Good to see Mika's doing well

I'm sure a lot of you have seen it already, this huge bench-clearing brawl from Russia.

Here is the video:


Keep an eye out at the 0:45 mark.

You guessed it. That's former Sabre, Mika Noronen, with blood all over his face.

Noronen has been playing for Ak Bars since he left the Canucks in 2006. Noronen, the beloved Sabre who was part of the three-headed goalie monster of 2005-2006 (hint: the one that got cut off first), last played for the Sabres in a 5-0 loss to San Jose in December 2005.

Noronen, the Sabres' all-time franchise leader in goals by a goaltender (1), is also remembered for this great outburst in his time with the Amerks:

Why the Sabres are better than your team

These are our "all stars".



(I heard about it from a friend. A few days behind, but I found the video at Goose's Roost)

Sabres/Islanders Gameday

After that frustrating loss to the Bruins on Monday, the Sabres will look to get back on the right track tonight against the New York Islanders.

Ryan Miller appears to be ready to go after injuring his ankle Monday night. Jochen Hecht is also expected to play after sitting out practice yesterday.

Face off is at around 7:07 at HSBC Arena. MSG has the coverage.

In the spirit of being relevant, this Islanders fan is ready for a win tonight:

Thanks to The Postmen for that.

Ryan Miller featured in new NHL ads

Living in Buffalo, where stars don't usually grab national attention, it's kinda weird seeing hometown athletes being featured in nationwide advertisements. But it seems we have a star on our hands.

Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller is one of a handful of players featured in the new NHL promo campaign, themed "Live Every Shift". Other players featured are Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby, Washington's Alexander Ovechkin, Carolina's Eric Staal, Tampa Bay's Vincent Lecavalier and the head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes... some guy named Gretzky.

Miller seems to be the guy that the NHL is pushing as the league's best goaltender. Not surprising considering he's everything the NHL could ask for: young, talented, and American.

This kind of marketing push will get him some big publicity when it comes time for all-star voting, which begins soon. Miller was the starter for the Eastern Conference last year, and naturally is a top candidate to make the team this year. Which is exactly what this team needs: a star goalie going into the last year of his contract.

Here are the ads:

Looking back... before it's too late

As Saturday's draft approaches, it's the real beginning of the offseason. The beginning of the offseason means the end of last season, and it's pretty much the end of the team that won the President's Trophy as we know it.

Within the next couple weeks, there will be multiple players who will never wear a Sabres uniform again. It's sad, but change is inevitable. By the end of the month, all hell may break loose. No one knows what's gonna happen.

So, in celebration of the season, here's the video/slideshow montage I put together to remember the ride, with music from Buffalo's finest.

Enjoy.