The Sabres looked alternately pathetic (the power play is very, very bad), and heroic (the 5 minute penalty kill at the end was FOXY. That’s F to the O to the X to the Y. Foxy) tonight. Toss in a terrifying hit by Clarke MacArthur (of all people), and it made for a strange and edgy game.
Seeing Reddox lying prone on the ice was unsettling to say the least, but once he was up, and it was time to watch the penalty kill, there was this strange, serious vibe in the arena. I’ve not experienced anything like that at a hockey game before. It felt like everyone in the arena simultaneously rolled up their sleeves and said, “Okay. Let’s just get this done.” At the start of the penalty kill it was very quiet, and during that lull I turned to Robin and said, “I have a really strong urge to yell, ‘You can do it,’ right now”. We giggled nervously at the thought. As the power play unfolded, the energy of the crowd grew and grew, and in the last minute, I did yell, “YOU CAN DO IT!” It just came flying out of my mouth.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that that penalty kill was genuinely impressive, and it was a real treat to see it in person.
It still remains to be seen if the Sabres can beat the Flyers and the Bruins of this league, but was heartening to see them gut out an ugly win. I don’t think they could have won a game like this last year.
I’m starting to kind of like these guys.
Let’s Go Buff-a-lo!
I hated the effed up physics of Reddox going into the boards. Clarke wasn’t going for the KO, and it seems like jostling for position at a bad time caused that. It wasn’t a dirty play, but it was a dumb one.
Guarantee you this, Katebits – no other ugly hit will show the hitter showing concern for the hittee again this season.
That hit was scary, but Clarke kneeling over Reddox to see if he was okay broke my heart. Bless him. I can totally picture him running to the visitor’s dressing room to check up on Reddox.
Yeah, I will say Clarke’s obvious and immediate concern makes me feel less freaked out about the whole thing.
When you yelled “you can do it”….was it in the style of Tony Little or in the style of rob schneider in Adam Sandler movies? How you did this is very important….
I am not familiar with either of those references! I just shouted “You can do it” in my normal voice. It probably came out sounding a little maternal. It was said very earnestly.
That penalty kill was awful to watch from a television stand point. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, and let out a huge sigh of relief after it was over with.