Pete Weber’s Postgame Report
Filip Forsberg
The Nashville Predators ended their 4 game losing streak by beating the Colorado Avalanche 4-3 tonight. What could have been a snoozer was most certainly not. And if you were watching the game around the 10 minute mark of the 1st period, you know why.
The first period belonged to the Predators. After Colin Wilson got the good guys on the board first, Filip Forsberg dazzled everyone with what will undoubtedly be the goal of the year for the Predators. Though the Avs would eventually get a goal from Mikkel Boedker, the Preds were owning the game at that point and Forsberg’s play was a big, juicy exclamation point. Go watch the play again. You’ll be glad you did.
Unfortunately, the Preds momentum died after the 1st intermission. The Avs came out strong in the 2nd and Jarome Iginla, the Pred Killer, tied it up with 2 minutes left. The Preds didn’t register their first shot on Semyon Varlamov in the 2nd period until over 8 minutes in and, other than a couple of chances, had absolutely nothing working right. The Preds seemed to be asleep at the wheel since the amazing play by Forsberg.
The final period started with some swift skating and passing from Roman Josi, who found Mike Fisher wide open for the early lead. But the Avs would answer almost immediately on a tying goal by Shawn Matthias. Eventually Filip Forsberg found Craig Smith on the wing, who roofed home a frosty goal for a 4-3 lead. From there, the Preds would hold off the Avs, who needed at least 1 point to stay alive in the playoff race. The Preds fought like crazy to prevent Rinne from having to make the tough save, though he did on occasion. Rinne finished with 25 saves.
The Predators host the final regular season home game of the year on Thursday when they welcome Phoenix to the Bridgestone Arena. Puck drop is set for 7 PM and Thunder Radio will bring you the call of the game as part of the Fifth Third Bank/Nashville Predators Radio Network.
