Sabre Dance

I can understand why Bettman seemed so upset at the news conference - I think both sides figured that they would lose the first part of the season. But, now it's looking bad for the entire season. As much as I dislike Bettman, he is no dummy and knows business. He is realizing how much negative impact this is going to have on the league, maybe permanently. (I know I stopped watching major league baseball almost completely after the last Fehr-led players strike.) If it is true that 13 teams are losing money now, I can see that number going up (maybe way up) if this debacle costs us the season. Of course, the sweat on Bettman's upper lip could also mean he is in fear of losing his job, which seems much more likely now than it did in September. I was listening to WGR on the way in to work this morning - they have an online poll (which I can't view here at work) concerning the NHL situation. I don't remember all of the choices, but one of them is "stick a fork in me, I'm done" (in other words, I'm fed up with the whole mess). Over 90% of respondants chose that as their reply. A number that high in a hockey-oriented town like Buffalo should be a big danger sign to both the league and the players. If fans are feeling that alienated, what about sponsors? Any company who just began a sponsorship with the league in the last year or two is going to have severe doubts about re-upping. I see a real danger of the league downsizing (if they ever do get a new CBA) as weaker teams' attendance plummets. So, instead of watching a Friday night Sabres' game, I'm going to see the Lincoln movie tonight and get some seafood at the Mongolian Buffet. Sounds like a blueprint for the next six months or so....

I was impressed by the number of recognizable names on the Nordiques - très redoutable! Mario Marois, Ron Tugnutt, and the aforementioned Sakic, Lafleur, etc. And the Sabres lineup was awesome from goaltender out and all the way up to the broadcast crew. Ted Darling and Mike Robitaille? Excellent. I only saw the last period of the game but it was so very enjoyable. Jeez, those Sabres/Nordiques games used to get me so fired up....

I think this is re-broadcast a couple of times, like maybe today and again tomorrow at different times. I'm going to have to DVR this one. My mom (still a huge Sabre fan at 90) absolutely HATED the Nordiques. She especially didn't like Michel Bergeron - she had a nickname for him that I can't put in this post. Even though I hated the Nordiques as well, I still miss having them in the league. (Ottawa has sort of replaced them, but not completely).

Agreed - I work on the Medical Campus, and I notice quite a few people actually walking to work, so they must be living downtown... I think the city will be the place to be very soon (if it already isn't). A Marriott Courtyard and law office are going into the old Donovan... I think 2013 will be an exciting year for downtown Buffalo (unless the Mayans are right... :o )

Some of the hobbies I have done (or still try to do) but that I never seem to have time for anymore: Homebrewing Slot car racing Flying kites (stunt kites, parafoils, etc.) Reading Listening to music (I mean "actively" listening, as in putting on a CD and reading the liner notes/lyrics as I listen) Assembling model cars (race/sports cars mostly) Photography Golf Motorcycling Watching movies (either at home or at the theatre) Bowling (Trying to) play the drums. Enjoying a cool beverage while smoking a nice cigar (or some legal tobacco in a hookah, which if you haven't tried is an interesting experience) Chasing women I never got into video games much - I tried them of course but after spending multiple hours just trying to finish one level, I realized that I was frittering away all my free time. Now, I mostly complain about not having time to do anything which is a hobby all in itself ... :)

I have Sirius in my truck and XM on my motorcycle (yes, you read that right). Most of the major stations are the same, but you do have to check the lineups of each to see if there is something on one that you must have. One note: If you tend to listen to one station a lot (I listen to "Eighties on 8" most often), it seems to me that their playlist is somewhat limited. By that I mean that if you listen long enough, you will hear songs more than once a day. Of course, there are many other stations to choose from so you can always switch around. It is a bonus if you are driving on the interstate between cities, since the stations never fade out and you don't have to touch the dial.

It's sad that Bills' fans continue to "enable" the mediocrity on this team by continuing to buy tickets for a team that hasn't sniffed the post-season in over a decade. In many other cities, teams this poor for this long would be playing to half-empty stands. Unfortunately, if fans DID stay away, it would give the team ownership a real reason to consider moving the franchise. It's a lose-lose situation. Worse yet, now Hollywood is getting in on the act... http://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2012/10/10/costner-buffalo-bills-movie/1625031/ On top of that, the NFL is considering giving this movie its "blessing". Even the NFL knows a loser when they see one.

Very nicely written and thanks for the insight... Anyone who was around when the Sabres were formed and for the first few years of their existance know the name Robert Swados. Although the Knox name (especially Seymour III) was certainly more well-known, Robert Swados was at least as integral in bringing an NHL franchise to Buffalo. Sorry to hear of his passing. Also, the fact that many of those who were there at the beginning of the Sabres' franchise have now passed makes me feel pretty old. It does not seem like 40+ years ago that Seymour III and Norty, Robert Swados and Punch Imlach put together a group of veterans drafted from other teams, added a young Gilbert Perrault and (later) Rick Martin and made it all work. The Sabres were an immediate success in Buffalo and in only a few short years were one of the finest teams in the league. I hate that the Sabres have achieved that level only one other time in their history; I especially hate that any progress the team made under Terry Pegula's ownership has now been stifled by another work stoppage. Truly, the NHL is not what it once was, and that is definitely not a good thing. Rest well, Mr. Swados - you brought much enjoyment to thousands of WNY hockey fans through the Sabres. We thank you....

And on the auspicious occasion of my 1,000th post, I say "Happy Thanksgiving" to one and all!!!

Hey! Ellijay, GA! My aunt and uncle lived in Ellijay for many years. My uncle has since passed and my aunt is now in a rehab facility in Decatur. I always thought it was only stuffing if it was actually inside the bird at some point. You can bake the same ingredients in a pan and it's dressing... But, I could be wrong....

Not really a complaint (well, sort of...) There is an item I'd like to purchase at a national sporting goods chain. It was advertised two weekends ago at $379.99 (down from the "regular" price of $399.99, which is $100 off MSRP). I went to purchase it the other day and then saw that the price was now down to $349.99 through Nov. 21 (today). So, do I make a mad rush to buy it by EOB tonight or do I wait for "Black Friday" and see if it is marked down further and risk the price going back up? (I'm thinking odds are the price will drop again - this is not a super-popular item). I'm going to wait and see... If the price does go back up, I'll be back on this thread next week b!tching....

Try this cranberry-orange relish recipe - I made some last Saturday and it is AWESOME! Ingredients: 1 12 oz. package fresh (or frozen) cranberries ½ cup sugar ½ cup brown sugar ½ cup water 1 orange (juice and zest) 1 cinnamon stick ¼ cup bourbon Directions: Remove zest from orange and slice into thin (1/16th inch) strips. Squeeze juice from the orange. Place cranberries, sugar, brown sugar, water, cinnamon stick, bourbon, orange zest and juice into a saucepan. Cook on medium heat until cranberries begin to “pop”. Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until liquid begins to thicken. Remove from and heat and allow to cool. Remove cinnamon stick. Relish will thicken further as it cools. Spoon into a container. Store covered in the refrigerator (up to two weeks) or freeze.

I don't know if it will happen, but I believe that fans SHOULD stay away from NHL games when (or if) they start up again. By going back as soon as the lockout is over, fans would just be enabling the league/players "bad" behavior. I daresay fans in New Jersey, NYC and Long Island have much more important things to spend time and money on than NHL hockey. The rest of the country is still hurting economically as well. I think both sides have overestimated their importance in the grand scheme of things. Personally, I'm having a great time watching the "classic" Sabres games that MSG is broadcasting. (The latest one was from January, 1996 - the Sabres last game at the Forum in Montreal. God, I miss the Forum.) If the entire 2012-13 season goes down the tubes, it is no skin off my nose. I have plenty of unread books on my shelf at home, as well as unwatched DVDs and Blu-Rays. The league and the NHLPA can both go hang fire.....

Grow the game? There are an awful lot of dark arenas around Canada and the US - let's put the expansion issue on hold and concentrate on actually getting hockey going in the cities that currently HAVE franchises. (As an aside, I think that the league would be much more successful with teams in Quebec and Hamilton than in Phoenix and Columbus... I'm just sayin')

Huh - I'm looking for a redhead wearing a brunette trenchcoat...and nothing else. :wub:

The season after the (Fehr-organized) MLB strike in '94 saw some pretty PO'd fans and a 20% drop in attendance. If the NHL OR the NHLPA think that fans will be running back to hockey when the CBA is finally done, they are nuts. For some of the weaker teams, that big a drop in attendance could be a death knell. Also, perhaps the U. of M. will have second thoughts about re-scheduling a Winter Classic (if I was in charge of the "Big House", I know it would take a lot for me to agree to such a thing again after being slapped in the face). Both sides are overestimating their popularity. No matter how the money is divided up in the long run, NO one will be a winner; not the NHL, not the players and especially not the fans. Good luck, Gary and Donald - you've just f****ed yourself. Enjoy... :thumbdown:

Speaking of awesome, how about all of our veterans (US and Canadian)? I know I'm a day late, but they're all STILL awesome! Thanks to all of them for their service and sacrifice.

MSG is rebroadcasting "Classic" Sabres games on Monday nights (maybe other nights, too but I've only seen on Mondays). The one last night (11/12) was the Sabres vs the Soviet Wings exhibition game in 1976. Wow! That was a huge deal back then. The Soviets supposedly had the best teams in all of hockey (although they competed in the Olympics and were considered "amateur", they basically consisted of guys who played hockey for a living). Two teams played in the "Super Series" against the NHL's best: The "Red Army" team and the "Soviet Wings". Each Russian team lost a single game; the Red Army team lost to the (defending champion) Flyers and the Soviet Wings lost to the Sabres. When I tuned in last night, it was like travelling back in time. The broadcast MSG showed was the Hockey Night in Canada feed (that should tell you how big a deal it was). Danny Gallivan did the play-by-play, with Brian McFarlane doing color commentary alongside...Punch Imlach! It was awesome to see the likes of Perreault, Martin, Korab and Gare playing again. Rick Martin had a fantastic night, scoring three goals and making the Soviet defense look like traffic cones. I forgot how physically intimidating Korab was - not only was he bigger than just about everyone else on the ice, he just looked mean out there. (Check Sabres.com for the post-game interviews). Plus, I saw a player that I had completely forgotten was a Sabre - Jacques Richard. I even remembered the final score: 12 - 6 Sabres. In between periods and after the game, Brian Duff spoke with Danny Gare about his memories of the game. Gare related something that I had not heard before. The Saturday after this monumental win, the Sabres played the Canadiens at the Forum in Montreal. Gare said that when the Sabres came out for pre-game warm-ups, the Montreal crowd gave them a standing ovation. That was incredible as the Forum crowds generally had no love for any visiting team. I hope this game will be shown again - if you get the chance to see it, by all means do. I know there are lots of younger folks on the board that never saw the Sabres from this early era. This game is a great snapshot of a great moment in the Sabres (and the NHL's) history.

Yes, I checked New York on Google Earth and it is mostly green..... :P

Not just every kid...about every third adult too, it seemed. I always thought they looked a bit...cheesy. The colors were not as vibrant as the team's jerseys and the Sabre's logo patch had a tendancy to fall off. Back in those days, any team logo merchandise was unusual. After the Finals appearance in '75, I wanted a Sabres' jacket really badly. I ordered one by mail (no internet!) from a Canadian company via an advertisement in the Hockey News. It took several weeks to arrive and cost $49.99 plus tax and duty (total ~ $62.00; a lot of cash back then! But, it was beautiful. Gold quilted satin lining, knit collar and cuffs and a big, flocked Sabres' logo on the chest. In fact, I still have it. I'm scared to wear it, though. I'm afraid the nylon would disintegrate.... If I can find it in my closet, I'll have to post a picture. :thumbsup:

Dead on. The really unfortunate thing about this is that either choice is wrong. Romney is too far right; Obama is too far left. Most of the rest of us live somewhere in the middle. Why do these things always wind up with the average Joe trying to select the lesser of two evils?

Of the Seven Deadly Sins, apparently the GOP favors "Greed" over "Lust". :blink:

I've had State Farm for years. When I had my accident back in 1999, they were awesome. They waived my $500 deductible (I think they felt the other driver was the cause), gave me a rental car although I didn't have that coverage (I do now, by the way) and paid for the lawyer when the other driver (who ran the red light) sued ME. I can't speak to their current rates (I think they're OK), but a few years back a friend who was an insurance broker looked at similar coverage from other companies and said he couldn't match what I was paying. I have a few discounts (multi-vehicle and I have my homeowners with them, too) and I have pretty hefty coverage (I learned after my accident). For me, I don't mind paying a little more knowing their level of service.

That is so (or used to be) - but I was turning off my headlights and then turning them back on, not flashing the high beams. Maybe they think my truck has an electrical short..... :blink:

As dark and rainy as it was this morning, there were still cars driving around without headlights (or even parking lights). Um, unless you're driving a fluorescent orange car with reflective stripes, you need to have your headlights on to be seen when it is A) dark and B) rainy. (Plus, it's the law). Even turning my lights on and off at the car as it goes by doesn't work. Hey, the light switch is RIGHT THERE! Just click it!