Ohhhh…my pantaloons are creased and jaunty! The Quarrytorium was cranked last night as the Blackholes made their first visit of the campaign and the Preds sent them packin’ with a high drama 3-2 win on national TV. Thusly, with the 6th straight home victory, Nashville moves into a tie for 2nd place in the Central, just 2 points behind the Blosers.
The JOFA line got things started as Scoresberg followed his own shot thru a feisty Arvy screen in front of the net and laid-in the rebound past the Kitty Hawks’ Anton Forsberg for his dozenth G. Prince Filip maintains his slightly more than a point per-game pace with his 25th in 24 contests. Joey and Arvy got apples as well.
The Grinders stuck their nose in it all night, and Austin 3:16 was rewarded with his 3rd tally in the second stanza. He took a crushing check into the boards behind the net, but immediately scrambled out to the goal mouth and deflected Irwin’s laser from the point to give the Preds the lead again.
The GWG came in the third frame on the PP after Kandy Kane was called for a cheap shot high stick to the face. Turris navigated through a scramble along the right boards and wired a perfect pass cross-ice to Cap’n Roman who unleashed a hellish blast that ever-so-slightly changed direction off of Seabass’s leg before rippling the twine.
The Chicken Hawks continued to flail away and pulled within a goal again, but the ImPEKKAble One was more than up to the task, with numerous acrobatic stops throughout the contest. Several flurries vs. Kane, Toews, Schmaltz, and Wingles earned gold stars. Rinne played out of his ever-lovin’ mind, and the crowd rose numerous times in unison to offer their praise. Besides the adulation, he also earned his 14th win (14-3-2) on the season.
The Smashcat’s Power Play tied a team record of 11 straight home games (every tilt at the Stone so far) with another tally. They’re converting at an incredible 40% clip within the friendly confines for best in the league, and #3 overall.
Special kudos to Watty, who really deserved one of the Three Stars of the Game…not just for his important goal, but also the team high 5 hits, and gutsy 3 blocked shots during the final 10 seconds to help preserve the W. Gotta love the grit he brings every night.
So, the Men in Gold are now 6-1-1 vs. the Central Division, and have taken 5 of 6 points (2-0-1) in the first 3 matches with the Windy City Blowhards. They are now 10-1-1 in their last dozen, and can add to a record-setting November with another win vs. the Canuckleheads come Thursday night back at the Big House on Broadway. Let’s Go Preds!