hammerbillsfan
10-09-2006, 12:58 PM
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/darren_eliot/10/09/sabres.sharp/
The Buffalo Sabres won all three of their games in the NHL's first week of action, including a strong showing in the place where it all ended for them last spring. Unlike last season's heartbreaking 4-2 loss in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final, the Sabres won the return engagement to Raleigh in a shootout over the Hurricanes. Small consolation, sure, but it seemed something larger than a mere victory was in play.
There is a sense that the Sabres are supremely motivated by coming so close last season. They've dealt with the disappointment and taken the positive out of their near-miss with such a depleted lineup. No sour grapes. No woe is us. Just a reinforced, refocused collective belief that they are the team to beat.
The Buffalo Sabres won all three of their games in the NHL's first week of action, including a strong showing in the place where it all ended for them last spring. Unlike last season's heartbreaking 4-2 loss in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final, the Sabres won the return engagement to Raleigh in a shootout over the Hurricanes. Small consolation, sure, but it seemed something larger than a mere victory was in play.
There is a sense that the Sabres are supremely motivated by coming so close last season. They've dealt with the disappointment and taken the positive out of their near-miss with such a depleted lineup. No sour grapes. No woe is us. Just a reinforced, refocused collective belief that they are the team to beat.