The Yachtsman
This is not a team I particularly enjoy. I don't like the majority of the players (Derek Roy, Drew Stafford, Tim Connolly, Mike Weber, and Andrej Sekera in particular), I don't like the inconsistent nature of the team, and I really dislike the fact that Thomas Vanek is not a guaranteed lock for Captain. Also, I'm pissed that these meatballs are wasting another potential HOF goaltender's prime. With all this in my head, I swore off this Sabre team months ago. My vow held strong through Pegulamania, the winning roadie, and basically all of my friends haranguing me to get over it and start pulling for them again. That vow was holding fast like the krauts at Dunkirk until Jhonas Enroth walked in last night and stole my heart.
This is not a team I particularly enjoy. I don't like the majority of the players (Derek Roy, Drew Stafford, Tim Connolly, Mike Weber, and Andrej Sekera in particular), I don't like the inconsistent nature of the team, and I really dislike the fact that Thomas Vanek is not a guaranteed lock for Captain. Also, I'm pissed that these meatballs are wasting another potential HOF goaltender's prime. With all this in my head, I swore off this Sabre team months ago. My vow held strong through Pegulamania, the winning roadie, and basically all of my friends haranguing me to get over it and start pulling for them again. That vow was holding fast like the krauts at Dunkirk until Jhonas Enroth walked in last night and stole my heart.
'Come to the dark side...'
I'm a sucker for goaltenders. Some people like dekes, jukes, and a sick wrist shot -- my hockey crack is a diving glove save or a goaltender breaking up a two-on-none with a nasty stick check. I actually didn't really pour my heart into the Sabres until Hasek started dominating in the early 90's. My #39 jersey is still the only Sabres jersey I own, and it will probably remain that way until Miller wins another Vezina. I was the weird kid growing up who always wanted to play goal (much to the old man's chagrin....goalie equipment is f'ing expensive). Ryan Miller is my favorite Sabre of the past decade (alongside Chris Drury). With this in mind, little Jhonas Enroth has been slowly forcing me to pay attention to the Sabres again. Goddamn Swede.
Let's give a big round of applause for Sweden!
I really don't think enough has been said about Enroth's performance last night. So many factors were in play: The Playoffs, Miller's Injury, the loss to the Maple Shits, Enroth is 5'10", Lundqvist was across the ice, and our 2nd best (a VERY close 2nd mind you) D Man was out with injury. The fact that he came out and shut the Rangers out at home in a playoff race (yes, the Rangers suck offensively but still) should put to bed all of our reservations about goaltending depth heading into the tournament. Three straight shoot out victories plus a 1-0 shut out? That's this kids resume so far....pretty impressive if you ask this guy. That's why I'm so pissed off...Jhonas Enroth came in and performed in the CLUTCH right when I thought this team was chock full of choke. Prince Jhonas (yeah, that's what I'm calling him) has me reinvigorated and re-energized for another Sabres playoff run. Last night (and it wasn't hard) made me fall back in love with the Sabres. I fully blame Jhonas Enroth and his dominant goaltending. Once we bomb out in the ECF after a heartbreaker to the Flyers in Game 7, I'll look back to this moment, ask myself why I do this to myself, and point the finger directly in Jhonas Enroth's direction. Goddamn Swede.
GODDAMN SWEDES.
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