Saturday's notes: My Thank You For A Great 2011

Had to be winning a playoff round. Second would be Halischuck’s OT goal. That game was a great game altogether.

Favorite moment well there were a LOT to choose from this last year from the OT goal against the Duck’s at like 1215AM to winning the first round of the playoffs, Craig Smith…sorry Honey Badger just owning it, more Weber cannon blasts (i swear the US military needs to create a new cannon and call it a Weber) the Beard of Fear, us going 0 for 4 in awards (total garbage btw), Horny’s deak of Lolango after stealing it from Hahamhuis, come back after comeback against the Jackets, my first Stake of the Union, Meeting the players after training camp and really getting to know the team that we see now, Pekka getting paid and unlike some other highly paid pro player in Nashville actually PERFORMING to get it, the whole we want Crosby’s thing, can’t forget the meet up with some of the OtF’ers (Davisca, Cisar, 29th Ward, and anyone else i left out there). The military saultes every game and seeing the players and refs give them an ovation is very touching as well. The comeback against Chicago to beat them in a shoot out.

But the best memory I have from last year is that final game against Vancouver at home. Yes we lost but the way the crowd reacted and unlike some teams fans (Vancouver…) we didnt boo or yell something horrible instead we did what always do, support the guys and start chanting as loud as we could. We may have lost but we know they gave it everything and in the end thats all we as fans can ever ask for of our team is to just give us everything you have and leave it all on the ice. The standing O’s during the tv timeouts are loud, jet engine loud, but this ovation was much louder then that and it was more heartfelt just something about it if you were there felt different then the rest of them. we knew it was over but no one left we stayed and cheered on the best team we have ever had.

Its funny that it took us playing a Canadian team for them (canada hockey writers/media) to realize how much of a HOCKEY town this is. Nashville isnt a football town anymore, while yes everyone still roots for them and wants them to not suck it seems like if you just walk down broadway and any street in downtown that you can find quite a few people in preds gear of some kind on non game days. People visiting here from out of town have asked what was going on on a game night and ive stood there and listened to fans tell them that if they didnt have any plans for the night to go get tickets for a game because its “The most excitement you will have on your whole vacation here. If you really want to see Nashville and get a feel for what the people are like just go to a game and start talking to people sitting around you they are more then friendly enough to give you great food locations and places to visit and things to do not to mention we have a really good hockey team.” I know those of us here will always talk up the team because we love them (and sometimes hate them when they dont shoot the puck, looking at you SK74) but to hear people on the streets get behind the team and encourage visitors to go to a game because its “fun” and not because “we have average 14k people to keep the team” really made me step back and realize that i was apart of something that has changed a city for the better. We all are part of this team with out us die hard fans the people that have gotten hooked on this great game never would have been to a game. Nashville as a city this year has transformed into a true Hockey city, one that we have all known for a long time, but now the rest of the hockey world sees it and to see the whole city get behind this team is what I really remember about 2011. Also we ended the year with 5 straight sellouts and 10 this season (not sure how many we had since Jan 1 but ball parking it would be about what 20-25 total not including the playoffs which would put that at about 30?)

Don’t know what I’d do without OTF. And thanks to everyone who posts. It’s a great community here.

My favorite moment of 2011 was Weber’s wrister in Game 5 against Anahiem with 35 seconds left to tie the game. I jumped so high I could have dunked a basketball!

I’ve had a great time hanging out here on OTF and reading all of the great stuff (Both from Dirk and the guys as well as from other readers), had a great time seeing the Preds come into their own and get the respect they deserve, seeing the first local guy become an NHL’er, seeing him get a Hat Trick.

But the moment that stands out to me and the one that still brings tears to my eyes today is watching/remembering Legwand’s goal that ensured that the Preds and that we as fans went on to the 2nd round of the playoffs. That moment would have been great anyway but that it was the 1st draft pick made it so much more copacetic.

Thanks for 2011! Here’s to 2012!

whats the difference between the visits and page views?

Thank you for providing a place that Preds fans can celebrate, whine, discuss, and fellowship together. Also, thank you for acknowledging me or anyone who has ever asked you a question either on OTF or Twitter. I really feel as if you care (and I know you do), and aren’t just doing all this for the numbers. You are very much appreciated!!!!

I take most of the credit for such a great blog. My keen insights into what makes the Predators tick is definitely the straw that stirs the drink around here. And it was funny that one time when Willy asked you about me and how I could see things that others cannot. I almost shed a tear for your over-laudatory response.

Seriously, I don’t read the newspaper and this is the only place I get Pred news, congrats and keep up the great work. My new year’s resolution is to cut my OTF-PIMs in half this year. I’ma emulate myself after Jordin Tootoo.

I would like to thank Dirk’s wife and family. Seriously, the wife should be nominated for sainthood. Thanks Dirk’s wife for letting him come out and play so often! Cheers to you!