Pre-Season "Game" #1

by Anne

So last night's game got me all worried and riled up and foolishness. I was like "WE LOST 7-4 TO THE MAPLE LEAF ROOKIES?!?!?!?! FORGET THIS TEAM!!! I HATE YOU ALL!!!! BURN DOWN THE ARENA!!! GIVE ME DARCY REGIER'S HEAD ON A PLATTER!! THIS IS ALL BECAUSE WE LOST BIG BEAR!!!! OK THAT LAST ONE PROBABLY ISN'T TRUE!! GAHHHHHH!!!.... but on a totally not-related note Heroes was AWESOME."

HOWEVER.

Then I got home and read the lines from last night's game and they were totally ridiculous. So many veterans didn't play that I'm not going to bother listing them all. I'm just forget about the game. It was the hockey equivalent of a first stumble through - it was really rough, but it wasn't like we had our top lines. I mean, come on, Yo-Yo was playing without Pommer. How is he supposed to focus while most of his energy is going into babysitting Stafford and Pie? Hank was playing without Tone, how is he supposed to be able to concentrate with his team life partner up in the press box? At least Roysie and Vanek were both out, because one without the other is just a mess.

Don't freak out. Although... Miller did allow in 3 of 11 shots.... errrrrrrr, ok that's fine, I suppose I can get over that.... right....?

Whatev. S(h)ara was talking me down from a ledge and she's right; its not worth freaking out over. Its one pre-season game with some cracked out lines and pairings.

Tonight is the big "Hockeyville" game. The NHL wants to put on a good game for Roberval, and because the Habs and Sabres will probably play some competitive hockey, I'm sure Lindy will play the top lines. Pommer will play for sure, and maybe he'll be rocking the "C". Hecht had it last night, which works just fine for me. As long as the C is on Pommer, Hecht, Teppo, Gaustad, Spacek or Roy, I'm really fine with it. Hell, I'd probably be ok with Rivet rocking the C.

Sidenote, Kevin Sylvester's game blog was awesome and I hope he keeps doing it. I love blogs and hockey and hockey blogs and Kevin Sylvester even though someone told me he's a jerk. WHATEVER. He posted a picture of Elmo. I love him. And his blog. Don't deny our love.

I wanted to post pictures from Puck Drop but they're really bad because my camera sucks, so instead I bought a new camera, a Kodak Easyshare with higher megapixels and better optical zoom. Its not a Canon or anything, but it was an inexpensive refurb from Overstock and it'll be better than the camera I have now.

Wooooo!!!!!!! Pre-season game #2 tonight!!! Soooooo its not being broadcast on MSG or Versus or anything, but let Rick Jeannerett's dulcet tones soothe you through what will hopefully be a better game. Listen to Harry Neale ramble about God only knows what and say all the wrong things that make you want to just throw the radio across the room and start cheering for the Thrashers. The THRASHERS, HARRY. SOMETIMES YOU MAKE ME WANT TO CHEER FOR THE THRASHERS. I HATE Ilya Kovalchuk.

Whatever, HOCKEY IS BACK!!!

Hey Facebook BFF! Hope you play tonight! Love ya!

Have Our Prayers Been Answered or This Might Be The Worst Idea Ever

by Anne

This morning I was perusing (old-fashioned style while I ate a bagel) the Buffalo News Sports section. In amongst the Bills news was an article about how the Sabres broadcast and web content will be different this season.

The most notable differences:

• There will be no post show " The Shootout" after road games
• Rayzor will be providing analysis from the ice level on MSG during road games, not in the studio with Robi and KSylv until The Shootout after the game
• Maria Genero, formerly of Channel 2, will be joining the team doing features, etc. on the players:

Executive producer Matt Gould added the money saved is being put into the Web site coverage, which is where Genero comes in. The local TV personality — who will leave Channel 2 shortly — will do features that will be carried on Sabres TV online and that are aimed at getting fans to know the players better.

Hahahahahaha. YYYeeeesssssssssss. I complained all last season about how jealous I am of the San Jose Sharks SharksTV. They have really fun interviews and features on the players and the coaching staff and it looks like lots of fun. NOW, it appears the Sabres are catching on that fans like that stuff so sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet. I'm looking forward to it.

Its a good move to do now. There's PLENTY of fan interest these days and with this "core group" everyone has been talking about this summer being around for a while, it'll be a great way to get fans involved in the games and more invested in the players. On the money side of things, I'm sure its a great investment for the team. The more a fan knows about a player, and the more connected they feel to a team, the more likely they are to show their support by buying tickets and merchandise, so as long as the players don't mind it, it seems to be a good thing all around.

I hope they cover ALL the players and don't just constantly interview Pommer, Miller and Roysie, because as much as I love all three of them, we get interviews with them allll the time. When was the last time anyone interviewed Toni Lydman or Tim Connolly? Ok, well, they might try to interview Timmy, but any number of factors could keep the interview from airing, too much drool, too much booze, too much eye rolling, too many hookers, Timmy is a WILD CARD in so many many ways. I think I know more about Tim Connolly than I'd care to, but all I can really tell you about Toni is that he likes intense heavy metal music and I think he might be married and he might have some kids and he's from Finland.

Hey, Tone!

If you ply me with coffee, I'll basically do anything.

BTW, there has never been a post tagged "Toni Lydman" this is NOT good. Well, now there's one, but I can't believe we've never mentioned him before. Wacky.