Mike Fisher Says Disallowed Goal in Game 6 vs. Penguins Was 'Tough'
Jun 12, 2017
NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 11: Matt Murray #30 of the Pittsburgh Penguins defends the goal as Colton Sissons #10 of the Nashville Predators reachs for the puck during the second period in Game Six of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Bridgestone Arena on June 11, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
Nashville Predators fans will remember the disallowed goal in Game 6 for years, but captain Mike Fisher was understanding after the game.
"Yeah, it's tough...but that's sports," he said, per John Shannon of Sportsnet. "And there's human error in every sport...it wasn't on purpose."
The play in question came in the second period of a scoreless battle against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Colton Sissons appeared to have the go-ahead goal off a rebound into an open net. Unfortunately, the official inadvertently blew the whistle, stopping action before the score could count.
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) June 12, 2017
The game remained scoreless until Patric Hornqvist came through with the game-winner for Pittsburgh in what became a 2-0 victory. The Penguins were able to celebrate their second straight Stanley Cup title while the Predators saw their season come to an end.
It's unknown what would have happened if the goal had counted, but the "what if" could remain a focus for this team for some time.
Colton Sissons Won't Be Suspended for High Stick in Game 5 vs. Penguins
Jun 9, 2017
NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 03: Colton Sissons #10 of the Nashville Predators skates against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period in Game Three of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Bridgestone Arena on June 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
The NHLannounced Friday that Nashville Predators forward Colton Sissons will not be suspended for Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final after his involvement in a high-sticking incident in Game 5.
Sissons received a match penalty late in Game 5 for cross-checking Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta in the face.
Preds head coach Peter Laviolette told reporters he didn't believe Sissons intentionally checked Maatta high:
"I watched it play out. I saw Maatta cross-check him, Colton cross-checked him back, Maatta cross-checked him again, and they were doing it somewhere in the midsection. On the last one, Maatta seemed to slip and his head dropped. I don't think there was any intention there whatsoever, so—I don't think so, but that's not my call."
Sissons has been a key part of Nashville's deep and varied offensive attack in these playoffs with six goals and six assists for 12 points in 21 games.
During the regular season, the 23-year-old had just eight goals and two assists for 10 points in 58 contests.
Nashville fell 6-0 in Game 5 and will enter Sunday's Game 6 trailing in the series 3-2.
Colton Sissons Suspended for Game 6 of Stanley Cup Final for High Stick
Jun 9, 2017
NASHVILLE, TN - MAY 22: Colton Sissons #10 of the Nashville Predators celebrates against the Anaheim Ducks in Game Six of the Western Conference Final during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on May 22, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/NHL/Getty Images)
The Nashville Predators will reportedly be without forward Colton Sissons for Sunday's Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final.
On Thursday, Sportsnet reported Sissons was suspended one game after he received a match penalty in the final minute of the Pittsburgh Penguins' 6-0 victory in Game 5. Sissons cross-checked Pittsburgh's Olli Maatta, drawing the penalty.
Sissons' hit was part of a physical third period that featured 90 combined penalty minutes between the two teams, per Sportsnet. Things were chippy before the third period as Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby and Nashville's P.K. Subban were in a scuffle that saw Crosby drive Subban's head into the ice.
As for Sissons' suspension, Chris Johnston of Sportsnet pointed to the match penalties ruling ensuring the punishment:
Colton Sissons received a match penalty for cross-checking Olli Maatta in the nose. By rule, he's suspended pending NHL review. pic.twitter.com/uJgbYbX9jK
Sissons wasn't a formidable offensive threat during the regular season with 10 points in 58 games, but he has 12 points in the playoffs. What's more, the Predators are already without center Ryan Johansen for the rest of the postseason after he underwent surgery, leaving them particularly shorthanded against Pittsburgh goaltender Matt Murray after he notched a shutout Thursday.
Nashville is 9-1 at home in the playoffs and will need to generate more magic in Bridgestone Arena without Sissons to extend the series to a decisive seventh game.
Frederick Gaudreau Makes History with Game-Winner in Game 4
Jun 6, 2017
NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 03: Frederick Gaudreau #32 of the Nashville Predators skates against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Three of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Bridgestone Arena on June 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Nashville Predators rookie forward Frederick Gaudreau notched his second game-winner of the Stanley Cup Final in Game 4 on Monday—his third tally of the playoffs.
Gaudreau, who had skated in 11 NHL games prior to this series, is just the second player in league history to have scored each of his first three goals in the Stanley Cup Final, per the Elias Sports Bureau (via ESPN.com). John Harms did the same as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks against the Montreal Canadiens in the 1944 Stanley Cup Final.
Prior to Gaudreau's two game-winners in Game 3 and Game 4, rookie Jake Guentzel did the same for the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 1 and Game 2. This marks the first time in NHL history that two different players have notched consecutive game-winning goals in the Stanley Cup Final.
While the Predators struggled to find their footing on the road during the first two games of the series, they continued their dominance at home during the 2017 playoffs in Monday's Game 4. The club owns a 9-1 record through 10 playoff contests at home, losing only to the Anaheim Ducks in overtime of Game 4 in the Western Conference Final.
However, if Nashville wants a shot at the Cup, it will have to win a game on the road in Pittsburgh. The group receives its next attempt to do so Thursday evening at PPG Paints Arena. Should they manage to win, the Predators will return home with an opportunity to earn the franchise's first title since its inception in 1998-99.
Predators Fans Kiss Behind TV Reporter on Camera Following Stanley Cup Win
When people see a reporter trying to do his or her job on camera, they naturally need to steal the attention in the most obnoxious way possible.
On Monday night, the Nashville Predators evened the Stanley Cup Final with a 4-1 Game 4 victory. Two passionate fans celebrated by smooching behind WSMV Channel 4's Chris Harris outside Bridgestone Arena.
Harris continued his report, but they were still exchanging saliva after cutting back from postgame interview segments. At that point, he turned back and acknowledged the public display of affection.
He made an uncomfortable moment even creepier with a closing line of "This is how it is in Smashville, baby."
Pekka Rinne, Predators Cruise to Game 4 Win vs. Penguins in Stanley Cup Final
Jun 5, 2017
NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 05: Calle Jarnkrok #19 of the Nashville Predators celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against Matt Murray #30 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period in Game Four of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Bridgestone Arena on June 5, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
The Nashville Predators evened the 2017 Stanley Cup Final at 2-2 with a 4-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 4 Monday night in Bridgestone Arena.
After getting pulled during the third period of Nashville's Game 2 defeat and allowing eight goals in the first two games, Pekka Rinne put together another strong performance to help lead the Predators to victory. He made 23 saves on 24 shots.
In a frenzy in front of the net during the second period, the veteran goaltender was especially important in preserving Nashville's 2-1 lead. First, he saved a shot from Sidney Crosby and blocked the rebound. Then he sprawled out to deny Jake Guentzel an open goal.
NHL on NBC shared a replay of the nerve-racking sequence:
A little over four minutes after Rinne's double save, Viktor Arvidsson put the Predators ahead 3-1. Mike Fisher's assist was arguably better than the goal. Fisher delivered a perfect pass ahead to Arvidsson as he was falling down to the ice.
Fox Sports Tennessee's Kristopher Martel praised Fisher's effort on the play:
That's an "I want a Cup so damn bad" pass from Mike Fisher. Holy hell.
— Kristopher Martel (@kmartel_sports) June 6, 2017
While Rinne's save was the biggest moment of the game, things may have transpired much differently if officials hadn't stopped play to determine whether Frederick Gaudreau's shot crossed the goal line with 3:45 elapsed in the second period.
Referees initially allowed the game to continue after it appeared Matt Murray saved Gaudreau's wraparound effort. Upon review, it became clear Gaudreau had scored.
NHL on NBC showed the slim margin separating a tie game from a 2-1 Predators advantage:
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) June 6, 2017
Given how well they played, the Predators may have prevailed even without Gaudreau's goal. The replay review highlighted how just about everything went right for them Monday night.
As the series shifted to Nashville, things weren't looking great for the Predators. While they may have been the better team on balance in the first game, they were thoroughly outmatched in the second, with big questions hovering over whether the team could trust Rinne between the pipes.
But after four games, the Stanley Cup Final is tied, and Rinne's struggles have quickly been pushed to the back of fans' minds.
A big defeat at the hands of the Penguins in Game 5 would dampen much of the optimism surrounding the Predators, but Nashville did exactly what it needed to in Games 3 and 4.
How the Penguins respond when the series heads back to PPG Paints Arena on Thursday night is the big question. They won't want to create a must-win situation for themselves in Game 6, with a raucous Bridgestone Arena crowd cheering on the Predators.
Predators Earn Critical Game 3 Win vs. Penguins; Pekka Rinne Makes 27 Saves
Jun 3, 2017
Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9), of Sweden, and defenseman Yannick Weber (7), of Switzerland, celebrate with right wing Craig Smith (15) after Smith's goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals Saturday, June 3, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Playing in front of a raucous home crowd, the Nashville Predators overwhelmed the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-1 in Game 3 of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final on Saturday.
After the Penguins jumped out to a 1-0 lead two minutes, 46 seconds into the first period, the Predators scored the final five goalsto cut Pittsburgh's series lead to 2-1.
Predators' 2nd-Period Rally
The Predators got the momentum on their side 5:51 into the second period, when Roman Josi and Frederick Gaudreau scored within 42 seconds of each other. The NHL shared Gaudreau's goal:
James Neal got in on the goal-scoring parade in the second period, putting Nashville up 3-1 with 23 seconds remaining before intermission. Craig Smith and Mattias Ekholm added insurance goals in the third period to seal the win.
The internet had fun with Nashville finally getting reasons to cheer its team in the Stanley Cup Final:
Just as important for the Predators was the bounce-back effort from goalie Pekka Rinne. After allowing eight goals in the first two games, the 34-year-old rebounded with 27 saves on 28 shotsand earned his first career victory over the Penguins.
NHL.com's Robby Stanley was complimentary of Rinne's ability to settle down after that early misstep:
Full credit to Pekka Rinne. Looked shaky to start but has played very well since.
The Penguins got to Rinne early thanks to Jake Guentzel's rebound shot under three minutes into the first period, which gave the visitors a 1-0 lead, as the team relayed on Twitter:
The 22-year-old Guentzel is having a spectacular postseason coming off a campaign in which he had 33 points in 40 games. He's got 20points in 22 playoff contests, including four goals in the Stanley Cup Final.
On the list of accolades for Guentzel, ESPN Stats & Info highlighted this one:
Any hope the Predators had to win this series depended on their taking Game 3. Only four teams have come back from a 3-0 deficit in the NHL playoffs, and the Penguins looked like an unstoppable machine in their two games at home.
The Predators held serve on their home ice, surpassing their goal total from the first two contests in Saturday's win and improving to 8-1 in front of their fans this postseason.
Now, the pressure shifts back to the Penguins, who must figure out how to overcome the intimidating presence that is Bridgestone Arena on Monday.
Tennessee Titans Offensive Linemen Share Beer with Catfish
Catfish and rowdy Tennessee Titans players cheering them on have become traditions during the Nashville Predators' run to the Stanley Cup Final.
On Wednesday night, multiple Tennessee players attended a watch party for Game 2 of the series between Nashville and the Pittsburgh Penguins, which took place at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.
Along with slamming beers, a couple of the players also, uh, shared their beverages with the fish they brought along.
Unfortunately for Predators fans, Pittsburgh jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the third period of the contest.
Predators Fan Has Charges Dropped After Throwing Catfish on Ice During Game 1
May 31, 2017
ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 14: A catfish that was thrown on the ice is seen prior to Game Two of the Western Conference Final between the Nashville Predators and the Anaheim Ducks during the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on May 14, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Charges filed against Jacob Waddell for throwing a dead catfish on the ice during Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Nashville Predators and Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh were dropped Wednesday.
According to WTAE and the Associated Press, charges of disorderly conduct, possessing instruments of crime and disrupting meetings or processions were withdrawn.
Waddell, a 36-year-old Preds fan from Nolensville, Tennessee, called himself "an ignorant redneck" on Nashville radio station WGFX-FM following the incident, per WTAE.
While Waddell was ejected from the game, Allegheny County District Attorney's Office spokesman Mike Manko released a statement Wednesday saying that District Attorney Stephen Zappala did not believe his actions were criminal in nature.
The Predators battled back from a 3-0 deficit to tie Game 1 at 3-3 with less than seven minutes remaining in regulation, but Jake Guentzel put the Pens back on top with just over three minutes left, and Nick Bonino iced the game with an empty-net goal.
Pittsburgh will host Nashville for Wednesday's Game 2 at 8 p.m. ET.
Predators Fan Charged After Throwing Catfish on Ice During Game 1 vs. Penguins
May 30, 2017
May 29, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; An ice crew member removes a catfish that was thrown on the ice during the second period in game one of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Nashville Predators at PPG PAINTS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jacob Waddell, a Nashville Predators fan who threw a catfish on the ice during Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Predators and Pittsburgh Penguins, has been charged with "disorderly conduct, disrupting a meeting and possessing instruments of a crime," according to CBS Pittsburgh.
According to TMZ Sports, Waddell could be facing six years in prison if convicted on all charges.
Waddell threw the catfish on the ice at the 16:40 mark of the second period, causing play to be stopped as the fish was removed from the ice. He was promptly kicked out of the PPG Paints Arena.
CBS Pittsburgh shared an image of the catfish on the ice:
Throwing catfish on the ice has become a tradition among Nashville fans, though Waddell had to jump through several hoops to bring one into Pittsburgh's arena, per CBS Pittsburgh:
"He said he brought the catfish with him from Nashville. Wholey’s Fish Market in Pittsburgh’s Strip District had announced before the start of the Stanley Cup Final that it would not sell catfish to Predators fans. Waddell said he vacuum sealed the fish and placed it inside his compression shorts. Once inside the arena, he entered a restroom, wrapped the fish in a free T-shirt and towel handed out at the gate and went to his seat."
Singer Carrie Underwood, the wife of Predators captain Mike Fisher, appreciated the effort:
