Shuffling off to Buffalo
The fans are completely behind the Buffalo Sabres after their terrific start to the season.
While having forged together some solid teams over the years, the Buffalo Sabres have perpetually been a middle of the pact team throughout their WCHL history; good enough to make the playoffs most seasons and even win a round here and there, but never good enough to be a legitimate cup threat. Much like their NHL counter-part, the Sabres, outside of a magical run, are doomed to just be a team happy to get into the party but they don't stay around for long.
But is that all about to change?
That's a serious question for the first time in Buffalo, as the Sabres have roared out to a 21-8-2 record, good enough for third in the Eastern Conference and fourth overall. Leading the way is the Sabres league leading defense, which has allowed a meager 2.16 goals per game. Couple that with a sixth ranked offense and Buffalo has one of the bst goals for/goals against differentials in the game. Special teams have also been special as well, with Buffalo ranking third on the powerplay and fifth on the penalty kill. Their combined special teams ranking of 106.44 (a combination of powerplay and penalty killing percentages) has Buffalo sitting second, a hair behind the Detroit Red Wings.
"I can't believe it," said long time fan Ivanna Bangu. "Hopefully it keeps up."
Yes, things are still early in the WCHL season, and Buffalo still sits only seven points ahead of ninth placed Montreal, so the fall from grace could be a quick one for the Sabres if they aren't careful. If Miikka Kiprusoff however keeps his elite level play up, there is no need for concern.
Miikka Kiprusoff is the easy Team MVP so far this season and could be vying for a Vezina and Hart Trophy nomination.
"Miikka's been awesome," said teammate Kevin Klein. "He's been pulling his weight, my weight, and the weight off a fully loaded beer truck the ways he's been playing. He's been lights out, door closed and nobody is even home anymore, he's that good."
Indeed. A 2.01 goals against average, .918 save percentage and four shutouts have made things easy on his tammates. Kiprusoff ranks first in the elague in save percentage, and second in both shutouts and goals against average.
"Every shutout, I don't get shut out that night a home by the wife. Hopefully I get 40 more shutouts. I need to get some," explained Kiprusoff of his motivation.
So far there has been very few downpoints for Buffalo. That said, if Clarke MacArthur and Brian Gionta can start to bring more offense, it would certainly help Kiprusoff even more. The pair have combined for just 10 goals and 19 points this season.
Clarke MacArthur and Brian Gionta need to up their contributions in the offensive zone soon for Buffalo.
"It's not going for me for some reason," said a MacArthur, who has no goals in 20 games and is pointless in 15 games. "I don't know what needs to be done, but I need to score more, it's just that simple."
"I wish I could make the puck go in, but I can't. I'm just glad the team is doing well, despite me," added Gionta, who is goalless in 12 straight games.
The fans are completely behind the Buffalo Sabres after their terrific start to the season.
While having forged together some solid teams over the years, the Buffalo Sabres have perpetually been a middle of the pact team throughout their WCHL history; good enough to make the playoffs most seasons and even win a round here and there, but never good enough to be a legitimate cup threat. Much like their NHL counter-part, the Sabres, outside of a magical run, are doomed to just be a team happy to get into the party but they don't stay around for long.
But is that all about to change?
That's a serious question for the first time in Buffalo, as the Sabres have roared out to a 21-8-2 record, good enough for third in the Eastern Conference and fourth overall. Leading the way is the Sabres league leading defense, which has allowed a meager 2.16 goals per game. Couple that with a sixth ranked offense and Buffalo has one of the bst goals for/goals against differentials in the game. Special teams have also been special as well, with Buffalo ranking third on the powerplay and fifth on the penalty kill. Their combined special teams ranking of 106.44 (a combination of powerplay and penalty killing percentages) has Buffalo sitting second, a hair behind the Detroit Red Wings.
"I can't believe it," said long time fan Ivanna Bangu. "Hopefully it keeps up."
Yes, things are still early in the WCHL season, and Buffalo still sits only seven points ahead of ninth placed Montreal, so the fall from grace could be a quick one for the Sabres if they aren't careful. If Miikka Kiprusoff however keeps his elite level play up, there is no need for concern.
Miikka Kiprusoff is the easy Team MVP so far this season and could be vying for a Vezina and Hart Trophy nomination.
"Miikka's been awesome," said teammate Kevin Klein. "He's been pulling his weight, my weight, and the weight off a fully loaded beer truck the ways he's been playing. He's been lights out, door closed and nobody is even home anymore, he's that good."
Indeed. A 2.01 goals against average, .918 save percentage and four shutouts have made things easy on his tammates. Kiprusoff ranks first in the elague in save percentage, and second in both shutouts and goals against average.
"Every shutout, I don't get shut out that night a home by the wife. Hopefully I get 40 more shutouts. I need to get some," explained Kiprusoff of his motivation.
So far there has been very few downpoints for Buffalo. That said, if Clarke MacArthur and Brian Gionta can start to bring more offense, it would certainly help Kiprusoff even more. The pair have combined for just 10 goals and 19 points this season.
Clarke MacArthur and Brian Gionta need to up their contributions in the offensive zone soon for Buffalo.
"It's not going for me for some reason," said a MacArthur, who has no goals in 20 games and is pointless in 15 games. "I don't know what needs to be done, but I need to score more, it's just that simple."
"I wish I could make the puck go in, but I can't. I'm just glad the team is doing well, despite me," added Gionta, who is goalless in 12 straight games.
