Well… that was ugly. The Dallas Stars opened their season like they were playing in AT&T Stadium, tacking on the extra point in a 7-0 blowout of the Nashville Predators last night. In that performance, the Nashville penalty kill gave up five (no folks, that ain’t a typo…) FIVE power play goals. A soul-crushing, franchise-record-tying five freaking power play goals.
An even first period, where both teams played well lead to a second period to forget. That’s what happens when you don’t finish off your chances… and those chances were plentiful in the first period. The story of the game is simple… Dallas took advantage of their chances and Nashville did not.
You kept hearing Terry Crisp refer to it throughout the game in his always spot-on analysis … finish. It was sorely lacking last night from Nashville and it bit them in the rear end.
The frustration was pretty evident as the Preds took one penalty after another and you could almost hear the frustration of Pred Nation as they watched.
All that being said… it is one game in 56… these types of blowouts are easier to put in your rear view mirror. The team gets another chance tomorrow night at the AAC. Is Dallas that good? Nope… Is Nashville that bad? Nope… it’s one game.
Face off is at 7pm CT tomorrow.
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A couple of icons passed in the last 24 hours… one in sports, one in broadcasting.
Hank Aaron will always be an icon for breaking Babe Ruth’s home run record and dealing with all the racist crap that came with it. He dealt with the situation with grace and humility, something sorely missing in this broken world of ours. His leadership in and out of the game is something to be emulated and he will be missed.
Larry King passed this morning, a broadcasting icon for over 60 years. Honestly, one of the best interviewers I have ever seen. Curious, insightful and always entertaining, he would keep me company as I drove home from work at 2am with his overnight syndicated radio show until he transitioned to TV with his Larry King Live show on CNN.
Rest well gentlemen… and thank you.
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Random Notes – Presented by
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The Cooler - How quickly things turn, 2-0 becomes 2-2 that fast.
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Taxi! - I have been fascinated by the strategies behind the taxi squad since it was first announced, and Preds GM David Poile revealed a little about his thoughts on the taxi squad. With the AHL still not playing, the taxi squad seems to be used to get some practice time for prospects in the pipeline.
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As the Jackets Turn - Gee, a star player and John Tortorella not getting along… whoda thunk it? The fun in Columbus has just begun as the Jackets and Pierre-Luc Dubois head for an acrimonious divorce… and it may take Torts with it. UPDATE - as soon as I posted this, the news broke of the trade between Columbus and Winnipeg...
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Trade Winds - Speaking of nasty divorces… this has been brewing for awhile as the Winnipeg Jets just placed Patrik Laine on IR, amid rumors of a pending trade… Hmmm… Columbus maybe? UPDATE - See above...
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ON the radio - SlapShot Radio is on Thursday night this week, featuring Sean Fitz-Gerlad of the Athletic.
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SlapShot Radio is back, the 13th season is underway, we are on Wednesdays at 7pm on 102.5 the Game, except this week…
Our sponsors are fantastic, you need to check them out…
Dr. Aileen Kruger at Hermitage Family and Cosmetic Dentistry … make your appointment at (615) 872-7762 and our good friend Carter Church, Your Murfreesboro real estate expert with Weichert – The Andrews Group.
Cool Springs Wines and Spirits! The largest spirit store in all of middle Tennessee! And La-Z-Boy Nashville! Three locations, locally owned and operated, check out La-Z-Boy in Murfreesboro, Hendersonville and Cool Springs!
Season 13 will be the best ever, so get in on the action… reach out to me for awesome new advertising packages.
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