Friday, December 24, 2010

Predators' Filling The Arena Dispite Streaky Play and Friday Findings

The streaky Nashville Predators extended their current losing streak to three games with last night's 2-1 offensive no show at the Bridgestone Arena.

The fans did their part by selling out the rink but the Predators' slow start gave them little to cheer about. In a rarity, it was reported that fans were being turned away from the box office and being sent to the streets to negotiate with scalpers for tickets.

Tuesday's game with Dallas is also reported to be close to a sell out so planning ahead to attend a game is starting to be the rule rather than a rarity.

The Predators marketing department is doing an exceptional job of bringing fans to the arena this season. The Predators need to play with more consistency in order to keep the new fans coming back.

Last night's lost left the Predators with 40 points and in in eighth place in the tightly bunched Western Conference. Three points separate fourth place San Jose and the ninth place Anaheim Ducks heading int the two day Christmas break.

Predators - Senators Wrap-Up...


Here is our game story from last night with post game video.

Josh Cooper had his game story, notes column, and and postgame ponderings.

From the blog world reports come from Amanda DiPaolo, Mark Willoughby, Chris Burton, Dirk Hoag (with his advances stats), Jeremy Gover,and AJ at PMFF.

The Predators provided audio clips from Pekka Rinne, Codey Franson, and Marcel Goc. From Ottawa came Brian Elliott, Chris Phillips, and Coach Cory Clouston.

Folks in Ottawa are celebrating the road win by reading the Ottawa Citizen, The 6th Sens, Sens Chirp, Silver Seven, SensShot, and Sens Underground.

In Pred Nation...

Barry Trotz sent Pekka Rinne into the net last night and also has him penciled in for the next two games. Sergei Gonchar had good things to say about Trotz before the game.

Ex-Pred good guy Scott Walker has been named head coach of the Guelph Storm of the OHL. Pred prospects Taylor Beck and Michael Latta will be a couple of his top players.

Paul McCann's SlapShot Radio goes to Sirius/XM's NHL Home Ice Channel this weekend. The play schedule is today at 2pm, Saturday at 5am and 10pm and Sunday at 1pm all times Central. Paul also has a gift list this morning.

Chris Burton has the Breakfast Links this morning at OnTheForecheck

Shea Weber and Ryan Suter hosted a party and skate session for underprivileged kids earlier this week.

Eric Shuff at Predators.com has a look at prospects and participation in the World Juniors. Ryan Ellis (Canada), Patrick Cehlin (Sweden), and David Elsner (Germany) will represent the Preds at this year's tourney.

Bleacher Report has a article that is critical of the Predators lack of scoring.

The Milwaukee Admirals have a big week of promotions coming up after Christmas.

Winter Classic Updates...

The transformation of Heinz Field from football field to NHL hockey rink started last night moments after the Pittsburgh Steelers beat Carolina 27-3. PHT has another look at the build.

The NHL and NBC announced their social media initiatives surrounding the television broadcast of the Winter Classic.

Here is the schedule for the Winter Classic Public Skating Rink that opens today at 3 p.m. For all local information about the WC, the Penguins have a site set up here.

Around the NHL...

No hockey tonight but The Program will have a special Christmas Eve Edition.

The Devils fired John MacLean in what had to be an oddly timed move. Jacques Lemaire will take over the Devils for the third time. Adrian Dater also comments on the firing and points the finger at Lou.

Here is the whole story from the latest waffle thrower from Toronto. What he says makes sense to me.

Chris Botta feels that the imperfect salary cap/floor is working to keep the NHL competitive.

Ryan Porth looks at the loss of Pavel Datsyuk and the effect it will have on the Wings during a tough part of their schedule.

Matt Reitz uses the mid season to project what the rest of the season may look like.

The rosters have been released for the Home Hardware CHL Top Prospects Game that will be held January 18-19 in Toronto with Don Cherry and Doug Gilmore serving as coaches.

Odds and Ends...

Justin Bieber leads the top ten fails of the year. I would actually put his fans that have been sucked in by the marketing of the no talent little brat at the top of the list.

Sky watching in the Christmas sky yields some interesting things aside from Santa Clause.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

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