Puck Stop	Florida Road Trip by Andrew Kulyk & Peter Farrell

Tomorrow (Friday) night the Sabres face off at home against the New York Rangers before embarking on their longest road trip of the season—five games in 11 nights that will include a swing through the State of Florida and games against the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Florida Panthers.

Ah, Florida…visions of powdery white beaches, rides on Space Mountain, clubbing in South Beach. Makes for a pretty picture, eh?

“Well, it’s not all fun and games,” reported Sabres forward Thomas Vanek. “We do have a job to do down there, and that is to play hockey games. We can’t let our surroundings become a distraction.”

Nonetheless, head coach Lindy Ruff has often used these extended trips as an opportunity to plan group activities away from the rink, a chance for players to have fun in a relaxed setting and get to know each other not just as teammates but as people. “We’ve gone bowling together, we’ve gone curling. You’d be amazed how the guys really come out of their shells and compete even in venues off of the ice,” said Ruff.

“Oh yeah,” added Vanek. “I remember the time we all went curling. All of us were apprehensive. Some of us had never even played before. But once we got in the swing of things every guy on this team wanted to place that rock right on the center.”

Goaltender Ryan Miller is also looking forward to next week’s jaunt through Florida. “I’ve got some family living there so I’m pretty excited about being able to see them when I’m down there.” Miller added, “You don’t get too many opportunities to get into warm weather during the season, so just the idea of hitting the beach in Fort Lauderdale, feeling the warm sun, listening to the pounding surf and taking a nap is something really appealing to me.”

Miller has also enjoyed participating with the guys in competitive sports and shared a story about a bowling outing which took place on a trip last season. “They put our names up on those monitors above the alleys, except they spelled [Media Relations Coordinator Chris] Bandura’s name wrong. They spelled it ‘Banduka,’ with a ‘K,’” said Miller. “The nickname stuck, and now everyone on the team calls him that.”

Miller laughed and gestured across the locker room, where Bandura was involved in another interview. “Go ahead,” Miller said, pointing. “Walk over there and call him Banduka and see how he reacts.”

(Umm…that ain’t happenin’, Ryan.)

Any golf plans on that day off between the Tampa and Florida games? “Who can be hauling golf clubs across four states?” Miller replied.

“No way,” added Vanek. “Look, this might all sound like a cool vacation, but it really is work—going to the rink for team skates, practices, the travel grind. First and foremost, we’re there to get the wins for our team.”

Coach Ruff might have some surprises in store for the guys when they hit the Sunshine State, but one thing he is happy about is that the trip won’t involve lengthy layoffs. “I hate time off. I’d rather keep on playing,” Ruff said. “Maybe two or three days off maximum is okay, but any longer than that and we tend to get out our groove.”

The Sabres make one more Florida trip this season, with games on March 15 and 16. If there’s one thing you can always count on at the arenas in Tampa and in Sunrise, it’s plenty of Western New York expats and vacationers in the stands to cheer on the Sabres. Unlike in Buffalo, tickets down there are plentiful, so make your travel plans now!

TARO SEZ…

■ Six Sabres are on the ballot for selection to the NHL All Star Game. Maxim Afinogenov, Daniel Briere, Brian Campbell, Chris Drury, Ryan Miller and Henrik Tallinder are all vying to represent the Sabres in Dallas on January 23-24. Cast your vote online at www.nhl.com.

■ Some here might still think of Leafs forward Michael Peca as the villain after his brutal departure from Buffalo a few years back, but count him as a big civic booster. When we asked him why he still makes Western New York his permanent home, Peca replied, “The quality of life here is superb, the people here are warm and friendly, and it’s a great place to raise a family.”

■ Coming to the cinemas, Breakfast with Scot, a movie about a gay ex-Leaf whose boyfriend is the team’s lawyer. What makes the movie more groundbreaking is that the NHL and the Maple Leafs have given their blessing to use their logos and uniforms. Past and current Leafs captains Darryl Sittler and Mats Sundin are in favor of the project, which is due in theaters next Christmas. “Obviously, it’s the real world we live in and I have no issues with it at all,” said Sittler. “To me, these things have come a long way and they should.”

■ Coach Ruff has been trying to remain upbeat on all the injuries, saying, “Anytime a player goes down it creates an opportunity for someone else.” Right now those opportunities go to Rochester Americans callups Michael Funk, Daniel Paille, Drew Stafford and Michael Ryan.

■ Taro got a preview of the new Sabres DVD, Top Shelf. It’s a keeper. $10 at the Sabres Store makes it a great stocking-stuffer.