I drove through about 50 miles of pounding rain down I-4 from Orlando to Tampa, but I got here in one piece, and now getting ready to watch the Sabres try to make it two in a row against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

My first glimpse of the seating bowl here gave me a “wow factor” moment. The Lightning have replaced their dingy old scoreboard, and with a four sided big screened high tech model to boot. LED boards crown the top of the board, and in addition, they have finally extended the ribbon boards on the club level rim to a full 360 degrees, also adding side ribbon boards on the upper balcony rim. I don’t have my flash card reader with me, but will post pics tomorrow.

Also a “brush with greatness” moment. I am sitting in the dining room having my dinner and who sits down at the same table with me but none other than Scotty Bowman (along with a couple of his friends). He was very friendly and engaging and included me in their conversations about hockey and new arenas. It’s moments like these that make this media experience so amazingly extraordinary.

Pregame: OK first “pissed off” moment as Weatherchick from Bay News Nine is on the big screen, showing off the spectacular Sunday forecast in store for the Tampans (did I say Tampans??? HAH!)…. “and meanwhile in Buffalo, the high will struggle to get to 50 tomorrow, with low temperatures close to freezing…..brrrrrrrrrrr’ she cackles.

What’s your point honey? Yes it gets cold in Buffalo. But unlike you people, never in my life have I taped and plywooded my windows, or stored jugs of potable water and flashlights, or spent a night on the floor of some fire hall or evacuation center, or listened to the howl of winds and rain peeling my gutters and my roof away.

Anyways…

I ran into Jaro Spacek on the way in the door and he was in street clothes and on his cell phone. I made eye contact and tapped my shoulder. He looked towards me and said “Better”. But obviously he will be a scratch tonight. Michael Ryan is also a scratch so we will see Andrew Peters. Starting in goal will be Ryan Miller.

First Period

7:39 — Except for a Sabres power play, much of the play has been in the Buffalo end, with the Lightning controlling the tempo of the play. Still scoreless.

9:15 — Buffalo’s Andrew Peters and Tampa’s Andre Roy just dropped the gloves and had it out. The two Andrews pretty much dueled to a draw except Peters ended up on top. 5 minutes each for fighting.

20:00 — End one and we have ourselves a scoreless game. Buffalo has managed just 5 shots on goal and Tampa is playing the trap to near perfection. I’m about ready for a nap.

Got your text Chris Boyes, glad you’re tuning in here from the U.K….Scotty Bowman is the winningest coach in NHL history, pretty much one of the Gods of the sport. Check the link.

Second period

3:25 - Tampa Bay has just taken a 1-0 lead on a perfect feed pass from Vinnie Lecavalier to Vaclav Prospal who had the entire open net to shoot at.

4:45 — And just like that it’s 2-0 Tampa Bay. This time a giveaway leads to a goal by Michel Ouellet. The house is a rockin.

8:04 — TV timeout and just in time. The Sabres are a mess, stumbling all over each other and stupid giveaways. They are clearly not into this tonight.

9:30 — Sabres score!!! Maxim Afinogenov on a dandy tip in. It’s 2-1 Tampa and the Sabres have new life. My guess is 2500-3000 Sabres fans in the arena.

14:28 — the Sabres have just tied the score at 2 on a pretty shot from the point that was redirected and tipped in by Paul Gaustad. A power play goal.

20:00 — We’re through two here and it’s tied at 2. Much more entertaining period to watch. Shots on goal… TB 21, Buf 12.

Third period

Internet wifi has been kaput here but it seems to be working again. On a 5 on 3 power play Tampa has retaken the lead, a goal by Lecavalier and its 3-2 Bolts…under 11 to go.

13:13 — Narthan Paetsch of all people has just tied the game at 3!!! The guys are starting to put some shots up… a good sign. 6:47 to go.

14:35 — TV timeout. Attendance tonight 19,804. They can wedge in almost 21K into this place. Awesome and energetic crowd what a contrast from the tea and crumpets audience last night in Sunrise.

16:20 — Tampa Bay is about to go on the power play at this critical juncture. Buffalo has been playing with much more determination these past few shifts. Let’s see what happens.

17:04 — Tampa has just scored the go ahead goal on a one timer from the point but the goal has been disallowed because of a St. Louis bump on Miller… still tied at 3.

20:00 — A wild finish with Buffalo playing for the point. We’re heading to OH - VER - TIME!

Overtime

We’re halfway through and it’s been end to end. Pretty even play by both teams.

4:20 Buffalo WINS 4-3!!! Vanek to Paetsch its over!

RSS 2.0 Respond Trackback