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.”

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.

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.”

We have confirmation of Sabres’ new logo

As you may have noticed, these posts have been a bit sporadic. We’re both in the process of going back to school, so we’ve been extremely busy. So, to make up for it, here’s a cute little story for all of you:

Summer was ending. The kids were getting ready to go back to school. Derek and I were out shopping this fine Labor Day and happened to stop by an unnamed, local sporting goods store.

While perusing the merchandise, naturally looking at the Sabres apparel, we noticed that the logo on the shirts was the new third jersey logo.

We both picked up a shirt, so if someone figures out that these aren’t supposed to be on shelves yet, we have proof. Licensed, Reebok apparel.

Here are the pics:

Bills need tight ends to step up. Or A tight end. Okay, ANY tight end.

Sunday’s Buffalo News had a great article about the Bills’ struggles in the red zone. The evidence of futility is quite breathtaking.

Last season, the red-zone offense was clearly in protective custody somewhere. The Bills went inside the 20 just 34 times and produced 13 touchdowns and 17 field goals. Their touchdown percentage was just 38.2 percent. Now compare that to the Bills opponents who ventured into the red zone 56 times and produced 25 touchdowns for 44.6 percent.

The key to red zone success is to have multiple threats to keep the defense honest. With a lack of a passing game, the defense can focus on the run. When you’re running the ball deep in the opponent’s territory, it’s hard to get the personnel on the field to open up the passing game.

You need to have two stud receivers and a tight end who’s a threat. The Bills have Lee Evans and rookie James Hardy to fill those receiver slots. Tight end? Not so much.

The Bills haven’t had a stud tight end in a while. If ever. Who was the last notable Bills tight end? Pete Metzelaars?

Introducing our staff profiles

Yeah, I know. Where the fuck have we been?

Blogging takes a backseat to life sometimes. As evidenced by this little break. I promise it won’t happen… often. Thanks for coming back though.

But since nothing has motivated us enough to write anything right now (because we’re lazy), the staff at 3MI is introducing our staff profiles. Just to give you a better idea about who we are.

So without further adieu, here we are:

Eric
Derek

We’ll be back with a regular post… eventually.

Today’s show: “Michael Ryan, We Hardly Knew Ye”

We’re way too late on this, but it still deserves mention.

According to this loosely translated website, our boy Mike Ryan has decided to bring his wicked skills to Russia. Ryan signs a one year deal with Dynamo Minsk of the KHL.

28-year old hockey the past two seasons spent in the “Buffalo.” Last season, born in Boston played 46 games in the “Klinkov, scored 8 (4 +4) points.

How did Mike Ryan of all people catch the Dynamo Minsk management’s eye, you ask? Who’s their GM, you wonder? None other than Sabres legend and 3MI favorite Vladimir Tsyplakov.

So, there goes the last remaining piece of the Stu Barnes deal. Of course, we all remember that day when the Sabres lost the rights to 2003 second round pick Branislav Fabry.

Good luck to Michael in Russia. It’s too bad things didn’t work out here in Buffalo. Ryan had all the skills needed to make it in the NHL… except maybe talent.