Let’s Hope Today’s Historic In Smashville, Part II

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I can’t imagine much work is going to get done in Nashville today. I know I’m stepping into the office this morning with a colony of butterflies currently residing in my stomach. My morning has consisted of nothing but coffee and Nashville’s 104.5 The Zone. I’m wired. I’m nervous. I don’t want to see anyone – just get my happy ass in front of a television and let’s get to the game.

Of course, the big story is that our beloved Nashville Predators have a chance to win their first Western Conference Championship tonight, and advance to play for the Stanley Cup for the first time in the franchise’s history. The Preds are at home in Bridgestone Arena, facing a tough Anaheim Ducks team. To say the mood in the city this morning is tense would be an understatement.

Analysts and players alike are calling Smashville the toughest place to play in the entire NHL, citing the volume of the passionate, energetic crowd as the source.

It took hockey a while to get off the ground here, so to speak, but now, the Preds are a part of the fabric of the city. Nashville is embracing its hockey team as if it’s family – there’s a metaphor in there about the citizens of Nashville treating people like family, but I’m too amped up to sort it out right now. The point is I’ve never seen a team so universally loved throughout this city the way the Preds are right now. And, well – we all know what people can do with a little love…

The last time I checked in, it was game six of the conference semi-finals. The Preds were hosting the St. Louis Blues with a 3-2 lead in the series. They ended up winning that game, so now, I have to keep this momentum going – it’s superstition, at this point.

I feel like after every win, I’m texting friends and family, saying, “wow – what a gutsy win.” But, none have been gutsier than Saturday night’s win in Anaheim.

With their top two centers, Ryan Johansen and Mike Fisher, out, Peter Laviolette had to shake up some lines and count on some young players to step up. Boy, did they. Pontus Aberg scored what would end up being the game winner. Frederick Gaudreau won 71.4% of his faceoffs…71.4%!!!! Freddy Hockey was on point.

Colin Wilson scored a power play goal to send the Predators into the third period tied 1-1 with the Ducks. Austin Watson iced the game with an empty net goal late in the third period. These aren’t the usual suspects.

It helps that the cornerstone of the team, Pekka Rinne, is playing perhaps the best hockey of his career. But, the team just flat out gutted one out Saturday night.

For those who don’t know me, I can be a bit of a pessimist at times. After it was announced that Johansen would miss the rest of the season, I told friend of the site, RHog, that I didn’t know if the team could do it. And, what he said to me to still echoes in my mind…

“Great teams find a way.” 

They found a way Saturday night. They’re capable of finding a way tonight in the biggest game in the franchise’s history. Go Preds.

Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. A strong advocate of GSD (get shit done) and #BeBetter, he’s down to talk Tennessee Titans and Alabama Crimson Tide football over a beer any day. Check him out covering the WWE for WrestlingNews.co. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley@WrestlingNewsCo

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