Live from Flyers at Sabres

A bit of a surprise as the teams take the ice for the pregame skate. It has nothing to do with players and everything to do with uniforms.

For the first time this season (for the first time since the Winter Classic?) the Sabres are wearing white at home. The Flyers are in black instead of orange, but it's still better than white. I've always been a fan of the home team wearing white. This way, you'd get to see 29 different jerseys come through town. Instead, since the NHL adopted a "white on the road" policy, you get the same-looking opponent night after night.

The reason, by the way, for white on the road is to help the equipment managers. With the proliferation of third jerseys, the equipment guys were being forced to carry three sets of uniforms on the road because they never knew what the home team would wear. The Sabres, for example, used to wear red on Fridays, and if the Canadiens came to town with just their red road jerseys, there'd be some trouble on the ice.

And although I don't like white on the road, I can't be mad at the equipment guys. They are without a doubt the hardest-working men in hockey. The Sabres' guys will get to Boston tonight around 1 a.m., spend a few hours getting the dressing and training rooms ready, then be back at the arena by 8 a.m. to get ready for the players' arrival. And that's if they even leave the arena. They often just sleep there.

For the second time in two days, I get to post a brawl video. Showed the Ray Emery fight last night, and the Sabres had the Steve Shields-Garth Snow battle on the scoreboard before the teams came out. Since the folks in the arena shouldn't have all the fun, here you go. And stay with it till the end. Matthew Barnaby's act near the four-minute mark is priceless.

FIRST PERIOD

7:39 p.m.: Just 36 seconds into the game, we get a look at the league's best power play as Tim Kennedy goes off for cross-checking.

7:41 p.m.: No shots for the Flyers.

7:43 p.m.: Game's first shot is a big save by Emery, as Clarke MacArthur tips Craig Rivet's pass on net with 3:50 gone.

7:45 p.m.: Sabres get an early power play when David Laliberte goes off for slashing with 15:02 to go.

7:47 p.m.: Ryan Miller gets into the act, stopping Darroll Powe on a short-handed breakaway.

7:48 p.m.: Could be because it's the Flyers, but fans are into it a little more than usual so far. Two "Let's go, Buffalo" chants already that were unprompted by scoreboard messages or organ playing.

7:54 p.m.: Sabres get a break from the shoddy durability of sticks when Mike Richards' lumber, er composite, shatters on a point-blank slap shot with nine minutes to go.

7:59 p.m.: A second chance for Richards disappears when Kennedy hustles back and dives to stop a Richards breakaway with seven minutes to go. Still no score, shots are 7-5 for Buffalo.

8:01 p.m.: Miller comes up big again, stopping Matt Carle's chance on a cross-ice pass.

8:02 p.m.: Patrick Kaleta draws yet another stupid penalty, getting Arron Asham to retaliate with 4:20 to go. Personally, I would have called Kaleta for diving, too. It wasn't that hard of a hit, but the ref was mere feet away and bought it.

8:08 p.m.: Another goal under review, with Daniel Carcillo cross in front of Miller and tipping Braydon Coburn's high shot. Goal stands, and Flyers take a 1-0 lead with 1:21 to go.

8:11 p.m.: Teams head to dressing rooms with the Flyers holding a 1-0 lead and 11-9 shot edge.

SECOND PERIOD

8:30 p.m.: Here's a newsflash. Chris Pronger is pretty good. The superstar defenseman makes the score 2-0 just 28 seconds into the period, scoring on a high shot from the point that goes just under the crossbar.

8:32 p.m.: Asham hits the points with 17:40 to go. If the Sabres don't wake up -- Derek Roy just turned the puck over -- the Flyers have the ability to put them away in a hurry.

8:35 p.m.: Kaleta hits Ole-Kristian Tollefsen in the leg, starting a scrum with Richards with 16:08 to go.

8:38 p.m.: James van Riemsdyk goes off for holding the stick, giving the Sabres a four-on-three. They bury it. Jason Pominville fires a slap shot off the back boards, and Derek Roy gets the puck on the other side of the net and beats Emery to the post with 15:32 to go. It's 2-1.

8:40 p.m.: Tim Connolly gets assist on goal, giving him 300 career points.

8:49 p.m.: As with most Flyers-Sabres meetings, game is developing a bit of an edge. Daniel Carcillo is stiring things up for Philly, and he's finding willing opponents. Flyers going on a power play with 8:56 to go after penalty on Matt Ellis.

8:58 p.m.: Carcillo and Steve Montador make their way to the penalty boxes for cross-checking with 5:46 to go.

8:59 p.m.: van Riemsdyk makes it 3-1 with 5:05 to go on a goal Miller should have stopped. The Flyers forward slides the puck to the crease, and Miller tries to block but instead sends it through his pads.

9:06 p.m.: The Sabres limp to the dressing room, no one more so than Craig Rivet. The captain took a shot off the foot in the closing minutes and is in pain. The Flyers lead, 3-1, with a 25-17 shot edge.

THIRD PERIOD

9:24 p.m.: They're back, and so is Rivet.

9:28 p.m.: Miller lets in his worst goal of the season, a knuckler from Powe with just 2:34 gone. The soft but wobbly shot goes under Miller's arm when he tries to catch it.

9:40 p.m.: Tyler Myers' third goal of the season brings crowd to life. Rookie defenseman slides puck toward net and it ricochets off skate of Coburn past Emery with 9:26 to go.

9:51 p.m.: Sabres have topped double digits in shots in a period with 3:16 to go, but Emery looks strong with a two-goal lead.

10:21 p.m.: Just got back from interviews, and as you likely know by now, the Sabres lost, 5-2. No one will argue that the Flyers were the better team tonight.

---John Vogl

Comments

[Maverick]

Myers play has tailed off, since the decision to keep him was made, but I expect some gradual improvement as the year goes along. Mckee was also kept at a young age, and really started playing well at this level around New Years of his rookie year. I look for the same with Myers. By the way, Rivet and Butler had a bad night against the Flyers, they were both a minus 4.

[cliff]

OK--I'll speak the unspeakable. Tyler Myers has played the last 3-4 games as if he needs a year in the AHL. Dangerous stickhandling in the D zone, passes that are too soft for the NHL inviting intercepts, overly aggressive pinches, low-percentage diagonal point-to-corner passes in the Offensive zone, etc. It is just experience but the Sabres should not be training him in the NHL. Since they obviously are keeping him, I would recommend fewer minutes, less PK for sure and some good coaching. All right, everyone pile on about how much better he is than(fill in the blank D of your choosing). Fact is, to me, Tallinder has recovered from his horrific year last year, and Lydman will be better when he is healthy, which means Myers should be on the third pair of D until he is more experienced. There is a reason that D rarely step up from Junior to the NHL, unlike forwards--they need more time.

[Maverick]

In response to Greg B. Part of the reason the Flyers are better is because they have a stronger will to win aginst the Sabres, as currently built. Part of being a better player is to have that strong desire to compete, and impose your will against your opponent. Championship teams are able to build their teams accordingly to succeed, regardless of matchups. Roy, Vanek, Pommer are paid to be bigger factors than they have been so far. They have been good, but for ultimate success they have to be great. Let's see if they start that tonight, and deliver more impact the next time they play Philly.

[Greg B.]

Philly is a bad matchup for the Sabres. For my money, the Flyers and the Pens are by far the two best teams in the conference. Washington is loaded with skill, but I don't think they're built properly for the playoffs. I trust that Miller won't always give the other team two freebies like he did on the third and fourth goals. Last night showed we're not on the same level as the Philly's of the league, but I do disagree with the "same team as the last two years" comments. I don't understand why it can't just come down to the fact that the other team has better players. Why does it always have to be about Buffalo's heart or some perceived softness? The Northeast division is down this season and the Sabres have as good a shot as anyone. They are a playoff team. Once you get to the playoffs, it's all about matchups. But at some point, if Buffalo wants to get to their ultimate goal, they're going to have to figure out how to beat teams like the Flyers.

[Maverick]

I did not see the game last night, but from reports and comments I've read, it unfortunately sounds like the last 2 yrs. MacArthur said "we shied a little bit away from the physical activity." That says it all. They brought in Grier and Montador to bring up the "compete level". It seems like our top two skill lines, don't get it. The great teams win, becuase their whole team plays with grit. Even though they beat the Isles on Wednesday, I didn't think they played their best, so I'm seeing signs that they are softening up, again. Will they find fortitude this year or not. They got pushed around in their own rink last night.

[RuffsAGirl]

You are all dorks - barnaby was a loser, ray got his butt whooped by any top tough guy (once he had to keep his jersey on) and and and and - stanley cup who? frauds - let ruff cry to the media again - hell never win cause he is a girl

[Brian]

In spite of their record....

PROBLEM IS:

Philly is actually a good team---unlike the patsies they've been playing so far this season.

The Sabres have had a mostly creampuff schedule up until now. The only decent teams they beat were Detroit and Jersey---and Detroit was in the midst of a road slump (everybody was beating them).

If the Sabres could manage to play the Isles, Panthers, Bolts and Thrash---ooops, I mean Leafs the rest of the season, they're set!

[RuffsAGirl]

Whats pathetic is that Ruffy the girl has a clown that runs at knees and you scum bags think hes tough? teams built on scum never win, never...Go flyers, wait a minute go flyers - go back to your blizzard and shut the hell up you losers

[RuffsAGirl]

Ruff is a girl - what media will he cry into tonight - can he protect that fraud of a player going after knees but wont drop his gloves - you clowns in that hole of a town got beat down then the tool ruffy protects because he is like him (a female) - sit up then open - you frauds

[burgundy04]

I know people are going to say "dude they have only lost 3 games give them a break" but the point is they are still not good enough. Sure they are good enough to make the playoffs this year if Miller stays healthy. But they are still too soft and need another bid time scorer to be true contenders. And if you are true Sabres fans you can see it too. I've watched hockey for 30 yrs and can see when a team needs that little extra to be contenders and this team needs it. It will be up to Regier to add that if he thinks this team can make a run.

[timmer923]

Flyers got to play their game, Sabres could not find their game. 2 tipped goals the difference on the scoreboard, but not on the ice. Philly was in control throughout. Now Boston, and that plane flight there is going to suck.
Don't let philly come in wearing black jerseys again. Ditch the white at home.

[burgundy04]

Still not good enough

[Rush]

Emery outplays the Soft Man, how embarrassing.

[Pearl Jam It]

I leave for a couple periods, and nothing has changed...Mister Softee comes through in the clutch!

[Phil]

Ruff will come back with Miller tomorrow night, too. He's scared to get swept.

[Greg B.]

The trend continues of when the Sabres are losing, the boards are populated. When they're winning few people post. Unfortunate that people thrive on trying to start internet fights.

[jfcsoup]

Not agreee\ing with the Mr. Softie comments boys, so don't jump on me but Miller is making it an easy decision for Ruff to rest him tomorrow.

[timmer923]

I think they are wearing white for marketing reasons......the blue ones sell more, so they want to sell more white.....

[Rush]

Mister Softee has a hat trick!

[Bulldog]

Hey Bill, if you're going to out-troll a troll, at least try using standard English and don't double post when your "ideas" aren't even worth one.

[Bill]

Rush, that's some pretty weak troll sauce you're spewin'. Your high school football team not in sectionals anymore? Naturally, you don't play on the tea, because if you did you'd know something about athletics, and you clearly don't.

[Bill]

Come on Rush, you need to come with something better than that. That's some pretty weak troll sauce.

[Rush]

No, your mom was checking her email.

[waz]

LoL!

[Greg B.]

Rush, you were late on that one. Was your mom checking her email?

[Rush]

Mister Softee sighting number 2!

[Sid]

Sweet deflection by Rivet. Too bad he tipped it by his own goaltender.

[Bill]

Ignore him. He's a troll.

[Dave70]

I wish morons would post elesewhere!! Mr. Softie? No goalie stops that shot off that kind of tip. Nice try Pearl Jam It! Matter of fact go jam it up ....

[Greg B.]

How pathetic is that dude who posts "Mister Softee" after every goal. Does he sprint to his parents computer to post that or does he just jog?

[waz]

"A Mister Softee sighting!"..........errrrr ok right yeah Miller shouldve had that since it was tipped about 12 inches from in front. Ur bleeding drunk lad!

[Pearl Jam It]

A Mister Softee sighting!