Thank you Predators for yet another home win! It makes the 2 1/2 hour drive home a lot easier to swallow.....
The Preds won 4-3 last night against the San Jose Sharks, same score as the last meeting of the two, but different outcome. The Preds pulled out a huge win against argueably one of the best teams in the NHL. There was no point in the game that the home team was slacking off, though sorry Arny, you did seem like you were calling it in all game...... Maybe Patric Hornqvist will give you some pointers on how to play with heart, just a suggestion.
Although Pekka Rinne had some spectacular saves, he had an average game overall. The real story of last night was the Ward, Legwand, Smithson line......
Really and truly that line has played some of the most exciting hockey we as Preds fans have seen in a long time. It was really great to see the chances that Leggy has been generating pay off with a goal and 2 assists and first star honors! Seriously, when was the last time Leggy was a star of the game?
Not to be put aside, Smithers has continued to play great hockey and generated a lot of excitement on the ice. Ward seemed to be right in the thick of the action and would not give up, really this line is Fang-tastic!! Cheesy? yes.... LOVE IT!
What was up with the game clock though? Trotz was ANGRY about it during his post-game interview and rightfully so. The Sharks should not have been allowed all of that extra time to rest and get a strategy together, if there was ever a team that could make a game-tying play within those 3 seconds, the Sharks are it. Thankfully the Preds were able to stave off any plays for that 3 seconds, but still, it should NEVER have happened. PLUS, it was delaying my departure, that's all I am gonna say about that though. Game Clock Officials, GET IT TOGETHER!
Overall, an incredible game against an incredible team. Where will the Preds be in March if this keeps up? All the line juggling, all of the hate for Trotzy, all of the lack of support for the team will be null and void if they continue to play with the heart, determination, and confidence that they have shown in the last few weeks. Yes, there have been some heart-breaking losses for the Preds (last Sharks game, etc..) but with the current roster, and the gritty under-dog mentality, we may just have ourselves an exciting season of hockey to watch!
Congrats again to the Preds on a FANTASTIC win! Can't wait to be back on Monday as you take on the WINGS!
Let's GO Preds!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Preds keep Habs off scoreboard
Saturday's game at the Sommet Center brought Pekka Rinne's second shutout of the season.... but the real star that night was Carey Price. He stopped 53 of 55 shots, and was downright incredible. Plus, he stopped outside the arena for a gaggle of fans seeking autographs can anyone say awesome?
Before the game, Jordin Tootoo's dad was standing next to the silent auction table and signed a ticket stub, then called us back, and gave us a pen and a pin bearing the name of his nation. Incredibly nice guy....
Ok... but here's the real story:
The Preds started the game with a lot of energy and never let up. There was never any doubt that this game was all about them, if Price had been off this would have easily been a 5-7 goal game for the Predators. They were right where they needed to be about 99 percent of the time, and the funniest moment had to be when Shea Weber sent a hard shot at Price, who went straight in to self-preservation mode.
Each player was on... no complaints at all.
Short and sweet wrap-up, huh?
Lets go Preds!
Before the game, Jordin Tootoo's dad was standing next to the silent auction table and signed a ticket stub, then called us back, and gave us a pen and a pin bearing the name of his nation. Incredibly nice guy....
Ok... but here's the real story:
The Preds started the game with a lot of energy and never let up. There was never any doubt that this game was all about them, if Price had been off this would have easily been a 5-7 goal game for the Predators. They were right where they needed to be about 99 percent of the time, and the funniest moment had to be when Shea Weber sent a hard shot at Price, who went straight in to self-preservation mode.
Each player was on... no complaints at all.
Short and sweet wrap-up, huh?
Lets go Preds!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Preds VS Blues
Yet again the Preds are facing a team with a couple of former players, and we as fans hope that the outcome is different from the Sharks game the other night. We want a WIN!
Although the Predators looked like the team that fans have been waiting for the entire season, they managed to give the game away with minutes to go. Even though the scoring chances were there for them, they could not put the puck in the net to tie it before regulation ended, prompting a 4-3 loss. The Preds always play well against the Sharks, and seem to be coming together even amongst the plague of injuries that has taken hold of the team.
Returning tonight to the line-up is J P DUUuuuuuUUUmont, and knowing this has prompted some hopeful feelings from me. Whenever he is on the ice, the Preds seem to play better, maybe he should have the "C", not Arny......just a thought....
The lack of sleep from the West Coast game schedule will be worth it if the boys return from this road trip with a win tonight against the Blues.
Dan Ellis- please watch the puck and know where it is..... AT ALL TIMES! You cannot let those squeakers go through your pads with minutes to go during a tied game, and well, you can't let that happen ever!
Weber was getting his legs back after his injury, but played well and Suter has continued to play strong with or without his line partner. The team does rely on the D for scoring too, so hopefully that trend can continue AND the offense can score a little too..... is that too much to ask for?
Hopefully Peks will be in net tonight, as that seems to be Trotzy's play, lose a game, ride the bench (Ellis). This season, the goaltender's confidence has been pulled up and down with the decision of who is starting and who is sitting, so it begs the question:
Is either goalie worthy of the starting position? Or do the Preds simply have a 1a and 1b goalie rotation? Let's just let them play, and see how it goes from there, obviously I do not have the experience or knowledge that Coach Trotz has, so I cannot say that he is making a poor decision by rotating them.
All in all, the Preds are looking good, and overcoming huge obstacles early in the season, and really, aren't they ALWAYS going against the odds? Didn't we make it to the playoffs with a bunch of nobodies a couple of years ago, and ALMOST make it this past year? Considering what this team has been through in its short tenure, and what Coach Trotz has been given, talent and injury-wise, I feel confident that the team will do well this year. Sure, a super-star would be incredible, but if that is not what we are meant to have, then fine, I will root for them no matter what. The Preds are my team, and I will not simply run away from them because they are having a rough time. (I do love when they win though) Call me optimistic.....it's not a dirty word.
Cannot wait for Saturday's game against the Habs too.... First game back in the Sommet Center since the incredible Stars game. Hopefully it's a GREAT and LOUD crowd for our boys.
And as always: LET'S GO PREDS!!!
Although the Predators looked like the team that fans have been waiting for the entire season, they managed to give the game away with minutes to go. Even though the scoring chances were there for them, they could not put the puck in the net to tie it before regulation ended, prompting a 4-3 loss. The Preds always play well against the Sharks, and seem to be coming together even amongst the plague of injuries that has taken hold of the team.
Returning tonight to the line-up is J P DUUuuuuuUUUmont, and knowing this has prompted some hopeful feelings from me. Whenever he is on the ice, the Preds seem to play better, maybe he should have the "C", not Arny......just a thought....
The lack of sleep from the West Coast game schedule will be worth it if the boys return from this road trip with a win tonight against the Blues.
Dan Ellis- please watch the puck and know where it is..... AT ALL TIMES! You cannot let those squeakers go through your pads with minutes to go during a tied game, and well, you can't let that happen ever!
Weber was getting his legs back after his injury, but played well and Suter has continued to play strong with or without his line partner. The team does rely on the D for scoring too, so hopefully that trend can continue AND the offense can score a little too..... is that too much to ask for?
Hopefully Peks will be in net tonight, as that seems to be Trotzy's play, lose a game, ride the bench (Ellis). This season, the goaltender's confidence has been pulled up and down with the decision of who is starting and who is sitting, so it begs the question:
Is either goalie worthy of the starting position? Or do the Preds simply have a 1a and 1b goalie rotation? Let's just let them play, and see how it goes from there, obviously I do not have the experience or knowledge that Coach Trotz has, so I cannot say that he is making a poor decision by rotating them.
All in all, the Preds are looking good, and overcoming huge obstacles early in the season, and really, aren't they ALWAYS going against the odds? Didn't we make it to the playoffs with a bunch of nobodies a couple of years ago, and ALMOST make it this past year? Considering what this team has been through in its short tenure, and what Coach Trotz has been given, talent and injury-wise, I feel confident that the team will do well this year. Sure, a super-star would be incredible, but if that is not what we are meant to have, then fine, I will root for them no matter what. The Preds are my team, and I will not simply run away from them because they are having a rough time. (I do love when they win though) Call me optimistic.....it's not a dirty word.
Cannot wait for Saturday's game against the Habs too.... First game back in the Sommet Center since the incredible Stars game. Hopefully it's a GREAT and LOUD crowd for our boys.
And as always: LET'S GO PREDS!!!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Problems for the Preds?
Weber, Wilson, AND Dumont?..........OH MY!
Just when Predators fans found out that Captain Arny and Toots were on their way back to the line-up, they received word that their #1 D-man Shea Weber would be out for 1-2 weeks with a foot injury, Rookie Colin Wilson reaggrevated his lower body injury, AND J.P. Dumont left practice hurting. Does this scenario spell doom for the Preds just when they seemed to have found their groove on the ice?
Pekka Rinne, with a slow start this season, has been snatching pucks out of the air with ease the past few games to help muster a 3 game win streak, but with the west-coast road trip looming on the horizon, will the depth of D-men be able to control the puck enough to keep the streak going? The goalie cannot win games by themselves, as evidenced by the Buffalo game where Rinne, on fire, stopped 40 of 41 shots faced.
The question is, will the players returning to the line-up be able to slip in un-noticed, or will they be just what the Preds need to continue winning games?
Thursday is so far away, leaving ample time for speculation, but the true test will be on the ice.
Will the Preds continue their winning streak or will the Ducks, Kings, and Blues leave them Clicking their heels and saying "There's no place like home, there's no place like home, there's no place like home"?
Just when Predators fans found out that Captain Arny and Toots were on their way back to the line-up, they received word that their #1 D-man Shea Weber would be out for 1-2 weeks with a foot injury, Rookie Colin Wilson reaggrevated his lower body injury, AND J.P. Dumont left practice hurting. Does this scenario spell doom for the Preds just when they seemed to have found their groove on the ice?
Pekka Rinne, with a slow start this season, has been snatching pucks out of the air with ease the past few games to help muster a 3 game win streak, but with the west-coast road trip looming on the horizon, will the depth of D-men be able to control the puck enough to keep the streak going? The goalie cannot win games by themselves, as evidenced by the Buffalo game where Rinne, on fire, stopped 40 of 41 shots faced.
The question is, will the players returning to the line-up be able to slip in un-noticed, or will they be just what the Preds need to continue winning games?
Thursday is so far away, leaving ample time for speculation, but the true test will be on the ice.
Will the Preds continue their winning streak or will the Ducks, Kings, and Blues leave them Clicking their heels and saying "There's no place like home, there's no place like home, there's no place like home"?
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