Winter Classic: The only loser was the Sabres

Holy hell. There I go disappearing again. I feel compelled to make a post with all of the buzz surrounding yesterday’s Winter Classic (totally sponsored by AMP!!!!).

Looking back at it, the NHL really couldn’t of asked for any more. They probably asked for exactly what they got. Their golden boy, Sidney Crosby (who I hear is pretty good at this hockey thing) potted the winner in the shootout. Not many of the 71,000-plus spectators in attendance left before the end of the game, and with the endlessly picturesque snowfall, provided an awesome scene for television.

While it would be easy to complain about the NHL pushing Crosby down the throats of viewers as much as possible, for some Americans, it was probably their first glimpse at the league’s newest superstar. To his credit, he delivered. Sid made an early impact, setting up the first goal in the first minute. He provided a mid-game highlight with his circus deke past Jaro Spacek. And with the game on the line, Crosby was the hero with a walkoff shootout winner. Hockey newbies who got caught up watching the game will certainly know who Crosby is after that.

Even with Sid the Kid getting all the publicity, Ryan Miller was also in spotlight yesterday. It wasn’t just Crosby skating in on any goalie, it was Ryan Miller. The guy who’s in that AMP commercial! And the only goalie in those NHL ads! It’s nice to see a Buffalo athlete getting put in that spot.

It was a great day for the city and the people of Buffalo. It was a great day for the NHL. It was a great day for the game of hockey. This game was a talking point on every major sports show in the last 24 hours. The league needs that publicity.

It’s just too bad the Sabres didn’t pull out a victory. They certainly had their chances. But surprise, surprise: a Buffalo team falls on the national stage. You almost expected it.

Just like when Crosby skated in on Miller. You almost expected a goal.

Crosby was the hero. The fans showed up and stayed to the end. The weather was perfect. The NHL got what it wanted. You didn’t expect that.

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The Winter Classic has come and gone… and whaddya know? They’re now on a four game losing streak.

After winning a season high six in a row, the Sabres are 0-3-1 since Christmas. The Sabres have scored two goals in the last three games. Sure they faced Martin Brodeur last Friday, but they were scoreless through 4+ periods against TY CONKLIN. Yes, the same Ty Conklin that was not worth bringing back after last season. The same Ty Conklin that was 3rd in the Pittsburgh depth chart all season. The offense must show up Friday or it will easily be a five game losing streak.

The big show is over. This month is going to be huge. It starts Friday.

Please find this in the NHL rulebook

For those who missed it on Monday, the Versus broadcast was able to overhear the referee's explanation for Michael Ryan's misconduct penalty.



Honestly, I didn't know that was against the rules.

Say it ain't so, Jim!

Well, it's a sad day for Sabres fans. News broke today that no one really saw coming: Sabres color analyst Jim Lorentz is retiring.

During the final three preseason games, the team will use three different former Sabres players as the color commentator during the radio broadcasts -- Matthew Barnaby (Wednesday vs. Toronto), John Tucker (Friday at Pittsburgh) and Mike Robitaille (Saturday vs. Pittsburgh).

Lorentz has been a staple of Sabres television broadcasts since 1992. He spent 7 years as a player in the organization.

This is pretty much the beginning of the end of Rick Jeanneret as well. I can't imagine that he'll stick around for much longer, especially with the way the team seems to be regressing.

So, from all of us, thanks Jim, for years of blatantly obvious observations and witty comments.

Here's a selection from YouTube, part of the broadcast for the last game in the Aud.