Monday, February 28, 2011

Clash of Enemies and Trade Deadline Monday Round-Up

After yesterday's game, the first thing Barry Trotz said was "It was a war." That pretty much summed it up in four words. As in any war, it was actually made up of many small battles that culminated in a final victory as the sixty minute clock wore down.

I have about decided that in spite of the lopsided win-loss record in favor of the Predators that the Jackets-Preds rivalry may be one of the strongest ones in the league and certainly for Nashville since the lockout.

The winning goal came from none other than David Legwand, a player that has given his all for the Predators and played the last part of the game in spite of a injured foot that had to be covered in ice after his skate was removed.

The two teams really do not like each other... at all. Legwand spoke of the Jackets, "That's one of our enemies over there and they played us hard."

There were minor skirmishes throughout the game that intensified as the clock wore down. With ten seconds left in the game, R. J. Umberger knocked captain Shea Weber into the dasher board face first that left a bloody gash beside his right eye. The officials whistled nothing.

The hit was worse than the boarding call against Weber in Dallas on Saturday and Shea took exception to the no-call. On the ensuing play, after a Predator time out with six seconds left Weber's hatred for the Jackets erupted again as he was charged with a roughing penalty as well as a cross check.

The Dark Blue Jacket gives another side of the story talking about Weber's "petticoats". I hope those two never meet because they'll need more than Petticoats to clean up the blood..

Later on in the evening, Aaron Portzline indicated that the league was reviewing the end of game skirmish with a Tweet saying, "Told the NHL is reviewing actions of #Preds D Shea Weber - two x-checks, one punch on Tyutin - @ end of today's game."

As Barry Trotz has said on numerous occasions, the Predators never take the easy way. So, once again, if Weber is accessed supplemental discipline and the Predators have to pluck another player from Milwaukee then it will be one more example of "the Predator Way."

Predators - Blue Jackets Round-Up...

Here is our game story from last night with postgame video. As a supplement to yesterday's story, the Preds finished the day with 72 points and in tent place. Minnesota, Dallas and Chicago are also at 72 and are in seventh through ninth place.

Josh Cooper had his game story, notes column, and postgame ponderings.

Yesterday's win was sweet but Jim Diamond has the great story about Blake "Boomer" Geoffrion's welcome to Nashville during warm-ups.

David Boclair has his story at The City Paper with a twist about a different role for Shea Weber..

From the blog world reports come from Ryan Porth, Amanda DiPaolo, Mark Willoughby, Dirk Hoag (with his advances stats), Jeremy Gover, Predatorial, and Fang Finger Fever.

Special recognition to Robby of Hockey Night in Nashville who spent his first game on Bloggers Row and in the post game locker room. Great Job!

The sad stories from yesterday's game come from the Columbus Dispatch, The Dark Blue Jacket, and The Cannon.

Postgame audio from the Predators comes from Jon Blum, Blake Geoffrion, David Legwand, and Shea Weber. Blue Jacket audio comes from Rick Nash, Kris Russell, Fedor Tyutin, and Coach Scott Arneil.

In Pred Nation...

A note from last night from the Predators indicated that practice was canceled for today.

Josh Cooper spoke with David Poile about the swirling trade rumors during yesterday's game.

Yesterday's no-goal call that went against Columbus is the object of questioning the NHL war room at Puck Daddy. It appeared to be a goal but I never saw a good camera angle on it.

Dirk Hoag was up early with his morning links today.

Around the NHL...

The last first rounder from the 2003 draft finally made his first NHL appearance. Ex Pred Hugh Jessiman hit the ice with the Florida Panthers yesterday. He had two shots in 12 shifts and 9:31 of ice time in the Panthers 2-1 loss to the Devils.

A couple of early trades went down last night. The Anaheim Ducks sent David Laliberte and Steaputfan Chaput to Boston Bruins for Brian McGrattan and Sean Zimmerman. Then the Buffalo Sabres picked up Brad Boyes from St. Louis for a second rounder.

Kevin Allen has his deadline day preview and reminds folks that the deadline last year that produced 31 deals involving 55 players was two days after the Olympic roster freeze was lifted.

One player in numerous trade rumors appears to be staying put as Chris Phillips signed a three year deal with Ottawa.

Matthew Hulsizer tells FSAZ that he Coyotes deal will close despite the recent delays.

It doesn't sound like The Sporting News-Fanhouse deal went as smoothly as anticipated.

Odds and Ends...

Are you ready for for some "baby gaga" breast milk ice cream?

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOntheGlass

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