You start with a walk with the family. You grab some take-out Sushi from one of the greatest restaurants I've ever been to. A Sashimi platter. You add a beer, a smiling baby, and you settle in for a hockey game. So far, so good.
Then, the Senators score short-handed. They pounce on an opportunity and score. That was what the Sabres used to do. All the time. One little opening, and they barreled through the door. That's our team. The Sentators second goals was even scored from the spot Daniel Briere likes to shoot from in practice. Their captain scored from our captain's spot.
Still, the Sabres fought back. Max gets a nifty one, and then Toni Lydman, channeling Bobby Orr, scores to toe the game. And it appears we're good. But it never felt good. It never felt like our team, pouncing on chances. It was Senators with breakaway's, and odd-man rushes. It was their team that had the play. I'm generally a positive guy. Even with a few minutes left, I was ready to believe that one goal would have created a desperation that could have turned the tide. Instead, a Senator wins a foot race for an empty-netter, and the game ends with a whimper.
It's not over. The great part about the NHL is that you can lay and egg, and then watch it. The Sabres can, and will adjust. Game 2 is a new night. A 0-0 score. And then on the road, these Sabres have been outstanding. For the next day, we'll be biting our fingernails. Then, we'll get game 2. Adjustments. Drive. Determination. As the old sports saying goes, it's not a sprint, it's a marathon. And the Sabres are more than capable of shifting into another gear.
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