LT: I wanna let you know I appreciate the time and enegry you must have put into this. If I had a computer it would have been easier to write more "Breakdowns". That computer at home is a pain to use. I think I'm tiring of going to the libary just to get on the net. You did a great job on this thing. We thank you. We salute you. We'll try to uphold the crown of Grand Champion as honorably as you have this past year.

Steve: Congrats on some great picks and a nice run at the title. You had me sweating bullets right to the end. That was a close shave. Did you see Pearl Harbor? Should I bother?! FYI...I paid the Brant court $75 last week because in March I got a ticket for rolling through a stop sign in Evangola State Park. Got it knocked down to three parking tickets. I was driving home from getting gas on the Indian Rez. My RIO that evening is the next man I'll address...

Matt: for someone who has a state of the art computer at your disposal 24/7 you sure don't say much. Is that all-american-girl.com site Steve mentioned real? Hmm...

Moving on, though, I thought of something on the drive over to the Lake Shore Library today here in beautiful Wanakah, NY: this HOH contest has been quite a learning experience. Last year I over-thought things and tried to be fancy and wound up in last place. This year I decided to stop over-analyzing things and go for the win. While I may or may not have thought the Devils would win, I had to take the Avs and go for broke. That's what I did and it worked out just fine. 

Did you guys hear about ABC's ratings for the Cup Finals? Guess what U.S. markets had the highest shares...Denver, Boston and Buffalo(!!!). That's right coast dwellers-our hometown had better ratings than even the New Jersey/New York market, and as that idiot Bucky Gleason pointed out in Sunday's News, that doesn't even count the people in WNY that were watching the games on CBC! So, while auto racing and golf may out-draw the NHL on a national basis, at least in the Queen City some people still care about hockey. Possible reasons may have been turned off by ABC's coverage: those voice-overs by Michael J. Fox, Bill Clement, Panger, Engblom, etc.

When are the NHL awards?! Who's hosting? Trebek? Candy? Short? Thicke? Fox? Can anyone else think of a Canadian celebrity?! I heard Paul Shaffer signed on as the musical director...

Do you guys wanna' keep talkin' hockey for a while?! The next few weeks should reveal a lot. We'll have the Awards, the entry draft, most likely see some trad 

James, a tip of the cap for keeping this page going and all that entails, especially your humorous Captain's Logs.

Matt, are you still alive or did the little lady restrict your net access after she caught you checking out all-american-girl.com?

Should be a great game, and I can't wait to get out of work to watch the "second half". Excellent that our little contest comes down to one game. We've proven something here...we're all better hockey forecasters than anyone employed by The Buffalo News. Bravo, gentlemen, Bravo indeed.

K- why did you have to pay of the Brant Town Justice? I think I missed this story.

In fine HOH tradition, while playing in my weekly roller hockey game last weekend, I scored a beautiful breakaway goal after striping the opposing D of the ball at the blue line. 

Unfortunately, I'm not too proficient with my blades yet, resulting in a spectacular wipe out that totally tore up my left shin leaving a scab 3" wide x 7" long. The price we're willing to play for glory. Anyways, be advised that I'm in training for our comeback tour.

How about Regier failing to legally sign ANY of our '99 picks. Barrett Heistan, free agent. Zygomanis(sp?, the OHL leading goalscorer over the past 4 years, unsigned because of a typo and we used a #1 pencil instead of a #2. 

At least Rigas and Hasek reportedly had a sit down love fest last week.

Anyways, James, if you win again you'll be in for one hell of an evening later this year, after cashing in on not 1, but 2 HOH championships.

What the hell was I thinking letting the New Jersey cop suckers (I paid the Brant Town Justice $75 today!) know that Alex Mogilny was MIA. No sooner than I said it does he start to play like he's got Patty LaFontaine whispering sweet nothings in his ear. Did you guys see the article about him in the News last Saturday? A wife and two kids?! Hair turning gray?! Hell, can ya' blame the guy for getting a few grays? He's had the Russian mafia on his tail since 1989 for cripe's sake.

Here's hoping this series goes the distance.

Oh, nice timing with the Hunter Kelly thing. Yesterday Jimbo had his celebrity golf tournament. On hand were such luminaries as Marino, Montana, and even Doug Flutie himself. Forgive me for this tasteless joke, but I wonder if Flutie brought little Dougie along so he and Hunter could play in the sand traps while their Dads were getting hammered on the fairway?!

More to come.

In other news, after seeing Bourque score that goal, the buzz around Buffalo is that upon his retirement he'll be lured to the Queen City to teach the Sabres' blueliners how to shoot the puck on net.

Enjoy the weekend everybody.

How did Memorial Day 2K1 go on the East Coast? And who won the derby?

Game 2 tonight, for those still interested.

I'm gonna sign off quickly, before the rolling blackouts come...

Later, from another coastline on another ocean...

Now that the finals are set, allow me to use the discussion board to publish an updated score...J-La-35pts...SD-39pts...KayBee-39pts...MD-34pts. Steve and LT both garnered 10 points in the conference finals! Nice work Jamie. Steve, you lucky, loonie entrusting bastard! Matt and I both racked up another 6 points. Nice. I thought Sneaky Pete and the Blues would give the Avs a better fight, especially with Forsberg gone. I knew the Sabs wore the Pens down, but I didn't think they'd lay down for the Devs like they did.

So it comes down to this gentlemen. Everybody's still alive in this thing. It's a rat race to the finish. Bonus points loom. Game One Saturday night from the Pepsi Centre at 8pm, ET. Does one pick the team opposite the one he picked for the Cup as an insurnace policy, or does one pick the same team to go for as many points possible? I've got some numbers to crunch!

In other news, the votes are cast, the list compiled, and the green flag on the Rock 'n Roll 500 drops tomorrow at 10am. Ah, Memorial Day weekend in Western New York. I wonder what #1 is gonna' be this year...

I just worked nine days straight. Now I have a long weekend, on a real weekend! It's time to try and find something fun to do and blow off some steam and stress. Enjoy the weekend boys.

K/M: What's new in the town that friendship built? 

Matt: You'd like riding a motorcycle out here. Lane splitting is legal, so bikers can absolutely fly and avoid traffic jams.

LT: Where'd you get that magic loonie? Next year the loonie should have an entry each round and if it wins the contest, we should all have to throw in some significant cash into a pool that carries over to the next human winner.

Hard to believe it's been a week since the Sabs got bounced out. There I was, wearing the same clothes I had on when they won game five, with my audio cassette copy of "Sabredance" all cued up, just the way I had it for game seven against Ottawa in '97. I guess my superstitions didn't pay off. Dammit...

Kudos to Dougie for saying what many have wanted to say about Blessing and Robitaille for a long time!

Top two free agents for Buffalo to pursue this off season? Simple-do the names Turgeon and Mogilny ring a bell? Return of the Young Guns indeed.

LT-have a nice time out west. I like your idea already about a possible confluence of Bravo personalities for the opening of Episode II. 370 days and counting...

Bay Area Scout-What's shaking? It's gonna' make me feel guilty to have to do it without you, but I sure do got a hankering for one of those good old fashioned "Hockey and cold beer" nights at Hooters...

Liquor Man-Where are you? I left you two messages prior to the Sabs' game seven, but didn't hear from you so I had to take another option. Maybe if we would have been watching down at Pearl Street or something they would have won!

This round comes down to the numbers 5 or 7. Will K separate from the pack or will he be hauled down from behind like Antowain Smith tackled by a quadraplegic, blind grandmother. Only time will tell if the hockey gods have heard my prayers.

I was dissapointed last night, but can any of us say we were surprised?! Such is life as a Buffalo sports fan. I'll save more hockey commentary for the Korner...

As for the wager, I think LT needs to check his math. What was the wager last year? Was it third place (me) buys first place (LT) dinner?! Ya' gotta' tell me. So if last year was a 100% payout from the last place person to the first place person, why should we change it?! Was last year third place pays 100% to both first and second?! Regardless, perhaps last year's result and this year's should be kept exclusive of each other.

I say this sounds fair for this year: 60-30-10.
 

Oh, whoops, I guess its your vote... Sorry, my mistake...

And we really have to do one final vote, majority rules for this asinine payout plan. I'm leaning towards 60%-30%-10%. Everyone please put your vote on this board in your next comment.

I have to add a comment and say this whole thing is stupid for 2 very good reasons: First, how can you pay for 10% of a lap dance? And secondly, splitting a bill simply doesn't work. Just witness last year's contest. I rest my case.

Besides, I've got it all figured out for this year; just imagine this scenario - if Blaser wins this thing and I come in fourth place, he'll get his night paid for, all expenses. But since he still owes me 100% from last year's contest, he'd have to actually pay his own 60% for this year (what I would owe by being in 4th place), plus, on top of that, he'd still owe me an additional 40% to make up the balance for last year! Win-win, for me.

That said, how's it feel to be in first place, mon Kaptain?
 

I've begun taking to heart the Rim-Man's prophesy that this very well could be the golden age of the Sabres with all their inexpensive, nameless talent battling so well for the Cup. Damn if he isn't right (well, he ain't the Rim-Man for nuthin'!). Which makes it all the worse if they don't win it all this year.....
 

Finally, like Blaser said below, if anyone want's to submit entries for the daily "Black List", or the "Hero! Poll", be my guest. Submissions are GREATLY appreciated! (It ain't easy keeping up this consistant level of high quality!) So PLEASE, e-mail me your submissions! (and K, don't e-mail 'em to everybody, or it defeats the purpose!)

P.S. Don't know if anyone saw this on the LINKS page yet, but THIS site is so dumb its amusing.

Be sure to check out the Pang/Hamilton one under "Media" and the Scott Steven/Howie Long one is another instant classic.

Bravo: How about a live chat between the second & third periods? If one of the Hamburg Bravo members reads this, how about calling the other just in case he doesn't check in.

Cross your fingers. Cross your toes. Try and do everything that you did exactly the same way you did on the days when the Sabres won, whether that means putting your left or right sock on first, not wearing underwear, shaving or not shaving, whatever. Do whatever you have to do. Together, we can all do our part to help the Sabres win.

I've dreamed up some good lists and poll questions, watch for them in the near future.
 

Do all of you realize that we are very well seeing the only "Golden Age" for Sabres hockey that we may see in our lifetime? The number of coincedences needed for such a small market team to be this competitive for Lord Stanley's Cup is dumbfounding.

Besides Hasek, having the amount of good, young, affordable talent that the Sabres have before they leave for lucrative free agency is amazing. Plus we've been able to add veterans like Dougie, Davie, Donnie, & Stevie for one run at minimal cost. Will it ever happen again? I hate to say it, but I don't know if Buffalo will be this competitive over a 4 or 5 year period over the rest of my lifetime.

Anyways, it'll be interesting to see how the 2 teams come out playing tonight. I really hope Buffalo can take Pitt down w/o having to go to a game 7.

LT- How about a new poll?

Who'da' thunk the Leafs had a chance against the Devils?! They'll miss Domi, but they actually can close out the series tonite.

LT-Hey, if I would have had more notice, I'd have jetted down to ESPNZone to watch the game with you. What are you doing tomorrow nite? So many venues to choose from, so little time. Oh, since you asked, "Brooke" didn't have THOSE kind of relations with Dorff. They were actually related; they were cousins. Well, on second thought...

Purcell-I wish you'd stop beating yourself up about these hockey picks. You're doing fine. This ain't rocket science. Although my picks are based on an exhaustive analysis, you could always just do what the writers for the Buffalo News do and guess!

Pacific Rim Man-I'm torn...I want the Sabs to win the series, obviously, but if they do it in six, you'll get bonus points. If it goes seven, I'll get 'em (Purcell too). Where do we draw the line between rooting for our beloved team and this damn wager?! Hey, if it means the Sabres win, then I could care less about any "wager". I'll be spurring them on to go for the kill ASAP. Go Team Go!

33%-33%-33% it is then. 
I would also like to put 2-1 on Blaser
Go Sabres

I love your wager-within-a-wager idea. So the lines are now open. I'm taking Blaser to win at 2-to-1. Anybody want any action on this?

And last I checked, the committee was never able to fully reach a consensus on a final wager/distribution for this competition. So for fairness's sake, we really have to agree on something ASAP. I'm good with both the 60-30-10 and the 34-33-33 plans. Seeing as how I look destined for last place anyway, I'm willing to accept either plan. But I will definitely say this: next year, we're not doing this so unorganized. We're all going to throw in the neighborhood of $25/per into a kitty, and then do a payout along the lines of 75-20-5-0... As Lou Brown would say, "No more of this ole bullshit....”

D - as a reminder, I'll be in San Jose on Meemorial Day 2K1.

K - because I know you like celebrity rubberrnecking stories, a couple weeks ago I saw Stephen Dorff in that bar we were in on your birthday with Duggan. He's small. And not that tall, either. (Didn't some Oswego connection of yours have relations with him?) Then, last night I was in the Angelika where we saw Corgan during the abysmal "Crash". Nary a row in front of me was Famke Janssen, aka Zenia Onatopp or pre-Phoenix Jean Grey. Nice.

In related hockey news, how about Team Canada captain Michael Peca breaking his cheekbone over at the World Championships in Hannover, Germany? He's missing a great series. CuBro has risen to the occasion to make us forget about the disgruntled pickle afficionado.

Cinco de mayo this Saturday. Add the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Shake well, serve over ice. Delicious.

Has the committee decided on a final wager and its distribution?

Am I supposed to talk about hockey here? Oh yeah...obviously the first two games were a disappointment. I blame the lame-ass Buffalo crowds. Rigas has outpriced the rabid/loud/average fan out of the building. Too often people are at HSBC (Hot Sauce Blue Cheese Arena as that genius Levy on ESPN would have us believe) Arena to be seen and people watch from the pavillion. And they sit and wait for the jumbotron to tell them when to cheer. Maybe this town misses the atmosphere of The Aud.

But, last night the Sabs put together a great effort. And game four tomorrow night is crucial. They pull a win tomorrow night, and we do have a real chance of winning this thing. 

I got to see Purcell drink a whole cup full of blue cheese Friday night!
 

Keep the faith boys.

Despite the Pens hitting a few posts and having some good scoring chances, I thought we completely outplayed, outwitted & outlasted the Pens last night. If we can keep up that intensity I think we can win in 7. Then again, if the Sabs coast in game 4, I wouldn't be surprised.

I loved it when Maxim put on the brakes and Kasparitis wiped out trying to stay with him. How about Mario telling Hlinka to pull the Moose with almost 3 minutes left? Why do the Pens even have a coach with Lemieux playing? Although Super Mario was pointless and had a -2, I still get nervous whenever he has the puck in the offensive zone.

LT: FYI, the graphic on this page doesn't load.

I kind of like the 33.3% split for the wager distribution. It clearly defines first place as the only winner, and doesn't punish the others in a cruel or excessive manner. Just my unmitigated two cents talking...

All predicting and wagering aside, what do you guys think of the series?

I'm off to go buy today's edition of the News. Supposedly they're having a special hockey section today. Should be good for a laugh. 

p.s. Should I meet Matt at Japes tonite or go to Hooters by myself?! HA! 

You picked Milan Hejduk(???) for the Conn Smyhthe, so I'm pretty sure that you came up with your picks on your own. However, I can see the otherside: Which member of Bravo can see all the picks in advance, has a well documented history of playing loose with the rules, hates to lose, and complained vociferously about one player's picks accidently being sent to another? Just stop accusing others, ok?

And your captains logs are pretty damn entertaining.

K: I hate to break this to you, but the jolly, fat man wearing a red costume whose lap you sat on last Xmas wasn't Santa. However, I think you unwittingly made his holiday wish come true.
As for emailing your picks at the last minute, if their truly is no honor among thieves, it won't do any good. Please give my regards to Amber and tell her that my aim is true.

M: Do you watch the Sopranos? If not, I think you'd like it a lot. 

As for the prize breakdown, I'm not totally opposed to a 33% each breakdown, except for one thing. I'm fully aware that there are no points for 2nd place, but I also know that we have an even longer history of preying on the weak. The problem with the 33% plan is that it rewards 4th plave. 

Yes, 2nd, 3rd, & 4th are all losers, but 4th is especially pathetic IMHO and should have an incentive to keep playing up until the end. Ppride isn't enough for us to keep going, and if the cost is the same if you don't finish first, why keep playing once you think you're out of it?

How about a 50% cost to 4th place and 25% each to 2nd/3rd?

If you are worried b/c you follow hockey less than the rest of us, don't worry- either use a magic looney or just go to an ESPN like site and use one of their experts picks.

LT- I just read some of the quotes on the site. Until now I figured they were just the ones from last year. Then I saw the one about Norma. Tasteless? Maybe. Hilarious? Indoubtedly!

Pac-Sho- I believe you when you say you closed that email with my picks as soon as you realised what it was. Did I tell you guys I saw Santa Claus last Christmas? Oh, it's true...

Mustang Man- Kudos on those first round picks! How'd you do it?! What are doing for the game tomorrow night?! I've been trying to think of a good sports bar around here. Then I remembered the obvious: Do I hear the word "Hooters" anyone? Don't worry Steve, I'll tell Amber you said hello...cold beer, chicken wings, hockey, and tips. Lots of tips. Big tips...

Matt, of course I remember Gia. How could I forget? K never misses an opportunity to bring her name up. And there's that rash, too...

Now, if I could only remember where they serve Braveburgers...
 

I find it amusing (at best) that we can't come up with a consensus regarding the payout terms of this bet. Though I must say that I don't fully disagree with Matt's latest proposal - the 33%/33%/33% plan. Sure the ballsy absurdity of it made me laugh out loud at first, but then after thinking about it for a little, there is actually quite good merit to that plan. No one else has suggested another one with such a clear demarcation of the true black-and-whiteness of this contest: You either win, or you lose. Period. You don't "kind of" lose, or "lose better"; you're a loser. Face it.

Nonetheless, we've got to come to an agreement on this, and soon. Also, what are we playing for? I'm good with an all-expense paid night.

Finally, I gotta ask, where's the love? Yesterday, I get 2 e-mails from 2 unnamed Heroes, basically accusing me, nay, threatening me that if I peek at the picks when they come in, there'll be trouble. Come on guys, there's honor among thieves, is there not? We've all played poker together. We know that fairness comes with a price....
 

Mr. D, Hows the weather out on the coast and do you have non-pirated electricity yet? In case you dont have a clue about my Q and A at the top, dont worry, those fuckers probably dont either. Actually it's a yarn that could be spun at the next drunken Bravo get together.

Mar(v)cus, Theres probably an easier way to keep in touch.

Myron, Howdy again. Being an absentee from the first tourny, keep me abreast when there procedure that I'm unfamiliar with. Hopefully I'm keeping up but there actually is quite a bit going on with things now, so bear with.

Finally Gentlemen,
It seems we're not catching my drift so I'll spell it out. I'm not going to win and i dont have a snowballs chance at second. So the only honorable payout is as follows: second place- 33%, Third place-33%, Fourth place-33%. I still dont award any leniency for second place! And third might as well be last. I'm well aware of your thoughts on this and your tendancies to pray on the weak, and when it comes to sport stats and overall knowledge....

James: Nice chat feature, perhaps we'll have to set up a time during one of the games for all of us to log in to chat. At least I don't need a ton of Canadian cash for this VIP room. As for the West coast, it'd be great to see you. Let me know what your plan is, ok?

K: I've had cable for a while now and I think you'll like it. Besides, your $.02 might be just the extra $ Rigas needs to bring Peca back next year. 

I don't agree with your proposed cost break down (2nd pays 30% 3rd pays 20%, I assume that was a typo?). I think 2nd should pay, but the burden should be primarily on 4th, with a significant difference between 2nd & 3rd. I still like a 60/30/10 split or perhaps a 50/35/15 one. Your in the lead anyways, so why shouold you care 

Don't pay any attention to LT on the selection similarities. He's just jealous that myth of his supposed hockey knowledge superiority is being shattered by random coin flips. As for receiving your picks, once I opened that email, I say what is was (and, to be honest that you had NJ over Car) and promptly closed it. My picks are entirely my own and, no offense, if I'm going to cheat, it's not going to be off the defending cellar dweller.

Matt: What's new in the big city? Nice pick on the Devils in 6, btw, but can you keep it up in the next round???

LT-for my symbol on the tree diagram you can stick with the old Sabs logo, or if you want a new one, it could be the General Lee or the WWF insignia! Also, I need a new jersey number. Let's go with 17...

PFCDP-we'll talk soon. Nice day huh? I'm tempted to go home and put shorts on and dig out the roller blades and hockey stick (for those of you non-Buffalo residing readers, it's beautiful here, sunny and in the 80's). Makes me think of a couple things...California and cooking burgers at HSBC Arena!

Pac-Scout-Does LT think that my emailing you my picks somehow influenced your own picks?! I emailed them to all of you guys as a courtesy, to show that I was filing them before the deadline, since I didn't know if the webmaster would post them in time. Should I email my second round picks to only LT?!

Have a good night everyone. I wrote another kolumn, watch for it.

A dilemna arises now. There's only basic cable at the house. I need hockey coverage. So I called Adelphia today and got the info...if I call them back tonite the cable could be turned on by Thursday, thus giving me ready access to ESPN and the deuce. Like Rigas needs any more money!

Well, what team do you guys think is a better match-up for BUF, the Pens or Caps? Since I predicted the Pens in 7, I'll pull for the Caps tonite, then the Pens tomorrow. Whoever the Sabres wind up playing, they play. It's as easy as that.

Are you disagreeing with this? We feel that if the person in second-place didn't have to pitch in, then it would be like he's getting a free ride (and contradicting the "no points for second place" doctrine).

K - How about a new kolumn?

Post script: I am not unhappy with my selections for the quarters, but there is still no points for second

It's a good day for the city of Buffalo.
It's a good day to be a Sabres fan.
It's a very good day.
 

(though it's always a bad day when you're in last place in this stupid contest)

I agree with your logic and fuzzy math. I will back your proposal of 60%/30%/10% payouts.

Now we only need one other Hero to agree and we have the required 3/4's quorum. Then, that proposal will be passed to the league office for it's rubber stamp of approval (pending veto and legislative discussion), and we will adopt that payout burden.

Everyone else agree with those numbers?
 

Coming in 1 hour 10 minutes: Face-off for Game 6, live from the H'...

I have no problem with 2nd contributing, I just didn't like your proposed cost breakdown. For 3rd to pay 20% vs. 15% for 2nd didn't seem to differentiate enough between the man who competed for the championship (i.e. 2nd) and the consumate underachiver (i.e. 3rd). How about this split: 4th=60%, 3rd=30%, 2nd=10%?

As for the prize, how about dinner and a daytrip when we are all next together. Similar to our last HHOF excursion with the stop at Gretzky's restaurant. The loser(s) arrange transportation, pay tolls, buy food and admission to attractions (Ballet not included). 

I voted for a 4th place pays 75% and 3rd pays 25% of the winner's costs.

On a different note, the U2 concert was really good. Besides the expected standards from Joshua/Acthung/Zooropa/Pop/ATYCLB, they also played "Bad", "New Year's Day", "I Will Follow",
"Sunday Bloody Sunday", "Pride(In The Name of Love)" and many others over a 2:15 set played with a lot of energy and a very enthusiastic crowd. Edge wore a Super Joe jersey and opening act PJ Harvey was pretty good.

K, what's the scoop on this Melissa Geshwind(sp?), the Sabre's writer. Is she ok, or does she make you long for the days of Jim Kelley?

Matt, if you ever want to come out for Tahoe or Squaw, you're always welcome to crash at my place before, during or after the skiing.

And as for my "lacky" who assisted with your picks, I'll come clean; it was Dice, via telephony. Our dirty secrets are still safe among our own kind.

Kommish,
Gratzi, it's nice to feel welcome. Considering my humble scenery at home, the view in Daytona was ... adequate.
Getting down to bid-ness and the matter of my "picks", A FUCKIN LOONIE, YOU F'in BASTARDS ARE GONNA TAKE MY MONEY AFTER YOUR LOUSY PICKS AT THE FATE OF SOME THIRD WORLD-BUCK SIXTY TO MY ONE DOLLAR-LAP DANCIN-TIN CURRENCY GIVIN COUNTRIES' LOONIE? Ok, its probably better than i could pick anyway. By the way LT, who are your lackies that audited my picks as you flipped, and don't they know about this whole thing if they witnessed you flipping? I'll try to have my shit together for the semi's to avoid further unpleasantries.
To Bravo, No Bullshit, this year i want full commitment on the wager,CAPICHE?(whatever it may be)
To our Pacific "Rim" Man,
My humblest greetings Mr. D. Long time no nothing. They tell me you lost last years comp. so you can cash out directly to me to square up for this years pool. I believe the stakes last year was a spa weekend for one at Squaw Valley USA, which is convinient for you being so close and all.
Taylor,
Third night in a row you missed me bud. Believe me, I totally understand.

Peace And I'm Out,
Private Fuckin' First Class,DanielPurcell

Forgive my, uh, tardiness in making my presence here known. Yes, today does, in fact, mark my first visit to this spectacular website. It's nice to see that we're all on board this time around. I'm shocked at some of the similarities in our predictions...the bonus questions might wind up being a mute point. Avs and Devs have advanced, so some points are to be rewarded pronto, eh commissioner?!

Purcell...sorry about not meeting up for game four the other night. Chalk it up to distractions, eh?! I got your email about tonite's game. I'll try to get in touch. Any thoughts about trying to score some tix if (when?![no jinx!]) we get past Philly?!

Pacific Scout...How are you doing?! What's new out there?! Have you purchased a generator yet?! Nice to see you're here! I'll try and write another column asap, and watch for a lifestyles feature. Coming soon!

LT...great work! I suppose for now I'll stick with the old Sabres logo for my symbol. And although you took the liberty of posting my articles without written consent, that's fine. That's what I wanted you to do with them! Should be an exciting game tonite. This is so exciting...you can cut the electricity with a knife. I feel compelled to go out and buy a Sabres jersey or one of those silly car flags! 

Keep your fingers crossed boyz! I shall return.

Purcell, welcome back. Hope the rays were stunning and the temptations were, uh, tempting.

Your picks were done randomly by the flip of a loonie, supervised by the league Commissioner, himself, and one of his lackeys. Oh, you gotta tell me asap who you think will win the Cup and who will be Playoff MVP - there's bonus points at stake.

As for the final wager, that's still TBA. There has to be some kind of mutual consensus. Like last year it was an all expenses-paid dinner. Suffice it to say, no expenses have yet to be paid....

Also, what do you mean by "What happened to the old site?" Basically everything is still around - Captain's logs in the Archive (follow the links on the main page), and all of the old Discussion Board banter is at the link at the bottom of this page. What were you looking for?

Also, what's wrong w/ "Dirty Dozen"? How can you complain about a "negative connotation" - have you been asleep the last 12 years?!!

D - What do YOU mean "so few updates"?! Thiss site has has been updated 3 times in the last 3 days! How many times has your web page been updated?

One other thing - you komment about Kris' dearth of articles as of late, well I can answer that. I don't think he's still ever been to the site yet, and so he doesn't know that I've spotlighted his contributions in a regular segment. To this point, its been done sans permission. Once he realizes how popular its become, I'm sure the words will start flowing... either that or completely dry up.

Finally, what do you guys think of me adding a chat room to this page so we can talk in real-time? Previously I didn't think there was much of a need and I liked how all the dialog was being saved here, but if you want one, I'll do it. Discuss.

1. LT: Everyone, including Matt, picked the Av's sweep. Has the hangover from winning in 2000 dulled your judgement? Also, why so few updates?

2. Blaser: A journalist has to produce everyday. During Sabres' off days, how about some human interest stories?

3. Matt: You alive?

Hell of a Kings rally last night. Go Devils! Go Buffalo (although if they have to win in 6, I'll understand).