Francis Bouillon wins game in overtime as Predators top Panthers 3-2

by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 10:13 PM EDT in Nashville Predators Game Recaps

[SB Nation] - [Litter Box Cats] - [TSN] - [NHL] - [Tennessean]

In a game that had fans nervous due to its trap nature, the Predators and Panthers didn't disappoint. Nashville went up early, fell behind, tied it, and then won it. It was a little crazy, but our cardiac cats (cliche, I know) got it done again. Dan Ellis was strong in net, which is a good sign, while the penalty kill looked pretty effective as well.

The first period was a bit of a bore until its ending, when several chances were exchanged. First Shea Weber had a goal denied at he last instant by the left pad of Scott Clemmensen, then at the other end Dan Ellis stood up to Rotislav Olesz after the endboards at the Bank Atlantic Center sent the puck towards the net on a funny bounce. The Predators had an early power play, but were unable to do much of anything, while Weber was whistled for boarding Michael Frolik with about 40 seconds left in the frame. The period can be expressed well by the shot count- Florida 6, Nashville 4. Yeah.

The Predators killed off the remainder of that penalty as the 2nd period opened, and at 2:41, it happened. David Legwand scored. Colin Wilson got the assist, but that was secondary at the time. Legwand scored his first in 34 games, and we can all breath easier.

Later on, Patric Hornqvist was sent to the sin bin for slashing, but Nashville's penalty kill impressed again-they registered as many scoring chances as the Panthers' power play, with one apiece. Dan Ellis was particularly strong in this period, and needed to be, as Florida earned two power plays and had some extended time in the Predators' zone. To say that the Predators escaped from this period would be putting it lightly - Ellis, quite frankly, was called upon much too often; though he proved up to the task.

For the majority of play, the final period was pretty ugly. First defenseman (you know, clobber Tomas Vokoun on the head guy) Keith Ballard scored by joining the rush at 3:12, then shortly thereafter Stephen Weiss netted his 27th. Nashville was unable to sustain much offensive pressure, as has been the unfortunate norm the last few contests. Nashville wasn't to be outdone, however. Late- too late for my tastes - Patric Hornqvist continued his Rocket Richard impression by potting his 30th goal of the season (from in front of the net, who knew) from Steve Sullivan and Marcel Goc to tie the game. On to overtime....

Barely over a minute in, Nashville's most effective line went to work once more. Marcel Goc and Steve Sullivan combined to get the puck to Francis "Ice" Bouillon, who promptly put the biscuit in the basket, enabling the Nashville Predators to scurry out of town with a stolen two points. It wasn't pretty, and at times it was gutwrenching, but it worked. The Predators have now earned the 94 points that were projected necessary to make the playoffs.

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Poll

Who was your Predator of the game?

Francis Boullion, GWG

35 votes

David Legwand, 1st goal in 34 games

21 votes

Patric Hornqvist, goal, 4th Predator in team history with 30 goal season

49 votes

Dan Ellis, 29 saves

19 votes

The OtF commenting brigade; who brought a heroic effort with no TV coverage

16 votes

140 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

We need one more Predator of the game

The OTF commenting crew

Graphic Designer/Researcher/Writer at Music City Miracles.
Official Graphic Goon of On The Forecheck.

by Aditya T (smashville) on Mar 29, 2010 10:15 PM EDT reply actions

done

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by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd like to think I had a part in the win, too...

With about 5 minutes left in the game, (as I was listening to the radio on my phone at work) I sent GREAT PAPERCLIP this text:

This is over… I love our 3rd period strategy

Where would we be without my negativity?!

Christie kicks it high and short...Gonna be fielded by Lorenzo Neal at the 25...He dishes it back to Wycheck...He throws it across the field to Dyson...

www.manningface.com

by Michaeltastic on Mar 30, 2010 12:25 AM EDT up reply actions

Thanks for making away games fun!

And letting me share my angst and joy!!!!

by cisar on Mar 29, 2010 10:21 PM EDT reply actions

question re: teams out of contention

NHL.com’s conference standings show when a team has clinched a playoff spot, but it would be helpful if they also indicated when a team has fallen out of contention. Is anyone showing that? You can see it at Puck Daddy’s blog by clicking on individual teams, but I’d like to see it at a glance in conference standings…

by LuvthePreds on Mar 29, 2010 10:26 PM EDT reply actions

Here ya go

Graphic Designer/Researcher/Writer at Music City Miracles.
Official Graphic Goon of On The Forecheck.

by Aditya T (smashville) on Mar 29, 2010 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I assume you are posting you whole name?

by cisar on Mar 29, 2010 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks-so-muchness...

by LuvthePreds on Mar 29, 2010 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions

CBSSportsline, despite lackluster hockey coverage, does this on their standings area

by BamaMuaddib on Mar 29, 2010 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Off topic thought

I think they should print Jarome Iginla’s entire name in the program and say it in the announcements:
Jarome Arthur-Leigh Adekunle Tig Junior Elvis Iginla

by cisar on Mar 29, 2010 10:26 PM EDT reply actions

Uhh

wow. I have to say though, mine is longer. I’m not kidding.

Graphic Designer/Researcher/Writer at Music City Miracles.
Official Graphic Goon of On The Forecheck.

by Aditya T (smashville) on Mar 29, 2010 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think I'm going to post it on here. but i'll post a few of my middle names

Mohan Gurbux Lokumal Hathiramani

Graphic Designer/Researcher/Writer at Music City Miracles.
Official Graphic Goon of On The Forecheck.

by Aditya T (smashville) on Mar 29, 2010 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions

I think thats pretty cool. I have a lame name compared to that. Where are you from, if I can ask?

On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
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by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions

India

Guess what my name means? The god of the sun. And my younger brother’s means the god of the rays of the sun

Graphic Designer/Researcher/Writer at Music City Miracles.
Official Graphic Goon of On The Forecheck.

by Aditya T (smashville) on Mar 29, 2010 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions

definitely awesome, thx for sharing.

Also, dyk if we lose to LAK tomorrow they still won’t catch us for fifth. We also have as many points as Vancouver.

On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
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by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions

It's a little bit of an empty feeling

Since we’ve played more game than anyone else

Graphic Designer/Researcher/Writer at Music City Miracles.
Official Graphic Goon of On The Forecheck.

by Aditya T (smashville) on Mar 29, 2010 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions

agreed

its nerve racking to think we have been fighting for position with teams that still have a possible 2-4 more points.

by flyalder on Mar 29, 2010 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Highlights are up on the right sidebar

Graphic Designer/Researcher/Writer at Music City Miracles.
Official Graphic Goon of On The Forecheck.

by Aditya T (smashville) on Mar 29, 2010 10:37 PM EDT reply actions

indeed

Shoulda mentioned it in the recap. This was a satisfying when. You know why? We kinda sucked the whole game and still won. You gotta do that in the playoffs.

On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
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Now Cycling like the Sedins

by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Preds fans represent in the front row

Graphic Designer/Researcher/Writer at Music City Miracles.
Official Graphic Goon of On The Forecheck.

by Aditya T (smashville) on Mar 29, 2010 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions

awesome quote

From Litter Box Cats:

If Barry Trotz is not in the running for coach-of-the-decade (in any sport), a tremendous injustice is being thrust upon professional hockey and Preds’ fans alike. Has anyone even approached his success – with an expansion club, no less – in the past twenty years?

On the Forecheck: a blog that's more productive than a Predator power play!
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by Chris Burton on Mar 29, 2010 10:44 PM EDT reply actions

Love it

Wish he would win COY first though

Graphic Designer/Researcher/Writer at Music City Miracles.
Official Graphic Goon of On The Forecheck.

by Aditya T (smashville) on Mar 29, 2010 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Just saw the highlights

and Hornquist’s goal was actually from around the dot. He’s usually 2 inches from the goal when he scores. Also Legwand’s goal came off a pretty nice pass by Wilson. While I’d much rather ‘see’ the game, the radio and OTF experience was pretty cool. Of course the win made it all the much better. See you back here tomorrow night. Lets go Preds!!

by jerseypredsfan on Mar 29, 2010 11:09 PM EDT reply actions

why is it...

that the highlights NEVER use the preds announcers? I know it wasn’t on tv tonight, but even when it is, the NHLGAME thing never uses pete and terry. why?

by Predfan14 on Mar 29, 2010 11:10 PM EDT reply actions

Okay, the FL announcers make me appreciate

all Pete, Terry, and Tom. I couldn’t stand listening to that voice.

Graphic Designer/Researcher/Writer at Music City Miracles.
Official Graphic Goon of On The Forecheck.

by Aditya T (smashville) on Mar 29, 2010 11:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Actually, I really dig Florida's radio guy

A great, unique voice. His goal calls are hilarious, too.

More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.

by Dirk Hoag on Mar 29, 2010 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Moller rocks. We’re blessed to have him.

The Litter Box - Your Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Mar 29, 2010 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Moller is awesome

I love the guy…his goal calls are absolutely hilarious. It’d be tough listening to him on radio if you wanted to know what was going on on the ice (he’s no Pete Weber) but it’d be worth it just to hear his goal calls.

On another note does Pete Weber make anyone else’s heart jump out of their chest when listening to him on radio? Sometimes I have a hard time figuring out if we just scored a goal or not…he get’s so excited during close plays he uses his “we just scored a goal” voice. Drives me insane…but he is a great play-by-play guy none the less.

by TitanPredBearFan on Mar 30, 2010 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions