When you are an Atlanta Thrashers fan, sometimes you have to travel to see playoff hockey. Of course since I consider the Nashville Predators my western home team, it's not too much of a stretch to pull for them. I was crossing my fingers that it would go to a Game 6 so I could go up for a game. My husband had to work for Games 3 and 4.
I was hoping that I would break a record I have. I've been to 3 play off games, all three times my team lost (Thrashers, Predators and Devils). I was hoping to not see any hand shakes tonight! Go Preds!
Here come the Hawks! Who is doing Colin Fraser's hair, Scotty Hartnell?
Laura, this is for you! A distant shot of Cristobal Huet's crazy serial killer face.
Captain Jonathon Toews clearing pucks out of the net.
Niemi stretching out.
The guys getting ready to take some shots.
Niemi seeing some shots.
I wanted to get some good shots of Niemi's mask, but this was about as good as I got. Nashville's lighting and my camera do not get along. I love the owl on the front of his mask.
I had some Burrish requests. You can see the Hawks fans were there with their signs, they are using my letter stickers!
Preds fans as always had signs for their team. A few people had signs taunting the Hawks.
I'm not a big Hossa hater. A lot of Atlanta fans are. I understand Pens and Wings fans hating him. For this game, I had a reason to hate him, too. In Game 5, Hossa put a hit on Dan Hamhuis that was identical to the one Ovechkin put on Brian Campbell earlier this season. Ovechkin got a 2 game suspension. Hossa not only got no suspensions, but while he was in the box, the Hawks scored shorthanded to tie the game in the final seconds. Then, adding insult to injury, Hossa scored the game winning goal in OT. Preds fan HATE Hossa and tonight I was a Preds fan, so I did, too! I had so much fun booing Hossa. Every time the puck touched his stick the arena erupted in boos. There were several (but not enough) HOSSA SUCKS chants. By the end of the night, as soon as he touched the ice, I would scream "HOSSA YOU SUCK!"
Patrick Kane and Brent Sopel hanging out.
Ummmm, Big Buff! I love me some Dustin Byfuglien.
Niemi making a save.
Captain Toews getting ready to take some shots.
The Hawks fans were out in their jerseys.
I love this picture of Kopecky and his gum.
More Byfuglien, you can never have enough.
Burrish was having a bit of a wardrobe malfunction.
What are you looking so cocky about? Is there a 60 year old cabby near by?
Huet seeing some shots. Warm ups is the only place he sees shots.
First Period!
If you know me you know I lose my shit over mascots. Mascots SWINGING down from the rafters??? Forget it. I'm surprised they didn't have to escort me out.
Battling for the puck along the boards.
Some action in front of Niemi.
The puck gets away from Arnott and Versteeg will grab it and take it to safety.
YES! Predators score!
The game was quite chippy. Note Pekka has his blocker in on the action.
The first period was a massive FAIL for both goalies. There were SEVEN goals in the first period. Both goalies looked shaky. Pekka let in a horrific goal where he was out to play the puck on the side, but it went into the net. A really crazy period. We ended the first period down 4 to 3.
Some entertainment from the lovely Preds dance crew.
Second period.
Niemi making a stop.
Niemi says no again.
A maskless Pekka has a discussion with Steve Sullivan.
Toews trying to get Hamhuis out of the way so he can play the puck.
Some chaos in front of Pekka.
Pekka makes a sprawling save.
Mid air puck! I love Toews face, be sure and click to see a close up.
Niemi making a dramatic save.
Nashville has a tradition where during the TV time outs they have a loud standing ovation for the team for the entire TV time out. It is unbelievably loud. Combined with the rally towels for the play offs, it was an exciting time!
Toews in front of Pekka. Pekka has dropped his stick and is trying to wait for the right time to pick it up.
Nashville has another tradition, too. Detroit has their octopuses on the ice...Nashville decided to put a southern twist on things and toss catfish on the ice. Yep, that's a catfish.
Gross.
One of the ice guys comes on the ice, retrieves the catfish and waives it at the enthusiastic crowd. Ewww. Where do you put that thing before you toss it??
The second period was the exact opposite of the first. Pekka and Niemi had calmed down and neither of them gave up a goal in the 2nd period. Pekka faced 16 shots in the 2nd period, but stood tall. Niemi faced 4 and didn't let any in. We went into the third still down 4 to 3.
Third period!
The action is so wild it just blew Niemi's net off.
Niemi peeking around Hornqvist as well as his own man, Seabrook. Seabrook is getting ready to block the shot. He's instinctively lowering his hand to cover the "jewels."
WHEW! Seabrook is glad he didn't have to take that shot there.
Niemi puts the stop on Hornqvist's attempt at the side of the net.
Mid air puck bouncing off of Sopel.
Ward had a fantastic game!
Damn, Preds lose.
Blackhawks win and advance to the next round.
I guess I WILL be seeing some handsakes.
Pekka and Niemi shaking hands, probably talking in Finnish.
Preds saluting the fans.
Well my record stands, I'm now 0-4 for play off games. Next season will be the time!
