We had to start a new page to continue this live blog. So here’s what happened already:

1:22 PM: The anthems are finally complete after Roman Tynan dedicated it to our troops in Afghanistan. A very nice gesture.

The atmosphere is just amazing. Wish I could be there.

1:25 PM: On the game’s first shift, the great Crosby setup a goal already going right to the net before teammate Armstrong buried one past a stunned Miller just 21 seconds in.

1:27 PM: The Sabres appear flat so far turning over the puck. So far, Miller has been busy making a few key stops. The Pens appear very sharp. We had our first hit of the game by gritty Sabre pivot Adam Mair.

1:29 PM: The Sabres force a faceoff as Ty Conklin covers up. Believe it or not, the former Oiler now journeyman netminder shutout Buffalo a few days ago 1-0.

16:15 remaining

Armstrong off another nice setup hits the crossbar.

1:31 PM: The Pens are now on a power play and on the attack. Miller stoned Evgeni Malkin from in close and also got another try in the slot.

One thing I notice is that the ice is not great. We’ve seen Buffalo players have trouble with their footing leading to a couple of Pens’ chances.

It’s the Pens who look like the home team, very much more comfortable so far as Buffalo kills off the game’s first penalty.

13:00 left

Now Dmitri Kalinin hooks another Pen as the first boos rain down at the stripes from frustrated Buffalo fans. Talk about irony. Their team needs to get it together or this could be a long day. 

1:37 PM: The Sabres have killed off the first 50 seconds of this second Pitt man-advantage. They’ve had a couple of problems clearing the zone.

Now leading scorer Derek Roy sets up a shorthanded chance by Jason Pominville but the shot sails wide. They’re much more aggressive here and get a nice ovation from the crowd as the penalty expires.

Maxim Afinogenov is shutdown twice by Conklin. The Pens’ netminder scoops up a sharp angle centering pass and hangs on.

9:58 left as they go to break

SOG: Pit-8 Buf-5

Pens: 0-for-2 on PP

1:44 PM: They take a break to Zamboni the ice halfway through the stanza due to the snow which Pang notes is letting up. Paul Gaustad points out to Pang during the stoppage that it’s harder to clear the puck on the PK as we pointed out earlier.

The coverage so far has been very good. Now they’re ready for faceoff. Game on!

1:47 PM: The Sabres are starting to carry the play. Former backup Conklin has been good. He denied Jaroslav Spacek’s try off a nice setup.

Now Thomas Vanek takes an undisciplined offensive zone penalty much to Lindy Ruff’s dismay. He’s not pleased with the call but it looked like the 2006-07 top finisher of the Sabres reached out to hand the Pens their third power play.

1:49 PM: As they fix the ice, the U2 classic “New Year’s Day” blares out over the loudspeaker. One of my favorite U2 songs when they ruled the world.

1:51 PM: They’re trying to fix a chunk of ice. It becomes sadly obvious that the elements aren’t the best for this game. I can’t seem to remember this many stoppages for the one in Edmonton back in 2003.

1:54 PM: This delay is really dragging things and the crowd is getting antsy. Thankfully, they’re back playing again as Miller denies two good chances by Sergei Gonchar and Malkin. He’s really been sharp to keep his team in this. He did this against the Devils in a shootout loss last week to earn a point.

Colby Armstrong interferes with Miller and it’s now four-on-four for the next 71 seconds before a brief Buffalo power play.

Erik Christensen’s shot is fought off by Miller. 20 more seconds till a Sabre PP.

1:57 PM: The Sabres are on the man-advantage for 30 as they get setup.The Sabres ice seems to be against them as twice players couldn’t get one-timers off.

1:59 PM: Ryan Malone clangs the post. Now Roy is flat out robbed by a sprawling Conklin. Is this actually possible that they can’t beat this guy?!?!?!?!?! Almost four straight periods of shutout hockey as they hit a break.

2:01 PM: As they comeback, Roy was setup perfectly in the slot and the replay shows that his one-timer hit the post. So Conklin had a little bit of luck. But hey. That’s part of this game. Just ask Miller who’s best friend has prevented a couple of more Pens’ goals.

3:35 to go

2:05 PM: Not much is happening as the period nears a close. The frequent stoppages hasn’t helped because it gets the players out of rhythm.

Emrick says 70 seconds left. He might just be the only commentator who does that.

I’d be willing to bet he knows that five minutes is 300 seconds. Just imagine a game and Doc goes, “Well, there’s 300 seconds left in the period!”

As the period finally comes to a close, we should point out that Emrick is just a very entertaining broadcaster. Thankfully, no Chico Resch to go bonkers over the goalies. Oh wait. That’s only for Martin Brodeur.

At the end of one:

Pens 1 Sabres 0

SOG: Pit-11  Buf-9

Scoring: Pittsburgh 0:21 Colby Armstrong 6 (Sidney Crosby)

Power Plays: Pitt-0-for-3  Buf-0-for-1

We’re going to liveblog the second period over at my other hockey blog. So head over to the Battle of New York for the middle stanza.

I figured it would be best to spread out the fun of such an exciting game. We’ll have more stuff over at HB in the third and hopefully OT.

See ya there!