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BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Marcus Foligno looked up at the video board and was moved as the Buffalo Sabres said farewell to two of their most popular players. Jhonas Enroth made 36 saves as the Sabres beat the San Jose Sharks 4-2 on Friday night, a few hours after they traded goalie Ryan Miller and captain Steve Ott. "Im not going to lie. It was pretty emotional watching the tribute," Foligno said. "That was pretty nice what they did during the game, and those are two players that were hugely respected here in the city and respected Buffalo as well." Miller was set to start his 541st career game for the Sabres, but was pulled from the lineup just over an hour before the puck was dropped. The deal made Ted Nolan push Enroth into the starting lineup. "I was sitting in the back, joking around with the trainers about all these trade rumours and I told them hopefully it doesnt happen on game day, especially against the Sharks," Enroth quipped. "Three minutes after, Coach Nolan came up to me and told me I was starting, so I kind of jinxed myself there. "After that, I was a bit more nervous than usual but I told myself I had nothing to lose." Enroth played well and the Sabres got goals from Cody Hodgson, Brian Flynn, Matt Moulson and Tyler Myers. It was Enroths second consecutive win after he snapped a 0-10-4 slump with a 5-4 overtime win against Boston on Wednesday, which was his first home win since April. With the trade of Miller, Buffalo was forced to reach into their new hockey academy staff for a backup goaltender. HarborCenter director of technology Ryan Vinz was Buffalos No. 2 goaltender after being a video co-ordinator at Clarkson University. James Sheppard and Patrick Marleau scored for San Jose. With the trade, Buffalo general manager Tim Murray struck his first major deal since being hired in January, acquiring goalie Jaroslav Halak, forward Chris Stewart, prospect William Carrier, a 2015 first-round pick and a conditional 2016 third-round pick. Murray later explained that the pick in 2016 could turn into a first-round pick in this years draft if the Blues reach the Western Conference finals or Miller re-signs with St. Louis before the draft. The win gave Buffalo three straight wins for the first time since last April, and Myers said the milestone carries significance. "It feels good," he said. "We knew what position we were in going into this game, and we really wanted it. Hearing the news before the game we wanted it that much more." The Sabres opened the scoring on a power-play goal 10:59 into the first period, as Antti Niemi couldnt hold on to Hodgsons wrist shot. It was Hodgsons 15th goal and his first since Jan. 28. Enroth made a glove save of Matt Irwins slap shot through traffic with under seven minutes to play to keep Buffalo ahead. He made another strong glove save 7:22 into the second period when Marleau was left uncovered in the slot. "It was kind of late notice," Enroth said of getting the word he was starting, "but I just told myself to relax, go out there and compete." Moments after Enroth stopped Marleau, Myers beat Niemi off a rush up the right side, but his shot clanked off the cross bar. After another pair of saves, Enroth was beaten when Sheppard forced a puck between the goaltenders legs after a shot rebounded off the end boards. The Sharks finished the second period with a 31-13 advantage in shots on goal. "We knew theyd be ready," Sharks centre Joe Pavelski said. "We had our chances to score early and we didnt, fell behind, climbed back and just didnt turn the corner like we needed to." Buffalo restored its lead 4:33 into the third when Zemgus Girgensons won a faceoff back to Flynn, whose wrist shot beat Niemi. The Sabres doubled their advantage four minutes later when Myers jumped into the play from the right point to feed Moulson in the slot, who scored over Niemis shoulder. Marleau brought the Sharks within one with a one-timer with 1:15 left in regulation. Joe Thornton picked up his 50th assist of the season on the goal. "They played hard," Thornton said of the Sabres. "Obviously, Im sure a lot of feelings over there with two teammates. its a tough business, but they played well tonight." Myers added an empty-net goal with 21 seconds left to give him a goal and two assists on the night. "Tyler Myers is really starting to come into his own," Nolan said. "I thought he was sensational tonight." NOTES: Tyler Ennis missed his second straight game for Buffalo with "undisclosed soreness" ... 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The win puts Arsenal four points clear of Everton in fourth place with two games to play in the Premier League, a position which would qualify the club for Europes top competition for the 17th straight year.Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn.ca! Hi Kerry, Upon watching Datsyuk`s goal against Dallas the other night, I could not help thinking what the referee who was watching his incredible deke was thinking. This also made me remember Mike Cammalleris referee high-five. Have you encountered any goal celebrations where the player used you as a prop? How about ones where you just couldnt help but laugh? Also, were you ever just in awe of a goal that was scored on the ice? All The Best, Eric G.Montreal Eric, During my 30 year NHL Officiating career, there was countless times when my jaw dropped in awe as I watched the sheer magic performed by some of the games greatest stars. I had the best seat in the house every night while following the play from a safe distance a mere 15 feet away. When the stars shone, I was able to maintain my focus and duties as a referee but my love of the game and true appreciation of their unique talents often caused me to become the biggest fan in the building. In the early days of my career, Wayne Gretzky and then Mario Lemieux provided highlight reel moves and goals on a nightly basis. There was never a game I worked involving these superstars that they failed to do something really special. The two of them had amazing vision of the ice like no other players I encountered. They were truly the best of the best during their time on the ice. The precision with which their no-look passes and shots found the intended target through sticks, skates and bodies was uncanny. The Great One was always four to five moves ahead of the game and the albatross-like reach and grace with which Super Mario swooped around opposing players and goalkeepers was mesmerizing. I remember my jaw dropping as Mario scored on a breakaway in the 1990 All-Star game which I worked and then again in the Stanley Cup Final against the Minnesota North Stars that same year. Kent Nilsson was the guy they called “Magic” for his soft hands and the tricks he could perform through his exceptional puckhandling skills. Mike Bossy always knew where the net was and his accurate shot penetrated the smallest opening imaginable, often while carrying a defender on his back or while wheeling around with his back to the goal and falling to the ice. Alex Kovalev had the hands of a surgeon. While playing s a member of the Montreal Canadiens, he scored a highlight reel goal against the Florida Panthers in my last game in Sunrise. I approached Alex immediately afterward and told him if I ever required open-heart surgery, I wanted the knife placed in his hands. It was a little unnerving when Kovi responded, “Some nights maybe not!” I was amazed by the leadership demonstrated by New York Rangers captain Mark Messier in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final against the New Jersey Devils. Mess promised a victory that afternoon but with the Rangers down 2-1 at the end of the secondd period and about to start the third killing a penalty I had assessed to Esa Tikkanen for kneeing Stephane Richer, I made a bold prediction of my own.dddddddddddd In the our dressing room, I told linesmen Pat Dapuzzo and Gerard Gauthier they could stick a fork in the Rangers because they were done, out of gas and unable to solve Devils goalie Martin Brodeur! Messier then proceeded to take the game upon his back, making good on his called shot by scoring his first hat trick as a Ranger (a natural one at that) to force Game 7 two nights later. The feat has been described as one the greatest individual efforts in the history of the game. The modern game is blessed to have so many young players like never before with soft hands and exception skills that bring us out of our seats. While I was never “high-fived” the way Erik Cole celebrated with referee Greg Kimmerly, I want to share a couple of unusual moments I encountered on the ice with two, shall I say, less gifted scorers. Steve McKenna played eight seasons in the NHL from 1996 to 2004 with four different teams (LA, Minnesota, Pittsburgh and NY Rangers). In 373 NHL games, the 68”—255 pound left winger scored a total of just 18 goals, all of which Im sure were cause for an outburst of celebration. The big guy wasnt there to put the puck in the net and picked up a total 824 penalty minutes during those seasons, most of which were for fighting. Steve was really a funny guy and kept what little hair he had cut close to the wood. We got along really well together on the ice. One game in the Igloo in Pittsburgh, McKenna was in the middle of a scrum and before he got rolling, I grabbed the giant by the sweater to get his attention. I only stood as tall as McKennas belly button but I told him if he didnt break it up, I was going to “kick the %^&* out of him myself!” That immediately got the Penguins tough guys attention. Steve got a big grin on his face and, looking downward lightly, speed-bagged my chin with his two fists as he rolled his tongue with a “bdllllllllllt” sound. McKenna then picked up his gloves and skated to his players bench! The altercation was over before it even got started as my chin was used a prop. The most bizarre goal scoring celebration ritual I ever saw occurred from John Flesch, who, like Steve McKenna, shaved his head to the wood. For his own personal safety, given Fleschs unorthodox method of celebration, he is probably fortunate to have scored just 18 goals in 124 NHL games during parts of four seasons with Minnesota, Pittsburgh and Colorado. Whenever Flesch dented the twine and the red light flashed, the big guy would