Predators First Preseason Game Round-Up and Friday Findings

Last night the Predators played their first game against an outside opponent and the outcome was fairly predictable with a 3-1 loss that was much closer than the score appeared. The team had several chances to tie the game up until Eric Cole's empty netter with 38 seconds remaining.

The Preds were out-experienced at almost every position as they went with a young line-up while Carolina brought a near full complement of players. Here is our story from last night that includes tonight's line-up against these same Hurricanes for the game in Raleigh at 6.p.m.

There is no local radio or TV for tonight's rematch, but the Carolina radio cast may be found here. Earlier this week, in their prior home game, there was also a video feed at the Hurricanes' web site.

Predators-Hurricanes Game Round-Up...

Josh Cooper had his game story and postgame ponderings. Bryan Mullen also chipped in with a notes column.

Jim Diamond has his game story at the Examiner.

David Boclair has his view of the game at The City Paper.

From the blogs comes reports from Predlines, Brandon Felder, Section 303, On The Forecheck, See Puck City, Hockey Night in Nashville, and Big Kev.

From Carolina comes the AP story (Jim Diamond) from the News and Observer and from Bob Wage at Cane Country.

In Pred Nation...

Josh Cooper has a few quotes from Blake Geoffrion on his first game as a Pred and from Ryan Ellis on skating with Shea Weber. Jon Blum also talks about his chances to make the team.

Just in time for the season, Brandon Felder returns (without actually physically leaving).

Mark Willoughby is still under observation from his dog bite episode but still filled his weekly "My View."

Dirk Hoag has his comprehensive team preview for the Predators.

The Hockey News Puck Panel has the Predators as a "sleeper" pick. Phoenix was a "sleeper" last year. When you make the playoffs five out of six seasons, I would think that it would be an expectation and not a "sleeper."

The Predators announced the first annual Play With a Pro casino night fundraiser that is set for October 7. Go here for details.

The Predators Green Lady is back. Follow her at @PredsGreenLady.

The Milwaukee Admirals announced a return engagement by the Dropkick Murphys for their game on February 25.

Traditional Predator Drama with the Tennessean...

Mark at The View From 111 shares his Letter to the Editor at the Tennessean which shoots holes in yesterday's very tired storyline about the Predators' alleged lease violation. It's too bad most Pred fans have resorted to reading the paper on line, because most canceled a long time ago. It is a real shame that all of the great work that new Pred beat writer Josh Cooper is doing has to be associated with the muck that business writers like to sensationalize.

Paul McCann also jumps in with a rebuttal to the Tennessean article.

Dan Bradley adds humor to the Tennessean situation at Excellence Through Guesswork.

Predator officials admitted that the issue should not have come up and promised to rectify the past misdeeds at the Sports Authority meeting yesterday. Having a new President and CEO in place should prevent future problems in the compliance area.

Around the NHL...

Drafted 2 did give Launy "The" Schwartz five questions after he was DQed and actually published them. I don't understand why they can't accept the fact that he did not lie and showed far more integrity than anyone associated with the show.

An the official announcement of a "Hard Knocks" type series on the Caps and Pens came yesterday. That one snuck up on everyone.

In a controversial early suspension, Nick Boynton gets a game for a "throat slashing" gesture. The season can't be far away now.

There is nothing worse than ownership uncertainty in a franchise. Mike Heika reports that it could be next season before the Stars' situation is resolved.

On Frozen Blog has a nice post about the latest NHL decision on bloggers in visitor locker rooms.

The war of words between Damian Cox and Ted Leonsis rages on.

NHL.com has an update on Mandi Schwartz's stem cell transplant on Wednesday.

The Hockey Writers are starting a new radio show on Sunday. Here are the details.

The Southeast Division gets the treatment from Intent to Blow.

Odds and Ends...

My friend @tapeleg is looking out for my interests and showed me this clip of a new roller derby documentary that just came out in a few markets. Brutal Beauty: Tales of The Rose City Rollers looks like a must see.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass