Goo-Goo Game Winner by Mike Fisher Leads Predators to 4-1 Win

For 25 home contests, fans in Smashville flocked, in record numbers, to Bridgestone Arena with the anticipation that the Nashville Predators would score in the last minute of the second period and that everyone in the building would receive a free Goo-Goo Cluster.

Twenty-five times, fans went home without the scrumptious treat that is made with "real milk chocolate, caramel, peanuts and marshmallow nougat."

All that changed on Monday night in the Predators 4-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Mike Fisher picked up a rebound off of a Shea Weber slap shot and slipped it past goalie Steve Mason for a power play goal with 29 seconds remaining in the second period to reward the 14,310 folks in attendance with the long awaited Goo-Goo Goal.

The higher probability for the deed was set in motion with two minutes remaining in the period when Columbus was called for two many men on the ice giving the Predators the man advantage for the remainder of the period.

Anticipation was building as the clock ticked toward the one minute mark. Hearts stopped when Marty Erat banged a shot off the crossbar as the one minute mark was approaching. Many thought that the puck had crossed the red line and that the goal would come prematurely, before the magical 60 second mark.



Play stopped with 1:10 remaining and it became clear that Erat's shot was not a goal and that the power play would continue.

The game resumed and Fisher won the faceoff and the clock moved quickly into the Goo-Goo minute with the Predators keeping the pressure on the Jackets. The Predators moved the puck deftly around the Columbus zone. Finally, Ryan Suter sent the puck cross-ice to Weber who uncorked a blast that rebounded to Fisher who finished the much anticipated Goo-Goo Goal which turned out to be the game-winner.



Mike Fisher was humble about the accomplishment after the game. "It's a big honor." Fisher was not aware that it was the season's first Goo-Goo moment and explained, "If I had known, maybe I would have celebrated a little bit more."



Ryan Suter, who set the play in motion, was happy for the fans to receive the treats. "It's so exciting for the fans to get the Goo-Goo. It's exciting to be a part of it."

Patric Hornqvist almost accomplished the feat on January 7 against Carolina as was documented at the time.    He was also excited about both of the fan's freebies from the game. "It's exciting for the fans to get the Frosties and the Goo-Goo's so hopefully we'll see more of the fan's coming back again."

Coach Barry Trotz had the final say on the momentous moment. "That's great. I love them. They're awesome. Everything you are not supposed to have all together in one."

"It's actually awesome. To me, the Goo-Goo Cluster is the Canadian (sic -American) version of the chocolate turtle and that's one of my favorites."

Everyone that was in attendance on Monday night left the Bridgestone Arena with a smile on their face and a coupon for a Goo-Goo in their pocket. The game will long be remembered as the first Goo-Goo Goal game in Nashville Predators' history.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOntheGlass