Off of the sticks of babes, goals are scored

(Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)

With just five minutes or so left in the game, I was preparing for a loss. The Predators were definitely falling behind themselves and letting the Sabres control the play. But what's that saying? It ain't over 'til it's over...and no one believed that more this afternoon than Blake Geoffrion. Not only did he score the game tying goal to force overtime, he scored the other two goals in regulation; giving him his first career hat trick. Martin Erat came up big just 27 seconds into the overtime period and got one behind Buffalo netminder, Ryan Miller, to put the game away. For the second time this season, and the second time in the past three games, the Predators were able to end the game in overtime. 4-on-4 play has not been their strong suit this season but if there was ever a time for that to start clicking, now is that time. 

Last night, I, along with plenty of others, emphasized the importance of the young players stepping up their game. Were it not for the late push by Geoffrion, I'm not certain the team would have been able to dig themselves out of the hole they'd found themselves in. So, younger player contribution? Check. Crowd support from the fans? Well, if you count the furious storm of Twitter updates at the end of the game, then I'd say double check. The best way to keep that fan support going? Show up to the game on Tuesday night against the Edmonton Oilers. While the Oilers are definitely out of the playoff hunt, they still know how to give the Predators a run for their money. Pete and Terry have referred to them on more than one occasion as the "Spoilers". My hope for Tuesday: Spoil the Oil.

Also, the guys of Cellblock303 have a valid question: What do we do to get hats to Geoffrion? As soon as someone figures it out, I'll be happy to throw my hat into the mix.