The Sabres kept their playoff hopes alive with a come from behind 6-5 OT win over the Leafs at First Niagara Center Tuesday night. Toronto mounted an early lead with three goals in the first only to watch Buffalo chip away the following period. The Sabres fought to get back in the game, scoring two in the second. The teams’ battle back and forth resulted in a 5-5 tie after regulation. Derek Roy beat Leafs’ goalie, Ben Scrivens, on the rebound for Buffalo’s overtime victory. Scrivens had 39 saves in the losing effort. The Sabres picked up two huge points to match Washington in the Eastern Conference with two games remaining in the regular season.
As someone who only sees 4% of 20/20 vision, I rely on play-by-play announcers to help me get through hockey games on TV. Because of my NHL addiction, I’ve heard many announcers from many networks and markets, and I’ve decided to compile a list of my three favorites. These individuals allow me to feel… well, normal when I watch games, because they’ve always been able to give me a sense of what’s happening even though I can’t always see it for myself.
In a rare win at home, Toronto bumped Buffalo 4-3 Saturday night handing the Sabres a serious post-season blow. Late Marlies call-up Ben Scrivens made 29 saves in the Leaf victory. Scrivens won 2 of 7 starts back in November for the Leafs and with 21 AHL wins is a major factor in the Marlies push to the postseason. Phil Kessel scored his career high 37th goal in a game that finally ended the Leafs’ 54 day drought on home ice, the longest in franchise history. The loss puts severe strain on Buffalo who is battling Washington for final spot in the East. The Sabres are two points behind the Capitals.
It’s hard to believe that the regular season is ending and in just 10 short days playoffs begin. The Bruins will look to defend their title and every other contending team will be fighting for hockey’s holy grail. The “Because it’s the Cup” commercials have begun and yet again hockey fans will be looking towards seeing Lord Stanley in their zip code. In honor of the most prestigious time of the year, below is an interview with Mike Bolt Keeper of the Cup.
New York, New York; this week our look heads to the Big Apple and their New York Rangers. New Yorkers have a reputation for being busy and fashionable. This look allows you to go from the office to Madison Square Garden faster than Lundqvist can make a save.
While white pants are often called a no no before Memorial Day, more and more people are overlooking the trend and if the ice can wear white all season, why can’t we! The t-shirt and blazer look is a timeless classic, but with a Ranger twist. Subdued jewelry can still make a statement and a pop of color in the bag completes the outfit. It’s hard to get away from the USA look, but what better team city to showcase the red, white and blue?
As always, if the Rangers aren’t your team of choice don’t be afraid to use the same principles to take you from work to puck drop.
The Air Canada Centre will stand silent for a staggering seventh sequential season. Last Tuesday night however, the downtown Toronto structure shook loud with anything but good vibrations. Early in the second period, disgruntle Leafs fans did the absolute unthinkable – they booed the home team. The jeering roars rose up in rings floating to the rafters like a Who-Ville Christmas carol. And amidst a cacophony of scoffs, the once sacred-skaters’ hearts shrank three sizes. Frustrated fans had turned irate and filled the forum with mocking taunts. In spite of witnessing a horrific Toronto melt-down, is it ever ok for game-goers to boo the good-guys?
Vocalizing discontent is no stranger to spectator based events. Gladiators, knights, and matadors all dealt with deafening ridicule in defeat. Often the fate of the fighter rested with the seething crowd. Booing became common in the late 19th century in London theatres and political events, an emotional response used to convey audiences’ displeasure. Today, the onomatopoeic remark is synonymous with broken hearts and disappointment. Sounds like a sad country song. So why can’t diehards just stand by their man/men?
Post blue and white collapse, coach Ron Wilson was a beacon of light in a dark Leafs’ Nation with the boys poised a head of a spectacular season. But with their team’s slide into oblivion, Toronto fans flipped and openly hacked at their early season savior with chants echoing “Fire Wilson.”
Pro-booers may argue that as a ticket holder criticizing the home team is a right. But a digression back to Roman times where boos reduce once-revered players to nothingness is unjustifiable.
Maybe it’s the fickle fans who deserve a boo.
The Boston Bruins (or a majority of them) took to Royale in Boston today for the 5th annual, Cuts for a Cause. Accompanied by flocks of fans, Bruins players took to the stage to have their heads shaved for charity. Most fans watched from the floor, but a few winning bidders from an online auction, took the stage to shave the heads of their favorites.
The Cuts for Cause captain Shawn Thornton was among the first to go under the buzzer along with 98.5 the Sports Hubs Toucher and Rich. The event not only raised money for the Boston Bruins Foundation, but also benefits the Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center. The event marks the near ending of the regular season and gives the players a chance to participate in a unique event for a good cause.
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Toronto has officially been eliminated from playoff contention after a 3-0 loss to Carolina on Tuesday.
Jonas Gustavsson was pulled early in the second by the Leafs after allowing three goals on 12 shots. Marlies call-up, Jussi Rynnas, was the sole highlight of the night for Toronto, stopping all 10 Hurricane shots on goal in relief.
Toronto’s tenth straight loss at home marked an epic collapse which saw the team on par for the post season early last month. However, since February 6th the Leafs sad 5-16-3 record has knocked them to 14th in the East. The disappointing performance confirmed Leaf Nation’s darkest fears – Toronto has now been shut-out of the playoffs for seven consecutive seasons, the worst streak in franchise history.
The Bruins had a busy Sunday, announcing the signing of Justin Florek, Zach Trotman and Torey Krug all to entry level contracts.
Florek and Trotman will report to the AHL Bruins affiliate in Boston while Krug will report to Boston and be available to the media on Tuesday.
Florek, a Michigan native, just finished his senior season at Northern Michigan University. A 6′ 4″, 200-pound forward, could be a strong addition to the organization. Originally drafted by the B’s in the fifth round (135th overall) in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, he was in attendance at the Bruins Development Camp in both 2010 and 2011.
Trotman, a 6′ 3″, 216-pound defenseman; finished his junior season at Lake Superior State University.
Although both Trotman and Florek are sure to be positive assets in the future, it’s Krug who boasts the best resume. It’s being reported that Krug will report to Boston and is eligible to play in the remaining 7 games this season. Recently finishing his junior season at Michigan State, Krug served as Captain for the past two seasons. A 2012 Hobey Baker Award finalist, Krug was also named Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) player of the year. Posting 12 goals, 22 assists and 34 points, perhaps this defenseman will lend a bit of magic to the black and gold roster.
Toronto eked by the Devils in New Jersey with a 4-3 shootout victory Friday, despite twice giving up a two-goal lead and a meager 17 shots on net.
Nazem Kadri beat Martin Brodeur with flare in the third round of shootouts to halt the Leafs’ two-game losing streak
“He [Kadri] came so close to me and turned on a dime and went right around me,” Brodeur said post-game. “You’ve got to give him credit.”
Kadri, Tyler Bozak and David Steckel scored in regulation for Toronto. Goalie, James Reimer, looked like Optimus Preim of past making an impressive 43 saves in the win.The Leafs were out-shot 46-17, putting the puck on the net only three times in the third and not once in overtime.
New Jersey sits in sixth in the East while the Leafs stay down and out in 12th.
Toronto hosts the Rangers Saturday night.
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