Miller silences critics in pushing Sabres past Flyers

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Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Posted: 11:58 p.m.

By Bob Matuszak
CSNPhilly.com Contributor
BUFFALO, N.Y.In just four games, Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller has gone from hero to goat to hero again. He just doesnt know it.

After blanking the Flyers in Game 1, Miller rebounded from two somewhat shaky outings to pitch another shutout Wednesday night at HSBC Arena, and in the process quieted some outside observers in western New York who may have thought the former Olympian who led the United States to a silver medal last year had lost his golden touch.

I guess I didnt know I was being called out, Miller said following his brilliant 32-save performance that sent this Eastern Conference quarterfinal series back to Philadelphia deadlocked at two games apiece. Youre going to go three games where things go your way, youre going to go three games when things dont go your way. I play the same way every night, so Im not going to pay too much attention to anybody whos talking about my game right now. I really dont care. Its the furthest thing from my mind. I dont need to listen to all the B.S. thats out there from people who dont know how to play goalie. I really dont give an expletive.

Miller has faced some criticism all season long after winning the Vezina Trophy last year, and was an easy target for Buffalo fans and media members alike after allowing nine goals in the past two losses to the Flyers. The radio talk shows were full of Miller bashers the past two days, and some were even clamoring for coach Lindy Ruff to put in rookie Jhonas Enroth, who played splendidly at the end of the season when Miller was nursing an injury.

But after the save of the game on Danny Briere with just under nine minutes to go in regulation and the Sabres clinging to a slim 1-0 lead, Miller went from whipping boy to one that the fans are once again worshiping, as chants of Mil-ler, Mil-ler reverberated around the sold-out arena for the first time this season.

I was chanting his name, too, Ruff said.

Miller was on his game right from the start, and elevated it as each minute passed. In the second period he thwarted Scott Hartnells hard shot from the right circle, and then denied James van Riemsdyks chance from the doorstep with 7:35 to go in the middle frame.

He made saves he had no business making, defenseman Chris Butler said. It was absolutely phenomenal.

In the third period, Miller made terrific saves on Braydon Coburn and Kris Versteeg before robbing Briere with a glove save when the diminutive center was left all alone right at the doorstep.

Its tough for a forward because youre in so tight, but most people dont realize that Danny has one of those sticks that is capable of putting the puck up pretty quick with the way his curve is, right wing Jason Pominville said. Ryan got a glove on it, and it was nice to see. He came up huge.

So did the Sabres, who would have been staring elimination from the first round for the second straight postseason in the face if they would have lost. Instead, theyve forced a Game 6 back in Buffalo on Easter Sunday.

The desperation of staying in the series got us going more than usual, defenseman Tyler Myers said. We know theyre going to come back even stronger going back to Philly, so we have to be ready for it.

The Sabres mixed some things up for Game 4, including a shakeup in their forward lines. Ruff inserted Nathan Gerbe alongside Tim Connolly and Drew Stafford, and put Thomas Vanek with gritty forwards Paul Gaustad and Patrick Kaleta.

It was also clear early on that the Sabres had come to set a physical tone. In the first 80 seconds of the pivotal contest, Kaleta and Gerbe unloaded on van Riemsdyk and Blair Betts, while veteran forward Mike Grier and Myers finished with three hits each in the opening stanza.

Thats playoff hockey, Grier said. We cant just sit back on our heels and let these guys come at us.

And if the Flyers do go strong to the net on Friday in Game 5, the Sabres hope Miller will continue his standout play as they look to snap an 0-for-13 streak in playoff series in which theyve been down two games to one.

Its fun to play against the best in the world, and (the Flyers) have some of them, Miller said, while fans certainly outside were once again hopping aboard his bandwagon. Its extra fun to beat them, and were happy to square the series.

Related: Flyers' impressive penalty kill not enough for winFlyers shut out again in Game 4 loss to tie series

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