High on Hockey
So, the Predators are on a hot streak. And I love it. The past 3 games have made the entire year for me.
The first of the three: Predators vs. Flames. I went into this thinking it was going to be a close game. Maybe something like 3-2 at most. They’re always a tough team to play and there’s always a lot of energy during the game. After halfway through the game, it’s back and forth (starting with the Preds) up to 4-4. Then, we tally three more goals before the end of the 2nd period. And, in the third, Tootoo takes us up to 8 to tie the franchise record for most goals scored in a home game. Then, with about 3 or 4 minutes left in the period, Hordichuk hammers one home to beat the franchise record and cap us at 9 points. Every goal kept getting better and better. You don’t seem to tire out as your team keeps scoring. I somehow managed to yell loudly and go crazier with each goal. The Predators just do that for me.
Then there’s Predators vs. Blues last night. After watching Mason hold off about 10 guys trying to put the puck behind him during the pre-game skate on Saturday, I knew he was ready for a game. Sure enough, Trotz put him in as the starting goaltender for the game. Although the game wound up 4-2 (in our favor, obviously), Mason made some amazingly fanstasic incredible point-blank saves. It was hard to cheer him on because we were completely astonished. Staring blankly at the TV thinking, “What the?” Even Vokoun had to be impressed by Mason’s performance.
And, finally, the game tonight at the Joe Louis arena against the dreaded Detroit Red Wings. We got the opening goal in the first few minutes of the period only to have Detroit come back and score twice within two minutes on 5-on-3 and 5-on-4 back-to-back power plays. That’s when I started getting worried about the game. In the last couple of minutes of the period, my stomach settled a little bit after we tied it up. The 2nd and 3rd periods were scoreless but not without either goaltender facing a lot of tough shots. Vokoun and Legace had stellar performances. Then, there was the 4-on-4 5-minute overtime. I only caught about three gasps of air throughout the entire OT span. Again, lots of good chances and close calls for both teams. Shootout time. Zidlicky’s shot is stopped–this isn’t good. Then the Wings tally a point. Kariya comes back and chips one up over the glove side of Legace to give us a point. The Red Wings repond and get another. Justin and I are praying that Sullivan doesn’t try his traditional 5-hole shot. He doesn’t and puts it right where Kariya did to keep us in. Wings don’t respond. Next up, Timonen–no goal. Wings, nothing. Sillinger shoots high on the glove side and gives us another point and puts us ahead in the shootout. Wings, point. Erat follows suit with everyone else and aims high on the glove side. Ding! It hits the post…and bounces in! And, Vokoun makes his last stop of the night for the Predators to get the win. Now there’s only 8 points separating us from the number one spot in the NHL. That’s some good hockey.
I probably should have mentioned the Nichol vs. McCarty fight. It was David vs. Goliath. Nichol standing at 5′8″ on his tip-toes and weighing in at 172 lbs soaking wet paired up with McCarty at 6′1″ and 215 lbs. Nichol loses, but not without landing some solid hits and taking McCarty down with him. Then, there was Simon’s match penalty for deliberate attempt to injure against Hordichuk. In the NHL, don’t try to intentionally hit a guy in the face with the butt-end of your stick. They’ll toss you for that.
Speaking of Hordichuk, don’t pick a fight with him. Jackman of the St. Louis Blues learned that the hard way. After instigating a fight, Hordichuk landed a solid hit and broke Jackman’s jaw. Jackman was taken off the ice after being dealt a couple of penalties and went to the ER. He’s out for the rest of the season.
But, the crowning moment was when one of the Wings tried to skate through Vokoun’s crease. Vokoun stuck his leg out and send him flying. The best part about was the Wings player got a goaltender interference penalty. Don’t mess with Vokoun. He’ll beat anyone in a fight and he’ll make sure you pay for trespassing in his blue box.
And on Friday, it’s duck season!
