Author: Buffalo Winter

Same Old Lindy, Same Old Results

Buffalo 1 – New Jersey 4 (en)

Buffalo 1 – New Jersey 3 (prevented en)

Prague, Czechia – Hope springs eternal here along the Lake…but it does not take long for cold water to be thrown on the fans hopes and dreams of finally earning a playoff seeding.

The Buffalo Sabres were out-coached, out-scored, and out-defended for most of the two Global Series games versus the New Jersey Devils who are boasting a new goaltender and a new “Head Coach” who is not an unsuccessful former player/coach that already had his shot.

The Positives – Obviously Devon Levi has proved that he is our number one goaltender, looking solid and kept Buffalo in the game.

Alex Tuch proved that this team has heart after goon dillon an alternate captain for New Jersey with malicious intent launched himself and made contact with his shoulder into JJ Peterka’s face/head, and after review the “referees” called it a “two minute” interference penalty.

The Czech/Slovak Buffalo Sabres fan club was in full attendance during both contests with their large white “Fred Flintstone lodge hats.”

I will give it until the end of October before I begin petitioning GM Adams to kick lindy ruff upstairs to a “veteran advisor” role so that HC Appert can take over and coach our boys to the playoffs.

Paraphrasing Clement Clarke Moore’s A Vist from St. Nicholas

Blue Jackets take revenge

Blue Jackets 6 (en) – Sabres 3  They said it would be different in Ohio after Columbus was solidly beat in Buffalo by the Sabres in that they would be playing a more veteran lineup, but with less than two minutes in the second period and Buffalo leading 2-0, it did not seem so.

Fortunately for the Blue Jackets their veterans did recover to score once before the second period ended and then proceeded to play to their level and scored five more times in third period to extract something positive out of this preseason matchup.

The “preseason Sabres” host an undefeated Detroit team Monday night to close out their 2024 preseason schedule and then it is only three days and a bowl of cereal before Buffalo begins the NHL 2024-25 regular season.

Sabres Slice through Exhibition

Sabres 5 – Munchen 0  They were supposed to be a top professional opponent, they did have 11 “imports” creating a sort of collection of top German talent for an all-star “team”, alas it did not work offensively for the hosts.

Much ado about the additional 15 feet of ice surface in European rinks, it did seem as if Buffalo was working an OT 3 on 3 because of the open ice to skate in, it is a beautifully designed arena with its practice rink underground at the SAP Garden.

Red Bull Munchen helmets looked exactly like the can the product comes in, too funny, but it is our European cousins who slap advertisements all over their hockey sweaters and face off circles, but after watching for a few minutes they are not much of a distraction. (Some NHL teams have a gaudy advert affixed to their sweaters)

Buffalo’s Goaltending duo Luukkonen and Levi splitting duties shutout what SOG did make it to them which were few and far in between, Red Bull’s goaltending was solid and at times excellent during the Sabres barrage of SOG.

A hard deflection changing with a 90 degree angle created the first score then Tage Thompson for Buffalo’s second goal was a clear high stick that would not have counted in the NHL, but there was no review or coaches challenge available.

One NHL and one German Referee with no clear hierarchy over who has the last say on what was happening on the ice, but it was a fast paced flowing game that although had penalties whistled, there was not frequent stoppages of play throughout the contest.

That is it, two preseason games and one exhibition contest, now the Buffalo Sabres have until next Friday, October 4th and 5th for the regular season’s first two games versus New Jersey in Czechia, while the “preseason Sabres” finish the preseason schedule by visiting Columbus before hosting Detroit.

No NHL Experience, No Problem

Sabres 3 (en) – Senators 2 OT  Ottawa the sparkling capital of Canada hosted Buffalo last night and even without any starters the Sabres were still able to win over a Senators team that was just as thin with the exception of goaltending.

Ottawa’s goaltenders Ullmark and Tokarski with the later still wearing his Buffalo mask, which seemed odd to see atop a Senators sweater, the time was split evenly between Buffalo’s former net minders, but to no avail as Buffalo scored an empty netter and in overtime for the victory.

From 2:30 pm this afternoon until 10 pm this evening there are 10 games to consume, beginning with Buffalo and EHC Red Bull Munchen making history with the grand opening of the SAP Garden in Munich, Germany, dab smack in the middle of Octoberfest (Sept 21- Oct 6).

Last night during a team dinner, Sabres Rasmus Dahlin was named Captain, the humbled defenseman explained it’s an honor, the proudest moment of his life and knowing how big the responsibility is, he is motivated beyond words and looking forward to leading us into the playoffs.