For the ninth time in a row, the Sabres wind up on the wrong end of a decision…..For several games during this streak one could say that while not winning the game outright, the Sabres had their opportunities to win but didn’t. One could walk away knowing that while Buffalo’s effort was good enough to earn a win, it could also be said that the opposition played well enough to win…and would.

Tonight was different…this was a game where the Sabres were the better team outright and going away, yet still the letter “W” remained an elusive target once again. On this night the Sabres failed to convert on several glorious scoring opportunities, couldn’t hold onto a two goal lead in regulation, and for the fifth time during the streak lost a shootout.

As a Buffalo sports observer I left the arena with much the same feeling that I had after the Cowboys stole one from the Bills in October, that kick-to-the stomach feeling though really not as strong. It was that type of game tonight…woulda, coulda…how the ….did they not…..ugh.

It was a night for which Daniel Paille should have been THE star of the game, as he was responsible for both Sabre goals in the first period. While not the prettiest of goals it was no matter. The team had the quick early lead that they needed.

They were all there… the Bandettes cheerleaders, Annoying P.A. Guy, THE B-O-X guys leading the charge behind the penalty box, and a full house of 18,690 mostly Bandits fans, who needed a scoresheet to recognize all the new faces on this year’s roster.
Tonight at HSBC Arena Buffalo opened the 2008 season against the defending National Lacrosse League Champion Rochester Knighthawks.

Returning fan favorites include Mark Steenhuis with his trademark orange shoes, Rich Kilgour, one of the last of the original players on the team, and the ageless John Tavares, who entered this game needing just five goals to become the all time leading goal scorer in indoor lacrosse, cementing his legacy as the best player in the game.

Gone is goaltender Steve “Chugger” Dietrich, who departed for Calgary, with last year’s backup netminder Mike Thompson taking over the starting role.

The Sabres event crew showed videos and photo montages from the Winter Classic; a full house was on hand primed for a big night for the Sabres.Unfortunately the end result was another Sabres loss, their fifth in a row, and the team is quickly dropping in the standings, with a tough tough three game road trip now staring them in the face.

The team played a lackluster and uninspiring first period, with Ottawa scoring on their first shot on goaltender Ryan Miller. Andrew Peters and Brian McGrattan dropped the gloves early and had at it, with Peters getting the worst of it. The Sabres managed to kill off a penalty in the first, but Ottawa made it 2-0 on their second man advantage early in the second period.

Ottawa made it 3-0 midway through the second period on a goal by Jason Spezza, and that was enough to chase Ryan Miller out of the net in favor of Jocelyn Thibault. Ales Kotalik answered with Buffalo’s first tally just seconds later, and the second period ended 3-1 in favor the Senators.

Auction to benefit the Sabres Foundation. Afinogenov’s jersey is at $500. Connolly’s is at $325. Miller’s mask (with knit hat) is at $10,000. Check it out here.

While Andrew had the actual game covered, and Kevin over at Bfloblog had the tailgate party under control, It was my job, along with Jay, Sherry and WNYM contributor John Splett to travel the parking lots looking for the most interesting tailgate parties and capture the scene the best we could.

Check out all of Sherry’s photos here