Little Guys and Swedes and guys named MONTY!

Last night, Shelby and I had an epic plan to spend the night together baking, watching the game, and work on our newest project. We haven't watched a game together since the Montreal game...which is a long time, at least for us. 

Then my friend Connor called me to tell me he had his grandpas season tickets, and wanted me to go. I really battled the idea in my head...I hated the idea of ditching Shelby, and I had to bake something for channel 2 today. Also, the weather wasn't really on our side (still isn't). 

In the end, we went. And, I am SO glad we did!

Right away, we could tell they were already doing better than Monday (not like doing worse was really a possibility). Because of the angle of our seats, we saw the first goal go right in. And, we thought it was Natey, just from how it looked, and we were screaming for the little guy. 

Then, they announced it, and it was MONTY. For a second, Connor and I were like ' oh....OH!' So, of course, major excitement that Monty scored, since we weren't there for his first goal, and defensemen don't usually score a lot. 

However, I kept thinking Gerbe would score. I don't know why, he was so determined in his pre-game interview talking about it, thinking if he scored he wouldn't have to go back to Portland. And, sure enough, he did! And when he did, we knew it was him, and everyone was SO excited for him, which they should be! Patty was ready to launch off the bench and on to him...which would have been painful. I'm sure they discussed this last weekend in Portland...well, Nate talked about it, Patty just sat there. 

And then...THE SWEDE!!!!! What an epic night! 2 defensemen and a rookie. AND...a shutout. Take that, Ovie!

I love the way this team bounces back after being shut out...by shutting out. However, I get the feeling Ryan Miller is about to snap. He needs a hug and a nap, and some hot chocolate. 

Especially in this shit...

Oh Medaille College, how you make me risk my life for pettyness. 

Lizards and Kitties and Tim Connolly as Batman.

Last night proved pretty much what we had all expected. 

- Shelby and I are pretty much too weird to go back

- We are not comfortable with going to Sabres games with people who are not the other one (though my dad will be an exception when he comes home)

- Our ' inside jokes' if you will have become so real to us that we forget that they are indeed not real. This would be fine if they were harmless, which they are, but not when we start talking about Patty Lalime's kitten to other people....like Patty Lalime. 

Speaking of Patty Lalime!

I need to learn not to get bad information while I'm driving. Such as re-singing Grier, or Patty being sent to the AHL.

Now, I don't expect people to really understand where I'm coming from on this? Because, well, no one TYPICALLY cares about the back up goalie, and for some reason Ryan gets dragged into an argument that has nothing to do with him...but, that's how it goes with some people in Buffalo I suppose. 

I was livid when I found out that he was going, which was a big step from planning a Portland trip when it was just a rumor. Though I did calm down when I found out it was only for two games (if they weren't back to back games this weekend, I promise we would have gone to a game), I was still angry. 

It's not because he's not in Buffalo, it's because the whole damn thing does not make sense.  Yes, I do know that Patty needs to play this month and in the upcoming months because of the two weeks this city will self combust with no Ryan. And, they want to warm him up for the condensed schedule, but, can he not ' condition' here? Instead of with a team he is not familiar with against teams he'll never see again. 

Maybe that just makes too much sense, like most things with goaltenders and this team. 

Now it just feels awkward. Because he's the only Sabre NOT here. And he's all alone in Portland, where it's cold (cause it's so warm in Buffalo...) and lonely AND WHAT IF THE OTHER PIRATES DON'T LIKE HIM?!

Jhonas likes him, but he's here!

Okay, I'm done overreacting. But, my gift to Patty today is....

Stay warm, buddy!

I'm still holding out for Chi Town. 

In non psychotic news, the Sabres won 6-2 last night...much better than an OT win, no? And, despite them winning when we left the arena, the Bills lost...not such a big shock. 

Also, Ryan did not do a post game interview...after a win, and when he did so well. This can only mean one thing...he's dead, clearly. 

Sabre Hotness Melted the Snow!

Wowwwwww, that was lame. 

Anywho...

- I love Kevin, I just do. First off, he seems like an all around good guy. But most importantly, his blogs are the only reasonable piece of Sabres information out there, which I'm sure I've touched on before. The most recent post states that Ryan is doing well, which he is, but also the defensemen and their improving. 

He also mentions the brutal month, line changes, the ' grey' area in Patty K's suspension, and eating a light bulb in Philly. 

Once again, I love you. 

- Patty K's interview today made me giggle. Basically, he's still angry and can't wait to bunch a bitch...and he giggles when he says it, so, bonus. 

- Ovie got suspended. That's not news, but hopefully suspending a super star will send the necessary warning. Like Patty, Alex claims he will not change his style of play. I don't think Alex intends to hurt people, but cannot understand that he will should things keep up. Hopefully, everyone stays alive. 

- I fell asleep before the Sharks and Sens game last night. However, it doesn't look like I missed much. Dany got two assists, and second star, the Sharks won, and nothing seems to be that interesting. If it was in Ottawa, however...

- CRAIGORY MAY BE BACK TOMORROW! I know he may not be horribly important to some, but, he's the captain and it will make Chris stop crying. 

- I'm going to three games in the next week. With my luck, Patty will start in the one I don't go to....

- Last, but not least, it's someones BIRTHDAY!!

That's right, today is the 40th anniversary (heehee) of the Buffalo Sabres!

I could only think of one thing to get them:

Haha, jk!

Now, I have to make a fake website about a fake pizza party for a fake school involving the real Ryan and Goose. 

Stellar. 

Awww, Shucks.

You know when the Sabres are just stinky enough that you become numb to it? You lose, and you don't care because, after awhile, you just expect it?

That's where I'm at. 

But, what can you do? Except sit and wait for the million dollar men to ' work the system' as Jason Pominville would say. 

Ah well. 

We hear ya, Ovie. 

p.s- I think Ryan did good tonight. Stop the presses. 

I Really Think I Hate This Team

A few things since I'm already pissed off:

- I woke up this morning to a text from Shelby saying there is ' speculation' the Sabres are going to ' upgrade' whoever backs up Ryan. First off, I think our starter needs an upgrade, but lets not go there now.

Fine, trade Patty. I honestly cannot give two shits about this team right now. Get Marty back, get a more ' stable' back up, and then watch when the team still blows it in front of him. Ignore that Lindy said it wasn't Patty's fault, ignore that Hank said they let him down. What do they know, right? Egotistical fans are the ones to trust. 

Though I must say Kevin and his blog shed some light on an already crappy day. I can always count on him: 

I hope the fans that have criticized Patrick Lalime paid close attention to his performance in Ottawa because he was excellent. The only shot that he saw that went in was the second Daniel Alfredsson goal. He made some downright great saves to keep his team in the game and others to keep it close late.  Any player on the team would second my assessment and hopefully you saw Henrik Tallinder’s post-game comments on how they let Lalime down.  

- When I got home on Sunday night, a friend who lives near me told me that someone (I'm sure I'd know details if I wasn't asleep leaning against my apartment door when he told me this) said fans would not be happy until Roberto was backing up Ryan. 

Yeah, and I won't be happy until Heatley is on our top line. Let the dreams go, people. 

- I love how Patty, who- along with Drew and Patches- were the only decent players on Saturday night is suddenly the one in trouble because of that game (it being his second start of the year, afterall). Not Roy for missing the net 754 times, not Pominville for the 37 giveaways (I don't care if he scored, Patrick Kaleta scored and he's not suppose to do that) but PATTY, for seeing one of the 5 goals that went by him. 

-  Toni Lydman in the background of Pominville's interview from yesterday is rather amusing. After just sitting there laughing, he takes off his skate and slowly runs his fingers on the blade, as though to say ' lets see Hamilton open his mouth again.'

- Leave Thomas Vanek alone. Seriously, his seven goals are not satisfying enough by Ryans save percentage that's higher than my GPA and Derek and Jason picking their asses every shift is just fine? Ugh. 

And now, I waited for the ' OMGZ NOOO I LOVES RYANS!' comments...

- sits back- 

Patty Never Let in Five Goals.

It's not a secret that I hate Ryan Miller. 

My reasons have been stated, re stated, criticized, lather, rinse, repeat.  However, I do admit that at times I maybe am too hard on him. I am quick to assume problems are him, when in cases it may not be and I'm just angry. 

Last night, it was him. 

I called in to my internship today over a sore throat I cannot get rid of because of last nights horrid screaming. I was yelling anything from telling him he ' sucks' to how he should inform Tim Thomas on Friday that he will be the starter in Vancouver. Usually I'm not too vocal with any hatred (or praise, for that matter) to any player while at the game. 

And I certainly have never found a chunk of cement in the back of the arena to consider throwing at him. 

See?

After the Panthers second goal, I had a feeling we were in trouble. He was more concentrated on slashing at one player to even care what another one was doing...which was, indeed, scoring the goal. And three goals in two minutes, I dare anyone to try to blame defense on that one. 

I guess our superstar isn't so super, is he? I'm sure there are the weirdo fans out there who will go all out and try to find someone else to blame. 

Like Patty. 

Or Toni. 

Or Dominic Moore...who I totally forgot played for the Panthers until he scored on us. Seems to be a trend. 

At least one thing is for sure, the two most deserving players who have gotten the cold shoulder lately are smiling as they know they will have hard ice time this coming weekend. 

Opposing team pictured totally coincidence. 

Shelby and I leave bright (errr, it'll still be dark) and early for Ottawa on Saturday. Hopefully these two boys will be there as well. It would make the trip totally worth it. 

Atlanta Game > Florida game

(that just reminded me to do my math homework)

Why am I only happy after a loss?

The Sabres won last night. Blah blah blah shootout blah blah blah fights blah blah blah.

I was more than excited that Patty returned to...the bench. And you would THINK that making his return AND there are back to back games, that he would play tonight against Philly. 

Well, if you were thinking that, you must have forgotten that this is the Buffalo Sabres. We don't use our back ups until someone gets hurt, and THEN you play them and THEN you yell at them for being rusty. 

Why, it's perfect!

There was an article online that it may be too soon for Patty to take on a starting game. So, when would it be a prime time? 

The day before the Olympics?

The day after?

When we play a team whose first two lines are in a coma? 

When a blogger finally snaps, breaks both Ryan Millers legs, and leaves him for dead on a city back street? 

We lost against Philly once already. Not loss, were destroyed and believe it or not you giddy ass kissers, HE DID HAVE AN EXTREME PART IN THAT LOSS! Not to mention how late last night went and they didn't get to Philly until about 2 am. 

But that's cool, I'm sure Patty is fine with his skull caps and fold out chair. 

Just wait until a tired goalie can't drag his ass through the playoffs. 

On a happier note, after gaining four points last night, Maxy is now ahead of Derek in points, goals, assists, and +/-. I guess making good decisions is just not this teams things. 

Ryan Miller Kills Child, Paul Gaustad Blamed.

So tell me...

What has to happen for Ryan Miller to take an ounce of responsibility for what goes on in sixty minutes of play? 

Lets in four goals against the Flyers?

Not his fault. 

Three against the Islanders in a short amount of time?

Somehow Pattys fault. 

It seems as though it can always be blamed on someone else. Is it always his fault? Of course not, but soon enough they're going to be blaming Toni for what went down tonight. 

The Sabres were outplayed, yes, but Ryan could have been WAY more on his guard tonight. This is not starting goalie for Team USA behavior, Ryan. Not your playing, and no your bitching every time a goal goes in. You not seeing it does not mean it didn't happen. 

Grow up, bub. Vancouver isn't going to give a shit. 

Furthermore, this dude right here has less regulation losses than you. 

These are facts. 

I know what you're thinking, Patty has only played in 1.45 games this season....

............

..............

Um, duh.

Marty Biron, ILY.

Hugs!


And I thought the Flyers made him nasty!

When this happened last night, I was in complete shock...I think I still am. I heard Patty was in the crease being a pest (I seem to text a lot more at Sabres games when someone is NOT there) then didn't look up until Marty was going after him.

Good for him, I think. He kind of made a jump going after one of our enforcers when someone like ohh, say Derek Roy was nearby.

I was worried that it would turn in to a nasty pile up, or that Patty would go after him when he got in the box. Or that Drews head would have exploded because he would have no idea what to do when he finally got down there.

I think the Sabres are disappointed in Patty. How dare he bug Marty like that!

There was a pair of really drunk guys in the section next to us and behind us (it was really empty where we were sitting, bummer). Everytime Ryan so much as took a drink from his water bottle, they would chant ' USA! USA!' so Shelby and I were discussing random countries I could have stood up and cheered for...like Micronesia, and Tawian.

Despite a shut out, an ironic one at that, I still think Marty played better last night. Sure, Ryan didn't let anything in, but 24 vs. 39 shots isn't a fair match up. The goals Marty did let in were either horribly screened or a power play. The third one was just crazy, he totally knew what he was doing there.

Just like how it wasn't Pattys fault that we lost in New York, it wasn't Martys here.

Also, not too stoked that Roy scored his first goal on Marty...and I'm just not too stoked that he scored period. He did his stupid little celebration like he's suppose to be something great, and we have defensemen with more goals than him! It took you 12 games, wtf Derek, wtf!

Thomas also scored on Marty, and I know he doesn't like that. When he's ready to admit it, I will be ready to listen.

I'll actually be interested to see how the last game against the Islanders go, and surprisngly it's not like...tomorrow, or something.

Actually, tomorrow is the Flyers game. But, apparently Shelby does not want to watch it with me. I kind of hope Patty is better by then, because he shouldn't be too far away from the ice when Emery is around. Maybe we can install a zipline from the press box to the crease, I dunno.


p.s- him carpooling with Toni was quite possibly the most adorable thing ever.

Things That Bug Me...and Pre-Game I Suppose.

For the record, my post this morning was my 52nd post (on blogspot). If anything, it will excite Shelby.

- It was Shelby who informed me that indeed, Patty Cakes is injured. He hurt his groin while saving the Islanders game from being a complete disaster, and will join Tonis club in the press box for groin related injuries.

As much as I want Toni back, it would be nice for Patty to have company in the pressbox. But, it's not even noon, who knows. I was soooooooooo sure it was Ryan who was hurt.

Damn.

- Articles that say Patty is inconsistent, and Lindy cannot rely on him.

Wow, really? People are telling us not to freak out over the playoffs, but this can slide in as a top problem? He played 1.5 games, not even! I have stated my place on the Atlanta game, and CLEARLY he wasn't the bad goalie on Saturday night! He saved that game from becoming even more of a headache.

Martys not coming back this year, folks. Get over it, move on, and leave Patty the eff alone! You're gonna be thanking him when bad shit happens later on in the season and we need him.

- The Olympics!

While slaving over a computer for hours tracking election results last night at Channel 2, I saw a commercial that said the Olympics were in 100 days- which means its 99 days right now. There are no rosters, let alone talking about which goalie is starting for Team USA!

Is Ryan going? Probably. Is he going to start? Who knows. I've had so many people tell me that because he was shafted with the last olympics, they'll let him start. That's not how it works. I doubt the committee is concerned with how a 25 year old goalie had a bad thumb 4 years ago. Lets not start buying the jerseys jst yet, folks.

Random side note, someone at work told me olympic players leave two weeks prior to the break beginning. Does anyone know for sure if thats true? If so, I can name two people going to every single game in that time period.

Don't get me wrong, I love the Olympics. I love that its in Canada, I love that Team Canada is going to be awesome...but lets all take a deep breath.

- Someone let Jason Pominville reproduce.

I promised myself I wouldn't put much about this in my post. But you would think in nine months someone would have found out about this? I imagine a lot of fan girls are passed out on the floor right now. I still cannot wrap my head around the thought of him being in charge of a little life, but what can you do with boys these days.

But Jayden and Jason? I don't know...



My friend Connor and I got last minute ish tickets to the game tonight. It was so cheap. I hope at least one French Canadian goalie will be there....

My friend Connor and I are goin g

Ryan Miller, You Two Timer!

   I'm just saying....

p.s- who wants to bet Pominvilles baby was conceived the night of the last Catwalk For Charity? Anyone? Anyone?

Sometimes People Don't Get it the First Time

I had a few nasty responses to my last post (Caroline darling, I don't mean you, no worries) which tends to happen when people cannot seem to read into exactly what I'm saying. I deleted those comments, not to be bias, but to leave my frustration level to a minimum. It's not like I knew them anyways. 

So, lets clear a few things up.

I do not, repeat DO NOT, think Ryan Miller is a bad goalie. I don't. I don't think he's an elite goalie (yet) or the greatest thing out there...but I don't think he's terrible. I am perfectly aware of past and recent stats of his. I know he's good, he has faults, but who doesn't. What I meant was he is put on too much of a pedestal. Buffalo does it, some NHL relations do it, fans do it. I don't think he's as spectacular as people make him sound, and personally <--- PERSONALLY, I think it should be toned down a bit. And to be perfectly honest, I think he would agree with me on that topic...to an extent. 

Not like I'm going to test that theory. 

Also, I don't think this city hates Marty, in the least. I am yet to meet a fan that, even years after his trade, see Marty in an ill light (maybe in playing, but the other things he brought to this team). I adore Marty to no end, and I am sure lots of us do. I do regret him leaving, and while I have mixed feelings about him coming back (those being related to Patty) I wish he never had to go. What my argument was is that he was traded for something that was not equal to or even close to the value he had. Surely that happens a lot, which was my point. 

So, please certain peeps. My computer reporting teacher cannot read between the lines, so why don't you give it a shock.

Freedom to Love the Swedish Defenseman...or Americanized Communism?

Yesterday, while at Channel 2, one of the anchors and I were sitting in the news van at police headquarters waiting to go in. Once I caught on that he was a huge hockey buff, we started talking about the Sabres, of course. 

It went into talking about the Atlanta game, because really at this point the Florida game only brings on " dear god that was amazing." Somehow, without immediately professing my love for him, I mentioned how Patty was not at fault for that game. 

And he agreed, for a change. No one agrees with me, except for Shelby....who either really believes that it wasn't Patty's fault, or just fears of saying otherwise to me. But we went on about how Patty, who is no longer starting goalie material (and I fully admit that, but he was one hell of a starter) is an excellent back up and should be treated as such. Adam Mair didn't play well in his first game of the season, but no one is jumping on his case (they're probably afraid to). 

And for the first time in I can't tell you how long, he agreed with me about MAX! Not that he had no right to be booed because he was forced out of this city, or that it was spectacular that his first goal was against us (his second was last night, for those who care)....but that he was never a ' problem' for this team, but rather this team was a problem for him. He had such talent that didn't necessarily blend with this team, but rather than putting an effort to make things work, they just gave up on him. Suddenly, HE was the problem. 

Not only was I stoked that I found someone that can see that Patty and Max are not as problematic or as terrible as so many people claim, but it got me thinking that maybe I'm so excited to get to talk about these things, because I can never have a pleasant conversation related to these subjects. 

I cannot tell you how many friendships I've lost over stupid hockey things, or how many fights it has started. It's pathetic, trust me, I know it is, especially at my age. A vast majority of my friends I have met because of the Sabres, and a lot of times I'll keep my mouth shut on certain hockey related things to avoid a fight. Not to say that they don't, I'm sure there are plenty of times they have done the same. 

However, I rarely feel comfortable speaking honestly about what I do and don't like about that team, because I'm either going to get insulted, shut down, degraded, yelled at...etc. Especially since I don't fit in with so many cookie cutter routines of this team. 

I hate Pominville.

 Not personally, he's a nice guy. But, I think playing wise he is draining this team and isn't what he use to be. Don't give me that ' oh he had a bad season' crap because Max had a bad season and he was chased out of the city. 

I love Hank. 

This is probably more for his adorableness rather than playing. I know he's had a bad stretch of time, but in seven short games we have learned that he is not going to let that trend continue. A number of people I know do adore him, but he gets ' spanked' a lot, as Bucky would say. 

I think Miller is overrated (and he's not alone)

I know I can't be alone in this, but I never hear it from others (except yesterday in the news van). I don't think his overrating is anything he is personally doing, because he probably wouldn't allow it. But, he is. I do think he is a moderately talented goalie, and is fine on this team, but lets stop bowing down to him. It's really starting to wear off. 

Back up goalies get no lovin'. 

It started when Marty became the back up goalie, then went to everyone forgetting who TBO was, now we're at Patty Cake. It cannot be put in more simple terms...you can be a great goalie- even if its a back up goalie- but if you're benched for long stretches of time, you're not going to come out shining on the other end. Patty didn't play fantastic his first game, I know. But he hadn't played since the end of September...and I won't even go into our defense that night. When he had to be starter last season, he had a shaky start, but then did great. I almost feel like he's our whipping boy....most of his games will likely be when Ryan blows it. Then, when we lose that game, Patty will get blame over Ryan, when he was trying to dig the game out of the hole. 

And didn't TBO shut out almost every time he played two seasons ago?

The Sabres are such a charity case. 

I'm sure this pisses off a lot of people, too, more than the other rants. We trade players like Al and Marty and Danny and what have you. And for what? Useless draft picks, players that leave weeks later....CRAP basically. Danny and Marty can be argued, I'm sure, even though they still bug me. Players are not judged properly around here, that's for sure. Two players can perform the same way, and only one is going to get attention, whether it be negative or positive, for it. 

Unfortunately, the outlook on this team will probably never change. Miller will still be God, Pominville will still be the greatest thing since sliced bread, and Tyler Myers will still get interviewed every times he performs the magic that is converting oxygen to carbon dioxide. 

Pregame! Woo!

Alright, folks. Preseason continues tonight!

Our boys are in Detroit, hopefully ready to bounce back against the Red Wings. 

Maybe we should all take a moment to remember what happened last time we played them...

Luckily, Drewseph is not playing tonight. Craigory, however, is. So, in case someone feels like getting out of hand, he shall be there.

Also playing from Thursday night are Vanek, Roy (gah!), Butler, Gerbe, Myers, Pominville (gah!), Weber, Mac, and Kennedy...probably because of his Michigan relations.

SPEAKING OF MICHIGAN! Ryan is playing tonight, the WHOLE game with Jhonas backing him up. Patty didn't get to play the whole game...

...anywho, other new guys in the mix are Goose, TC, Matty Ellis, Patty K, Mike Grier, Peaches, and Toni Bear. I'm excited some ' seasoned' defensemen are going in tonight. They can help out the little ones, even if it's only to kiss the boo boos better.

Shelby and I will be listening to the game at the same time of watching Dirty Dancing...not even kidding.

After tonight, the boys head to Washington to hopefully not re-create Thursday night. Then, they are back here for the second (and final) home preseason game against the Leafs.

It's also going to be Shelby and I's first game together...

...I wonder if they let you blog from a holding cell.

Hehehe.

So, I wasn't going to post tonight. I'm being a bad blogger, I know, but I'm fighting some sort of mystery illness, and it's taking a lot out of me. 

Like I was saying, wasn't going to post, but then I was on Caroline's blog, and I saw that there were some Catwalk photo-shoot pictures added. They can be seen here.

Let me just get this out of the way now. Ryan Miller should have been born in the 1950's. It suites him so well and I think he'll look smashing in November

But let us focus on why we're all here. 

This is going to be the last thing Craigory ever remembers from the Catwalk.

Chris Drury never looked this stylin', folks!

The best part is, he looks like he was just randomly at that stop sign on Perry Street and they took that. Like, hello!

I'll probably be peeling Shelby off her living room floor tomorrow.

Today I attended my third training camp session, and it looks as though everyone is alive. I still get a little over excited when I see Drew, even if he is sometimes a pain to the world of photography.

10727_638749784055_90400158_38208468_4542629_n.jpg

Down in front!

Gosh, one good headshot, and suddenly you can just stick your butt wherever you want!

Don't worry, where there is agony, there is amusement. For instance, 

10727_638749794035_90400158_38208470_4497794_n.jpg

Peaches and his missing pearly white. He's so proud of that.

10727_638749624375_90400158_38208439_6113492_n.jpg

A smiling Finn! (wait until they tell him he's on a line with Drew...)

10727_638924309305_90400158_38215190_788401_n.jpg

And last, but certainly not least, Gerbe boy standing on a booster stand to watch the practice group

(it was just as amusing to watch him jump down from it). I cannot seem to look at that boy without giggling. 

Anywho, tomorrow is the preseason game. And what comes after the preseason? The REAL season! I am so excited for tomorrow, but will actually believe that when I can stay awake for more than fifteen minutes. Also, I'm nervous to find out who's actually playing. I'd like to wear my Patty jersey at least once to a game that he actually needs. 

Luckily, the great city of Buffalo remains safe for a week, as the game Shelby and I are going to attend isn't until next week. Red carpets and Finnish flags all around, folks!

Also, random side note. Tonight was the finale of America's Got Talent (which means my obsession is over...at least until the Bad Girls Club started). My original guy didn't make it to the finals, and my back up guys placed third, but I am really proud of the guy who won. His name is Kevin Skinner, he's a chicken catcher from the south (not kidding). He's not the best singer in the world, and the second finalist was a really good opera singer. But, I just love his charm and his personality, so I am SO proud of him.

In case you care, this was his audition:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to_dareBr5Q&feature=related

Stupid YouTube won't let me embed it. He's like Susan Boyle (except he won) never judge a book by its cover, and if you make fun of people, you'll get smacked!

Oh Look, She's going to Bitch About Patty Again

Yes, she is!

This made me so angry? It was in the Bleachers Report 30 Teams in 30 Days presentation:

"While Patrick Lalime returns to the club, he seems to be slowing down with age. The 35-year-old goaltender from St. Bonaventur, Quebec, has Sabres prospect Jean-Phillippe Lamoureux looking over his shoulder, but expect Lalime to hold the backup spot, at least for the time being."

I am so freaking sick of hearing about how Jhonas and/or JP are going to suddenly kick Patty out of his spot. Newsflash, GM wannabes, NEITHER OF THEM HAVE PLAYED IN THE NHL! There is no way in hell that Lindy, or even Darcy on a bad day, is going to let two goalies- one who has merely sat on the bench of a NHL game- take over a veterans spot. NO WAY IN HELL! I have nothing against either JP or Jhonas, I think they're both great and will be NHL material in the future, but for now do your job in Portland!

And slow down with age? He's 35! It's not like he's scrambling around Buffalo with a walker! His hip surgery was not a hip replacement, and people seem to have trouble understanding that. Adam JUST had the same surgery, and he's five years younger, it has nothing to do with age. 

Patty played 24 games with the Sabres (including ones in which Ryan was pulled). His first, which was a win, was the second game of the season against the Islanders. It also includes 3 games that Ryan was pulled (including the game where he was hurt) and 11 games of Ryan's injury, not including the one where he was initially hurt. 

So, that means Patty played 12 games prior to Ryan being hurt, 10 of which he was a starter. I believe Tellqvist played two or three (pretty sure it's one, actually) games during Ryan's injury, and then after that Patty was hurt. 

That is not a lot of games people, despite how big it looks bulked up. Granted, it is more than T-Bo ever played (it's double, actually) but when your starter goes down all of the sudden- and not dangerously close to the playoffs, but the injury would have been less effective if it was in November or something- you want a somewhat experienced back up, right? Not only someone who has a number of good years behind him (like Patty does) but someone who has seen enough ice time, so that an understandable rusty beginning is out of the way a lot faster. 

Instead, he plays in 12 games- just over 660 minutes including the Rangers game in which Ryan was hurt- from mid October to late February- a little over four months. Which is, since I still have the calculator out, about 165 minutes a month. This, after five-ish months of an offseason, not to mention playing a good 32 games with Chicago the season before. 

Is this a situation that only effects Patty? Heck no, and I know that. If T-Bo is by any chance reading this, he's probably nodding because the same damn thing, if not worse, happened to him (hey, buddy!). If you're going to brush aside the back up goalie and be like ' oh yeah, it's Patrick Lalime' because you're too busy kissing Ryan's feet, that's fine. I'm so use to it, I almost accept it. But, when he goes down, and our VERY skilled and still somewhat young back up goalie can't get things down fast enough, don't blame him. 

That's all I ask. Don't look for reasons to blame him, they're not there. He would go in when Ryan was having a bad game, try to dig them out of the hole, then get crap for it. He played even after getting on- ice stitches in Anaheim.

He played through the flu against Carolina, if nothing more than to make sure Jhonas slept at night. Etc.

Is the the only goalie that would do that? I hope not. I'm sure Ryan will, or has. My point is, don't say there is something wrong on his end. That's all. 

In case you're not convinced, here are his stats from the O-Town days:

1999–00	Ottawa Senators	NHL	38	19	14	3	-	2,038	79	3	2.33	.905
2000–01	Ottawa Senators	NHL	60	36	19	5	-	3,606	141	7	2.35	.914
2001–02	Ottawa Senators	NHL	61	27	24	8	-	3,582	148	7	2.48	.903
2002–03	Ottawa Senators	NHL	67	39	20	7	-	3,943	142	8	2.16	.911
2003–04	Ottawa Senators	NHL	57	25	23	7	-	3,324	127	5	2.29	.905

Old? Pfft. Hasek and Chelios sure took their time limping around Detroit, and everyone knows THATS a good club. 

Just saying. 

That's QUEEN to You

So, I just read that Spencer Pratt legally changed his first name to ' King.' Just when you think you can't hate someone more. Honestly, he ranks below Derek Roy in my books as far as public behavior, and that's hard to do. I fear that Spencer ever comes to Buffalo and the two meet and...bond. I shiver at the very thought. But, he could always get Derek to go on next seasons ' I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!'...and then we have freed cap space. 

...just saying. 

Anywho. 

Yesterday morning, Shelby and I were spending one of our last early mornings at the Pepsi Center, very happy to see the extreme change in number of Sabres from when we started going weeks ago. Then, there was one guy who was standing at the door to the rink talking to someone, and we could not pinpoint who he was...we couldn't see the front of his jersey, or his face, and there was no number on the back of his helmet. Mind you, there's a number of guys who we still have no idea who they are. 

As soon as he was on the ice, Shelby and I grabbed on to each other and yelled ' IT'S THE SWEDE!'

And it was!

For some reason, the Sabres always seem so much peppier with him there...well, not just ' some' reason, I think we know what it is. He kept chit chatting with Craig, and I'm sure he was excited because there was finally another defenseman there (a real one, Butler counts in his own way). Now if he could just get his Finnish bud involved before training camp...

Our friend asked him for an autograph when he got off the rink, in front of the locker room. I took at as the perfect opportunity to ask him if he had hair, because we all had to look at that bald(ish) yearbook picture for a whole year! I wanted his hair! I wanted his mohawks! After asking three times (and me gesturing my own hair) he said he did. He was then asked to remove his helmet to prove it. 

He could do better (in all fairness, he's all sweaty there). But we are on the right track! And for the record, that's the picture he got with my friend (you can see a bit of her hair, I just doubt she wanted to end up on this thing)...I didn't just get one to prove he had hair. I even emailed Heather about all this.

Good job, Hank!

In other news,

Patty the Bobblehead met Patty the Goaltender today. After weeks (or so it felt) of plotting, planning, deciding, changing our minds whenever we could, it finally happened. We were worried about catching him, because he carpools with J-Pom and spent a lot of time after practicing helping Marty carry stuff to his car (because I think he's finally going to New York. Not that I didn't like him being here, I loved it, but I was worried we would see him at the Puck Drop).

Shelby, like with Ryan, got his attention, and I think even added in ' we have a favor to ask you.' I gave him the same mumbo jumbo we gave Ryan, and then handed the little dude over. 

Look at those matching smiles!

According to Shelby, he said ' he's cute.' I'm honestly a horrible person to recall events when he's around, but I did hear him say ' I haven't seen him in awhile.' But he had fun with it, we think, and even signed him afterwards.

Shelby and I had a great discussion about which goalie did it better, after I put the two pictures next to each other. 

And now, we want others to decide! Do not hold the weird angel against them, that was my fault. When I took the one of Ryan, I was standing on a bench across from him, and with Patty I was on the ground in front of him (and he's, what, 6'6'' in skates?)

But it's great that the drunken bobblehead is making the rounds. 

On an endnote, Marty had his Islanders helmet yesterday...after weeks of using the Flyers one that he never actually wore in Philly. 

Here's what it looks like...

10727_637124531075_90400158_38115000_6748826_n.jpg

10727_637124526085_90400158_38114999_7212346_n.jpg

Oh, and props to Mike Weber for almost killing us with the puck that missed us by the length of Derek Roys...nevermind...