ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller was in the stands for the Colorado Avalanche’s playoff win over the Nashville Predators Monday night, and when he returned to work at his own job Tuesday he said he had discovered his inner hockey fan.

“I thought offensive linemen … I thought they grabbed and tugged on you and threw elbows and stuff,’’ Miller said on the second day of the Broncos’ offseason program. “But you go to, what is it, a hockey match? Hockey game? You go to a hockey game, those guys are real men out there, super extra.’’

Miller was caught on camera during the game, with the Avalanche leading 4-1 at time, waving a “Let’s Make Noise’’ sign as he appeared on the in-arena video screens. The Avalanche went on to win Game 3 of the series, 5-3.

The Predators lead the series 2-1 with Game 4 Thursday.

“I enjoyed it, I enjoyed it," Miller said "The energy was crazy, a whole bunch of tough guys skating around.’’

And given his standing in the Denver area on all topics of interest, Miller was asked about the blindside punch Predators defenseman P.K. Subban threw at Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon when both players were penalized for holding late in the second period.

Subban was not penalized for the punch and was booed heartily each time he touched the puck for the remainder of the game.

“It’s hard to say … anybody could say, ‘Yeah man, I would have done this, done that,’ but those guys are true tough guys out there,’’ Miller said of the play. “ … It’s a tough sport, I’ve got a newfound respect for those guys.’’