Spandrel

Just got back from my son's hockey practice, and ready for the game. Let's drop the puck, the game is just starting on MSG. Tougher tilt tonight.

Yeah, DiPietro made some sick saves on the power play and our lack of production on our 2-man advantages was not from a lack of shots. On a few of those power plays, they were just bombarding DiPietro, and he made some nice saves. That being said, you are right that that kind of PP production will cost you against the better teams.

Final Score Buffalo 6 NY Isles 4 Goals for JP Dumont, Campbell, Afinogenov(2), Briere(2)

1:00 to go with the Sabres on the power play. DiPietro out of net.... Afinogenov with the empty netter! 6-4 Sabres!

Miro get back in the box!!!!!! Gaustad with the intercepted pass and Satan yanks him down, with about 2:00 to go!

Nail biting time. 2:30 to go with 1:00 to go in the Isles' Power Play.

Afinogenov was wide open in front of the net and DiPietro makes another great save, and now he just got tagged for Hooking. Isles will get the PP.

Buffalo on the power play, as I think Miro is headed to the box. 5:00 to go. Minnesota up 3-0 on Calgary.

Power play goal for the Isles. 5-4! 6:20 to go.

One thing I've noticed about Miller is his tendency to allow these kinds of soft goals. The Sabres were in town for an open practice and scrimmage 2 weeks ago, and he gave up 2 ultra soft goals. But, they just came back from commercial break, and it is 5-3! Jinx that! :P

Oh, no, Ryan?!?!?! What just happened there as he allowed a goal to Zhitnik from behind the blue line that he didn't play right. Fluke goal. 4-3.

Ha! I know. Like I said, I don't know if this team is a playoff team, but they are going to come out and play tough every night. They are a great skating team that is going to get their chances in games. And, this is against an Isles team that did make the playoffs two years ago, instead of the also-ran Texans. Even in the Bills' first game, there was a lot to make you nervous (FG's instead of TD's, and such). The Sabres look solid, but we'll know more in the next week as they play the Bruins and Senators.

Like I said. I went to their pre-season game against the Wild, and they looked so good on the ice, as they just skated circles around the Wild setting up one shot after another. I think all of these pundits are underestimating the value of a great skating and fast team like this Sabres team. Not sure if they'll contend for a playoff spot or not, yet, but they are going to be a tough W, every night they play.

Nice play by Campbell on defense blocking Miro's shot to set up that rush. Vanek put that pass right on the money to Afinogenov. Great save by Miller just now. Man, where does CNN/SI get off ranking Buffalo at #28 in their power rankings?!?!

BANG!!! AFINOGENOV from VANEK!!!! 4-2!!!

Puck just dropped on the 3rd period, and DiPietro was given a 2:00 roughing minor for going after Gaustad at the end of the 2nd period.

I'll keep the updates coming. Still in intermission, and I'm in my glory surfing the other games. Surprised to see MIN up 2-0 on CGY. I went to the last Buffalo pre-season game last week, and we really had our way with the Wild, so it is surprising to see them up on the Flames. Sundin took a puck to the eye and was taken off, as TOR is up 1-0 on OTT after 2. I'm on the NJ-PIT game, now, and it looks like it has been all Devils.

End of 2nd period, and that period was pretty much ALL Sabres. Huge fight!!!! DiPietro suckered Gaustad as the horn blew and he is going to get tagged.

Man, DiPietro has made one amazing save after another on this 2-man advantage. Man, this game could (or should) be 4-2 easily.

Sabres on the 2-man advantage as they call back-to-back delay of game penalties when they flip the puck out of bounds without hitting something. 2-man advantage for 1:26. Let's lay the hammer down, guys!

Brian Campbell just went top shelf (where momma hides the cookies). 3-2 Sabres! Great effort by Drury to keep the puck in the zone and eventually setting up the goal.

Isles just score again. Once again, the Sabres give the puck up in the defensive zone and can't clear it. Isles keep it in and get the equalizer.

Sabres going on the 2-man advantage for about :35 as Dumont suckers Bates into the retaliation penalty. Man, it wasn't much, but they are calling this game tight.

Man, Alexei Yashin just had no answer for Vanek other than to bear hug him. :lol: I'm just waiting for Tomas to do something fancy....

Man, Miller has looked really confident and stout on these short-handed situations. The Isles are getting their shots off on the PP, but he has been equal to the task. Being from Rochester, I can't help but pull for Miller.