It was exactly one year ago today, February 22, 2011, that Terry Pegula assumed the ownership of the Buffalo Sabres from Tom Golisano.
Mr. Pegula promised changes, on and off the ice, and he has delivered. Now that his team is healthy, for the first time in a long time, hope springs eternal. Making the Playoffs doesn't seem like such a lofty expectation now, do it?
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Ryan Miller is in the zone.
31 shots. 30 saves. A half dozen of which were 100% USDA Grade A Choice, primo, point blank chances.
Like this gem on Matt Moulson in the dying moments of a 2-1 game, late in the third period:
Franz Neilsen had just scored to draw the Islanders to within a goal with a little less than five minutes to play in regulation. There have been times this season that Miller would have allowed the goal to be scored. Not so in the past 10 or 11 games. Miller has been in the zone.
He's Killer Miller.
Take a look at his greatest saves of the games:
Here's Miller's post game presser:
thanks, sabres.com
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Tyler Myers got the Pegula Day festivities started in grand fashion, with his 6th goal of the season.
I told Myers that he's been reminding me of NBA big man, Dirk Nowitzki, the way that he is running the floor with such confidence.
"I feel good, and I want to join and help out. That puck popped out and found me and I put it away".
Here's Myers after the game:
At 1-0, the Sabres were not done.
The Sabres speed and quick-up attack produced a glorious 4-on-2 scoring opportunity for Derek Roy. The D-man did a good job of riding Roy behind the net, however, the sneaky Roy threaded the needle to Thomas Vanek, all alone in the slot.
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Before the news cameras jammed into Paul Gaustad's stall after the win, I spoke with him about his line's domination of the other team's top offensive lines in the past five game.
"Wow. Tonight was a battle. Our menatlity is to try to make it hard on opponents and their top lines. We've done a great job so far. Credit goes to our defense, too".
All things equal, the Sabres brought the pain against the Tavares line, as they had against the Malkin line on Sunday afternoon.
"We have to agitate them. We know we have to get points. We can't give up any points right now and I think we played a solid 60 minute game against the islanders".
Gerbe-Gaustad-Kaleta have been a miserable lot to play against for the past couple of weeks. They play hard hockey and they spear no quarter. Goose isn't about to take his foot off the intensity pedal right now.
"The injuries were hard on us, between myself, Gerbs and Patty. Over the Summer we spent a lot of time working on our chemistry. We've kept it simple, and that the name of our game. We have a job, and we have to execute it. Its hard on lines when they have to come 200 feet. We have to continue to play hard on the other team and their best lines".
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Pat Kaleta loves the physical style of hockey his teammates have been playing in the past few weeks.
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By virtue of the Sabres win, the Leafs loss in OT, and the Jets OT loss to Flyers, the Sabres (59 points) now trail eighth place TOR and WPG (65 points) by only 6 points.
HAPPY PEGULA DAY!
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Lindy Ruff likes what he sees from Miller and his 12 forwards and 6 D:
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