Buffalo: Do or Die

It's only Game 3 in the Eastern Conference finals, but with the Ottawa Senators holding a 2-0 lead over the Sabres and home ice for the next two games, things don't look good for the NYers.

Not only is Tallinder questionable for Game 3, but the Buffalo fans are sorely disappointed after a goal with 5 secs left (forcing OT), didn't lead to victory.

Key to the series: If Buffalo gets their special teams back.

The exact stats aren't clear, but Buffalo is something like 0-27 on the power play in the last 3 series and has allowed 5-40 on the penalty kill.

If they don't improve, they will lose. Then they'll have nothing to do.

Rangers and Sabres split 2-2

There's a fantastic article on ESPN recapping the game last night and the series as it stands.

Highlights from the article:

• During the 2006-07 regular season, the Sabres were never held to fewer than two goals in consecutive games. (like games 3 and 4)
• "I believe I've seen a replay where it's in," said Sabres coach Lindy Ruff (Lindy likes to whine)
• Struggling RW Maxim Afinogenov, Buffalo's sixth-leading scorer in the regular season, was scratched. He was replaced with rookie Daniel Paille, making his playoff debut. (Anyone who owns an Afinogenov sweater should be upset)

US spending billions on anti-missle defense... in Europe

Though coverage of the spending on the US military budget is not always great, one would hope that the US taxpayers are at least informed when we fund billions of dollars in other countries.

Spiegel Online is running a story about a "US proposal to plant antimissile missiles in Poland."

The EU concern is that we are working around NATO and the EU and trying to deal with only the country involved. Americans should be concerned that we're spending money on a "threat" that would be a more immediate threat to countries that are not concerned.

Carolina re-signs Whitney

After speculation abounded that Carolina Hurricanes point leader, Ray Whitney, would venture to another team for higher pay, Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford announced an agreement to a 3-year deal.

Rutherford has also made an announcement to make re-signing Scott Walker a priority. I think this is an even better idea, since in addition to having 51 points this season, Walker was one of the toughest members of the team.

The current players have until July 1st to make an early decision. At that point the official free agency begins.

Fear from Iran

In case anyone is wondering why other countries still hate the US it's because there are continuous articles that cast the US in an unfavourable light. Take for example this most recent one.

I don't know if there is a military build-up or not and I don't know what are the strategic plans for the military. However, one could argue that there is a war ongoing in a country bordering Iran, so perhaps the military is for that?

Many of the references used in the article are also from 2005 and other, older speeches.

It all depends on how the data is presented to give the feeling the author wants to inspire... not exactly unbiased...

For example, you have thanks US! and sketchy US!

However you present the materials, people have a right to state their opinions and fear another "pre-emptive" war. I would argue though, that the press should attempt to be a little more objective...