Pretty Sure I Lost Ten Years off My Life Last Night

I'll admit it.  When the Sabres went down 3-0 to Toronto in the first period last night, 40 years of being a Buffalo sports fan kicked into overdrive.  I immediately abandoned ship.  Well, not really.  I kept watching, but it was the way you watch a movie for which you already know the ending... an ending you know you hate, but you can't stop watching anyway... like Old Yeller, or Braveheart.  I immediately gave up all hope and resigned myself to an early start to my baseball watching months. 

When will I learn to stop giving up hope?  I've seen this team do it enough times... down by a goal with under a minute left and BAM - we're going to OT.  I seriously can't count the number of times they've done it over the years.  But honestly, I held zero hope that they'd bounce back from a three goal deficit last night.  My resignation grew each time they'd score a goal only to give up another.  But that comeback last night was amazing.  Not because they locked it up and shut down Toronto (they certainly didn't do that) but because of the dogged determination they showed in never giving up.  The best part, though, is that Toronto wasn't the team that knocked Buffalo out of contention, because I can think of very few scenarios worse than that.

I am not sure what will happen over the next two games.  The Sabres certainly have their work cut out for them.  What I do know is this...

• It's been a hell of a ride the past two months
• They can't allow 5 goals against Boston or Filthadelphia and expect to pull out wins.  They have GOT to limit the chances on net.
• The power play needs to start clicking ASAP
• They should immediately extend Marcus Foligno to a fifty year, Four-Hundred-Bajillion-Dollar contract with a clause that prohibits breaking up his line... ever.
• I will not give up on them again until the final horn. (Repeat until in a trancelike state)

Now, go sit down, strap in, and put on your big boy pants, cause the next few days aren't gonna be for the feinthearted fan.

Comments

[Trevor]

Given my post preceding this one, I obviously gave up on them over the weekend. I still think they don't make it but I'll be more than happy to eat crow.

Unfortunately, though injuries aren't the only reason this team has faltered, I wouldn't have high hopes entering the playoffs without Myers and Ehrhoff.

[Trevor]

PS - I texted Erik last night saying they need to lock up foligno for 10 years now. He's honestly the main reason I'm watching right now. It's like we got Hodgson for free.

[Jon Wolf]

I knew Foligno had potential, but I don't think ANYONE knew he'd make such a huge impact so quickly. He has the patience and presence in the offensive zone of a 10 year veteran, not a 10 game rookie, and he's laying hits on guys like a pro. He kind of reminds me of (shudder) Eric Lindros, but less of a pussy. (I fucking hated that guy, but he was a hell of a player.) Regardless, I sincerely hope Foligno is a Sabre for the long haul.

Darcy is either an evil genius or the luckiest SOB in the NHL.