No Good Deed Goes Unnoticed.

As hockey fans, we've all had to make our sacrifices. With a season that can be as long as 9 months and games up to 3 nights a week, at some point you've got to make responsible decisions that come before your first love (...hockey of course). My responsible decision came Friday night when I had to attend a surprise birthday party for a friend's mom. She's been a lot like a mom to me and since I haven't seen her in months, I knew I had to go. What I didn't know at the time was Game 5 of the Preds/Wings series was the same night, AND the Preds were hosting a viewing party at the Sommet Center. When I realized my major foul by booking plans on a game night, I knew what I had to do. I had to the bite the bullet and go to the birthday party.

After work on Friday, I headed to the party still bummed I would be missing the viewing party (not to mention the game). Luckily I had a couple friends set up to text me play by plays throughout the night. As soon as I walked in the door, the hosts of the party walked over and told me they were mad at me. I was a bit confused as to why. I'd met them a few times before and probably knew them enough to say hello if we saw each other around town, but there was no probable reason for them to be angry with me. I asked why, and they said I snubbed them at a Preds game. Apparently they waved to me and I didn't wave back. I immediately began to apologize, promising I never saw them at any game otherwise I would have gone over to say hello. But then it hit me...did they just say Preds game? Could these people be fans? Surely not. If so, they'd be at the Sommet Center. I casually asked them if they went to games often and they explained they went when they could (with two kids, they had to make their own responsible decisions).

About this time, my friend at The Zone (the offical Preds radio station) began texting me. He sent over the scratches for the game - Arnott and Legwand. After my initial shock (ARNOTT?!), I decided to test the waters. I had to know if these were the casual fans who went to a game every now and then, or if they were true Preds fans. I walked over to mention the scratches and it was as if Heaven opened up and shone down on that kitchen because THEY FLIPPED. They knew their players! NOW I could talk some hockey! We talked about past games, the playoff series, and favorite players. I've never actually enjoyed seeing a Tootoo whistle until after the wife mentioned loving Jordin Tootoo and pulling out her own whistle. I couldn't believe it. I mean this is no Canada. To find Preds fans in general is hard, let alone on a game night when there's an official viewing party at the arena. I even noticed a family picture on their refridgerator with the entire family decked out in Preds gear. Love it!

At about 6:15PM, the countdown began. The wine started flowing and we started counting down for the puck drop. 6:30PM rolled around and the beautiful HD flat screen TV flipped to Versus. The entire party made their way around the television to watch the Preds and Wings duke it out. Before the husband left during intermission to watch the rest of the game with his boys, he stopped to tell me a hilarious story about meeting JP Dumont. At this point it's just icing on the cake. As the game went on, the party goers dwindled and only a handful of us girls were left (with a few bottles of wine) to watch the Preds score in the last 30 seconds to take the game into overtime. Although the Wings came back and won the game, I can't say I could have been in a better place to watch the Preds lose.

As for the series, it's not over yet. Hardcore Preds fans know fairweather doesn't make it to Nashville too often. So with two games left, we believe we're coming back and winning this thing to FINALLY make it to round two!

(Side note: Congrats to the Rangers and Penguins! I was rooting for both teams to make it to round two!)

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Why Hello Ladies...

It's true. Nashville STILL has a hockey team, and they actually have fans! I'm Bec, one of the two new Preds HLOG contributors and I'm honored to join such a great group of lady hockey fans! Alright now that we're through introductions, I'll get on with my spiel...

1. Where you're from, what you do - basic things.
I'm originally from Louisiana where my introduction to hockey was thanks to the Monroe Moccasins of the now defunct Western Professional Hockey League. I must admit I usually only went for the fights and music in between play. I was more fascinated that we had ice in an arena in Louisiana than the actual game playing on top of it. I later moved to Nashville and thanks to a generous doctor with Predators season tickets, I was finally introduced to the NHL. After seeing my first Preds game, I became an instant fan. As for what I do, I work in radio (yes a bit stereotypical for a Nashvillian) and in my spare time (AKA off season) I'm a freelance graphic designer.

2. Your team and why you like them.
Nashville Predators. Can you say underdogs? They're a team in a non-traditional market that had to throw out practically everything but the kitchen sink over the off season. They've got no big names and started from scratch this season with their team, yet they're still in the fight for a playoff position. And they're not just an underdog in the league, but also in Nashville. They struggled with ownership and to stay in the city over the offseason, but finally got everything settled as the season began. I think anyone can appreciate an underdog pulling through and the Preds are a perfect example!

3. Your least favourite team and why?
San Jose. I didn't start following the Preds until the 2005-2006 season which was our first meeting against the Sharks in the playoffs. It wouldn't have been so bad if we didn't meet them AGAIN the following year and lost AGAIN. After that, every game we play against San Jose brings back horrible playoff memories.

4. Your favourite player of all time & now?
It's a toss up between two: J.P. Dumont and Jed Ortmeyer. I fell in love with J.P. during playoffs last season and with him giving us a "hometown discount" with his contract extension this year I love him even more. He truly is a great player and great guy who has been a huge asset for our team. Plus from all I've heard, he and his family are really involved in the community and their decision to stay in Nashville had little if anything to do with money. BUT I equally love Jed Ortmeyer. His heart and constant fight to stay in the game no matter what his injury proves he's an amazing athlete. He may not be the best player on the ice, but he's definitely got the most heart. I've never seen him play 99%. He's always at 100% or more. He's new to the team this year (thank you Rangers!) but he's already a fan favorite. And honestly have you seen him? All I'm going to say is THANK YOU RANGERS!

5. Which hockey player is your least favourite and why?
This is another toss up between two: Jonathan Cheechoo and Jordin Tootoo. Again I'm not a big fan of San Jose and for some reason most of that loathing is targeted towards Cheechoo. Maybe it's because he's a great player that scores a lot (against us). I think it's also because in my mind he's a San Jose version of Jordin Tootoo. Yes, one of the players I dislike most is our very own Tootoo. In the past he's had the reputation of being arrogant and I just don't think the NHL is the sport for that (although I will say he's matured as a player this season). Oh and Preds fans have taken to blowing these "Tootoo" whistles every time he gets on the ice. They're horribly annoying, and let's just say I was glad to have a break from them during Toots' groin injury earlier this season.

6. What do you hope to gain from joining HLOG?
I really can't wait for the day when I can talk trades or conference standings without every female in earshot shaking her head in disdain. Not a lot of women (or really people in general) appreciate hockey for the great sport it is. I can't wait to start learning more about other players and teams in the league as well as just talking some hockey!

7. What role do female fans contribute to the game of hockey? What does female fan support do for the league/team/player she supports?
I think the female fan is obviously a unique one. Who a player is off the ice is just as important to a female fan as who he is on the ice. It's more about the passion and heart of the player than their physical ability. In my opinion the female fan base perfectly rounds out the NHL fan base. She just as important (if not more!) than the male fans!

8. Hockey just isn't the same without "Christmas Day". I've never had a more exciting day during hockey season other than Trade Deadline Day. Reading the rumors for weeks before hand, getting to work early so I could turn on the TSN webcast, counting down the minutes before the deadline while rapidly texting friends updating them with all the latest trades…exhilarating! It's crazy fast paced and you're watching teams literally change structure in a matter of minutes. It's great (especially since we just picked up a couple players and didn't lose anyone)!

9. If you could make your own team, regardless of whatever players, what would it be called and where will it be/how would it be like?
It'd be a college team. I'd love to recreate something similar to the 1980 Olympic USA hockey team. There's something about the heart of a college kid that's different than a pro player and I think that theory proved true during those Olympic games. I'd love to have our current Preds roster as the team but all college-aged. Or a peewee team of our Preds when they were that age. How cute would that be?!

10. Who gets your squee and why? (keep it short & sweet, y'all!)
Can I do another toss up? I'm going to have to say Jed Ortmeyer (thank you, thank you, THANK YOU Rangers). However, since he's out for the season I've taken a liking to our little AHLer Rich Peverley. No explanation needed for either. Just two more reasons to love Preds hockey!

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