Viktor Arvidsson of the Nashville Predators

Viktor Arvidsson scored twice, but the Chicago Blackhawks won it late to defeat the Nashville Predators, 5-3, on Saturday night at Bridgestone Arena. The game concluded the season series between the two and keeps Nashville at 73 points overall.

The Predators registered 35 shots in total on Corey Crawford, creating numerous chances throughout the evening. Both clubs went back and forth, but Chicago capitalized on a late opportunity, ultimately sealing the win.

“I thought our guys played extremely hard,” Nashville Head Coach Peter Laviolette said. “Our guys were ready to play, but [Chicago] is a class team that is able to turn their game around if it doesn’t start the way they want. They have the potential to take a start like that and turn it into a game where they’re competing and playing at a high level, and they did that. From there, we knew it was going to be a tough fight the whole game, but it went back and forth. I thought our guys were ready to play, and we just hate the outcome.”

“We have to find a way to get a point out of that game,” Preds defenseman P.K. Subban said. “I think we played a really good game, but the details, we have to make sure in those moments of the game we are bearing down and understand the importance of it. You know good teams find a way to win, and they’re a good team and they capitalized on some of our mistakes tonight.”

Chicago had a 2-0 lead midway through the second period, courtesy of a goal in the first by Patrick Kane and then a tally from Jordin Tootoo at 11:03 of the middle frame, but Nashville made it interesting when Viktor Arvidsson got the Preds on the board less than two minutes after. With less than a minute to play in the second, Jonathan Toews made it 3-1 Chicago, but Nashville answered again, this time just 14 seconds later, when Calle Jarnkrok picked a corner on Corey Crawford to bring the Preds back to within one before the stanza was out.

Then it was Arvidsson again, scoring on one of the more improbable angles near the goal line, and somehow finding room over the shoulder of Crawford to even the score at 3-3. The Preds had their chances down the stretch to add a fourth, but it was Brian Campbell who potted the winner with 1:05 to play in regulation time before Kane added an empty-netter to seal the win.

“[The chances at the end of the game] were tilted pretty good in our favor,” Laviolette said. “Those chances, we need to capitalize on. They made a nice play at the end of the game, and they scored a goal and won a hockey game… They’re going to make plays. We could have executed better.”

Saturday marked the second consecutive game that the Preds have seen their opponent score the winning goal late in regulation, something Nashville certainly doesn’t plan on making a habit.

“There’s a minute left and your mindset on the ice has got to be to protect your D-zone, and if a bounce happens and we get a break, then we have to try and create something,” Subban said. “We can’t create something from nothing, and I’m not saying that’s what we’re trying to do. I think in those moments that’s the way you have to approach it… In those moments, we have to pay more attention to detail and whoever’s on the ice we have to make sure we get the job done.”

Notes:

Defenseman Ryan Ellis missed Saturday’s game with a lower-body injury. Defenseman Anthony Bitetto took his place in the lineup, logging four hits and two blocked shots in 11:22 of ice time.

Viktor Arvidsson recorded his fourth multi-goal game of the season on Saturday. He is tied for ninth in the Western Conference in goals (23).

Ryan Johansen has six assists in three home games against the Blackhawks this season.

The Predators head right back out on the road – California to be exact – beginning a three-game slate on the West Coast on Tuesday night in Anaheim.

The Coffee County baseball team will be hosting a pair of events coming up on March 11^th at Powers Field.  The activities begin at 9:30 AM as Red Raider coaches and players will be hosting a players’ clinic.  The clinic is for kids between the ages of 8 to 15 and each camper will receive age appropriate hands on instruction in all aspects of the game.  The clinic will be on Powers Field and in the Crethan Hansert Hitting Facility at Coffee County Central High School.  The camp will run from 9:30 AM to 1 PM.

Campers are asked to bring a bat, glove, tennis shoes, cleats, hat and a batting helmet to the camp.  Cost is $20 per camper in advance and $25 the day of the camp.  Any sibling that wants to also attend can get in at half price.  Concessions will be available on the day of the camp.  To register, print out the form below and mail it to: Coffee County Central High School Baseball Boosters, PO Box 496, Manchester, TN 37349 BEFORE March 3^rd.   If you have questions, please contact Chris Langham at ctlua37@gmail.com or 931.247.2629 with any questions.

Click to register on the link HERE =========> Red Raider Baseball Spring Clinic

The Coffee County Central High School baseball team will be holding an Alumni Game on March 11^th at Powers Field at 2:30 PM.  Any former Coffee County player is encouraged to sign up to participate.  Each former player is asked to register online at: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lvl2L6TFGkYf9NE3W2jxNnFAFIN4NLFUscCiw0PFGRw/edit?usp=sharing

Cost to participate is $10 which will cover the cost of the t-shirts.  Any additional money raised will go to benefit the Williams J Myers Foundation.  Members of the Williams J. Myers foundation will also be on hand so sign up to register at the link given.

Westwood pitcher Haidyn Campbell(file photo from 2016)

Jumping out to a 5 to 0 lead in the 1^st inning, the Westwood Lady Rockets softball team captured a 12 to 8 season opening win over Fayetteville on Thursday night in Fayetteville.  The win is also career win #1 for first year head coach Amanda Sullivan in her first game.  “We got timely hitting and were able to use our short game in the first inning” said Sullivan.

Fielding a team loaded with 6^th and 7^th graders, Sullivan was impressed with her team’s overall defensive play including a double play by 6^th grader Abby Clark.  The Rockets banged out 13 hits and worked the Lady Tigers pitching for 10 walks.  The Lady Rockets were led in hitting by Hallie Wimberley who had 3 hits.  Haidyn Campbell, Madison Wakefield and Kaitlyn Davis all finished with 2 hits.  Campbell went the distance in the circle for Westwood as she struck out 9 to get the win.

The Lady Rockets return to the diamond on Monday when they travel to Woodbury to take on Cannon County.  First pitch is scheduled for 5:30 PM.

John Martinez of Westwood soccer

In soccer, sometimes the best defense in a good offense.  The Westwood Rockets soccer team opened their season on Thursday night at home as they welcomed St. Andrews-Sewanee to Dyer-Bouldin Field.  The Rockets controlled the time of possession on their way to a 3 to 0 win.

Holding the visiting Mountain Lions without a shot on frame in the first half, Westwood was able to keep the ball in their offensive end 90% of the first half.  John Martinez connected on a pretty volley in front of the net in the 20^th minute to give Westwood a 1 nil lead at intermission.

In the second half, St. Andrews-Sewanee was more aggressive on the attack peppering Rocket keeper Bodey Todd with 2 shots in the first 10 minutes.  The Rockets were able to turn the attack and score a goal in the 52^nd minute by Elliot Sain and Lukas Workman added the final goal 2 minutes later.  Westwood outshot the Mountain Lions 16 to 3.

The Rockets are back in action on Monday when they travel to Tullahoma to take on the Tullahoma Middle School team.  The opening kickoff is set for 6 PM at the East Middle School field.