Sabres G Miller returns to game

Feb 28, 2008 - 4:15 AM BUFFALO, New York (Ticker) - Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller left Wednesday 8-4 victory over the Nashville Predators just under three minutes into the second period after being on the receiving end of a shot off his mask.

Miller returned to the contest approximately nine minutes later.

Defenseman Marek Zidlicky fired a shot from just inside the blue line which hit Miller, causing the netminder to fall to the ice. Jan Hlavac cleaned up the rebound and wristed the puck into the net for his 10th goal of the season.

Bleeding from the nose, Miller retreated to the locker room and was replaced by Jocelyn Thibault, who gave up a goal to captain Jason Arnott just 34 seconds later.

"They replaced the cage and jammed something into my nose, which felt good," Miller said. "It's just a little numb. The bleeding stopped and the doctors checked it out. There's no pain, (but it's) sensitive in some parts. I stayed high and the screen moved, just right in the face. I didn't even know they scored. I was down and out."

Miller finished with 24 saves to post his 29th victory of the season.