Author: Buffalo Winter

Tkachuk brothers topple Suomi

Top Finnish players from the NHL took a 1-0 lead early halfway through the first period and developed glorious chances that either went wide or over the crossbar much to Team USA’s good fortune.

Even though Team USA took 13 SOG in the first period and scored three minutes into the second period for the 2-1 lead, the Americans did not appear to have this game “in-hand”.

It was not until Team USA head coach put the Tkachuk brothers together that the team began steamrolling the Finns, Matthew and Brady each scored twice with the older sibling collecting an assist as well.

Just 26 seconds into the third period the Americans score twice in 11 seconds to take a 4-1 commanding lead when a half a minute later the Tkachuk brothers score goal five with 17 minutes remaining in the game.

Matthew Tkachuk scored his second powerplay goal of the game to give Team USA the demoralizing 6-1 advantage as it was an impossible task for Team Finland to score five times in the last nine minutes of the game.

Saturday’s matchups now look promising to be an exciting and hard-fought battle for both contests.

This NHL season we are treated to a round robin tournament with Canada, Sweden, Finland, and the United States of America showcasing most of the top talent in the NHL.

Montreal hosted the first game of the 4 Nations Face-Off 2025 tournament last night, and it was the perfect game for Canadiens in attendance, those at a Pub, or at home glued to their screens.

An amazing line consisting of three Centers, McDavid, Crosby, and MacKinnon opened the scoring as Team Canada took the early 1-0 lead, increased it to 2-0 before Sweden found some offense to score their first tally of the tournament.

Statistically Sweden endeavored to keep pace with Team Canada, but Canada blocked 10 more shots, scored the lone powerplay goal, earned a slight advantage in face-offs, and of course scored in overtime.

The officials allowed the players to play as there was only two high-sticking penalties, one assessed to each team.

After the second period down 3-1 Team Sweden made this game interesting as they scored twice in the third period to tie the game forcing overtime affording Canada’s RW Marner to receive a pass, skate in and score the game winner.

The white elephant in the rink is no Team Russia, thankfully POTUS Trump recently was on the phone with presidents Putin and Zelenskyy arranging an end to their war providing an opportunity for the 2028 World Cup Tournament to have Russia participate.

Last week’s answer: Aucoin

Although the Sabres first Head Coach Punch Imlach only coached for 120 games before giving up the position because of a heart condition, he and his wife Dorthy were always in the stands.

What was Dorthy’s nickname?

A) Dee Dee

B) Dodo

C) Dotty

D) Boss

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