Don't Miss
Home / Game Notes / Preds Avenge Calgary Loss

Preds Avenge Calgary Loss

Ohhhhhhh….Old Hickory’s feelin’ splendifery! The Music City Sabre Cats continue their prowl of the upper echelons of the NHL by snuffing the Flamers 5-3 in the Saddledump last night. With the W, the Preds sit not only atop the Central Division and Western Conference, but are tied for the best record league-wide at 6-1, good for 12 points. 

However, it did not come without a price. Pekks suffered an undisclosed injury in the 3rd period. Is it a sprain? A tweaked muscle? A contusion? More will be known as today unfolds. One thing’s for sure, it is SO good to have Juuse Saros as a back-up. The young Finn was thrown into the fray with absolutely no warm-up when the score was knotted at 3 apiece, and the Dames were generating momentum. He had to make a couple remarkable point-blank saves literally seconds after play resumed. And he continued to dumbfound the Lames, racking up 9 stops (many of the astonishing variety) to earn the victory and improve his record to 3-0, with a 2.22 GAA, and .917 save %.

The JOFA line continued it’s remarkable chemistry by tallying on their opening shift as Joey racked his 2nd at the back end of a give-and-go with Scoresberg. The FITS Line was also in high gear throughout the evening as Crazy Legs notched his 3rd on a pitchforked backhander, and The Swiss Mist rang-up his first on a man advantage. K.T. had helpers on both. 

And it was the Grinders that generated the game winner, when Rinaldo flew up the right wing and whistled a snapper top shelf—where mama keeps the sippin’ whiskey. That 4th Line has been exceptional so far in this young campaign with 3 goals, over 50 combined hits, and an oppressive forecheck that frustrates the bejeezus out of opponents. 

Prince Filip iced the game with 70 foot spin-o-rama that was created by yeoman efforts by Snossis and R.J. prying the puck away from floundering Flickers. That gives #9 six points in this 4 game win streak (4 g, 2 a).

The team D in front of Rinne and Saros was stout, blocking 20 shots (Hammer leading with 6). They were also strong in the face-off dot at 54%, led by Joey at 67% and Nicky B. at 63%. 

The Smashcats will attempt to remain undefeated on the road as they visit the Toilers further north in Alberta tonight. Let’s go Preds!