Penguins fans cheer for Miller

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

PITTSBURGH — Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller received a standing ovation in Pittsburgh on Tuesday night for leading the United States to an Olympic silver medal — cheers louder than those given the Penguins’ own Sidney Crosby.

Crosby beat Miller to score the game-winning goal in overtime Sunday as Canada defeated the United States 3-2 for the gold medal. Despite being on the losing team, Miller was chosen as the tournament MVP.

Olympians for both teams were introduced before the game, with Miller receiving the loudest and most sustained ovation. Crosby also received a standing ovation, but it was less enthusiastic than Miller’s despite his vast popularity in Pittsburgh.

There was a mixed reaction when a replay of Crosby’s game-winning goal was shown on the Mellon Arena scoreboard, with some cheering but also booing.

Miller sat out Tuesday after playing all six games for the Americans in Vancouver. Crosby was in the Penguins’ lineup and assisted on the first goal, by Sergei Gonchar on a power play at 14:58 of the first period.

The Penguins won Tuesday’s game, 3-2.

Sergei Gonchar scored in the first period and Pascal Dupuis’ second-period goal with 16:476 remaining gave the Penguins a 2-0 lead.

Toni Lydman scored for Buffalo with 13:16 remaining to make it 2-1, but Ruslan Fedotenko scored with 8:57 left in the game to give the Pens a 3-1 lead. Derek Roy closed the scoring for the Sabres.