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Game Night, it’s January 21st and it’s the first game of the season series between Phoenix and Nashville. At the beginning of the season, this game would’ve been looked at as a showdown game, only the showdown would’ve been for the right to draft number 1 if you listened to the hockey pundits. But those same hockey pundits that expressed so much surprise at the passion of Pred Nation when Toronto hit town this past Monday night aren’t always right. This game is now a showdown that may be a playoff preview.
These two franchises and their fan bases in so-called non—traditional markets have a lot in common at this point in their history… Both have seen the dirty dealings and manipulation of a certain billionaire working to de-stabilize their markets and move their team. Both have been denigrated and laughed at by the mainstream hockey media that doesn’t understand that hockey can not only survive, but thrive in these growing “non-traditional” markets… and both have done their best to prove the nay-sayers wrong on the ice in the ensuing season.
The Coyote players have taken a page from the Predator’s playbook. They have used the controversy surrounding the team as fuel, putting one huge chip on their shoulder and daring the rest of the league to knock it off. It worked in the 07-08 season for the Predators, who rode that “us against the world” mentality to a playoff spot that shocked the league. Phoenix appears to be doing the same thing under the leadership of head coach Dave Tippet. The Coyotes are coming off an embarrassing 7-2 shellacking from the Buffalo Sabres at Jobing.com Arena and they look to close out their homestand on a better note.
Nashville comes into tonight’s game on a hot road streak, winning five consecutive road games going 11-2-1 in their last 14 away from the friendly confines of Smashville, they also own a three game win streak over Phoenix dating back to last season. The Predator's home struggles as of late are a tad confusing, but if you’re struggling at home, I guess the best place to be is on the road.
From an injury perspective, the Coyotes only list Kurt Sauer as out, Daniel Winnik is listed as day-to-day. The Predators may see the return of Jordin Tootoo tonight, if he does return, then the Predators IR is empty.
It will be an old home day of sorts as ex-Preds Scottie Upshall and Vernon Fiddler are on the Coyotes. This is also the first game of the Predator’s Annual Dad’s Trip. Puck drop is at 8pm central, coverage on 104.5 the Zone and FS Tennessee
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Thursday Notes
- Last night’s HockeyBuzz Radio was a good one, you can catch it on podcast… link below.
- Speaking of podcast’s… Pred Nation might want to check out the podcast of Toronto’s Fan590’s HockeyCentral podcast from Tuesday here’s the link. Fascinating take on Toronto’s trip to Nashville, at about the four and a half minute mark of the podcast, they discuss the atmosphere at the Sommet Center, when you get past the snark factor, they were shocked… shocked I say… that there are actual hockey fans in Nashville. They commented on the TV timeout, saying they had never seen anything like it in a regular season game. I wonder how that crow tasted there guys, welcome to the party!
- An excellent take on the hack job Globe and Mail reporter David Shoalts did by Mark Willoughby at the View from 111… he asks a great question… What is David Shoalts agenda here?
- Another question… Shouldn’t the head of the Nashville Sports Authority know something about sports?
- Vancouver has announced that they are going to be “trucking in snow” to ensure that they can have the freestyle skiing and snowboarding events at Cypress Mountain. Trucking in snow… because it’s not cold enough to make snow nor is there any expected in the forecast over the next week or so… Hmmmm… Isn’t one of the reasons that Nashville is not looked on as a “hockey market” pegged to weather? I’m just sayin’…
- Good one tonight on the NHL Network, Pens/Caps at 6:30 central…
Wed. 1/27 - HockeyBuzz Radio will preview the last game of the roadie in Detroit and the first game of the homestand against Atlanta, we talk about the hot stories in the NHL and we’ll chat with the Voice of the Admirals, Aaron Sims to get an update on the resurgence of Colin Wilson and the Predator’s AHL affiliate, all that, Wednesday January 27th on HockeyBuzz Radio, 6pm Central on SportsRadio 560 WNSR, listen online or on podcast at HockeyBuzz Radio.com.
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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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