Last night was game1 vs Ottawa. Through the first 2 rounds I didn’t think that atmosphere was the same as it was during the playoffs last year, and I thought it was because this time, we were expected to get to the playoffs, and get to the conference finals, and in 6 more games, get to play for the cup. Last year it was a bit of a surprise. But now, round 3, conference finals – it was nuts. So so loud in the arena, and everyone was just excited and crazy. That quickly went away as Ottawa scored twice in the 1st period. When it was tied, it was nuts again…but we lost 5-2. Wow did the place deflate. Walking out was quiet and so weird. It was foggy in the city too, it was just a surreal moment. Alas, a good thing about the loss…we played like shit haha. We didn’t lose because we played our best and Ottawa was better. So 6 more games to get 4 wins…
Since the playoffs started, this video montage has been played on tv and at the arena before each game, set to music by the hometown Goo Goo Dolls. And while I’m not one for sappy crap, it really is quite touching, and uplifting, and not just for hockey, but for the way it paints Buffalo. And of course, it’s on youtube…(and I must say, I hate that youtube reduces the quality of everything). They’ve been changing bits of it after each round, adding more game clips, and footage from the plaza parties, so i’m not sure which version this is, but it’s the same general idea hah