The Little Team That Could!

In a stunning reversal of fortune the Nashville Predators clinched a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs late last night. The Preds were determined to keep their fate in their own hands and win their remaining regular season games, a goal they have been meeting with the tremendous play of goalie Dan Ellis. 

The Preds beat the St. Louis Blues last night 3-2 in one of the most exciting and emotional games I have ever attended. With about four minutes left on the clock and the Preds leading by just one goal, a TV time out was called. The sold-out crowd rose as one in a spontaneous standing ovation to the team that had survived so much.  We twirled the free t-shirts we had been given over our heads and roared for a full two and a half minutes. It was unbelievably emotional--one of those moments that defy words and that no one who was there will ever forget. While not as historically important as the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team beating the USSR for the gold medal, I found myself remembering watching that game with my family and feeling just as proud and happy and and inspired as I did that day when the "Shot Heard Round the World."

Later that night we got a little help from the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers defeated the Vancouver Canucks and eliminated them from their 8th place playoff spot.  

The Preds will play the Chicago Blackhawks (in their last home game) tonight in a game that has no real impact. Key Nashville players will probably not play in order to rest and prevent injury, so it will be fun to see some of the Preds who don't see much ice time get to play. If we win we could move into the 7th seed, but that would mean meeting the San Jose Sharks in the 1st round for the third straight year and that hasn't gone so well for us. While I would never suggest that the Preds should lose on purpose, but hey--if we should happen to lose I'd rather see us take our chances with the Red Wings.

Nashville is only one of 7 NHL teams to make the Playoffs four years straight, so this fan hopes that some of the bashing of this wonderful, scrappy, hard-working team can be put to rest. Go Preds!