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Vanek embarrassed with Sabres play

Thomas Vanek, Justin Faulk

Buffalo Sabres’ Thomas Vanek (26), of Austria, skates against Carolina Hurricanes’ Justin Faulk (28) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Jan. 6, 2012. Carolina won 4-2. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

AP

It’s no secret that things aren’t going well for the Sabres. “Poor play” is one way to describe it. Other people might say the team is “reeling.” There are even columnists that say this is “the worst Sabres team in a decade.” Then there are some fans in Buffalo that might use a little stronger language to describe the Sabres’ recent play. That’s what happens when a team gets outscored 19-5 in the first four games of a winless road trip.

Today, Sabres sniper Thomas Vanek had some equally strong words for his team’s recent play. “It’s embarrassing,” Vanek said Saturday afternoon. “Since day one when I got here, I always prided myself -- and it’s what I learned from the older guys -- to be a good road team which I thought we’ve always done a great job at. Right now it’s a mistake and it goes south for us.”

It’s not just that the Sabres are losing; it’s the way the team is losing. Once things start to slide for the team, the opposition is able to put on the pressure and destroy the Sabres without much resistance. The struggles have been on full display as they’ve lost their last three games to the Red Wings, Blackhawks, and Jets by a combined score of 15-3.

“Mentally, it’s tough. I’m not going to lie here and say we’re doing just great because we’re not.”

Good to hear that he’s not going to lie, because they aren’t playing well. It doesn’t get any easier tonight as the stumbling Sabres face off against the red-hot St. Louis Blues at Scottrade Center.