Author: Chris Ostrander

20 Years after Wide Right

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It has been 20 years and every news outlet in Buffalo is remembering Scott Norwood’s missed kick.

I don’t remember the game, I was only five. I do remember the 52-17 beating in ’93 and Thurman’s fumble in ’94. But seeing the pictures and the highlights make it all too real.

The worst part is the current reality that Bills fans live in is so much worse. The level of mediocrity is insane. What I would do for Butler and Polian to be back at the helm…

Unfortunately, Tom Modrak keeps getting votes of confidence and drafting players like Aaron Maybin.

The only light at the end of the tunnel is to go buy Madden and play every game until the Super Bowl. I’m fairly certain you can’t simulate the Bills into the playoffs.

Now there may be something to talk about

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Count me among those who think the Sabres will be on the outside looking in when the post season comes along.

However, the recent play from the Blue and Gold is certainly generating some hope. With the All-Star break just days away and the trade deadline to follow, there could be some interesting things going down at One Seymour H. Knox III Plaza. Of course we could just end up with an average player who overachieved on a bad team.

Yet, the Sabres enter the All-Star break on the heels of an 8-3-1 January and sit just four points out of a playoff spot. They are certainly digging their way out of the hole they created at the beginning of the year. Now comes the time of year when you wonder, who will be on the move?

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The King still reigns

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By no means do I think LeBron James did the right thing this summer. One of the NBA’s biggest primadonnas make a circus league bigger than Ringling Bros. when he went on national television to tell who he was going to sign with as a free agent.

Everyone knew it wasn’t going to be the Cavs. If you thought LeBron was staying in Cleveland, you were naive. He had spent seven years there with an average supporting cast, even when the organization tried to bring better players in it wasn’t enough. There was no reason for James to stay with the Cavaliers, and I don’t blame him for wanting out. Continue reading →

Sure, it was Cam Newton’s father.

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Mr. Newton was almost laughing all the way to the bank

The NCAA has found a new way to ensure a BCS buster doesn’t sneak into the BCS Title Game. This time they have ruled that Auburn super-stud quaterback, Cam Newton, is still eligible after his father broke NCAA rules during Newton’s recruitment. Continue reading →

How quickly things change

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Yesterday The Hockey News and The Buffalo News each broke stories that the Sabres were being shopped, albeit quietly, by current owner Tom Golisano. Each report pegged Pennsylania billionaire, Terrence Pegula, as the prospective buyer.

As the day grew older the reports intensified. In fact, rumors circulated that Pegula was heading to New York to meet with Gary Bettman in regards to the sale – that report later added that Pegula would be introduced at the Board of Governors meeting next weekend. Continue reading →

Vote for Cody

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I am stealing someone’s idea. Only because it was a really good one. Back in 2007 current Buffalo Bills quarterback former Buffalo Sabres defenseman, Rory Fitzpatrick drew the admiration of a young Canucks fan. This fan took it upon himself to try and get Ftizpatrick voted into the All-Star Game. He even had a website.

That being said, this morning I was thinking – it was a pretty big step for me. While perusing the NHL Fan Balloting I realized it would be cool to get a guy voted in like Fitzpatrick almost was a few years back. So I am taking it upon myself to get Cody McCormick in the All-Star Game.

Just think about it. The dude is a beast, he works his tail off every shift and is a damn good fighter to boot. See below:

So, do the right thing. Write in Cody McCormick to the 2011 ASG Fan Ballot.

Net Issues

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You might think that having the reigning Olympic MVP and Vezina Trophy winner tending goal for you as a dream scenario. Perhaps, for the Sabres, it isn’t.

Now, Ryan Miller has not been bad this season for Buffalo. There is no Vezina/Olympic hangover. He tweaked his knee, or hip, or ankle, or – suffice it to say it was a lower body injury. He missed some time and he certainly wasn’t 100% while trying to play through it. Continue reading →

NHL overhauls All-Star game

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Recognizing that the current All-Star format had grown cold, the NHL has decided to overhaul the format.

According to this TSN article, the fan voting for the starters will remain. After that, NHL hockey operations will select the remaining pool of players and two captains. It will be these captains that pick their own teams.

This year’s NHL All-Star game will feature a cool new format, but probably not too many fans.

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Last chance for a win?

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Entering this season there were only a few games I had circled as potential victories for the Bills. As the NFL season has unfolded these potential wins have changed too.

Between the Bills “defense” and the evolution of a couple of these teams (Peyton Hills and the Browns), the Bills chances for victories has grown thin.

Ryan Fitzpatrick needs to make some clutch plays if he hopes to lead the Bills to a win.

As Detroit comes into Buffalo for Sunday’s tilt, the Lions are without quarterback Matthew Stafford and should have Shaun Hill under center. Although, Hill is recovering from a broken arm and may not be 100% for the game. It doesn’t really matter he has been torching defenses this year. Add to that Jahvid Best, the Lions attack doesn’t really match up well for the Bills defense. Continue reading →