Last night, I was able to attend the Sabres Blue & Gold Carpet that they held before the game. Every year they seem to do something different with this event and this year, it was changing the color of the red carpet to the team’s blue and gold colors. I got there fairly early this year and was able to get a good spot. I had a new jersey to get signed (you can take a guess at whose) and I was eager to see the boys see them strut down the carpet because I am a lady, you know.
I only got a few autographs on the jersey but that’s okay. It was just neat to see the guys interact with newer fans or people who have never been to the carpet before. I’ve gone to all of them since they’ve started so I’ve seen it change throughout the years. The only complaint I could ever have about it is having Janet Snyder do the commentary along with Kevin Sylvester. You could not pick a more annoying woman to be doing it. She kept saying how Miller was eventually going to show up, about an hour before he actually did so. When she interviews the players, it’s obvious they don’t want to speak to her but are too nice to decline or walk away. I think I was seething when she was speaking to Vanek just because he obviously looked uptight but he did a good job of hiding it. I could write a novel about how I’m irked by most female reporters but that’s for another day. The blue and gold carpet is really something more for the younger kids so they can see their favorite players up close but there are some of the parents that go crazy too. A few people behind me said that they were only there to see Miller. Along with half of the people there…snoozefest. Sorry Ryan, you just don’t do anything for me as a woman speaking. No one needs to know that but whatever. I really don’t like goaltenders anyways, it’s odd.
The friend I was with and I headed into the arena around 6:15 just in time to catch warm ups beginning. I can’t say I wasn’t shocked when I saw Vanek step out with an A since I was praying he would wear the C at last night’s game. Seeing Leopold with it made it hurt that much less but mainly because he’s my second favorite player on the team. It’s very interesting that Lindy hasn’t had Vanek wear the C yet in this preseason. Maybe he doesn’t see what we see, or Vanek just doesn’t need a letter in order to be a leader on this team. Actually he doesn’t need Roy in order to be a beast on this team but I digress…
The anthem singer from last night botched the Canadian National Anthem. In the middle of the song, he changed one of the words up, which you don’t tend to notice because you’re so used to hearing it. I looked at the reactions around me and everyone was thinking the same thing as I – ‘what the hell was that?’ I just don’t like any other anthem singer besides Dougie. He does it the absolute best.
It was good to see the Sabres play well during the second period and get a goal during it. They did what the Leafs did on Friday; pinning them in the zone for most of the period and getting a load of shots on the goaltender. The Sabres scored all of their goals on the power play so it seems like that is coming together. Let’s talk about that Vanek to Boyes to Adam play for a minor second…perfection. Again, Vanek plays better without Roy. Lindy should never pair them up again. I don’t care if they’ve played together for their entire pro careers, just don’t give in Lindy!
As I’m typing up this post, the Sabres are losing 4-0 to the Blue Jackets but whatever. It is only the preseason. I’ll be looking forward to the day when these games start to count – October 7th. It’s closing in upon us, everybody. Get excited.
Go Sabres.
Oh, and because I think it’s hilarious, I made it on the Sabres website.
Ah, yours truly.
Follow Shelby on Twitter: @shelbygriswold
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
