So long, Petey

Andrew Peters knows there’s still a place for enforcers in the NHL. He also knows Buffalo isn’t one of those places.

The Sabres’ designated tough guy for the last five seasons has resigned himself to the fact he won’t be back for a sixth.

“I don’t even know if there’s been a discussion with Buffalo and my agent at all,” Peters said by phone Monday. “I know that there wasn’t up until July 1, and I don’t think there has been one since.

“It’s unfortunate, but I’ve enjoyed my time here. I’ve loved my time here. I’ve been through good times and bad, with successful teams and not-so-much. I’ve made some lifelong friends and played with some unbelievable guys. If that’s what I come out of hockey with is great friendships and 200 games in the NHL — more than I ever thought I’d play — I did it with a great organization.”

If you’re a returning reader of this blog, you’ll know that Petey is my boy. It’s a sad time to see  him go.

Although I’m a college student, it still feels as bad as when I was in grade school and Stu Barnes and Rob Ray were traded on the same day.  I’ll miss the times where the whistle blows mid play and the square off begins. I’ll also miss the shit talking against Ottawa (That’s how you dangle, boys)

Some people liked Petey, some didn’t. But for those who didn’t, Andrew did nothing but help the City of Buffalo off the ice. He volunteered to be a spokesman for the Family Justice Center (domestic violence), auctioned himself off at Catwalk for Charity to be for show and tell at a grade school,  as well as even bar tending last summer to raise money for charity. He was an asset to the team for sure, and he definitely went above and beyond to interact with his fans (I should know). Thanks for the memories, Petey…and go get ‘em in Jersey.

I think Goose could use a good whoopin’

• Peters assumes his time with Sabres is done [Buffalo News]

Thank You, Ralph

For every Sunday that we get up and toss the ball around, crack open a cold beer, or make that short drive to Orchard Park…that is why I thank you, Mr. Wilson.

It’s 6 p.m sports with T.O.

Video is here.

Not only does he recieve a hero’s welcome, but he practices, does a sportscast and gets a key to the city.

I love me some T.O.

Teppo got hosed

It was annonced today that Teppo Numminen is not a finalist for the Bill Masterton Trophy.  According to the NHL, the Masterton allegedly is awarded to the player that “who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey.” Teppo has likely never made a dirty play in his 20 some years of  playing. I can’t remember any here in his Sabre career. And as for perseverence? Teppo is 40 and he had to go through open heart surgery, and 8 months of training to return to the Sabres . If that’s not dedication to ice hockey, there is no such thing.
Nice job, NHL.

And the Bills select…Aaron Maybin

A quick, defensive end from Penn State. I like the pick. Go Bills.

Bandits set all-time NLL attendance record

“The 18,527 fans in attendance at tonight’s contest set a new NLL Attendance record with the 143,651 topping the record set in 2004 by the Colorado Mammoth with 140,942.”

The 2nd seed Bandits will host a home playoff game on May 2nd. They will face the Boston Blazers, who came into Buffalo and won 13-12 in OT Saturday.

Happy trails Jason, Welcome back Lindy

A pretty big day in Buffalo sports considering it’s April 17th.

In good news, the Bills traded the overweight, overhyped and soon to be overpaid Jason Peters today. They sent him packing to Philly for a first round pick, a fourth, and a pick in next years draft. I say good riddance. The Bills made this undrafted pile of nothing into a top player at left tackle and Peters repays them by spitting in their face.

Maybe the Bills would have paid you if you weren’t selfish and lazy.

Lindy Ruff and Darcy Regier will be back next year. Overall, I’m fine with this. I’d rather have Darcy if Lindy comes with as opposed to neither. Darcy really has to step his game up this off-season however. I don’t ever think Lindy was the problem, and you’d be kidding yourself if you thought a better coach was avaiable.

Too little, too late

For the lackluster Buffalo Sabres. They’re once again playing golf come mid april.

More to come.

May Day May Day

Former Sabre Brad May will play in his 1,oooth NHL game tonight against Buffalo. In a nice touch, he was a healthy scratch against New Jersey so that he could play in his milestone game against the Sabres.

May is best known in  Buffalo for his undressing of Ray Bourque to clinch the Series in 1993. His fists do most of his talking these days. He is a mix of Peters and Kaleta in one. He likes to get under your skin, but he can also back it up with a good beat down.

He was on those tough, infamous teams in the 1990’s who had 900 penalty minutes in one year. A line of Ray, May and Barnaby was surely the toughest in the league.

Hats off to brad. A scrap tonight would be fitting!

I tried to wait

and not post until the Sabres did something incredible. Well, if I wait any longer, it’ll be October.

The Sabres are 4 points out with 3 games left. They had two epic chances and once again came up short. I have officially hopped off the sinking ship.

Lalime is done for the year, and possibly longer with some mysterious hip problem.

Kaleta is hurt again, you may not want to hear it, but I think he’ll have a short career.

Apparently Vanek and Connolly ( go figure) are still banged up.

Former Sabre Brad May will play in his 1,000th NHL game against the Sabres on Wednesday night from Toronto. More to come on this.

And now, a Bandits weekend preview