Summer is too long sometimes.

It's been two years since the Sabres were in the playoffs last.

It seems like longer, at least to me. It's only the second year in a row that I've had to stand by and watch my team take an early summer, but it still grates. Especially those last few games, where we still could make it, if the Rags had the grace to lose for us . . . When it came down to that (ironically enough, like it did last season), I knew we were out. You can't rely on another team to lose so you can make the playoffs. It's not how it works.

Still, I'm watching. I love hockey too much to not watch the playoffs, even if my heart's not in it. It's kind of funny, watching amongst my friends who are Sabre fans what teams they're rooting for. We all have different favourites, aside from Buffalo, and it's interesting to see how we all branch out differently. Of course, it is annoying when we don't agree. It'd be so much simpler with the Sabres in it . . .

Honestly, watching these games, it feels empty. I can't explain it, it's just . . . I don't care unless the Sabres are in it. Even if my second favourite team wins the Cup, it won't mean anything to me. I mean, I'll be happier than if a team I hate wins it. But seeing Zdeno Chara lift the Cup above his head, it won't mean anything to me.