Crap?!?!?!

So let me just say that I have never been more proud of the Sabres then I am at this moment, if I was a mother hen, I'm pretty sure my chest feathers would be all puffed out in pride. The Sabres were absolutely amazing they skated so fast that first period I think I was getting whiplash just from watching them. I could have sworn that the entire Devils team was standing still for 30 of those 60 minutes. Twenty shots and they had to wait until the dying seconds to get a goal in the first period but hey it was still a goal who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth?

And of course tonight was the return of Craig Rivet to the line up, completely ahead of schedule which surprised everyone including me, but once again, gift horse and mouth equals me not looking.

Did anyone else giggle every time the announcers said Johnny Oduya, because I did, it's just so hard to take him seriously with that last name. Maybe it was just me I have a twisted sense of humor.

I was very disappointed to find out when I got home that the game was on Versus because we all know that the announcers on that channel are a bunch of morons, a bunch of very dumb, very stupid morons who don't have a clue as to what the hell they're talking about. However, watching a game on Versus is entertaining if nothing else. Seriously, I only listen to them to see what kind of stupid ass analogies they can come up with during the games. We all know the usual ones such as:

• The cage is actually the net, luckily they only said it a handful of times which is down from the usual hundred.
• The paint is the crease.
• A drive is a shot.

Tonight the morons came up with some spectacularly bad sayings that completely bear repeating.

When Gaustad got into that small scuffle near the beginning of the game they called him "a large human" well no duh.

When Vanek got the call for hooking one of the announcers claimed that it was "fondling with the stick" which can be taken in so many ways most of them nasty.

When Gaustad was screening Weekes they said "try looking through that humanity."

Buffalo had 20 shots against the Devils in the first period and "It's been a mastadonic performance" were the words of choice to describe this phenomenon.

"He was gased" when one of the Devils players looked tired.

"He got that one off the drive by" as in Kaleta when he tipped the puck into the net for the goal from 20 feet out.

"He almost got that one in the grill" when they were describing why most guys don't like to be positioned in front of the net.

And they kept talking about yardage, uh, hello, we're not playing football here.

Those are about all that I caught, but seriously where do they get these guys? I'm sure if you handed Cari and I a microphone we could do a much better job. Hell, I'm sure a trained monkey could do a better job, maybe even an untrained monkey.

Timmy Connolly was skating to the net without a helmet on and I thought "this is it the next thing I'm going to see is him being taken off the ice on a stretcher because all the bones in his body are now broken."

We took 6 penalties in a row, are you kidding me? But then again we managed to kill all of them off, yay for special teams, you all deserve big cookies.

Plus how cool was it that Miller got two consecutive shutouts the first of his career and the first time that has happened in Buffalo since Marty had 3 in a row in the 02-03 season.

Goals tonight went to Pominville (which now has another resident) who got his 4th and Patty K. who got his 1st.

My Three Stars:

3. Pominville for obvious reasons.

2. Kaleta because not only can the guy draw penalties but he can score as well, on the drive by of course.

1. And tah-dah, Miller as my first star because the man is just a beast and let's face it without him we'd probably be behind the Islanders in the standings.

We'll that's about it, next time you hear from me will probably be when I'm in Boston but if not talk to you all on the flip side.

Oh and did anyone happen to see the cute little happy dance that Lalime did while congratulating Miller out on the ice after the win? Adorable, enough said.

Length of Game: 60 minutes
Goals Scored Against The Devils: 2
Goals Scored Against The Sabres: 0
Watching Patrick Lalime Dance Like A Little Girl: Priceless

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!!

THIS IS TO BE EXPECTED (Or, In Defense of Derek Roy)

This is by no means in defense of Derek's performance thus far in the season.  I'm very upset with him in that regard.

I DO NOT, HOWEVER BADLY HE MAY HAVE PLAYED IN THE PAST FIVE GAMES, CONDONE SHOVING HIM UNDER A BENCH!!!  That's absolutely disgusting!  Alex Burrows, you are on my shit list.  And as I said to Kim when I realized who was being shoved under then bench, if I see you on the streets, sir, YOU ARE DONE.  Yes, that is a threat, and no, I'm not afraid of you.

Do you, Mr. Burrows, realize how dirty the floor of the bench can be?  As much as I love them, hockey players are just like any other guy--gross.  You all spit on the bench, bleed on the bench, sweat on the bench...  Need I say more?  Would you like your face shoved in that?  I didn't think so.  So what makes you think you can shove Derek's face into the floor?  Oh, that's right.  You're just jealous that he's got an impeccable fashion sense, he's damn good-looking, and oh, yeah, he plays for the Sabres, who are 4-0-1, comparable to your Canucks, who are 3-3-0.  It's easy to see why you don't like Derek because through 82 games last year, he had 81 points, but you only had 32.  Or is it because he makes $4 million a year, and you only make $483,000?  Well, whatever it is, I still hate you.

Derek didn't deserve this from you.  A hit, sure.  Sending him flying over the boards, okay I can live with that (1, it's pretty funny when that happens, and 2, he's small, so it's plausible).  But Alex, pick on someone your own size.  Derek's 5'9" is hardly in the same category as your 6'1".  Why don't you try shoving Pat Kaleta under a bench?  That might work out better for you.  And when I say for you, I mean for me.  So work on that next time we play, okay?  Great.

MOVING ALONG.

As you're all aware, the Sabres have posted the 10 Stupid Questions on the website (well, 8 of them, at least).  And as I've already touched on the Mary Ann and Ginger situation (I heart Pat!!).

Cabana on the beach?  Or, a cabin in the mountains?

Cabana on the beach.  Derek, Adam, Pat, and Pat, I love you guys.  I'll sit in a cabana on the beach with you whenever you'd like, especially if it involves a trip to Cabo!  And Ryan, I like that you chose a cabin in the mountains.  That's pretty fun too, although I like the beach more than the woods.

Chocolate?  Or, vanilla ice cream?

Chocolate ice cream.  Ryan, again, good choice.  But I'm surprised you didn't do a write in for Berrier Breakaway.  But that's damn good ice cream too, while I'm on the subject.  And Patty L, you're so cute.  You picked vanilla, which I'm not crazy about, but then you justified it by saying, "You can put a lot of stuff on vanilla ice cream.  You can put chocolate on vanilla!"

Motorboat?  Or, sailboat?

It depends...  I've never been on a sailboat, but I've always wanted to go sailing.  So I guess by default I have to say motorboat, and go along with Derek, Patty K, and Adam.  I guess Derek can take me out on Love Potion #9 sometime.

Poker?  Or, blackjack?

Blackjack.  I can't play poker; I've tried.  I can never remember anything.  And I'm not necessarily good at blackjack, but it's easy.  Patty K likes it because it's easier for him to count.  Ryan doesn't like blackjack because he's bad at it, but he's bad at poker too, but not as bad.  And Patty L picked poker..

Porsche?  Or, Mercedes Benz?

Porsche.  I don't dislike Benzes, and this was tough for me because of all the wonderful German engineering.  Porsches are just sick though.  Give me one of those and I'll be a very, very, very happy girl (coughcough, a black Cayenne).  Although, I'd probably take Derek's Mercedes G55, the Kommander edition, even though it reminds me of a safari wagon.  Derek was the only one who said Benz, I believe...

Mary Ann? Or, Ginger?

Ginger.  In a completely heterosexual way, I have to pick Ginger, just because she's got red hair.  I explained this unwritten redhead code.  Patty K was the only one on my side.

Night out?  Or, home with friends?

I have to agree with Patty K, here--it depends on the day, and it depends who I'm with.  Ryan and Derek like to go out; Patty L likes to chill at home with friends, crack open a bottle of wine, and play some cards; and for Adam, it depends on how the team did the night before.  Good answer, Adam.

Athletic?  Or, voluptuous?

Athletic, obviously.  Most guys aren't voluptuous, anyways.  But all of the guys asked (Derek, Patty K, and Adam) said athletic.  Pat offered his opinion and added that he likes "a girl that can wear a baseball cap and go out and throw a football around."  But he added that she has to be good-looking.  Patty K doesn't want a butch girl.  (So he wants an athletic, pretty redhead?  HI!!!!)  Actually, Adam didn't answer.  He was laughing too much.

LOOK!!  EVEN MORE THINGS I HAVE IN COMMON WITH DEREK ROY!!  Although, Pat Kaleta seems to be making a case for himself...

Anyways, we take on the Bruins tonight, before a short Western Conference rendezvous with the Minnesota Wild and the Colorado Avalanche.  I'm going to miss the first period, so when I turn the game on at about 8 o'clock, I'd better not be disappointed with what I see.  Derek, that means you have to score in the first period, and Tommy, you'd better make sure that we're not losing at that point.