We were proud to be a part of history tonight in Nashville as the professional hockey team, the Predators, hosted their very first 2nd-round playoff game in franchise history vs. the #1 seeded Vancouver Canucks. The Preds came home to the Bridgestone Arena tonight after splitting the first two games of the best of seven series in Vancouver. The downtown area around the arena was absolutely electric as Predators fans got to experience their very first taste of "hockey in the month of May" since they've never gotten out of the first round of playoffs before, but that all changed this season as the took care of the higher-seeded Anaheim Ducks in the first round in just six games. We met our friends Chris and Tarryn outside the arena before the game and had a few drinks to celebrate the occasion. Our friend, Ryan, also met us before the game as we toasted the Preds' success. Our seats were obtained off Stubhub.com once we knew the date, and we got a couple of club level spots for a very reasonable price. The atmosphere inside the arena was even more pumped up as a "Gold Out" ensued with almost everyone wearing gold-colored Preds t-shirts that were given out before the game as well as gold rally towels being whipped around in a mad frenzy. It was quite a thrilling site as the players were being introduced at the start and on throughout the game especially during the now Predator-fans-patented standing ovation during a TV time-out in the 3rd period (video
below).
The game itself was as thrilling as the build-up to it, if not more so. It went into overtime tied 2-2 with the hard-working Predators battling every second against the built-for-success top-seeded Canucks. Vancouver's shots-on-goal were twice that of the Preds and were nearing 50, but Nashville goalie, Pekka Rinne, turned in an amazing performance as he blocked sho
t after shot from the relentless Canucks' attack. Overtime was brief and gut-wrenching as the Canucks went on a power play after a very questionable call going against the Predators. The sudden-death rules of hockey overtime allow for no errors and a crummy ending in OT of a 3-2 loss was the result.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, it was a thrilling night to be in Nashville for sure with the sold-out crowd of over 17,000 people, and we are so happy we were able to be a small part of it.
(Update - 5/10/11) - The Preds went on to lose all three of their home games against the Canucks and lost the series in 6 hard-fought games last night. Despite being knocked out of the playoffs this year, it is obvious that this team is improving greatly and we hope to see a lot of success from them in the future.
below).
The game itself was as thrilling as the build-up to it, if not more so. It went into overtime tied 2-2 with the hard-working Predators battling every second against the built-for-success top-seeded Canucks. Vancouver's shots-on-goal were twice that of the Preds and were nearing 50, but Nashville goalie, Pekka Rinne, turned in an amazing performance as he blocked sho
t after shot from the relentless Canucks' attack. Overtime was brief and gut-wrenching as the Canucks went on a power play after a very questionable call going against the Predators. The sudden-death rules of hockey overtime allow for no errors and a crummy ending in OT of a 3-2 loss was the result. Despite the heartbreaking loss, it was a thrilling night to be in Nashville for sure with the sold-out crowd of over 17,000 people, and we are so happy we were able to be a small part of it.
(Update - 5/10/11) - The Preds went on to lose all three of their home games against the Canucks and lost the series in 6 hard-fought games last night. Despite being knocked out of the playoffs this year, it is obvious that this team is improving greatly and we hope to see a lot of success from them in the future.
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