No more Skid Marks

After going 0-3-1, losing to Florida (6-2), Boston (2-1 in OT), Ottawa (5-3) and Washington (2-0) the Sabres seem to have found their game winning their last two. In those two games they scored 9 goals and only allowed 3. The 4-2 victory over the Fliers on Black Friday was particularly enjoyable to watch, Tim Connolly finished with four points as Buffalo beat Philadelphia for the second time in two weeks. The Fliers scored both their goals with under a minute to go in the first period with about 32 seconds and 3 seconds respectively. The down side to the victory, it was a very physical game which resulted in the suspension of Patrick Kaleta for two games for this hit:
http://www.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?catid=-3&id=52761

So here's what I've decided is bothering me this week, not just during Sabres games, but in all of sports: advertising. It's not enough to sprinkle in five minute ad sessions during breaks in the game, it's certainly not enough to line the boards and the fields with the logos of the companies, but now the broadcasters more and more work in plugs sometimes slyly but usually shamelessly.
Buffalo Sabres hockey during the month of November is sponsored by Dunkin Donuts...Why not? HSBC Arena serves neither coffee nor donuts during hockey games and for those of us watching at home, clearly thats the snack of choice during a hockey game. When I have people over to watch a game they tend to nag when I do not put out the bear claws and cappucinos. It seems like a perfect fit. On top of that the Power Play is brought to us by Napa Auto Parts. I always thought the power play was brought to us by the player who committed the penalty, but upon further reading into the rule book, the power play occurs everytime Napa decides to throw some money at the team (or give the players free oil changes). This one kills me: during the game, little cutouts of a law firm in New York called Celino and Barnes pops up to remind me that while the players on the ice fight, they will fight for me in court. I can not take it, the ads are everywhere. Keep commercials in commercials!
During the break I watched a lot of college football. How many times did the broadcasters on ABC have to remind us that V is all new and on prime time during the week. I think to be fair the actors in these less than mediocre shows they are forced to plug should work into their dialogue the upcoming games that weekend. "We are aliens we come in peace. If we do attack we will make sure to wait until after rivalry week on ABC. I flew 6 billion light years to see if Weis can right the ship against Stanford at 8p.m. human eastern standard time."


Buffalo travels to Toronto tomorrow night. If you do not have center ice, the game will be airing on Versus. Regardless of where the teams find themselves year after years in the standings this matchup is always a good one due to the geographic and divisional rivalry.

P.S. Any volleyball fans? A really good friend from high school, Sara Sage, plays for UCLA. They host the first and second rounds of their region in the NCAA tournament. You can watch the first match against Long Beach State on Friday for free online here: http://www.uclabruins.com/sports/w-volley/ucla-w-volley-body.html
Check out the roster as well. I think the two criteria to play for the Bruins is 1. Be a ten and 2. Be a ten.

No perro caliente, muy triste

I feel like my lungs have failed me. After having a cough for a week I decided to forfeit my Redwings tickets to a friend on $1 hot dog in order to go home to see my doctor. AHH! I missed hot dogs and a May-day smack down. So I'm sitting in the room, my doctor walks in, he says "hi Brenton how are you doing?" "I'm sick," I reply. And then silence. Turns out I have a low grade form of bronchitis. "It's not contagious, don't worry about it," Dr. Bejarano said. "Ohh..Then how did I get it in the first place?" I said. And then silence.

Last night I had a show at Joey's Comedy Club in Livonia. It was a showcase for Live Nation by my agency. If they liked us, we'd obtain sponsorship for a 40 show/city college tour next year. It was nothing short of a miracle that I talked for 25 minutes without coughing once. Amazing. But would I have traded a great, cough-free set for $1 hot dogs?...no are you crazy?!! well, maybe.

Anyway none of that has anything to do with my blog on the Buffalo Sabres. I was unable to watch the Sabres game tonight because my parents do not have centerice. Probably a good thing, as they lost 6-2 to Florida. Guess they broke even, Buffalo beat the Panthers in Florida back on October 21 5-2.

Friday's game against the Flames was the most entertaining I've seen all year. Fast paced, few whistles, two fights, and it went to a shootout. Both goalies were amazing, you were almost upset that one had to lose. The good guys came out on top taking the shootout and the game 2-1.

Saturday's game was less thrilling but still great to see them take out the Fliers. I'm not s fan of Philly. Never have been. May have something to do with the '72 Stanley Cup finals.

I really don't have any specific thoughts this week. The Sabres are playing great, minus tonight, although looking at highlights they had their chances and couldn't finish. A post here and a sprawling defense man there, you put those in the back of the new the whole game changes.

My brother is watching TV next to me. The show is called Top Gear, a British television show all about cars. He just turned to me and said "if you're a car guy this is like porn."...and then silence. I look foward to coming home to Michigan tomorrow.

P.S. It's never too early for some Christmas music:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLUwsd4rd98&NR=1

New Winning Streak

I should like to mention as well I enjoyed a 3-1 victory over the Oilers tonight at HSBC Arena. That ended a two game skid (the longest of the short season). The team speed is great, and Miller came to pla tonight (lost both of those games and gav up 9 goals). This is a team that will make the playoffs if they stay healthy. Ruff really has them rolling, the young are playing like veterans and the veterans are playing like all-stars. Look out NHL these Sabres are "Scary good."

Call the SHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHT!!

Since the teams' introduction into the NHL they have only had one play by play TV commentator: Rick Jeanneret. He's the only voice I've heard since I was a boy, he's the only voice I want to hear for years to come. His enthusiasm and love for the game is evident. A shot isn't just a "shot," it's a "SHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHTTT!" He has been behind some of the most memorable (and entertaining calls in hockey (not just Buffalo) history.
http://sabres.fandome.com/video/88939/Top-10-Calls-by-Rick-Jeanneret/

As many know Buffalo gets its fair share of snowfall. Several blizzrds, yielding several feet or more of snow have occurred since the 70s. There were nights where Jeanneret could not get to the arena because he was snowed in. Did he call off work? hell no. The man watched the game on TV and called the game over his telephone. He is the Rocky of Buffalo. A lot of things have changed for Buffalo Sabres hockey, but on thing hasn't: RICK!

While I think Maxim Afiniginov is a very talented player, great speed nd quickness, great moves, good hands, a finisher, I was not upset when he signed with Atlanta in the offseason due to the loss of his play. I was upset, because I no longer get to hear Jeanneret call his name when he scores.
MAAAAAAAAAAXXXXUUUUUUUUMMMMM AFFINNNNAGIINNNNOOOOOOFFFFFFFFFFFFF!!!
Its the voice that shatters glass. Rick calling Maxim's number is magic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPJkEHDG9EA


My only hope, besides the Sabres winning the cup, is winning it while Jeanneret is still the voice of Buffalo. The "Spirit of Buffalo" needs a winner.

Paybacks a Shutout

Four days ago the Sabres suffered their worst defeat of the season 5-0 in Long Island. Last night, in my opinion, they played their best game of the year, this time defeating the Islanders 3-0. Through the first 11 games of the year it could be said the fast start was credited to the 3rd and 4th lines (and Ryan Miller), while the first two lines struggled. They showed up last night, with Derek Roy nabbing his first goal of the season, as well as Vanek (off to a slow start by his standards getting his 5th). They also got 2 powerplay goals and killed off all three penalties. Rookie sensation (can you say early rookie of the year candidate) Tyler Meyers got an assist, his fourth. Miller was exceptional saving 24/24 his 2nd shutout of the year. Everyone is contributing. On the other side I must say former Sabre Marty Biron was magnificent. He stopped 36/39, but the score really could have been 10-0 (the game looked like the one-sided 7-1 victory from last year, minus stellar goaltending which led to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTPudRyyhsE ).
It was a great game if you like Buffalo to watch. They controlled the game at will. With 1:12 to go in the 3rd period, they controlled the puck in the Islanders end. For 48 of those seconds (I counted because I haven't seen such puck control dominnce in a long time) the puck did not go higher than faceoff circle in the Islanders zone. The final 10 seconds were killed behind the goal. Can't wait to see what they are able to do as the season progresses and the rookies (3 of um) settle in and gain experience. Oh and by the way, in 12 games they have only given up 24 goals.


I'm struggling with the twitter. It owns me. If someone could help me with the link url thingy, well to be honest im just lazy. I didn't want a twitter so I could probably figure it out, but someone could just tell me and then you would feel accomplished for helping, and I would be happy of the laziness.

Girls today are confusing. They say Brenton don't facebook stalk me it's creepy. Brenton, I want you to follow me on twitter.

In case you missed it

Waterford native and Buffalo Sabre icon Pat Lafontaine was on Sportsnation last Friday

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/29150/nhl-hofer-pat-lafontaine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MirYI3M03WU

Go LaLaFontaine

What are the odds?

There are currently 947 players playing in the NHL. 10 of those players are originally from Buffalo, New York. This means 1.1% of all active players hail from Buffalo. I was born and Buffalo and am convinced if I had continued to live there I would've played hockey. But in his vast wisdom, my father decided to move us to Huron, Ohio, a little fly on the wall town bordering Lake Erie and five minutes from Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. Can you guess how many NHL players are from Huron? If you guessed more than zero, you're an idiot. Lake Erie is too big a body of water to freeze over to play (it does freeze a bit but every year you read about 40 or 50 ice fisherman trapped on the lake because their ice broke off and they're floating out to nowhere). Disney on Ice doesn't even make its way through Huron. Ohio just isn't a hockey state. I've been to several games in Columbus. Their fans are barbaric. The highlights of the night are who gets put up on the kiss cam. The fans don't cheer for goals, but rather, for fights to break out. They just don't get hockey in Ohio! so my already ridiculously low odds (7billion on earth, lets say 3.5b are male, 947=3.5b= .000000027% chance of making it) to a new chance of .0000000000000etc...Oh and I lack the size and talent too, but those are just minor details. Just a thought.

I'm happy to report the Sabres are off to a very quick start and should be a playoff bound team barring any injuries or misfortunes. Through 11 games they are 8-2-1. First place in the Northeast. The fun part about Buffalo in the playoffs is while the arena is full, another 10,000 stand up outside watching on a big screen, along with additional vendors. Great fans, great sports city. (Due to the Buffalo Bills struggles for the third year under Dick Jauron, an 8 year old boy bought a billboard and simply put Fire Jauron on it. Following suit, money was raised to put up a 2nd billboard, http://www.wben.com/Fire-Dick-Jauron-billboard-to-go-up-in-Buffalo/5446757.) Along with that party atmosphere, the native Goo Goo Dolls play free concerts before and after the game. Can't beat it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-k2r2ssi_o&feature=fvw. Go Go Buffalo, the Stanley Cup better mapquest directions to Buffalo because that's where she's headed in 2010!

Another great part is you get to back up those words as well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2W3Qm1YTFc&feature=fvw

Why I love hockey:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0KPHqU-K00.
What other sport can you trash talk, and get to back it up?..ok maybe boxing, but what good is a sport if you can't score?

NHL=Nonstop Hockey Love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5hWhlHr5rk

I love hockey, but I also love Mitch Hedberg and his jokes. RIP Mitch

"I want to hang a map of the world in my house then I’m gonna put pins into all the locations that I’ve traveled to. But first I’m gonna have to travel to the top two corners of the map so it won’t fall down."

"I’m against picketing, but I don’t know how to show it."

"Whenever I walk, people try to hand me out fliers, and when someone tries to hand me out a flier, it’s kinda like they’re saying, “Here, you throw this away.”

"I like rice. Rice is great when you’re hungry and you want 2,000 of something."

"An escalator can never break: it can only become stairs. You should never see an Escalator Temporarily Out Of Order sign, just Escalator Temporarily Stairs. Sorry for the convenience."

"I saw this wino, he was eating grapes. I was like, “Dude, you have to wait.”

"Alcoholism is a disease, but it’s the only one you can get yelled at for having. “Goddamn it Otto, you are an alcoholic. Goddamn it Otto, you have Lupis”…one of those two doesn’t sound right."

"My manager saw me drinking backstage and he said “Mitch, don’t use liquor as a crutch.” I can’t use liquor as a crutch, because a crutch helps me walk. Liquor severely f@cks up the way I walk. It ain’t like a crutch, it’s like a step I didn’t see."

Lindy Ruff the Statue

I've had the pleasure of attending many Buffalo games live, whether it be in New York at the old Aud, or the new HSBC Arena, at Joe Louis Arena and down in Columbus, and for two-thirds of my life the same man has been coaching the team. He's the longest tenured coach currently in the NHL. Why the job security? It's all about body language. Ruff is a man who never uncrosses his arms. It's intimidating. You watch the man, and whether it be barking orders at the bench or yelling at the ref for a blown call, the man never uncrosses his arms from start to finish. I think if he did, the ice may start to melt. I love that look about him. Some coaches have legendary articles of clothing, or inspirational words of wisdom, Ruff has the arms crossed. You want to know what happened last time someone tried to mess with him and AC?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAPhqXj_24I.....don't go after our f***ing captain indeed. Looking foward to watching him cross his arms and go for gold in the 2010 Olympics coaching alongside Babcock for team Canada.

Kid Meyers Playing like a Veteran

Tyler Meyers is 19 years old. When i turned 19, I went drinking in Windsor. Meyers has been a bit more productive with his time, earning a spot on the Buffalo Sabres lineup, avoiding being sent down to their farm team, the Portland Pirates. I first witnessed him attending the Redwings/Sabres preseason game at Joe Louis Arena. Who's 57?, I thought. Holy cow is he big. What's more suprising about his age, his size, or how light he is on his skates with very solid hands ( had an assist against the wings in their game in Buffalo after weaving around 3 defenders and creating a rebound, and last night in Tampa Bay (http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8474574, watch the video) securing his status as new "fan favorite"), is his birthplace, Houston, Texas. The dude is 6'8", in Texas, and is playing hockey? Someone with his size, strength and speed sounds like a great tight end in a state that worships football. Makes you wonder how his father reacted when he told him he wanted to be a hockey player..possibly the same way my parents reacted when I told them I (a 3.9 gpa Ohio Northern baseball player) was going to transfer to community college for two years and move up to the Detroit area to pursue stand up comedy...Why? I'm looking foward to watching him grow over the course of the season, and develop into a top defenseman in the league. Plus, I doubt anybody will throw any cheap shots on our playmakers now that we have the size to prevent it (also added Mike Grier). Stay healthy and we might be able to make a good run in the playoffs.