Canada and the Tylers win gold

Team Canada won it's fifth straight world juniors with a lopsided 5-1 victory over Sweden. Canada's final two goals were both empty netters, but this game really was not close at any point. Joining Team Canada in the victory were Buffalo Sabres prospects Tyler Myers and Tyler Ennis.

Myers played very solidly on defense for Canada. He used his size to his advantage and played well on the top penalty kill unit. It really will not be long until he will be in the NHL with Buffalo, or at least with their AHL affiliate.

Expected number one draft pick John Tavares lead the tournament in goals, and looked impressive on the ice. However in his post game interview he sounded like an idiot, and I'm not convinced that I would want him on my team. Canadian teammate P.K. Subban seemed to be a much more likable player, but is already been drafted by a northeast rival, so that may not work out as well.

Tyler and Tyler take on the world

Starting today is the World Juniors in Ottawa Canada. Playing for the hometown favorites are both of the Sabres first round picks from this draft, Tyler Myers and Tyler Ennis. Both of them play in the WHL, but this may be their first real chance to play together, and hopefully will be sign of things to come for when they move up to the Sabres organization.

Myers (who is ridiculously tall) and Ennis (who is relatively short) are both be playing for team Canada. As in most international hockey tournaments the Canadians are favoured to win.

The Buffalo Sabres play the Washington Capitals tonight in their first game since the Christmas break.

On Buffalo, Logos, World Juniors, and Bettman

On Monday before the miserable loss to the Senators, the formal announcement of the world juniors took place. This was a big time media event with Golisano and Bettman both in town for the announcement. The event itself provided little information that hadn't already been leaked, expect for the greatly exaggerated numbers on the economic boost it would give the city.

Still look at the logo in the image of the the announcement. The Sabres have been avoiding the slug logo on almost everything for a while now. After putting the classic logo on the ice, I think it is safe to say that we won't see anymore of the slug after this season.

League commissioner Gary Bettman who was in town for the announcement then spent some time on the Sabres intermission show, resulting in a very awkward interview. Much of the discussion was about Golisano's purchase of the team, which happened six season ago now. Bettman then spent the rest of the interview sucking up to Golisano for really unknown reasons. Technically Golisano and the other thirty team owners give Bettman his job, but he came across and extremely desperate and childish in doing so.

Buffalo Wins! (the world under-20 championships)

Buffalo has been rewarded with the World U-20 championship tournament, (better known as the World Juniors). Buffalo was first selected as one of three finalists a little over a month ago. The official announcement about this will be made on Monday.

This is just the latest in a long line of hockey announcements that have leaked ahead of time. The whole world knew about the ice bowl, months before it was announced. Both the recent third jersey, and the slug logo were both leaked well ahead of time as well.

Still this is great news for the City of Buffalo. The Sabres play against the Colorado Avalanche tonight. Colorado has not gotten off to a good start this season, but this shouldn't be an easy win either. All thirty NHL teams are playing tonight (the only time that happens all season), and then nobody plays at all tomorrow for unknown reasons.

2011 World U-20 championships

Buffalo is one of the leading contenders to land the 2011 International Ice Hockey Federation World Under-20 championships. The other contenders are the Twin Cities and Grand Forks, which are both good hockey areas, but hopefully Buffalo gets the games.

According the Business First, the Buffalo area impressed the selection committee when they came to town. They even managed to get Amherst resident Scotty Bowman to push for granting the games to Buffalo.

This is still a few years away, but it would be awesome for an event like this to come to Buffalo, much like the frozen four was, when it came a few years ago.