Archives for October 8, 2011

‘In general, the atmosphere was terrific. Just three hours before the game is clearly the place filled to the o2 World. The jerseys the fans were almost as colorful as the nearby East Side Gallery. Also came to cheer the merchandise seller, whose souvenirs went like hot cakes on the counter. Already after the first third of this game, for example, the Caps were already sold out. It seemed as if the hockey fans in Germany waiting for this day.’

‘”That was a great experience. As the fans have called my name, was simply indescribable,” said Ehrhoff. And his Austrian team-mate, the approximately 2,000 fans were supportive of the home, said: “For the first three or four changes I get goose bumps.”‘

‘That it can reach this year for the big throw is to Vanek sure, but the Austrians are well aware of:.. “We must find the right chemistry, it waits for hard work to us, and thus at the end of the Cup looks out needs, you happiness and health “.’

‘Thomas Vanek picked up right where he left off at the end of the 2010-11 regular season, finishing the night with three points (2+1) and a game-high nine shots. Vanek ended last season with consecutive three-point games, giving him nine points (6+3) in his last three regular season contests. Vanek played alongside Luke Adam and Jason Pominville for the first time in a regular season game, after being formed midway through training camp when Derek Roy was injured. Vanek was happy with their chemistry, but knows they have a long way to go.’

Buffalo (1-0-0) at Los Angeles (1-0-0) (AP)
Buffalo Sabres (1-0-0) at Los Angeles Kings (1-0-0) (The Sports Network)
Sabres and Kings face off in Berlin (NHL.com)

‘”Overall, we can be pretty happy with our effort. It’s definitely nice to get off to a good start,” said captain Jason Pominville, who had a three-point night with a goal and two assists. “Our compete, our battles, everything we talked about was good. Our special teams were good. Millsie [Goalie Ryan Miller] right off the bat made some big saves to keep us in the game, and after that we were able to get the lead and play good with it.”‘

‘The two-hour flight touched down at 2:50 a.m. German time, and with another half-hour tacked on for unloading luggage, the buses didn’t get rolling until 3:20 a.m. The traveling party arrived at the downtown hotel at 3:50 a.m., just 16 hours before their 8 p.m. faceoff with Los Angeles.’

‘”We’ve got that here now,” Pegula said. “We believe we can win. Just because you talk about it doesn’t mean you’re going to do it. I don’t think anybody in here is foolish enough to believe it’s going to happen just because you want it to, but it’s definitely the way to start.”‘

‘”To have that green light, it’s nice,” Tyler Myers said. “All the D-men have it. Obviously, you want to play defense first, but if we’re on a rush bringing that fourth man in, that defenseman, it’s part of our game.”‘

‘Oddly enough, the last three Stanley Cup champions all opened their campaigns overseas in the NHL Premiere Series. It’s a good omen the Sabres, Ducks, New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings all hope holds again this season.’