A few musings from the Sabres’ first preseason game

Since the game wasn’t on in the Buffalo area, I, along with a couple guys from my school, headed across the border to Fort Erie to catch the Sabres/Leafs game on TV. Here’s what I need to say:

• If there’s one thing I hate more than anything else I hate, it’s losing to the damn Leafs. Even in the preseason. To hell with them.
• Marek Zagrapan was clearly the best Sabre on the ice tonight.
• Jhonas Enroth’s quasi-NHL debut definitely could’ve gone smoother, but other than a few mistakes (like completely forgetting about stopping the puck on Moore’s shorthanded goal) he was pretty solid.
• The veterans in the game tonight didn’t seem to set themselves apart from the rookies. I don’t blame them for not being up for the game, considering they just reported on Friday, but I don’t know if that should be considered disheartening or not.
• Ryan Miller looked average.
• I officially believe that Dylan Hunter has no business ever playing the NHL, and I hope somebody in Sabres management starts to agree with me. He’s a hard worker, but he lacks what we call “talent.”

Darcy extended, new jerseys look good

It’s Saturday. I do need some down time from training/school/hockey/work. So, I’m gonna make this short.
The Sabres signed Darcy Regier to a 2 year extension. Great, I absolutely agree. Darcy is a well liked man here at 3MI.

The new jerseys are sweet. I was skeptical when I first saw the pictures, but on the players they look great. Speaking of great, here’s a shot of Petey in the new duds.

(courtesy sabres.com)

Come on over and discuss Bills or Sabres, www.talkbuffalosports.com. Don’t be shy, and it’s great fun.

Pominville signs five year extension

Good news, Sabres fans.

WGR is reporting that Sabres forward Jason Pominville has signed a five year contract extension.

The Sabres have signed forward Jason Pominville to a 5-year extension. The 26-year old was entering the final year of his contract, but will now be with the team long-term. WGR 550 has learned that Pominville will earn over $5 million per season. The new deal kicks in after the 2008-09 season.

More details still to come, but it’s a great day for the future of this team.

Nobody circles the wagons like the Buffalo… Bulls?!?

Holy crap.

An advance warning to those not on the UB football bandwagon yet: Hop on now or you’re getting left behind.

Thanks to a miraculous finish, the University at Buffalo improved to 2-1 this afternoon with a 30-28 victory over MAC rival Temple at UB Stadium.

After Temple took a 28-24 lead with just 38 seconds remaining on a touchdown pass by Temple QB Adam DiMichele, Buffalo stormed down the field to try to win the game. With only seconds remaining, and pinned back on the Temple 35 yard line, UB QB Drew Willy heaved a bomb towards the end zone, dropping it right into the hands of St. Joe’s alum Naaman Roosevelt to give the Bulls the win.

Willy, who at this point is just improving his stock for next year’s NFL Draft, finished 29/41 for 348 yards and three touchdowns. Roosevelt’s eight catches and 132 yards led all receivers, and UB is sitting pretty at the top of the MAC standings.

After falling short of taking down Pitt in Pittsburgh last Saturday, UB got a gift from the heavens today to get back in the win column. They are now poised to win the conference, and are only four wins away from bowl eligibility. All thanks to one play.

If you didn’t see it, be sure to watch SportsCenter tonight, it’s bound to be on the Top 10 plays.

Buffalo is for real, people.

Jeanneret signs contract extension

In an article in today’s Buffalo News about the Sabres expanding their web content, there is an interesting little nugget in there than some might miss:

In other news, Quinn said that play-by- play man Rick Jeanneret has signed a two-year contract extension. His contract and the contract of analyst Harry Neale now will expire at the end of 2009-2010 season.

That’s right, folks. Big Rick will be in the booth for at least two more seasons. Of course, the older he gets, the odds of him having a heart attack in the booth just keep increasing.

No word yet on money or what the cap hit will be.

Bills rout Seahawks in first step towards undefeated season

What an opener. This is the first time in years that I can actually remember the Bills playing a complete game.

The defense was solid all day, and never gave Hasselbeck a chance. He finished the day completing only 17 of 41 passes for under 200 yards. There was no real running game for Seattle, either. They were held to a mere 85 yards on the ground. Newcomers Kawika Mitchell and Marcus Stroud each got to the quarterback, showing fans why they were big time pickups in the offseason.

The offense was not mind blowing, but it was effective. Marshawn Lynch ran hard for 76 yards, with big spurts when needed. He also scored the opening touchdown of the year on a 21 yard scamper. Trent Edwards did a solid job, throwing for 215 yards and 1 td. He wasn’t flashy, but he didn’t make any mistakes, which is the most important aspect.

BRADY OFFICIALLY DONE FOR YEAR

According to NFL Network due to “serious knee injury.”

Cris Collinsworth says, “I like Buffalo in the East.”

I agree, sir. Bills recap shortly.

All aboard the Failboat… Bills

As we first heard, the Bills placed Angelo Crowell on season ending Injured Reserve list. So, I naturally think: “Hey, they screwed up with Poz last year, obviously something was found in the surgery today.”

Wrong. Wrong.

TOOT! TOOT!… All aboard the Failboat. Apparently the Bills’ coaching staff decided they would be too shorthanded in the 2-4 week window in which Crowell would need to recover and created a roster spot by putting the veteran linebacker on injured reserve.

Are you fucking kidding me? He’s out 2-4 weeks and you end his season? This is another horrendous move by the Bills front office. Defensive starter being put on the shelf. I really have nothing more to say.

Sabres training camp in 17 days. Thank God.

Quinn, DiPofi named minority owners of Sabres

Um… good?

The Sabres announced yesterday that managing partner Larry Quinn and COO Dan DiPofi have been granted minority shares of the Buffalo Sabres.

“This announcement marks the culmination of a process that really goes back to my original acquisition of the franchise in 2003,” Golisano said in a statement. “Both Larry and Dan were instrumental with regard to my purchase of the Sabres and continue to be an important part of the organization’s success today.”

It’s hard to tell what this means for the future of the organization, but it begs the question: Is Larry going to be more apt to meddle with the team if he thinks he’s got something riding on it?

For the most part, Quinn’s been playing with house money. Now, it’s in his own best interest to keep the value of the team as high as possible. Will there be more of an emphasis on winning to keep fans coming back? Doubtful. Will ticket prices continue to rise? Most likely.

Indians era in Buffalo ends

One of the most prolific minor league affiliations in recent history has come to an end.

With the Buffalo Bisons loss in their season finale yesterday, the relationship with the Cleveland Indians has officially ended after more than a decade of watching future stars come through Buffalo.

The frustrating finish left the Bisons with a 66-77 record, their worst since 1994 and their only losing season with the Tribe.

After putting nine playoff teams and three league champions in Buffalo since 1995, the Indians are expected to move their Triple-A operation to Columbus, Ohio, next season.

“It hasn’t settled in for me,” said Bisons outfielder Jason Cooper, a pending free agent who extended his franchise record by playing in his 410th game. “I feel like tomorrow morning when I wake up that it’s going to be a very strange feeling to realize I’m going home, the season is over, my tenure with the Bisons for right now is over, and my tenure with Cleveland is probably over.”