It is easy to write about praise and excitement, instead of doom and gloom. I am already at the point where I spare you the positives and start to point out the negatives, until somebody decides to make their knuckles bleed. I was ready to talk about a run and gun game that transpired in Pittsburgh after beating a Florida team without their two best players, but the demoralizing outcome was so predictable. We all were there, on the edge of our couch knowing that one of the best players of all time would take control. When will we transcend the inexperienced adolescence that seems to be reverberating throughout our team? When will the message from our coach eliminate trepidation and give our youthful group a work ethic that won’t be denied? When, will the fear of defeat at the buzzer subside, and the invigorating adrenaline of imposing your will permeate into the locker room? Enough is enough. I do not see our leaders getting perturbed. I do not see the tenacity necessary at the end of games that rivals the opponents’ vigor. I see a bunch of scared boys in professional gear, trying not to lose. Our stomachs are conditioned to these failures and the chain has not been broken. We have witnessed veteran groups slowly get into the heads of our kids, and we seem to have no answers as the box of integrity collapses.

Three points of a possible twelve, the exact start that we hoped for could have been mitigated with a slight promise of positive energy, but most moments it seems we are chasing something superior. This thing could be turned around pretty quickly, but the competition in the NHL doesn’t get any easier, nor does the schedule. Is our inept ability to close out games burrowing its way into an already challenged group behind the curtain? Are we cloaked in misfortune forever? Are we so conditioned to be pessimistic, and our souls can’t envision success, and therefore we as fans might be the problem? Lord, please give us a sign. We have endured too much. The first period of the Columbus game was unwatchable, Crosby and a young thirty-eight-year-old Malkin Frankenstein embarrassed us again on their home ice. I bet Lindy had flashbacks of Lemieux batting down that puck and scoring on Hasek in that crucial playoff game. Our defense is soft, we grip the sticks too hard when it can be simple, the message of accountability has been championed but not adhered to. Let’s just honor the Halloween season and pray that we are not out of it by November 1st. What the heck? This is boo crap. I don’t need to hear about hard practices, or an ESPN article that they are all in and know that they are a playoff team. What we need are results and proof that a wall will be run through for our city. That our exuded passion is not in vain, and the pixie dust that Adams has sprinkled on our team was not wasted. Kevyn, if you were not all in with your job on the line before, now is the time to order the biggest steak, even though you have had your third heart attack. Are you understanding me? We need to see something that is corporeal very soon before it is too late. Too many organizations make the post season with less. Hire a soothsayer, get some spiritual advice from the indigenous people who surround the arena that actually get it, figure something out quick. Don’t let Ruff be your scapegoat coach once again, stop being the rhetorical face instead of the all-important proverbial body. It is way too early to give into frustration, but we are used to this pathetic existence. Misery loves company, we have been let down too many times. It is not our job to make the sun shine through the clouds, it’s yours. Own it, fight for it for all of us.



On a funnier note, as we wait for the puck drop in Chicago, can we all actually believe what has transpired in the first six games? We can’t score then we can. Our defense looks ok, and then it is more porous than a colander. Short handed goals for and against, breakaways not scored on, and major mental mistakes when the message should be a steady dose of keep the game in front of you. Goaltending a question? It always seems like one step forward and two steps backwards. Some encouraging signs from unexpected players, and some mediocre performances from guys who are expected to be the leaders. I love my Schultz and this seems to sum it up for our season so far and the catastrophic drought. If you don’t get the metaphor, just enjoy the genius of it all.



Notes from taping games to watch again but never do.

If anyone of you who have watched the contests that Kulich has played in, and don’t think he deserves to be suiting up over some of the mediocrity that is being rolled out there, then please give me any kind of justification to explain yourselves. He plays hard at both ends and has an upside. There seems to be an early affair with Krebs and Lafferty and I am not sure of the angle. Peyton is a nice kid, but when you are undersized, skill is supposed to be a noticeable attribute. We have been waiting.. waiting… waiting…

Peterka is obviously transcended the prospect designation. The speed, the shot, the drive. Thank the hockey gods for one of the very few bright spots.

Give Ruff credit for sitting Quinn, the kid seems lost as I have stated before. Maybe Cozens can sit another night with him and they can drive Samuelsson into the woodlands where he learns some fight or flight skills and it takes him a month or so to make it back to civilization. The guy has been brutal.

Game 7
Buffalo Sabres (1-4-1) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (2-2-1)
Saturday, October 19, 8:00 pm
The United Center, Chicago, Illinois

The Columbus game was turned off as quickly as it was turned on and deflated what pride we had left. Time to earn our respect yet again. Let's see how many people attend the game on Tuesday. With the next games against Dallas and Detroit, there are no free passes in this league. How did we get here?

Thanks.

Brad Lohr
Aka: Lumberhacks

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