I was looking through some of my past posts, and I've realized something very unfortunate.
I do not mention Ryan Miller nearly enough on this blog.
As I've said before, I feel extremely protective of our wonderfully quirky goalie. I love that he's our guitar-playing, picture-taking, deep-thinking goalie.
This weekend has provided me with the perfect opportunity to bring my love for Ryan to the forefront once again. He was a rock for us, stealing the shootout win over the Rangers and keeping us in it against the dreaded Red Wings until the very end. With 43 saves Friday and 45 on Saturday, Ryan deserves to keep the Pigeon of the Game for as long as he wants it.
I only wish the team could have gotten at least a point for Ryan's effort in Detroit because he had so many family members and friends there.
I guess I'd rather not talk about last night's game because I'll have fits if I try to articulate my anger at being unable to hold on for 2 minutes.
Instead, I'd like to talk about Friday's exhilarating win over the Rangers. If ever there was a time to use everyone's favorite cliche of "poetic justice," it was the second that Chris Drury grabbed the puck at center ice and began skating towards Miller.
Photo courtesy of The Buffalo News
There it was, right in front of us - the man who left versus the man who stayed. The man who turned his back on an adoring city versus the man who has embraced Buffalo with all of his heart. For one night, the Buffalo guy came out on top. The quietly intense goalie who said he'd give up all of his money for a Stanley Cup in Buffalo proved that, if only for a moment, karma could work out in our favor.
My best friend and I went to practice on Friday morning, and we could tell then that Ryan was going to have a good night. It was the loosest I'd ever seen him. He was shooting pucks into the boards to startle everyone watching, practicing puck-handling with Goose, and playing faceoff judge between Goose and Pommer.
The Trio huddles with James Patrick to discuss how awesome they are.
The best part of practice, though, was when Ryan decided that he was actually going to take draws against his fellow Trio members. Goose and Pommer looked like they didn't believe him at first, but Ryan proved just how multi-talented he truly is by actually winning a faceoff (Does that just mean that Goose and Pommer were really bad at draws?).
In conclusion, Ryan Miller is getting a lot of credit right now, and I would just like to say that it is completely deserved. On that completely unoriginal note, I present two final pictures of Millsey from Friday's practice (if you want to see the rest of my pictures, click here for my Facebook album):
Even though last night's loss still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, I'm looking forward to Wednesday's game in Chicago. If Ryan Miller is in goal, I like our chances against just about anyone right now.
9 comments:
Ryan Miller is so precious. :')
It's fun going to the morning skates. It's neat to see the players in a more relaxed environment and seeing them goof off. I don't go enough. I'll probably go to the one when they play Carolina because I'm going to that game!
i've never been to a morning skate, what time do they start?
I'd love to go to a morning skate again sometime. I missed my chance in November because my parents didn't want to leave my house early to go to the Sabres store. ): Depressing.
Very nice photos! I friended you on Facebook, just to let you know Katie. And I don't think I've given Millsy enough love on my blog either, so I'll have to do that later today.
It's neat to see the players in a more relaxed environment and seeing them goof off.
I couldn't agree more, Caroline! The funny thing is, I usually only go to practices during major losing streaks, so it was nice to see them happy for a change.
Have fun at the Carolina game! I wanted to go to that one but I'm going to see RENT that night.
i've never been to a morning skate, what time do they start?
They usually start at 10-ish every home gameday. You'll want to get there by 9:15-9:30 to get a seat up close. I can't believe you haven't gone to one - they're so much fun!
I missed my chance in November because my parents didn't want to leave my house early to go to the Sabres store.
Bummer. You would love it because Thomas is usually one of the first ones out there skating around.
And I don't think I've given Millsy enough love on my blog either, so I'll have to do that later today.
Yay for Millsy love! I think we sometimes forget about him because we just expect him to be solid every game - at least that's how it is with me.
I would suggest going to a morning skate during the week, if possible. There's hardly any people there so it's easier to get a seat up close and just enjoy the players. I've been to a few on the weekend and the fans can get a little excited by trying to get their favorite player's attention and stuff and it can sometimes be distracting.
I would suggest going to a morning skate during the week, if possible. There's hardly any people there so it's easier to get a seat up close and just enjoy the players.
So true! Avoid going during breaks from elementary and high schools too, if at all possible, for the same reasons. It's so much more fun when it's practically empty!
You would love it because Thomas is usually one of the first ones out there skating around.
Now I'm sold on the idea of going to morning skates more often...I'll have to do that next year when I have my license and am in college. (: I'll take your advice too Caroline, about going on weekdays.
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