Hold Your Head Up

I never want to see Ryan Miller this dejected again. My heart can't handle it.To see how much emotion he put into that performance, to see how much he cared about representing his country well - it broke me. He deserved all the happiness and accolades in the world, and I wished that he could have found comfort in at least getting the silver when most people didn't think the U.S. would medal.

But he didn't find comfort in that, and, as Sabres fans, I don't think we expected or wanted him to. Miller is a competitor of the highest degree, and I only wish he could have been rewarded for that with a gold medal. The tears in his too-expressive eyes told us all that this game meant so much to him, and it was so painful to see someone who so deserved to win come out on the losing end, when someone who's already accomplished so much (Sidney Crosby) added another layer to his legend.

Though Crosby's legend continued to grow, I think Miller's did, too. Or maybe his legend just got started. Either way, the whole world knows about our little best-kept secret now, and I couldn't be happier. To see the entire focus of America on the skinny, scruffy goalie that we call ours was truly something special. We got to share him with the rest of the country for a couple of weeks, but now he's ours alone again. I'd like to think we may have picked up a few more supporters along the way, though.

I hope what the rest of the country learned about Ryan Miller is what we in Buffalo have always known - that win or lose, he is a class act. This is the goalie who chose to stay in Buffalo and said that he would give up the money to bring a championship to this city. This is the goalie who helps so many sick children in memory of the cousin he loved so deeply and lost so young. This is the goalie who has captivated the Olympics-watching nation with his calm, kind demeanor and intelligent, focused persona.

Ryan Miller has earned all the happiness he can get out of this Olympic experience, which is why I was so happy to see him at the closing ceremonies:

Photo courtesy of Reuters

To see him smiling and enjoying himself, capturing memories of this amazing experience, made me so happy. He looked proud to be an Olympian, as well he should be. He has made an indelible impression in people's hearts and minds across America, and I hope people know that they weren't just rooting for a great hockey player; they were cheering for a great person as well.

I may have been sad to see silver in Miller's hands today, but I think I'll be okay with it come June, if that silver in his hands is from the Stanley Cup. I know it's a long shot, but if the past two weeks have taught me anything, it's that we should all be believers in "Millercles."

Tremendously Tremendous

Now that was a hockey game.

Last night's USA win over Canada was something truly special. No, it wasn't "more than just as hockey game" - it was just that: a hockey game. And a pretty fantastic one at that.

It was a hockey game that made hockey feel like a legitimate sport in America - for even just one night. That game was the talk of the nation last night and this morning, and it was for good reason. End-to-end action, great saves, hard hits, incredible excitement from the blazing start to the frenzied final minutes - this game showcased the best of hockey as a sport.

Olympic victories always carry a special sense of pride, but this one feels even more special. Watching Ryan Miller make 42 saves - some of them truly fantastic - made me feel like our little corner of America played a big part in last night's victory. Because that goalie that everyone is praising, the one that even non-fans are starting to appreciate - he's ours. Watching the world come to recognize Ryan Miller last night was really cool; there's no other word I can find to describe it. Seeing him at the top of the Trending Topics on Twitter and seeing people I never thought would know his name (Ryan Seacrest watches hockey?) tweet about believing in "Millercles" made a great win even greater.

I think it's because we know how much Miller deserves this. We know what a great and generous man he seems to be off the ice as well as the terrific netminder he is on it. There is no other hockey player (besides maybe Goose) that I would like to see in such a positive, national spotlight. He has earned the love he is getting right now, and I am proud to say that he is both my country and my team's star player. I couldn't think of a better representative for the Sabres and American hockey.Congrats, Millsie. This is just one game, though, and the most important are still to come. Here's hoping that he can continue to lead the USA all the way to the podium and that there will be many more "Millercles" to come - for both Team USA and the Buffalo Sabres.

Guess Who's Back!

I've returned to the land of the blogging!

The family and I had an excellent time in Myrtle Beach soaking up the sun. We even got to take a side trip to Duke University because my sister and I are such huge Blue Devils fans. Let me just say that I had a serious case of college envy after that trip.

Not that Canisius isn't a lovely school, which it is. I'm back in full swing now, so hopefully I can still keep this blog running even when I'm already behind in my reading (don't tell my professors...).

Now, onto more interesting matters than "How I Spent my Summer Vacation."

I watched more Olympic coverage than I ever thought possible on my trip. I jumped up and down like a kid on Christmas when Michael Phelps won his eighth gold. I laughed at the excitement of Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh when they won. I envied the grace and skill of Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson. I comforted my sister when the women's softball team lost the gold medal game to Japan in what was their final Olympic appearance. I surprised myself by getting goosebumps watching "The Redeem Team" sing our national anthem.

Those days are gone now, and we sports fans find ourselves with only football preseason and the hope of hockey news to get us by.

The first option is not my favorite. I find the preseason far too long and meaningless, especially after the starters get taken out. It made me happy to see JP Losman out there again, and I love any chance I get to see Poz, but I can't wait for the real games to start.

The second option, hockey news, has been a disappointment. I was sure that someone would call me while I was away with the glorious news of a Jason Pominville contract extension. Alas, that has yet to be the case. Come on, Darcy! My poor heart cannot take the strain of worry that some crazy person is going to make an offer sheet next summer that will separate Goose and his BFF forever!

However, there has been some positive Pommer news lately. Just as I have returned to the blogging fold, so has our beloved Captain! Thanks to Anne for finding the link!

Cute and he blogs, what more can a girl ask for?

I love some of his answers. It's good to know that other players have noticed how much he looks like a poodle as well. Although I think he looks more like my fluffy golden retriever mascot that shares his name.

Tomorrow I hope to preview the big Buffalo Blogger League fantasy football draft coming up on Friday. This brings me to a very important request - if anyone has any good tips for me, please send them my way. I am such a terrible drafter!

Sorry I Haven't Posted - I've Been Watching the Olympics

I know that the reason I got a blog in the first place was to talk about the sports I was watching, but I've honestly been so sucked in by the Olympics that I've neglected my computer for the first time in a long time.

To show my remorse for this, I present a smattering of Olympic Lists:

Favorite Moment of the Games (so far):

1.) The Men's 4 x 100 Freestyle Relay. I am big fan of classifying things as "the best EVER," but, seriously, that relay was the greatest Olympic event I have ever seen. There was just so much great drama about it - the French talking trash (I don't know why that idea made me giggle, but it did), the "Michael Phelps medal quest" angle, the fact that we had to come from behind to win. I loved how the commentator was talking about the fact that he could see no scenario where the US could win gold. I guess he wasn't expecting Jason "Clutch" Lezak. By the final leg of the relay, I was screaming at my TV in a way usually reserved for hockey games. The elation on their faces may be my lasting image of these games.

2.) The Men's Gymnastics Team Winning Bronze. I think this was the happiest I'd ever seen an American team to win bronze. Why shouldn't they have been overjoyed? They were missing two of their best gymnasts in the Hamm brothers, and everyone had pretty much written them out of medal contention. Jonathan Horton may be the cutest male gymnast I've ever seen. He has such an earnest face, and his strength and leadership was such a huge part of that victory. What I liked best, though, was that, like in the swimming relay, this was a team win. You got to see the guys get genuinely happy for one another, and you got to see how serious they take their role as representatives of the US.

3.) Eric Shanteau's Personal Best Swim. For anyone who hasn't heard this amazing story, Eric was diagnosed with testicular cancer before the Olympic trials. He decided to put off surgery in order to compete in Beijing. In the qualifiers for the 200-meter breaststroke, he swam a personal best time of 2 minutes, 10.10 seconds. He failed to make it to the finals, but seeing his smile after finishing brought tears to my eyes. He got to accomplish his dream of swimming for his country in the Olympic games, and that was all that mattered to him. Get well, soon, Eric, I know you've got a lot of people praying for you.

And now, because this is such a professional blog, I give you:

The Most Attractive Olympians:

1.) Justin Spring, USA Gymnastics

2.) Michael Phelps, USA Swimming (and Gold Medal Machine)

...and for the male readers

3.) Jennie Finch, USA Softball (really, I just want to be her so bad - she's good at everything!):

Now, I must finish packing for the family trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I'll be gone until the 23rd, but I will hopefully have some blogging time. Feel free to e-mail me (or Facebook me) to keep me up-to-date on all things Buffalo sports and Olympic goodies.

Things I'd Like to See While I'm Gone:

1.) Michale Phelps wins 8 gold medals.

2.) USA softball takes home the gold in its last Olympics (which is ridiculous, if you ask me).

3.) USA beats China in the medal count.

4.) Jason Peters starts talking to the Bills.

5.) Jason Pominville is signed and made Captain.

It's Time to Celebrate!

There are many reasons to be happy today:

• The Olympics have begun! The opening ceremonies are on right now, and there is always something so stately and moving about them. I love watching the smiles on the athletes faces, smiles that say that they are making memories to last a lifetime. I love the idea that sports can bring people together, which is probably why I've loved the Olympics ever since I was old enough to understand what they represented. I especially loved watching Yao Ming hold that little boy who went back to try to rescue his classmates during the recent earthquake, it was a goosebump-inducing moment. Plus, the US outfits are amazing this year:
  
  
• Sidney Crosby turned 21 yesterday! Now, I'm sure this is not terribly exciting for Sid, as he could drink in his home country since he was 19, but he can now (legally) imbibe in Pittsburgh with his Pens buddies. Happy belated birthday, Chops! I hope you celebrated with your BFF Colby and your beverage of choice, just hopefully not to "Soupy singing" levels of "celebration."



I hope Colby gives Sid some birthday man-love, too!




• TEPPO'S BACK!! In case you haven't heard this most wonderful news, the Sabres re-signed Teppo Numminen today to a 1-year deal worth $1.1 million. I've only been dreaming of this for the last few months - thank you, Darcy! Teppo will give us so many of the things we missed last year - defensive stability, calmness on the bench, veteran leadership, and a great teacher for our young d-men, especially Sekera.

I hope everyone enjoys their weekend! I'll be watching the Bills open their preseason (Saturday) and celebrating a little birthday of my own (on Sunday).