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Rinne Continues Vezina Push, Shuts Out Sabres as Preds Win Again
Nashville Predators Mike Fisher [Photo courtesy of nhl.com]
Pekka Rinne posted his eighth shutout of the season and the Nashville Predators saw their point streak hit a record 15 games on their way to defeating the Buffalo Sabres by a 4-0 final on Monday night at KeyBank Center.
Nashville has gone 14-0-1 in their past 15 outings and have won four straight overall, including a clean sweep of their three-game road trip. As for their goaltender, Rinne has been victorious in his last 11 starts to tie a career high and has gone 21-1-1 in his last 23 starts, all while leading the NHL with eight shutouts.
The Predators have also earned points in 15 consecutive road games, which extends a franchise record and have won nine straight away from home, another club record. And on this occasion, the Preds say, the result was thanks to No. 35.
“He was really good tonight,” Predators Head Coach Peter Laviolette said of Rinne. “We gave up too many high-quality chances. There were lots of puck that [Buffalo] threw that had a lot of heat… He seemed like he was right on top of all of them. He was on point tonight.”
After a scoreless opening period, winger Miikka Salomaki floated a shot toward the cage that hit off the sticks of Scott Hartnell and Mike Fisher before finding its way into the net for a 1-0 Predators lead at 12:29 of the second stanza. Nashville pushed their advantage less than five minutes later with Ryan Johansen doubling the the Preds lead by depositing a rebound past Linus Ullmark at 17:03.
Then in the third period, Filip Forsberg and Ryan Hartman both tallied in the final four minutes of regulation to deliver Nashville’s 48th victory of the season.
But the Predators wouldn’t have been in position to seal anything if it weren’t for the man between the pipes who picked up his 40th win of the season in the process.
“He’s unbelievable,” Johansen said of Rinne. “In our opinion, he’s been the most valuable player for us, and definitely will be recognized for sure come award time in Vegas this summer.”
Rinne Wall:
A 15-game point streak (14-0-1). A 15-game road point streak. A nine-game road win streak. And that doesn’t even begin to mention Pekka Rinne’s records (see below).
Get all that?
It’s no secret the Predators have been hot over the past few games – or more like since the calendar flipped to January – but win streaks are one thing. To do it night after night, while quickly establishing themselves as the best Preds team in franchise history, is another.
And as if it wasn’t already, it’s time to jump on the #Pekka4Vezina train.
The NHL leader with eight shutouts, Rinne’s blanking of the Sabres on Monday set a career high and his 11 consecutive wins ties a career high. In addition, Rinne recorded his 40th win of the season, the third campaign in his career he’s hit the 40-win mark.
By doing so on three separate seasons, Rinne is now tied with five other netminders in NHL history for the most 40-win seasons, trailing only Martin Brodeur for the all-time record.
A three-time Vezina Finalist, and at the age of 35 no less, Rinne is putting together his best NHL season. The players in front of him are challenged – almost nightly – with deriving new superlatives to describe his stellar play.
“He’s just so motivated,” Johansen said of his goaltender. “He’s such a professional. He’s such a leader on this team, and he’s the reason [for our place in] the standings. He’s been phenomenal for us all year. He’s a man on mission now, and he’s really enjoying it.”
“He’s just been steady,” Laviolette said of RInne. “He’s been rock steady for us the whole time.”
As humble as they come, Rinne was impressed to hear of his company in the three-time 40-win club, but reaching that number is always something the goaltender has his sights set on. And of course, he wasn’t about to take all of the praise.
“That’s a credit to my teammates big time, and also my coaching staff,” Rinne said. “Over the years they’ve trusted me and let me play a lot of games. Even when you win a lot of games you end up losing some, so you need a lot of people pulling for you.”
As Johansen stood at his stall reflecting on his goaltender’s play this season, the thoughts just kept coming. But he eventually caught himself, realizing he had a plane to catch, another game awaiting, another chance to see Rinne do something spectacular.
“I could go on about Peks forever,” Johansen said. “I’m just happy to see him doing so well.”
Notes:
Mike Fisher now has two goals in seven games since completing his comeback earlier this month.
Austin Watson, Matt Irwin and Yannick Weber were scratches for Monday’s contest.
The Preds next game comes at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday (at 7 p.m. CT) against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Pete Weber’s Postgame Report
3/19/18 — Birthdays
Birthdays:
Brandon Hickerson — Pizza Winner!
Tripp Blackburn, 5
3/18/18 — Pizza Winner!
Birthdays:
Charles E. Wells, 86 — Pizza Winner!
Andrew Rigsay
3/17/18 — Birthdays
Birthdays:
James Pierson, 57 — Pizza Winner!
Schiler Frame, 19
Jenny Warren, 12
Winell Pittenger, 101
Anniversaries:
Cody & Savannah Church, 2
Former Coffee Co. Coach’s Trial Delayed–Weir Suffered Gunshot Wound on Sunday
File Photo – Brad Weir
The trial of former Coffee County Central High School Red Raider baseball coach Bradley Newton Weir was set to begin on Monday (March 19, 2018) at the Coffee County Courthouse in downtown Manchester.
The 47-year-old Weir is accused of having sex with a 15-year-old student in 2015.
The trial never started on Monday because Weir’s attorney reported to District Attorney General Craig Northcott that Weir was unable to be in court because Weir had suffered a gunshot wound to his leg on Sunday night at his home in East Ridge, TN.
According to WTVC-TV in Chattanooga, Weir told East Ridge investigators he was in his backyard around 9pm CT with his dog when he noticed a dark-colored 4-door sedan drive past his house, circle the block, drive by his house again and stop at the entrance to his driveway.
According to police in East Ridge, Weir believes he saw two people in the car. Weir said something to the effect of, “Can I help you?” and was promptly shot in the leg.
The only description Weir gave police was the people in the car were wearing dark colored long sleeve clothing, possibly hoodies.
He was transported by ambulance to Erlanger. His injuries are not believed to be life threatening.
Weir worked for the Coffee County Raider Academy as a teacher and was head baseball coach at the high school in 2015. This was his first year with the school system after being hired as baseball coach in late May of 2014. He was arrested by Manchester Police on February 3, 2015 for statutory rape by an authority figure.
He was indicted by the Coffee County grand jury on one count of statutory rape by an authority figure, one count of aggravated rape, one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, seven counts of especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor and six counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.
Northcott told WMSR News that at this time the trial is set to begin in late May.
Weir also faced trouble in May of 2015 when he was arrested on charges that were the result of an alleged incident that occurred last year at the Bluegill Grill on Tims Ford Lake. Weir’s domestic violence charge was dismissed after a conference with the victims.
Weir has been free since his arrest on a bond of $100,000.
School Officials Hope to Renovate North Coffee Elementary
North Coffee Mascot
The project will renovate the existing space and add about 20,000 square feet of new space.
The Coffee County Budget and Finance Committee Members approved $5 million for the project. Now the proposal will go before the Coffee County Commission’s agenda in April.
A tax increase will not be necessary to cover the costs, according to the committee.
Refinancing a loan from 2008 and some funds from the Rural Debt Service Fund, will allow county officials to borrow about $5 million on a 20-year term without a tax increase.
A cafeteria, kitchen, gymnasium and library will be constructed. The existing gym, library and cafeteria will be renovated into classroom and office space.
Update on Officer Involved Shooting in Tullahoma
Coffee County District Attorney Craig Northcott
According to Coffee County District Attorney Craig Northcott, police responded to a residence on South Franklin Street at approximately 5 p.m. on Friday in response to a reported assault. Upon arrival, officers encountered 47 year-old James Shelton, who allegedly became combative with police outside the home. Northcott said Shelton went inside and returned moments later, allegedly brandishing a large knife. According to the district attorney, officers told Shelton to drop the knife, but he refused. The officers then used their tasers on Shelton, to no effect, Northcott said. Shelton then allegedly tried to go back inside the house when the officers used a taser on him a second time, again to no avail. According to Northcott, Shelton then allegedly began approaching the officers, still holding the knife, when one of the officers shot him in the arm. The name of the officer who fired the weapon has not been released by authorities.
Shelton was taken to Tennova Healthcare-Harton and was later flown to Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville for treatment. According to the district attorney, the preliminary investigation indicates the officer fired in self-defense, but the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is conducting an investigation.
Man Charged with Criminal Homicide in Warren County
A joint investigation into the circumstances of a homicide last week has resulted in the arrest of the victim’s roommate in connection to the crime.
TBI Agents joined investigators from the Warren County Sheriff’s Department in investigating the homicide of Stephen Pohl, who died last Tuesday from an apparent gunshot wound at his home in the 400 block of Lewis Road. During the course of the investigation, authorities developed information leading to Pohl’s roommate, 61 year-old Gregory Koller as the individual responsible for the crime.
On Thursday evening, TBI Agents arrested the McMinnville man and charged him with one count of Criminal Homicide and one count of Tampering with Evidence. Authorities booked him into the Warren County Jail on a $1,025,000 bond.
3/21/18–Hazel Banks Denney
Funeral service for Mrs. Hazel Banks Denney, age 92, of Manchester, TN, will be conducted at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at Manchester Funeral Home with Bro. Ray Marcrom and Bro. Milton Stanley officiating. Burial will follow in Fredonia Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Tuesday, March 20 at the funeral home. Mrs. Denney passed away on Sunday, March 18, 2018 in Manchester, TN.
Hazel was born in Coffee County, TN, the daughter of the late Andrew and Throna Mae Haley Banks. She was a homemaker and a member of Fredonia Church of Christ. She enjoyed quilting and gardening.
In addition to her parents, Hazel was also preceded in death by her husband, Charles Denney; and one brother, Horace Banks. She is survived by two brothers, William and Joe Banks; niece and caretakers, Marilyn (Steve) Burt; nephews, Jimmy (Doris) Banks, Manuel (Darlene) Banks, Michael (Shannon) Banks; nieces, Sue (Ron) Hill, Sheila Reed; several great-nephews and great-nieces; several great-great nephews and great-great nieces.
The family requests memorial donations be made to Alzheimer’s Association
MANCHESTER FUNERAL HOME IS HONORED TO SERVE THE DENNEY FAMILY
www.manchesterfuneralhome.com
Monday Prep Schedule(Weather Permitting)
4:00 PM – CCMS Tennis vs. Westwood Tennis at Fred Deadman Park – PPD, Make-up is TBD
4:00 PM – CHS Tennis HOSTS Cannon Co – PPD, Make-up is TBD
5:00 PM – CCMS Baseball at North Franklin – PPD, Make-up is TBD
5:00 PM – CCMS Softball at North Franklin – PPD, Make-up is TBD
5:00 PM – CHS Baseball(JV) at Lincoln Co – CANCELLED
5:00 PM – WMS Softball HOSTS Moore Co – PPD, Make-up is TBD
5:30 PM – CHS Softball at Shelbyville – PPD, Make-up is April 19th
6:00 PM – CHS Baseball HOSTS Riverdale – PPD, Make-up is TBD