Representation and Other Things

On Friday evening, I had the opportunity to represent Buffalo Wins as a blogger in the First Niagara Center pressbox during the Sabres/Senators game. I had done this once before actually; shadowing my brother Corey who has worked for WGR 550 in the past. I wrote about the experience too and you can read it here, here, and here.

This being my first time as…well, I won’t call it a professional blogger but as someone representing a site I work for, it was definitely an eye opener. Sitting in the pressbox gave me a completely different perspective on the game itself and how I reflect on a hockey game as I watch. At home, I swear a lot and comment on stupid nonsense during the game. I didn’t have the urge once to cheer when the Sabres scored and I think that’s a good sign. I furiously typed on Twitter the reactions from the crowd, where we were sitting; things like that. It gave me the feeling that perhaps I could really do something like this for a living.

It is what I would like to do for a living. I’m going to school as a Communication major right now and my dream is to work with the NHL. Perhaps not working with the Sabres, but I would love to work for the NHL generally. I think having this opportunity to be up there gave me some unknown confidence I didn’t think I had because 1.) I’m a woman and 2.) I let my hormones get the best of me. The last part meaning that yes, I find some hockey players attractive and those who follow my personal account know about that. The thing that surprised me the most was that Friday night, I was being depended on for updates on the Sabres. People followed me so they could read what I was saying. I don’t think I have ever felt more honored than at that moment.

The game itself was extremely fast paced from the pressbox.  I barely had any time to write anything down between the Roy goal and Ellis goal. It’s true from what the players say when they are scratched or injured – you can see so much more from an above viewpoint than what the players must see from the bench. As a fan as well, there’s only so much you pay attention to because of the angle at which you’re sitting. It gives reporters, scouts, bloggers, GMs, everyone involved a chance to analyze the game properly instead of the fans who just constantly yell ‘SHOOT THE PUCK!’ on the Sabres power play.

(Speaking of special teams, the Senators 5-on-3 they had in the first period – I don’t think I’ve ever seen a worse set up. They couldn’t get anything going on that. A good thing but if I was the Senators coach, I would have smacked them all in the heads.)

I plan on applying for more opportunities of doing this for the website, and I think it’ll be good for me. As much experience as I can get, the better for how I’ll do in the future for a career. I think if anyone writes for a Buffalo based blog, they should give this a shot just because it’s an extremely cool experience. You’re not going to regret it. But hey, if you feel like the atmosphere is too bland up there, you can always pork out on popcorn and oatmeal raisin cookies that they serve in the pressbox. Fake Darcy knows what that’s all about.

I wasn’t home for the game on Saturday night against the Bruins so I don’t really have an opinion on how the Sabres responded to Lucic’s hit on Miller. Seeing the hit itself, it appeared that Lucic had his elbow up and clocked Miller in the head. Now while Lucic obviously shouldn’t have hit him, I still don’t know why Miller came out to play the puck out like that. There is an NHL rule stating that goaltenders are not fair game to be hit but that applies when a goal is scored thereafter. Here’s the rule:

“69.4 Contact Outside the Goal Crease

A goalkeeper is not “fair game” just because he is outside the goal crease. The appropriate penalty should be assessed in every case where an attacking player makes unnecessary contact with the goalkeeper. However,incidental contact will be permitted when the goalkeeper is in the act of playing the puck outside his goal crease provided the attacking player has made a reasonable effort to avoid such unnecessary contact.”

There is a hearing being held for Lucic at 1 PM today. We should find out the result soon after. The Bruins don’t play until tomorrow night. I personally trust Shanaban to take precaution and make the right decision.

On a final and lighter note, the voting for the All Star Game begins today. Ryan Miller, Tyler Myers, Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek are your nominees this year. Go vote! While the game might seem lame to some, I think the Skills Competition is pretty awesome. You never know what some of the players are going to do.