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The 2005-2006 Buffalo Sabres season is over. They gave an extraordinarily valiant effort tonight in Raleigh, NC, but left the ice in defeat, 4-2. (Surprisingly, the score I predicted in a previous entry today…)

But I would like to say, this is the best I have ever felt about a playoff defeat of any Buffalo team. This team was simply incredible. We had 4 out of 6 defensemen out of the game. One of the replacement guys had only put SEVEN SHOTS EVER on any goalie before tonight, and ended up scoring the first game tying goal. His first NHL goal. The defensive subs played great. The rest of the team did not complain, they just picked up the slack and took it to the Hurricanes all night. The pucks would not go in the net as much as they would like, but the tenacity was incredible. There was no quit in this team.

And so, though we lost the game, and the series, they certainly have nothing at all to be ashamed of.

Great season, guys! Looking forward to next year! This is a young team with lots and lots of potential. Look out NHL… here come the Sabres!