Living in the tri-state area, I don't get many chances to see my "beloved" Sabres play live, so when the opportunity arises, I usually jump on it. When I lived among the five boroughs of NYC, it was usually just for Ranger games at the Garden, and occasionally a road trip out to Nassau or the Meadowlands. However, since becoming the only member of the Deeg to move over the water to Hoboken, NJ, the trip to Newark for Devils games has become much easier. So on Wednesday night, accompanied by the Scizzette's father (a Devils fan), I ventured out to see the Sabres play live for the first time this season.
These are my observations from the game. I have not looked at any stat lines, read any recaps, watched highlights, or even discussed the game with any members of the blogopolis. This is what I saw and the thoughts that followed. You forget how different it is watching live when you don't get many opportunities to do so. Also, I had a lot to drink last night, so some of my recollections are a bit fuzzy. Actually, I remember very little of the so-called "important hockey details". That's what happens when you have a Peroni, Sixpoint Smoked Baltic Porter, Sixpoint Diesel, Coney Island Mermaid Pilsner, two large Stella's, a Ramstein wheat beer, and finally an Elmer T. Lee bourbon as a nightcap. Thank God for Barcade's meat and cheese plate, otherwise I might not be standing right now. Blogger row credentials, here I come!
-No shit-talking. Before, during, and after the game, not a single word of shit-talk was said to me. Maybe it's because there is no real rivalry between the two teams. Maybe it's because there were a lot of kids in attendance since they are off from school this week. Or maybe they just feel bad for us. Whatever the reason, it was weird. Might be the only arena I've ever been to where that's happened. Leafs fans, they are not.
-I should also note that I did not have the now legendary Matt Ellis jersey on. Due to a shipping snafu, it is not actually in my possession yet. I rocked the Hawerchuck t-shirt and hat. Demands respect.
-The Devils came out to Seek & Destroy. Entrance win.
-That first goal sucked. I think 2010 Ryan Miller stops that. In fact, I really though he did at first. I only saw the replay once in the arena but I thought he had it. Still have no idea how it slipped through.
-I missed the second goal. I was picking up my beer. I'm going to blame Leopold and Nolan Pratt.
-McNabb is getting tons of ice time, no? Again, I haven't looked at the box score but it seemed like he was out there a ridiculous amount for a rookie who shouldn't have even been called up this season. It's a shame he goes back to Rochester when Myers returns. I'd love to see them play together.
-I probably don't need to say this, but dear lord I love seeing Ellis on the 3rd line with Kassian and Adam. Of course they need to score more for it to work, but they had some solid chances last night. Which leads to...
-As soon as I'm done writing this I'm going to watch highlights and figure out why the fuck that Adam goal was actually a no-goal. High-stick was it? The gal's dad didn't understand why it wasn't a goal, and even after the replay in the arena, two Devils fans down the row looked over at me and said, "Wait, why wasn't that a goal??"
-Back to Matt Ellis. You know how much I love the guy, but holy crap he fell down more last night than Michael Ryan circa 2007. DON'T EMBARRASS ME, MATTY!!!
-Oh yeah, that Miller rant was because that 3rd goal sure looked like his fault. Tell me if I should look again.
-When Pominville whiffed on the eventual Vanek goal, two things happened: 1. I almost unleashed a tirade of obscenities the likes of which no one has heard before. However, due to the adorable five year old enjoying his first hockey game two seats away from me, I held it in. The Scizzette's Dad found this hilarious. 2. Vanek mopping up that horrid scoring failure and turning it into his own goal is a metaphor for this whole season. Everyone else is fucking up while he looks like a legit star on the ice. What a waste. I think it was ScottyMCSS on twitter that said last night it reminded him of the years of wasting Hasek's talent. Blah.
-I hate bullet points. Why am I writing with bullet points? Oh right, I'm mailing this one in.
-Zack Kassian is still making a lot of rookie mistakes, but damn he is fun to watch. He looks like he is about to skate through a brick wall every time he heads to a loose puck. I can't wait until he punches somebody and his fist goes through their face.
-I hate Tallinder so much. His dumb face on the jumbotron almost unleashed a rage storm of insane proportions. Then I realized that every fan in the crowd hates him just as much. Hate/love shared, Jersey fans. Good on ya.
-Robyn Regehr looked much smaller in person. I guess the way he destroys people on the ice made me think he is a frost giant who carries an oversized axe. Disappointing.
I was about to wrap this up, but then I remembered one last thing. Did Sekera get hurt? Barely saw him play last night. Not that I care. He sucks.
Wow, this post ended up super negative. I hate being a Buffalo fan. BUT... I can't wait for #OccupyNassau!