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.

Predators Clip The Wings

For the fourth time this season, (you're reading that right, FOURTH time), Nashville defeated Detroit. This is only the second time in the Predators history that they have secured a winning season series against one of their most revered rivals. The only other time that Nashville seemed to have Detroit's number was 2009, which came a season after the Predators gave the Red Wings a run for their money in the 2008 playoffs. The win tonight puts Nashville back in a playoff position, claiming the eighth seed in the ridiculously tight Western Conference. Should the team maintain their steam and keep themselves in the top 8, it is possible they could, yet again, meet the Red Wings in the first round of playoffs. The biggest question this year would be whether or not regular season success against a constant Cup contender like Detroit could translate to the post season. 

Putting post-season posturing aside, there are two things that the Predators are using in their last few weeks of the regular season to help get the job done: scoring from the younger players and generating on-ice energy from the support of the home crowd. At the end of Trade Deadline Day, Coach Trotz and GM David Poile both stated that they would be looking to the younger players on the team to step up and fill the roles left open due to injuries. With scoring tonight from rookies Blake Geoffrion and Jonathon Blum, along with goals scored by the pair in recent past, the younger players have begun to prove themselves to the rest of the locker room. Though Colin Wilson found himself with a spot on the roster from the beginning of the season, he is also considered in the younger player category. He managed to get a puck through on Thursday night against Boston, but prior to that his game had been mediocre at best. With elevated play from the likes of Blum and Geoffrion, Wilson should use their performance as a catalyst to up his game as well. 

Scoring from the younger players makes for a happy fan base. A happy fan base makes for an electric environment when the Predators are playing at home in the Bridgestone Arena. That electricity has, on more than one occasion, been what helps propel the team to victory at home. With a home-heavy schedule over the next three weeks, the energy level in the arena is almost as important as the performance level of the team on the ice. The coach and the players spoke out about the importance of crowd support, using Thursday night's win against Boston as their most recent point of reference. Some might discount the validity of a team using fan support to help them win a game. I would ask those naysayers to sit in on a game at the Bridgestone and see if they still think the same at the end of 60 minutes of play. There is a marked difference in the team's energy when the crowd is 100% behind them. I have experienced it time and again over the last few seasons. Good energy is infectious, whether you are in the stands or on the bench. Since we can't obviously join in on a rush up ice, it is our duty to make sure we keep the "rush" from our seats going until the bitter end. If the team can be taken to task over playing a "full 60 minutes", the fans can too.

Join the Predators in the Fight Against Cancer

Most of you probably know that tomorrow night’s game is designated as another Hockey Fights Cancer Night for the Predators. A portion of all tickets sold will go towards a yearly endowment given to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt by the Nashville Predators organization at the end of each season. This money goes to supporting cancer research and other pediatric programs within the hospital.

During Hockey Fights Cancer nights, the Predators also choose a patient ambassador from the hospital. This patient gets to partake in the ceremonial puck drop at the beginning of the game. Tomorrow night’s ambassador is 17-year-old and hockey fan, Marshall Billingsley. You can read his story here.

The optimism of children with cancer is inspiring. When faced with adversity at such a young age, most childhood cancer patients are determined to not let cancer beat them, even in the midst of multiple rounds of chemotherapy, transfusions, surgeries, etc. With the money raised through nights like Hockey Fights Cancer, every dollar is a step closer to finding cures for cancer and hope for a brighter future for kids like Marshall and the other patient ambassadors that came before him.

If you haven’t already planned on attending tomorrow night’s game, click here for tickets (offer code: preds). If you can’t make the game, you can always donate anytime online or by texting the word DREAM to 27722 ($5.00 donation will appear on your mobile bill).

Burned Again

An eye-opening statistic from the Calgary announcers during the first period: Nashville's two goals scored during the opening 20 minutes matched the total goals scored against Calgary during the two teams' last three meetings. I did not realize the Predators had been shut out by the Flames twice this season. Ouch. Unfortunately, those two goals were yet again, no match for Calgary.

Nashville showed up to play during the first period and headed into the first intermission with a 2-1 lead, thanks to goals from Martin Erat and Ryan Suter. After Jarome Iginla's penalty shot early in the second period, the momentum shifted to the Flames and never really swung back in favor of the Preds. And not that the team played horribly during the last 40 minutes of the game. It's just...I don't know...lacking. Almost isn't did.

The one shining moment of the game, where it seemed like every Predator on the ice was on it came during the second power play of the first period. It was an absolute thing of beauty. My only issue was watching Martin Erat, whom I usually refer to as a puck hog, electing to pass the puck when he had a WIDE OPEN net right in front of him. Tsk, tsk Marty. You could have had a two goal period if you had just taken the shot.

Next up: A rather late night tilt against the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday. A 9:30pm start is bound to leave a few struggling to stay awake. If the Predators can play a full 60 minutes that mirrors the first period of tonight's game, I think I'll be able to keep my eyes open until the the last buzzer sounds.

Here's hoping I'm happily tired on Wednesday morning.

Your Morning Jed: Underwater Hockey?!

Yes, it's the afternoon. Just pretend it's tomorrow morning when you read this, okay?

Really, Austria?! REALLY?! This can't possibly be catching on.


I have no words.

Side note: I promise to do my best to start posting more than just these features again soon. I don't wish anyone this sickness that's taken over my body the past week. I'm just spent.