Sunday, March 29, 2009

Hard Earned Win



I have stated before on this blog that at this point I am just going to try and enjoy the games that I watch, because if the Sabres go out there and play an honest game then I can't get too angry over the outcome. Of course I want them to win every night and make the playoffs, and I'm sure the online sports betting people do also. That's just a given and I don't think I need to mention that. Last night was a very entertaining game to watch. Even when the team gave up their two goal lead and let the Habs score 3 straight goals to take the lead, I liked what I saw from the team. There was determination and they sure as hell weren't going to give up without a fight. They didn't develop a defeatist attitude and let the Habs have their way with them. After we gave the Habs life in their own building, they continued to pour on the pressure, but the Sabres didn't back down.

The statistics weren't on the Sabres side that night. I believe the Habs were 7-1-1 with the Sabres when playing in their own building. And the Sabres had only won 5 games this whole season after trailing in the third. But at this point you have to throw all those stats out the window and forget about them. They're meaningless. The Sabres started off the third period shorthanded but they kept pressing and they got rewarded when MacArthur scored the equalizer. Both teams played hard, and for me, it seemed inevitable that this game was going to overtime. Not the most ideal situation for the Sabres, but we'll take the wins any way they come. So while they couldn't get the job done in regulation as hoped, they took care of business in the shootout (well, Miller and Lydman did at least) and left Montreal with 2 points. That's all I really could ask for right now. A well deserved win.

I was a little disappointed seeing Max out of the lineup. I have no problem with Mair returning, I just think that Max has been playing pretty well ever since he's been inserted back into the lineup and he's not the one who deserves a benching. But having Mair back proved to pay dividens as he scored our first goal. I thought Sekera played very poorly. All night. No surprise that he was benched in the third. Another player that I have to comment on is Jochen Hecht. Just when I start to compliment his game, he takes a stupid retaliatory penalty when we were already down a man to put the Habs on a 5-on-3 and they shortly score to put them in the lead. Dumb, dumb, dumb. Some argue that it was a weak call, and the Habs were getting away with stuff like that all night, but it still was a penalty that he didn't need to take. Then he took another penalty on a routine clearing attempt when he shot the puck over the glass. Jochen, Jochen, Jochen. Other than those mistakes, I liked his game. Rivet was also impressive when he took on Kostopoulos. I love Rivet. This team needs more players like him. In my opinion, he is just the quintessential hockey player. Hell, he even looks like a hockey player. Connolly had another great game and it's good to see him come back to life these past few games.

I thought both Miller and Carey Price played very good games. Miller was busy all night and he had two huge saves that stick out for me. The one where the puck bounced off the glass and right in the crease by the goal line and he had to be quick to be the first person to get to the puck or else it would have been an easy tap in for Montreal. The second save was when he was out of the crease but dove in a sprawling effort to stop the puck. Very acrobatic. Then he came up huge in the shootout, stopping all six of Montreal's players. Price looked good, too...only surrendering one goal in that extended shootout. But we were better. After our big guns couldn't get it done in the shootout, I wasn't surprised to see an interesting selection like Lydman. I had a good feeling he was going to score, just because I kept getting flashbacks to Henrik Tallinder's wicked move to beat Brouder. Lydman's post-game interview was pretty hilarious. Sylvester was like, "So Toni...what was the move?" to which Lydman responded, "Well the trick was...there was no move." Lydman seems to be a bit shy on camera, but his sense of humor doesn't go unnoticed on me. He seems to be a funny guy.

So while the Sabres still need to climb a bit more to make a playoff push, last night's win was very satisfying and it's nice to see this team play some good hockey. It's extremely reassuring to see Miller on his game like this. Looks like he hasn't missed a beat, and it's just what we need right now. He was so sharp in the shootout and I was just like, "For the love of god, score a goal for Ryan, PLEASE." Thank youuuu, Toni.

So today is my last day of spring break. I used this break to recharge and relax. Now I have to write a few papers and I have a midterm to study for. Ugh...I am trying my best to enjoy myself before the semester ends. I just keep saying to myself that after my midterm on Tuesday I'll be able to relax. And then I have a Sabres game on Wednesday to look forward to. So until then...

OH, by the way...I have to post this video. It's of Rob Ray's reaction to something during Ryan Miller's post-game interview the other night. I don't know what the hell he saw but his reaction is priceless.

10 comments:

Miller Fan In Arizona said...

Good morning!

Fully agree with everything you said about last night's game. I told you that you were one of the few (who post on other boards and such)that actually has a clue about what is going on. :)

Very impressed with Tim Connolly last night. His diving play to keep things going right before the third goal was very, very impressive. We have been lacking some of these little things this year. But that play was huge.

Ryan looked terrific in the shootout. The little bit of sass after each missed Montreal attempt was classic. I didn't really notice it last night but I did when watching the highlights on NHL On The Fly. You can see a very small fist clench after the missed shots. Great stuff.

So, on we go. Let's hope for some more good things this week.

Only other comment - after watching numerous games this year via Center Ice, I am starting to wonder if I really understand the rules of the game. Some of the calls and non-calls this season in the league have been quite interesting to say the least.

Caroline said...

Yes, Timmy's diving attempt to keep the puck in Montreal's zone was great...I was really hoping they would score after working so hard in that shift, so it was real nice to see them rewarded with a goal.

I noticed Ryan pumping his fists after he turned away each player in the shootout...I was happy for him.

I know what you're saying about all the calls in this league. Sometimes it's unbelievable. I didn't mention it in my post, but I should have...I can't believe LaPierre only got a two-minute minor on his dirty hit on Kaleta. Just terrible. The league needs to be more strict with hits like that and they need to send a message to the players that they're not going to tolerate that nonsense...two-minute minors are not going to cut it. I also saw a goal last night in Calgary that disallowed because the player was standing in the crease (and he was barely in the crease...he just set up a nice screen). I thought they got rid of that rule 10 years ago...a la Brett Hull's "No Goal" that we're all too familiar with.

Jill said...

Well I must say, I looked at Jay and said I am not too sure if I am comfortable with Ryan in a shoot out quite yet... BUT I presume he has been practicing it A LOT. Two games two nights one being 65 minutes plus a shoot... not a good situation for a returning goalie coming off injury. He rocked it. It was the goaltender show.

That paddle save where he leaped across... highlight reel. We were like lets see that again and again... bird's eye view was the best.

When Lindy put Toni in... I was like Lindy WTF are you doing? Did you just say who wants to go in and Toni raised his hand? Seriously? Then it happened... I couldn't believe my own eyes.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE that Ryan has his own mini celebrations after every shoot out save. It is awesome! <3 Love it.

He is not a savior just a goalie... my ass Ryan.

Caroline said...

When Lindy put Toni in... I was like Lindy WTF are you doing? Did you just say who wants to go in and Toni raised his hand? Seriously? Then it happened... I couldn't believe my own eyes.

I just had a strange feeling he was going to score...just because he was an obscure choice that probably raised a lot of eyebrows, I was like, "He'll probably score."

Defy Gravity... said...

hahaha.... I LOVE Rayzor's face in the video! That is classic!

Jay said...

I think the thing about odd-ball shootout choices is that they have a bit of an advantage in that the opposing goaltender has no idea what they are going to do. I am sure all the teams have video of all shootouts and study the 'usual suspects'. Price had some idea of what Connolly & Vanek were going to do but Toni? No clue!

And for the video, I LOLed big time! I noticed he was acting funny, like he was drunk or something but I totally missed that part. Thank you for posting!

Caroline said...

hahaha.... I LOVE Rayzor's face in the video! That is classic!

I know! Every time I watch it I laugh haha.

Caroline said...

I think the thing about odd-ball shootout choices is that they have a bit of an advantage in that the opposing goaltender has no idea what they are going to do. I am sure all the teams have video of all shootouts and study the 'usual suspects'. Price had some idea of what Connolly & Vanek were going to do but Toni? No clue!

And for the video, I LOLed big time! I noticed he was acting funny, like he was drunk or something but I totally missed that part. Thank you for posting!


You're definitely right, it throws the goalie off because he doesn't know what to expect. I'm sure both goalies and shooters are well aware their opponent's tendencies and they try to exploit it, but when your opponent is obscure like Lydman, you have nothing to base it on and it just becomes a crapshoot. And what do you know, Toni beats Price five hole with a simple shot.

Haha no problem...whenever I'm having a bad day I'll have to remind myself to watch that video because I've laughed every time I've watched it so far.

dani said...

What the hell was Ray looking at? hahahaha!!! Thanks for posting that one. Oh my god thats funny.

(I love Toni's humor.)

Caroline said...

What the hell was Ray looking at? hahahaha!!! Thanks for posting that one. Oh my god thats funny.

(I love Toni's humor.)


Hahaha I know, it's comical. I really want to know. I am tempted to write in to Kevin Sylvester during the intermission reports and tell him to ask Rayzor what he saw.

Even though Toni can come off as stiff and shy in front of the cameras, you can still tell that he's got a good sense of humor.