On the Forecheck
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One Magic Moment
by Forechecker on 12/30/08 at 07:52 PM ET
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I’m heading “off the grid” again for New Year’s (I’ll probably be the only hockey blogger traveling to Chicago NOT to cover the Winter Classic), and while we all reflect on what this year has meant to the NHL and our respective teams, rather than repeat the same old list you’ll find on 10 other sites, I wanted to highlight a single event that I’m sure I’ll look back on years from now.
It’s the one moment from 2008 that will stay with Nashville Predators fans forever…
Down 2-0 in the 1st round against Detroit, and losing Game 3 late in the 3rd period, the team that had defied expectations just to make the playoffs was in danger of getting swept. That’s when Ryan Suter and Jason Arnott took over:
I can tell you that I’ll be able to look back on that Arnott goal as when my youngest son (age 5) got bitten hard by the hockey bug. He was already having a good time at the game, since being in an environment that commands you to “MAKE NOISE” clearly plays to his strengths. But the anxiety of the 3rd period, the thrill of the crowd after Suter tied the game, and the absolute eruption of the Sommet Center crowd when the Captain scored was one of those epic, storybook moments that sears a love for the game right into your DNA. It wasn’t just that the guys on the ice had achieved an incredible feat against the best team in the league and a Hall of Fame goaltender; there was a palpable sense in the arena that the fans had played a part in making it happen. The spontaneous standing ovations seemed to energize the Predators and bring the best out of them when needed most.
So set aside the concerns of the day, and bask in what was a remarkable 2008. Happy New Years to all of you.
Special thanks go to Paul for inviting me into Kukla’s Korner, Alanah for all the help in getting rolling here, and of course the readers, commenters, and emailers, without whom I’d just be whistling in the dark. Let’s all enjoy what should be a great run for the 2009 Stanley Cup.
Filed in: Nashville Predators | On the Forecheck | Permalink
Tags: jason+arnott,
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About On the Forecheck
Dirk Hoag is the Forechecker, churner of NHL stats and analysis. Having started over 10 years ago writing for websites like In the Crease and e-Sports, Dirk launched On The Forecheck in 2005 to cover the Nashville Predators as well as apply statistical analysis to NHL hockey.
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Furious February
The Preds host 10 home games during the month of February, including two games each against the Phoenix Coyotes, St. Louis Blues and, yes, the Detroit Red Wings. For discounted Nashville Predators tickets, including steeply discounted Ticketmaster fees, to these or any other upcoming home games, take advantage of this special offer, and use the special offer code "predators".
Good call.
I am a Wings fan, and I remember that game very well.
The Preds were in Hasek’s head.
If Babcock does not go with Osgood, Nashville wins the series.
Posted by w2j2 on 12/30/08 at 10:31 PM ET