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Preds Step On Lites’ Nerves
by George James Malik on 03/19/07 at 07:45 AM ET
Comments (6)
from the Dallas Morning News:
Nashville Predators management did a disservice to the game of hockey Saturday night by not informing the crowd of Mike Modano’s achievements, Stars president Jim Lites said Sunday.
And further, coach Barry Trotz’s comments praising Jordin Tootoo for showing calm when punching Stephane Robidas was “patently ridiculous,” according to Lites.
“Their owner, management, public relations people, coaching staff – I think they all failed the game,” Lites said. “It’s because of people like Mike Modano that they even have a team in Nashville. He has helped pioneer the game in the South, and for him to be treated like that in a milestone moment ... it’s just a horrible thing.”
“I understand it’s a competitive situation, but we’re also working together to sell the game,” Lites said. “They get more money from revenue sharing than any team in the league, they voted against the new schedule because they wanted to have an easier schedule for themselves. They take and take and take and take and never give back, and I’m sick of it.”
added 8:35am, via David Vest of the Arizona Republic,
It is also unfortunate that fans in Nashville could not see the big picture and/or are not hockey-savvy enough to appreciate what they witnessed.
Spectators inside the Gaylord Entertainment Center reportedly booed and mocked Modano after he scored his record-setting goal late in the third period of a nasty game the Predators won 3-2.
Filed in: Dallas Stars, Nashville Predators | KK Hockey | Permalink
Comments
I believe that in Detroit the game would have been stopped and Modano would have been honored. In Detroit, as in many other NHL cities, the game and the people in the game are recognized as more important than a single win or loss. As an example, remember how Steve Yzerman recognized the Ducks at his sweater retirement ceremony.
Posted by w2j2 on 03/19/07 at 09:26 AM ET
Well..
They are in SEC Country. If hockey stays in Nashville long enough, the Predators and its fans will probably tell us that they invented the sport eventually.
This is not surprising behavior, but it is surprising that it took this long to start occurring.
Posted by Herringbone from Seattle on 03/19/07 at 10:20 AM ET
In Detroit there would have been the added fact that Modano is from the area, so he would have been recognized as a local who has done well.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 03/19/07 at 12:07 PM ET
wow, hockey in nashville was a brilliant idea after all.....
Posted by FlyersFan on 03/19/07 at 01:43 PM ET
I don’t want to take anything away from Mike Modano but the Nashville fans are just that Nashville fans. They boo anyone that doesn’t have on that mustard colored jersey...that’s how they are take it or leave it...but you gotta think about the loyalty of the fans...they love THEIR team and THEIR players. That’s the bottom line. The Nashville fans do Chelios is a sissy chants everytime Chris Chelios touches the puck when he is there. Anytime a goalie on the other team lets in a shot they tell him he sucks. Don’t be offended by them booing Modano they would have done it whether or not he scored this milestone or not...I don’t think it’s that big of a deal
Posted by Just a thought on 03/19/07 at 06:12 PM ET
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... wow.
I mean ... wow! Talk about a total verbal backhanding. That’s just downright brutal right there. Not only brutal, but soberingly accurate at some points, as well.
Posted by Michael Turner from Columbus, OH on 03/19/07 at 07:51 AM ET