SlapShot Radio’s photographer was on the loose last night, capturing the action at Bridgestone Arena for our regular Sunday feature… here are your Sunday Shots…
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| From Predators vs Ducks February 8, 2014 |
The Nashville Predators go into the Olympic Break with hope for this star-crossed season. Hope, mixed with more than a little concern. The Preds dropped a disappointing 5-2 decision to the Anaheim Ducks in a game where, frankly, the Predators deserved better than they got. Head coach Barry Trotz was quoted post-game “I’d bottle that game most nights and you end up with a win.… That is very true. It is the kind of game that truly points up the fact that the Predators are simply not finishing their chances, is it the talent… or is it bad puck luck? It could be a little bit of both, and for confirmation, simply look at two of the goals Anaheim scored last night, pucks bounced off backs and shoulders and just thrown at the net.
That was the difference in last night’s loss before an over-capacity crowd at Bridgestone Arena. If the Predators manage to secure that last wild card slot, take some encouragement… this team does play well against Anaheim and as things stand right now, it will be these Ducks that host the 8 seed in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Here are the highlights…
I usually try to avoid doing this, but I will make a comment regarding the officiating last night. It simply was not up to NHL standards, whatever they may be. I always try to keep in mind that the refs are human and simply can’t catch everything, however, some obvious calls not being made and, worse yet, the hesitancy of the officials to make calls makes me wonder how they are being trained and coached throughout the season. The inconsistent officiating that we have seen over the past few months really has the players confused. They simply do not know where the lines are drawn and it may be important to have a reset during the Olympic break.
Last night’s 5-2 loss to Anaheim aside, the failure to gain two more points in the peloton chasing the last wild card slot in the West also meant a failure to gain ground on the eight spot. The positioning is frozen for the next almost three weeks, and it looks like this…
*Minnesota – 59 games played – 69 points *Dallas – 58 games played – 64 points (24 ROW) Phoenix – 58 games played – 64 points (23 ROW) Vancouver – 60 games played – 63 points (24 ROW) Winnipeg – 60 games played – 62 points (23 ROW) Nashville – 59 games played – 60 points (24 ROW)
The Predators have a slight advantage with a game in hand over Vancouver and Winnipeg, Dallas has a game in hand on Nashville. The Predators play the Jets one more time (3/1) at Bridgestone Arena, the Canucks one more time (3/19)in Vancouver, the Stars twice (3/28 & 4/8) in Dallas, the Coyotes once (4/10) at home and close the season at Minnesota on 4/13.
The Predators have managed to climb back into the race. How they react when the season resets on February 27th will tell all… and the biggest questions that may be answered over the next few weeks… how is Pekka Rinne’s rehab going and will he be back in net when the season resumes?
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We are incredibly excited for our SlapShot Radio Watch Party at Tavern ‘96 this coming Saturday. Tavern ’96 will open the doors at 6am for the 6:30am puck drop. We will be watching Team USA take on Team Russia in a critical matchup.
There will be a special breakfast menu and lots of fun for all… so get up early this Saturday morning and join the SlapShot Radio team… come on out to cheer on Team USA!
This is part of the Predators Winter Wonderland Event starting Thursday night at Bridgestone Arena’s Rehearsal Hall. I’ll be there on Thursday night and we’ll be Curling, playing Air Hockey, Bubble Hockey and enjoying a great selection of food and drink options. Admission is free. This will be happening 2/13 – 2/15 and 2/20 – 2/22 from 6pm – 10pm. ----------------------------------
Random Notes
- Good news on the medical front… The Voice of the Predators (and co-host of SlapShot Radio) Pete Weber is back home. He was released from ICU and the hospital yesterday and travelled back to Nashville. He’s glad to be back in his own bed and home.
- David Poile will not be travelling to Sochi with the rest of the USA Hockey contingent today. He has come through multiple surgeries and is still in the hospital in Minnesota. No word on if he will be able to join Team USA at some point during the Olympics.
- Simon Moser got a nice send off to the Olympics, posting his first NHL point last night.
-Congratulations to the Voice of the Milwaukee Admirals, Aaron Sims on doing a great job filling in on radio these last two games. We’ll be talking to him on this week’s SlapShot Radio.
-Gold Medal winner, Middle Tennessee resident and big Nashville Predators fan Scott Hamilton is doing his normally great job commenting on Figure Skating on NBC.
-Pretty funny Tweet from Carrie Underwood last night…
That awkward moment when you go to the bathroom and your husband scores a goal for the @PredsNHL
— Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) February 9, 2014-
- Olympic Break - No NHL games today
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SlapShot Radio, Join Pete Weber and I as we chat with hockey’s best, every Wednesday night at 7pm on 102.5 the Game and the SlapShot Radio Network. This week’s podcast is posted. We’re talking Olympic hockey this week with reporters on the ground in Sochi!
We are proud to announce the latest member of the SlapShot Radio sponsorship family, The Wine Shoppe at Green HIlls… a great place to get your adult beverages and the owners are HUGE Pred fans.
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