SlapShot Radio’s photographer was busily snapping away last night, here are the Sunday SlapShots...
See the entire album at
SlapShotRadio.com.
Courtesy DLM/SlapShot Radio
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Normally a nasty welcome in the south involves the phrase “bless your heart…” Well… it was an atypical Southern welcome last night for Ryan Suter. For the 25th consecutive game, at least 17,113 rapid Predator fans filled Bridgestone Arena to cheer on their beloved Predators against the Minnesota Wild. They were there to cheer, that is for sure, but many die-hard Predator fans were here for another reason.
To let Ryan Suter know exactly how they feel.
Let me start with this. I like Ryan Suter, he is a fine man, he has treated me well and has been especially kind to my son. Ryan was part of a high school hockey practice quite a few years back and helped my son (also a defenseman) learn a few new things. He then always made it a point to ask about him, how his season was going, how he was doing. I will never forget that kindness and have always respected Ryan for it. Suter was a good member of the Predators organization for years and that should
always be remembered.
The post-game quotes from last night’s tilt showed a player that seemed genuinely hurt and confused about the boos that rained down upon him from the fans that used to cheer his every move. He called it “tough to take.”
“Tough to take,” that’s an interesting quote, I heard the same words used from a lot of Predator fans after he made his decision to leave, and despite all of the quotes to the contrary, Predator fans are not unhappy that Suter left for family reasons. That is a reason that any Pred fan can support. The problem is, no one knew that family considerations were
the priority. By most accounts, the coaching staff didn’t know it, Preds General Manager David Poile didn’t know it, Pred Nation didn’t know it. If the coaches or GM did know, they could have done something to get something for the talented All-Star defenseman. But they didn't and lost him for nothing.
Therein lies the rub.
No one is unhappy that Suter is closer to family, but the feeling of being misled, of being jilted is palpable. It is very real in the minds of the fans. A lot of people look at this as a “heel turn” of WWE-like proportions and will not quickly or easily be forgotten, and given the fact that the Minnesota Wild are scheduled to be in the Predators division starting next season, Suter will have to get used to it.
Perhaps he can pretend that Smashville is chanting “Suuuuuter.” It may help.
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Time to start the “Where We Stand” portion of the blog…
The Nashville Predators stand in a three way tie for 9th in the Western Conference, 1 point behind 7th place San Jose and Phoenix, 2 points behind 4th place LA, St. Louis and Detroit.
SportsClubStats Update
Predators Playoff Chances – 36.4% down 1.3% from yesterday.
Most likely number of points needed to make the playoffs - 55
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Random Notes
- Last night’s 2-1 loss to the Wild finishes the season series with Minnesota.
- After 25 games, the team sits outside of the top 8. It is time to fix the road record if Nashville hopes to make the playoffs again.
- I can’t help but think that this next five games, taking the team from Dallas to Western Canada and Columbus will be the decision maker on the Preds playoff chances. Survive this portion of the season, and 12 of their last 18 are at home.
- The Tennessee High School Championship games happen tomorrow at Centennial Sportsplex. The Henry Hine Cup will be contested by Franklin Road Academy/University School vs. Montgomery Bell Academy at 6pm. The Predators Cup will go to either Ravenwood High or Brentwood High, that game starts at 8pm.
- Can’t resist this one… during the same week a study comes out about Canadians wanting fighting out of hockey, the Canadian National baseball team puts it into baseball. Ironic huh?
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SlapShot Radio, Join Pete Weber and I as we chat with hockey’s best, every Wednesday at 7pm on 102.5 the Game and the SlapShot Radio Network. This week's guests include Steve Lepore from "Puck the Media" and Jack Michaels from Edmonton.
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