April 8, 2011 Buffalo Sabres v. Philadelphia Flyers ~ The game started out as a defensive struggle. The Sabres gave up one goal in the first period. The second period was a bit more exciting, edge of your seat, type of play because four goals were scored, two by each team. The Flyers took a 3-2 lead at the end of the second period. I tweeted at that time the following "@Tonester5 #Sabres have heart, they will persevere - Will Win!" Not to be gross but I also streaked naked through my house to try to change the vibe for the Sabres. (think it worked)
The momentum changer of the night was Lindy Ruff's decision to pull young goalie Jhonas Enroth, who did not play badly, and insert Ryan Miller into goal at the beginning of the third period. The Flyers players must have looked down toward the Sabres end of the ice and thought "Great, we have to get a puck past him this period? WTF!" The Sabres played the entire third period like it was there last. Halfway through the period the Sabres made a nice entry into the Flyers zone with speed and nice puck handling. Steve Montador passed the puck to Thomas Vanek who passed and found Nathan Gerbe on the right side of the net(if you are looking from behind him toward the goal), Nathan did a Denis Savard style spin-o-rama and lifted a backhander up at the left corner of the goal, he hit the iron and we heard that slight PING as the puck went in the net. That tied the game at three goals each. What came next was something I've never seen in a game with the implications that this particular game had. Looking beaten, the Flyers retreated to there own blue line and did not chase the Sabres for the puck for almost the last :40 seconds of the game. It was like the Flyers wanted the Sabres to get into the playoffs, which the tie gave Buffalo a much needed point in the standings and locked the team into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The stunt the Flyers pulled at the end of the third period came back to bite them. One minute sixteen seconds into the overtime period, a streaking "O' Captain, My Captain" Thomas "Golden Hands" Vanek netted the game winning goal, splitting two defenders at the blue line, and beating Flyers goalie Sergie Bobrovsky with a nifty backhand shot. The Celebration for Sabres Nation became even more ecstatic. I ran around the house clapping and yelling "He Scoooorressss!", in my best Rick Jeanneret voice.
I was so sure last night was a dream, that I pinched myself to make sure what happened was true. It hurt too! All I know is being locked in the playoffs is so much better for my stress level. Sabres Nation say it LOUD "The Buffalo Sabres are in the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs!" Eastern Conference be warned, Buffalo is going to bring the pain ~~~~~~> at whoever stands in their way. Lets Go BUF-FA-LO!
The Cincinnati Reds did not fair too well last night. The Arizona Diamondbacks put a smack down on the Reds 12-2. Joey Votto went 2-4 with a HR in the 9th inning. Paul Janish was the only other Red to have more than one hit going 2-4 at the plate. Travis Wood had an off night, his line was 5ip, 7h, 6r, 2w, and 4k's. Matt Maloney had his first rough outing, from the bull pen, which his line does not need to be discussed. I have confidence that Matt will bounce right back and toss some shut out innings. No worries fellas, every next game is a new start. Go get um tomorrow. Lets Go Reds!
Thanks all, hope everyone has a safe and great day. Cheers from the Cheap Seats!
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