Did Ref Tell Miller to 'Go [Expletive] Myself'?

There's never a shortage of conspiracy theories surrounding NFL or NHL officials around Buffalo, as from the "Music City Miracle" - just known as Frank Wycheck's illegal forward pass around Western New York - to Brett Hull's skate in the crease during the 1999 Stanley Cup Finals, referees always seem to find their way into the spotlight.

Well, now, you can add another so-far-unnamed NHL official to the mix.

During Buffalo's 4-3 win over Pittsburgh on Saturday, referees assessed nine minor penalties against the Sabres, including a trifecta of 5-on-3 advantages for the potent Penguins to play with. But beyond those transgressions, Ryan Miller claims that one of the officials working the game took a verbal shot at the netminder.

From the Buffalo News:

"It was just about the referee last night, a brief conversation I had with the ref that was a little surprising to me," Miller said. "He told me to "go [bleep] myself' because I was just asking a question. I was just kind of joking around [to Ruff], saying, "Maybe that kind of started what got the bench minor going.'

"To be honest, I was respectful. I asked him a question and he told me maybe I should "go [bleep] myself."

While Miller wouldn't name the referee in question, the two skating that night were Tim Peel and Justin St. Pierre. For his part, Miller certainly didn't have kind words for their work, calling it a "slanted officiating job."

Fortunately for Miller and the Sabres, Tomas Vanek's 20th goal of the season helped Buffalo pull out the win, but the incident still left the goaltender and his teammates fuming. Could be very interesting to watch the next time Peel or St. Pierre and the Sabres cross paths again.