Self Inflicted Death Penalty Given by Fan to Favorite Team

[CallawaySabres]

One game, ONE game that I didn't even watch while I was at my son's V soccer game turned out to be the final straw. It's been a looooong road, but man, I angrily and sadly believe that they beat me into submission. This is different from those other years when stared in disbelief at the helplessness of this organization at the end of the season. Nope, this is taking place 1 game into a season where the hope really does not exist.

I am at a point where if someone tries to defend this team/organization, or compliment a player on a particular play, I hold resentment. I hate this team and everything it represents right now. Trust me, I lived for this team over 50 years of my life and having my kids grow up without experiencing one memorable year burns me to no end. Of course I loved taking them to the games before they cared about winning, and I will never forgot those times. But now, one is off to college and the other, a senior in high high school. They both wanted it as badly as I did.

This is me signing off because I know there is no end in sight. Apathy sat inside me for the last 10 years and now anger has taken over completely. It's like Darth Vader, where there might be a tiny piece of good hiding in the background, but it's going to take something extremely special to bring that out again. If this can happen to a super fan like me, what can the average Sabres fan be thinking?

Anger and negativity are two things that do not represent who I am in the the slightest. I am considered by anyone who knows me to be the "fun guy." I don't wish ill will on this team and I hope to be proven wrong, I really do. Terry needs to sell the team and blow the whole dang thing up. If that means ten years to rebuild, I don't care, my kids will have moved out of Buffalo, and I will patiently wait, hoping that someday down the road, they will care again too.

JHC, I can't believe it happened, and I am sadder than you can possibly imagine. Fight the good fight you crazy folks, and let's hope that a miracle is in store sooner than later. This city has shown how freaking much it loves hockey, and I crave the day when I walk into an atmosphere like game 3 of the Stanley Cup vs Dallas, with Kid Rock blaring, and tears of emotion from the raw energy streaming down my face. Man do I miss that feeling, that team, and what is used to be like downtown.

Go Sabes!!!!!!!!!

[Taro T]

Saddened that they've nearly broken you.  When they get you to a point that you're ready to come back; the door will be open.

We'll leave that (faint) light on for you.

[JP51]

8 minutes ago, CallawaySabres said:

One game, ONE game that I didn't even watch while I was at my son's V soccer game turned out to be the final straw. It's been a looooong road, but man, I angrily and sadly believe that they beat me into submission. This is different from those other years when stared in disbelief at the helplessness of this organization at the end of the season. Nope, this is taking place 1 game into a season where the hope really does not exist.

I am at a point where if someone tries to defend this team/organization, or compliment a player on a particular play, I hold resentment. I hate this team and everything it represents right now. Trust me, I lived for this team over 50 years of my life and having my kids grow up without experiencing one memorable year burns me to no end. Of course I loved taking them to the games before they cared about winning, and I will never forgot those times. But now, one is off to college and the other, a senior in high high school. They both wanted it as badly as I did.

This is me signing off because I know there is no end in sight. Apathy sat inside me for the last 10 years and now anger has taken over completely. It's like Darth Vader, where there might be a tiny piece of good hiding in the background, but it's going to take something extremely special to bring that out again. If this can happen to a super fan like me, what can the average Sabres fan be thinking?

Anger and negativity are two things that do not represent who I am in the the slightest. I am considered by anyone who knows me to be the "fun guy." I don't wish ill will on this team and I hope to be proven wrong, I really do. Terry needs to sell the team and blow the whole dang thing up. If that means ten years to rebuild, I don't care, my kids will have moved out of Buffalo, and I will patiently wait, hoping that someday down the road, they will care again too.

JHC, I can't believe it happened, and I am sadder than you can possibly imagine. Fight the good fight you crazy folks, and let's hope that a miracle is in store sooner than later. This city has shown how freaking much it loves hockey, and I crave the day when I walk into an atmosphere like game 3 of the Stanley Cup vs Dallas, with Kid Rock blaring, and tears of emotion from the raw energy streaming down my face. Man do I miss that feeling, that team, and what is used to be like downtown.

Go Sabes!!!!!!!!!

I get it...  we are all so angry, we feel helpless as we literally watch a cast of abject incompetent clowns play Smithers to an owner who is even more clueless than them...  as the legacy and the brand of a once proud franchise sinks lower than anyone thought humanly possible... and as it hits bottom... they find a trap door for a new bottom... until you realize, there is no bottom... its an abyss... knowing that it won't be long before anyone with any talent forces their way out of this pit of absolute misery... as they would clearly chose and encounter with a Dementor (sorry for the Harry Potter reference but it fits)  over staying here... 

But foolish as I know myself to be... I feel like the only thing we can do is yell and scream and show our dissatisfaction with our feet... and some how if there is some kind of full scale rebellion, maybe things will change...  but alas... I know I am a fool and there is nothing we can do that will really alter the course of this sunk ship that is growing algae and becoming a home for fish...  but somehow it gives me a sense of maybe I can have some level of control or affect the outcome, direction of the team... so, I rant... I currently live in Tampa, I could start rooting for the Lightning... I tried... but I cant... so here I am... and here I will stay... I wish I could break away from this toxic relationship...  but I havent found the guts yet... 

[Eli Cash]

19 minutes ago, CallawaySabres said:

One game, ONE game that I didn't even watch while I was at my son's V soccer game turned out to be the final straw. It's been a looooong road, but man, I angrily and sadly believe that they beat me into submission. This is different from those other years when stared in disbelief at the helplessness of this organization at the end of the season. Nope, this is taking place 1 game into a season where the hope really does not exist.

I am at a point where if someone tries to defend this team/organization, or compliment a player on a particular play, I hold resentment. I hate this team and everything it represents right now. Trust me, I lived for this team over 50 years of my life and having my kids grow up without experiencing one memorable year burns me to no end. Of course I loved taking them to the games before they cared about winning, and I will never forgot those times. But now, one is off to college and the other, a senior in high high school. They both wanted it as badly as I did.

This is me signing off because I know there is no end in sight. Apathy sat inside me for the last 10 years and now anger has taken over completely. It's like Darth Vader, where there might be a tiny piece of good hiding in the background, but it's going to take something extremely special to bring that out again. If this can happen to a super fan like me, what can the average Sabres fan be thinking?

Anger and negativity are two things that do not represent who I am in the the slightest. I am considered by anyone who knows me to be the "fun guy." I don't wish ill will on this team and I hope to be proven wrong, I really do. Terry needs to sell the team and blow the whole dang thing up. If that means ten years to rebuild, I don't care, my kids will have moved out of Buffalo, and I will patiently wait, hoping that someday down the road, they will care again too.

JHC, I can't believe it happened, and I am sadder than you can possibly imagine. Fight the good fight you crazy folks, and let's hope that a miracle is in store sooner than later. This city has shown how freaking much it loves hockey, and I crave the day when I walk into an atmosphere like game 3 of the Stanley Cup vs Dallas, with Kid Rock blaring, and tears of emotion from the raw energy streaming down my face. Man do I miss that feeling, that team, and what is used to be like downtown.

Go Sabes!!!!!!!!!

I hope that the organization is at least marginally aware of how their apparent indifference to icing a competitive product has led us to this place.  It’s a real shame.  I am a lurker on this site, but I appreciate the honest take.

[Pimlach]

Wow.  It’s one game.   I agree that the lineup is not inspiring.   This is another year of losing a top 6 player and not replacing him.  
As usual, they are hoping other players (Quinn and Benson) picks up the scoring of Peterka.   

Still, it’s only one game.  Take a break, look at the standings.  Maybe something good will happen?  

I will add that if this is another season that is over by Christmas I expect more players to lose their love for the game.    

[PonyBoy2]

 

In this day of technology at our fingertips, how can Pegula & his PR team be so oblivious to this board and the booing in the stands for 14 years?

Man up Pegula! Speak to your fan base, be honest!

[mjd1001]

22 minutes ago, CallawaySabres said:

 

I'm not that far behind you. 

I'm not going to watch the game on Saturday. I told my wife let's go see a movie, so we're going to see the new Tron movie Saturday night. 

It might be an awful movie, but with a nine inch nails soundtrack and a lot of explosions and sfx, it will be more stimulating than watching that home opener last night. 

As long as they have a negative goal differential... That's my metric... I'm not going to watch any live games. If they win, I'll watch the replay. 

They have until the end of this month to have a positive goal differential and to have more points than games played. If at the end of the month they don't reach that... I'm canceling cable... Because watching the sabres is the only reason I still have it. 

If they don't turn this around immediately... That's it for the year for me until they do.

 

 

[Pimlach]

9 minutes ago, PonyBoy2 said:

 

In this day of technology at our fingertips, how can Pegula & his PR team be so oblivious to this board and the booing in the stands for 14 years?

Man up Pegula! Speak to your fan base, be honest!

It hurt me to hear boos in the first game.  I get it, there is pent up frustration, but it still hurt to know how much damage has been done to a once great fan base.  
 

A few lethargic power plays.  The fans know what bad hockey looks like and they feel no connection to this team. It was a very disappointing home opener, one in a string of many.   
 

Was Terry Pegula there?   I saw Beane talking to Adams.  I saw Thurman Thomas.   

[mjd1001]

5 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

It hurt me to hear boos in the first game.  I get it, there is pent up frustration, but it still hurt to know how much damage has been done to a once great fan base.  
 

A few lethargic power plays.  The fans know what bad hockey looks like and they feel no connection to this team. It was a very disappointing home opener, one in a string of many.   
 

Was Terry Pegula there?   I saw Beane talking to Adams.  I saw Thurman Thomas.   

For me it's getting beyond just pure frustration. 

Fire Kevin Adams? I don't care, keep him here or fire him... Just win some games. 

Dahlin and Tage might get frustrated and want to leave? I don't care anymore, let them leave, 16 teams have made the playoffs that didn't have those two guys on them. 

Tuch may or may not resign here? I don't care anymore. Just win some games.

Keep the coaching staff or change them? Trade your prospects and picks or keep them and rebuild? I really, really don't care anymore... Just win some games. 

Under Pegulas ownership, The decisions don't really matter. There are no right or wrong decisions. I feel like as long as he's here as owner this is going to get turned around with nothing but random chance and luck.

They've tried so many different things over the past decade and a half and none of it has worked. I really don't care if everything changes or if nothing changes. Find a way to win and I'll watch. Period 

Edited 2 hours ago by mjd1001

[Taro T]

4 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

It hurt me to hear boos in the first game.  I get it, there is pent up frustration, but it still hurt to know how much damage has been done to a once great fan base.  
 

A few lethargic power plays.  The fans know what bad hockey looks like and they feel no connection to this team. It was a very disappointing home opener, one in a string of many.   
 

Was Terry Pegula there?   I saw Beane talking to Adams.  I saw Thurman Thomas.   

No data on Pegula.  Expect he was there.  Bettman was in the building, so Terry most likely was too.

Thurman banged the drum as the game began.  (You likely knew that.)

[CallawaySabres]

18 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

Wow.  It’s one game.   I agree that the lineup is not inspiring.   This is another year of losing a top 6 player and not replacing him.  
As usual, they are hoping other players (Quinn and Benson) picks up the scoring of Peterka.   

Still, it’s only one game.  Take a break, look at the standings.  Maybe something good will happen?  

I will add that if this is another season that is over by Christmas I expect more players to lose their love for the game.    

I am not asking for a Cup, or even playoffs, just try to hold my attention past December. It’s just not worth it right now. 

[LabattBlue]

I can relate so much to Callaway’s post.  My fandom wanes more and more each year.  It’s more than just the losing, IMO the product is just not entertaining.  I switched to baseball after the 1st period, and only went back to check the Sabres score between innings. 
 

I will hang around,  but more for OT stuff than Sabres talk.  
 

So sad what Pegula has done to this franchise and the fanbase.  I really miss the feeling of being a fan of this team in the 70’s. 😞

[Taro T]

And not saying this season will be anything like that one (this team doesn't have a Hasek), but in the very 1st season in the MMArena, with a coach in his 2nd season leading the team, they got crushed by the Wings in the home opener looking terrible in the process.  They won their division that year.

It's 1 game.  But, yes, it is very discouraging.

[CallawaySabres]

I guess when you boil it all down, I’m just furious that my son’s final year here didn’t produce some great Sabres moments together. I feel robbed, which is why I am going to enjoy every last drop of his final varsity soccer year.

[John Tucker]

1 hour ago, CallawaySabres said:

I am at a point where if someone tries to defend this team/organization, or compliment a player on a particular play, I hold resentment. I hate this team and everything it represents right now. Trust me, I lived for this team over 50 years of my life and having my kids grow up without experiencing one memorable year burns me to no end. Of course I loved taking them to the games before they cared about winning, and I will never forgot those times. But now, one is off to college and the other, a senior in high high school. They both wanted it as badly as I did.

I'm with you here... Both of my boys are high school age and they have zero interest in watching or even talking hockey anymore.  It breaks my heart.  It's one of those things that I wanted to experience with them but that is gone forever, unfortunately.  Not the end of the world obviously, but it was something that I had as a kid and wanted them to share in similar feelings.  This team is completely dead to me until something something drastically changes, and I fear that will never happen.

[CallawaySabres]

15 minutes ago, John Tucker said:

I'm with you here... Both of my boys are high school age and they have zero interest in watching or even talking hockey anymore.  It breaks my heart.  It's one of those things that I wanted to experience with them but that is gone forever, unfortunately.  Not the end of the world obviously, but it was something that I had as a kid and wanted them to share in similar feelings.  This team is completely dead to me until something something drastically changes, and I fear that will never happen.

Exactly, heartbreaking. It's the worst thing that could have possibly happened in the world of sports. At least with the Bills, during the drought, tailgating was a blast with friends and family. The Sabres offer nothing, and when the crowd leaves a home opener, not being able to celebrate once the entire night, I'm quite sure a lot of folks were feeling the same pain.

This year, my son said..."Dad, don't even try and tell me this team will be any good this year." It was the first year in his lifetime (18 years old) when I told him that I don't think this is going to be a turning point year, but ya never know. We both knew...

[Dr. Toe Drag]

And here's why you're wrong......um.....

[JP51]

8 minutes ago, CallawaySabres said:

Exactly, heartbreaking. It's the worst thing that could have possibly happened in the world of sports. At least with the Bills, during the drought, tailgating was a blast with friends and family. The Sabres offer nothing, and when the crowd leaves a home opener, not being able to celebrate once the entire night, I'm quite sure a lot of folks were feeling the same pain.

This year, my son said..."Dad, don't even try and tell me this team will be any good this year." It was the first year in his lifetime (18 years old) when I told him that I don't think this is going to be a turning point year, but ya never know. We both knew...

Yeah, not only has Pegula incompetently destroyed this franchise, he has literally stripped the love of hockey for a generation of kids...  like 55 years of history and you literally destroy an entire generation in 15 years...  like, you have to try to do that, like work hard at it...  

[That Aud Smell]

lol - joking. mostly.

my recommendation is to shift to another mode, take a few steps back, monitor the team's doings from a distance.

if they string together some games where they take 7 of 10 points, then maybe tune back in.

[Mustache of God]

2 hours ago, Pimlach said:

Wow.  It’s one game.   I agree that the lineup is not inspiring.   This is another year of losing a top 6 player and not replacing him.  
As usual, they are hoping other players (Quinn and Benson) picks up the scoring of Peterka.   

Still, it’s only one game.  Take a break, look at the standings.  Maybe something good will happen?  

I will add that if this is another season that is over by Christmas I expect more players to lose their love for the game.    

It's not 1 game, it's been 14*82 + 1 games that has caused this.

[GASabresIUFAN]

The argument that "it's just one game" doesn't hold water any longer, not when you see the same issues that has plagued the team for years, such as the poor defense and PP, coupled with listless play in the season opener at home.  

[Indabuff]

[Demoted]

Just remember it's just a game that you have no control over. It's just entertainment. Don't ever let anything you cannot control get you angry.

Edited 40 minutes ago by Demoted

[Hawerchuk]

Disappointed they brought back the exact same coaching staff (minus Ruff, I'll give him another season). Powerplay is PATHETIC once again!

[PromoTheRobot]

3 hours ago, CallawaySabres said:

One game, ONE game that I didn't even watch 

This says it all.