Caps Meet Buffalo Sabres

To commemorate tonight's game in Buffalo, Hockey Mom and fans had buffalo wings for dinner. Three minutes into the second period with the Sabres ahead 3 - 0, maybe in hindsight the buffalo wings were bad luck. Sabres sharp shooter Thomas Vanek scored about a minute into the contest. The Caps continue to make too many silly penalties and Brash has been in the sin bin twice. The Sabres second goal went in from almost behind the net on Jose Theodore and the third one was a wicked five-hole. (Note to newbies: Five-hole is when the goal is scored by the puck going between the goalie's leg pads through the open space in the middle).

Of course Alex Ovehckin is still in Russia with his ill grandfather (word has it that he'll be back with the team for Tuesday's meeting with the Ottawa Senators). So far, Alex Semin and the rest of the guys have not been able to make anything happen offensively. The Sabres' goalie Ryan Miller stopped a barrage of Caps shots aimed his way early in the second period to no avail. Mike Green must have taken at least three consecutive slap shots (and he has a mean, fast slap shot) against Miller, but it was no go.

It is great to see Sabres defenseman Teppo Numminen back on the ice. The guy is amazing; he's 40-years old and missed most of last season after having open heart surgery. Hockey Mom's dad had open heart surgery and I know how incredibly difficult that recovery is for a normal person; I can't even imagine how difficult it must have been for Numminen to not only recover, but to get into high-octane shape in time for this season. So a huge HM high five to Teppo.

Late in the second, the Sabres scored yet AGAIN to make it 4 - 0. Ouch.
Unfortunately, with less than nine minutes left, the boys in red haven't been able to even buy a goal. The Sabres' Paille, reminds me of "paella", just scored another one on Theo to make it 5 - goose egg. This from a Sabres team that's lost their last three games! Come to think of it, those chicken wings aren't sitting too well right now.

So this game was a complete bummer. Now the guys will have to regroup upon OV's return to take on an Ottawa team that has a lot of firepower, including Jason Spezza, Dany Heatley and their captain Daniel Alfredsson (who just signed a nice 4-year contract). C'mon team - let's hope for a better showing on Election Day. Which reminds me - all you great hockey fans, don't forget to vote on Tuesday!