Surprise Road Trip! Predators vs Stars

I was getting ready for work Friday morning and I got a call from my friend Sandy. She was set to travel with a friend to Nashville to take her daughters to see the oldest girl's 2 favorite players. Something came up and the friend was not able to go. Sandy didn't want to go alone, so she called me up. Hmmm 3 games in three days? Three games in 2 states within 43 hours...hell yeah! I'm in!


Sandy's youngest daughter is the Moose lover. I've taken tons of photos of her, including this one. This is one of my favorite pictures I've taken ever.



Sandy's oldest daughter is now most frequently seen on the jumbo tron with her "Pavelec Saves" sign.



Before she became a Pavelec fan, she loved Kari Lehtonen and Jason Williams. Wait...WHO? ou remember, Jason Williams. He played 41 games as a Thrasher.



After we stopped for lunch, we decided to swing by Chattanooga Cupcakes. Abby enjoys here chocolate chip cupcake.



Sarah has a purple kid's cupcake. She is very color coordinated!



I chose the Lemon Raspberry. The cupcakes were yummy, but the icing was a little heavy.



We got to Nashville a bit early and decided to walk around for a bit. It was cold and rainy. We actually had to sit in the car and wait because there was a thunderstorm. After about 839 "Can we get out now?" I was ready to take my chances with lightning. Cold...rainy...windy...probably the reason I missed work today due to illness.
Good times, right?



One of the best thing about Sandy and her kids...they are always prepared with signs. In this one Abby professes her love for Jason Williams. When she was 7, she had a Jason Williams jersey...I'm sure it's the only printed that didn't belong to a family member.



This sign was made 2 seasons ago when Kari was out due to injury. It's signed and everything.



I love Nashville. I consider them my western home team. The fans are always awesome, the staff is great and it's just an example of what the Thrashers game experience COULD be. Tonight I had my first negative experience. Sandy, me and the kids headed down to the opposing team's side next to the bench. Abby had written Jason a letter saying how much she had missed him, that she had followed his career and that she had come to see him play in Nashville before, but he was injured. She was hoping to give it to some of the Dallas bench staff to give it to Jason. The usher wouldn't let us anywhere near the seats next to the bench. We had to stay on the other side of the rail. Then he proceeded to stand stand behind us like we were going to steal something.


Wonder when that started? See that rail Sandy is hanging on, that's the one we can't go on.



That area where all the fans are congregated...that is the area "no one" can go.



Hmmm, maybe it's a team thing. Maybe just the Thrashers don't mind fans being close. Well no, that can't be. The Blackhawks don't care.



Maybe it's a new policy for the 2010-11 season. Well no, here is opening night against the Ducks.



It's either a Dallas thing or it's an us thing. One of the players peaked out and Abby darted over there and managed to give her letter to the player asking him to give it to Jason. Don't know if he did or not, Jason never came out like Moose did. Maybe Abby will get a puck.


It was good to see Kari again.



I love the Tombstone mask. Kari saw the sign Abby had. I guess that's the reason he stretched in front of us.



Abby's favorite, Jason Williams.



Assistant Captain, Brad Richards, checking out the love fest for his teammates.



Kari and his mischievous grin.



Raycroft in the net.



Kari chillin on the side while Raycroft takes some shots.



One of the reasons I didn't mind tagging along, I love Mike Ribeiro.



Jason being a douchebag and not looking at a little girl who rode 4 hours in the rain to bring him a letter, 2 signs and wear his jersey.



Mark Fistric



Old friends from their days with the Canucks, Raycroft and O'brien catch up.



Ott: That's a cute little girl over there wearing your jersey. She even has a sign for you. Did you flip her a puck?
Kari: No.
Ott: Did you give her a stick tap?
Kari: No.
Ott: They drove from Atlanta man, you are as big a douche as Williams.
Kari: Who?



Oh yeah! I forgot Langenbruner was with Dallas.



Ribeiro waiting his turn to shoot some pucks.



The last time I saw Robidas he had that clear cage on his face.



Kari in the net.



Jason Williams is a douche bag. Abby said he winked at her. I missed that. He didn't give her a puck, didn't tap the glass and didn't even smile at her. You are a B list journeyman hockey player who most fans couldn't even name. This little girl traveled 4 hours TWICE (once when he was with the Wings) to see you and you ignored her. Shame on you.



Well the good times didn't stop there. With 7 minutes left in warm up, the guy who owned the seats wanted them. No problem, I moved my stuff. He said "we want to see warm ups." I said "you should have gotten here earlier." He looked shocked. He said "Excuse me?" I said "I've been in a car for 4 hours with her 2 kids. I sat here an hour waiting for warm ups and you are telling me I have to leave? NHL rules say we have the right to watch warm ups from the glass. " He said no, but he wanted his seats. If I didn't know the security guard was a douche bag, I would have pushed it, but fortunately there was a little room and I just scooted down. I did apologize to the guy. I felt guilty for being an ass. I'm too nice.


We had great seats in 310 A. Pekka sees some early action.



O'Brien trying to get those Stars out of his zone.



Thrash needs better toys. Gnash has a four wheeler that he can shoot Tshirts from.



Preds take the action to Kari.



Rough and tumble Jordan Tootoo causing issues for Kari.



Kari keeps an eye on the puck.



Kari loses his stick, but manages to keep the puck out of the net.



You better cover it, Kari.



Shea Weber raising some hell in front of the net.



Pekka is back down on the other end.



Clear the zone, Preds!



Pekka makes a stop of his own.



Pekka goes down in the butterfly.



Preds win!



The Preds salute their fans for their support.



Gnash shows off yet another cool toy.


While we were on our way to the game, both girls were cheering for the Stars. Once we got into the arena and the excitement of the cheers, music and chants started, Sarah was pulling for the Preds with me. When they'd score, she'd jump up and do this fist pump booty shake dance and high-5 all of those around her. Another reason that I was now sitting by the world's biggest Preds fan was because she discovered how badly it irritated her sister when Sarah would yell "Let's go Predators." Good times!!