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Update from the @NHLPredsInsider Twitter feed...
Sullivan and Erat are probable for tomorrow night... that's the good news.
Ward and Arnott are questionable for tomorrow night... that's the bad news.
Cal O'Reily has been called up and Mike Santorelli sent down to the Admiral's.
I guess the questions about Arnott leaving the bench with a minute to go last night are answered.
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A winter’s night in Nashville, cold, snow, ice, and thousands of hockey die-hards that made it to the Sommet Center last night, ignoring the media’s collective scream to stay home because the world was ending… er… I mean… a few roads had ice on them. Those die-hards were rewarded with a satisfying 4-2 win over Cam Ward and the short handed Carolina Hurricanes... plus they still got home in time to see the best part of the BCS Championship game.
The continuing emergence of Patric Hornqvist is rapidly becoming the story of the year in Nashville. He had an outstanding game last night, potting two power play goals and setting up Steve Sullivan’s game winner. The gritty Swede is making the Predator’s European scouting team look like geniuses. At the beginning of the game, it didn’t exactly look like things were going to go well for Hornqvist after taking a couple of ill-advised penalties, including a double minor for high sticking, however, he got on track at the end of the first period, getting the go ahead goal with :24 to go in the period. Hornqvist was named first star of the game.
Special teams were a big part of this game as Carolina continued to take undisciplined penalities, at one point putting the Preds on five consecutive power plays. Nashville’s two power play goals were big, but crafty veteran JP Dumont’s short-handed goal energized the crowd at Sommet Center, taking a nice feed from Alexander Sulzer, Dumont streaked down the right wing and wristed one five hole past Ward to tie the game. It was the wake up call that the Predators needed.
The undisciplined play of Carolina culminated in a bad play from Andrew Alberts, checking Steve Sullivan from behind and driving him into the boards. Pred Nation held it’s collective breath as the training staff rushed onto the ice, fearing that his back had been re-injured, however Sullivan did get to his feet and leave the ice under his own power. Initial word has this as an "upper body injury," speculation centers on the neck or shoulder. He is doubtful for Saturday’s game vs. the Ducks. Not sure if anything else is going to come down from the league, it didn’t appear to be an intent to injure, more of a player breaking stupid and not considering the results of his actions.
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Friday Notes
- While Steve Sullivan is doubtful for Saturday’s game, Martin Erat may return to the lineup.
- Jerred Smithson is continuing to skate and Jordin Tootoo is showing signs of getting close to returning as well.
- Predators were perfect on the penalty kill for the forth consecutive game.
- Ben Guite took full advantage of his callup opportunity last night, he played well and showed some spark to his game.
- Last night's crowd was announced at just under 15,000. Actual butts in seats were quite a bit less as the weather did have an impact on folks coming out to the game.
Wed. 1/13 - HockeyBuzz Radio welcomes famed sports writer Jim Kelley and we’ll also talk trades that may happen before the Olympic break with Eklund… that and more on next Wednesday’s HockeyBuzz Radio.
You are invited to follow me on Twitter. Search for PredPAPaul… Not only will I be updating when I get news or updates… I’ll also be updating during Pred home games in season with information and explanations from the PA box.
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