Paul McCann: And Then There Were Two... to go.

Got to sit in 120 for this game. Big-time ice issues last night. Lindback played outstanding and was happy to see him get the W - stopping all 3 shootout attempts.

Seeing Rads play up close now has me convinced he is the most dynamic forward on this roster. Always seems to have the puck on his stick and shows great vision and hands out there. If you get a chance to see the replay of his shootout goal I would suggest it; wasn't flashy but it was filthy nonetheless.

Worst ice I've ever seen. Hopefully they can do something about it by tomorrow.

- Speaking of attendance, Nashville’s stands at 16,680 average per game for the season, 97.5% of capacity, the best percentage in franchise history, besting the previous record of 97.1% (16,599) in the 99-00 season.
- pmccann

The Preds are actually doing better than that. This from another message thread.

I did run into Sean Henry a couple of games back and asked him why SRO (standing room only) tix weren’t included in the official attendence number. He told me that official seating will always be 17,113 (unless the arena expands) but they’ve been selling about 40 SRO tix and can sell up to 100 when demand is there but they didn’t consider it a big deal to include that in attendance figures. I told him us fans love to see over 100% occupancy in the Bridge and every percentage point counts for overall season occupancy. He understood and agreed and also mentioned that the Preds/Bridgestone Arena can sell an extra 6 tix per luxury box and they would start to include those numbers in the future. 6 X 70 boxes = 420…..plus up to an extra 100 SRO tix for 520 would put attendance at 17,633 for 103%. That’s not going to happen every game or every sellout but it helps over the long run.

It's strange that the Predators front office wouldn't see it was being important that the tickets sold in excess of capacity be reported in the attendance figures. However, that illustrates that we're doing a bit better than what's being reported.

Worst ice I've ever seen. Hopefully they can do something about it by tomorrow.
- Mainert

I was watching it on television and could tell how awful it was even though I wasn't at the game. Hopefully they address that before the playoffs begin. It would be an embarrassment to have ice that bad come playoff time.

I was watching it on television and could tell how awful it was even though I wasn't at the game. Hopefully they address that before the playoffs begin. It would be an embarrassment to have ice that bad come playoff time.
- sigep predfan

The question is, what happened? We used to have the worst ice in the league, but over the last few years that changed and we were in the top 10 for best ice. What went wrong?

This time of year every arena has ice issues. I really don't want to start reading about how crappy the ice was blah..blah..blah.. To me that can potentially start setting a tone for excuses. Both teams have to play on the same ice.

This time of year every arena has ice issues. I really don't want to start reading about how crappy the ice was blah..blah..blah.. To me that can potentially start setting a tone for excuses. Both teams have to play on the same ice.
- coaster28

True, but the style of play can be greatly affected when ice conditions come into play. One team may have to adjust more than another. The Preds are a team that must adjust because they make too many long passes and often pull up or cut hard in the offensive zone when skating hard with the puck. Staying with their current style of play on bad ice results in bouncing, hard to handle passes and lots of falls.

A team like Detroit that makes shorter, crisper passes is going to benefit more in bad ice conditions. So the Preds do have a disadvantage when they play on crappy ice.

The question is, what happened? We used to have the worst ice in the league, but over the last few years that changed and we were in the top 10 for best ice. What went wrong?
- Predaceous

I've noticed that they have not been running the AC like they had been. My seats are directly under one of the blowers and I carry gloves and a hat to the games because it was so cold. It has not been like that over the last couple of games.

This time of year every arena has ice issues. I really don't want to start reading about how crappy the ice was blah..blah..blah.. To me that can potentially start setting a tone for excuses. Both teams have to play on the same ice.
- coaster28

To me, it's a player safety issue more than anything. Last night there was a hole in the ice the size of a puck directly in front to the visitors bench. When a player blows out his knee, trust me your going to hear how bad the ice is from both teams and the national media.

I've noticed that they have not been running the AC like they had been. My seats are directly under one of the blowers and I carry gloves and a hat to the games because it was so cold. It has not been like that over the last couple of games.
- Mainert

I've noticed that too. Last night I came to the arena in shorts and a short sleeved shirt.. I was still burning up in there.

I'm not saying this to be a troll. Im just curious. Why have the only sold out 24 games? They have been a pretty good (great this year IMO) team the last 3 seasons and play pretty darn good hockey. I would have thought they would have no problem selling out this year. I know TN isnt the biggest hockey crazy state, but hockey does tend to have a loyal and cult following which can fill up places since hockey arenas are pretty small compared to other sports. Im just surprised that the number wasnt higher. Bandwagoners? or are people just starting to enjoy the sport as we do?

Dont get me wrong, the Hawks def have bandwagoners

I think the unseasonably warm weather is the issue. Rarely ever 80F the first week of April?

I dont expect much different on Thursday, but they will get it together before the playoffs start.

anyone else get caught in the traffic problem on 24 near clarksville last night after the game? we finally made it home sometime after 1am

I'm not saying this to be a troll. Im just curious. Why have the only sold out 24 games? They have been a pretty good (great this year IMO) team the last 3 seasons and play pretty darn good hockey. I would have thought they would have no problem selling out this year. I know TN isnt the biggest hockey crazy state, but hockey does tend to have a loyal and cult following which can fill up places since hockey arenas are pretty small compared to other sports. Im just surprised that the number wasnt higher. Bandwagoners? or are people just starting to enjoy the sport as we do?

Dont get me wrong, the Hawks def have bandwagoners
- HajdukChicago

I am sure someone has the inside track on the numbers, but its the weekday games mostly. The Preds draw from a wide area and weekday are harder to make for most (like me, I have been to two weekday game this season). But I think we have something like 95% average capacity so its not like its an empty building when it doesnt sell out.

I'm not saying this to be a troll. Im just curious. Why have the only sold out 24 games? They have been a pretty good (great this year IMO) team the last 3 seasons and play pretty darn good hockey. I would have thought they would have no problem selling out this year. I know TN isnt the biggest hockey crazy state, but hockey does tend to have a loyal and cult following which can fill up places since hockey arenas are pretty small compared to other sports. Im just surprised that the number wasnt higher. Bandwagoners? or are people just starting to enjoy the sport as we do?

Dont get me wrong, the Hawks def have bandwagoners
- HajdukChicago

I think the most obvious reason is that hockey still isn't the main sport in this area. Someone mentioned the weekday games, and that's part of it. Weather was the reason our shutout streak ended, but we only fell a couple hundred short.

Hockey is still growing in this area. I don't think it's fair to say that Nashville should be selling out all their games because the team is good this year. Edmonton never sold out a season until after the lockout and they had several Stanley Cup Champions.

It'll get there. It's getting closer every year.

So you think Yip will be scratched on Thursday? That monster ice time he is getting over Wilson has to take its toll, hopefully they rest him and save some for the playoffs!!! sarcasm

So you think Yip will be scratched on Thursday? That monster ice time he is getting over Wilson has to take its toll, hopefully they rest him and save some for the playoffs!!! sarcasm
- brisco61

If or when Wilson gets to play, he will play with some serious intensity and give the team an extra boost. Also gives us some good depth for the hopefully long post season

I've noticed that too. Last night I came to the arena in shorts and a short sleeved shirt.. I was still burning up in there.
- Predaceous

I, too, have noticed it's not been frigid in 108 recently; and, we sit directly under AC vents that typically have me wearing turtlenecks in April

Haven't entered from Demonbreum in a while ... anyone notice if the dehumidifier is set up in the rear smoking area yet?

I'm not saying this to be a troll. Im just curious. Why have the only sold out 24 games? They have been a pretty good (great this year IMO) team the last 3 seasons and play pretty darn good hockey. I would have thought they would have no problem selling out this year. I know TN isnt the biggest hockey crazy state, but hockey does tend to have a loyal and cult following which can fill up places since hockey arenas are pretty small compared to other sports. Im just surprised that the number wasnt higher. Bandwagoners? or are people just starting to enjoy the sport as we do?

Dont get me wrong, the Hawks def have bandwagoners
- HajdukChicago

To add to my fellow Predators fans here...it has also been difficult (until lately) to get corporate entities to buy the expensive seating in the lower bowl and club level. Very rarely is the top of the bowl not completely full. It's getting the big businesses in the area to buy into what the Predators are doing and the fact that the Titans kinda laid an egg this year is helping draw more fans to hockey as you get way more entertainment for a cheaper price.

As has been said, even when we don't sellout, we are only maybe a few hundred tickets away from a sellout. It's becoming more and more clear that the Predators front office starting with the local ownership group and Poile are icing a competitive team, not just for perennia playoff appearance but for deeper runs. I truly hope we have a very deep run this year as this is the most dangerous team the Predators have iced since we had Kariya and Forsberg going into the playoffs (and even then we were hampered with injuries and depth issues including our goaltender)

Hope that helps....and of course...GO PREDS!!!!!!!!!!!

If or when Wilson gets to play, he will play with some serious intensity and give the team an extra boost. Also gives us some good depth for the hopefully long post season
- benderboots

Based on what I heard on the radio this morning, I'm not sure Trotz is going to play Wilson again unless the Preds clinch the 4th seed before Saturday.

I, too, have noticed it's not been frigid in 108 recently; and, we sit directly under AC vents that typically have me wearing turtlenecks in April

Haven't entered from Demonbreum in a while ... anyone notice if the dehumidifier is set up in the rear smoking area yet?
- Predsboro

It is there in full force. Probably working overtime since no Farmer's Almanac could have predicted this unusually hot weather for March and April. broke temperature records this year in TN multiple times.

side note to the attendance thing.

Went in to Richard's SG at Charlotte West this weekend and I didn't see a stitch of Predators gear anywhere. Same thing at Academy Sports in Cool Springs other than a pathetic little half assed display by the exit..

Plenty of UT and Titan crap. Really makes me wonder sometimes. Other than Sports Seasons none of the so called Sporting Goods stores seem to give a hoot.

side note to the attendance thing.

Went in to Richard's SG at Charlotte West this weekend and I didn't see a stitch of Predators gear anywhere. Same thing at Academy Sports in Cool Springs other than a pathetic little half assed display by the exit..

Plenty of UT and Titan crap. Really makes me wonder sometimes. Other than Sports Seasons none of the so called Sporting Goods stores seem to give a hoot.
- coaster28

Interesting. I wonder if that will change after a deep playoff run?

Based on what I heard on the radio this morning, I'm not sure Trotz is going to play Wilson again unless the Preds clinch the 4th seed before Saturday.
- Predaceous

Wilson not at pratice today?!?!?

side note to the attendance thing.

Went in to Richard's SG at Charlotte West this weekend and I didn't see a stitch of Predators gear anywhere. Same thing at Academy Sports in Cool Springs other than a pathetic little half assed display by the exit..

Plenty of UT and Titan crap. Really makes me wonder sometimes. Other than Sports Seasons none of the so called Sporting Goods stores seem to give a hoot.
- coaster28

I noticed the same thing when I went into Dick's Sporting Goods.