a very interesting day

today my uncle chris took me fishing at a real nice lake outside of oveido, florida. i really didn't have a successful day if you are more of a quantity kind of person; i caught one and lost two more. the interesting/ weird part of this day was the fact that i caught a bowfin fish; something i have never caught or seen before. i have seen pictures and read a little on the fish but thats it. i would also like to add i was not responsible for the death of this fish. one of my counterparts helped me bring it in and while he was trying to remove the hook he may have killed the fish. when i realized the fish had teeth i was not touching it without some needle-nose pliers. here are the pics!

the winter classic

I first want to thank everyone who made this day possible. Who would have thought that such an event would have taken place in Buffalo/Orchard Park, New York? It was definitely a day to remember and I'm thankful that I was able to experience such a historic event.

But enough of that. All in all I thought the Sabres strategy going into that game was extremely poor. The Sabres thought they could treat this game like all the others with careless giveaways and individual efforts. Toni Lydman was a star if you consider giveaways a positive stat and Tim Connolly, Derek Roy and Maxim Afinogenov were doing their usual thing; trying to create something out of nothing and resulting in nothing. These guys disregarding the conditions thought they could just walk through the Penguins D and score highlight reel goals. GIVE ME A BREAK! That almost never happens on a regular basis, so why are doing it now? I thought Pittsburgh played it right with a strong defensive effort and when on the offensive they always had someone parked in front of the net.

The fan reaction after the game was disappointing calling Sidney Crosby names and such. This doesn't happen too often at regular season games in Buffalo (playoff games are another story). It was a Sabres hockey game with a Bills fan atmosphere. I hate going to Bills games because there are so many idiot drunks and the fact that tons were at a hockey game really pissed me off. It’s embarrassing.

There were definitely positives as well. Millions of people were watching an event that was taking place practically in my own backyard, the Sabres were wearing their retro whites, it was snowing at a hockey game, there was tons of entertainment before, during and after the game, and Don Cherry was there. My seats were great; I sat in section 336 row three. I never lost sight of the puck! I guess it helps being a Sabres season ticket holder.

Finally when Sidney Crosby scored the winner in a shootout, several thoughts went through my head, “Surprise! Another game to add to the sad past of Buffalo sports”, 2 “The NHL got what they wanted with a sold out game and a Crosby winner in the shootout”, 3 “Should I tell these Penguins fans to stop screaming in my face (no, just leave)” and finally “Will I ever regain the feeling in my feet?” Luckily today I can walk again.

What I would like to see the NHL do is to get this event in other cities as well. I do realize a city like Miami, Phoenix or Dallas could probably not host such an event, but I think the league should try and get all the teams in on the act. I think it would be an amazing event if a city like Toronto or Ottawa hosted something similar to the Winter Classic. Having said that, I would actually prefer Buffalo never host another outdoor game. I want to keep this day special.

Hello

Hi everyone. No I haven't died, I have been busy the last couple of weeks getting done with my fall semester. Holiday break is finally here so maybe I'll write a few things here and there. I bought a new camera for myself so I'll have some shots of me when I am in Florida. The Sabres surprisingly are winning right now and the Bills were officially eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday. I'm kind of glad because they would have been embarrassed anyway. I do also want to add that I can't wait until the Bills move out of Buffalo. I'll finally be free again on Sundays and I my blood pressure will probably drop considerably. See ya Holy Diver

IMPORTANT NOTICE!!!

Attention humanilty: Andy David Carol the "Woz" Wozniewski scored his second goal of the season last night against the Atlanta Thrashers as the Leafs finally won 4-2.
I can't wait to see the Carolina Hurricanes tomorrow night. They are on fire right now and could challenge a currently struggling Ottawa Senators team for the Eastern Conference. Cam Ward right now is playing awesome and I think he should be the starting goalie for the Eastern Conference All-stars. Can you imagine if the Woz and Cam Ward were playing for the Eastern Conference; the Westerners wouldn't be able to score any goals.
One more week of classes before exams; THANK GOD!!!! I had to walk through this wicked storm today. Winds were probably gusting around 40 mph and the snow was coming at me sideways with a mix of a few lightning bolts and thunder.

See ya, john aka ronnie james dio aka holy diver

Happy Thanksgiving!

I had a nice, quiet thanksgiving this year over my aunt's house. the usuals were there. everything was delicious, but the football really sucked! today marks the day the christmas season opens and i kind of want to go see the ridiculousness at the mall. why do people have to go shopping at 3 o'clock in the morning? are people really saving that much on gifts? i hate christmas shopping. this year i think i might just buy gift cards for everyone because i am sick and tired of stressing over whether that person would like that etc. the rest of the world must seriously laugh at us during the christmas season. do you honestly think people in germany, france, great britian, japan, russia do all of this shopping for relatives around christmas time; not only that but try and do it all on a certain day where they wait in line for 3 hours to get a few deals on gifts and free stuff? life in the states is getting way out of hand!

Another Loss

As I previously noted, November was going to be an important month for the Buffalo Sabres. I think the players realize this, except for maybe Roy, Vanek, Afinogenov, and Campbell, but management obliviously does not. It seems every time I talk about the Sabres, Regier and Quinn always seem to join the conversation. Management and coaching are definitely to blame in Buffalo nowadays. This isn't surprising thought because historically management and coaching have always hurt Buffalo sports. Whenever we don't win a championship, it's because we are a small market; whenever we don't sign the big player, it's because we are a small market team; whenever we don't win one lousy game; it's because we are a small market. People in Buffalo deserve better than what they are getting from the Buffalo Sabres. This morning on the Howard Simon Show, a calling called in on the whiner line and said something to the effect of how cheap management is in Buffalo. Obliviously, in my opinion, this is a fairly accurate statement, but Jeremy White responded by saying the Sabres spend right up to the cap, making them appear to look not cheap. Appear is the key word. If you think long and hard, when was the last time a big free agent signed here? I don't feel like researching right now but it has been a long time since Darcy Regier did something like that. I swear if you were to put John Ferguson Jr. and combined him with Darcy Regier you would have the best GM ever in sports. But both men continue to refuse to adapt to the ever changing NHL, and continue to frustrate both teams fans. I'm tired of this topic. Let's move on, shall we?
Okay the Sabres play the Montreal Canadians tonight in HSBC Arena. As you might already know I own season tickets and will be attending tonights game. I refuse to go to this game tonight and wear a Sabres jersey for the way they are playing. I think I am going to be one of those people who have annoyed me in the last two years who use hockey games as a social event instead of watching a hockey game. If I do, I will not be able to make it threw through the night without having a massive heart attack. I have been good this year at games, but I'm bound to blow up if I continue to watch Sabre games seriously. Prediction: 3-1 Habs if Miller is in net and 6-1 if T-bo is in net. I think we can assume Huet is going to be in net for the Canadians tonight, and I'm really impressed with the way he has played thus far. Huet is playing great and should make the all-star game. If it wasn't for Cam Ward's play in Carolina, Huet would get my first- ballot vote. Speaking of voting, make sure you vote for Andy Wozniewski of the Toronto Maple Leafs as a fill-in on the ballot for the 08 all-star game. This guy is well deserving of making the all-star game, representing the Maple Leafs in the game.
This Sunday night the Buffalo Bills take on the New England Patriots at Ralph Wilson Stadium. I wish I had tickets to this game because I had a blast at the Monday night game this year against the Dallas Cowboys. Things do not look good for Lynch to be starting at running back for the Bills; which if you have 20/20 vision when it comes to sports this spells disaster for the Bills. I will be surprised if this game isn't a blow out in the favor of the Patriots. Tom Brady is a god when it comes to throwing a TD pass to Randy Moss, Wes Welker and/or Dante' Stallworth. Prediction: 38 to 10 New England. It hurts me to give this prediction with the way the Bills have been playing these last couple of weeks, but New England is a team of destiny this year and probably for years to come unless Tom Brady decides to retire tomorrow.
I can't wait for Thanksgiving. It is by far my favorite time of the year. How can you say you don't like turkey, stuffing, mash potatoes w/ gravy, cranberry sauce, carrots, pumpkin pie, and football? It is a very overwhelming, but exciting and delicious day. Here's to Thanksgiving.
I know this is really out of order, but I have just now decided to play GM of the Buffalo Sabres. If I was the moron deciding things down in that office in HSBC Arena right now I would trade Maxim Afinogenov and Brian Campbell. Afinogenov has been horrible and definitely needs a change in scenery. Here's a couple of realistic names that I would not mind seeing in a Sabres uniform: Olli Jokinen, Jay Boumeester, Brian McCabe, Lubomir Vishnoskey, and Ales Hemsky. Explanations: All five of these names are better sounding the Max and Campbell. Change is needed to get some wins. Jokinen is extremely unhappy with the way his team is playing right now in Florida and brings so many intangibles that is terribly lacking right now in the Sabres locker room. I mentioned Boumeester and Vishnoskey because I think the Sabres could could get either one of these guys for Campbell straight up. The reason why I say trade Campbell is because the guy is going to be commanding a huge contract at the end of this year and I know by the way it is looking right now Regier is not going to want to have to negotiate with him after the Vanek debacle last year. One name I know everyone would say "Why in the hell would you mention this guy?" is Bryan McCabe. This guy since he signed his huge contract in Toronto has played terrible and the Leaf fans are constantly on his back. That's just the thing though; he has a city of close 5 million people on his back. If he gets a change in scenery (like possibly Max) McCabe could be in possible all-star form again. Can you imagine, Spackek and McCabe your pointmen on the powerplay. Both men actually shoot the puck! As for Hemsky, the guy brings a physical presence that is lacking. Some names I have heard are Mike Modano (strange and highly unlikely), Alex Tanguay, Ales Hemsky, and Jay McKee (ARE YOU KIDDING ME???!!!). The McKee thing would be ridiculous. First we don't need a D- man and secondly the guy has played 30 games in the last two years. But that is the kind of trade, if any, you would expect Regier to make. Anyway I'll stop. I would like to hear your thoughts and give me some names who you would like to see in a Sabres uniform.
Peace john aka ronnie james dio aka holy diver aka jonathan raymond doudolakis esquire