SlapShot Radio’s intrepid photographer captured the action last night at Bridgestone Arena, here are today’s Sunday Shots.
Courtesy DLM/SlapShot Radio ... Click
here for the entire photo album.
Now… on to last night…
The Nashville Predators dropped a point they should’ve gotten in last night’s 3-2 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. While the game was fairly sloppy on both sides of the rink, the Predators had an opportunity to steal both points and did not, giving up a late lead then continuing their shootout futility. You can point at this game and say that the blueline played fairly well, considering two of their top four defensemen were out for last night’s contest. You could also say that Marek Mazanec continued to be solid between the pipes. But there is something that needs to be said after last night’s game… and it has nothing to do with what happened on the ice.
There were almost a thousand Flyer fans in the house last night, and I want to tip my hat to each and every one of them. You represented Philly and the Flyer fanbase with class and dignity. You understood that when you are in someone else’s house, you have fun, you cheer for your team, but you show respect for your hosts and the way things are done at that house.
The assembled mass of Flyer fans did just that last night… contrary to the reputation that continues to be driven by a lazy media and the uninformed people that don't know any better. There was no parade of drunks being arrested, no fights in the stands, no disrespectful shouting or cheering during the National Anthem. We have seen how some of the fanbases from other markets treat hosts when they come to town and the Philly fans in attendance last night were great! Complimentary of our city and the arena, wearing their Clarke, Leach, Barber, Crisp, Hextall and Lindros jerseys with pride, and not an attached sales tag to be found (I just couldn't resist.)
Look… I’ll be the first one to say that Philly fans are tough… I grew up in the Delaware Valley… I know… But the thing that never gets recognized is the fact that the knowledge and passion that Philly fans bring to the table are unrivaled by any other American city… bar none. I am proud to call Nashville my home... My family has lived here for the last 25 years, and this market has the makings of a great sports city. Philly is already there and has been there for years. Are there some idiots in the crowd… of course there are. Should we paint the entire city or fanbase on the actions of those idiots… of course not... But let’s not let the facts get in the way of a good story.
Sometimes movies make things up or gloss things over to further the story along, like the movie “Invincible” didn’t mention that Vince Papale played in the WFL before making the Eagles… but… the truest part of that movie was the first few minutes that took place at the end of another losing Eagles season, when someone tried to leave early as the clock was winding down. The fan was told “sit down… there’s a game going on.” I seen that happen personally at the Vet and the Spectrum and believe me… The record of futility for Philly sports teams can make it very hard to be a Philly sports fan, but it does help toughen you up… and makes the victories all the more sweet. My memories of the Stanley Cup parades in ’74 and ’75, the World Series wins, the greatest season in my memory, 1980, when all four of my hometown teams made the respective finals of their leagues, The Eagles in the Super Bowl, the Sixers and Flyers making the finals and those Fighin’ Phils… the Phillies finally breaking through and winning an elusive world championship.
It’s the one thing that most people don’t understand about Philly fans… they point to the actions of a few idiots… actions that have happened in every stadium or arena in this country… and paint the entire town with it. It just isn’t right, it isn’t truthful… But you know the funny thing? Philly fans simply don’t care. They know the truth and they simply don’t care what the media or opposing fans think. It’s one more thing that I like about Philly fans… so, let me say again…
Kudos to the fans from Philly that came last night, you are welcome in Smashville anytime!
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Random Notes
- Colin Wilson finally got a little puck luck last night, breaking a goal-less streak that stretched back to November 6th, however Wilson couldn't convert on two golden opportunities to win that game in overtime, hitting the post on one breakaway and just missing the net on another.
- The Predators went 0-5 on the power play last night.
- Last night was Matt Cullen’s 1,100th NHL game. That’s a lotta games…
- Patric Hornqvist returned to the lineup last night and made an immediate impact.
- Nashville is now 0-3 in shootouts and have yet to register a goal in the skills competition.
- The cheer that went up at Bridgestone Arena last night when Auburn beat Alabama was loud, I mean really loud… I am still stunned at the turn of events that led to that finish.
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