(WGR 550) -- Lindy Ruff and Ryan Miller laughed together after a spirited Tuesday practice at the Amherst Pepsi Center, no signs of animosty between two parties whose words had dueled in the media late last week.

Both said that duel was taken out-of-context.

"There was never an issue," Miller said. "The phrasing, the terminology... everything that came out of my mouth were answers to questions. If it can be construed one way, that's an opinion. I was ______ off at a lot of things at the moment, the least of it being Lindy. Lindy dictates my playing time, my career, and so the last thing I'm going to do is talk to (the media) about it. I'm going to talk to him face-to-face if I have a problem."

After Buffalo's 2-1 loss Dec. 4 in Florida, Ruff said one of the two goals Miller allowed was "an easy one to read," and that “You’ve got to get saves there.”

Miller's response through the media was that, "One or two goals [allowed] a night is fine as long as you’re winning, but right now everything’s going to get looked at. So whatever," later adding, "Well, I guess I’m going to have to read better.”

Ruff clarified the issue after Tuesday's practice.

"I think that was all misread and misquoted," Ruff said. "Ryan and I have discussed the reading plays at-length before the season. Ryan is self-motivated. He doesn't need me to motivate him. He was aggravated by the number of times he was asked the same question."

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So what were Miller and Ruff laughing about after practice?

"Me and him talking was just about the referee last night," Miller said. "I had a brief conversation with the ref where he was surprising to me, told me to 'go ___ myself' because I was just asking him a question. I was just joking around saying that's what got the bench minor going. To be honest, I was respectful, asking him a question and he told me I should maybe 'go ___ myself.' "

Earlier in the press conference, Miller had mentioned the referee.

"We had to work through being down three goals in Pittsburgh, contend with what I thought was a slanted officiating job, and we had to pull together and work. It was a nice effort from us, and that's the way it'll have to be for the rest of the year."

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Nathan Gerbe knows he has to prove himself at the NHL level, but no one expected him to tussle with an enforcer.

The five-foot-six Gerbe got a lesson in pugilism from Andrew Peters after practice, and Gerbe managed to land a couple light-hearted shots despite having his jersey and undershirt over his face at points.

"I thought I held my own," Gerbe said. "I told him that if my fighting strap was on, he'd be in trouble. It's always fun to do things out of your limit, and that's definitely out of mine."

Gerbe is a plus-3 with four penalty minutes in two games with the big club. He credits Peters with helping him feel comfortable with the Sabres. He also admitted he'd be a little nervous before his home debut Wednesday against Tampa Bay.

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With the increased traffic around the crease, Miller has been extra aggressive with invaders to his painted ice. He talked to the importance of establishing his position in the crease, much like basketball, and hoping the officials notice.

Just don't expect him to drop the gloves.

"No. I watched Marty (Biron) and all his fights here and how well he did, so I don't think a skinny guy is gonna have to leave the net."

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Patrick Kaleta (head/neck) skated with the team, while Tim Connolly skated on his own (ribs).

Email: nick@wgr550.com