That is what sits above the Predators Lockers. There is much to that statement. Much more than: “Get your point man,” “Quick shifts,” “110%”,or “Make the safe play.” It stretches well beyond that here….Even beyond: “Sign the Autograph,” or “Give a good interview."
You need to realize that hockey fans are a different breed, and no matter how much the NHL or any of us would love to think that the “Casual Hockey Fan is Alive and Well” in America, he or she isn’t. In fact he or she doesn’t exist. Not in Nashville. Not in New York. Not in Philadelphia. Not in Los Angeles. (Maybe in Buffalo…maybe)
Ask any sports fan in the USA how they rank the Football, Baseball, Basketball, Golf, Tennis, Nascar, Hockey, etc. and they either say hockey is their favorite sport or they wish there was less of it on TV. That is the reality of hockey in America.
Well I am here to tell you that it is ABSOLUTELY a workable reality. In fact I like it. In fact, in hockey, we have a brand loyalty that is second to none, and once we get our hooks in you (which usually requires us taking you to a live NHL, AHL, or College Game) you will never forget it.
Now with that in mind…back to Nashville, back to last night and what I was amazingly fortunate to witness. A clash of realities. In the original six days Gordie Howe would have given you a great big chuckle if you told him that on April 16, 2008 his esteemed Wings, still wearing the duo-tone red and white classic jerseys, would be in a dog fight with a team from Tennessee.
That’s what struck me about this. An Original Six team with so much respect for them, so much history…was battling a team that 10 months ago almost ceased from existing.
These fans saved the team back in July and they’ll be darned if they don’t try everything they can to keep them going. That cat on their sweater still has a few lives left. The result of this roller coaster ride is a fanbase that is connected to a team at the level that is usually reserved for college sports in America. And the hockey atmosphere in the Sommet Center is just that. A College Atmosphere.
They chant on their own. They sing on their own. No prompting. No “MAKE SOME NOISE” on the big board. The players are amazed by it. Find one player on any NHL team that has played in Nashville and ask him. They are amazed by it. And they are even more amazed by the fact that people in 29 other cities don’t seem to know about it.
They say home ice is overrated these days. Not here. Here they are the seventh man for a group of players who have ten times the heart that they have star power. But heart in hockey is a big deal. Heart can take you far.
Everytime a team has run that makes us label them “a team of destiny” there is always something unique that goes with it. “A Thing.” In Edmonton it was the crowd singing Oh Canada by themselves (still get chills when I think of witnessing that live two years ago for game 6). In Florida “The Thing” was rats.
Now I am not going to label these Predators as a “team of destiny” today. There is no way that would I give that label out just because the Preds made it 2-2 in this 1-8 battle. The Red Wings are way too talented and the West is way too solid to even START to go there. However there is a “Thing” here.
The second period TV Time-out. It started against the Blues in that big comeback game that go the Preds into the playoffs. That was life 5 or 6 for the cat.
It is organic and perfect in almost everyway. No music. No video montage. No scenes from Miracle.
In game three it came right before the Preds tied it at two. Last night it was lift in the second period.
I was lucky enough to spend some great quality time with Barry Trotz after the game. Here is a coach in the midst of the playoffs that gave us 15 minutes of his time. He spoke of how proud he was of his team and how important these fans are. He spoke of this team’s amazing chemistry. And they have that in spades.
Talking to Weber and Ellis after the game you can tell they are just having a blast right now. They are two major players in this series two true stars of the past few weeks, yet they are both humble and so unbelievably approachable. They don’t cliché you to death about how focused they need to be going into game 5 and how they want to get that big road win…They show you that is where they are in their mannerisms.
These Preds are an inspiring story, and as you can tell from this blog, it is virtually impossible not to get caught up in that feeling…
Just landed, but I will be blogging from the Wachovia tonight for what looks to be another great game between the Caps and the Flyers.
Also listen for the podcast at 4pm
For now I am blogging from Children’s Hospital where my daughter is going through some more tests today. She is doing well, hopefully today is the end of all of this…thanks for the well wishes.
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