Crash and Burn: Jets vs Preds

*NOTE* Blogger changed their website, so things might be a little different.  Funny, this is the first time I've used the new system and will be one of the last.

 March 24 is a date that has been marked on the calendars of Thrashers fans since the NHL released the 2011-12 calendar.   This would be the first time in the regular season that our beloved former Thrashers, now the Winnipeg Jets, came to our nearest NHL neighbors, Nashville. Many fans couldn't wait to go and let the guys know that we missed them and still loved them. Others couldn't bare it.  I was one of the ones that went!

I of course had some signs with me. It was Ron Hainsey's birthday, so I made him a Happy Birthday sign. 

 

 Me and my signs.  It was a horrible picture of me, it looked like I was pooping, so I put troll face over it.  My favorite sign says "Kiss my *picture of an ass/donkey* Andrew Ladd.  We read your interviews, too!

 

 

While waiting by the side doors, we saw the players strolling up, all with coffee. Must be a good shop near by.

 

Ondrej Pavelec deep in thoughtactually I think he might be burping.

 

 Toby Entsrom posing for pictures. 

 

 Pavs poses with the girls.

 

 More players coming up the street including Kyle Wellwood who looked like he had pigtails.

 

 We saw a black guy coming down the street.  As he got closer I said "not tall enough to be Buff."  He got closer and I said "too dark to be Kane."  As he got closer my husband said "that's Kev..." about that time my old lady eyes focused and I yelled "OH MY GOD, IT'S KEVIN WEEKES!!!!!!!!!!!  I totally lost my mind and was just handing stuff to people and barking orders at people to take my picture.  Weekesie was super nice. I thanked him on Twitter and he responded!

 

 No Thrashers event is complete with out the Heat!

 

 It's kind of funny how no matter the team they are on or the arena they are in, the guys still do the same thing. 

 

 Pavs:  God that Enstrom is a pompous ass...he's standing right behind me isn't he?

 

 Mason seems like he is almost posing in front of Sally's Blueland flag.

 

 Eat a bag of shit, Andrew Ladd.

 

 Stuie is reading my signs.

 

 Big Buff playing with the puck.

 

 Toby has a happy.

 

Timmy always looks confused.

 

Just like always, Hainsey clearing pucks from the net.

 

Good shot of the top of Pavs' mask.  I love the chin with the shark.

 

Kaner taking the puck for a spin.

 

The birthday boy seems zoned out.

 

Buff likes his sign.

 

 Jimmy's hair looks pretty epic here.

 

Bogo

 

Mason seeing some shots in his old city.

 

Mason's mask is kind of cool, too.  It has Iron Maiden's Eddie character flying a jet.

 

 Tracy gives Buff some rabbit ears.

 

Guess Buff has had enough.

 

In addition to this being an important game for Thrashers fans, it was a big night for Nashville.  Prodigal son, Alexander Radulov was returning from the KHL. Though I was glad to see my old team and show them love at warm ups, I was 100% pulling for the Preds.

Pekka tracks the puck.

 

 Chaos in the net.

 

The Preds take action to Pavelec.

 

My friend Weekesie is up there doing the Hockey Night in Canada broadcast. *waves* HI KEVIN!

 

Whoopsie!  Pavs lost something there.

 

Pavs:  Damn guys, I just got my stick back.

 

The Preds put pressure on the Jets.

 

It pays off!

 

Message from Belly Guy.

 

The fans have the Frosty countdown going. 

 

As always, the pre-third period stretch from Hainsey.

 

The Jets try and take some offense to the Predators' net.

 

Gnash watches the action.

 

Time out Jets.

 

With the clock winding down, the Jets put pressure on the Preds.  No such luck for them though, Preds win!

 

Some disgusted Thrashers fans threw their jerseys on the ice.

 

Maybe it was in memorium or protest, but it did make Puck Daddy and some other sports news.  I'm sure the Atlanta Spirit doesn't give two shits. 

 

The cat with the coolest toys...Gnash.

 

Way to come back, Rads!  He was the #2 star.

 

And of course, Pekka Rinne was the #1 star.  Pekka tosses a shirt to a fan.

It was so good to see the team and all of my hockey friends, but it was sad at the same time.  At least most of us felt like we got the chance to say goodbye.