Back in Action

by Ryan

I must apologize for the Roost going dark yesterday. A late start to a busy day meant no time to talk about the Leafs game or what's on tap for this weekend. It's too bad, I think I had some decent things to say. A post will be coming in a bit about this big sports weekend, but I just thought I'd ramble for a bit about a few things before I get blogger's backup and explode into a neat little pile of confetti.

- People give Tim Connolly a hard time with injuries, but Marian Gaborik is getting up there. Jesus, ten weeks for hip surgery? Is he 67? I have to go, his trade value just plummeted into my basement. I should see if it broke anything.

- I was pumped to see Thomas Jones say what half of America is thinking. I think a big reason so many people get upset about Brett Favre and how the media treats him is because there is such a singular message attached to it. Everyone thinks the same thing about Brett Favre, and all we hear about is how great he is.

In the field of communication there is a theory called the "spiral of silence". The basic theory is that people gravitate towards the opinions and voices they hear most often, and therefore the less popular opinions get lost in the shuffle. Those that feel differently are pressured into silence, and therefore those thoughts are strangled by the climate of opinions.

That's why it's so important to have differing opinions on something, and why the media praise of Brett Favre is so insane. People have a wide variety of feelings about him, but somehow the major sports outlets are convinced we all feel the same way: that he's a football god. Hearing someone, let alone his own teammate, say he just might not be infallible is outstanding because it's true. Somehow all that has been lost in the hype and praise. I honestly don't care what happens to Brett Favre next season, but I'm glad someone called him out for this year.

- Team USA lost in the the quarterfinals against Slovakia. This is probably all that karma from making fun of Miroslav Satan; or maybe the fact that their goaltender had the game of his life. What a performance.

- I know I should be upset about this, but I think it's kind of hilarious. Considering no one made any noise about Roscoe's DUI last year, I doubt this will be a big deal either.

- Tomorrow Rich and I will be live-blogging the International Bowl at WNYMedia. I did the MAC Championship and it was a good time, so stop by for the fun around 12 or so.

- I still can't decide if the Sabres played well or the Leafs just sucked that badly. I think it's more of the latter than the former, but either way it was good to see them take advantage of a bad showing from an opponent for once. Boston will be the real test, and it's just another part of the huge sports day coming up. More on that later.

MAC Championship Live Blog

Tape Delayed Live Blog: Sens 1/10

by Ryan

Thibault in net. Good lord. The good news is the last time his passport was stamped he had a shutout. The bad news is the last time he started he got rocked, and he didn’t do much in relief against the Sens on Friday.

Cue up the tape delayed live blog, here we go.

Pregame

Timmy’s out? Man I was really looking forward to watching Tim dangle. At least Paille is back. Good to see nothing major resulted from that Volchenkov hit.

I am really, really looking forward to seeing Kaleta out there against the Sens. Last time those two met was a line brawl. A spark is all I ask.

First Period

19:37 I think at some point, MacArthur playing against the Spezza/Heatley/Alfie line will kill us.

19:20 They had a quote from Lindy Ruff, with the stupidest picture ever of him next to it. Let’s hope MSG kills that graphic for next game, I thought he was going to sell me lawn furnature.

19:00 First good chance for Ottawa, TBO makes a decent stop. Good news early.

17:22 Trip on Kalinin. Thank God he came to play today. Is that Landon Donovan?

17:00 Let it be known that the Sens PP scares the bejesus out of me.

15:20 Pretty decent kill. Some good chances but cleared at least three times. Bullet dodged.

14:30 Great shift from the Kotalik/Vanek/Goose line. Great outlet pass to Vanek to start the play, and a heads up play by Ales to get two straight chances. Way to come back after a good PK.

13:25 Kaleta was out and juuuust missed a hit. The crowd is aware of his presence for sure.

12:10 Breakaway for Vanek. Decent shot on, had pressure coming. I’m okay with what I saw. I’m giving Vanek some time to grow, and I’ve seen some much better work overall these last few games. He will score on these chances eventually. Eventually.

11:00 I’m waiting for that weak TBO goal that reminds everyone why he’s a backup.

10:00 When you are in a losing streak, sometimes the little things are what can turn it around. Redden is forced to ice the puck just now because someone charged right after him and forced the dump on their side of center. Nothing came of the resulting faceoff, but you have to like the hustle shown.

9:30 Holy smokes TBO just made two huuuuuge saves, including one point blank Hasek-esque leg flail on US Soccer star Landon Donovan. Not bad at all.

8:00 Broken up breakaway pass to Alfie becomes a 3 on 2 the other way for the Hecht line. So far they have done the job on D. Hopefully I’m wrong.

5:45 Decent shift from Kaleta. Should have been looking for Gaustad’s pass in front, but he hasn’t taken himself out of position with his physical play. So far he’s been a great fit for the team.

4:40 GO SENS G.... eh... is that popcorn? Oh! Oh!

3:31 If I could have Anton Volchenkov on my team, I would trade at least the naming rights to my first child. Anton is a sick name.

3:15 GOOSE AND NEIL. GOOD VS EVIL. C’mon Goose... Gaustad got his sweater up, then pulled Neil’s over his head and went to town. Amazingly, Neil actually landed a punch while sightless. An unbiased viewer may give the fight to Neil, but he’s a f–king douchebag, so Goose takes it in my book.



2:54 Sparky MacArthur comes in swinging on Corvo, and he takes a tripping penalty.

0:54 Killed.

0:35 Campbell breaks a stick on the point, and Bucky Gleason’s asking price goes up another $30,000/year.

0:00 Harry Neale calls the first period “intelligent physically.” I think that’s how I want us to play all the time forever. Heck, I want the blog to be “intelligent physically.” Those are words to live by.

Intermission confirms that yes, Paul Gaustad is a beast. Consider that jersey purchase solid. And it don’t get no better than solid.

Second Period

19:36 Soupy makes a balls-tastic play on the pinch, and Landon Donovan volleys in the four incher during the resulting 2 on 1.

1-0

17:30 If the phrase “Peters takes a whack at it” ever results in a goal, we’re shutting down the blog.

17:00 Pat Kaleta is at least 300 times better than Andrew Peters. He finished his check on nailed Corvo, then came back on the forecheck when he got the return pass. Lance Bass mauls him like a bear, and suddenly the Sabres are on a power play. Kaleta did more that shift than Peters has done all year.

15:00 Are we sure this is a power play? Really? Why are we giving up odd man rushes, then?

13:50 Jason Spezza just gave my fantasy team the finger, then missed an easy tip in. Not sure how I feel about that.

13:31 I’m telling you, the Sens modeled their new logo after Daniel Alfredsson.

12:45 Campbell hits someone, Vanek underachieves. Either way, cha-ching!

11:40 The Sens are the kind of team you are going to describe to your grandkids when you tell stories about last year's Sabres. Smooth passes, composed effort, such an easy offensive transition. If I didn’t hate them so much, they would be an absolute joy to watch. Their 3 on 2s are smoother than Tim Connolly’s forehead.

8:28 Shots are 11-9?!? Wow, this game hasn’t been boring at all. Probably because they aren’t the Devils.

8:01 Stafford grabs all up on Vermette in front, and he goes off for high sticking. His reservations for making “the leap” this year have officially been canceled.

6:20 Wow. TBO actually hasn’t been too bad. If he makes the stop on Landon’s free kick I would probably say he’s playing out of his skull.

5:38 Stafford decides he likes the ambiance of the penalty box, and he goes right back in. Doubt the seat had the chance to get cold again.

3:38 Drew is forced to end his conversation with the NHL official in the box. He now knows that Stafford enjoys rocking out, playing with orchestras, and melting faces. He proceeds to get high sticked by Schubert, and the Sabres once again have a chance to tie with a manpower advantage of hockey playing men on a power play.

2:52 I have simply come to accept that the Senators are a better hockey club. Good play in the defensive zone leads to a streaking Alfie coming in shorthanded. Defense melts away and an option is open in front. Alfie decides to shoot.



2-0

I was right about Clarke after all. He collided with Ales to give Alfie the open shot.

2:24 Goose misses another chance in front. C’mon, Paul.

1:00 Kaleta, Mair, and Vanek are on the ice at the same time. I don’t mind this at all.

Block block block.

Fin.

Third Period

19:40 Vanek hits the post, but I’m just happy he shot in the slot. Progress, people, progress.

18:19 CLARKE MACARTHUR!!

Sparky just lost his mind on that play. Takes a pass off his skate, moves in towards the net going to the backhand. The Sens D throws up all over itself, and Big Mac has an easy backhand past an out of position Gerber.

2-1

Kanata, we have a pulse.

16:38 Weak holding call on Toni puts the Sens back on the PP. The arm was there, but I’ve seen worse holding on Reuben Brown’s credit cards.

15:40 Goose gets interfered with at the blue line. No call, but it’s a breakaway if Whatzzhisname Mezzarros doesn’t stick out the leg. Lame.

14:38 Killed.

Just before the first commercial break we hear Jaro Spacek has back spasms. The alerts have been taken off the highway signs, but Anderj Sekera may be flagging down a ride on the 90 as we speak.

12:50 Spezza tries going coast to coast. Gets hung up on Lydman’s stick and acts like a sniper shot him. Power Play coming.

11:11 Somehow TBO stopped a layup goal for Alfie. Power Play over, but I’m just waiting for the dagger.

9:25 (Waiting)

8:30 Kaleta looked like Tim Connolly on a quick backhand in front. Nice pass from Paille. If Kaleta shows that kind of creativity on a consistent basis, I’m all for throwing Peters under the bus. I’ll make the photoshop right now if I have to.

7:50 Chris Neil missed his chance to deliver the dagger goal. Wide open net. What a putz.

(TIME) FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT CROOOOSBY PAILLE!!!

Tallinder almost lost his lunch on the blueline, then somehow got it Goose. Nice pass to Paille who made a “nifty” shot to beat Gerber.

Goose gets jobbed in front as it goes in, and a high stick is called.

Well isn’t that just the bee’s knees.

2-2

6:30 Hecht just interfered with Kelly in the best way possible. Defiantly a penalty, but wow. Nice to see him be physical.

5:30 Vanek beasted his way past three Sens in the zone, but the save is made. Progress, people, progress.

5:05 Killed.

5:00 Vanek point blank goes wide. No comment.

3:50 TBO with a huge save on Fisher. Yikes. Hecht just misses Pommy for the far side tip.

3:08 For the record, this is one of the games Mike Ryan has decided he wants to skate.

Timeout Buffalo.

Kaleta gets the Caruba Collision. Huzzah!

2:25 Offsides. Thank God. Alfie/Heatley/Spezza goes off.

2:00 Oh man I thought that was in. TBO had five hole open, and somehow he got it closed up with a millisecond to go.

1:51 Glad to see Neil shows how much of a douchebag he is. Takes a flying leap at Campbell. If we didn’t need the points so bad, I would have no problem seeing Mair flip s–t and beat the tar out of him.

1:00 (waiting)

Alfie line out.

(waiting)

TBO save

0:00

Point.

Oooooooovertime

Similar overtime records for both teams. Interesting, we both suck at the shootout.

4:46 Offsides. Clarke thought we turned that rule off in the game options?

4:10 Vanek paid the price to make a pass to no one in the zone. Took a big hit, but if we weren’t changing... oh... I have no idea what to think. Can we please win a game?

2:58 Strange 2 on 1 develops for Sens. Campbell never turns to skate backwards but somehow nothing happens.

2:00 Sabres D look exhausted.

1:30 TBO comes up big. We need to play in Canada more often.

1:00

I... I don’t think I want to go to a shootout.

Campbell misses a happy dance by three inches. Balls.

TBO makes the save with less than 10 to go.

0:06.9 Timeout Ottawa

Harry: Do you take your goalie out with 6.9 if you are Ottawa?
Rick: NO

0:00

Shootout

Our Shooters for this evening:

Ottawa Buffalo
Alfie Kotalik
Vermette Stafford
Spezza Pomminville

Aflie: Post, TBO’s backside, out.

Ales: Wide

Vermette: Left pad

Stafford: Backhand save. Not high enough.

Spezza: Save. Straight shot. Ballsy.

Pommy: Save. Straight shot. Ew.

Extras

Fisher: Goal.

Vanek:(Pleasepleaseplease)

GOAL!

Vintage, baby.

Heatley: Lost it! Man that ice blows.

Clarke: Nah. Half of Vanek’s move, but you gotta roof that.

McAmmond: Goal



Hecht: Nothing.

You could feel it. It just wasn’t going in.

3-2 Final

Tape Delayed Live Blog: Habs 11/16

by Ryan


Editor's Note: Since Clarke MacArthur first came up from Rochester last year, I've called him "Sparky". My reasoning for this is simple: Sparky is Clark Grizwald's nickname from the the "Vacation" movies. At first no one liked this nickname. After his latest call up, I think it makes more than enough sense. See? I knew all along...

First Period

Roy better aaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrgh! Again, the empty net isn’t big enough for Derek. Kill me.

Seeing Petey get laid out was probably the highlight of the game for me so far. Latendresse just cut and Andrew flew into the boards. Sweet.

Vanek playing strong...

Thank God Sparky wants to win games. Roy puts a chance right into Huet's crest, and Clarke buries the rebound far corner.

1-0

First opening goal in 15 games. Good Lord that was some run.

Kaptan Koivu takes a penalty. Bring out Sparky on the half wall.

Rob Ray notes that Goose is captain material. Well, he says he is "talking to his guys" on the power play. Same difference.

Vanek takes a bad penalty. Drops an F bomb, slams stick against boards. Hey, at least he has the routine down.

Fat Crosby-Paille and Goose kill the penalty...

GOAL!

Holy Nolan Pratt. Say what you will about his defense, but the guy shoots the puck. Rips it from the point and Fat Crosby gets a piece.

2-0

Shades of a playoff hockey team. Sabres are buzzing.

OH. MY. GOD

THEY’RE BACK!. THEY’RE BACK! It may not count... BUT THEY’RE BACK!

How beautiful was that play? Tallinder pinches and loses a battle in the zone. A 2 on 1 for the Habs the other way.

Derek Roy comes FLYING back to take the guy with the puck. (Koivu) Roy stick checks like a champ and forces a shot wide.

Down the ice it comes, with Vanek picking it up in the neutral zone.

Takes it wide, goes around the D, throws it to a streaking Stafford.

Skate. Net.

3-0

Not a kick to be seen, and New Druu has his third of the year.

Poetry in motion. That is what you want to see from your “young core.”

Peters takes exception to Latendresse’s superior skating ability, scufflescufflescuffle.

Vanek is looking like a new man out there. If he has a “Beast Mode” like Money, he may be getting close to it.

Tickticktick. End One.

Most complete period of the season. A standing O is more than necessary.

Start Second.

Eeeew. An icing keeps Captain Finland and Hank on the ice for a good two minutes. Love Potion #5 gift wraps a pass to Ryder. Goal.

3-1.

Montreal has the best names. Chipchura. Latendresse. Kostitsyn. Kostopoulos. They must go through stat keepers like Teppo<3 goes through hair gel.

Hecht plays Gretzky, flips it in front to Pomminville. Whiff. Yo-Yo gets a second chance, goes to the other side of the net. Guess who’s free in front?

SPARKY MACARTHUR!

4-1 My favourite theatre was always the Pacific.

Fat Crosby takes offense to Kostopoulos’ hack on Miller. A few glovepunches later, it’s 4 on 4.

Drew Stafford plants Roman Hamrlik onto Sparky’s lap. Clarke, mind you, is on the bench.

The only #84 in NHL history rings one off the post.

It’s official: Vanek is in Beast Mode. Causing a ruckus in the Montreal zone until Stafford slashes a Hab in front. Dang.

Montreal’s ridiculous PP has a hard time scoring with the puck in their own zone.

Tickticktick. Montreal out shoots the Sabres 19-10 in the second, but the scoreboard is what counts.

4-1. End of Two.

20 to play with a three goal lead. Hold the fort, boys.

Start Third

The Sabres are 2-0 when leading after two periods. The fact that we’ve only led going into the third in two games this year really does sum up the way things have been going.

Names like “Dandenault ” are to blame for Whole Language failing miserably in American schools.

I’m almost positive Max just exploded. He abruptly collapsed into a heap with no one around, then preceded to skate like Olive Oly for the remainder of the shift. We may need to change his batteries soon...

Tickticktick. 14 to play.

Jaro destroys a stick on a point shot. I can’t be the only one that dies a bit inside when a $200 stick gets obliterated without a blink while you pray your $85 Mission Brad Boyes model doesn’t crack when Some Guy hacks you in front.

Tickticktick 10 minutes left.

Kotalik hits the post, subsequently kills Huet. Wait, he’s okay. Carey Price’s sniper bullet must have missed.

Hecht missed Sparky on the 2 on 1, robbing us the joy of a possible rookie hat trick.

Vanek has really been great tonight. Did someone tell him Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s assassin was a Habs fan or something?

Tickticktick. 5 to play.

2...

HSBC Plays “Born in the USA”, which must be for Goose, because Timmy is still... where is Timmy? Anyways, Crown ‘Em. (Yes, I'm going to link that until he has the C...)

1...

Game.

A satisfying, complete victory. Play like that against Ottawa and we just may have a good Thanksgiving.

"Live Blog" Sabres vs. Blue Jackets

by Ryan

Hey folks. It’s 3 AM and I’m coming to you live from HSBC Arena. Okay, that’s a lie. It’s 3 am, I’ve been in a cone of silence since 6:59 PM Friday, and I’m watching a tape of the game right now. Since everyone else is asleep, I thought I’d “live blog” the game and talk things out this way. Otherwise I would start asking inanimate objects how they feel about our forecheck, and I doubt that would end well.

[PLAY]

I listen to “Chevy Game Night” long enough to be told some things I already knew. Sabres comeback, Miller’s playing, Sekera’s in. Blah blah blah. What I didn’t know is that he’s paired up with Paetsch tonight. The Nam flashbacks to the Hurricanes series took a bit to subdue, but I’m okay with it.

They introduced the Jacket’s goaltender as Pascal Leclaire, who happens to be on my fantasy team. Last game he got absolutely lit up by Colorado. The two previous games were shutouts. I’m not sure how I feel about him.

I can’t wait to see the tens of Blue Jackets fans that invaded HSBC Arena tonight. Man do we have it coming.

Puck drop, quick save for Miller.

Hockey Fights Cancer is getting some equipment/ties from tonight’s game. I swear to God, if Timmy Connolly signs a pink bra tonight, I’m sliding a modest bid its way. Okay, $200 tops.

Max does that speed thing he does, and a very early power play for Buffalo. C’mon Goose, coax another D to tip one in for you.

David Vyborny, also on my fantasy team, is killing this penalty. It’s not a conflict of interest, I just honestly didn’t know he killed penalties. As you can see, I am fully satisfied with his shorthanded performance.

LeClaire looks good early, making a few saves off tips. Vanek draws a penalty in front, and a brief 5-3 yields nothing.

Excellent passing on the power play, and a great job of keeping the puck in the zone. It really is uncanny how poised they look. No dice on a goal, though. 0-2 early.

Mike Peca! Remember when everyone wanted him here? Then his groin died. Good times...

RAV and the Rochester Blue Line get trapped in our end, and things get a bit kooky for a while. Jaro’s just out for the weekend, right? Right?

I forgot Ken Hitchcock coached the Jackets. Do you think if we win 9-1 tonight he will get fired, or do we have to destroy him in the playoffs, too?

Quote from our new color man: “Being a coach is sometimes like being a jackass in a hailstorm, there’s nothing you can do but stand there and take it.” Man that was fun. I’m just happy that got past the censors...

I’m really digging the Blue Jackets’ new unis. I mention this because not much has happened. Nash was on the ice, but he never touched the puck. Captain YoYo has a scoring opportunity, but he needs at least a half dozen to convert one.

Is it just me, or does our 4th line always make really, really nice looking plays that they can never finish? I just saw Ryan and Mair go coast to coast together, then precede to lose the puck in the slot. I swear this will happen once a shift for them.

Coming back from a commercial break they show the 9-1 massacre, followed a few reaction shots from Hitch. Not sure if they were stock or not, he always looks constipated.

Icing, and Rob Ray bumbling over Harry Neale. Nothing to be sorry about, Harry. Give it about five more games and he will realize Ray doesn’t have much to say after all.

Stafford hits the goal post, and the crowd goes “GOOOOSE” when Gaustad works the puck in the corner. It’s nice to hear those things when I’m not there.

Instead of a pretty play, our 4th line takes a penalty this shift. Leclaire heads to the bench and Columbus literally flips the puck around in their zone for 30 seconds. Mair to the box.

We were biting this morning, we were biting... this morning...

Vyborny on the Power Play. Hey, at least he’s out there for them...

Good kill by the Sabres.

Another penalty. Paetsch interferes with the will of God or something. The call is a bit weak, a battle for possession along the boards at center.

Peca feels for young Nathan, and holds Lydman’s stick. The crowd is thrilled. Probably because they recognize a name other than “Nash” or “Fedorov” on the other team.

4 on 4 gives the Sabres a chance to practice taking shots that juuuust miss the net, with Timmy and Kalinin getting high marks.

End of One. Time to fast forward.

Period Two

Both penalties end by the 21st minute, (some soccer jargon for you) and a whole bunch of nothing follows.

Tallinder joins the “gunned wide of the net” club on a rush set up by Stafford.

Rob Ray reports that indeed Paetsch and Sekera are taking a regular shift. Thanks buddy, just don’t punch that cameraman.

Goose and Tollefsen get into another scrum in front of the net. I was worried about spelling his name right, but the cameraman gave me ample time to get it right. What? It’s not like I can rewind or anything...

Sekera and Paetsch are out again. Did you know they are actually getting ice time? Yeah, I just heard myself.

Ray mentions that Sekera has been on the ice a lot, and has enjoyed his play. I had no idea they could fit a dead horse between the benches, but Robby’s been beating that thing like a drum.

A 4 on 4 is created when Roy’s tan offends Adam Foote.

Hank coughs up the puck to Nash, who is stopped by Miller. The rebound is left to four Sabres in front, but somehow Peca backhands it by everyone while diving to the ice.

1-0.

Mike’s dive looked just like Bobby Orr on that one, only if Orr had a tattered groin and couldn’t lift his legs higher than four inches off the ice.

Five of the seven Blue Jackets fans in attendance are shown with a Blue Jackets flag. Shouldn’t they just have the Flag of Ohio?

Buffalo remembers they have to score goals to win games, and Vanek and Captain YoYo come out flying. Somehow this ends with Hecht underneath LeClaire and the puck under his hand.

Paille blows a tire at center ice before Campbell passes him the puck. Great vision by Soupy.

Maxim Afinogenov has been on this team for half a decade, and I still can’t figure out how he looks so fast going nowhere.

A quick view of Danny Gare, who does color for the Blue Jackets now. He looks much older than his days at Empire. Also, did anyone notice that three of his highlight goals were empty netters?

Sekera, our “New NHL Defenseman”, takes an Old NHL Interference penalty. I’m sure Rob Ray has something to say about this.

Nash gets behind the D, and a gratuitous hook by Hank becomes a penalty shot. No way to argue the call, Tallinder almost removed his elbow pads with his stick.

Miller v Nash. Who ya got?

Miller Time. Stick side high and Miller stones him. Ryan looked great there, not afraid to challenge and get a good angle on Nash. He’s much more focused now than to start the season. (For obvious reasons) Look at the difference in Comrie’s breakaway on opening night and both Nash chances. Huge stop.

A flash of Lindy Ruff screaming “THAT’S F#$%ING OFFSIDES!” Thank you, MSG.

Crowd seems much more into it now, and the “Let’s Go Buffalo” chant sustains until the puck leaves the zone.

In a repeat of Hank’s earlier giveaway, Nash picks off Kalinin’s boards pass, walks out, and rifles it bast Miller.

2-0.

Again, wasn’t it supposed to be our Rochester Blueline that makes the big mistakes?

A 2-1 is given up by that very D pair after Paetsch makes a bad pinch. Sekera stays stride for stride with the Russell, and he shoots over the net.

Some strong work in the Colombus end by Goose, Max, and Ales forces a penalty. Jody Shelley for holding. Another penalty caused by Max.

Roy promptly gives the puck away to Nash, who tries his best Spin-o-rama on Hank to no avail.

Again, great puck possession on the PP, including some blueline magic from Timmy and Max. Lots of chances, and some good saves by the kid. Hey, it just means his save percentage will be good, right?

A great pass from Stafford sets up a one timer for Paetsch, who shatters his stick. Rob Ray thinks his stick looked inexperienced there.

Nash takes a tripping penalty late in the second, dragging his foot to slip Miller up behind the net.

The second period ends with a bit of booing. Yikes. It’s not like we’re playing the Thrashers here. The third should be a bit looser.

[Fast Forward]

Third begins with the Sabres on the PP with Nash still in the box. I think I’m going to start calling Nash “Gordy,” if only because that facial hair makes him look a bit tubby. This makes sense to me. Have I mentioned it’s 5 AM?


Gordy out of the box, and a quick icing.

A four minute stretch of nothingness is interrupted by Goose taking a penalty in front of the net.

Columbus appears to be satisfied with killing two minutes. Great hockey being played here.

First time I’ve heard preseason Sabre killer Gilbert Brule’s name all night. I’m sure he’s doing well.

A scrum not shown by the MSG cameras results in a Kalinin penalty. I’m sure if this was in HD I would have caught it.

Again, Columbus shuffles their feet and stares at the jumbotron for two a bit. Roy tries to draw a tripping call, spilling everywhere like a bad jug of milk. Remember when we defended his reputation as a diver?

Penalty ends, 12 minutes left to mount a respectable offensive.

Harry Neale used the t-shirt cannon during that TV timeout. He claims it was the second time he’s shot a gun, the first being when his team was losing 5-0 and he shot at his goaltender. God I love this guy.

Scoring chance #2 unsuccessful for Captain YoYo. Four more of those and we’re only down by one!

Nine minutes left. Out comes the 4th line. I have hope.

Again, pretty cross ice pass to Mair, who shoots it into the defender. Almost, boys.

Seven minutes left. Another TV timeout. If we come back and Neale is doing the Kiss Camera with RJ, I’m going to sleep right now.

I’m not sure why, but I have this nagging feeling Colombus is using the trap.

Sekera says “bah” to the trap and takes it all alone. A self-made dump and chase leads to him shoving his check to the ice. Ref’s arm goes up. Awesome.

Does typing “shutout” now affect the game I’m watching taped? Nah, didn’t think so.

Five minutes left. Suddenly I don’t blame Colombus for wanting to play crappy hockey. It may not fill seats, but it does win hockey games.

3:30 left and the RAV line goes to town. Three chances on this shift, all of which are put aside by Leclaire. Looks like he brought his A game tonight. I’m pretty sure he only has an A game or an F game.

Final commercial timeout. 2:30 left. I’m starting to think a next message of the score would have been welcome tonight.

Two minutes.

1:30. Miller to the bench. Timmy has a chance in front that Leclaire stick checks away.

One minute left. Turnover at center, and Zherdev nets it.

3-0

File this one under the “balls” category.

Game.


What an ugly game. Slow, mistake filled, and undisciplined. It’s amazing that the same turnover in the same place on the ice costs us two goals. This team continues to be loose in the defensive zone, and it cost them tonight. It should have cost them on Monday, but not every team we’re going to play has a D as slow and overpaid as Toronto.

Next up is Montreal on short rest. A hostile environment after a tough home game is a never welcome, but we’ve had the advantage of scheduling twice already this year. (Washington and Atlanta)

Let’s hope things in back tighten up a little.

RoosTV: Buffalo gets the four-letter treatment

By Chris

Welcome to Monday Night Football, live from Buffalo, NY--well sort of live, and sort of from Buffalo, NY (the Bills play in Orchard Park and I'm at home in Lockport, a few minutes north).

It's just after 9:00 now and I literally just walked in the door ten minutes ago.

I had class until 8:30 and for the first time, I made it from college to my house in 15 minutes. God bless green lights and a heavy foot.

I've also been rocking my Todd Collins jersey all day and I don't plan on changing it anytime soon.

I did catch the Bills first drive on the radio and here's what transpired:

At 8:37 I turned my car on and switched the radio. John Murphy, the voice of the Bills, and Mark Kelso are on the air. Kelso just called the Cowboys' 4-0 record misleading. I knew there was a reason why I try my hardest not to listen to these games on the radio.

Marshawn Lynch busts out for a 15 yard gain on the Bills first play from scrimmage. I notice Murph and Kelso are on a first name basis with the players. Roscoe on the kick return. Trent takes the snap. Marshawn with a nice gain.

I actually wonder if punters can win Player of the Game awards. After running for a first down on a fake punt to keep the drive alive, the Bills go three and out, setting Moorman up for another punt. Murph goes nuts as Brian pins the Cowboys on the one yard line.

Romo throws a pick to wide receiver turned defensive back George Wilson, who runs it in for the score.

The 12th man is in mid-season form right now.

Lindell's kick is good, 7-0 Bills.



Finally got the laptop set up, I'm ready to write and Roost TV is live:

9:16: Sweet graphic as ESPN shows Tony Romo walking off the field. "Dallas Cowboys: aaaaaaaag." Maybe the Four-Letter is on our side after all.

9:17: Yankees Update (yes, I'll be flipping from time to time): Yanks down 4-1 in the top of the fourth. I think I might start rooting for the Indians the rest of the post season.

9:19: Romo's finally finding his groove. Three straight completions, Cowboys keep moving the chains.

9:22: Great catch by T.O., then takes the spiking penalty. Not much of a call but whatever, we'll take the 5 yards. Romo's taking a lot of hits after the throw.

9:23: Witten takes those extra five yards and catches one in the end zone. We've got a tie game, 7-7.

9:28 Nice shot of Jerry Jones and Michael Irvin in their box having a coke party---errr watching the game intently.

9:28: Lynch with a 23 yard run after a quick dump from Edwards. This guy is the real freaking deal. He works for every yard. Instant fan favorite here, although his hard nosed running style doesn't bode well for a long career.

9:30: Roscoe with a nice run after the catch to pick up a first. He tried the Playmaker button from Madden 04 to call his block, but caught his teammates off guard. Parrish with 3 catches for 24 yards already, all pretty big plays. Edwards looks great.

9:34: Kornheiser telling America what everyone in Buffalo already knows: J.P. Losman is pretty much unemployed after this season. There's no allegiance to J.P. and everyone is already anointing Edwards. Sentiment here is that even if the Bills lose tonight, people are going to want to see how he bounces back after the bye week.

9:37 Does anyone else think that Mike Tirico is boring? I mean the 2007 quarterback draft is interesting and all, but I think I fell asleep after he said, "Edwards was the sixth quarterbaaaaaaaaayaaaaawwwnnnnn..."

9:37: Bills are in the red zone. They're using play action well. As the half winds down, a field goal is a success here.

9:40: Third and goal. Nice little throw to Gaines. Nothing special like Jaws says, but Edwards is doing the right thing by playing it safe on that throw.

9:41: Lindell puts it through the uprights. I'm still trying to figure out when this guy became a legitimately reliable kicker. I remember when he stunk outside of 40, now he can kick it from pretty much anywhere.

This 24-yarder put Buffalo up 10-7 with 3:26 to go.

9:45: Chris Kelsay tips up a Romo pass to himself and catches it in the end zone. TOUCHDOWN!!!! And did I just hear "Song 2" by the Blur after that score? Really?

17-7 Bills.



So much for being satisfied with the 10-7 lead going into half.

Tirico: "Unbelievable."

The 12th man is rocking.

9:45: Waiting for the "Shout" song.

9:46: Still waiting.

9:47: There it is! "BUMP BUMP BUMP BUMP THE BILLS MAKE ME WANNA SHOUT!!!"

9:48: On a side note, it's a great thing I've already got a comfortable lead in my fantasy league. Tony Romo is killing my team.

9:49: Romo looks like he's going to cry. Picked off by AFC Defensive Player of the Week Jabari Greer. I just got two instant messages almost instantaneously.

The first one, from the Roost's own Jon: "!!!!!!!!!!1 this is the most fun i have had watching football in years."

The second from my sports editor at the UB newspaper, Rubin: "is this really f**king happening?"

It's been a good night to be a Bills fan.

9:58: Lindell misses a 54-yarder. No worries. The crowd's still roaring and Romo is still jumpy.

10:00: I think they just showed a replay of T.O. on the bench giving Romo some pills that will "make him feel better."

10:01: Dallas now in field goal range as Romo gets blasted by Kelsay but makes the throw to Sam Turd--I mean Hurd.

10:02: Field goal is good, Bills lead 17-10 at half. Cowboys will start with the ball for the second half.

Bills are really playing above their level right now. You wouldn't know they were playing with a patchwork defense and a rookie quarterback. It'll be amazing if Dick Jauron can keep the emotional level up, all while making sure they don't get too over anxious and cough up the lead. It'll also be interesting to see what adjustments Dallas makes coming into the half.

Be back in a few...

10:04: Back sooner than I thought...Quick Yankee update, they're down 6-1 in the middle of the sixth. I'm not sure even Ronan Tynan could save them now.

10:15: Wow. Yanks in the middle of a nice min-rally. 6-2 now in the bottom of the sixth with one out and a man on first. Not a bad half time show.

10:16: Duncan moves to third on a base hit by Johnny Damon. In the words of Mike Tirico, "Unbelievable."

10:20: The usually clutch Jeter pulls an A-Rod and grounds into a double play to end the inning.

Whoops, football game's back on...no worries, it's still 17-10.

10:22: Niagara Falls looks pretty good at night. Just please don't show the rest of the city. Please.

10:23: Bills just won some sort of challenge, either way Dallas earns a first down. I'm more shocked to see Wade Phillips wearing a headset. He never wore them when he was a head coach here.

10:25: Kornheiser agrees with Kelso's earlier assessment that the Cowboys maybe aren't as good as we thought they were. What--what we thought they were. After all they ARE in the NFC.

10:28: Jaws is from Lackawanna, a Buffalo suburb. He freaking loves us.

10:29: Romo's head seems clear, as they're driving on their first drive of the half. The T.O. pick-me-ups seem to be working.

10:30: John "Poppa" DiGiorgio almost picks off a Romo pass of his own. Forces a fourth down.

10:31: Kick from Nick Folk from 29 yards is good, capping off a nine minute, 72 yard drive. Cowboys only trail by a score of 17-13 now.

10:33: TERRENCE MCGEE!!!!!! Gotta love special teams, a 103 yard return. Bobby April for President. And just like that the Bills respond. 23-7. I may never wash this Todd Collins jersey again. And John Murphy just had a heart attack.



10:33: Jerry Jones is in the fetal position, coked out with Playmaker.

10:33: Tony Romo is wrapped up in a towel, crying, humming Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats."

10:34: Ronan Tynan singing "God Bless America" at Yankee Stadium. Is there anyone who DOESN'T love this guy?

10:38: Coming into this game, I would have been satisfied with a close game midway through the third quarter, as long as the team didn't embarrass themselves and Edwards continued to make progress. Now, it's a totally different ballgame. The Bills need to hang on to win this game. This team looks like it's ready to become something the entire community can rally around.

It's amazing what happens when you put a competent quarterback under center, and not one that lines up behind the guard, like Losman once did. Sustain some long offensive drives and it'll allow your defense to stay fresh so they can make some big plays. I don't know where this Bills team came from, but I'm loving it.

10:40: A bomb to T.O. just ruled incomplete. He looks flustered, maybe he'll punch someone soon and make this game reeeally interesting.

10:41: Another incomplete pass intended for Owens. He's going to flip anytime now. He better go take his medication.

10:44: Josh Reed comes up with a great 50-50 ball. Peerless who?

10:45: Jaws analyzing Edwards' footwork. Staying balanced, looking good. Poised. 17/21, 121 yards. Welcome to the Show, kid. Glad to have you.

10:47: Good God, Edwards looks great. Reads the blitz, gets hit, still makes the quick throw, Roscoe picks up 8 yards. I love this guy. Trent Edwards has thrown just two incomplete passes since the 11:00 mark of the second quarter.

10:49: Slowly but surely, Yankees are coming back. Down 6-3 in the bottom of the 7th with two outs. 3-1 count to Matsui.

10:50: Walk. Missed an A-Rod home run (I couldn't believe it either) and the Yanks look to rally again.

10:51: Another beautiful punt by Moorman. Tirico says it won't be as good as that one in the first quarter...duh.

10:56: ESPN now talking about Kevin Everett's progress and the Miami Project. Glad they were able to fit that in now while we're all feeling good. Keep up the positive stuff, please.

10:58: Good presence by Romo. He's looked kind of syzcho out there lately. On that throw he had a good play action, pump faked deep, when he saw he didn't have that, he just dumped it off for a nine yard gain. Bills need to keep the pressure on him and keep him uncomfortable.

11:00: You know, it's nice to see a lot of former Buffalo Bisons succeeding in the postseason. From Sizemore to Garko to Shoppach, we've seen all these guys play live and it really is a treat to see them come up big in October. And this is coming from a Yankees fan.

11:02: Buffalo forces yet another fourth down and another field goal attempt for Folk. In the words of Butch Cassidy, "Who are these guys?"

11:03: Kick is good. Buffalo still leads 24-16. The Todd Collins jersey isn't coming off.



11:05: It's been 13 years since Monday Night Football was last in town. I have a feeling they'll be making a few more stops here in the future (that is until we get the police reports tomorrow morning).

11:05: Thurman's kissing Suzy Kolber. Best memory: "To go into the Hall of Fame as a Buffalo Bill." I love having the old guys from the Glory Years back together and active with the team.

11:08: Edwards hangs onto the ball too long on consecutive plays. Edwards fumbles but recovers. 3rd and 29 now. Edwards made two bonehead mistakes there, but he still looks really really good. I've got a feeling the Bills are going to need at least one more score.

11:10: Yankees update: Rivera gets Pronk to ground out. Jeter charged and made a great play to get him out. Hafner thinks Posada interfered. Wah. Eighth inning's over.

11:13: FUMBLEROOSKIE!!! Romo fumbles, further sinking my fantasy team. Bills recover, crowd goes wild. Five, count 'em, five, turn overs for Romo. He walks off the field crying again. This is surreal.

11:16: Roy Williams horse collars Lynch. Will this idiot ever learn? Officials call a face mask instead of the horse collar and the late helmet to helmet hit from Newman. Lynch, getting abused but still getting the yards. Already he's one of the toughest runners in the league.

11:17: A thinner Wade Phillips is shown on the sideline coaching the Denver Broncos in a flashback to the last time the Bills hosted Monday Night Football.

11:19: Lynch busting out. The line looks great tonight. Fourteen yard run puts the Bulls on the 13 yard line.

11:20: Now we're going to see what Trent Edwards is all about. This is his real moment of truth. Up 24-16 in the red zone with 7 minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Are they going to go the conservative route and settle for three?

11:22: Damn. Edwards throws a pick. Bad decision in the red zone. Terrence Newman returns it for 70 yards back to the Buffalo 17. Lot of heart by Lee Evans on that play. The pass was intended for him, but Newman jumped in front of the route, and Evans tracked him down all the way down the field to make the tackle. Turns out he even forced a fumble, but Dallas recovers.

11:24: Bills need a Billy Fucillo-eque "Huuuuuuge-ah" stop here.

11:25: Romo's garbage tonight. Papa DiGiorgio picks him off in the red zone. Bills get the ball back.

11:26: Tony Kornheiser: "It's not delivery, it's DiGiorgio!" Damn straight.

11:28: Romo must be -35 in fantasy points tonight. Good thing I've got Marshawn Lynch balancing this one out.

11:32: McGee has a chance to end the game, drops the pick.

11:33: Yankees in the bottom of the ninth, down by three. Heart of the order up, with Jeter leading off.

11:34: Jeter pops out. One out. Back to football.

11:34: IM from Jon: "have you seen Wade Phillips' daughter? shes hottttttt. shes a burlesque dancer."

If anyone's interested:
Here and here.

11:37: Just flipped back to New York. Abreu jacked one. 6-4. A-Rod's up, maybe in his last Yankee at bat. Football can wait.

11:38: Baseball can wait. Dallas completes a first down on the Buffalo 15 with 40 seconds left. Time out Cowboys.

11:39: A-Rod pops out. Final out.

11:39: Barber falls near the goal line. Twenty four seconds left. I'm wearing out the "Prev. Channel" button on my remote. Football game goes to commercial.

11:40: Posada crushes one foul. Jeez I thought that was gone.

11:41: Posada strikes out. Cleveland v Boston. For some reason they're playing Sinatra at Yankee Stadium. They lost.

11:41: Tirico just called the football game the "Game of the Year." We're honored.

11:42: Touchdown pass to Creighton. 24-22 with 20 seconds left. Need the 2 point conversion to tie. Bills are due for another interception, right? Right?

11:43: Play of the season right here. Watch out for Marion Barber.

11:44: Dallas sets up at least eight wide for the two point conversion.

11:44: JABARI GREER JABARI GREER JABARI GREER JABARI GREER JABARI GREER JABARI GREER. BREAKS IT UP! T.O. IS GOING TO MURDER SOMEONE! John Murphy just had another heart attack.

11:45: Twenty seconds left.

11:46: Onside kick...Dallas recovers. Wade Phillips looks confused. Officials discussing. Clock reset. Dallas on the 47. Play of the year coming up.

11:47: :18 left. Bills NEED to close this one out. Please, Bills. We need this one.

11:47: Play under review. Illegal touch? Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!

11:48: My editor Rubin is freaking out, has been since that last touchdown.

11:49: Thank you, ESPN for showing the Music City Miracle. Maybe they're not on our side.

11:49: Play stands, Dallas football.

11:50: Catch at the 25 yard line by Owens. Romo spike it with one second left. Oh God.

11:50: Booth to review the Owens catch. Looks like an incomplete pass from replay.

11:51: After that Denver game Week One, I'm not sure if Bills fans can take another last second field goal loss. I know I can't. This is unfreakingbelievable.

11:53: Jaws: "Is there a full moon in Buffalo tonight?" Might as well be...

11:53: The Ruling: Incomplete Pass. Game Clock back to :13, ball goes back to the 47.

11:54: Barber gets out of bounds on a dump pass. Seven seconds left, would be a 60 yard kick. They're going to run one more play. The 12th man needs this one.

11:55: Romo to Creighton. Two seconds left. Ball on the Buffalo 35. Here we go....

11:55: Kick is up

11:56: Kick is good.

11:56: Time out Buffalo, prior to the snap. Wade Phillips looks confused.

11:56: Mike Shannahan-esque. Very nice, Dick Jauron. Very nice.

11:57: Kick attempt #2 coming up. Let's hear you, Buffalo.

11:57: 53 yards. Good. Cowboys win.

11:57: Flag on the play. Offsides against Buffalo. Penalty declined. Game over.

How hard do you have to fight?