Time To Buy Stock In Dewar's

M. Patton

B More - So much for a nice relaxing vacation in the Carribean that got my mind off things back in the real world, it's playoff time and the Sabres' series is tied. Before I go any further, it should be known that I am the most paranoid and nervous hockey fan, maybe not in WNY, but definitely in Maryland. Going into any playoff series, I am always nervous no matter who we are playing or how good we are that year.

Game 1 was a joy. I was in a small restaurant in Christiansted, St. Croix eating a fantastic dinner while checking the score on my cell phone. The only nervousness I felt was when the Isles tied it in the second. By the time I got back to my hotel room and was able to access the game audio online, it was 3-1, soon to be 4-1 and 1-0 in the series. I saw no live action and the game was essentially over by the time I started streaming WGR. Like I said, a pure joy.

Game 2 was different. All the confindence in my team was equally matched by playoff butterflies that I would have felt had we been up 3-0 in the series. The butterflies soon turned to frustration as I saw the first NY goal pinball its way by Miller, then the second goal sneak through the screen again. The most frsutrating thing was the fact that our only two goals came from defensemen. No goals from Briere, Vanek, Max, Pominville, or our numerous other offensive threats. It wasn't for the lack of trying. Our offense got shots, hot some posts, and was robbed a few times by some great goaltending. In any event, we got stung by a one goal game that we have seen the other side of so many times this year. It's the playoffs, that will happen.

The optimism in me is screaming that our offense is a sleeping giant, and that Game 2 was the Pearl Harbor event that was needed to awaken it. The shots will find their way in and they will come in droves. The paranoia is screaming that this NY Isles team is pumped after a big road win and has a coach that everyone in WNY knows is good. These emotions will fight each other every waking, and sleeping, hour until the next game starts and a whole new set of emotions will begin to develop.

That's the thing about the playoffs, whether you win or lose, the anxiety owns you for 48 hours until the next game. Since I average about one scotch per regular season game to combat that anxiety, the company who makes Dewar's stands to make some extra revenue during these playoffs.

But just so we are clear, I still like our chances.