Everything We Needed

Lindy Ruff said it best when he called tonight's win the "fairy tale ending" that we needed.

Sometimes, it is so evident when a team is playing for more than just two points. Tonight, the Sabres were playing for us, for Buffalo. Their faces after Jason Pominville tied the game and their exuberance after Ryan Miller stopped the last shot reflected the catharsis felt by all watching tonight.

Tonight, the Sabres held on to the end; they never gave up, despite the odds towards the end. They were fighting to give us a reason to cheer, a reason to smile, if only for a moment.

Ryan from The Roost sent me a text after the game, saying in two words what I'm sure anyone watching felt: "too perfect." After a day that was too terrible to be real, we needed to see something that was almost to good to be true.

I wish I had more to say, but I'm still getting chills thinking about the roar of the crowd after Pommer tied the game. If that reaction didn't make the case for why this game was necessary, I don't know what could.

Thank you, Sabres.

At a Loss

The last day in Buffalo has seemed like something out of a nightmare - a sky red with fire, sirens wailing through the night, 49 people dead.

The crash of Continental Flight 3407 has left this community reeling, and I feel ridiculous trying to write about a hockey game when so many are mourning.

My uncle would have been on that plane if he had decided to spend an extra day in New Jersey. I thank God that he's home safe with my three little cousins. A co-worker of he and my father was on that flight, and I'm sure all of you reading know someone who was touched personally by this tragedy.

I guess I just never thought that something like this could happen here. When you read about plane crashes, they seem so far-off, but this is anything but remote. One of my best friends used to live in Clarence Center, so I know how small and close that community is. I cannot imagine what it must be like there right now.

In the midst of all this, there is a hockey game tonight. I was surprised to read just how many Sabres players live that close to where the crash occurred. I don't know how they'll manage to put their shock and sadness aside to play tonight. Lindy looked as sad as I've ever seen him, and I feel for the players who had to explain to their young children what was going on only miles (or in some cases, yards) from their homes.

Some may say that tonight's game against the Sharks should have been cancelled or postponed. It's not my place to say what they should have done, but I feel that having them play is a good thing for the community. Buffalo lives through its sports teams, and, in times of tragedy like this, we need that burst of life more than anything.

Our sports teams bring us together as a city, as a common group of people. They give us a chance to forget about the crises in our lives for a little while, and, no matter how menial the distraction may seem, it is necessary in order to function some days.

It's easy to say that sports really don't matter in the face of events like what happened last night. However, I'm not so sure that's true. Sports allow us to pull together for something positive. Sports give us hope. No matter how good the Sharks are or how shaky the Sabres looked on Wednesday, there's always a chance that something good will happen on the ice. It's that hope of happiness that I'm looking forward to right now.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all of the victims and their families. In a community like ours, take comfort in the fact that we will help each other through this because that's what we do.

Let's Go Buffalo.

For Comparison's Sake

In "The Battle of the Intros," I present the Buffalo Sabres latest entry:

And the old standby from Ottawa:

Cute kids trump ill-fitting helmets every time.

Let's hope it shakes out that way on the ice tonight, too.

Cute kids:

Ill-fitting helmets:

Tonight is a great night for rivalries. I'll be going back and forth between the Sabres/Sens and Duke/UNC. Expect a little something on both match-ups tomorrow, if only because I'll have no homework then.

It's Been a While

I would like to begin this post by apologizing for being a terrible blogger this week; this semester is going to be more intense than even I could have imagined.

There's not much I can really contribute to the conversation about the Sabres right now. They're playing really well. I know they're playing really well. I hope they never stop playing really well.

In all seriousness, I am so pleased with not only the fact that they're winning games but how they're winning those games. Whether it's a blowout like Wednesday or a tight battle like last night, this team has shown up to play in every situation over the last stretch of games.

I know everyone loves to talk about a season's "turning point," but I have to say that this team has been different since that loss to Washington in December. After Goose, Ryan, and the others stated that they were going to hold each other accountable, I've seen a more determined team on the ice every night. Sure, some nights since then haven't been perfect, but I think we can all agree that the thing that matters most, the effort, has been more palpable ever since.

I keep waiting for this to end, for the lazy, uninspired play to start again. I'm anxiously looking at the schedule for games where they could use travel or fatigue as an excuse (yes, I know I'm a masochist). So far, though, the boys haven't taken the bait, coming to work every night - much to my pleasant surprise.

To make up for my six days without posting, I give you six reasons to be really happy with the Sabres right now:

1.) Tim Connolly - I know that Timmy is the hot subject to talk about right now, but I couldn't write a blog about the recent success of this team and not mention him. That goal last night was a thing of beauty, but it's also a thing of regularity when Timmy's in the lineup. This team plays differently with him on the ice. That is why we cannot trade him at the deadline. He makes our team better, and, with the battle to move up in the standings getting more intense every day, we need the best team we can possibly put on the ice. That team only exists with #19 as our center.

2.) Ryan Miller - Have I mentioned how excited I am that we get to keep him for the next five years?

3.) Pat Kaleta - I'm almost as happy as my father to see his man-crush back on the ice. He plays a role on our team that no one else can fill, and I love that guys on the other team know what he's trying to do and still take penalties against him. He's been pretty strong on the PK lately, too.

4.) The Vanek-Connolly-Stafford Line - It's so nice to have a strong #1 scoring line again.

5.) Defense - Spacho's shot finally hit the net. Rivet is bringing the grit and character to the blueline that we got him for. Paetsch looked good out there as a forward yesterday, playing on the strongest line of the night. I've been so impressed with Nate this season; he does what he's asked without whining, and it was nice to see him rewarded with success yesterday.

6.) Paul Gaustad (kind of...) - So I'm extremely depressed about Goose being hurt...again. Indefinitely is a long time. However, many thanks to Amy from SOTC for alerting me to this interview following the Anaheim loss. Ladies, if this doesn't make you smile as a Sabres fan, nothing will:

I don't know about anyone else, but shirtless interviews with Goose just scream journalistic integrity for me. Just keeping it classy over here at M&G.

Tonight, the Sabres take on everyone's favorite team to hate (and, this year, to laugh at), the Ottawa Senators. I just hope Ruutu isn't hungry again...

Obligatory Super Bowl Preview

Since this is primarily a hockey blog, I figured I should mention how happy I was to see Ryan Miller and our depleted defense shutout Phoenix last night.

Shutouts have a way of making me recognize just how great Ryan really is when he's on his game, but, as all of you know, I admire him even more for how great he is in the community. That is why I was ecstatic to see this article in The Buffalo News this morning. If I have time tomorrow, I'll discuss it even more, but for now I'll just say that sometimes I feel too old to look up to professional athletes anymore, but I truly do admire Ryan Miller as a generous and good human being.

My Unsung Hero of the Game goes to Derek Roy for the amazing play he made on Danny Paille's goal.

Now that hockey talk is over, it's time to discuss what I'm sure is on all of your minds today as sports fans, the Super Bowl.

Some of my earliest memories are of Super Bowl Sundays in my grandparents' basement, getting dressed up in my Bills cheerleader outfit with pom-poms, only to stand there confused and a little afraid as the grown-ups yelled bad words at the TV.

When I was around five or six, I remember not understanding why the Bills weren't in the Big Game that year; I honestly thought that it was just another Sunday game that they would always be in. Boy was I wrong (but that's another rant for another day...).

Big football games always make me think of my grandfather, the biggest Bills fan I knew. He passed away four years ago but not before travelling to see his team play in all of their Super Bowl appearances. My dad loves to tell the story about Super Bowl XXV, when my grandfather thought, for only a few seconds, that Norwood's kick was good. My dad always said that he was jealous because, even if only for a moment, my grandfather knew what it felt like to think that his team won it all.

Super Bowls without the Bills are both nostalgic and depressing for me. Not depressing because I remember, but depressing because I honestly don't know what it feels like to see your team in the Super Bowl - I was too young to appreciate the fact that things like that didn't happen every year, too young to remember the "Glory Years."

Last year's Super Bowl was everything I could have hoped for. All of my family was gathered in my grandmother's house once again with a common rooting interest, to see Tom Brady knocked down all game long. This year, we're divided between Steelers fans and Cardinals supporters, which always makes for a strained watching experience.

As for which of the above groups I fall into; I'm rooting for those perennial powerhouses from Pittsburgh. The Steelers play football the way I love to watch it; hard-hitting, gritty, and in-your-face. I have unending respect for Mike Tomlin as a coach, and I think Troy Polamalu is the most electrifying defensive player out there right now.

I have no real prediction for tonight's game, but I hope it's a good one. And if all else fails, there's a new episode of The Office on after it's done.

A Rare Occurrence

The title of this post isn't just in reference to the score of last night's Sabres-Oilers game. Yes, putting a 10-2 hurting on a playoff team on their home ice is something we hardly ever see from any team, much less this Sabres team.

It's also not in reference to the fact that the Sabres were actually one of the lead stories on ESPN last night and this morning. I was actually going to take a picture of the crawler because we know that's not going to happen too often.

No, the title of this post is in reference to the fact that the Sabres played so well last night and made me feel so comfortable that I actually fell asleep in the middle of the third period. I'm sure some of it had to do with the book I was reading for class today, but I genuinely liked the feeling of not thinking that I had to stay on the edge of my seat the whole game. I liked the idea that when I opened my eyes, we would still have a commanding lead, and maybe a few more goals to boot (which we did).

Let me put one thing out there: I am an extremely nervous hockey spectator. Ask anyone who has ever watched a game with me; I am biting my nails and twirling my hair until the final horn sounds, maybe even hyperventilating at points. So thank you, Sabres, because tonight I was able to watch a hockey game and truly enjoy it. Sometimes I forget how nice it is to see a game start out good and finish even better.

Drew looks ready for a nap...I guess scoring a hat trick takes a lot out of you.

I guess I can't decide what really happened last night. Were the Sabres really that good or were the Oilers really that pathetic? At this point, I honestly don't care because I think that the Sabres were good enough - maybe not "10 goals good," but good enough.

The team played with fire and passion from the first 10 seconds on. What was most impressive about that fact was that this was the type of game that we used to lose and lose badly. Coming off a five-day break, flying across the continent, enduring the time-change...we've heard those excuses before. I think the thing that made me happiest about last night's game was that we didn't have to use those excuses, and that is real sign of maturity coming from a group that we all thought would never really grow up.

Another thing that I liked about last night was the fact that the team didn't really go back into old habits once the score started going up. Sure, there were pretty plays, but they weren't at the expense of sound hockey and playing as a unit. The forwards covered for the defensemen when they were pinching, and the forecheck was relentless (I was especially impressed with Clarke MacArhur in this area last night).

My unsung hero of the game goes to Ryan Miller. In a blowout like that, goalies often get forgotten, and in the moments when the Oilers put on the pressure, Miller stood tall. In a game that will be remembered for its offensive fireworks, I'll remember some excellent goaltending as well.

The only bad thing about last night was the lack of close-ups on my new favorite Oiler, Andrew Cogliano. I developed a serious crush on this boy after an interview a few weeks ago on Hockey Night in Canada, where he was extremely well-spoken and surprisingly funny. The fact that he was the fastest skater at the All-Star Skills Competition certainly helped him stay in my mind:

Tonight, the Sabres face the Calgary Flames, one of my favorite teams in the West because of how hard they play every night. It also bears repeating that the man I consider the ultimate NHL Captain will be out there against us tonight:

If I was a guy, Jarome Iginla would be my man-crush.

I don't know how I feel about the outcome for this one, but I guess if last night taught me anything, it's that I shouldn't count these boys out.

PS: If anyone knows where I can find the picture they showed on the broadcast of baby Staffy in his Oilers jersey, please let me know; that was too cute not to have on my computer!

I also heard this morning from Paul Hamilton on WGR that Stafford was awarded the Pigeon of the Game, and he was doing postgame interviews with it on his shoulder. Is it just me, or is that image hilarious?

Who Else Would I Write About with Nothing Going On?

I have nothing of substance to say about Wednesday's debacle in Tampa. The Sabres put forth a strong effort (mainly in the second and third periods), but it seemed like everything that they could do wrong, they did...and then they did those things again. Bad pinches, at least one iffy goal (Tampa's fourth) by Ryan Miller, and an inability to clear the puck did them in. Still, though, a 7-3 January record so far is none to shabby. I just wished they could have entered the All-Star break with a win.

Speaking of the break, I hate that there is nothing to talk about. No football and no "real" hockey makes for a very boring time for bloggers.

What better way to cure that boredom than yet another Paul Gaustad tribute?

I've been fortunate enough to have been sent the January newsletter for Camp Good Days. As most of you are aware, this is Goose's favorite charity, and the work he does with them is one of the reasons I love him as much as I do. I encourage you to go read this short article on his latest cookie baking adventure with them and check out the adorable pictures!

What I love most about Goose's charitable side is that he never makes himself the center of attention or acts self-important in any way. He's willing to have a bag of flour dumped on him if only to see these sick kids smile. I get such a kick out of seeing professional athletes look as happy as the children they're helping when they do work in the community. This is certainly the case with Paul Gaustad; sometimes it's hard to tell whether it's the kids or Goose that's having the best time!

After reading about Goose's latest "culinary endeavor," I found myself on the Camp Good Days website, where there is an excellent piece on exactly what Paul Gaustad has done for these kids since he teamed up with the organization in 2007.

I thought myself an expert on all things Goose-related, but even I didn't know just how involved he is in making the lives of these kids even a little bit better. My favorite part of the article discusses how Goose makes time to contribute to the organization even during the busy season:

"Since then, Paul has taken time out of his busy schedule to visit campers in the hospital, or if he were on the road, he would call some of our Camp Good Days kids who were having a rough time just to chat."

The notion that Goose would take the time to rearrange what we all know is a very structured schedule for hockey players on the road in order to call a little kid struggling with illness just makes him an even better person in my eyes (which is saying something).

I guess all I really wanted to say in this post is that the involvement of hockey players in charitable organizations is one of the things I love most about this sport, and Paul Gaustad has gone above and beyond the call of duty in this involvement. While so many people have already mentioned his growing leadership role on the ice, I love to see that he has become a leader in the community as well.

Tomorrow, I will post my own All-Star roster. Look for some perennial M&G favorites to be included for no reason at all (kind of like the real thing in some ways). Tonight I'm off to see Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet re-unite in Revolutionary Road, which got snubbed by the Oscar nominations committee. We'll see if the slight was deserved (which I somewhat doubt).