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Kings show great class in tribute to Ryan Miller's final home game.
 

Kings show great class in tribute to Ryan Miller's final home game.

What a show of class.

HockeyFeed

HockeyFeed

Saturday proved to be a crazy day in the National Hockey League with an insane 15 games on the schedule, but it was also an extra special evening for long time NHL goaltender Ryan Miller. Saturday marked Miller's final home game in the NHL and although it was going to be a special moment no matter what, a combination of the hockey gods, loving teammates, and even classy opponents proved to make it nearly perfect.

The Anaheim Ducks seemed like a team possessed on Saturday night, soundly defeating the Los Angeles Kings in an inspired effort that saw them cruise to a 6 - 2 victory. The Ducks played like they had everything on the line in this one and with their 40 year old goalie playing in his final home game, it was no doubt one of the biggest games they will play this season. It would have been a simple thing for the Kings to skate off the ice with their heads down after being so soundly defeated at the hands of a team that won't even be making the playoffs this year, but instead they did quite the opposite. 

Led by team captain Anze Kopitar the Kings, to a man, all stuck around following the tough loss in order to pay a tribute of their own to Miller's incredible career. Every man on the team, including the members of the Kings' coaching the staff, lined up to shake Miller's hand and send him off in style. Unsurprisingly given the incredible length of Miller's career in the National Hockey League he had more than a few friends in that line of players and even more players that he had shared experiences with, resulting in several of them stopping the handshake line to share a few kind words and more than a few smiles.

Perhaps the best part of this show of class from the Kings was the fact that it clearly made Miller himself very happy, with the veteran goaltender flashing an ear to ear grin on several different occasions during the long line of players waiting to pay their respects.

A fitting send off for such an amazing NHL career.