Pete Weber’s Postgame Report
Nashville Predators center Mike Fisher
The Predators kicked off their Central Division tour with a nasty, bruising 3-2 win over the Minnesota Wild.
After a slow start in the 1st, things picked up in the 2nd– oh wait, no they didn’t. This game was played almost entirely in a phone booth. Hardly an inch of ice was uncovered. With both teams playing tight defensive hockey and not allowing easy quality chances, it was tough to see where goals would come from. But they did come eventually.
Mike Fisher scored first in the 2nd period as the Predators caught the Wild on a line change. Weber with the old two-line pass leading Fisher into the zone untouched, who then slotted it past Devan Dubnyk. A rare, wide open lane to the net and the Preds took advantage. The Wild answered on the power-play, as Marco Scandella put one by Rinne after a questionable call on Ryan Ellis.
The pace quickened in the 3rd. First, Roman Josi scored 12 seconds into the period to give the Preds the lead. The Preds had the Wild on their heels for a bit, but then started taking stupid penalties. Matt Dumba’s power-play goal tied it up at 2. Things started getting pretty nasty towards the end, but the refs elected to fault the Predators for most of the foul play. But the Preds would weather the penalty storm and find a 3rd period savior: Cody Hodgson! His late 3rd period goal wins it for Nashville and the 2-game losing streak is over. The Predators are back in action at home on Saturday night as they welcome the St. Louis Blues to the Bridgestone Arena. Thunder Radio will bring you the broadcast of that game on the Fifth Third Bank/Nashville Predators Radio Network beginning at 7 PM.
