NHL Update – Nashville Predators win 4-3 against the Atlanta Thrashers in close encounter
The Nashville Predators were up against the Atlanta Thrashers in the 67th game of the NHL preseason on Wednesday, 29th September, 2010. The game took place in the Phillips Arena, home of the Atlanta Thrashers. Both teams last encounter
saw the Nashville Predators emerge as the winners by 2-1. Looking to make it a double in the week, the Nashville Predators won the 2nd encounter between the do by 4-3.
First period
Both teams keeping in mind the last encounter knew that the game would be won by the team that had the stronger defence. The game between the two is never an offensively dominated battle. However, this time there were a lot of goals during the course of
the match.
Both teams looked shaky on the offence, but once they settled, shots started to fire in on goals from long ranges. The first goal that came for the Nashville Predators in the 11th minute was a result of 16 feet shot by Martin Erat.
From there on, the game turned into a defence dominated battle as expected. However, both teams went on the offence with great courage but were unable to convert it into a goal. It was Atlanta Thrashers who successfully managed to get past the goal keeper
in the last minute if the first period to level the score as the teams went in. The score was a well worked team that saw a string of passes netted by Nigel Dawes in the end.
At the end of the first period, the both team managed to score of the goal attempts they made.
Second period
The 2nd period promised to be a tough and exciting one given that both teams were level at the end of the first period.
As soon as the period started, the Nashville Predators managed to come up with early goal attempts. Coupled with this was the tight defence they maintained that restricted the opposition from even entering into their half. Constantly attacking the home team’s
defence, the Nashville Predators managed to score in the ninth minute thanks to a 23 feet snap shot by Ryan Sutter. This took the score to 2-1 in favour of the Nashville Predators. In order to establish a more healthy lead, the Nashville Predators pressed
forward and managed to score once again in the 11th minute. This was Martin Erat’s second goal that put the Predators in a good lead with the score on 3-1.
The Atlanta Thrashers responded immediately when they scored through, Freddy Meyer in the 12th minute. With only 1 goal deficit, the Thrasher attacked regularly, scored again in the 14th minute, and tied the match once again at 3-3.
The strong defence that Nashville managed during the first part of the period was nowhere to be seen. The period ended with both teams coming up with 14 goal attempts and both were able to find the back of the net twice.
Third period
With the same situation as in the starting of the second period, both teams were cautious during the course of this period. The early part of the period was dominated by the Atlanta Thrashers on the offence. On the contrary, the Nashville maintained a tight,
lock down defence that resulted in them having a chance to make the double this week against the Thrashers.
Both teams were looking to score on the counter attack after the 5th minute rather than to press forward. This was not possible until once team decided to attack. In this case, it was the Atlanta Thrashers. However, it back fired as the Nashville
Predators scored in the ninth minute through a counter attack. The goal scorer was David Legwand, who hit a snap shot from 16 feet that found the back of the net.
The period ended with no further goals and the Nashville Predators won the match 4-3 making the double this week.
At the end of the period, the Nashville Predators were able to bag 1 goal out of the 7 goal attempts. The Atlanta Thrashers were able to make 5 goal attempts but couldn’t score.
At the end of the match, Nashville Predators 1st star selection Martin Erat said that he was glad that he scored twice and more importantly won the match.
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