Oh hey, let's talk about a game that happened three days ago! First home preseason game and I was able to attend so here are some thoughts.
Lots of regular forwards played - Vanek, Stafford, Pominville, Roy among them. I wasn't too happy with the offense in general the first two thirds of the game. Most of the defense was made up of younger guys - the most experienced one was Sekera, so that should tell you how young the D was that night. I like the Butler/Myers pairing, I would definitely like to see more of that combo in the future. Mike Weber...I would definitely not like to see more of the Mike Weber from Thursday night.
The problem with Thursday was that it seemed to be a bit too much like the same old Sabres. Too many pretty plays, too many defensive lapses. The good news is that it is still just the very beginning of the preseason so I won't read TOO much into it. yet. Of course there were bright spots as well - Tyler Ennis for example. I liked Tim Kennedy also. I was pleased with the goaltending as well. Jhonas Enroth played the least amount of all three goalies in the game (him and Lalime for the Sabres, and Varlamov for the Caps) faced more shots than all of them, and made as many saves as Varlamov saw shots.
Speaking of which....
Let me tell you about Jhonas Enroth.
I have been following this kid since the Sabres drafted him in the 2nd round (46th overall) in 2006. I have been waiting for so long to see him play in a game for the Sabres so when I found out he would finally be playing a preseason game at home I was so stoked. Yeah sure it was a preseason game that doesn't count but I really don't care! haha. This was only my second time seeing him playing a game in person, I usually have to watch online or something. Oh, and the Sabres finally gave him his #1 so that is super rad. That whole #31 deal last season was just not cutting it for me. haha.
I have his Tre Kronor jersey from the World Juniors so of course I wore it to the game (and since it's the yellow one everyone I knew who was also attending the game texted me telling me they could find me super easy "Oh hai I see Sweden!!!"). At random times throughout the night boys would tell me my jersey was awesome - some kid I walked by was like, "ENROOOTTTHH!!!" and raised his fist. \m/ Hardcore \m/
He got to go in during the second period, and for some reason this was when the Caps decided to start playing hockey. Seriously. Lalime saw 7 shots in the first period, and then played just over half a period in the second with no shots on him. Then Jhonas came in and BAM. 12 shots. 12 saves. I was so proud. The third period brought 13 more shots, but three Caps goals. I know I am biased but they were more a result of sloppy defense and the like. And one was definitely kicked in, but they don't worry about reviewing goals in the preseason so whatevs.
But then with about thirty seconds left in regulation they gave Jhonas a delay of game penalty for playing the puck behind the goal line to the left of the net. Once again I know I am biased, haha, and I only saw the replay on the jumbotron really quickly but to ME it looked like he brought it back and then played it just on the line and it was preeeeetty close. But WHATEVS. Then Mike Weber took a boarding penalty with about 15 seconds left, and well, the ending pretty much writes itself. The game goes to OT and the Sabres lose because well, if you don't score with a two man advantage in overtime you pretty much suck at life. And the Capitals unfortunately do not suck at life. So it was a sad ending (my poor boy! he played so well!) but overall the game was entertaining and it was fun being at a real game again. And hey, in the end, it doesn't count.
Last night the Sabres played in Detroit and surprise surprise they WON!! 3-1. I was unable to watch or listen because it was not home all night but from what I hear Ryan Miller basically stole the game. So great job Ryan. U is gud goalie!!!1111 I don't know why I'm typing like I'm on crack now, but it's probably a sign that I should be heading to bed. So good night. More tomorrow after Sabres/Capitals in DC!
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