Monday, October 17, 2011
New site.
Hey everybody, I have a new site now! It's theresmoretobuffalo.com so please keep following me at the new address!
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
It's about that time..
Even though it's still preseason, if you ask me hockey season has begun. Watching Monday night's beautiful win over Carolina ignited all of those familiar feelings that I've been missing since the season ended. Its been far too long since the last time I got to write about the Sabres, and I'm eager to get started with the 2011-12 season.
I have to start by saying goodbye to Tim Connolly. That long overdue trade was the best move Terry Pegula could have made, it showed how dedicated he was to making this a Stanley Cup-worthy team, rather than one that holds onto players for their sentimental value.
Now it's time for the important stuff. I am absolutely in love with the Gaustad, Gerbe, Kaleta line. How could anyone not be? Three goals, one for each guy on the line and they hustled every time they got out on the ice. Not only that, but Kaleta's ability to draw penalties clearly hasn't been diminished as he's progressed and grown into a more skilled overall player. He still has the hustle and motivation of a rookie vying for a permanent spot, but he's learned to do more than just throw his body around and start fights. His passing, his assists, even his skating have developed into those of a veteran player. Veteran skills with a rookie's hunger, what better combination could there be? Gaustad's performance was familiar and reliable, save for a few face plants and ass slides through center ice. And Gerbe, he's got that same hunger that Kaleta has and it's paired with a complete disregard for the fact that he's only 5'5". I can't wait to see how he produces for the rest of the season, if it's anything like last year we're in for quite a show.
I'm still on the fence about Ville Leino. I know he's a phenomenal player who has produced awesome numbers for his previous teams but he didn't impress me last night. I'm hoping he's still getting into the swing of things and he'll fall into his groove sooner rather than later, the regular season isn't far off.
Keeping it short, sweet, and always entertaining, that's all I have for now. It's good to be back and writing about what I love, let's go Sabres!
I have to start by saying goodbye to Tim Connolly. That long overdue trade was the best move Terry Pegula could have made, it showed how dedicated he was to making this a Stanley Cup-worthy team, rather than one that holds onto players for their sentimental value.
Now it's time for the important stuff. I am absolutely in love with the Gaustad, Gerbe, Kaleta line. How could anyone not be? Three goals, one for each guy on the line and they hustled every time they got out on the ice. Not only that, but Kaleta's ability to draw penalties clearly hasn't been diminished as he's progressed and grown into a more skilled overall player. He still has the hustle and motivation of a rookie vying for a permanent spot, but he's learned to do more than just throw his body around and start fights. His passing, his assists, even his skating have developed into those of a veteran player. Veteran skills with a rookie's hunger, what better combination could there be? Gaustad's performance was familiar and reliable, save for a few face plants and ass slides through center ice. And Gerbe, he's got that same hunger that Kaleta has and it's paired with a complete disregard for the fact that he's only 5'5". I can't wait to see how he produces for the rest of the season, if it's anything like last year we're in for quite a show.
I'm still on the fence about Ville Leino. I know he's a phenomenal player who has produced awesome numbers for his previous teams but he didn't impress me last night. I'm hoping he's still getting into the swing of things and he'll fall into his groove sooner rather than later, the regular season isn't far off.
Keeping it short, sweet, and always entertaining, that's all I have for now. It's good to be back and writing about what I love, let's go Sabres!
Friday, April 15, 2011
Rebuilding Buffalo..
When the Buffalo Central Terminal opened its doors on June 22, 1929, the largest crowd the city had ever seen gathered to celebrate the event and witness the departure of the very first train. During a time when many people questioned whether life would ever improve as they experienced the start of the Great Depression, our beautiful city was thriving. The “Queen City,” second only to Chicago, was proudly holding its ground as larger cities grew up around it. Just 30 years later, as everything else bounced back, Buffalo was falling apart. In 1959, Central Terminal was abandoned, leaving just a hollow building as a constant reminder of what this city used to be. What once was a mark of success for Buffalo has since become a stopping place for vagrants and drug dealers, so decrepit and dangerous that people were no longer even allowed to go inside the building.
50 years later, the Buffalo Central Terminal Restoration Corp. has released what they call their “master plan” to restore the building and make it not only useable, but livable as well. The looming tower that currently sits unused and in ruins is being renovated for residential living, with loft-style apartments throughout and penthouses on the upper floors. In addition, the rail lines plan to be used for access not only around Buffalo but as part of the high speed rail being built to New York City. Restoring the main concourse to be used as public space, along with an Urban Habitat Classroom to further green development throughout the city, are also part of this plan. Estimated at about $75 million overall, the restoration group hasn’t yet set a timetable for these goals, but progress is clearly being made.
Developing buildings like the Central Terminal is long overdue and with so many empty promises being made to this city (the waterfront, the Peace Bridge, the Aud site, to name a few) it’s a refreshing change to see a cultural landmark restored, rather than ignored. There are so many beautiful landmarks in the city that have been left to literally fall apart, it’s impossible to drive through the city and not notice how many things could be amazing if someone took the time to restore them. Take into consideration Mark Croce’s recent purchase of the Statler and that’s two gorgeous buildings in Buffalo that could become something we’re proud of again.
50 years later, the Buffalo Central Terminal Restoration Corp. has released what they call their “master plan” to restore the building and make it not only useable, but livable as well. The looming tower that currently sits unused and in ruins is being renovated for residential living, with loft-style apartments throughout and penthouses on the upper floors. In addition, the rail lines plan to be used for access not only around Buffalo but as part of the high speed rail being built to New York City. Restoring the main concourse to be used as public space, along with an Urban Habitat Classroom to further green development throughout the city, are also part of this plan. Estimated at about $75 million overall, the restoration group hasn’t yet set a timetable for these goals, but progress is clearly being made.
Developing buildings like the Central Terminal is long overdue and with so many empty promises being made to this city (the waterfront, the Peace Bridge, the Aud site, to name a few) it’s a refreshing change to see a cultural landmark restored, rather than ignored. There are so many beautiful landmarks in the city that have been left to literally fall apart, it’s impossible to drive through the city and not notice how many things could be amazing if someone took the time to restore them. Take into consideration Mark Croce’s recent purchase of the Statler and that’s two gorgeous buildings in Buffalo that could become something we’re proud of again.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
It's the most wonderful time of the year...
First of all, did anyone else notice Dwayne Roloson diving to save Vanek’s third goal last night? He looked like Wiley Coyote trying to catch the road runner. Hilarious.
There are two games left in the Sabres season. That’s it, just two. Then we’re faced with the gut wrenching, nerve-wracking, deliriously exciting race for the Cup. Or, if the Sabres don’t make it to the run, we’re stuck with a month of games we pretend not to care about. Really, we’re just jealous that we didn’t make it, but as loyal fans we refuse to root for anyone else and we have to pretend we’re uninterested in who wins. Lucky for us, the Sabres have been rallying like only they can do, leaving us with an unavoidable feeling of hope that the Sabres might just make a valiant effort to bring the long-awaited Cup victory to Buffalo. If we get just one more point, or Carolina loses one of their three remaining games, we clinch a playoff spot and secure our future, at least for the first round. Even with Enroth in net, I can’t help but feel like this might be our year to really make ourselves known. Enroth has been 3-0-1 since Miller’s mysterious injury, and the NHL named him the 3rd star of the week.
I do wonder whether Enroth can keep up at this pace since Ruff obviously has no intention of playing Lalime with so much on the line, but being a Buffalo fan means having blind faith so I trust Ruff knows what he’s doing. Miller is due to be evaluated on Thursday and Ruff hopes he can play in at least one of the last two games, but with no one really speaking about his injury one can’t help but wonder about the rumors swirling that his injury may be more serious than the team and management are letting on. If Miller is, in fact, seriously injured then it would make perfect sense that no one is releasing the information. If opposing teams don’t know which goalie they’re facing, it’s harder to prepare. If Miller is even a remote possibility in their minds, they’d be fools not to be fully ready to face one of the best goalies in the league. Consider also that Vanek is at #17 in the league with 70 points and we’re shaping up to be a formidable opponent, just in time to head into the most important time of the season.
So, with just two games left in the regular season, I ask this simple question- can the Sabres do it? Call me crazy, but I say absolutely.
There are two games left in the Sabres season. That’s it, just two. Then we’re faced with the gut wrenching, nerve-wracking, deliriously exciting race for the Cup. Or, if the Sabres don’t make it to the run, we’re stuck with a month of games we pretend not to care about. Really, we’re just jealous that we didn’t make it, but as loyal fans we refuse to root for anyone else and we have to pretend we’re uninterested in who wins. Lucky for us, the Sabres have been rallying like only they can do, leaving us with an unavoidable feeling of hope that the Sabres might just make a valiant effort to bring the long-awaited Cup victory to Buffalo. If we get just one more point, or Carolina loses one of their three remaining games, we clinch a playoff spot and secure our future, at least for the first round. Even with Enroth in net, I can’t help but feel like this might be our year to really make ourselves known. Enroth has been 3-0-1 since Miller’s mysterious injury, and the NHL named him the 3rd star of the week.
I do wonder whether Enroth can keep up at this pace since Ruff obviously has no intention of playing Lalime with so much on the line, but being a Buffalo fan means having blind faith so I trust Ruff knows what he’s doing. Miller is due to be evaluated on Thursday and Ruff hopes he can play in at least one of the last two games, but with no one really speaking about his injury one can’t help but wonder about the rumors swirling that his injury may be more serious than the team and management are letting on. If Miller is, in fact, seriously injured then it would make perfect sense that no one is releasing the information. If opposing teams don’t know which goalie they’re facing, it’s harder to prepare. If Miller is even a remote possibility in their minds, they’d be fools not to be fully ready to face one of the best goalies in the league. Consider also that Vanek is at #17 in the league with 70 points and we’re shaping up to be a formidable opponent, just in time to head into the most important time of the season.
So, with just two games left in the regular season, I ask this simple question- can the Sabres do it? Call me crazy, but I say absolutely.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
They're baaaack....
Watching the Sabres dominate the Atlanta Thrashers tonight in a game that could only be described as surreal, I couldn’t help but feel the familiar pangs of excitement that I haven’t felt since we won the President’s Cup. The playoffs are right around the corner and the thrill of the hunt has taken over Buffalo, inspiring die hard and bandwagon fans alike to turn on MSG and cheer for our only winning team.
The Buffalo Sabres have never been a disappointment like the Bills, but it’s been a few seasons since they’ve really made a run for the Cup and that sentiment has rubbed off on fans. After selling out 46(ish) straight games, attendance dropped back to pitiful levels and even some of the most loyal fans found themselves wondering how the Sabres played the night before, rather than religiously watching every minute of the game. It became harder to find people who were honestly passionate about the team and in a city where fans are known for loyalty, that was sad. Then Terry Pegula came along. I don’t know what it is about him that’s turned this team, and for that matter, this city, around, but he’s obviously doing something right. When Golisano sold the Sabres, not everyone thought it was a good thing. Pegula was unfamiliar and not a Buffalo man, concerns were high that the team would be moved or become even more disheartening as a disinterested owner took control. Those who thought like that couldn’t have been more wrong. In the last month, Pegula has shown more interest in the Sabres than Golisano ever did and it shows in the way the team plays and the way the city has turned around. Fans are rallying around a team that’s suddenly a playoff contender, our new player has produced in almost every single game, and Pegula has flat out said that the Sabres’ sole purpose for existence is now to win the Cup. With that infectious attitude, how could fans not be excited?
As April gets closer, the level of intensity is palpable on and off the ice. The Sabres are finally making a mad dash for that playoff position, and it finally feels like we may actually get there. The grit and heart we’ve lacked the last few seasons are back and better than ever, so it’s time to get ready for that stomach flipping rollercoaster ride every Sabres fan has been dying to feel.
The Buffalo Sabres have never been a disappointment like the Bills, but it’s been a few seasons since they’ve really made a run for the Cup and that sentiment has rubbed off on fans. After selling out 46(ish) straight games, attendance dropped back to pitiful levels and even some of the most loyal fans found themselves wondering how the Sabres played the night before, rather than religiously watching every minute of the game. It became harder to find people who were honestly passionate about the team and in a city where fans are known for loyalty, that was sad. Then Terry Pegula came along. I don’t know what it is about him that’s turned this team, and for that matter, this city, around, but he’s obviously doing something right. When Golisano sold the Sabres, not everyone thought it was a good thing. Pegula was unfamiliar and not a Buffalo man, concerns were high that the team would be moved or become even more disheartening as a disinterested owner took control. Those who thought like that couldn’t have been more wrong. In the last month, Pegula has shown more interest in the Sabres than Golisano ever did and it shows in the way the team plays and the way the city has turned around. Fans are rallying around a team that’s suddenly a playoff contender, our new player has produced in almost every single game, and Pegula has flat out said that the Sabres’ sole purpose for existence is now to win the Cup. With that infectious attitude, how could fans not be excited?
As April gets closer, the level of intensity is palpable on and off the ice. The Sabres are finally making a mad dash for that playoff position, and it finally feels like we may actually get there. The grit and heart we’ve lacked the last few seasons are back and better than ever, so it’s time to get ready for that stomach flipping rollercoaster ride every Sabres fan has been dying to feel.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
The wait is over...
After a little over a year of silence, I'm back and ready to take on all that has changed in Buffalo. Expect something new and worth the wait in the next few days. Is anyone else dying to see what happens with our roster? Come on Pegula, Make some changes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
