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.

Rusted Root Front-Man Michael Glabicki to Perform at Hilbert College

Southwest has been the domestic standard-bearer for how to properly run a profitable, customer-friendly low-cost carrier. Where so many others have failed, Southwest continues to not only thrive, but influence the whole industry.

In Europe, the business model is somewhat different. Carriers like Ryanair and easyJet whisk travelers across Europe for fares as low as £5.00 (plus tax and fees). The catch is that your seat may not recline, you have to pay to actually speak with someone in customer service (email is free), it may cost as much as £8.00 to check a bag, and on-board services cost extra.

But if you’re interested in getting from London (Stanstead) to Milano (Bergamo) for ten bucks, you might be willing to put up with all that. Note that London’s airport isn’t Gatwick or Heathrow, and Milano’s isn’t Linate or Malpensa. To get from London’s Victoria Station to Stanstead airport is a 75 minute bus ride. To get from Milano’s central station to Bergamo airport takes 60 minutes.

Today, Eliot Spitzer will give his “State of New York State” address in Albany at 1230PM. Hopefully, the finger gesture Spitzer makes in the above photo does not represent the amount of progress he intends to report.

Click here to watch the live web stream of the speech.

Supposedly, Spitzer will touch on major issues like a property tax rate cap, increased funding for universities, privatizing the NY Lottery, and a $1BN Upstate Revitalization Fund that will be used to fund development projects throughout upstate.

In any event, how would you describe the state of affairs right now in New York State? Do you approve of the job Eliot is doing? What are your expectations of Spitzer/Bruno/Silver in 2008?