The Official Cindy Ruff/Buffalo Sabres Excuses Thread

[Caniac]

It was awesome last year, let's see what kind of whinin' and b*tchin', pissin' and moanin' old Cindy and the boys can muster up again this year!

"THE SUN WAS IN MILLER'S EYES!"

[Fghtr4jc]

Now now, let's give them credit. It takes a lot of creativity to come up with all these excuses :lol: .

[caniac369]

Yeah- some spend off season playing golf or going cup party hopping. Buffaslug? Compiling their list of whines and gripes. Want some cheese? :D

[StormShaman]

10 Quatloos sez the Buffalo Troll Brigade shows up to complain about how we're all being "classless". :laugh:

[TheMadCap]

Nope, no excuses. The Otters were just the better team, that is all. The Sabres failed to dominate any of thier series this year. Hopefully, they can rebound with some bigger bodies next season. Till then...

[SoCalcaniac]

10 Quatloos sez the Buffalo Troll Brigade shows up to complain about how we're all being "classless". :laugh:

Once they've recovered or pulled themselves out of the water after jumping off bridges...... ;)

[TheMadCap]

Once they've recovered or pulled themselves out of the water after jumping off bridges...... ;)


Everyone is disappointed, sure. But there will be no dives off the Peace Bridge, sorry.

The forums are pretty much saying what I am. We were beaten by a better team.

Classlessness? No. I suppose it is sort of like the hatred that I have for the Dolphins, after going 0 for the seventies. There is a sense of bewilderment that so much anger exists for a team you BEAT in the playoffs...

[StormShaman]

As opposed to last season, when the Hurricanes just got lucky.

Cos heaven forfend the Slugs should have been beaten AGAIN by a Southern team. :roll:

[SoCalcaniac]

Right, I believe that it's all peace and love in BUF (until we start hearing all the whining on XM starting bright and early tommorow and mark my words, they'll all be calling, just like they were calling and jamming the lines today saying the Sens were going down and other stuff) and every single fan in BUF is just content to say their division rival was "the better team" and they're moving on. Oh, yeah, Right.

[TheMadCap]

See for yourself:

http://www.sabrespace.com/forums/index.php?showforum=1


I'm not saying it's all happiness, fuzzy duckies and bunnies. But certainly not as bad as you would think. Hell, it's not as bad as I would have thought...

[livinthedream]

There is a sense of bewilderment that so much anger exists for a team you BEAT in the playoffs...

Don't want to speak for anybody else, but for me, it has little to do with your team (although I do despise your coach). A lot of it has to do with the fact that it's A YEAR LATER and you still won't go away and leave me the f*** alone. It's just become so tedious.

[TheMadCap]

As opposed to last season, when the Hurricanes just got lucky.

Cos heaven forfend the Slugs should have been beaten AGAIN by a Southern team. :roll:


To win ANY sports championship you have to get some breaks, things have to roll your way, and to a certain extent, yes, you have to have some luck too.

Do I think that last year's ECF would have been different had the Sabres not had injuries? Sure, I think anyone would say so. But thems the breaks in hockey. ALL teams get hurt. That's the way it goes.

We'll be back next year, as will your team. Everyone starts again, and hope always springs eternal...

[TheMadCap]

Don't want to speak for anybody else, but for me, it has little to do with your team (although I do despise your coach). A lot of it has to do with the fact that it's A YEAR LATER and you still won't go away and leave me the f*** alone. It's just become so tedious.


Come on man. I'm not here to rile you up. I haven't said a negative word toward anyone here. I have been here since the start of your board, and I rarely post, but I am trying to show you all that there are some sensible fans who are not interested in starting some sheet.

Can't we just talk hockey??? Why would you want to eliminate everyone who doesn't share your views?

[livinthedream]

You asked, I answered. :huh: And I didn't mean to imply that I was being specific to you. I'm referring to the collective.

[TheMadCap]

You asked, I answered. :huh:


Fair enough, but I'm not going away...

[SoCalcaniac]

Don't want to speak for anybody else, but for me, it has little to do with your team (although I do despise your coach). A lot of it has to do with the fact that it's A YEAR LATER and you still won't go away and leave me the f*** alone. It's just become so tedious.

LTD. Ding, dong, yo. You speak very well for me. ;) Hit it right on the head. and it is quite draining, so I'm glad it is now OVER!

I'll go back to listening to our Game 7...... June 19, 2007 in case anyone forgot that day. :lol:

[StormShaman]

Fair enough, but I'm not going away...

But you are going on my ignorelist (and, I suspect, several other folks' ignorelists as well).

[BYE]

[Shell]

well, your join date says Novemeber 2006 which is several years after this board started, but no matter.. you do handle yourself well for as often as you are attacked for others actions.

I am very glad Buffalo lost with a healthy squad though :D

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Do I think that last year's ECF would have been different had the Sabres not had injuries? Sure, I think anyone would say so.

No, I'm afraid anyone would not say so. I say the Canes would have still beat your sorry team. :D

There's a good piece of the problem too. The arrogance to suggest anyone would agree a healthy Sabres team would have beat us. :huh:

[nccanes]

You know what? I don't give a flying **** about the what ifs. And you know what? I bet Chris Drury doesn't give a flying **** about it either. That's for cry babies.

It's ******* impossible to know how the series would have gone with a healthier Sabres squad. Maybe the Canes would have played differently as well. Maybe they took the depleted Sabres too lightly until they were scared straight.

If sports were predictable, why would we all watch?

**** that.

[apolinar]

Woo! Woo! it never ends does it? Bewilderment over why we act this way? It would take empathy and introspection to be able to not have that bewilderment.

Anyhow excuse #1: we lost to give the sabres fans an excuse to get away from the tv and bother canes fans on their own boards :lol:

[Dr. Voice]

Sunspots.

[guinevere]

I am so incredibly sick of hearing about the Sabres and the excuses from last season. Its seems to have slipped everyone's minds that we beat the Sabres every game in regular season except for one last year. And if you want to bring healthy players into it the game we did lose was lost with an ill goal tender in net. And oh yes- missing a little piece of our team called Erik Cole.

We managed to be in the running for the top spot in the league just about all season until we had to regroup later in the year but that seems to have slipped people's minds as well. We went quitely limping into the finals and still managed to win it all. We will never know the extent of injuries the Canes were playing with but the number of surgeries during the off season gives some what of a hint.

I was hoping that after the Slugs were all but shut out of the finals after winning the Presidents trophy the comments would stop but I see thats not going to happen.

[apolinar]

All I'm saying is this loss finally gives us the ability to forgive sabres fans for their crap. It's up to them to stop their crap. But right now, we can't allow them to be part of our hatred anymore. Because the loss today makes them look so pathetic in the way they treated the entire NHL (At least as traveling fans) that it's time to just let it go. MadCap gets props for trying, but in the end needs to look inward at how brazenly obnoxious his post above was in light of the loss today. There's no need for that hubris to anger us anymore.

Excuse #3: Didn't want to miss the finals of American Idol for a playoff game.

[Guyute]

TMC, I'll give you that you've been one of the more decent Buffalo supporters we've had here.

That being said....

WTF cares anymore?!?!??! Give it up. All of you that keep pushing your Slug crap here can just stop. We won last year. Deal With It.
You lost Again this year. Deal With It.

Go Sens Go

[SouthernHockeyChick]

^^^ Oh, I've missed you (guin) SO much! :D


BTW, the Sabres finished this season with exactly one more point and one more win than we did last season.

[guinevere]

^^^

I wasnt directing that at you, sweetie. I should have qualified the "everyone" statement as everyone not from these parts. :)


^^^ Oh, I've missed you (guin) SO much! :D

Hugs

[apolinar]

Excuse #4. Briere and Afinogenov didn't put out a good enough effort (Is that what drury was trying to say in post game press? Sounds like this captain tried to captain but didn't have the team together.)

[apolinar]

Excuse #5 We fought hard for the best record in the NHL to have home ice advanage. Only to squander it in 2 games because of our obnoxious, high pressure fans. You call standing outside a big jumbotron tailgating?

[apolinar]

Excuse #6 Sean Avery still hurt our feelings.

The greatest thing? Stormshaman bets 10 quatloos, and MadCap earns her 10 quatloos in the subsequent posts. It didn't even take an hour for her to earn those quatloos. She could be a rich woman with her ability to predict like that.

[livinthedream]

Excuse #7 - We had to lose because we know Briere isn't strong enough to power lift the Stanley Cup.

[guinevere]

Excuse #8 -If we won, we couldnt host our annual "Whine and Cheese" fundraiser. Its all about the kids, man.

[nccanes]

Let's be done with it.

Blame these dumbasses.

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h114/nccanes/dumbasses.jpg

[kermelbar]

:laugh: wardo30's hubby did a great Buffalo pic -- I hope she posts it here.

From an NHL.com article earlier this week about the general manager of VH-1:

Calderone believes that this is the year of the Sabres.

“This current team has its legacy in front of it,” concluded Calderone. “I think this is a team of destiny. They have proven all season long the type of team they are. They also know that they fell short of their mission last season.

“There are many of us out there who believe that had the Sabres been healthy last season, they wouldn’t have lost to the Carolina Hurricanes (http://www.carolinahurricanes.com/) and would have gone on to win their first Stanley Cup. That is their mission this year. Nothing less.

“Buffalo deserves a champion.”

[nccanes]

I love how they insult the Hurricanes AND the Oilers in one shot.

Stunning how a city filled with "sports fans" think you just get the rewards w/o actually winning the games. No wonder they are continually disappointed. Maybe the Sabres players get too caught up in that thinking.

[SoCalcaniac]

Just think, their tired lame-ass excuse that they would've won the Cup last year if they weren't 'banged up is now truly tired and lame. The Slugs and their fans will never get it- they continue to insult our team and like E said, the Oilers too, by just going straight to the Cup without even playing the games. Unbelieveable.

^^ that pic that E posted was the picture I have continuously had in my head with this entire season and my deepest desire to see them go down in flames. That and the incessant yammering by that fan base that the Cup was their birth right. Heeeeeeee heeee..... not this time.

[Cool Hand Luke]

A couple of things. First of all, who's to say that the Sabres wouldn't have played worse and not even make it to game 7 with their healthy squad in the lineup last year? Thet didn't exactly tear it up in any series this year with those "unbeatable" healthy chaps, now did they?

Excuses? They let Jay McKee and Mike Grier walk away, the two guys who probably would have helped them the most in the playoffs this year. Blame Darcy.

[StormWarning]

Fair enough, but I'm not going away...

I hope not. I enjoy a good, fair back-and-forth. Even if you don't agree with every opinion every local on this board has. Gasp! :)

[TheMadCap]

But you are going on my ignorelist (and, I suspect, several other folks' ignorelists as well).

[BYE]


Good, since you obviously have nothing constructive to discuss.

[TheMadCap]

I hope not. I enjoy a good, fair back-and-forth. Even if you don't agree with every opinion every local on this board has. Gasp! :)


Thank you. I see not everyone here is completely irrational...

[TheMadCap]

No, I'm afraid anyone would not say so. I say the Canes would have still beat your sorry team. :D

There's a good piece of the problem too. The arrogance to suggest anyone would agree a healthy Sabres team would have beat us. :huh:


Go back and read what I wrote again. I did not in fact say that. I only said I think that the series might have played out differently.

And you are correct to say that it would not have mattered. That's what any fan of a team would say. I am not trying to convince you, only stating what I believe to be the case, which is the point of discussing things on a message board.

However, it was not my intention to bring up ancient history, as I see it is apparently still a hot topic around here. Sorry, I shall not do so again...

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Thank you. I see not everyone here is completely irrational...

Yep, there ya go. Just keep building the good will!! :roll:


BTW, I quoted exactly what you wrote in my post, thanks. No need to re-read.

[TheMadCap]

A couple of things. First of all, who's to say that the Sabres wouldn't have played worse and not even make it to game 7 with their healthy squad in the lineup last year? Thet didn't exactly tear it up in any series this year with those "unbeatable" healthy chaps, now did they?

Excuses? They let Jay McKee and Mike Grier walk away, the two guys who probably would have helped them the most in the playoffs this year. Blame Darcy.


Good post, I agree 100%

[TheMadCap]

Yep, there ya go. Just keep building the good will!! :roll:


BTW, I quoted exactly what you wrote in my post, thanks. No need to re-read.


I am not refering to you, you actually discuss topics instead of hurling down unwarrented insults.

However, the point is moot. Let's put it behind us shall we?

[wardo30]

I'm sorry but I too am soooooo sick of hearing the "no offense but if we had been healthy we would've beat your team last year" line of logic (Madcap that is NOT directed at you).
My in-laws still live in Buffalo and are big Sabres fans and at least once per visit, my father in law throws that in a conversation and I've had to bite my tongue every time.
So, this year, now that they've lost and were completely healthy, my husband created the picture below that kermel referenced in her post above. I apologize if this offends anyone but I think it is just very appropriate for all the Sabres fans that said they "deserved" the Cup more than us and had their names already etched on it this year (see that pic of those guys posted above ;) )

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k20/hsolovey/sabres1.jpg

[kermelbar]

Heehee! Props to Mr. wardo30! :lol:

[StormWarning]

I am not refering to you, you actually discuss topics instead of hurling down unwarrented insults.

However, the point is moot. Let's put it behind us shall we?

Well said. Honestly, I think we need more fans feeding this board (Caniacs and otherwise) and haven't found any reason to take such hostile issue with TheMadCap.

SHC (whose posts I enjoy btw) pointed out (sarcastically I know) that TheMadCap wasn't properly building good will. But that's one thing that worries me about this board.

New members come in and want to talk hockey but don't act like sheep, get shot down by the social club and go away. When all is said and done, a full season later, it's a board with posts coming from (for the most part) the same social circle with little new blood.

I'd like this board to grow to be undeniably the best Canes and hockey board around, but no new members (regardless of their team) hurts that.

That being said, if you're a jerk... goodbye! Otherwise, bring it! I'm glad to talk hockey with anyone.

Back on topic... I can't imagine Buffalo coming up with any excuses that hold any water. Months ago, you could see this team was very good and that anything but making the SCF would be deemed a failure. Ottawa didn't apparently care much about the Presidents Trophy and simply worked harder. Congrats to the Sens.

[Guyute]

I could argue much of your post ^. Instead I'll just pick one out and move on afterward.

I'd like this board to grow to be undeniably the best Canes and hockey board around

It already is. Look around at the other options. If you haven't, I'd encourage you to do so. There's a reason civil fans of other teams come here... because they have much better luck having a door opened for them here than elsewhere.

Aside from that, there's a suggestion forum. Feel free to use it.
Caniac also has an "open door" policy (as do all of us, but he's the boss) so feel free to bend his ear.

[StormWarning]

I could argue much of your post ^. Instead I'll just pick one out and move on afterward.


It already is. Look around at the other options. If you haven't, I'd encourage you to do so. There's a reason civil fans of other teams come here... because they have much better luck having a door opened for them here than elsewhere.

Aside from that, there's a suggestion forum. Feel free to use it.
Caniac also has an "open door" policy (as do all of us, but he's the boss) so feel free to bend his ear.


Honestly... what's to argue? That TheMadCap hasn't done anything wrong or that alternate opinions don't simply get ignore-listed? I'm not trying to be sarcastic. I really am interested in your opinion on this one as a long-standing member with 8K+ posts.

I post here because I believe this is the best around. Other options are limited and pretty much very lacking.

I guess you and I may disagree on the definition of "civil" maybe? I love other teams fans coming here. Many great ones came here during the SCF last year. Great posts and debates. But does that mean TheMadCap is not civil?

Also, I have no suggestion for Caniac. He does an excellent job.

[Shell]

I definitely know where you are coming from and agree with a lot of it StormWarning. I feel bad for any decent Buffalo fans who come to this board as they just don't have a chance. However, as long as our long time members aren't crossing the line, they have just as much right to voice their opinion as anyone else.

Not much we can do about the "social circle".. it happens when the same people have been posting to each other for several years, have met, and become friends. I am not trying to exclude anyone, but it is easier to understand where someone is coming from if you know them well.

For the locals, we always have an open invite to our tailgates and people are always welcome to come hang with us.. we may have a social circle but it is not closed. I think SoCal and her friends also say the same. If someone wants to be a part of it, they can.. some people just prefer to complain about cliques and want no part of it.. to each their own!

[StormWarning]

^ Thanks for the reply Shell. Glad to know I'm not imagining things... aside from the occasional pink elephant or two.

Also don't get me wrong. I'm not saying anything insane like "disband the social circle!" or anything stupid like that. I think it's great to move beyond the message board! Truly fantastic.

The tailgates sound great. I wish I was closer than the coast to take better advantage, but I do get the kids to several games a year so I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Hey... was that last line about me? ;)

BTW... I'll try to get it back on topic again... How about "if we were more depleted with defensive injuries, we would have advanced"

[livinthedream]

Whew. Folks, I really hope I wasn't the person who stirred up this pot, it wasn’t my intent, and if I was I apologize for that. I went back and read my post, and MadCap, I want to make sure you are crystal clear that I was not intending to single you out in my response to your original post. I used the wrong choice of words yesterday when I replied, my intent was to say “ya’ll” or “you all” and I ended up saying “you” instead. Since you said you’ve been here since the start of this board, I assume you’ve read some of the posts I’ve made throughout the series about my general tedium with “all things Buffalo” (the collective “you”), so you understood where I was coming from.

That all being said, I do think that if someone posts in a thread, started by our FORUM ADMINSTRATOR, that was obviously intended to be a tongue-in-cheek way for us to blow off a little steam and make fun of the Sabres, and says they can’t fathom why we hate, it’s a little like lobbing a softball over the net to McEnroe (or Federer, for those who aren't old enough to know who McEnroe is) and being surprised when he smashes it back. ;)

And just to get back on topic, here’s another excuse:

Amber and Andrew wanted a June wedding.

[ONeillsNo1Fan]

And just to get back on topic, here’s another excuse:

Amber and Andrew wanted a June wedding.

:D :laugh:

[livinthedream]

I miss Amber. :cry:

[StormWarning]

it’s a little like lobbing a softball over the net to McEnroe (or Federer, for those who aren't old enough to know who McEnroe is) and being surprised when he smashes it back. ;)


McEnroe I know... Who's Federer ;)

[apolinar]

NExt excuse. We lost this year because of all the injuries LAST year.

Next: We lost because the hurricanes dive.

Next: We lost because the Senators are a better team this year than the Hurricanes were last year.

Next: We lost because Justin Williams hit our captain in the eye with his stick (Borrowed from Canadiens fans)

Next: We lost because we're scared of Pronger's elbows.

Next: We lost because of the Jinx of having new jerseys. (Didn't they ever learn the legend of lucky undies? You just keep wearing them and wearing them. WHat fool put them in their retro jerseys yesterday????)

[livinthedream]

Saw this posted on another board and had to steal it:

Let's Golf Buffalo (Clap Clap Clap-Clap-Clap)

[Canesluver]

I was out running errands and heard the funniest caller into XM's "Odd Man Rush" program.

I heard this just after throwing up in Harris Teeter, but before locking myself out of my car and having to wait for AAA.... but that's a story for another day.....

Anyways:

The conversation was centering around with this much of a lay-off that Ottawa is going to have before the Final round starts, they can choose to practice but it's not really the same as being in real competition.

The caller said (and I'm paraphrasing), "You know, since it looks like Buffalo, two years-in-a-row is so good at warming up a Cup Finalist, they shouldn't head to the links just yet. They should hire themselves out for scrimmages with Ottawa. That's something they'd be good at!"

:laugh: I thought the hosts of the show would bust a gut laughing!

[livinthedream]

^ Good one! :lol:

Hey ya'll, check this out on shop.nhl.com:

http://shop.nhl.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2738504&cp=1919743.1920598&parentPage=family&clickid=body_bestsell_img

[Canesluver]

Hey, if they've declared themselves NY state champions, then .... I guess we can say the 'Canes are the North Carolina State Champions!! :beatup:

[StormShaman]

And just to get back on topic, here’s another excuse:

Amber and Andrew wanted a June wedding.

I just sprayed Diet Coke all over my monitor! :lol:

AAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMBBBBBBEEEEEERRRRRRR!!!! COME BACK! WE MISS YOU, HONEST! :kiss:

For the sake of clarity, my issue with our latest Buffalo Interloper is that he's giving me the definite impression that we're all supposed to say "Yes, we recognize that the Sabres are the better team and that they'd have won the Cup last season if they hadn't been hurt"--which is something that I don't agree with in the least. If the Sabres are so great, then why did they get pwnt in five games this time around?

Sorry--but the Sabres got all the breaks this time around, and they couldn't capitalize. So for one of their fans to come here and expect me to cop to their double-standard? I don't think so, kids.

That's why I tossed MadCap on ignore. If that means that I'm "irrational" to him, then so be it.

Hail to the Redskins. ;)

[SouthernHockeyChick]

That all being said, I do think that if someone posts in a thread, started by our FORUM ADMINSTRATOR, that was obviously intended to be a tongue-in-cheek way for us to blow off a little steam and make fun of the Sabres, and says they can’t fathom why we hate, it’s a little like lobbing a softball over the net to McEnroe (or Federer, for those who aren't old enough to know who McEnroe is) and being surprised when he smashes it back. ;)


And that is exactly what SCORES of Buffalo fans have come here and done. So please, pardon us if we don't give you (any Buffalo fans) the benefit of the doubt. If you proclaim that the Sabres are your team, you're guilty until proven innocent to a whole bunch of folks here. Maybe it's not fair, but it is what it is.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Hey ya'll, check this out on shop.nhl.com:

http://shop.nhl.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2738504&cp=1919743.1920598&parentPage=family&clickid=body_bestsell_img

Man. It's just so pathetic, it's almost getting sad.

[StormWarning]

^ Good one! :lol:

Hey ya'll, check this out on shop.nhl.com:

http://shop.nhl.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2738504&cp=1919743.1920598&parentPage=family&clickid=body_bestsell_img


If I hadn't seen and followed the link myself, I would have thought it was a hoax. State Champs?!? What's that?!?

[TheMadCap]

I just sprayed Diet Coke all over my monitor! :lol:

AAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMBBBBBBEEEEEERRRRRRR!!!! COME BACK! WE MISS YOU, HONEST! :kiss:

For the sake of clarity, my issue with our latest Buffalo Interloper is that he's giving me the definite impression that we're all supposed to say "Yes, we recognize that the Sabres are the better team and that they'd have won the Cup last season if they hadn't been hurt"--which is something that I don't agree with in the least. If the Sabres are so great, then why did they get pwnt in five games this time around?

Sorry--but the Sabres got all the breaks this time around, and they couldn't capitalize. So for one of their fans to come here and expect me to cop to their double-standard? I don't think so, kids.

That's why I tossed MadCap on ignore. If that means that I'm "irrational" to him, then so be it.

Hail to the Redskins. ;)


If I was on his ignore list, then how did he know I called him irrational?

I think you should have at least waited to see what I had to say before doing so. And I would ask anyone who thinks I am here to brag about how great Buffalo is to point out in ANY of my posts where I have said so. Folks, the fact is there are lots of "ifs" and they don't mean a damn thing. I prefer to live in the present.

And I am from WNY, but I've lived in NC since 1980. I now live in VA. So a Buffalo interloper I am not. I am here to talk hockey cause all the current forums for the Sabres want to talk about is "who should we keep", "should Lindy be fired" blah, blah, blah. Hell with that, I want to talk hockey...

[TheMadCap]

And that is exactly what SCORES of Buffalo fans have come here and done. So please, pardon us if we don't give you (any Buffalo fans) the benefit of the doubt. If you proclaim that the Sabres are your team, you're guilty until proven innocent to a whole bunch of folks here. Maybe it's not fair, but it is what it is.


So what exactly do I need to do to be proven not a troll by your standards?

And I agree, that shirt is horrid, and anyone who wears one is a dillhole...

[Fghtr4jc]

Hey, Buffalo may be the NY state champs, but we're both the NC AND SC State Champs. That's right, its "Carolina" Hurricanes. We're doubly state champs. ;)

[puck_it]

madcap, hey, here's an idea.... give it a ****ing rest already...

you know who this reminds me of? that ****er who came here and was like "what is a goal" or soemthing like that... I dont think it was that bad, but it was pretty obvious... we explained it and then he just kept asking and asking not accepting anything as an answer. and ended up exploding and being a total ass wipe about everything.

You see, you keep asking how to prove you're not a troll... heres how: give it up. stop asking how to prove yourself worthy, stop asking how people who have ignroed you know you say certain things, stop asking why we hate buffalo, stop asking why we're rubbing salt in your wounds... Come here, talk hockey, dont question our motives, dont question our tastes, dont question why we hate buffalo when it's been spelled out NUMEROUS times.

Talk HOCKEY... you were doing so well until you decided to take exception to why we hate buffalo and are not giving you the benefit of the doubt. it's been explained. All you're doing by challenging us non stop is corroborating that everyone from buffalo is an annoying f*ck stick.

drop it.

[caneshockeychick]

Buff/Ott series is over...And Ottawa won the Eastern Conference.

There's still at least 1 more game in the Western Conference to be played, if not 2. How bout MadCap, you bring yourself over to that thread and start talking hockey. Then we'll know you like to talk about more than the Sabres, who we all seem to hate around here. ;)

[WillLikeWhoa091]

In other news:

How great is it for Alfredsson to be the one that sinks the series ender? All his career he has been criticized for being the one guy that never showed up in the playoffs, and now with Heatly and Spezza on his line, he's finally flipped the switch and became the quality player that everyone knew he could be.

I'm personally pulling for Gerber to get his 2nd ring in 2 years.

And seriously, the only thing that Buffalo has to blame for the way their series ended is their own shoddy play. Not once during the playoffs did they look like the dominant team that they were in the regular season. The Islanders were playing above their talent level, and were no match for the Sabres from the beginning. The Rangers gave them a run for their money. When Buffalo pushed Ottawa this year, to quote someone on NBC today, the Senators pushed back, and the Sabres weren't ready for that.

Go Sens Go!

[Dammit100]

I enjoy this one:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

So what exactly do I need to do to be proven not a troll by your standards?


puck_it and CHC answered perfectly. Accept that we hate Buffalo, whether you think our reasons are fair or not; stop trying to convince us otherwise and get us to praise, or agree to any of your praise, your team; and prove that you do indeed give a rip about hockey that the Sabres aren't playing by contributing to another thread. That's a start, anyway. And more than just about all of the other Buffalo visitors we've had around here (SW totally not included in that) have managed.

As a matter of fact, SW is a good example. He/she hasn't once tried to convince us we're wrong about Buffalo or called us irrational. He/she accepted that we hate them, accepted that we're entitled to that opinion, and just talked about the game.

I understand. I couldn't go to another team's message board and watch them rip up the Canes, say terribly unfair things about my players, lump all my team's fans into one big category of "*******", etc, etc. But that's why I wouldn't go there. And I certainly wouldn't go there and expect to get fair discussion about my team.

I suspect if you stop in the Detroit/Anaheim thread and just give the entire Buffalo subject a rest, you'd find yourself very welcome. :)

[Dr. Voice]

I enjoy this one:

Nice.

[harryhaller]

I only said I think that the series might have played out differently.



This is true. Doug Janik wouldn't have scored for Buffalo in game 7 because he wouldn't have been playing.

[nccanes]

:lol:

[puck_it]

:laugh::laugh:i love it... great answer!

[TheMadCap]

puck_it and CHC answered perfectly. Accept that we hate Buffalo, whether you think our reasons are fair or not; stop trying to convince us otherwise and get us to praise, or agree to any of your praise, your team; and prove that you do indeed give a rip about hockey that the Sabres aren't playing by contributing to another thread. That's a start, anyway. And more than just about all of the other Buffalo visitors we've had around here (SW totally not included in that) have managed.

As a matter of fact, SW is a good example. He/she hasn't once tried to convince us we're wrong about Buffalo or called us irrational. He/she accepted that we hate them, accepted that we're entitled to that opinion, and just talked about the game.

I understand. I couldn't go to another team's message board and watch them rip up the Canes, say terribly unfair things about my players, lump all my team's fans into one big category of "*******", etc, etc. But that's why I wouldn't go there. And I certainly wouldn't go there and expect to get fair discussion about my team.

I suspect if you stop in the Detroit/Anaheim thread and just give the entire Buffalo subject a rest, you'd find yourself very welcome. :)


No problems with that...

On another note, I have a question: Do people here like to talk about the Panthers? Is there a forum you know of for that? I remember the main NFL site had one, but it got shut down after the Super Bowl run. Has anyone expressed interest in an Off Topic section of this board? Thanks.

[Fghtr4jc]

Any panthers threads appear in the "pro sports" section, but since its the offseason, i wouldn't expect any threads right now.

[StormChaserBH]

No problems with that...

On another note, I have a question: Do people here like to talk about the Panthers? Is there a forum you know of for that? I remember the main NFL site had one, but it got shut down after the Super Bowl run. Has anyone expressed interest in an Off Topic section of this board? Thanks.

There's a Pro Sports section of this board here that has some Panthers talk:

http://letsgocanes.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=17

I'll let you judge for yourself how much is there, but it does generate a thread once in a while...


(argh.. sniped by a matter of seconds :) )

[Caniac]

Panther's Huddle (http://www.panthershuddle.com) is a great spot for Panthers discussion.

[Fghtr4jc]

That's a pretty cool site, it was a lot like ours so it was easy to navigate, thanks caniac!

[caniac369]

:lol:

[StormWarning]

Very good reply by SHC a few posts back BTW. I'll save space by not quoting the whole thing, but a good read.

[StormChaserBH]

OK, I gotta share this, and this looks like as good a thread as any since it's kind of a series wrap-up....

I follow woot.com regularly -- it's the mac daddy of the "one deal a day" websites -- they also have a funny new podcast every weekday, and today's is about one of our favorite subjects... I quote:

"The Stanley Cup Finals are comin' around,
but the Sabres are not gonna go-oooo...."

http://woot.com and click on the "wootcast" icon in the right column! Started my day off with a laugh!

[wardo30]

:lol: :lol:

Thanks for that link, that song is great!

[StormShaman]

Man, that makes me want to write a filk of Bob Marley's classic "Buffalo Soldier". :lol:

[alison]

:laugh: That was great! I forgot about the woot.com podcast - I've ordered quite a few things from them before (I'm a sucker for all the stuff they put up during the Woot Offs!). Now if I could just get in on more Bags 'O Crap...

[StormChaserBH]

Page 7 of the forum for today's item has my response:

Best wootcast ev-uh!

Sincerely,
http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/4774/brindamourwithcuput6.jpg
The Champs (for another couple of weeks anyway)

[caneshockeychick]

It's all Zubrus' fault ;)

Sabres' Zubrus was bothered by knee injury

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=208451&hubname=nhl

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - A knee injury forced Sabres forward Dainius Zubrus (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/player_bio.asp?player_id=1733) to miss Buffalo's season-ending loss against Ottawa in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final.

Zubrus confirmed the injury on Monday, two days after the loss. NHL teams aren't required to identify injuries during the playoffs.
Zubrus said he's not sure whether he'll require surgery to repair damaged cartilage. He had arthroscopic surgery on the same knee in the summer of 2005.

He said his knee began hurting during the second-round series against the New York Rangers, which Buffalo won in six games. After playing the first three games against Ottawa, Zubrus was limited to only 4 minutes in Game 4. He sat out the game Saturday.

Acquired at the trade deadline in February in a deal with Washington, Zubrus had four goals and four assists in 19 regular-season games with Buffalo. He added eight assists in 15 playoff games, while playing a key checking role.

A 10-year NHL veteran, Zubrus completed the final year of his contract and is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

[puckin_A]

the song was great and they actually were not too mean. I could of been alot meaner :)

[caneshockeychick]

New Excuse: The Sabres were featured on the cover of The Hockey News' May 22 issue proclaiming Buffalo "The New Hockeytown?"

Which I just got today BTW, May 23rd...:mad:

[Fghtr4jc]

New Excuse: The Sabres were featured on the cover of The Hockey News' May 22 issue proclaiming Buffalo "The New Hockeytown?"

Oh heck no.

[Pirate Caniac]

I am so incredibly sick of hearing about the Sabres and the excuses from last season. Its seems to have slipped everyone's minds that we beat the Sabres every game in regular season except for one last year. And if you want to bring healthy players into it the game we did lose was lost with an ill goal tender in net. And oh yes- missing a little piece of our team called Erik Cole.

We managed to be in the running for the top spot in the league just about all season until we had to regroup later in the year but that seems to have slipped people's minds as well. We went quitely limping into the finals and still managed to win it all. We will never know the extent of injuries the Canes were playing with but the number of surgeries during the off season gives some what of a hint.

I was hoping that after the Slugs were all but shut out of the finals after winning the Presidents trophy the comments would stop but I see thats not going to happen.

Well said!

The difference in the ECF last year wasn't injuries. Both the Slugs and the Canes had lots of injuries.

The difference was that the Slugs who were injured were sitting in the press box, while the Canes that were injured were still out on the ice playing their hearts out. Which shows the Canes won because they wanted it more. That's how championships are won.

End of story.

[SoCalcaniac]

New Excuse: The Sabres were featured on the cover of The Hockey News' May 22 issue proclaiming Buffalo "The New Hockeytown?"

Which I just got today BTW, May 23rd...:mad:

Ours arrived yesterday as well CHC, and I could barely pull it out of the box when I realized who was on the cover. I thought it was pretty fitting that they were on the cover- after all - we all know the 'feature photo' on THN is kinda like that Sports Illustrated curse: The Kiss of DEATH. :lol: ;)

For those who don't get THN-the pages of the coverstory on BUF had artwork on the corner of each page that said "Lets go Buf-a-Lo".

As if.

[caneshockeychick]

^ Yep, when I saw mine I was like "so that's why the Sabres lost!" ;)


Aren't their "USA" offices in Buffalo :lol:

[caniac369]

The difference was that the Slugs who were injured were sitting in the press box, while the Canes that were injured were still out on the ice playing their hearts out.

Exactly. So soon they forget- KAds showing up to the parade the next day with a CAST on his wrist and, oh yeah, no nevermind that one bad hit in game 6 or 7 and Cole could have been even more seriously injured (as if a BROKEN NECK wasn't serious enough; I know these things weren't of issue until the Finals, but I'm trying to make a point).

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Here's a banner they can hang.....

http://www.nhl.com/nhlstats/app?component=completePlusMinusLeaderList&page=Home&service=direct


:lol:

[caniac369]

^ LOVE it!! :D

[redblackhockey]

The difference was that the Slugs who were injured were sitting in the press box, while the Canes that were injured were still out on the ice playing their hearts out. Which shows the Canes won because they wanted it more. That's how championships are won.

End of story.
Jeez. I hate to say something in defense of the Sabres here, but it has to be done.
It isn't as if the Sabres players were sitting out with soreness, or sprained wrists, or things like that. They had serious injuries that required them to sit out.
Jay McKee had a staph infection resulting from a cut on his leg. This is potentially life-threatening. If you do anything to aggrivate that infection (ie sweat), you're asking for big trouble. I don't think it's a case of him not "wanting it" enough. He could have died if he had played.

Dmitri Kalinin had a broken ankle. Skating is kinda hard with a broken ankle.

Henrik Tallinder had a broken left arm. Not a wrist. An arm. As in, his arm was immobile.

Tim Connolly and Adam Mair had concussions. Connolly's was very serious, as he missed the majority of 2006-07 because of it.

Tallinder might could have played, but the others are definite no-gos.

Kevyn Adams played the SCF with what turned out to be a broken wrist, but he didn't know it at the time. Aaron Ward played through a concussion, which was a very seriously risky thing to do.

During the ECF, though, our only injury to speak of was Cole's neck. Comparatively, we were in terrific health.

I'm not trying to be a Sabre-lover, but you can't accuse them of not wanting it enough. If anything, they should be applauded. Their blueline was decimated by injury, and they had no choice but to send a bunch of AHLers out there. They did a fantastic job with limited resources.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

So, I guess they didn't want it this year.

And we don't deserve the Cup because our team is in the South and we got lucky. Now our two franchises are equal in the fans saying unfair crap. :huh:

Seriously, I thought some of the same stuff you're saying there, but I just can't muster a "give a sh*t" about unfairness towards the Sabres.


BTW, playing with a broken ankle has been done. 1964 Toronto Maple Leafs.

[puck_it]

Dmitri Kalinin

Kaliner? kalina? is it Kalina? ok Kalina. [/cherry]

[livinthedream]

I'm not trying to be a Sabre-lover, but you can't accuse them of not wanting it enough. If anything, they should be applauded. Their blueline was decimated by injury, and they had no choice but to send a bunch of AHLers out there. They did a fantastic job with limited resources.

And yet.....they are not the Possessor of the Goblet of Stanley 2006.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Sorry. Just love having the excuse to say it, yet once again. It never grows old, does it???

:D

[Pirate Caniac]

Sorry, but yeah. There were a couple of injuries like McKee (who I give a lot of credit for playing what he did) and maybe Connolly, but the others could have possibly played. All it takes is a doctor twisting a few rules and giving the okay. Don't tell me that isn't done, because it happens every day in every pro sport, especially hockey. We might even see it with Hedican soon. So long as both the organization and the player are okay with it, there isn't much that would stop someone from playing that really wanted to.

There were Canes playing with non-disclosed injuries, as well. We can't be totally certain what exactly all of them were unless someone airs it all or has connections. I do clearly remember hearing John and Tripp talking about all the injuries in the lockeroom, which would have meant the entire playoffs were being played by a broken and run-down team since that goes back to the Montreal series still shown on FSN. The slide they'd been on points back even further into the regular season than that.

The K. Adams and A. Ward ones are the best known, only because they came out publicly in the media about them. Kaberle and Stillman both needed shoulder surgery, though. How many others were in for surgeries or treatments, as well? For most we may never know unless we have connections where they had their treatments done.

Sorry, but I still don't buy it as an excuse. These guys had the chance to play for the Stanley Cup. The Canes risked their health and careers to win it (and paid for it this last season), while the Sabres didn't. Maybe they would have done differently looking back.

[caniac369]

^ And again, what about Cole? One bad hit and the guy may never have played hockey again, let alone be able too pick up his kids.

[Cool Hand Luke]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, if these injured defensemen were so invaluable where were they this year in the playoffs when they were healthy? For all we know or anyone can prove, those AHLer's from last year played with as much heart and grit as the boys this year, if not more.

[Pirate Caniac]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, if these injured defensemen were so invaluable where were they this year in the playoffs when they were healthy? For all we know or anyone can prove, those AHLer's from last year played with as much heart and grit as the boys this year, if not more.

And that's exactly what I was saying last year during the ECF's. Buffalo took a team that beat them 3 games to 1 in the regular season to seven games with a bunch of AHL'ers, and all we heard was complaining about "If our starters on D were healthy." But as I kept saying, maybe it says more about those guys they brought up than anything else.

[redblackhockey]

Those guys aren't idiots. If they could have played, they would have.

I'm not trying to help them make excuses. I just wanted to point out the fallacy in saying that they didn't "want it enough" because their injured guys weren't playing. McKee very seriously could have DIED if he had played. A staph infection isn't something to mess about with. And Connolly couldn't have gotten on a plane with his head the way it was, let alone play hockey.

The others, maybe they could have played, but I doubt it. They knew the importance of those games, and I really think that if it was doable, they would have played through those injuries.

Doug Weight wanted desperately to play through his injury, but there was no way. I'm sure it was the same for those Sabres players. Don't be so naive as to think that only our players are brave enough to play injured.

[Canesluver]

Well.... this is the excuses thread.... so we don't have to be logical or fair!


bwwaaaahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha hahahahahaha

[puck_it]

Those guys aren't idiots

I thought we were talking about buffalo :huh:

[StormShaman]

I thought we were talking about buffalo :huh:

That's why he said "idiots" and not "thugs". ;)

[puck_it]

i think they're pretty idioty. I'd decline Briere booze at Stoppe-n-Robbe. stupid lil ****er

[StormShaman]

i think they're pretty idioty. I'd decline Briere booze at Stoppe-n-Robbe. stupid lil ****er

Now see, I'd be nice and sell him the 12-pack....and then I'd call the heat on him for Open Container the minute he left the lot.

Not that I've ever done anything like that before or anything. ;)

[SouthernHockeyChick]

OK, let's set the record straight on a "staph infection". It's a pet peeve of mine. You know what kills staph? Penicillin. The oldest antibiotic in the world. You know where staph lives? Your skin. ALL OVER YOU all the time.

I'm really not even arguing anything about McKee as I don't know the details but, people hear "staph infection" and freak the F out. Yes, there are resistant, deadly, awful kinds of staph. But most staph lives on you. Now. Always. Just hearing the words "staph infection" does not automatically equal deadly.

Regarding Jay McKee, I remember reading it was actually the flu that kept him out of game 7, not the staph infection. Were he having flu-like symptoms that were related to the staph, then he absolutely would have been hospitalized and that would have been huge. I never heard he was in the hospital.

[SoCalcaniac]

Thanks SHC - a friend of mine who has doctors in her family, clarified that exact same point you just made, when I got sick of reading about the excuses and had the question myself.

McKee was never in the hospital- does anyone recall the game day 'breaking news' on XM and I believe 850 reported that McKee was being flown in for game 7 on Golisano's private jet........ ?


Don't be so naive as to think that only our players are brave enough to play injured.



I don't think anyone here is being 'naive' and only believe our players are "brave" to play through injuries; that's just silly. One only need to look at every playoff series to see brave hockey players all over the daggone place.

Personally, I don't think most posters were saying that Buffalo didn't 'want it enough' of course they wanted it; they're pro atheletes. I'm saying they weren't the better team last year and lost, and they weren't the better team this year and uh, LOST; It's what they do. End of story.

[Pirate Caniac]

I don't think anyone here is being 'naive' and only believe our players are "brave" to play through injuries; that's just silly. One only need to look at every playoff series to see brave hockey players all over the daggone place.

Personally, I don't think most posters were saying that Buffalo didn't 'want it enough' of course they wanted it; they're pro atheletes. I'm saying they weren't the better team last year and lost, and they weren't the better team this year and uh, LOST; It's what they do. End of story.

Exactly. I don't believe only our players did that. Like I said, you see it happen every day in every sport out there. Pros, college, amateurs even.

Maybe I see it differently than others see it, but to me that shows the desire and drive that some athletes have by putting it all on the line to win. Whether it is right or wrong is a separate issue, but you can't ignore that it does exist in sports at all levels. It can even raise a team with less talent above one that is far superior on paper. The Yankees would win the World Series every year if it were won by who had the most talent alone, for example.

I would have to say, though, that just because someone is a pro athlete doesn't mean they have the desire to put it all on the line to win. You can also find plenty of examples throughout history of athletes who had tons of talent but didn't have the desire to really use it to its full potential. How many times has there been a big draft pick who has bombed because they looked great on paper, but once they got to play in the big game they played with a horrible attitude and ended up being a huge bust?

Also, since I'm the one who said it I'd like to clarify what exactly I meant. I never said that the Buffalo players didn't want it enough, I said that the Canes wanted it more. There is a difference there. Buffalo probably would have won the ECF if it were against another team, even one better on paper that didn't have as much drive. But the Canes played most of the 05-06 season with the Whatever It Takes attitude, and many were playing for what still might be their last opportunity to win the Cup. As cliche as it might sound, that can most definitely make a difference and raise the play of a team.

Buffalo came across to me in both of the past two seasons as being very talented, but cocky and full of an attitude that they were owed to win it all because they felt they were better, rather than showing it on the ice. It's one thing to be confident and believe in yourself, totally different to feel you are better and that you should win by default. Sure, this past year they won the Presidents Trophy, but they didn't win when it counted most. There are a few players on their roster from each year that I do respect and would love to see on "my" team (McKee was a huge thorn for the Canes in the ECF, and I really like Drury), but I also feel that there is this attitude that seeps down thru the organization from Ruff, who with a better attitude I think would possibly be one of the best coaches in history. Instead he whines and makes excuses when things don't go his way, and most of the team does as well, and even down to many of the fans.

Much of why this thread exists in the first place.

[puckin_A]

OK, let's set the record straight on a "staph infection". It's a pet peeve of mine. You know what kills staph? Penicillin. The oldest antibiotic in the world. You know where staph lives? Your skin. ALL OVER YOU all the time.

I'm really not even arguing anything about McKee as I don't know the details but, people hear "staph infection" and freak the F out. Yes, there are resistant, deadly, awful kinds of staph. But most staph lives on you. Now. Always. Just hearing the words "staph infection" does not automatically equal deadly.

Regarding Jay McKee, I remember reading it was actually the flu that kept him out of game 7, not the staph infection. Were he having flu-like symptoms that were related to the staph, then he absolutely would have been hospitalized and that would have been huge. I never heard he was in the hospital.

nope, you can have staph and not be hospitalized but it's HIGHLY contagious. I had a friend that had it and she was off work for a long time but never hospitalized. Maybe she couldn't come back because we worked in Surgery :D ....though..............ya think?? And that is where she got it.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

But did she have flu-like symptoms? That indicates a systemic infection. At the very least you'd have to be on IV antibiotics at home and you'd more than likely need supportive care that, as much as you might like to get a person that infectious out of the hospital, wouldn't be possible at home.

[puckin_A]

it was so long ago, I just remember alot of SORES on her body.

[CANESFREAKinDET]

I miss Amber. :cry:

OMFG.

I LOVE YOU.

:laugh: :D :laugh: :D

After my laughing hysterics though. :D It was easier for me to kinda lay low when things got heated. I haven't been back at my Buffalo board in forever, wondering when I'll amble back over there. It was hard for me in the beginning when I first revealed my Caniac/Sabre-ness on both ends, and now that both aren't in the playoffs, there's less heat to take I guess. I have MISSED the board and I have missed you guys, believe me I NEVER left simply to leave. It was just probably better that I did, before anything I said was taken the wrong way, or me getting mistaken for a true troll, which believe me, I could never be like that.

I've become really proud of who I am. Both a Caniac and a Sabrefan...my car even has split allegiances and I have personalized jerseys from both teams. I promise I wont ever be annoying on the board, perhaps some reason why I stayed away in the beginning was because I felt I was, I don't know. But I can't stay away from here. I love it tooooo much. :smoke: :kiss: :kiss: :kiss: hugs and many kisses for all!!

[CANESFREAKinDET]

omg and how you said we wanted a June wedding. I laughed SO HARD. I have been away way too long I sposes. :evil:

[toastmasterbone]

Glad to see you back, A. :)

[nccanes]

Hi A!!!!

I have to admit - the A&A June Wedding excuse made me laugh the most I think! :lol:

[IceSaber]

puck-it...um idioty
Is that a Trippism?

[puck_it]

puck-it...um
Is that a Trippism?

i can say with definity that 'idioty' is not a trippism

[livinthedream]

Saw this on TSB, too funny to let it slip by...from FOX Sports NBA coverage:

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/6889548?MSNHPHCP&GT1=10136


Cleveland's suffering second-worst on our list
Jeff Gordon, FOXSports.com

San Antonio has grown accustomed to winning NBA titles. Its citizens are used to attending championship parades.

Elsewhere in the United States, though, long-suffering fans are clamoring for a world championship. Callers to sports talk radio shows and Internet message board posters express their angst daily.

"I've been a Buffalo sports fan all my life and except for the 64-65 AFL championships, well, you know the rest of the story," a poster identified as "Bilzfancy' wrote on Bills.com after the Sabres fell in the NHL's Eastern Conference finals. "I will not give up and will be a diehard but the curse of the Buffalo sports teams live on. I'm 54, how much longer do I have to wait??? This was our big shot at the Cup. Again, I will never give up but it really gets disheartening."

While Cleveland will get all the attention this week as the Cavs head to the NBA Finals intent on ending the city's four-decade long championship drought, it's Buffalo's faithful that can claim the title of America's longest-suffering fans. Here is how they stack up against the rest of the Top 10 Most Frustrated Sports Cities:

1. Buffalo

Winters in upstate New York are harsh. Folks turn to their Bills and Sabres for inspiration. What they get instead are exasperating near misses.

The Marv Levy-led Bills reached four consecutive Super Bowls, but lost each time. The Sabres reached the Stanley Cup Finals in two different eras but lost each time. The NBA's Buffalo Braves came and went without winning it all. And, oh yeah, it just keeps snowing and snowing.

RECURRING NIGHTMARES: The infamous bat-killing in the '75 Cup finals; Braves buyer John Y. Brown; Scott Norwood missing wide right in Super Bowl XXV; the Bills' "Music City Miracle" loss to Tennessee; Brett Hull beating the Sabres, illegally, with his Cup-clinching goal from the crease.

[Scottie2hottie]

^:lol: :laugh: :lol: :laugh: being a football fan too...i seriously dislike the bills as well. i feel so evil because this article makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside :evil:

[corylav]

Latest excuse coming out of Buffalo ...

Max’s story finally revealed

Afinogenov bumped head before playoff game

By Tim Graham

Maxim Afinogenov is a terrible liar. The Buffalo Sabres winger was asked about the secret injury he suffered last spring in the playoffs.
“What do you mean in the playoffs?” Afinogenov replied with the awkward indignation of a nervous child standing next to a broken vase. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Unbeknownst to the devious Russian, his coach already had told the tale.

Lindy Ruff scratched the longest-tenured Sabre from Game Four of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Rangers but wouldn’t say why at the time. Ruff promised to explain once the season was over.

Four months later, the mystery has been revealed.

“Max, while warming up playing soccer in the playoffs, flipped over backwards and hit his head on the concrete before Game Three in Long Island,” Ruff said, “and I don’t think he was right for a little while after that.”

Afinogenov bonked his head early in the first round, and, in Ruff’s opinion, the injury hampered the speedster’s play well into the second round.

Afinogenov recorded 23 goals and 61 points in 56 regular-season games. He had five goals and nine points in 15 playoff games.

Soccer is a popular pregame warm-up exercise for many teams. Igor Larionov introduced it when he came to the NHL from Russia in 1989. Soccer became increasingly trendy, especially among European players, during Larionov’s 14 seasons with five teams. The fad was bolstered when Larionov won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings in ’97 and ’98.

Players find an arena hallway, stand in a circle and, without using their hands, try to keep the ball from hitting the ground. It’s a good idea not to let heads strike the floor, either. Various competitions arise, making for a loose warm-up.

Three games into the postseason, though, the Sabres weren’t laughing.

“He fell straight back on his head,” Sabres winger Thomas Vanek said of Afinogenov’s spill. “Once he went down, we quit immediately.”

Afinogenov insisted his head was fine. Ruff still isn’t convinced.

Afinogenov’s play grew ever more frustrating to the point Ruff scratched him in the Rangers series.

“I was worried with where he was at after that,” Ruff said. “I had lots of conversations with him. We met two or three times on it. It just didn’t seem like, mentally, he was right.

“We did all the tests, but there was a little period of time where [it] just didn’t seem like he was right. He claimed he was, and I would argue, ‘I don’t think you are, with the way you’re playing.’ I think we saw a noticeable difference as the series went on again, even late in the Ranger series. His game got back.”

Afinogenov capped the amazing comeback in Game Five of the Rangers series. Chris Drury scored with 7.7 seconds left to force overtime, and Afinogenov won the game 4:39 into sudden death.

“I think when I come back I scored the game-winning goal right away,” Afinogenov said. “I proved that I could play, you know? What else can I say?”

Five years ago, Afinogenov reported to training camp with a severe concussion and forehead laceration amid suspicious circumstances. He alleged he was struck by a puck while playing in a pickup hockey game in Russia. When asked by reporters about the incident, he claims to have forgotten most details.

Afinogenov’s convenient memory lapses returned Tuesday.

Ruff said he hasn’t banned soccer before games. Afinogenov’s injury apparently didn’t scare anybody off.

“The next day, I think we played again,” Vanek said.

[StormShaman]

Wow, they're starting early this year! :evil:

[Alicia]

Players find an arena hallway, stand in a circle and, without using their hands, try to keep the ball from hitting the ground. It’s a good idea not to let heads strike the floor, either.:lol:

[nccanes]

I guess "juggling a soccer ball" isn't widely known to non soccer people so he had to describe it saying "without using their hands"

BB - when I read your quote (didnt read the whole article posted), I first read it "players find an arena hallway, stand in a circle and, while holding hands...." and I was waiting for ".....sing kumbayah" or "....say a prayer". :lol:

[Alicia]

I guess "juggling a soccer ball" isn't widely known to non soccer people so he had to describe it saying "without using their hands"

BB - when I read your quote (didnt read the whole article posted), I first read it "players find an arena hallway, stand in a circle and, while holding hands...." and I was waiting for ".....sing kumbayah" or "....say a prayer". :lol: LOL, E!