What Win?
Last night’s game against the Lightning reminded me a bit of the home opener against Montreal last year, wherein the Sabres somehow buried two quick goals late in the third period to tie a game that had looked like a sure loss.
Except I saw the Montreal comeback.
That’s right. We left the HSBC with five minutes left on the clock, heard Thomas Vanek’s first goal while unlocking the car, heard his second while gunning it down Michigan, and heard the game winner while on Parkside, just south of Hertel.
And, my burger at the Sterling was overcooked. So it wasn’t even worth the early depart time. From an actuarial standpoint, we clearly made the right call. I mean, the Sabres may have been outplaying Tampa Bay, but it felt like something was missing all night. But from a “great story to tell” standpoint, that totally sucked.
I did get home early enough to watch the comeback on DVR. Wish I was there.
And we can get all the obvious statements out of the way now. Great win, Vanek’s emerging, the momentum could propel the team into the playoffs, doesn’t mean shit if they take a step back tonight. Did I get ‘em all?
Tonight’s kind of a big deal. The Sabres play up in Toronto, and the two teams with whom they are currently tied for seventh, Boston and Philly, are also in action tonight. Boston is in Florida, and the Flyers look to break out of their death-spiral by hosting the Sharks. With the Rangers idle, tomorrow could see a four-way tie for the coveted sixth place spot in the East.
Here’s the highlights. Someone needs an HD TV.
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Overcooked burger at the Sterling? I don’t know that I can believe such blasphemy. Really? Never heard of this happening before. Never. Wow. Really confused now. Hmmm.
We were as stunned as you, lulu. I honestly didn’t know what to make of it.
Calm down folks. The full lunar eclpise started yesterday at 8:43 PM and was finished at 12:09 AM. Totally explains Vanek’s sudden “clutchness”, Kevin’s overcooked burger at the Sterling, and my willingness to let the missus turn over to American Idol after Prospal scored.
Everything should be back to normal today
Actually had a great view from my front porch of the eclipse. It was cool in that the moon truly looked 3-dimensional. The eclipse may be responsible for lots of strange occurances, but I still can’t believe an OVERcooked burger at Sterling.
Huh.
Shame on you for leaving early, Kevin. But I gave up on them too as I turned the DVR off after Prospal scored. I waited 30 minutes and turned it back on. Needless to say, I’m glad I didn’t erase TV’s comeback!
Leaving early?! Aargh! I understand when you have the kids with you, but last night? I’m not sure I can be a part of Bfloblog anymore, I’m so disillusioned.
Did anyone else love how Center Ice cut the feed immediately after Vanek raised his hands in OT?
I’ve never understood leaving early. I leave sporting events pretty much last – let the crowd empty, let them get to their cars, let them clog themselves up in traffic for an hour. I just chill. Costs an hour of my life and saves useless waiting in the car with the engine running. I get there early, too, so parking isn’t an issue. And I don’t miss miracle finishes.
My Dad used to drive me insane with getting to the venue ten minutes before the game started, then leaving early to “beat the traffic.” This was a man whose life consisted pretty much of watching “Wheel of Fortune.” You’d think he was a Fortune 500 CEO trying to make the red-eye to Stuttgart for a billion-dollar deal.
I was doing a little digging and saw that Vanek has scored 8 of the Sabres last 12 goals. Too the rest of the team is frozen.
Leaving early again Kevin? Kind of reminds me of that game last year when we watched what would have been my first shootout at the Sterling. Well done. I hope your date was pissed.
Trevor, I was PISSED when Center Ice cut out. But, I figured it was some sort of cosmic justice since I cut out early on the game in the first place, and only came back to see the last 2 mins of OT.
Not to pump Direct TV, cause I think it has the worst customer service ever, and I am not sure I would recommend it. However last year I had Center Ice on Cablevision and it was the same way, out right after the game ended. They usually only offered one feed and a few (7-8) HD games a month, across the whole league.
Directv is much better about this. Usually the offer three feeds per game. One for each team and one in HD for the home team. They also usually stick with game after it ends. For instance, last night I got to hear the Kevin and Mike interview Vanek and I got to hear Pominville in the locker room then back to the studio b4 it cut out.
I have one rule when I go to a game. I stay to the end. Patriots blow out? I was the only one left in my section. Giants horrible weather? I made friends with the usher and watched from the tunnel.
I won’t even fault anyone for doing it, there’s been times that I’ve wanted to but:
A) I love stadiums and arenas. I don’t spend as much time as I should there and there’s something magical about being in a nearly empty one.
B) I’m a cheap bastard. I paid good money for that ticket and I’m damn well going to get every cent out of it.
C) The Comeback. Sure I wasn’t at the game but I went to the mall with my mom at half time. Half hour later I was sitting on the floor of the Eastview Sears stunned at what was happening.
I have a couple of good photos from the 3 stars last night that I’ll post. (Unfortunately, I didn’t bring my good camera but these work.) HSBC was rocking when Vanek came out. It sounded like no one left.
Drew – I complained to a directv chick last year about games cutting out after the actual game – not the broadcast – ends. But last night was just ridiculous – didn’t even show the effin replay of the goal before it was gone.
Dave S:
Amen, brother, amen. I live in a city of just over 200,000 and people drive me nuts leaving halfway through the third period, sometimes even when we’re tied. We’re a growing city but there’s still some small-towners who expect their drive back home should take five minutes.
So is it the cable company who we need to complain to, or is there a Center Ice group we can contact to complain? Center Ice says they offer “some games in HD,” but I have it through Cox cable and in 2 years have not seen one game in HD on a Center Ice channel. Hopefully Comcast will offer more for me next year.
I agree with twoeightnine, I always do the same at sporting events, I also have a fourth reason
If I leave early in shame or disgust, the other teams fans win. I can’t have that on my conscience
I’ve given up trying to see a game in HD. I have directv center ice and the HD broadcast just sits there searching for the damn signal.
But that doesn’t mean we shouldn”t complain that we can’t even see the postgame. Horseshit.
HDTV… lol
That’s my video. The highlights are from CBC’s website, thats why the quality isn’t that good.
@19. Thanks for throwing that out there for the world to see! You were the first highlights up on YouTube today.
No problem
left a whalers-sabres game w/ 3 or 4 minutes to go; whalers up by two – by the time we got to car we heard RJ screaming on WGR – some rookie named anderchuk potted two fast ones and tied it – no OT back in those days or Andy would got em!
I really wanted to leave MSG after the first period last week. When there were 10 minutes left in the 3rd, I finally bailed and felt great about it. Big difference when the team is playing awful and is losing, rather than playing good (as last night) and losing.
It also helped that the tix for MSG were a gift. I hate wasting money on live sports.
OK, hockey brains unite. I need help settling a debate. I say that a natural hat trick is three consecutive goals by the same player during a game, not necessarily in the same period. The person with whom I’m debating says that it’s three goals by the same player in the same period, not necessarily consecutive. After googling the term Natural Hat Trick, we have found evidence corroborating both. There is no definition (that I can find) on the actual NHL web site. Wikipedia backs my case, and answers.com says that it’s either, thus backing both of us. What is the OFFICIAL definition of a natural hat trick?
They have to be consecutive by the same player, for sure.
As to being in the same period, I don’t know.
AFAIK, you and Mr. Wiki are correct.
Non consecutive, but in the same period is a Natty Light
Great pass by Connolly on the 2nd Vanek goal but damn you Timmy for making me love you again.
What level in HSBC is the cut-off point for successfully launching your hat onto the ice?
For my experience it is cable/satellite carrier. Whether the NHL sets it Center Ice package on tiers for price (i.e. the cable/satellite company pays based on available feeds and/or HD options they ultimately offer consumers) or whether the NHL sells it to the cable/satellite carriers for one set price and the carriers decide how many feeds/HD to make available (less, obviously saving them $$) I dont know.
what really burns my biscuits about the Center Ice coverage is NO pre or post game except home teams and HNIC.
Hockey has always been the WHOLE package (for me anyways) – “hurry up and drive or we’ll miss the anthems” I’ve said that or been told that more than once. Even most home town coverages don’t have the anthems, they sell the time to dunkin doughnuts or some other capitalist house of worship.
Last night was a prime example – the horn hadn’t even stopped reverberating after Vanek’s OT goal and center ice went black…?????? WTF
Back when we all had our hearts on our sleeves after the WTC had been rammed – the NHL, NBA, MLB all could have cared less – sell the slot, make more dough – “In the share holders we trust”.
I was happy NBC stayed at Rich for the outdoor game anthems – I was actually kinda surprised they did.
The NHL is always looking to expand their market – make it about the “whole package” – televise the anthems and make it a spectacular show ala NASCAR, have the center ice pkg show the pre or post game shows where they exist – selling more doughnuts or excessive B.O. commercials aint doin it!
Upgraded the quality, just for you, Kev
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eApCOAKUlug