A Gold for Ryan Miller
By Eric Rosenhek
Like any Canadian, I was filled with jubilation when Sidney Crosby’s overtime goal gave our nation the Olympic gold medal. It was a thrilling moment that has since ignited a whole new level of patriotism. But as the medals were handed out and the anthem played over the arena’s loud speakers, I experienced a small amount of sadness.
This sadness was brought on by Ryan Miller.
Similar to his American teammates, Miller was devastated. He stood on the ice watching as his opponents celebrated. His hair and uniform were drenched in sweat. He appeared in complete agony. But a true professional, Ryan Miller didn’t leave the ice sulking. He stayed to the completion of the medal presentation and kept a brave face.
It doesn’t seem reasonable that Miller, the best player in the tournament and the main reason for Team USA’s success in Vancouver, received only the silver medal.
Ron Hextall and Jean-Sebastien Giguere could certainly relate to what Miller went through last Sunday. They also know what it’s like to give the performance of a lifetime; yet, fail to taste the fruit of success.
Hextall won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1987, but the Philadelphia Flyers lost the Stanley Cup final to the Edmonton Oilers. Giguere accomplished the same task in 2003 with the Anaheim Ducks - except it was the New Jersey Devils who hoisted the Cup.
Miller’s performance simply doesn’t reflect the colour of the medal he received. It’s another example of how life isn’t fair.
I doubt I would have the same kind of feeling had Tim Thomas or Jonathan Quick been in net against Canada. There is something about Miller that made my heart ache. It was sorrow reserved just for him.
I’ve always admired Miller and this appreciation can be traced back to a Saturday night in 2006. It was late March, almost four years to the day. A friend and I made our way to Scotiabank Place to see the Ottawa Senators host the Buffalo Sabers. The home side completely outplayed the visitors and won 4-2. Still, the player who stood out in the match was this young netminder on Buffalo. As I blogged later that night, “The only player on Buffalo who earned his pay was goalie Ryan Miller who impressively stopped 45 shots. Miller received the first star of the game.”
There’s a reason why I took notice of Miller; and now, four years later, I know the reason.
There was a voice in my head that Saturday night telling me to remember Miller’s name. I realize now this conscious thought wanted me to follow his career because he would do something special one day.
As of this moment, I can say that I saw Ryan Miller play when he was just a rookie, well before his Olympic success and all the future accolades that will certainly come his way. It’s an extraordinary kind of feeling, similar to what one might have felt after watching a young Wayne Gretzky play hockey in Brantford, Ontario. At the time, I didn’t know Ryan Miller would become a household name in the NHL. But, I somehow sensed it.
Yes, I am a proud Canadian giving praise to an American goalie.
Yes, I am a big Ryan Miller fan and I wish he could have at least been given a complimentary gold medal.
There’s nothing I could say to Miller that would take away the anguish he felt last month. Fortunately, NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams recently sent a message to Miller that’s perfect:
“To U.S. goalie Ryan Miller, pride of the Buffalo Sabers….we’ll get ‘em next time.”
