Published: April 05, 2009 12:46 am      

GENCO: Observations on the Sabres

I had the occasion to attend the Sabres Panthers game recently and was struck by the divergent atmosphere.

While the team seemed intense on the ice, HSBC arena was comparatively dead. A portion of that was the fact the only thing mildly interesting about the Florida Panthers is their name, but it’s almost as if the fans haven’t grasped the desperation of spring hockey with their team out of the playoffs. Here are some other observations:

• It seems like a long time ago that the Rigases nearly bankrupted the team. I miss Empire Sports Network. The only vestige of that era is the Empire Sports logo on the brass plaque honoring Edgar “Ted” Darling, the voice of my Sabres’ youth.

• Looking at the rafters, I wonder how long until there is a 39 Hasek banner hanging. It seems like it should be there already. Hopefully next year.

• Few things elicited loud cheers, but a simple image of Gil Perreault in a luxury box did.

• Heading to the press conference after the game, I was struck by the dominance of Paul Hamilton from WGR. While there were 20 other people in the room, one or two asked a question in the post game press conference, and most of it was a conversation between Hamilton and Lindy Ruff.

• I can’t believe how everything is sponsored, even the ice scrapers, brought to you by JW Danforth. What’s next? This urinal courtesy of Mountain Dew?

• I know games are regularly reported as sell-outs, but it always strikes me how many thousands of empty seats there are. Part of that was because of the Panthers. It takes more than an average fan’s sophistication to admire the play of a defensive stalwart like Jay Bouwmeester.

• Interesting how a lost season and a long healthy stretch in the press box affects a player like Max Afinigenov. Suddenly he backchecks and he goes to the net. I wonder if it has anything to do with being an unrestricted free agent after the season.

• Patrick Kaleta has fast become a favorite. It’s worth noting he has also become a better player. It’s little things, like gaining the zone alone and facing a defender one-on-one. He dumped the puck and headed to the bench for a change. How many young players, or selfish ones, would try to be at that defender and end up trapped out too long, hurting their team.

• That the Sabres are even close to the playoffs is a testament to how well Patrick Lalime played while Ryan Miller recovered from his ankle strain.

• Interesting to note: Lalime’s predecessors at back-up have had divergent paths: Jocelyn Thibault from last season is out of the league. Ty Conklin from the season before was a star for Pittsburgh and is now starting for Detroit.

You may have noticed my column absent over the last few weeks. I’ll continue to chime in now and again but have been insanely busy of late so watch for me here as whim dictates.

Thanks for reading.

LM Boyd of the Week: Bullfrogs croak with their mouths closed.

Word of the Week: Chrematophobia — fear of money. The rarest of condition s. If you suffer from it, mail what you can to Eric DuVall or this writer.

Contact Joe Genco at joegenco@gmail.com.