SlapShot Radio’s intrepid photographer was back capturing the action at the Bridge, see the album at the the SlapShot Radio Facebook page.

All photos are courtesy of SlapShot Radio/DLM

The defibrillator is getting a workout in Pred Nation and the denizens of Smashville are loving it after last night’s 4-3 overtime win in front of a crowd who’s noise level broke 107db (at least by my measurement at center ice) on multiple occasions. After their second overtime win on home ice in as many attempts, after their second consecutive game six win to stave off elimination, the Nashville Predators find themselves in another game seven situation. Only this time with the confidence that they have been there, done that.

It didn’t start out so good.

The Predators did not come out with the jump that was hoped for, and before Smashville could really settle in, it was 2-0 Sharks on a couple of goals from Chris Tierney. One a tip in another off a bad defensive turnover led to Tierney putting home a rebound of a Tomas Hertl shot. Eleven minutes in… down 0-2… unease began to take hold in Smashville… this is not good.

Then, a bounce… Roman Josi scores his first of the playoffs on a flukey, run up Pavelski’s stick, bloop single over the shortstop’s head kind of goal to draw the Preds to 2-1 and ignite the overflow crowd at Bridgestone.

The Predators fired off that bounce… they fed off the crowd for the next two periods, drawing even on a filthy backhand from Ryan Johansen. Falling behind over halfway through the third period… but Pred Nation did not give up, when it would’ve been easy to. The sound continued to swell, urging the Predators on… and the team fed off the energy leading to one of the prettiest plays you ever want to see…

The much-maligned Mike Ribeiro, with an instinctive play at the point, freezing the defense before a tap-to-tape, cross-ice pass to James Neal who immediately hit Colin Wilson for the easy put away to tie the game and almost blow the roof off Bridgestone Arena. Then… an wholly satisfying finish as Viktor Arvidsson had his hard work finally payoff with his first NHL playoff goal, the game winner a little over two minutes into overtime, burying a rising backhander that Sharks goaltender Martin Jones is still looking for.

It’s a little ironic, that the very thing that bedeviled Pred fans in the regular season have been two incredible sources of joy in the post season.

So now the series is tied… today is a much needed off day for Nashville… the first time in these playoffs where the Preds actually have more than one day between games. The team will actually get to practice tomorrow before heading out to San Jose for game seven on Thursday night. This off day is manna from heaven for a team needing to recharge the batteries. For San Jose, they travel today… the off day may be helpful from a rest perspective… but from a mental perspective… it could be a killer giving the time more time to think.

The specter has been summoned. The ghosts of previous playoff collapses have reared their translucent heads. 2014, thought banished in round one, is now back with a vengeance. San Jose Sharks… welcome to the playoffs. After cruising past the LA Kings and thinking that they had confined their past playoff failures to history, the Sharks finds themselves with their backs to the wall for the first time in these playoffs. How will they react?

Charge up Smashville – Another game seven is coming…

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Cause for Joy – Happy happy joy joy happy happy joy joy…happy happy joy joy joy!!!

Cause for Concern – None… until Thursday…

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Second Round Snapshots

Lightning / Islanders – TBL Wins 4-1

Capitals / Penguins – PIT leads 3-2 – Game 6 Tonight @ PIT – 7 pm – NBCSN

Stars / Blues – Series tied 3-3 – Game 7 Tomorrow @ DAL – 7 pm - NBCSN

Sharks / Predators – Series tied 3-3 – Game 7 Thursday @ SJS – TBD

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Tweets by @PredPAPaul


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Season eight of SlapShot Radio is on! Join us every Wednesday night at 7 on 102.5 the Game. Pete Weber and I cover the playoffs from pillar to post. We are previewing game seven with Jeff Marek and Dan Rusanowsky.

SlapShot Radio is the longest running hockey show in the mid-south delivering great hockey talk to the most energetic and engaged fans in radio. Our premier, day one sponsor is Dr. Jane Bacon at Hermitage Family and Cosmetic Dentistry … make your appointment at (615) 872-7762. Also, our newest member of the SSR Sponsorship family is Mark Lonsway at ReMax Fine Homes, call him for all your real estate needs at (615) 207-7799.

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