Buffalo 4 – Calgary 1 The Sabres were involved in a tight low-scoring 1-1 game in Calgary last night and with just under nine minutes remaining in the third period JJ Peterka broke the deadlock for Buffalo’s second lead of the game.
Okotoks, Alberta native Mr. Krebs had family and friends on hand.
Mr. Dahlin received stitches in ear area after blocking a shot.
UPL earned his second career assist on Mr. Clifton’s goal.
Mr. Krebs took the Sabres first shot that scored the first goal of the game.
After Mr. Thompson scored the first empty netter of the game for the 3-1 Buffalo lead with 45 seconds remaining in the third period which was the proverbial nail in the coffin Calgary kept playing without a netminder sabotaging their own goal differential in the eventual 4-1 loss.
Goon wilson pressing down on his stick across the neck of a prone player
When Paul Newman’s hockey movie “Slap Shot” premiered in 1977 I was a sophomore in high school and at the time thought it was the most brilliantly funny movie ever.
Kings Road Productions and Pan Arts produced this fine film
Also at this time the NHL was still enduring the “broad street bullies” a collection of goonish overachievers and some talented forwards backed by a stellar goaltender that had brought them consecutive Cups.
But hockey fans know the difference between hollyweird’s version of hockey and the actual game, and there is nothing wrong with enjoying mythical hockey tales of mischief and mayhem, as long as it is on film or in a book.
A parody reflects reality
In real life there is a one such NHL belligerent with no self-control, volatile and violent, a repeat offender, and as unprofessional as you could get with some victim mentality thrown in for good measure, and he is Tom “goon” Wilson currently with the Capitals.
A goon 6′ 4″ 220 lbs pulls hair of a six foot 175 lbs Rangers player
The NHL has reported that goon wilson was “offered” an in-person hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Thursday because he is facing discipline for his recent infraction, a double minor high-sticking, which he can refuse and have it conducted by phone.
Skates almost leaving the ice while checking
It has become more than obvious that goon wilson needs to be removed from the NHL, AHL, and all affiliates of both leagues, he should not be afforded any pathway back, no fines or suspensions required.
Finishing his check, goon wilson’s teammate takes possession of puck
He is the best “player” to make an example of to persuade up and coming young players and seasoned professionals from this type of behavior.
The goon is unhappy Leafs player absorbed check and skated on
Friday night’s published NHL article with soft language discussed a six game suspension issued during a Zoom call with goon wilson who refused to come in person to defend his belligerent stick swing to his opponent’s face.
Goon wilson grabs hold of opponent’s stick while swinging his stick upward from behind and below his waist
Seven full paragraphs droning on about the Capitals problems replacing the goon and how all his teammates have to step up, on and on with positive praise and statistics and HC Carbery will not go into length about what goon wilson does on the ice, nothing written about the Leafs player.
Goon wilson releases opponent’s stick watching opponent as his stick continues upward
Goon wilson pinned a face down, prone player on the ice with his stick across the back of the player’s neck and then slammed a different player’s helmetless head onto the ice in one game two years ago, yet…nothing was done.
Goon wilson looking directly at his opponent continuing his stick upwards
The Capitals narrative is that goon Wilson is a 20 goal scorer who plays with an edge, he hit the 20 goal mark three times out of 11 NHL seasons, possibly this season as well.
Goon wilson watching his stick on its upward momentum striking the Leafs playerin the face
He has played less than 750 NHL games and has amassed over 1400 minutes in penalties, six consecutive seasons of over 100 PIMs with 120 penalty minutes earned in 66 games thus far this year.
After someone dared to stop goon wilson from pressing his stick on their teammates neckwhile linesmen attend to first victim
In the 1970s NHL teams had players that were referred to as “policemen”, basically they were responsible for the “safety” of their offensive stars and judiciously punished those who asked for it, mostly.
Well that made goon wilson even more angry and out of control
During a time when bench clearing brawls were not uncommon the afore mentioned players were a vital necessity, however in 2024 the movie “Slap Shot” is just a humorous parody of stereotypical minor leaguers from a bygone era in hockey history.
After pulling his hair, banging his helmetless head on the ice, goon wilson picks up smaller and lighter player as linesmen in horror endeavor to stop him
Goons are not policemen and are no longer vital to any team in any capacity, today’s hockey player will stand up for his teammates and not wait for a certain player to come over the bench to “protect” them.
Linesmen are not quick enough to stop goon wilson
So for six whole regular season contests the NHL will have hockey games without goon wilson brawling, stick swinging, or just routinely sitting in the penalty box for Capitals fans who swear he is the bees knees.
goon wilson’s final unwarranted violent act of that game
Perhaps it would be best for fans of the rest of the NHL, other team’s players, and especially for his next opponent who absorbs another goon wilson penalty or suspension infraction if the NHL would courageously come forward and say, that’s it and permanently ban him.
Buffalo 6 Seattle 2 The Sabres earn their first victory versus the Kraken in a game where each team scored during the first minute of the game to create a 1-1 tie just 49 seconds into the contest.
The announcer called for a Seattle goaltender change four minutes into the game after Mr. Skinner scored Buffalo’s second goal for the 2-1 lead.
Mr. Tuch scorching the Kraken goaltender for the 3-1 lead nearly two minutes later is what prompted the Seattle goaltender change.
Seattle’s second and last goal of the evening came as the puck deflected/bounced straight up off the Kraken player over UPL and landed right next to the goalpost where the puck was easily tapped in for the 3-2 score completing the first period scoring.
Seattle announcer lamented that it is hard to keep track of your guy when they keep changing and switching after Buffalo defenseman Mr. Power made it a 4-2 game approximately half way through the second period.
Mr. Skinner scored for Buffalo 42 seconds after Mr. Power to make it 5-2 with over eight minutes remaining in the second period, and with just two minutes left in the game Mr. Skinner completes his seventh career Hat Trick and third with Buffalo for the 6-2 victory.
Buffalo 4 New York 0 The Sabres were dominate in their third consecutive victory as Buffalo prevented New York from getting anywhere near UPL and when they did the Sabres physicality showed up and displaced any Islanders.
At times the Sabres skated in waves together as one unit, the defensive corps adeptly handled exiting the zone and joined the rush when appropriate, and Buffalo allowed only 11 SOG to get through to UPL over the first two periods.
Mr. Greenway was such an effective screen for the Sabres third tally that HC Roy challenged with, “goaltender interference”, and after review showed there was absolutely no contact earning the Islanders a “delay of game” penalty.
Buffalo took their well-earned 3-0 lead into the third period where HC Roy pulled his goaltender at even strength with approximately six minutes remaining in the game contributing to Mr. Benson’s second of the night with an empty net goal.
Buffalo begins their Western Conference road trip this coming Saturday in Detroit, off Sunday for St. Patrick’s Day, then Monday initiates back to back games in Seattle and then the Conference leading Canucks in Vancouver.
Buffalo 7 Detroit 3 Last night’s dominating performance highlights the positive production from the process of Buffalo’s rebuild that is not yet three seasons old.
Mr. Tuch scores 67 seconds into the game to get the party started
The addition of Mr. Byram to an already stocked offensively minded defensive corps makes the Sabres blueliners even more difficult to defend with their joining the rush to score mentality.
Mr. Byram finding offensive opportunities in Buffalo scores twice
As the Sabres continue to improve while becoming a playoff team, it is difficult to observe patiently while enjoying glimpses of what will become Buffalo’s best and those that will lead us to the Cup.
Hard checking defenseman Mr. Clifton notches one
After the Sabres host the Islanders Thursday night the belligerent Wings host the Sabres Saturday night as Buffalo begins their four game Western Conference road trip in Detroit.
Buffalo Winter 