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A Well Deserved Recognition and Game Night

January 10, 2012, 10:33 AM ET [ Comments]
Paul McCann
Nashville Predators Blogger •Predators Radio Network • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Before we get to game night, I wanted to take a moment to say congratulations to the Voice of the Predators, Pete Weber on being named Tennessee Broadcaster of the Year for his work with the Predators. It is a high honor for a well deserving man who represents the franchise and his profession with a high degree of professionalism and integrity. I have learned so much doing SlapShot Radio with him over these past three years and I cannot think of a more deserving recipient.

Congratulations Pete!

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It’s a Rocky Mountain game night as the Predators are in Denver for a Western Conference showdown with the Colorado Avalanche. The two teams are in the thick of the conference playoff race as the Preds stand 7th (tied with Minnesota) and the Av’s stand 10th, one point behind the Preds and tied with Dallas. They are both in a pack of five teams separated by two points. This is the first meeting of the season between these two clubs and the beginning of a critical home and home that will finish Thursday night inside the friendly confines of Bridgestone Arena. The Predators swept the season series from Colorado last season.

The Avalanche are coming off of a schizophrenic pair of games, a 4-0 win over Chicago, followed by a 4-0 loss to St. Louis, but they have won nine of their last eleven games. They are battling some injuries listing Matt Duchene, Mark Oliver and popular former Pred Shane O’Brien as out. Erik Johnson, Ryan Wilson and Peter Mueller are listed as questionable. The Predators have no injuries right now.

There is a potential eight point swing in play here. The Predators could turn their one point lead into a five point lead, or a three point deficit. It is as important a January series as you can have to both teams… should be a great couple of games. It’s a 8pm airtime on Fox Sports Tennessee, radio coverage begins at 7pm with the Predators Pre-Game on 102.5 the Game.

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Random Notes

- There is a three way tie at the top of the Central as Detroit, St. Louis and Chicago are deadlocked at 53 points. The Predators trail the lead group by five points.

- It is coming down to crunch time with Ryan Suter. With the trade deadline approaching, the impending UFA is not signed yet and there seems to be some message management coming out of both sides.

- Predators prospect Austin Watson, fresh off a very solid WJC for Team USA, got traded from the Peterborough Petes to the London Knights, making the Knights a stronger contender in their bid for a Memorial Cup.

- So, Columbus fired Scott Arneil. Everyone is asking the same question, but I will add one, when does Scott Howson get the same treatment?

- Big win for the Panthers last night, pulling out a nice 2-1 victory over Vancouver on Marcel Goc’s game winner.

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You are invited to follow me on Twitter. Search for @PredPAPaul… Not only will I be updating when I get news or updates, but we are having a bit of fun by getting your input on Gnash introductions, weigh in on Twitter and who knows, we may use your introduction for the best mascot in the NHL at the next Preds game!

Also... make sure to "like" SlapShot Radio on Facebook... here's the link.

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On the next SlapShot Radio, built by RiverBirch Homes

We are back Wednesday at 6pm on 102.5 the Game, live from Blackstone Restaurant on West End Ave. We will talk with Mark Appleby of powerscouthockey.com about the NHL’s version of “Moneyball,” we will also have a salute to Lefty Smith, the former coach of the Notre Dame hockey team who passed away last week and we will preview the Philadelphia game with former Nashville sports guy John Boruk of CSN Philly. All this on SlapShot Radio built by RiverBirch Homes.

To get a fix in the meantime… past episodes are also posted on the SlapShot Radio website.

Click here to listen or download.

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