Month: November 2024

No hockey, but so much more to be thankful for

From here along the Lake – Happy Thanksgiving, how can we escape this birth into death, unless we are born again through faith, through the obedient virginal birth of our Lord and Savior of course! So much to be thankful for each day but today helps people remember to do so.

I have learned from reading the Gospels not to waste my time with people who do not want to believe, and I go to great lengths to make my site all about hockey, and I owe it all to our Heavenly Father.

So, on this wonderful American holiday of remembrance and thankfulness, I can and do proclaim my faith for all to see, not to preach but to give thanks to Jesus for allowing me these opportunities.

Tomorrow at three o’clock in the afternoon, “Black Friday” the Sabres wearing their “Brawny Black & Red” sweaters will host the Canucks in the first of their two-game inter-conference series.

Last week’s answer: Martin Biron

Wooden Sticks The shift from playing with wooden sticks began nearly seventy seasons ago when manufacturers began reinforcing sticks with fiberglass producing lighter more manageable sticks.

In the mid-90s carbon fiber technology introduced a composite blade which is still the standard today, we have seen aluminum shafts and technology create a one-piece composite stick, so superior to wooden sticks everyone utilizes them.

Today’s Trivia: Who do you think was the last player to use a wooden stick in the NHL?

A) Gretzky

B) Ennis

C) Dion

D) Aucoin

Buffalo Completes Sweep in California

Sabres 4 (en) – Sharks 2 Buffalo finishes their West Coast Road trip undefeated as the Sabres beat all three California opponents concluding with ruining “Joe Thornton Night” in San Jose.

Winning his Sabres debut 36 years old goaltending journeyman James Reimer has found a solid backup position with his seventh NHL team, in Buffalo G Reimer does not have to be “the man” with every game resting on his shoulders.

Buffalo’s best winning percentage against any NHL team is San Jose, the Sabres won their fifth consecutive meeting against the Sharks for a 31-14-4 overall record versus their California brethern.

San Jose took an early second period 2-1 lead that they carried into the third period where Buffalo took over and scores three times, even strength, short-handed, and an empty net.

Notable Performances

G Reimer in his winning debut posted a .939% save percentage while also making the team’s highlight reel “save of the season” for the Sabres thus far.

RW Tuch scores his third shorty of the season, which happens to be Buffalo’s short-handed goal total as well.

The Sabres return home for a game versus a very strong Minnesota Wild team on Thanksgiving Eve (Nov 27th), which has become one of the biggest nights for clubs and bars here along the Lake providing ample places to heartily cheer on our boys.

Buffalo continues to win out West

Sabres 3 (OT) – Ducks 2 HC Cronin of the Ducks called last night a slow start as his team scored four minutes into the game to take the 1-0 lead on just 6 SOG heading into the second period.

There were six minutes remaining in the second period when Anaheim increased their lead to 2-0 on a flukey up and over tipped shot from the point that Sabres G Luukkonen could not stop.

And that was the end of Anaheim’s night as Buffalo with less than two minutes remaining in the second period scores twice in 50 seconds to tie the game 2-2 taking momentum into the third period.

After whistling 5 roughing, 2 fighting, and 1 delay of game penalties during the first two periods of play both R Rank and Luxmore put their whistles away for the third period as apparently no infractions were going to be committed by either team.

Overtime lasts nearly the full-time allotment as Sabres rookie C Kulich scores his second of the season and his second career goal in his first 12 regular season games as Buffalo takes 4 SOG during overtime to earn the two road points.

Tomorrow’s San Jose’s afternoon game is an early evening start for viewers here along the Lake as the Sabres look to sweep their California opponents versus rookie sensation C Celebrini and the Sharks.

Entertaining Barnburner in Ohio

Blue Jackets 7 (OT) – Lightning 6 Columbus fans watched their team take 22 SOG (43 SOG for the game) and score four times during the second period in a game not for the faint of heart.

Tampa Bay took a 3-0 lead with eight minutes remaining in the first period before Columbus got one back ending the first period 3-1 for the Lightning.

It took the Blue Jackets less than the first two minutes of the second period to tie the game at three, scoring at even strength and on the power play, but Tampa Bay scored 15 seconds immediately after that to retake the lead.

Again, in the second period, the Blue Jackets score twice in less than two minutes to take their first lead of the game 5-4 and incredibly 54 seconds later the Lightning score again to tie the game at five to end the second period.

Columbus scores and takes the 6-5 lead just past the halfway point of the third period but Tampa Bay this time takes only 44 seconds to score and tie the game at six which forces the teams into overtime.

Both teams took 1 SOG in 86 seconds during the overtime frame with the Blue Jackets shot scoring, winning the game and the hearts of Columbus fans in attendance.

Notable Production

Columbus D Werenski made Blue Jackets history by becoming their first defenseman to record five points in a game.