Month: April 2023

The second half of the ESPN FHL 2023 Buffalo Pro H2H Points League Finals begins this afternoon at 12:30 EST and as expected League leader Downton Flyers is in the lead and has gone ahead of Buffalo Winter by nearly a baker’s dozen worth of points.

Not surprisingly the Winner’s Consolation Ladder combatants Team Beaulieu and Team Alex have practically mirrored the Winner’s bracket scores and admirably team Doughty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap after barely missing earning a playoff seeding has taken the overall lead in points while mired in the Consolation Ladder.

Presently the eight consolation-seeded teams have the opportunity to use the ladder games as a “mini-training” camp for team managers, exploring the tools (waiver wire, watch list, injured reserve, begin next season’s roster) available using them to gain insight to improve next season’s entry.

My first attempt at managing an ESPN FHL team did not result in a playoff seeding but it is when I learned and gained valuable experience utilizing the waiver wire to be able to increase my overall point total by switching out players not generating points.

The NHL has scheduled all 32 teams to play today creating the opportunity for team managers to have the ability to ice a full roster including the unpleasant task of selecting which players sit on the bench this Saturday.

This afternoon is the second last home game of the regular season here along the Lake for our Buffalo Sabres and we face off against the Hurricanes as Carolina comes to town for a 12:30 luncheon game.

Mr. Levi wins debut

What we all wanted to see came to fruition last night as Mr. Levi posted a .939 save percentage allowing two goals at even strength and stopping all four shots during the Rangers’ lone power play for his NHL debut victory.

It took New York nearly six minutes before registering their first SOG and with an obvious non-call on a cross-check to the back of the neck that prompted Mr. Ray to comment, “I guess we know how they are calling the game… they’re not.”

The Rangers’ only other shot of the period came off an attempt from Mr. Vesey that Mr. Levi took care of with his quick glove, a minute later Mr. Peterka scores finishing off a tic-tac-toe play with Mr. Quinn and Mr. Cozens for the one nothing lead.

During a delayed penalty Mr. Power was attempting a shot when an astute official whistled the play dead posing the question of when the Rangers had possession, all for naught as both the Sabres and Rangers come up short on the game’s three power plays.

Buffalo’s second goal was a thing of beauty as Mr. Greenway accepted a nice up-and-over the defender flip pass from Mr. Mittelstadt then one-handed beat two New York defenders and puts the shot right above the glove and arm of the Rangers netminder.

Mr. Skinner’s Overtime winning goal was no less spectacular as he nets his 32^nd goal of the season after splitting Mr. Zibanejad and Mr. Tarasenko who were attempting to defend him, past defenseman Mr. Miller with a greasy wrister to win the game.