We're still here in Buffalo waiting for the Canes to return for Game 6. Jason Jennings and I settled in to watch Game 5 here in Buffalo on Sunday night. Of course we were SURROUNDED by Sabres fans so we did our best to keep quiet. But as soon as I ordered our food a guy sitting at the bar called me out..."you have an accent!." He knew we were from the south. "Yoose guys pullin' for da Canes right?" Well we'd like to see them win because it's better for us in our jobs. Who doesn't like following a winner.
So as the game progressed and the tension piled as high as a plate of Buffalo wings, Jason and I were silently rooting for the Canes. I like the guys on the team and in the organization plus I get tired of people busting on the Triangle area. Frankly, the Sabres outplayed the Canes for the most part but at this time of the year it's about cashing in on opportunities and oh Daddy, did the Canes do that.
On his way out of the restaurant at the end of the 3rd period, a Buffalo fan came by our table to drop off a box of wings he didn't want..."this is a consolation prize for when we kick your @%$#&!" Now I really want the Canes to win. With chants of "Let's go Buffalo" ringing in our ears, the puck bounced from behind the net out to Cory Stillman and his slap through Ryan Miller brought the RBC center to an emotional peak and the Anchor Bar in Buffalo exhaled a groan of disbelief. As the winning goal crossed the line, Jason and I immediately jumped up but we didn't speak a word. We knew better. I just hope the guy who left us the wings heard the final play on his way home.
-- Jeff Gravley
