Wouldn't know it from the weather madnness outside, however, its a buzzing beehive of activity inside HSBC Arena right now. Lake snows, notwithstanding, there are a lot of eyeballs and ears on press row already.
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I rode the elevator up to the Ted Darling memorial Press Box with Red Wings head coach, Mike Babcock, and his assistant, Brad McCrimmon. The Wings don't play here until tomorrow night, however, the Wings chartered in early in order to avoid the weather. Babcock and his GM, Ken Holland, will scout this game. Their gear is already on dolleys being stored in the Buffalo Bandits room, while the Sens occupy the visitors room. The
Wings are alll-business and they leave no stone unturned. No wonder why they win so much, eh?
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Recently retired Wing and Future Hall Of Famer, Kirk Maltby, hpoped on our elevator somewhat miffed. Babcoack asked "Malts" where he was for the shuttle from the hotel. Maltby answered tersely, "What shuttle? I had to take a cab". Babcock laughed. Maltby didn't.
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Ryan Miller vs. Craig Anderson, the former Amerk. It was a game time decision as Pascal Leclaire did not make the trip from Ottawa.
Anderson is no walk over. He won 1-0 in a shootout last Saturday night in Tronna. It was his first game as a Sen. He was traded from Colorado for Sabres nemesis, Brian Elliott.
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1st Period:
We're underway.
26-19-29 with 34-57. 36-28-42 with 3-4. 63-55-21 with 6-27. 20-8-25 with 34-57.
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Buffalo not getting much sustained zone time as the sens are playing well as five man units to deny time and space.
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1-0 Buffalo
@ 6:25, Cody McCormick sends Mike Grier up the middle of the ice on a "9" route... breakaway.. Grier dekes, then slides backhander underneath Anderson.
Grier is bringing sexy back!
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1-0 Buffalo after twenty minutes
Terry Pegula is watching the game in his box tonight with Renee Robert.
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Terry Pegula's wife, Kim, visiting with media people in the pressbox with her friends.
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First period shots: 10-8 Buffalo
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2nd Period:
Buffalo have to stary out of the box. They have to capitalize on the inexperience of the young Sens. Get them in penalty trouble and light them up with PPGs.
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@ 11:57, Michalek will serve two or less for trying to play North American hockey. He failed. He was caught.
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When I think of "Marek Svatos" I'm transported back to 1979 as it reminds me of "Blue Stratos"--- intoxicating aphrodisiac deluxE.
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2-0 Buffalo
Cody McCormick deposits the loose change in the bank.
Monty and Leo get assist on Mc's goal. Vanek should get one for looking spiffy
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2-1 Sabres
Sabres bust up the ice 3 on 2... then, Jason Spezza is sent in all alone on Ryan Miller, who misses the poke check.
Goal scorer's goal.
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3rd period:
Kaleta destroys Condra on the wall in front of the Buffalo bench. Damn!
3-1
Hecht beats Anderson from Stafford.
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3-2
Michalek roof daddy on Miller.
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4-2
Vanek seals it in empty net
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