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 

Looks like things are in place for the tailgate party on Tuesday.

Where: Lot 5B. Pull into Drive 5 and take it to the road that separates lot 5B (Tundra) from Lot E (Camry). Hang a right and we’ll try to park as close to Abbott Road as possible. Twoeightnine whipped up a little BfloBlog / WNYMedia sign so keep your eyes open.

When: Whenever. But we’re going to shoot for 9:00.

Who: It’s the D-List of local bloggers and BfloBlog commenters. And you.

What: Definitely BYOB. If you want in on our grub, drop me a line. If you want my cell number, shoot me an e-mail.

Why: Do you really need to ask?

If you’re coming, feel free to leave a comment.

Checking out the progress of work at Ralph Wilson Stadium this afternoon, there on the ice was Dan Craig, NHL Facilities Operations Manager and the guy in charge of this entire affair. But he wasn’t just on the ice - he laced up a pair of skates and was giving the surface he had built a whirl. “It felt good. We’re almost at the point we were in Edmonton four years ago at this time.”The place is really taking shape. Walking into the stadium today, I was absolutely amazed at how they got this place tidied up, a far contrast from the dreck and mess in the concourses, ramps and seating bowl the other day. Crews are still dashing around the building getting ready for the big event. Down on the field, the ice has been painted, the glass is up, the zamboni is applying water and smoothing the ice. And now they’re actually trucking IN snow to give the field a neat cosmetic appearance.

Today’s 2PM daily briefing was a more crowded affair - media from national outlets and from other cities were in attendance, and joining Craig and Don Renzulli was NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, who was piped in to the briefing via teleconference from New York City.