I was really looking forward to watching Pat Kaleta's return to the Buffalo lineup on Sunday afternoon. The rascally winger had missed six games with a jacked up paw, and was chomping at the bit to get back to battering opponents. After one shift, I knew that Kaleta's head was not straight. You'd think that after a lengthy layoff, he'd have played within himself, while playing a solid three zone game on his wing. Instead, PK pulled a 180. He found Islanders Dman, Bruno Gervais, holding a puck on the unyts.org banner on the left wall in the Islander zone. Kaleta had tracked his man, now was closing in at 175 kilomters per hour to lower the boom. That isn until Gervais saw Kaleta coming at him, from a mile away, like a speeding bat outta Hell, and non chalantly opetd to jump out of Kaleta's way. it was like a scene out of the "Roadrunner vs. Wiley Coyote" cartoon. Kaleta, destined to plaster his check on the glass, committed to the high speed hit and left the Dman with no other option. Had Gervais had his head down, Kaleta would have been given an ovation and the Carrubba Collison of the game. Instead, he ran himself headlong into the glass, thusly, drawing undue attention to himself by way of the referees. Later in the game, Kaleta would connect on a similar hit, however, he was assessed an ill-timed boarding penalty that could have easily gone as a double minor for the elbow that he lifted and connected with.
His coach was none too pleased with the "Angola Assassin's" act. Thus, kaleta's return to the lineup has been thwarted. His streak ends at one. Kaleta will be a healthy scratch tonight. Rookie Paul Byron will skate in Kaleta's stead.
In six games this season, Byron has a goal and an assist. After practice in Buffalo on Monday, Lindy Ruff mentioned that he liked the way that Byron has played in his brief Buffalo call up. Lindy likes the kid's poise and passion. Likes him in the dot as well.
At 5'9 and a buck ninety, the twenty one year old Ottawa native has made quite a name for himself in Buffalo. He's the perfect blend of tenacity, skill, and speed. He has good hands and can see the whole ice. He plays bigger than he is. Given added ice time, this kid can make plays and contribute in all three zones.
In his last two seasons in Gatineau, Byron lit the lamp 70 times and added 96 helpers.
This kid's a Swiss Army knife and he can adapt seasmlessly to whatever situation his coaches put in in.
Standing outside the Islanders room on Sunday night, I heard this Mumford and Sons riff blazing through the speakers. Half the team were singing it in unison.
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