European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 12, 2007, Darmstadt, Hesse April 2007 stars and stripes Mideast edition Page 25 buffaloes Vanek has something to prove by John Wawrow the associated press a million times Thomas Vanek is not the Buffalo sabres Forward crossing his arms uncomfortably whenever the topic of what happened to him last year comes for someone who led the sabres with 43 goals this Vanek is still stung by coach Lindy ruffs decision to Bench him for eight of the teams final 11 and theres no escaping the Vanek was reminded about it every time he reached a new in still not Happy about i dont think i Ever will Vanek but its Over theres nothing i can do its in the past and hopefully till go better this Here comes his second an Opportunity for Vanek prove himself and ease his frustrations when the sabres the Nils to seeded team open the play offs against the new York i wish it could Start Vanek eagerly said last i know i can playoffs is a fun time of and that what you look Forward buffaloes first round pick in the 2003 draft has gone a Long Way to erase last years memories while reestablishing him self As a clutch performer a reputation the Austria born player deservedly earned in leading Minnesota to an Mcaa championship in his 43 goals Are 14 More than he scored As a Rookie last and Are the most by a sabres player since when Alex Ander Mogiln scored 76 goals and Pat Lafontaine added Vanek finished Sec Ond on the team with 84 Points and in a tie for third with five Gam winning Vanek led the nil with a plus47 meaning the sabres scored 47 More goals this season than opponents did while he was on the Ruff has certainly taken his Allaround game is a lot bet Ruff his play away from the puck is a lot theres less less guessing going if he maintains this Pace of hell be Fine in the play words we rent enough for an even bigger sign of approval came when the coach patted Vanek on the Back immediately after the player scored his 40th goal Dur ing a 41 Victory at Pittsburgh last Center Derek Roy has noted a difference in his Lin mate this i think Hes developed physically and Roy going through the playoffs last the ups and the experience he its showing this Vanek finished this season on a scoring six goals and adding four assists in buffaloes final six helping secure the franchises first presidents trophy for finishing first in the nil that far better than the two goals he scored in 10 playoff games last he was first benched three times during Buffa los five game second round series Victory Over and he didst play the final five games of buffaloes seven game series loss against Carolina in the Eastern Confer ence Ruff said his decision was nothing per and based on the belief there were others playing at a higher level than i know from his Case that it Hurt Ruff everybody got nobody wants to what impressed Ruff is How Vanek has responded this starting with report ing to training Camp in top i think that tells you a lot about his Char Ruff Vanek acknowledged last season was a learning but that Doest mean he agreed with ruffs Lindy did what he had to do last Vanek once again crossing his Ive said it a million am i mad at him do i think i Coul Dve played last year but in not worried about whatever do i want to play this year and make a difference for youre a Winner with three of a kind exclusive ends military rebates not found anywhere else a 07 Dodge Nitro rebate v a v 07 Dodg Charger unto rebate a v ooc3qe a 08 Dodge Avenger up to rebate v log onto or go directly to an Exchange new car sales location from March 30th May 13th and Register for your Chance to win a Cash grand prize of in our deals on wheels sweepstakes if used towards the Purchase of a new vehicle through Exchange new car the grand prize doubles to theres deluxe poker game sets and instant with winners at every participating i we always have the Best deals on a new set of ask about our exclusive savings on All a authorized Independent distributor to the armed forces for Daimler Chrysler corporation army 5 air Force Exchange service corporation Dodford Tontar of Aalfs Jwj it com new Chi Juri it Julow Jour try the x1d Compon univ or in Cru and run by tsp c Jis nil playoffs Eastern conference Buffalo islanders thursday islanders at Buffalo saturday islanders at Buffalo monday Buffalo at islanders april 18 Buffalo at Island ers april 20 islanders at if necessary april 22 Buffalo at if necessary april 24 islanders at if necessary new Jersey Tampa Bay thursday Tampa Bay at new Jersey saturday Tampa Bay at new Jersey monday new Jersey at Tampa Bay april 18 new Jersey at Tampa Bay april 20 Tampa Bay at new if necessary april 22 new Jersey at Tampa if necessary april 24 Tampa Bay at new Jer if necessary Atlanta rangers thursday rangers at Atlanta saturday rangers at Atlanta 17 Atlanta at rangers 18 Atlanta at rang ers 20 rangers at if necessary april 22 Atlanta at if necessary 23 rangers at if necessary Ottawa Pittsburgh wednesday Pittsburgh at 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