The Buffalo Sabres skated for almost 50 minutes this morning, in preparation for tonight’s game against the Ottawa Senators. About 600 fans were also in the stands during this Holiday vacation season to watch the practice.

Appearing on the ice today were both Drew Stafford and Tim Connolly, both who have been dealing with injury issues and lost ice time. Stafford said “I feel fine, good to go” while not wanting to discuss too much about the specifics of his upper body injury. He said that the few days off and a chance to rest up and enjoy the holidays did wonders to get him back to 100%.

As for Connolly, Coach Lindy Ruff first stated that “both are ready to go”, but later in his comments admitted that stamina and fatigue might be an issue for Connolly, and will most likely not give him the usual ice time.

One of the concerns brought up during Ruff’s comments was all of the hype surrounding the Winter Classic/Ice Bowl. One can already feel the excitement and talk building around the arena and locker room about the event, but before this game takes place, the Sabres have to play three games, two on the road after tonight. “We’ll spend some time between games going through some stuff, but we won’t be dealing with that game until we get to that game” Ruff replied.

Ruff was also asked of this current streak of games bears any similarity to last season’s opening run of ten straight wins. “When we get closer to ten then it will remind me of that” Ruff joked, prompting a chorus of laughs.

Other news and notes…

-Ryan Miller was showing off a specially commissioned goalie helmet which he will be wearing for the Winter Classic. It is primarily powder blue in color and looks awesome. I would have taken a snap but my frikkin’ camera was down the hall in my satchel in the interview room. Oops!

-Memo to media: DON’T be blocking Andrew Peter’s stall interviewing someone else or he’ll let you hear it. Peter’s neighbor is Ryan Miller, and he let the crowd around Miller have it as they were doing their interviews and blocking access to Peter’s stuff. Sorry Andrew, I like ya and all, but my violin is about the size of my thumb on the pity meter. Score your first NHL hat trick tonight, and YOU will have the crowd blocking Miller’s stall!

-Teppo Numminen on the ice today wearing the no contact jersey. Even though he is not ready to play, do ya think just having him around the clubhouse and the Sabres resurgence is mere coincidence? Don’t think so.

Faceoff tonight is 7:05PM and this game is VERY much a sellout with huge demand for tickets. Peter will have the AV chair and will be covering tonight, and he will have the post game wrap up.

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