~ The Boys are Back ~

Some might notice I am highlighting a bit of a different jersey today.  A different team.  Of course, I do have some of my boys in there as well.  :)  This weekend the boys played a home and home series against the Philadelphia Flyers.  The Flyers and the Sabres have a huge history.  Back in 1975 the teams met in the Stanley Cup Finals.  The boys lost, but not without a fight.  Back in the day the Flyers were known as the 'Broad Street Bullies.'  Big guys and very physical.  This season they look like they are trying to come back to that name.  Already this season they've had 8 players suspended for illegal hits.   Many a team have feared the wrath of the Flyers so far this year.  Add to the history the fact that two loved former Sabres are now on the team.  Marty Biron, who had been our back up goalie for years was traded last season.  He deserved a starting position, and I was extremely happy that his dream was coming true.  Made it very difficult for many a Sabre fan to 'hate' the Flyers.   Then in the off season Danny Briere went to Philly.   Danny is a goal scorer, and contributed a great deal to the team here.  A sad day, but at 10 Million a year something the Sabres were not going to do. 

 

So Friday the Flyers come to Buffalo.  Both former players were interviewed.  Most answers were politically correct.  Marty has always had a great sense of humor, and loved to play along with the humor the local sports media had in store.  One reporter asked Marty about the fans of Philly.  It's necessary to bring up some history on them too.  They are passionate, and I might add some are insane.  In the Eagles (football) stadium, there is a jail to house the rowdies who get out of hand.   Years ago when the Eagles played the Cowboys, Michael Irvin got hurt.  A broken leg I think.  The fans stood and cheered.  Now, I never liked Irvin either, but I would never cheer an injury.   JP Dumont, got hurt in Philly during a hockey game, they cheered then.  There was one fan who got into it with a hockey player as he sat in the penalty box.  He tried to climb over and the glass gave way.  He fell into the box with the player and started throwing punches.  Hello!?!?!  This guy has equipment on, what the hell are you thinking?   Too much beer maybe?  During many of the play off games we've had, I've seen the fans throw things on the ice, throw beers at the coach.  One time they even threw batteries at Santa.  WTF!?!   So back to my story.....   Marty is asked about the fans.  He replies with a bit of humor so not to piss off his new fans.  Remember he expects them to cheer for him.  'I don't know about throwing batteries at Santa.  He must of done something.  Maybe he asked for more for the toys he was going to give out that year.'   Cracked me up, but then it's not really funny. 

 

So game time.  The pre-game skate both players are cheered, but during the game they were the enemy.  Many boos as Danny touched the puck.  Cheers as Marty gave up a goal.  I think both players know they are adored by many here in Buffalo, but when the game begins all bets are off.  They are the opposing team.   The game was awesome!  Physical, and my boys did not back down.  They took the lead in the first.  Philly came back in the second to tie, then take the lead.  In the third we tied it.  With about 3 minutes left in the game Jochen Hecht scores to give the boys the lead.  Game ends 3-2. 

 

Game two was Saturday in Philly.  The hype about the physical play was more then it turned out to be, but it was physical.   There was more scoring though.  We took the lead early again, but before the period ended the score was tied at 1.   The second period was back and forth with each team scoring 3 goals.  Not a great night for either goaltender.  About 4 minutes into the third period Philly scored with the man advantage.  The score stayed that way.  Philly buckled down and allowed my boys only 7 shots on net.  It wasn't looking good.  Then with 7 seconds left in the game, Jochen Hecht takes a shot from the circle.  Vanek is in front of Marty, and is able to tip the puck to the back of the net.  Cardiac kids!  They scored to tie the game and send it to overtime.  There were a few tit for tat penalties called in OT, but the boys hung on.  Then the shoot out.  Ales Kotalik scores the only goal and the Sabres go on to win 6-5

 

So the boys are back, and it was nice to see them.  It was much nicer to have my boys back as they won both games and added 4 points to their standing.  They leaped into 6th place in the Conference with 39 points.   There aren't many points that separate the teams, but it is much better to be above the playoff line then below.   Boys play again on Wed and take on the team in first place in our Conference.  It would be nice if they could stitch another win into the mix. 

 

Merry Christmas!

Tags: Buffalo Sabres, Philadelphia Flyers, Broad street bullies, OT, Shootout, NHL