Niagara Falls' Flynn a Wanted Man

Houston Rockets point guard and former Niagara Falls high school standout Johnny Flynn is rumored to be wanted by both the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers.

Flynn who played his college basketball at Syracuse played alongside Paul Harris here in Niagara Falls. Flynn went on to be the sixth overall player taken in the 2009 NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves, was traded to Houston last summer.

In his rookie year, he averaged 13.4 points, 4.4 assists, and 2.4 rebounds per game.

Since then, Flynn has seen his production as well as his minutes fall. He has only appeared in 7 games this year, averaging 3.1 points and 2.4 assists per game.

A fresh start in New York or Los Angeles is something that Flynn may need in order for his talents to be used to their best.

Sabres Light up Scoreboard Against Bruins

Game 53, Boston Bruins @ Buffalo Sabres, 2/8/2012

When I rolled into the First Niagara Center on Wednesday night I was hoping to see a very good effort out of a desperate hockey club. Well not only did I see a desperate hockey club give a lot of effort, I saw a machine. The Buffalo Sabres had their biggest win in recent memory in a 6-0 bashing of their rival Boston Bruins. It was ugly and it was on national television. Just what the doctor ordered in this season of craziness in Buffalo.

When the puck dropped it seemed like both hockey clubs came to play. Both teams were skating and moving the puck well. Then all hell broke loose. Cody McCormick fought Bruins “tough-guy” Shawn Thornton. Not too long after Christian Ehrhoff ripped a wrist shot from the point, which deflected off of Bruins forward Gregory Campbell, and then went right passed the Bruin net-minder Tuukka Rask. Not long after the Bruins scored a goal that looked like it would tie the game up. However, a ruling of “incidental contact” on the play cancelled out the goal causing the Bruins bench to get frustrated. The Sabres finally had something go their way. Hey the City of Buffalo had something go their way!

The first period action wasn’t over yet. Patrick Kaleta and hated Bruin Milan Lucic battled in a fight that really got the crowd going. As big a size advantage as Lucic has on Kaleta, Kaleta still held his own, and pumped up the crowd with his arms, much to the dismay of the Bruins. Also during the action, Bruins forward Brad Marchand was noticeably chirping at Sabres the entire game. He was really focusing in on forward Ville Leino. With just a few minutes left in the first, Ville Leino answered back with a very creative pass to Captain Jason Pominville putting the Sabres ahead by two.

The second period opened with another Sabres goal, this one by Tyler Ennis. Rask’s night was over. Tim Thomas was in. The Sabres had numerous chances on a power play to make it 4-0 but Thomas looked sharp. Another incident that happened during the second period was when Ville Leino “snowed” goaltender Tim Thomas after a save. That isn’t something the Bruins liked very much but it is those "little things" that will bring the Sabres together better as this season goes on. I liked what I was seeing. Just when the game couldn’t get any better for the Sabres, Pat Kaleta put a weird angled shot by Thomas.

The third period was more of the same; pure domination by Ryan Miller and the Sabres. Leino set up Pominville again. Drew Stafford made the game an even more laughable 6-0. The third period was the highlight of the game.

When Milan Lucic hit Ryan Miller the entire hockey world focused on the Sabres lack of response. Frankly it was embarrassing. This time it was the Sabres time to embarrass the Bruins. This time on national television. This time on the scoreboard and then it was a brawl. Lucic lost his mind during the brawl. Buffalo got in his head. He was tossed. As the referees were sorting things out, a “Boston Sucks” chant broke out. Then there was a little “Sweet Caroline.” Boston was pay-backed and the entire hockey world saw it. This time the embarrassment was on Boston.

Notes: The Sabres play a Friday home game against the Dallas Stars. Thomas Vanek will be back in the line-up. If you take the first period of the Islanders game away from Ryan Miller, he has let in 0 goals in 10 periods! Allowing just 2 in 14 periods and all together 5 in the last 5 games. He moved to 14-1-2 against Boston at home in his career. The Sabres haven’t lost in regulation at home since Dec. 13th, going 5-0-4 during that time. James Patrick will be behind the bench once again Friday night.

Keeping It Going

Game 52, Buffalo Sabres @ New York Islanders, 2/4/12

It looked as though the Buffalo Sabres would really put a damper on any revival of their season Saturday night when the New York Islanders took a 3-1 lead in the first period. The Sabres weren’t playing a bad game but they couldn’t bury their opportunities. Led by two goals from Frans Nielsen and one from Josh Bailey, it was the Islanders game to lose in the final two periods.

However, the lone goal in the first period by Nathan Gerbe was not the only goal the Sabres would score. The Sabres down 3-1 would need four goals in the game for the first time since they did so over a month ago at home against Edmonton. The second period helped the Sabres inch one goal closer as Derek Roy netted a big goal with just under two minutes to go, putting the team in good position to come back in the third.

With just over eight minutes left in the game, one of the best players in recent games for the Buffalo Sabres Paul Gaustad put the tying goal behind goaltender Al Montoya, and the game was tied up.

Overtime was about as crazy a five minutes as you could have asked for. A Sabres penalty for too-many men on the ice put the game in jeopardy. However, just as the Sabres killed off an over-time penalty against the Rangers last Wednesday, the Sabres killed off the Islanders power play blocking shot after shot, refusing to lose. Ryan Miller was very good as well making a few monster saves.

For the third time in the last four games the Sabres were going to a shootout. Ryan Miller stopped the first shooter, Brad Boyes scored, Miller made stopped the second shooter, and then the clutch captain of Buffalo Jason Pominville said goodnight to the Islanders as Buffalo won 4-3.
The team has life. They have hope. The team will have a huge game on Wednesday against the Boston Bruins at First Niagra. Expect the Sabres to play an intense game and expect the energy level to be very exciting in the building. It should be a dandy.

Notes: Thomas Vanek status for the game is looking shaky right now. The Sabres could use their forward as they race toward on a late playoff run.

Classic Miller, Lundqvist Battle Decided in SO

Game 51, New York Rangers @ Buffalo Sabres, 2/1/12

The Buffalo Sabres looked to keep their momentum going after winning back-to-back games for the first time since early November. The Sabres once again came out flying. Every line was working hard. Both goalies were sharp. It was a classic Lundqvist, Miller battle. The Sabres had many chances, including 5 power plays but without two of their most important scorers in Thomas Vanek and Drew Stafford out of the line-up, the Sabres couldn’t bury one past Lundqvist.

The first two periods were entertaining; however the third period was incredible. The energy at the First Niagara Center was there and the Sabres fed off the energy. The Sabres killed off a Tyler Ennis penalty mid-way through the third period, where the puck was in the Rangers zone for the majority of the time. The team was refusing to back down. They didn’t care about any standings, it was just about this individual game. A late power play opportunity for the Sabres nearly put the game away. But the game was destined for overtime.

In overtime, the Sabres still had some time on the power play. They couldn’t bury the puck past Henrik Lundqvist though. A penalty mid-way through the overtime on Tyler Ennis for boarding put the game in jeopardy. The call was very, very questionable and Lindy Ruff wasn’t very happy about it from the bench. The Sabres showed that they weren’t going to lose the game on a bad call. Blocked shot after blocked shot, the Sabres were unbelievable. When Ryan Miller plays like he did, you just get the sense that the team in front of him has so much confidence and “will.” The Sabres killed off the penalty and after a brilliant chance for Derek Roy, the game was headed to a shootout.

In the shootout, All-Star MVP Marion Gaborik scored first to put the pressure on the Sabres. Brad Boyes got absolutely robbed by Lundqvist on his opportunity. My jaw literally dropped. What a great save. The Sabres captain, Jason Pominville was the last chance for the Sabres. He had to be clutch once again. Pominville came through again and gave Buffalo another chance. What a great job by the captain. In round five, Ryan Callahan ended the game, giving the Rangers the two points.

The Sabres played a very good game and they still haven’t lost in regulation at home since December 13th. A sign that every player played well once again… Every player had double-digit ice time numbers. Ennis had a 2 minute and 32 second shift in between. Paul Gaustad nearly played an entire penalty kill. If Vanek is healthy for this game, the Buffalo Sabres win, plain and simple, but all is not lost. The Sabres play the Islanders Saturday night. If they can keep up the effort from the last three games for the rest of the season, the playoffs will be possible.

Also: Zach Kassian and Luke Adam played well for the Sabres. Miller gets the shutout for the game. The shootout goal isn’t a goal against for Miller. Stafford should return Saturday. Vanek is hoping to return for the highly anticipated Bruins game next Wednesday.

Play-Action Sports: February 1st 2012

Men's Basketball:

Buffalo 73 Ball St. 57: Make it five in a row for the UB Bulls as they were able to pick up their sixth conference win and 13th overall on the year with a 73-57 win over Ball State in Alumni Arena. Mitchell Watt loaded up the stat sheet for the Bulls as he racked up 20 points, 7 rebounds, 5 blocks and 4 assists. Zach Filzen added 14 and Javon McCrea 10 as the Bulls were able to shoot 54% from the floor (52.6% from three). They also out-rebounded the Cardinals 35-20.

St Bonaventure 62 St Louis 86: The Bonnies suffered a setback Wednesday night as they suffered a 24 point loss at the hands of the Saint Louis Billikens. The team lost their grasp on first place in the conference and dropped to 12-8 (5-3). Andrew Nicholson was a non-factor in the game as he was constantly in foul trouble, playing only ten minutes and scoring just two points. Saint Louis had five players in double figures and were led by Kwamain Mitchell who had 22. Dwayne Evans added a double-double as well with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Sabres Play to Perfection

Game 50, Buffalo Sabres @ Montreal Canadiens, 1/31/12

The Buffalo Sabres came back after the All-Star break with two options. One option was to continue to build off their win in New Jersey and make the last half of the year something worthwhile. The other option was to play rusty and continue the poor play that has put the Sabres near the basement of the Eastern Conference. The Buffalo Sabres decided to go with option one and what a good decision it was.

The Sabres played their best game of the season Tuesday night at the Belle Centre in Montreal for a 3-1 victory. It was an enjoyable game for a Sabres fan to watch. For one night this team lived up to their pre-season expectations.

The Sabres dominated the Canadiens in the first, outshooting them, 11-8. But they found themselves trailing the Habs by 1 and their start winger Thomas Vanek was out for the rest of the game with an upper-body injury. That didn’t discourage the Sabres at all though. The second period came and Ville Leino made a great move and ripped a shot top-shelf over All-Star goalie Carey Price. For once Leino was living up to the expectations. Was this real? Every line was playing well. The defense was solid. For the second straight game, the back-checking was superb. The Sabres outshoot the Habs, 19-7!

Tyler Ennis came back from injury and was simply excellent playing center for the first time this season. He was everywhere on the ice. Winning 8 of 15 face-offs and making some key defense plays along the way, Ennis was huge for the Sabres forward group even though he didn’t get on the score sheet. The Sabres are now 9-3-2 this season when Ennis plays a full game. In the third period some nice hard work by Brad Boyes, down low, allowed for a tap-in goal by Paul Gaustad. The Sabres finished the game off with a Patrick Kaleta empty netter.

In between, Ryan Miller was awesome, making some really big saves. That’s back to back games now where the Sabres have let in 1 goal. That’s how this team is going to win games. Gaustad finished with 3 points. Ehrhoff had 2 points. Tyler Myers was very good. Nathan Gerbe and Kaleta provided a ton of heart. Once again Brad Boyes was excellent down low. The Sabres played a complete hockey game. Tonight they will go for their third win in a row and again they will need to be excellent against their first place opponent, the New York Rangers.
The Sabres are 4-0-3 in their last 7 home games. Their last home loss in regulation?... Was against the Rangers. Should be a good one at the FNC.