"The best player for either team this evening was Tomas Vanek. He was absolutely magnificent. If he felt any ill-effects from last night’s collision with Chris Harrington, it definitely didn’t show. He was skating everywhere. It was hard, it was furious and it was terrific to watch. If he wasn’t making the plays himself, he was making them for his linemates Matt Koalska and Troy Riddle who were also sensational in their play. Koalska and Vanek played off each other with such ease, you’d think that they’d been playing together for years. Vanek’s moves, speed and his stick-work were just a joy to watch this evening."
that's excellent news, thanks a lot for the game notes. Well done.
I think the Sabres patience will pay off. Vanek is getting to do some things at Minnesota this year that he wouldn't have gotten a chance to do either in Buffalo or Rochester this season. And that will be healthy for his long term development.
I don't think there is a doubt that he could have made something of a contribution either in Rochester or Buffalo this season. But I think letting him play somewhere where he can work on certain aspects of the game and still be "The Man" is a good thing.
I just hope that there is NHL hockey next season and that Thomas is signed, sealed, and delivered.
Having Vanek in college for this year, and next year due to the CBA will promote more of the Dany Heatley outcome instead of the Pavel Brendl outcome in my mind.
Having Vanek in college for this year, and next year due to the CBA will promote more of the Dany Heatley outcome instead of the Pavel Brendl outcome in my mind.
I was disappointed at first, but I think keeping Roy in Rochacha for a season will have a similar effect. I think the Sabres might just nab a Calder in 2005.
I was disappointed at first, but I think keeping Roy in Rochacha for a season will have a similar effect. I think the Sabres might just nab a Calder in 2005.
Vanek is also taking face offs for the gophs at times, play PK once in awhile, usully at the end to have him on the ice with a tired PP unit still there. So he is getting experiance in all aspects of the game, his numbers are down a bit so far, for him. But he is looking like a more complete player.
Vanek had 2 goals again last night giving him 4 goals of the teams 7 against Wisconsin this weekend. The team came of 0-1-1, and dropped to 2-7-1 on the year. Goaltending has been awful for the team. Their starting goalie from last year was set to return this year, but decided he was done playing puck and dropped out of school for personal reasons.
Former prospect Keith Ballard has been out of the lineup for a couple weeks, and is about ready to return.
Vanek has 8 goals, 3 assists in 10 games. NCAAs leading scorer Jim Slater (Atlanta) from MSU has 9-10-19 in 12 games.
