Are we finally figuring the low shot total, tight game out? Or is it inferior opponents taking on the Sabres desperation? Whatever it is, our team is still pecking away at the standings, but have played 45 already. Is it a little too late? I am not sure, but we will find out soon. The emergence of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen as an option has been slowly coming together. Give the guy some credit. If he has been working as hard as the brass claims him to be, and the results are there, then let the net be his on a majority of the nights. We all know that hockey can be an enigma. It takes success to breed confidence in your goaltender. Sometimes it is a village, other circumstances show that people just start to figure it out. It is obvious that the shot totals against are starting to be taken more seriously, and people are stepping up to block attempts. UPL’s stats are getting more positive. We would be in a slightly better position if they had went with their best two guys lacing up the pads from the start. Every point matters. Lineup and waiver decisions have been made too slowly. We have talked about this extensively. Now apparently Comrie has been called up and Levi was sent to the minors. That tells me that number 27 will be manning the pipes in Rochester this evening, and number 1 should be trying to extend his streak in the last contest of this six game homestand before they go out west. Who knows what they do from there.

Game 46
Buffalo Sabres, 20-21-4, vs. Tampa Bay Lightning, 20-21-3
Saturday, January 20th at 12:30 pm
KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY

Time to finally get back to 500 and set yourself up to try and break the ice towards success with back to backs in Anaheim on Tuesday, and Los Angeles on Wednesday. The season is long, and this squad has given themselves too few chances to climb the standings. The inability to string wins together to gain any momentum has thwarted gaining control of getting a sniff at the playoffs. The statement is redundant. Maybe they will get it right this time.

Nikita Kucherov is on a tear as always, and leads the league with 75 points in 44 games. Someone should have the task of trying somehow to shut this guy down. It is almost an impossibility.

Once again, the optimist, I do have a soft spot in my heart for this team. Regardless of not agreeing with a lot of peculiar ideas that management has, I would love to see things turn around and see us take that stampede in the next few months. A lot of things have to go right, or I will just hit the reset button of misery after next weeks road trip. Hopefully, it is the traditional, “We bonded, we ate burgers and went to a movie. We strolled the boardwalk together and realized that we have to impose our will.” Truth of the matter is, they have to win today, and take five out of six points on their three-game stint. Eat burgers and hug each other, or force number 9 to pay for a night of liquid sensation, lobster, and steaks. We don’t care, just get the job done. New school, old school, your hometown just needs to see that you are streaking.. The Bills are doing it, our complex needs you to get on board..



Hey, the St. Louis Blues did it with our former captain. Right? Berube anybody?

I am weary from the sustained weather that we have had, as I know all of you are. I have to try and have fun when it comes to all of this because we are just in the current spot that we are always in. Previous writers know the conundrum in January because of the ineptitude and failures. The Talking Heads said it best and we need to take it to the next level, “Same As it Ever Was”



Perhaps the goal that Peterka scored off the dome of Soderblom from the goal line is a good sign of things to come. Didn’t that happen to UPL earlier this year?



Anyway, notes from the city of good neighbors always helping each other out when it comes to winter weather.

Thank you for Casey Mr. Stats picking up the slack and coming to play almost every night. Leading the team in scoring when everyone else were generously handed out contracts is commendable. We appreciate the level headed way you approach the game, and the obvious work you put into improving your puck possession.

Saying that Ryan Johnson should be in the lineup is a forgone conclusion at this time. We have talked about it, we have seen his performance, the kid can skate and rarely looks out of place.

This is all sugar coating for what we know is one of the biggest games that our city has had in our back yard for quite some time. We all have to sit back and wait for an NFL designated prime time kickoff once again. The Mafia will show up from near and afar. I think our team will respond accordingly. We have faced adversity, and this is our time in a moment like this. My brother and niece will be attending, coming all the way from Oregon. I am hoping for jubilant snowballs being thrown into the air.

Does Comrie get a start out west or do they bring Levi back?

Thanks,
Go Bills and Sabres.

Brad Lohr
Aka: Lumberhacks

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