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Redemption? Revenge? Both are dishes best served on ice...

October 22, 2014, 11:25 AM ET [2 Comments]
Paul McCann
Nashville Predators Blogger •Predators Radio Network • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Stories of redemption and revenge were all over Bridgestone Arena last night as the Arizona Coyotes went down 4-3 in a shootout, the good news for Coyote fans? They played Dave Tippett hockey… lock down defense and opportunistic offense. The good news for Pred Nation is that this Predators team showed again that comebacks are in their blood.

The Predators came back from an early 0-1 hole in the first period as Mike Ribeiro made his old team pay with a nice finish of a 4 on 1, playing give and go with Ryan Ellis and going five hole to beat Devan Dubnyk. Nashville took a second period lead on a goal from Ryan Ellis, finishing a nice chance from Derek Roy, but the lead was short lived as Arizona’s Keith Yandle tied the game with a power play marker three seconds after Calle Jarnkrok took an ill-advised Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty.

The back and forth continued as the teams traded chances until another player made their former team pay. Long time Predator Martin Erat scored off the rebound of an Oliver Ekman-Larsson shot, beating Rinne glove side to put his team in the lead… but again, the lead was short lived as 21 seconds later James Neal knotted the game on a sweet one-timer that ended the scoring in regulation. Overtime solved nothing as the Predators had to kill off 1:16 of power play time to start the five minute extra period and both goaltenders made game-saving saves… so we went to the shootout.

A shootout that put the game in the glove of Phoenix goaltender Devan Dubnyk, another player playing against his former team in this game, another player looking to prove that his former team made a mistake in letting him go.

The first round saw Nashville draw first blood on a snappy little wrister from Derek Roy that cleanly beat Dubnyk high stick side. The next four shooters (Boedker and Gagner for Arizona – Simith and Forsberg for Nashville) failed to convert and the game came down to Antoine Vermette who sent the shootout to extra frames with a looping approach that eventually beat Pekka Rinne five-hole. Head coach Peter Laviolette sent our Ryan Ellis who came in with speed, hesitated slightly, waited for Dubnyk to commit and calmly tucked the puck just inside the near post to put the Predators up.

Tippet didn’t hesitate to send out Martin Erat to tie the shootout, but Rinne stood strong, closing the five hole and denying Erat’s chance for revenge as the Predators took the bonus point, maintained their Central Division lead and sent their fans home happy with free coffee and Frosty’s.

Ryan Ellis, quite possibly played his best game in Pred colors, as this system seems to have unleashed the offensively gifted blueliner, utilizing his unique skill set. Despite the protracted negotiations on his contract and his lack of training camp, Ellis has started the season on fire.

The homestand continues tomorrow night with a return date against the Chicago Blackhawks. A sellout is expected and only very limited tickets remain.

Here’s the highlights…



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Random Notes

- A huge grin on Mike Ribeiro’s face after he scored last night… that had to feel good for the veteran. What also has to feel good is that he was paid by BOTH teams in last night’s game. His buyout from Arizona and his Predators salary.

- Mike Fisher skated with the team yesterday, doing drills for the first time this season. Matt Cullen remains on IR but is also skating with the team.

- Thursday night’s opponent, Chicago, laid a smackdown on Philly last night to keep pace, one point behind the Preds.

- Former Pred Kevin Klein is the hero in New York as he potted the overtime winner last night as the Rangers beat the Devils 4-3.

- Carolina remains the only member of the 0-fer club after dropping a 3-1 decision in Winnipeg.

- Speaking of the Jets, last night’s win pulled them out of the Central Division basement.

- And speaking of the Central Division basement… Patrick Roy is calling out his team publicly on their compete level.

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Hey… don’t forget to check out the Player’s Show tonight at Tavern 96. This year’s host is Eric Nystrom and his first guest is Mike Ribeiro. Showtime is 7pm, can’t make it down to Tavern ’96? Listen in on 102.5 the Game.

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SlapShot Radio is back every Wednesday at 7pm on 102.5 the Game and the SlapShot Radio Network, except this one… we are pre-empted for the player’s show this week, but we are back Wednesday October 29. Our premier, day one sponsor is back, that’s Dr. Jane Bacon at Hermitage Family and Cosmetic Dentistry … make your appointment at 615-872-7762.

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