Month: January 2012

Keeping Up with the Predators: Tootoo and 5K

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The Predators salute to the fans after a great win!

If you follow us on Facebook or Twitter, we made mention of these events earlier today. However, since we’ve had a ton of hits to the site wanting to know more about these events, we just figured we’d go ahead and post something about them here! Clear your schedules for tomorrow and February 4th – You’ve got stuff to do!

Jordin Tootoo Radio Show
When: January 11th (Tomorrow)
Time: 7PM to 8PM
Where: Blackstone Restaurant and Brewery (West End Avenue)
Price: FREE!
Don’t forget camera and items to be autographed! Tootoo’s special guest tomorrow night will be rookie Ryan Ellis!

Nashville Predators Fangtastic 5K Run/Walk
When: February 4th
Time: 7:30 to 9:30AM – Registration; 10AM – Race begins; 7PM Preds vs. Blues
Where: Bridgestone Arena
Price: Before February 4th – $40.00; Day of Race – $45.00 (price includes a Fangtastic 5K shirt and ticket vouchers to the following games on the 4th, the 7th, and the 14th. Additional tickets can be purchased for $25!)
$5 of the proceeds of the Run/Walk will go to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt! Always a great time and, not only do you get some exercise, it goes to a great cause and you get tickets to a game! You can register early here!

There you have it, folks! Two ways to enjoy the Predators and who isn’t excited about exercise?! Hey, you get tickets to the game afterwards, you’ll be fine… just walk it!

GO PREDS.

(Photo credit: Leanne Charles)

Predators knock the Wind out of Hurricanes, Win 5-2

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Rookie Ryan Ellis with the puck that landed his first NHL goal.

Yet another franchise record was broken last night, as the Predators sold out their 8th consecutive game against the Carolina Hurricanes. And, with this sell out, the Predators also came out swinging, knocking the wind out of the Hurricanes 5-2. Here are the highlights from last night’s extraordinary win:

KEY POINTS

  • Colin Wilson made his return to the ice last night after suffering from an upper-body injury that sidelined him for a number of games. Brian McGrattan and Jack Hillen sat out as healthy scratches for the night, giving the rookies some more time to familiarize with the NHL.
  • Shea Weber got the game going with his ninth goal of the season at 9:14 in the first period. Martin Erat and Sergei Kostitsyn assisted on Shea’s goal.
  • Craig Smith wasted little time sending the Predators up 2-0 at 13:16 in the first, smacking a one-timer passed Justin Peters. This was Smith’s first goal in fifteen games and he was assisted by Colin Wilson and David Legwand on the power play.
  • Patric Hornqvist would handle the next two goals, both on the power play advantage. The first goal was at 17:04 in the 2nd period, with assistance from Mike Fisher and Ryan Ellis. His second goal was at 6:56 in the 3rd, with assistance from Martin Erat and Mike Fisher.
  • In what should have been Hornqvist’s third goal of the night, the goal was placed under review and was deemed a “no goal” due to a kicking motion. However, in review of the play, there wasn’t a foot in sight and the fans were vocally upset about Horny’s Hat Trick being taken away. Hats were still thrown to the ice, nevertheless.
  • Carolina scored their first goal at 8:35 in the 3rd from Jay Harrison, finally putting the Hurricanes on the board (and the free doughnut was lost). Harrison would also score the second and last goal for the Hurricanes at 17:56 on the power play.
  • Rookie Ryan Ellis scored the game-winning goal for the Predators at 14:28, his first career NHL goal. Mike Fisher and rookie Roman Josi helped assist the goal.
  • The Predators, though a bit sloppy at first, outplayed the Hurricanes by a mile and a half. Not only did the Predators out score the Hurricanes 36 to 29, they also only gave the Hurricanes two power plays, whereas Carolina gave the Predators five (four of which the Predators capitalized on). Here are the two Predators who faced penalty time:
  1. Jordin Tootoo – 12:58 2nd Period – Slashing
  2. Roman Josi – 16:12 3rd Period – Hooking

After Thursday’s disheartening loss to the Dallas Stars, a 5-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes was just what the Predators needed to hit the road to Colorado on Tuesday. Also with this win, thanks to the L.A. King’s loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Predators have now moved up in the Western Conference standings.
After Tuesday’s trip to Denver, both teams will meet again, this time to play in Smashville. We welcome the return of Shane O’Brien, most definitely.

Until then,
GO PREDS.

(Photo credit: Nashville Predators)

NHLPA denies Conference Realignment

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Against the better judgement of everyone, the NHLPA denies the realignment change.

Earlier today, the National Hockey League Players Association addressed the proposal for the new four conference realignment. What would have been a good move for the NHL and would have reduced long distance traveling amongst the current two conferences, the NHLPA agreed to deny the proposal of new four conferences.

“It is unfortunate that the NHLPA has unreasonably refused to approve a plan that an overwhelming majority of our clubs voted to support, and that has received such widespread support from our fans and other members of the hockey community, including players,” NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said.

This decision will not only affect the players and teams, but inevitably the fans as well. With the Nashville Predators, for instance, it is almost inconceivable for a fan in Nashville to fly to Vancouver, buy tickets, find boarding accommodations, and whatnot. It’s not impossible, but it’s not plausible compared to only be in a conference with teams like Columbus, Chicago, and St. Louis, which are all in reasonable driving distances.

Rumors of a lockout and other disasters have been running amuck, but only time will tell as to what will play out with this decision. You can read the official press release from the NHLPA here.

As a fan, we think this is a terrible, terrible decision. As much as it would have been a change (with the Predators not facing Vancouver or Anaheim nearly as much), it was in the best interest for all teams, not just the Nashville Predators. As more becomes available, we will be quick to add it to this post.

Until then,
GO PREDS.

Bourque’s first NHL Goal not Enough; Dallas overtakes Preds 4-1

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Gabriel Bourque landed his first NHL career goal against the Dallas Stars.

The second meeting of between the Predators and the Stars was hosted in Nashville, and the crowd was ready for the inevitable angst brewing between the two teams. During the last meeting between these two teams in Dallas on December 23rd, Dallas defenseman Mark Fistric leveled Predators captain Shea Weber at the end of the game, placing Weber on the IR up until their second meeting. If you missed the nasty hit, here’s the video:


Needless to say, both the team and the fans of the Nashville Predators were visibly upset by the fact Fistric was not reprimanded by his careless hit and the fact Tootoo was suspended after the whole incident with Buffalo. Last night was going to be brutal for the Stars, one way or another. Here are the highlights from last night’s game:

KEY POINTS

  • Earlier in the day yesterday, the Predators announced that Shea Weber would be released off of IR and would be ready to play against the Stars. Colin Wilson was also deemed healthy, but was still scratched from the game.
  • With Colin Wilson, both Jonathon Blum and Ryan Ellis were also scratched from the game with the return of Shea Weber and the recent return of Kevin Klein.
  • Although many thought Brian McGrattan would be the one to take on Mark Fistric, it was actually Jordin Tootoo who dropped the gloves with the Dallas defenseman at 1:46 into the game. It wasn’t a punch free-for-all kind of fight, but Tootoo clearly won the battle when he body-slammed Fistric, who is almost fifty pounds heavier. Here’s the video:
  • Although Nashville came out with a bit of power, they weren’t able to stop Dallas from drawing the first blood. The Predators were quick to return the favor at 8:31, with Gabriel Bourque’s first career NHL goal. Both Jordin Tootoo and Nick Spaling picked up the assists.
  • With only a few seconds left in the first, Dallas scored once again on what looked like a onside goal from Kevin Klein. It looked as if, when Klein was trying to block the puck, he accidently bumped the puck in behind Pekka Rinne, but after review, it was clear Mike Ribeiro snuck it in.
  • Jamie Benn would send the Stars up 3-1 thanks to a nasty miscommunication amongst the Predators. Ryan Suter reversed the puck, only to have none of his men in waiting. Benn caught Pekka off guard and sunk the easy goal.
  • Steve Ott was given a penalty shot shortly after Benn’s goal, but was unsuccessful against the Finnish phenom that is Pekka Rinne.
  • Adam Burish sealed the game in the favor of the Stars at 12:53 in the third, the second loss for the Predators this season against the Dallas Stars.

The Predators were out-shot by the Stars 25 to 30 and suffered from more penalties than the Stars did. Here were the boys who faced some penalty time:

  1. Jordin Tootoo – 1:46 1st Period – Fighting
  2. Shea Weber – 0:46 2nd Period – Holding
  3. Mike Fisher – 19:03 2nd Period – Tripping
  4. Francis Bouillon 5:44 3rd Period – Roughing
  5. Jordin Tootoo – 8:35 3rd Period – Interference
  6. Jordin Tootoo – 8:35 3rd Period – Diving
  • Anders Lindback and Jonathon Blum were reassigned to Milwaukee to gain more ice time and goalie Jeremy Smith was bumped up to Nashville, his first call-up to the NHL. Rumors are running amuck that the Predators are looking to trade and Blum might be the unfortunate person. With rookies like Roman Josi, Gabriel Bourque, and Ryan Ellis playing as well as they have been in the NHL, falling short in the defense area for the Predators is basically a death sentence. Sadly, Blum just hasn’t quite matched the other rookies thus far (nor did Blake Geoffrion, who is hanging out in Milwaukee as well).

The Predators tore out of the gate last night emotionally and what seemed physically ready, but as the game progressed, ill-fated mistakes and miscommunication lead to the loss at home against the Dallas Stars. While the Predators are usually able to regain themselves after silly mistakes, the Stars ate up every mishap and used each one to their advantage.

Even though it was a 4-1 loss, the Predators still made regular season franchise history by selling out their 7th consecutive game. The Predators look to score an 8th consecutive sellout when the Carolina Hurricanes roll into Smashville tomorrow night. The puck drops at 7PM.

GO PREDS.
(Image credit: Leanne Charles Photography)

Keeping Up with the Predators in the New Year

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Here are some interesting happenings with the Predators in the coming week. Getting to meet your favorite players is always a plus  and here are two ways you can get your autographs and pictures!

  • Tuesday, January 3rd – Open Practice and Public Skate
    When: 1:30 to 6PM
    Where: A-Game (215 Gothic Court, Franklin, TN 37067)
    What: The Predators will be having a special practice at A-Game in Franklin between 3-5PM, with a public skate before from 1:30 to 3PM. After practice, the Predators will be signing autographs from 5-6PM. The public skate costs $7, but the proceeds benefit the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
  • Wednesday, January 4th – Jordin Tootoo Radio Show
    When: 7PM to 8PM
    Where: Blackstone Brewery (1918 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203)
    What: Jordin Tootoo is back for the new year, talking hockey, of course! Broadcasted on 102.5 The Game, the popular Predators player not only brings in a special guest (always a fellow teammate and sometimes even a Tennessee Titan) and always offers autographs and pictures! Always a good time and the restaurant has a great atmosphere, too!
  • Design Pekka’s Mask
    When: Now until January 20th
    What: Although this isn’t exactly an event, it is a way to meet Pekka Rinne (if you win). All you have to do is print the blank template of a hockey mask, create a design, and return it to your local AT&T store or you can scan it onto your computer and e-mail the design. If you win, not only does your design make it on Pekka’s mask during a game, you will also get to keep the mask after the game and get to meet Pekka personally! I think it’s time to get the crayons out, don’t you? You can find the template and everything else here!
Check our Facebook or Twitter for any updates on these upcoming events (like when Tootoo announces his special guest). Until then, we hope you can make it out to these events and start designing that mask! Who wouldn’t want a one-on-one meeting with Pekka Rinne?
GO PREDS.

Predators welcome the New Year with a Birthday, Hat Trick, & Win over Flames

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Some say they've never seen Sergei skate so fast...

Never witnessed a Hat Trick before? Well, we hope you didn’t miss this game because Sergei Kostitsyn got his first one of his career in front of a sold out crowd a Bridgestone Arena tonight! Oh yea, and it was also Patric Hornqvist’s 25th birthday, so a win was just in the cards tonight for the Predators as they out score the Calgary Flames 5-3. Here are the highlights from tonight’s win against Calgary:

KEY POINTS:

  • Shea Weber was finally placed on the IR yesterday, due to his concussion. He did, however, skate on his own earlier today. By this, we hope that means he’s healing quickly. Concussions are nasty, nasty things…
  • Good news for Klein fans, for Kevin was out on the ice tonight and played fairly well for just recovering from the flu. However, Colin Wilson missed yet another night tonight and Jonathon Blum was scratched.
  • The Flames scored early in the game at 3:47 from Jarome Iginlas, his 499th goal of his career.
  • The Predators didn’t take too long to respond, with Kevin Klein slipping the puck passed Miikka Kiprusoff at 12:39 in the first. He was assisted by both Nick Spaling and Jordin Tootoo.
  • The Predators continued the momentum at 15:06 with a goal from Sergei Kostitsyn, with great assistance from Mike Fisher and Patric Hornqvist. Sergei tripped on the goal post and slammed into the boards, but didn’t seem to be affected by it.
  • The entire second period belong to the Predators, with a goal at 2:27 from Matt Halischuk, his 9th goal of the season. He was assisted by Jordin Tootoo and Jack Hillen.
  • Sergei got his second goal of the night at 5:59 in the 2nd with assistance from Jerred Smithson and Patric Hornqvist once again.
  • With Jordin Tootoo’s two assists tonight, he tied his career-high points with 18 (we expect him to surpass that soon).
  • The Flames came back in the third, bringing the game from 4-1 to 4-3, but at 19:30, Kevin Klein cleared the puck from the Predators net, sending it flying down the ice towards the Calgary empty net. Sergei Kostitsyn chased the puck down and tapped it in, landing his first career Hat Trick and sealing the game for the Predators, 5-3.
  • Pekka had yet another outstanding game tonight, blocking 17 of 20 shots on goal. The Predators also out shot the Flames 27 to 20 and one less penalty than Calgary. Here were the two trouble makers:
  1. Nick Spaling – 10:12 1st Period – Tripping
  2. Birthday Boy Patric Hornqvist – 5:13 3rd Period – Hi-Sticking

The Predators started off 2012 on the right track tonight with the win over Calgary, Patric Hornqvist’s birthday, and Sergei Kostitsyn’s first career Hat Trick. As sad as we were SK74 did no speak after the game (the first Star of the Game always does), we completely understand why he did not. Patric Hornqvist did the honors, talking about his birthday win and his two assists during the game. We hear fans give Kostitsyn a hard time a lot and, although he does frustrate us on occasions, he is a great player with amazing skills (when he puts them to use). SK74 will find his groove, similar to Colin Wilson, then we won’t hear any more complainers (Oh what am I saying? There will always be pessimistic fans). Before we go off on a rant, the ladies here at Lady Preds want to wish you and yours a great New Year’s! We hope 2012 will bless you with the best things in life!

The Predators are off until Thursday, when they welcome the Dallas Stars into the Bridgestone at 7PM. Welcome, Ha! After losing Weber to them, the fans might not be so welcoming…
GO PREDS!

Shootouts prove successful for Preds against Wild and Blues

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Gabriel Bourque in his first NHL game against the Minnesota Wild

The Predators have seen their share of shootouts throughout the years, but tackling a shootout two games in a row? With a goalie like Pekka Rinne, a shootout against the Predators will definitely make you sweat a little. The Predators won both their shootout games 2-1 against both the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday night and against the St. Louis Blues on Friday night. A win in regulation is always better, but hey, it’s ALWAYS better to win in OT/SO than to lose in regulation. Here are the highlights of both these nail-biting games:

W I L D :

  •  Shea Weber, who suffered a concussion during the Dallas Stars game, was still missing from action against the Wild Wednesday night. Gabriel Bourque was called up from Milwaukee to play in his first NHL career game.
  • Kevin Klein and Brian McGrattan were both scratched; Klein still suffering from the flu, McGrattan a healthy scratch.
  • Neither team scored a goal until the third, with a tip from Jordin Tootoo at 7:00. He was assisted by both Jonathon Blum and Francis Bouillon.
  • The Wild returned the play and scored to tie the game at 16:01, eventually sending the game into overtime. When the overtime yielded no goals, the game fell into a shootout.
  • The Wild failed on their three shots, but Colin Wilson was able to seal the game for the Predators, slipping it passed Wild goalie, Josh Harding.
  • Pekka had an outstanding game, stopping 34 of 35 shots on goal. The Predators only had ten less shots than the Wild at 25.
  • This game was the 10th sold out game of the season for the Predators, 5th home game in a row.
  • The Wild had more penalties than the Predators, but neither team was able to use them to their advantage. Here were the Predators who sat in timeout:
  1.  Jerred Smithson – 6:41 2nd Period – Hooking
  2. Jordin Tootoo – 16:30 3rd Period – Unsportsmanlike Conduct

 

B L U E S :

  • Both Weber and Klein were missing from the game in St. Louis.
  • Matt Halischuk was quick to put the Predators on the board at 2:16 in the first period. He was assisted by rookie Roman Josi.
  • At 13:40 in the first, the Blues tied the game with a goal from T.J. Oshie.
  • Before Oshie’s goal, it seemed as if the Predators had put the game up 2-0 with a goal from David Legwand, but his goal was waved off due to a “distinct kicking motion”.
  • Although he lost his stick three times throughout the game, Pekka was able to block 35 of 36 shots on goal from the Blues.
  • Neither the Blues or the Predators were able to score after the first period, thus throwing the game into overtime. With no goal in overtime by either team, the game was forced into a shootout.
  • With unsuccessful goals from Fisher, Smith, Leggy, and Halischuk, it wasn’t until Martin Erat sealed the game for the Predators after five rounds.
  • The Predators only had 34 shots on goal compared to the Blues’ 36, and also gave the Blues more penalty chances. Luckily, the Predators were able to keep the Blues from capitalizing on the power plays. Here are the Preds who took some nasty penalties:
  1. Brian McGrattan – 14:28 1st Period – Boarding
  2. Roman Josi – 12:17 2nd Period – Hi-Sticking
  3. Roman Josi – 16:02 2nd Period – Boarding
  4. Jonathon Blum – 12:47 3rd Period – Hooking

 

Although it took five rounds for the Predators to finally seal the game in their name against the Blues, the Predators have recently faired well with their shootouts. Again, with Pekka being on his game and being the reason the Preds signed him for the next seven years, it’s easy to see why the Predators would be awesome at shootouts (as long as those shooting can hit the net).

GO PREDS.