Farewell

Hello to anyone who may have read this blog. (I'm honestly not sure if anyone really did). -

As you have noticed, this is the first time I've posted in a good 2 or 3 months. I'm sorry to announce that this blog is disbanding. My partner, Jack, is working with other sights know, I just plain and simple don't have the time anymore.

I enjoyed posting on here. It was very fun whilst it lasted.

Thank you to anyone who may have been a reader at some point. I hope you enjoyed what we posted.
GO SABRES!

-Matt
Blog Co-founder.

Update from Jack Goods

Hey Guys,

I know Matt and I haven't really been updating this site very much. I just wanted to let anyone who comes on here know that I am moving to a new site, www.sabrenoise.com for all of my Buffalo Sabres writing. You can also read my lacrosse work at www.inlaxwetrust.com. Thanks to everyone who's checked out The Ultimate Sabres blog.

Jack Goods

Back with a bang.

It is too bad that Rick and Harry did not call tonight's game. Because if they did, Jeanneret would have shouted "MILLER!!!!!" so many times that you would have thought he was advertising the beer. Ryan Miller came back with a bang tonight, making many spectacular saves, including a highlight reel. The Sabres finally won a game, and they did in a good fashion, and got tons of help from Miller. Luke Adam opened the scoring 10:00 into the 1st, putting a loose puck past Nashville Goalie Anders Lindback. Zack Kassian made it 2-0 later in the period, skating in on a breakaway and going forehand-backhand, and with a bobbling puck too. It was all Ryan Miller for the next period and a half.  Miller was solid and stopped many tough shots, a couple of which were Shea Weber slap shots, which have broken bones before. Things got interesting when Nashville pest Jordin Tootoo drove to the net, had the puck knocked off his stick by Christian Ehrhoff, and then went airborne right into Miller. Miller got up and immediately starting throwing punches at Tootoo, as did every other Sabre on the ice, and I can't blame Miller at all. I thought it was a low move by Tootoo, who earned a game misconduct, though he probably will got off easy, knowing our pal Shanahan. It was good to see that the Sabres actually responded this time. Miller had a big response too. In the 3rd, a puck flew up in the crease, it got knocked down to Nashville's Matt Halischuk, who shot for the net, only to have Miller sprawl across and rob him with the glove. That was without question the best save I have ever seen him make.
Tyler Ennis scored the eventual game-winner, but he should have had 2 goals. In the 2nd, the puck came into the Predator zone, and Lindback sprawled out at the puck but missed it. This gave Ennis a good 4 (I counted) seconds to score on a wide open net. But he missed the chance because he over stick handled trying to make the Sportscenter top 10, and as a result it gave Linback enough time to get back in the net. I hate seeing players do that. Play the game and stop trying to be fancy for the love of God!

Anyhow, Buffalo played great and Miller silenced his critics, funny how they will be back on his train now. Goodnight and thanks for the read!

Zack Kassian: Who can he be?

I've been lucky this week to have been able to go to two Sabres games in row, the Boston game and the Washington game. I got to see two players first NHL goals, Brennan and Kassian. Zack showed a lot of promise in his game on Saturday, and it got me thinking. What kind of player do we want Zack Kassian to become?

I thought about it for awhile, and came to an answer that may strike a chord with Sabres fans. I want Zack Kassian to be our Milan Lucic. Sure, he's got size. Kassian is 6'3'' and 214 lbs. But he's not a goon. He made team Canada in the World Juniors last season, and before the call-up lead the Rochester Americans in points. Kassian is the kind of guy that can make space for his line mates, which is why I loved him being on a line with Nathan Gerbe.

Kassian had a few famous "head shots" in his junior career. I'm at the point with the Sabres that I think they need a guy like that. This team has a reputation of being weak, wouldn't one slightly dirty player be a good thing for a team like that? There's a video on YouTube of a double fight for Rochester. On one side you see Kassian beating up a guy, on the other you see Foligno doing the same. I see that and think, "wow, this is the future of the Buffalo Sabres".

Kassian has a lot of potential, but is he ready yet? Many Rochester people have said he's still a project. He's getting a shot up here, as him and McNabb are the only two skaters that have not been re-assigned to Rochester. He may show us some signs of greatness. That being said, if he falters, don't get on him too fast. He's quite a project, and still only in his first season of professional hockey. Look at many players, sometimes a little time in the AHL can be a positive thing.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @GoodsOnSabres or check out my lacrosse articles at www.inlaxwetrust.com

Relentless attack.

Luke Adam came one away from getting his first career NHL hatter, and Jochen Hecht notched his 1st of the season as Buffalo took own Washington 5-1 tonight. Robyn Regehr and Drew Stafford both were added to the Sabres illustrious Injured list, prompting yet another Rochester recall.  Brayden McNabb and Paul Szczechura came up from the Genessee. Szczechura assisted on both of Adam's goals. It was "Sahara's" first NHL action in more than a year. Zack Kassian scored his 1st of his NHL career in the 2nd, beating Tomas Vokoun with a wrist shot. Jason Pominville scored 50 seconds after Adam got his first to give Buffalo a 2-0 lead. Adam scored his 2nd not 2 minutes in. Jason Chimera scored Washington's only goal on a penalty shot after Christian Ehrhoff tripped him on a breakaway and Jhonas Enroth had to go airborne to dodge him. But that was as close as the Caps would come. Jochen Hecht scored his first of the season on a shorthanded break away with about 5  minutes left in the 3rd. It was great to see him get one after all his time battling injury. It was great to see Buffalo iron out a well earned win. After getting smoked by Columbus on Friday night, they needed to win, and got a good one. Enroth made 26 saves , he looked very good too. Good Night and thanks for the read. Buffalo is back in action on Tuesday at home against the Islanders.

The "Plauge" of injuries strikes Buffalo.

Over the past few weeks, Healthiness has not been an adjective that could describe the Sabres.  The Sabres currently have 8 players that are either on the IR or battling nagging problems.  It all started with Tyler Ennis, who hasn't played since 10/22. He is on the IR with an ankle injury. The Sabres have not given an update on him so there can be no prediction made as to when he will return. Defenseman Mike Weber sustained an undisclosed upper-body injury on 11/16 against New Jersey. With Weber on the IR, Darcy Regier recalled 2007 First Rounder T.J. Brennan. Brennan quickly made an impact, notching the first of his NHL career Wednesday against Boston.

The injuries are only just beginning. Team enforcer Cody McCormick hasn't played since the 2nd period of 11/14's match-up against Montreal. It has been reported that he has an upper body injury, although Lindy Ruff hasn't disseminated that info to the public. Everyone knows what happened to Ryan Miller. Drew MacIntyre was recalled to replace Miller and saw his first NHL action on 11/16 against the Devils, coming in relief of Jhonas Enroth, who has been excellent in place of the 2010 Silver Medalist.

Jochen Hecht finally returned on Wednesday after missing the entire season due to a concussion sustained in training camp. Hecht played well, almost scoring on his first shift back, but it is doubtful if Hecht will play tonight. Maybe the most devastating loss to the injury list is Tyler Myers. Myers broke one of his wrists last Saturday against the Coyotes. He is going to miss a month at the least. Marc-Andre Gragnani returned to the line-up due to this after being a healthy scratch. Brad Boyes is unlikely to play tonight, due to what Sabres.com calls "difficulty after Dennis Seidenberg fell on his left leg on Wednesday. This prompted Regier to make the move that Sabres fans every where have been dreaming of for a while now. 2009 first rounder Zach Kassian has been recalled from the Amerks. Though it is unknown if Kassian will play tonight, I'm sure  his being here will make an impact.

Despite these injuries, the Sabres have not played badly at all. I expected them to be in big trouble after losing this many players. but luckily I was wrong. What do you think? Comment with your opinions!
Happy Black Friday! Be sure to watch tonight as Buffalo is in Columbus, playing the 'Jackets at 7:00.

Sabres lose, but respond.

Buffalo may have lost their game to the Bruins tonight, but they did something even more important than winning, they responded. Sorry for not posting in a while. I'll try to be back every night. Boston won the game, but Buffalo did something more important than winning in my book, they fought back(physically) against Boston, showing them that even though they didn't respond initially, they wouldn't accept what Lucic did to Miller. Paul Gaustad and Robyn Regher are the co-heroes of the game in my book. Gaustad challenged and fought Lucic the first chance he got, sending a message that I think the rest of the Sabres received. Then after Brad Marchand took a run at Nathan Gerbe, Gaustad railed him into the boards, starting a scrum that involved everyone except Tim Thomas and Jhonas Enroth, who lost his 1st career shootout. Zdeno Chara came over and got involved. Robyn Regher skated in and grabbed Chara, an extremely courageous move on his behalf, and they went at it. Gaustad and Regher also played extremely well in the game, helping Buffalo at least get one point out of the effort. The whole Sabres team played with more physicality, more edge, and more attitude. If they can play like this always, then they won't be pushed around anymore. Special Congrats to T.J. Brennan, who scored his 1st Career NHL goal in the 2nd Period.
Goodnight and Happy Thanksgiving!!
Stars of the Game: Paul Gaustad and Robyn Regher.