Consider the rivalry started. A 3-1 loss at home to Dallas saw nasty behind the puck (and sometimes in front of the officials face) play... two goals that should have been waived off for clear goaltender interference… at least using the standard to where the Predators have lost goals this season and some really silly acting from the Stars goaltender… oh yeah… it’s on. The Preds were no choirboys either, but come on…
The goaltender interference issue is one that is growing. What IS goaltender interference? We have seen where a goaltender gets breathed on and the goal has been wiped away, both third period goals on Saturday night featured contact with the goaltender… that is not deniable… the rule interpretation? That’s a cluster. The NHL really doesn’t want to have to deal with another “foot in the crease… issue (sorry Sabres fans…) but if they do not get better on this interpretation… that is exactly what will happen.
So, the week starts with Arizona in town tomorrow and Dallas (wait, what? Again?) on Thursday before a home and home back-to-back against St. Louis on the weekend. The Predators need to start taking advantage of Bridgestone Arena like they have before... the next chance is tomorrow. Limited tickets remain.
-----------------------------------
SlapShot Radio is on tonight as we step out of our normal Wednesday night slot for the player’s show… we are finalizing guests and will share on social media… please join Brent Peterson and me tonight at 7pm on 102.5 the Game. ------------------------------------
This has been a difficult week, both personally and professionally. I’d like to share something with you. As many of you know, in my role as the PA announcer for the Preds, I sit with a group of off ice officials in the booth between the penalty boxes, the time out coordinator, the penalty time keeper and the timekeeper. The timekeeper for the past eight seasons has been a gentleman by the name of Dave Peterson.
Dave has been part of the off-ice crew in Nashville since 2001. A lifelong hockey fan, a Vietnam vet, a former police officer and retired USPS employee, a dedicated husband and father... just a really good guy. Dave fought for our country and has been involved in veteran’s charities and support organizations for years. He has given tirelessly and selflessly for as long as I have known him… and our community is better for it.
Dave hasn’t been at the games for the last few weeks. He was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor and a little over a week ago. Doctors at Vanderbilt performed surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible, but they could not remove it all. Dave will have to go through extensive chemotherapy and radiation treatments to try and eliminate the rest of the tumor.
Dave has beaten cancer before and he has a strong woman supporting him in his wife Kim. A Go Fund Me has been set up to help the Peterson’s defray the costs of all this… if you have the inclination, please click here to donate.
As the second Hockey Fights Cancer Night approaches, we know that the hockey family cares fiercely about this fight and always takes care of its own. Dave and the entire Peterson family has all of our love, prayers and support.
------------------------------------
The Where We Stand section
Nashville maintains the second slot in the Central Division, four points behind the Winnipeg Jets, Winnipeg holds two game in hand over Nashville. The Preds lead Dallas by eight points, Minnesota by ten points and Colorado by 14 points.
Nashville currently holds the 4 seed in the Western Conference playoff race and has a 99.6% chance of making the playoffs according to SportsClubStats.com… the “85% chance… line stands at 90 points right now.
Impact Game Tonight – 7:30pm ARI @ DAL
-------------------------------------
Random Notes
- Milwaukee Update –The Admirals got February started with back-to-back home overtime losses for Manitoba and Rockford. They are back in action on Wednesday against Texas.
- Another record - Nashville continues to smash attendance records, Saturday night was another single game record, 17,722. I love that there was a 22 in the record number...
- Futility Watch – The Predators power play is now 0-39 since scoring in Chicago back on January 9th.
- Home Ice Advantage? – The Predators are 2-3 on home ice in 2019, losing the last three since their 7-2 destruction of the Washington Capitals.
- Lessons from Tootoo – For those saying to dump Austin Watson… take a look at the story of Jordin Tootoo. It’s about more than hockey…
- Impact Player – You’ve got to give Blake Comeau credit… he drove the Predators to distraction on Saturday night… then turned around and scored the game winner.
-----------------------------------
------------------------------------- SlapShot Radio’s 11th season is on! As the longest running hockey show in the region, SSR feeds hockey fans what they crave… intelligent, fun, entertaining talk about their favorite sport and we do it from the opening of training camp all the way through UFA day. We are on every Wednesday at 7pm, except for tonight... Please join Brent Peterson, Zack McCann and me on 102.5 the Game.
We have been delivering great hockey talk to the most energetic and engaged fans in radio and advertising with us drives awareness and results at a reasonable price. Just ask our sponsors… including day one sponsor Drs. Jane Bacon and Aileen Kruger at Hermitage Family and Cosmetic Dentistry … make your appointment at (615) 872-7762 and Patrick J. Brown’s Farmer Insurance Agency in Mt. Juliet… I switched to them a few years back and their service has been incredible! Give Pat and his team a call at 615-288-2086.
Advertisers… reach out to me in order to access our activated listener base though great mid-season advertising deals available. It is a great, cost-effective, high-visibility way to build awareness of your business You can send me a message on the SlapShot Radio Facebook page or by messaging me right here on HockeyBuzz.
You can also keep up with all the goings on with SlapShot Radio by following the show on Twitter @SlapShotRadio1 … Also... make sure to "like" SlapShot Radio on Facebook... here's the link.
If you are outside of the listening area, listen live online at The Game website or check out the podcast about two hours after the show at on SoundCloud.
-------------------------------------
KINDLE USERS: Please subscribe to Predators Buzz, a one-stop feed for all things Predators-related on HockeyBuzz. Your subscription includes a free 14-day trial and is just 99 cents per month thereafter. For more information, click here.