andydrmm

Canandaigua, NY • United States • 29 Years Old • Male

If I Didn't Watch It, I Wouldn't Have Believed It

Holy cow. I mean, who saw this happening after the 1st period?? What a game and what a motivation booster for the Sabres going into the final 2 games.

After the first period, down 3-0. I had Buffalo pegged for going down, but then after 2 quick ones for the Sabres, I started to think that they had another chance. Then, Buffalo went to sleep, Leaf’s capitalized again, and it’s 4-2. I start to think that Buffalo’s in the hole again. Then, whoopsie daisy, Roy manages to finally light the lamp and make it 4-3 . 8 minutes later, and it’s another 2 goal lead for the Leafs. Unbelievable right?

So at this point, Buffalo has been down 3 goals, and then down by 2 goals twice in this game. At this point, I’m looking at Facebook on my phone and my friends are posting that the season’s over. I’d lie if I said I didn’t think that Buffalo was toast. So, the minute that Toronto goes up by 2 for the 2nd time (with just over 9 minutes to go in the game), I get up and stroll into my kitchen. My fiancé asks me what I’m doing, and I say, “Making myself an end of season drink.”

I walk back into my living room and sit down in my recliner (drink in hand). At this point, the only thing that’s running through my head is that Buffalo was gift wrapped opportunity by Washington, again and Buffalo is just going to screw it up again. Then, due to bad camera work by MSG, I hear Rick Jeanneret saying that Buffalo had scored. Then, MSG decides it’s time for a commercial instead of giving us a replay of the goal.

Commercial’s over, and Harry Neale informs everyone that on the commercial break, it was determined that Sulzer has netted his 2nd of the night. A few minutes later (and this is my favorite part of the night) Foligno and Komisarek start to have their little disagreement leading up to Leopold’s goal. Personally, I think Komisarek should have known better on this one. He lets his emotions get the best of him, and decides that he should sit on Foligno in the crease. If he was actually doing his job, Leopold may not score. Now, I don’t know how the ref kept his eye on that puck, but I watched him on the replays, he had the whistle by his mouth, and didn’t blow it. I trust that at that angle, he can see the puck. Plus, I know that the ref’s are quick to blow that whistle when they lose sight of the puck. Into the net it goes, tie game with just under 2 minute to go.

I’m in disbelief. I had been at a few games in the past where Buffalo made some pretty spectacular comebacks, and I’ve watched it on TV, but those were different teams when they did it before. I’m staring at the TV, slack-jawed disbelief in my eyes. Don’t criticize me, I’m sure a lot of people were in that spot. I’ve seen it before at games. Opening night few years ago against Montreal, Buffalo’s down to the Habs by 2 with 5 minutes left, and the fans start filtering towards the exit. With 15 seconds left in the game, Buffalo’s tied it and we’re heading to OT. Buffalo wins in the shootout. I bet those people regret leaving, but it’s normal when your team, regardless of who it is, is down and you think that the game is over.

Roy scoring on the power play in OT, icing on the cake. All of a sudden, Buffalo’s not out of it and have a decent shot again at getting into the playoffs. This win gives the Sabres a huge boost for the last 2 games and hopefully Buffalo will be able to squeak in with a little help from the Capitals. Makes for a very interesting final days of the 2011-2012 regular season.

However, I know what I’m going to do as the Philly game starts on Thursday. I’m going to make my “season ending” drink at the start of the game... Seemed to pay off last night.

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to leave a comment.