Thrashers v Predators Postgame Recap

by Dirk Hoag on Sep 21, 2007 9:43 AM EDT

So last night the Atlanta Thrashers came to town, and I took the Littlest Forechecker (age 4) to his first hockey game. Since a good deal of my time was spent making sure he wasn't climbing all over the arena, I wasn't able to bring the usual razor-like focus to bear on the festivities, but I'll share my impressions nonetheless:

Littlest Forechecker's First Predators Game

Little Guy during pre-game warmups, before the M&M's kicked in

The Good

1. Getting to meet up with the Falconer from Thrasher's Talons and Southeast Shootout. He made the drive up from Atlanta to watch the game, and we sat together during the 2nd period, talking stats, hockey blogging, and the prospects for our teams. I look forward to meeting up again when the Thrashers come back to Nashville during the season.

2. The top line of Fiddler/Arnott/Dumont looked tremendous. Given the lack of depth on the wing compared to last season, I like the idea of Barry Trotz spreading out the talent a bit (rather than putting someone like Radulov or Erat alongside them).

3. Martin Gelinas showed exactly what Preds fans are hoping for this year - he got his nose dirty in the corners and along the boards, always having a purpose in mind when he went for the puck. All too often last year the Preds got outmuscled in those situations, but Gelinas' savvy play should help address that.

4. The new scoreboard looks great:

The Bad

1. Matt Ellison, to me, seemed to be the anti-Gelinas last night. He hustled after the puck, but wasn't prepared to do much with it once he got there, often being too extended to make any forceful action. He'd beat a Thrasher and get his stick there first, but it would result in a dribbler up the boards or when he was open for a shot, he'd be back on his heels and get off a weak effort.

2. Cody Franson didn't impress me much either. Granted, it was only one game, but I saw loose pucks that he was giving up on way too easily, and he seemed too soft dealing with Thrashers working down close to the Predators goal.

3. The Predators ticket office screwed up my season ticket order! They had me in the last row of the upper bowl, and I thought at first maybe it was because the exhibition game was a throw-in with the package I bought, but when I got home and checked the rest of my tickets, they're all up there. Get me customer service on the phone...

All in all, it was a great night on the town. Of course, Little Guy was still jacked up as he rode on my shoulders out of the arena ("Daddy, can we go somewhere else in Nashville?"), I think he was prepared to go honky-tonkin' til the wee hours, but we need to save that stuff for the regular season...

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Comments

1. The new scoreboard is amazing. It was unbelievable how much better it looked than the old one, you can actually read text on it and see what's going on during replays.

2. I've had season tickets on the back row in 306 for several years and I love it. I find I spend most of the game standing anyway, so I don't have to worry about bugging folks behind me. Plus there's a nice place behind your seat to stash your stuff, which is great when you have to wear a jacket to the game.

by Davis on Sep 21, 2007 10:38 AM EDT reply actions

The bad - Cody Franson? He is slower than most of the DCorp that we are used to seeing as Preds b/c we sport a lot of faster DMen, but he added some much needed physicality to our defense. I can't freaking wait to see him and Weber pairing up the Predators 1st line in 2-3 years.

by Kip Nickell on Sep 21, 2007 12:08 PM EDT reply actions

As I mentioned previously, I think Preds fans will be pleasantly surprised by Gelinas. He was really well conditioned in Calgary and he is fast enough and wily enough to be a capable third-line winger that pot a few to boot.

Looks like Trotz might have a decent checking like with Gelly and Bonk down there.

by Kent W. on Sep 21, 2007 2:02 PM EDT reply actions

It was great meeting you as well. It good to get the young ones hooked early. I'm looking forward to making a return trip for the regular season tilt between NAS and ATL in October.

Nashville is a good place to watch a hockey game (much better than say the buildings in Chicago or Denver IMO) and the new scoreboard is certainly a step up.

I see that the use of the Fang Fingers has decreased from my last visit up there.

I happen to know that Holly Gunning talked to Coach Trotz about the Predator's prospects after the game and she will post some of his quotes and observations at the Nashville page at www.hockeysfuture.com after Nashville makes their pre-season visit to Atlanta, so Preds might want to look for that next week.

by The Falconer on Sep 21, 2007 4:51 PM EDT reply actions

Amen to what Davis said. We're in the back of 303/304 and love the ability to stand/sit when i want, and set all my junk on the back shelf - especially in Dec/Jan when you have a big coat with you.

The rest of my thoughts, plus video of the scoreboard and Tootoo's fight are on my blog...

by Paul Nicholson on Sep 21, 2007 5:22 PM EDT reply actions

You know what intrigues me about Bonk & Gelinas together? If I were drawing up the lines, I'd try Radulov on their right wing. Rads strikes me as the quintessential counterattacking-type forward, who can jump on a turnover and make things happen.

There's the added benefit of keep Radulov away from an opponent's top defensive pairing, and he'll certainly get an opportunity to work with Legwand and/or Arnott on the power play.

by The Forechecker on Sep 21, 2007 10:31 PM EDT reply actions