ROCHESTER (LGS) — For most hockey players, the experience of their first couple games in the National Hockey League is something they will never forget. After years of sweat and determination, all that hard work has finally paid off. Players don't forget their first stint in the pros because getting to the "show" is the fulfillment of a life long dream.

For Clarke MacArthur, getting to the show wasn't the problem. It was getting into the show that caused some difficulty. That's because before the start of his first road game in the National Hockey League, MacArthur couldn't find his way into the Bell Centre in Montreal.

"I got to Montreal on the morning of the game," MacArthur said. "I have absolutely no clue where I'm going, or where I'm supposed to enter the building. I'm in the back of a cab, and the cabby only speaks French. I only speak English."

It was about this time that MacArthur saw his savior.

"So we're circling around the building, trying to figure out where I'm to go, when I see RJ (Rick Jeanneret) walking into the building. I have the cab pull over and I introduced myself to Rick and he helped me out. He's a great guy; he carried my bags and everything."

Based solely on his numbers this season, it was only a matter of time before MacArthur made his way West on the thruway to Buffalo. After 26 games in Rochester, MacArthur compiled 34 points (12g, 22a). For his efforts, he was called up to the Sabres and made his NHL debut on December 19th in Buffalo against the Montreal Canadiens.

"It was great playing in Buffalo," number 41 continued. "The crowd was electric. It was great."

The crowd in Buffalo hasn't been the only thing that's been "great" this year. MacArthur has continued his torrid scoring pace since returning to Rochester.

As of Wednesday night, MacArthur was the fifth leading scorer in the American Hockey League with 59 points (19g, 40a).  This season he was also named to the Canadian All-Star Team for the 2007 Rbk Hockey AHL All-Star Classic in Toronto. Despite losing the contest to the Planet USA All-Stars, MacArthur did manage to leave Ricoh Coliseum with some hardware of his own as the winner of the Rbk Accurate Shot contest. The Sabres' prospect hit all four targets in just 5 shots.

"The skills competition was a blast," the second year pro said. "I was looking to compete in that competition," MacArthur said about the Accurate Shot contest. "I made sure I took my time and settled the puck before I shot. I had seen Ray Bourque compete in it all those years and he always made sure he had it flat before he shot."

This hockey season has been MacArthur's coming out party. Last year, his first full professional season, MacArthur scored 53 points (21g, 32a). It's apparent that he worked hard in the off season to improve himself even more and that has not gone unnoticed by the Sabres' brass.

"His skill level has improved tremendously," Sabres' general manager Darcy Regier said Friday night. "His decision making is a lot better, and he understands that certain things are going to come with more experience."

"He's proving that he is our go-to player," added Amerks' Anthony Stewart.

"I think a lot of it comes from 'Cunney,'" MacArthur said about his head coach. "He has taught me so much on thinking the game through. He knows a lot (having played in over 800 NHL games) and has some tips that slow the game down."

MacArthur, like many Canadians, got his start in hockey at a young age. He received his first pair of skates at age four while living in Llyodminster, Alberta. He played in his first league at age five.

"My Dad was big into hockey," MacArthur recalled. "He got me started real young."

The winger played his junior hockey with the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Western Hockey League.

"It was a great experience; I played for a great coach in Willie Desjardin."

He was also named to Team Canada's 2004 World Junior Championship squad which took home the gold medal.

"It was awesome to play on such a great team."

"It's amazing to see the progress he's made," said Stewart, also a teammate on the Canadian WJC team. "He was more of a fourth line checker on that team," alluding to the scoring progress MacArthur's made to his game.

There isn't any one particular thing the Sabres would like to see him improve upon before he graduates off to Buffalo for good.

"He just needs to wait for the opportunity from us," concludes Regier.

When that opportunity comes, MacArthur won't have to worry about finding his way into NHL arenas.