Calling history: Jeanneret and Lorentz enjoy the Sabres success
by CHRISTOPHER GORDON Orchard Park Editor

Sabres broadcast partners Jim Lorentz, left and Rick Jeanneret, center, are joined by Quaker Crossing developer Gerald Buchheit at the grand opening celebration of Borders at Quaker Crossing Friday morning. Photo by John Normile Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

Longtime Sabres play-by-play announcer Rick Jeanneret said it is hard to go anywhere these days without a Sabres fan approaching him for an autograph - and he wouldn't have it any other way.

In two seasons since the National Hockey League's lockout ended, the Buffalo Sabres have posted 105 regular-season wins and this season won the President's Trophy, awarded to the team with the league's best record. That means the Sabres will have home ice advantage throughout the playoffs.

"It's been phenomenal," said Jeanneret, who noted that Sabres fever has been burning since last May. when the team was edged out in seven games by the Carolina Hurricanes for a chance to play for the Stanley Cup.

Former Sabre Jim Lorentz, who serves as the color analyst for Sabres broadcasts, said through 10 years as a player and several more in broadcasting, he has never seen anything like the fans' rabid response to this team.

This includes winning the Stanley Cup as a rookie with the Boston Bruins in 1970.

"The atmosphere in Boston was enormous, too," said Lorentz, who added that the expectations were high in Boston, and it had been several years at that point since the Bruins had won the cup.

But he said even that does not compare to what he is seeing in Buffalo right now.

"I've never seen anything like this," said Lorentz, noting that the smaller community atmosphere enhances the enormous fan support.

The reason is simple:

"This is such an easy team to like," said Lorentz. "They're very quiet. Very professional."

Jeanneret has been calling Sabres games since 1971, and he is not afraid to admit he is a bit of a homer when calling games.

Many athletes are superstitious, and Jeanneret said that while he is not a superstitious person himself, he does follow the same routine before and after games.

Jeanneret's voice reflects the excitement of the packed crowds at HSBC Arena.

He is known for his famous calls, ranging from "May Day" and "Top shelf, where mama hides the cookies," to the last playoff-run classic: "These guys are good, scary good," following Jason Pominville's overtime goal that knocked out the Ottawa Senators in the second round.

The chemistry between Jeanneret and Lorentz is evident even when they are not behind the microphone.

Lorentz, who said he has the best seat in the house sitting next to Jeanneret, joked that he emulates his broadcast partner when he is at home.

"I go around the house saying, 'These guys are good, scary good,'" joked Lorentz.

Jeanneret said he finds it fun that many children imitate him when they are playing street hockey. He is just happy that he can be a positive role model.

While he has had a chance to call Stanley Cup finals games in 1975 and 1999, Jeanneret said should this be the year the Sabres sip champagne from hockey's greatest prize, he is not thinking ahead at all to what he might say as the final seconds tick away.

"I want that to be as much a surprise to me," Jeanneret said.

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