Gerbe Vanek Magic Locks Buffalo Sabres Into 2011 Playoffs

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!

Sabres Look To Make Playoffs Thanks To Youth 4.8.2011

Excitement, nervousness, faith, hard work, commitment, perseverance, scratching, clawing, intensity, and more.... Tonight's game between the Sabres and Flyers is all of the previous words all in one game. Earlier this season none of the hockey experts really gave Buffalo a shot at going to the playoffs. The Sabres started the 2010-2011 season very rough. The team had more losses than wins and were struggling to reach .500. Derek Roy was our top scorer and then he was lost for the season due to injury. No one would have guessed that prospect players like Tyler Ennis, Nathan Gerbe, Cody McCormick, Chris Butler, Jhonas Enroth, Mark Mancari, Mike Weber, Luke Adam, Paul Byron, and Marc-Andre Gragnani would step up to score goals, make plays, throw fists, block shots, make saves, check everything in sight, fill roles, and propel the Sabres to the verge of making the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Some of us faithful fans had ideas (hopes) that this would/could happen, but pretty sure none of us knew the young players would contribute as much as they have this quick.

I predicted to my significant other and friends, before the beginning of the season, the Sabres would be tough to play, win games, and make the playoffs as an eight or seven seed. I did not take into account losing our top center for the season, getting rid of our short time captain, going through a myriad of injuries, and have eleven players on the roster under or at the age of twenty five. With a win or tie tonight, my prediction might come full circle and really happen. I've had my fingers, toes, and MagicRedShoelaces crossed all morning. They will continue to be crossed until first puck drop. All I have to say is: LETS GO BUFFALO!!!!

I have a couple shout outs:

Congratulations to Luke Adam - Sabres/Pirates - AHL Outstanding Rookie of the Year - great Job Adam, look forward to seeing you in Blue and Gold soon!

Good Luck to the Cincinnati Reds in D-back land. @LeonardBrains - D stands for Done! as in - Reds win, get it done!

Good Luck to the Boston Red Sox - hope they get off the schnide. I finally said it Lish!


Hope everyone has a great day and Cheers from the Cheap Seats!

Reds, Sabres, and most certainly more.

4/7/2011 - Cincinnati Reds fans are higher than kites over the 5-0 start to the 2011 season. The Reds beat the Astros last night after being down 4-0 at one point. Edison Volquez is struggling in the early innings and then settling down in the later ones. Edison pitched 5 innings giving up 5 hits 5 walks 4 earned runs, and struck out 8. WOW! The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly all in one outing, but still got the "W". The Reds battery had 14 hits, not one being a homerun, and still scored 12 runs. Standouts at the plate were Brandon Phillips 3-4, Joey Votto 2-4, Jay Bruce 2-5, and Paul Janish 3-5. Great job with the wood guys.

The Sabres had the night off, giving the team some much needed rest. The Hurricanes won 3-0 to pull within two points of the Rangers for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Quick Shout out to Rochester native Ryan Callahan ~ sorry to hear about the season ending broken leg. I love seeing you on the ice, except against the Buffalo Sabres. Best regards for a speedy and healthy recovery.

To my main point this morning, I'm not a political man by any means. I served my country in the U.S. Air Force, Persian Gulf Vet 90'- 91', and am damn proud of that fact. My main beef with the recent news about the pending government shutdown is in reference to our men and women in arms overseas. The shut down will in affect, cut off their paychecks and put their families at risk of having no financial stability. On the flip side of the coin, our federal politicians will still get their salaries, which in my opinion are too damn high. How can we, as Americans, allow or justify the cutting off our military members from their financial life line and watch our lazy, snobby, and self centered politicians get their monies. I say we need to throw out the current government, start fresh, and get some people in office that represent the everyday ordinary common man. Everytime I read or listen to our government woes and short comings, it makes me realize one thing, in this day and age an honest man cannot get a fair shake from any of our elected officials.

To quote Jim Garrison, "This is not the country, today, in which I was born, and is certainly not the country in which I want to die in."

Thanks all, I get a little edgy from time to time. Have a great day.