Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres has captured his first Vezina Trophy, awarded to the “goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at his position,” as selected by NHL General Managers. Prior to 1981-82, the Vezina was awarded to the goaltender(s) whose team allowed the fewest goals during the regular season, the current criterion for the William Jennings Trophy.
Miller was named on 28 of 30 ballots, including 23 first-place selections, and collected 126 points. Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov finished a strong second, receiving votes on 27 of 30 ballots and totaling 79 points.
Miller led the Sabres to the Northeast Division title for the second time in the past four seasons. He set a franchise record and ranked fourth among NHL goaltenders with 41 wins; placed second in the League in goals-against average (2.22) and save percentage (.929); and tied a career high with five shutouts. Miller continued to excel following his MVP performance for Team USA at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, going 9-2-1 in his first 12 decisions after collecting the silver medal in Vancouver.
Los Angeles Kings forward Dustin Brown, Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green and Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller are the three finalists for the 12th Annual NHL Foundation Player Award, the National Hockey League announced today. The award recognizes an NHL player who applies the core values of hockey – commitment, perseverance and teamwork – to enrich the lives of people in his community.
The winner will be announced Wednesday, June 23 during the 2010 NHL Awards that will be broadcast live from the Pearl Concert Theater inside the Palms Hotel Las Vegas on VERSUS in the United States and on CBC in Canada.
NHL Clubs submitted nominations for the NHL Foundation Player Award and the finalists were selected by a judging panel. The NHL Foundation will present $25,000 to the chosen charitable organization of this year’s recipient. Miller named finalist for NHL Foundation Player Award – continue reading…
To the surprise of no one who follows hockey, Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller has been named one of three finalists for the Vezina Trophy, given annually to the league’s best goaltender, the league has announced.
Martin Brodeur (New Jersey) and Ilya Bryzgalov (Phoenix) are the other two finalists.
Miller finished second in the league in goals against average (2.22) and save percentage (.929), which were also both career-bests. He also set a franchise high with 41 wins in goal.
Brodeur led the NHL in games played (76), shutouts (9) and wins (45). He was third in the league with a 2.24 goals against average.
Bryzgalov was third in wins (42), second in shutouts (8) and sixth in GAA (2.29).
If Miller wins the Vezina he’d be the fifth Sabre to capture the honor. Dominik Hasek won it three times while Tom Barrasso won it as a rookie in 1983-84. Don Edwards and Bob Suave split the Vezina in 1979-80 when the award was given to the team that allowed that fewest goals in a season.
Miller is considered the favorite to win though league sentiment can certainly fall to Brodeuer’s side.
After 82 NHL regular season games and an unforeseen Olympic run, if you don’t think Ryan Miller is the best goaltender in the sport of hockey today—I truly don’t know what to tell you.
While the rest of his Buffalo teammates forgot you’re required to skate and play in the second period of opening playoff games, Miller stood on his head—stopping 23 of 24 Boston Bruins shots to somehow keep his suddenly lifeless team from getting run off the ice.
Fortunately for Buffalo, by the end of the period Craig Rivet’s scorching slap slot found the upper corner of the Bruins net and propelled the Buffalo Sabres to a 2-1 victory in grabbing game one of the best of seven Eastern Conference quarterfinal in front of a jam-packed, exuberant sellout HSBC Arena crowd.
In the Buffalo Sabres division clinching win over the New York Rangers Tuesday night, Ryan Miller made an amazing blocker save on sniper Marian Gaborik, which instantly became one of the highlights of the season.
Miller’s 2.28 goals against average, .928 save percentage, five shutouts and career-best 40 wins may be the reason he’s the Vezina Trophy favorite, but saves like this only add to his magical season.
Here’s is the video of Miller’s remarkable save, as posted by “HockeyHighlightsPlus”.
Everyone would’ve excused the Buffalo Sabres Monday night had they took one on the chin against the Boston Bruins. They were facing a team playing in front of a charged home crowd who’s on the fringe of an intense playoff race.
To make matters worse Buffalo was facing a team they only beat once in four previous tries this season without four regular forwards. Raffi Torres, Patrick Kaleta, Thomas Vanek and Tim Connolly were all out of action.
So when David Krejci opened the scoring just under eight minutes into the game against a seemingly outmanned squad, it was assumed the rout would be on.
All the ingredients seemed in place for the Buffalo Sabres to take one on the chin early Sunday evening in Carolina. The team was playing their fourth game in three nights, all on the road and playing their second in less than 24 hours.
Too boot they were facing a Hurricanes team that won 9 of their last 11 at home and have went 16-6-1 over their 23 overall to climb from the bottom of the Eastern Conference barrel to within a half dozen points of a playoff spot.
But the Sabres don’t make up excuses to lose and Sunday was no exception. Buffalo flooded the Carolina net with five goals in the first two periods and went on to defeat the Hurricanes, 5-3 at the RBC Center.
The good news for the Buffalo Sabres is barring a collapse of epic proportions their two-year playoff drought is coming to an end. The bad news is if they don’t start to play better, the post season experience will be short lived.
Since the middle of January the Sabres have hardly resembled a playoff team, let alone one currently on top of the Northeast Division. They’re just 6-11-4 since January 19 and have come off the ice with two points just four times over their last 15 games.
The Buffalo lost their third consecutive games, falling in Atlanta 4-3 in front of a crowd that literally had more Sabres fans than for the home team.
Jim Slater broke a 3-3 tie at 13:16 of the third period on a shot by Niclas Bergfors that was directed off Slater’s leg past Patrick Lalime.
Buffalo played a horrible first period, particularly in the first period as they fell behind 3-1. Ryan Miller was pulled after allowing three goals on Atlanta’s first five shots.
He hasn’t made mistakes often during his exceptional rookie season, but Tyler Myer’s gaffe near the end of regulation proved to be costly to his team. With Myers in the penalty box to begin overtime, Brian Rafalski scored on a slap shot 31 seconds into the extra session to give the Detroit Red Wings a 3-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres.
Myers accidently flipped a puck over the glass with 1:13 left in regulation to draw a delay of game penalty.
“You hate to see those but it happens.” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said during his post game press conference.
Tyler Myers had a career-best four point night and recent call up Mark Mancari scored a goal and set up the game winner as the Buffalo Sabres won their third straight game, defeating Dallas 5-3 Wednesday night at the HSBC Arena.
Myers, who had just two points in his last 13 games wasted little time getting on the board, scoring just 55 seconds into the game. Buffalo hadn’t scored more than three times in 10 straight games but matched that by the end of 20 minutes, and they’d need every one of them.
Dallas scored three times in the first against Ryan Miller, who was uncharacteristically shaky Wednesday night. But for once it was his teammates who bailed him out.
When the Buffalo Sabres take the ice tonight at the HSBC Arena against the Dallas Stars, it’s no secret what Lindy Ruff would desperately like to see his club expand upon.
Putting the puck in the net.
Buffalo has been anything but a hotbed recently when it comes to putting frozen rubber behind the enemy goal line. Over their last 10 games the team has scored more than three goals exactly zero times. None.. Zilch… Nada.
The primary reason is a power play that has been about as productive as Buffalo Bills no huddle drive. During the 10-game goal famine the unit has scored just once in 31 attempts. For those not much in the mood for pulling out a calculator, that’s a success rate of 3.2%.
While the rest of his teammates enjoy an off day on Monday, Ryan Miller will be busy in the morning. Among other media appearances Miller is slated to appear on the “Today” show at 8:30am on NBC. While there I’m certain host Matt Lauer will ask Miller about his Olympic experience and his out from the closet hottie girlfriend. That’s what happens when you become a real celebrity.
Unfortunately Lauer won’t ask him how it’s going to feel to be in possession of the Vezina trophy when the NHL season is over.
Or about that Patrick Kaleta guy.
Kaleta continues to win the hearts of Buffalo Sabres fans. The gritty but growingly skillful forward scored his ninth goal of the year 2:38 into overtime to give the Sabres a 2-1 win in New York over the Rangers.
The Buffalo Sabres have been besieged with defeats lately. After showing so much promise through the first half of the season the team has taken several steps back of late, particularly since the start of February. They’ve won just one of their last nine games and offensive woes that have plagued them at times are front and center more frequently.
They remain in relatively good shape in the standings; trailing Ottawa for first in the Northeast Division by just a single point with two games in hand. Barring an epic collapse Buffalo will return to the post season for the first time in three seasons. They hold a 10 point lead over ninth place Boston with 20 games remaining.
But with the brand of hockey they’ve played of late it’s debatable if they’ll get out of the first round, especially if they fail to win their division and secure home ice for at least the first round of the playoffs.
It hardly went unanticipated, but before the Buffalo Sabres faced off against the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night fans on hand at the HSBC Arena gave Ryan Miller a prolonged, heartfelt standing ovation for his heroics during the Olympic Games. The much deserved reception lasted nearly two minutes; long enough to make the typically unflappable netminder nearly blush.
Sadly, the team gave its fans precious few reasons to get on their feet once the puck dropped.
Miller fared well and was spectacular at times in his return from the Olympic break in making 37 saves, but his teammates continued to wallow in offensive misery as the Eastern Conference leading Capitals skated out of town with a 3-1 victory.
One thing we know for certain is the Buffalo Sabres will be returning home to face the Washington Capitals tonight at the HSBC Arena. What remains to be seen is exactly who will or won’t be on the roster that was when everyone went to bed last night.
As of this posting the NHL trade deadline was under five and a half hours away and Buffalo had yet to make a move.
Buffalo News Sabres beat writer John Vogl wrote last night that Sabres general manager Darcy Regier was not close to making any trades.
Most everyone assumed Ryan Miller would get the start tonight against Canada’s new favorite son, Sidney Crosby and the rest of the Pittsburgh Penguins. This will not be the case going into Pittsburgh, the first game for both teams following the Olympic Break.
Sabres backup Patrick Lalime was the first to break the news to the media that he, not Miller, would be getting the nod versus the Pens. “I’m playing tomorrow and looking forward to it,” Lalime said after practice Monday. “I think he deserves the rest.”
Lalime is 3-3-2 this season with a .896 save percentage and 3.21 goals against average. Lalime faced his former team on December 19th in a 2-1 shoot-out loss. It’s his third appearance against the Penguins
As everyone knows by now, the bad news is Ryan Miller and his United States teammates fell just short of capturing the gold medal in an epic final showdown with Canada. If Sabres fans didn’t already despise Sidney Crosby before, they certainly will now. But lost in the immediate aftermath of obvious disappointment is that the city of Buffalo gained a sporting star on a worldwide level.
Miller already was popular in Buffalo but his performance in Vancouver over the past few weeks has him elevated to cult hero status. Everybody knows Miller now, which of course means everybody knows his girlfriend. Give it a few days and we’ll know his favorite television shows and what’s in his Ipod. That’s what happens when you become famous and wanted by the social media.
He may not have gone to the Olympics looking for personal stardom but he sure came away the sport’s version of a rock star.
In one of the most anticipated games American fans have ever seen, the United States takes on North American rival Canada this afternoon with a gold medal at stake.
Join us and our friends over at WNYMedia.net for a live chat during the game beginning at 3pm. Share your thoughts and conments as the USA faces the daunting task of beating Canada for a second time on their home ice.
Ryan Miller completely shut down Finland in net while the Americans lit them up for six goals in the first period. As a result, the United States cruised to a 6-1 victory and will play in the Gold Medal game on Sunday against either Canada or Slovakia.
Buffalo native Patrick Kane scored twice as the Americans chased Mikka Kiprusoff with four goals early and Niklas Backstrom replaced him and quickly let in a pair himself. By the end of the first the United States was up by six and the countdown to the final game was formally on.
Zack Parise, Paul Stastny, Erik Johnson and Ryan Malone also scored for the United States.
He wasn’t nearly as busy as his Switzerland counterpart Jonas Hiller, but Ryan Miller was once again a rock in net for the United States as they won their Olympic quarterfinal matchup with the Swiss, 2-0.
With the win the Americans advance to the semifinals Friday at 3pm where they’ll play the winner of the Finland vs. Czech Republic game later today.
Miller turned back all 18 shots thrown his way in recording the first United States Olympic shutout since Mike Ritcher in 2002. He got plenty of help from his teammates defensively, who blocked a mind-blowing 25 shots.
The offensive hero was Zach Parise, who scored both American goals in the third period including an empty netter with 11.2 seconds left to finally seal the victory.
Through three games on the ice Ryan Miller has been the talk of the Winter Olympics. Miller stood on his head Sunday night, making 42 saves as the United States stunned heavily favored Canada in their own backyard.
The Buffalo Sabres netminder is now seeing his celebrity rise in sporting circles daily, and it’s spreading out to the entertainment social media as well. Turns out Miller has quite the hot girlfriend.
It’s now being reported that Miller has been dating actress Noureen DeWulf since May. DeWulf, 25, has been in recent movies like “The Goods” and “Oceans Thirteen” and has a host of television credits to her resume. She’s also been featured in Maxim magazine Hot 100 as one of the most desirable females.
Buffalo now has an actual celebrity. Can you imagine how much his star will rise if the Americans win the gold? You go, Ryan!
**UPDATE** Would anyone mind if we stickied this post at the top forever?
To think we still have about another week left of Olympic Hockey. America may not watch the NHL that much, but they sure will get into a great hockey game. When you have Ryan Miller being the number one trending topic on Twitter, you know that you have something going. Even Alysaa Milano twittered about Ryan Miller making her want to be a Sabres fan. Ryan, six words to Alyssa: My people will call your people (That’s showbiz talk)-
As a hockey fan, I definitely needed that. I’ll be honest, hockey and myself have kind of a love/ hate relationship. There’s just so many games I watch that can bore me to tears. However, having a game like this makes me want to stay up late and watch every single hockey game ever played on skates or roller blades. Do you believe in Millercles? – continue reading…
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller had a pretty easy go at it in his first two Olympic games for the United States. Sunday, not so much. After facing just 26 shots combined in wins against Switzerland and Norway, Miller was pelted with 45 of them Sunday night against Canada and many of them were golden chances.
It didn’t matter.
Miller stood out in one of the most telling nights of his career, breaking but refusing to break as the Americans pulled their biggest Olympic upset since defeating the Russians in 1980. Brian Rafalski scored a pair of goals including the game winner, and Miller stopped 42 shots as the United States scored a stunning 5-3 victory over Canada.
For the second consecutive game United State goaltender Ryan Miller gave up just one goal as the Americans moved to 2-0 in Olympic play with a resounding 5-1 victory over Norway on Thursday afternoon.
The Buffalo Sabres netminder stopped 10 of 11 Norway shots and has turned away 24 of 26 opponent chances through two games. For good measure he assisted on a goal after being robbed of another during the opening win against Switzerland Tuesday.
While Norway didn’t have a lot of shots, they did have a handful of great scoring chances and Miller was up to task on all but one of them.
Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres has captured his first Vezina Trophy, awarded to the “goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at his position,” as selected by NHL General Managers. Prior to 1981-82, the Vezina was awarded to the goaltender(s) whose team allowed the fewest goals during the regular season, the current criterion for the William Jennings Trophy.
Los Angeles Kings forward Dustin Brown, Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green and Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller are the three finalists for the 12th Annual NHL Foundation Player Award, the National Hockey League announced today. The award recognizes an NHL player who applies the core values of hockey – commitment, perseverance and teamwork – to enrich the lives of people in his community.
To the surprise of no one who follows hockey, Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller has been named one of three finalists for the Vezina Trophy, given annually to the league’s best goaltender, the league has announced.
Everyone would’ve excused the Buffalo Sabres Monday night had they took one on the chin against the Boston Bruins. They were facing a team playing in front of a charged home crowd who’s on the fringe of an intense playoff race.
All the ingredients seemed in place for the Buffalo Sabres to take one on the chin early Sunday evening in Carolina. The team was playing their fourth game in three nights, all on the road and playing their second in less than 24 hours.
The good news for the Buffalo Sabres is barring a collapse of epic proportions their two-year playoff drought is coming to an end. The bad news is if they don’t start to play better, the post season experience will be short lived.
The Buffalo lost their third consecutive games, falling in Atlanta 4-3 in front of a crowd that literally had more Sabres fans than for the home team.
He hasn’t made mistakes often during his exceptional rookie season, but Tyler Myer’s gaffe near the end of regulation proved to be costly to his team. With Myers in the penalty box to begin overtime, Brian Rafalski scored on a slap shot 31 seconds into the extra session to give the Detroit Red Wings a 3-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres.
Tyler Myers had a career-best four point night and recent call up Mark Mancari scored a goal and set up the game winner as the Buffalo Sabres won their third straight game, defeating Dallas 5-3 Wednesday night at the HSBC Arena.
When the Buffalo Sabres take the ice tonight at the HSBC Arena against the Dallas Stars, it’s no secret what Lindy Ruff would desperately like to see his club expand upon.
While the rest of his teammates enjoy an off day on Monday, Ryan Miller will be busy in the morning. Among other media appearances Miller is slated to appear on the “Today” show at 8:30am on NBC. While there I’m certain host Matt Lauer will ask Miller about his Olympic experience and his out from the closet hottie girlfriend. That’s what happens when you become a real celebrity.
The Buffalo Sabres have been besieged with defeats lately. After showing so much promise through the first half of the season the team has taken several steps back of late, particularly since the start of February. They’ve won just one of their last nine games and offensive woes that have plagued them at times are front and center more frequently.
It hardly went unanticipated, but before the Buffalo Sabres faced off against the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night fans on hand at the HSBC Arena gave Ryan Miller a prolonged, heartfelt standing ovation for his heroics during the Olympic Games. The much deserved reception lasted nearly two minutes; long enough to make the typically unflappable netminder nearly blush.
One thing we know for certain is the Buffalo Sabres will be returning home to face the Washington Capitals tonight at the HSBC Arena. What remains to be seen is exactly who will or won’t be on the roster that was when everyone went to bed last night.
Most everyone assumed Ryan Miller would get the start tonight against Canada’s new favorite son, Sidney Crosby and the rest of the Pittsburgh Penguins. This will not be the case going into Pittsburgh, the first game for both teams following the Olympic Break.
As everyone knows by now, the bad news is Ryan Miller and his United States teammates fell just short of capturing the gold medal in an epic final showdown with Canada. If Sabres fans didn’t already despise Sidney Crosby before, they certainly will now. But lost in the immediate aftermath of obvious disappointment is that the city of Buffalo gained a sporting star on a worldwide level.
Ryan Miller completely shut down Finland in net while the Americans lit them up for six goals in the first period. As a result, the United States cruised to a 6-1 victory and will play in the Gold Medal game on Sunday against either Canada or Slovakia.
He wasn’t nearly as busy as his Switzerland counterpart Jonas Hiller, but Ryan Miller was once again a rock in net for the United States as they won their Olympic quarterfinal matchup with the Swiss, 2-0.
Through three games on the ice Ryan Miller has been the talk of the Winter Olympics. Miller stood on his head Sunday night, making 42 saves as the United States stunned heavily favored Canada in their own backyard.
Wow.
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller had a pretty easy go at it in his first two Olympic games for the United States. Sunday, not so much. After facing just 26 shots combined in wins against Switzerland and Norway, Miller was pelted with 45 of them Sunday night against Canada and many of them were golden chances.
For the second consecutive game United State goaltender Ryan Miller gave up just one goal as the Americans moved to 2-0 in Olympic play with a resounding 5-1 victory over Norway on Thursday afternoon.
