A controversial move by the Nashville Predators evolved into one of the major storylines in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

 

The Predators suspended European forwards Alexander Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn for game three against the Phoenix Coyotes for violating team rules and missing curfew prior to game two.

 

When the one game suspension was lifted, Coach Barry Trotz decided to sit the pair again in game four; however, both were re-inserted in the lineup in game five, a 2-1 loss that ended the series.

Trotz’s reasoning after game three (a 2-0 victory) was that Nashville had an 0-2 record in the Phoenix series with them and 1-0 without them, so at that point there was no need for a change. As it turned out, the Predators lack of offence cost them in a 1-0 loss in game four and that opened the door for their return.

While Trotz certainly took criticism for what could be perceived as a harsh decision to sit the pair twice, one has to admire him for his convictions and resiliency.

 

Radulov and Kostitsyn put their own personal choices ahead of the team; actions that cannot be tolerated at any level. If the Predators gave them a slap on the wrist and not bench them, the other players on the team would have received the wrong message. In other words, why have rules if they are not enforced?

Trotz is the second-longest tenured coach in the NHL behind only Buffalo’s Lindy Ruff. He’s the only coach in Nashville’s franchise history, a total of 13 seasons and 14 years. Trotz has earned immense respect in the game and certainly isn’t worried about job security. He has the kind of clout not all other coaches enjoy and is in complete control of his players, superstars or not.

Radulov and Kostitsyn are not superstars, but they are top six forwards on the team. They are also “Johnny-come-lately” players that have not been invested in the Predators like most of their teammates. They clearly disrespected the organization with their actions.

Radulov, who is from Russia, joined the club in March from the KHL and Kostitsyn, from Belarus, arrived at the trade deadline from Montreal. Keep this in mind; the Predators were a very good team long before their arrival.

 

The details of their curfew breaking have mostly been kept in house, but it was important for Trotz, GM David Poile and the organization to be consistent and not divert from their principles.

“We have always operated with a team-first mentality and philosophy. Violating team rules is not fair to our team and their teammates," Poile told the media. This situation certainly had Nashville suffering short term pain (losing to the Coyotes) but in reality will have long term gain.

 

The Predators hierarchy showed leadership and demonstrated that yes skill is important, but not to the degree that the “inmates will run the asylum”. In today’s sports world, this philosophy is a welcome change.

 

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In the end, the Predators could not solve Phoenix goalie Mike Smith, despite Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn’s playing status.

 

Once again, like the other series that has been played in the Stanley Cup playoffs, the team with the better goalie won, as Smith was superior to Pekka Rinne. This has to be sweet for Smith, who is not a Vezina finalist, an honor bestowed on Rinne, even though the Phoenix goalie had better regular season stats.

 

The Coyotes will play L.A. in the West final and I expect the Kings to win a six game series. While Jonathan Quick has been terrific for the Kings in goal, he may not even be their MVP as Captain Dustin Brown arguably has that honor. With Phoenix, it’s all Smith and nobody else.

 

Smith has stopped 379 of 400 shots in 11 post-season games for a .948 save percentage. That means he has faced an average of over 36 per game, by far more than any other goalie. Even his back-up, Jason Labarbera of Prince George, has marveled at Smith’s heroics and has celebrated the wins as much as any fan.

 

With new ownership on the horizon and hockey in May, the Coyotes faithful should continue to soak up these good times now, because other than winning a championship, it doesn’t get better than this.

 

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Happy anniversary to Elaine and Ben! It was seven years ago on Friday, May 13^th, 2005 that the face of news changed in Prince George with the official launch of the Opinion 250 Website. The Meisners, with an extensive background in mainstream news, took a leadership role in the significance and development of online news in the north. They have since been rewarded for their vision, determination and fortitude.

 

Nonetheless, it is you, the consumer and reader that deserve the accolades for the progression of the website. It is clear that the comments, suggestions, exchange of ideas and yes, criticism have been paramount to the success of 250!

 

The partnership between the Meisners, their employees and the readers is a classic case of a win-win situation. Cheers too many more years!

 

 

Oil Can Boyd says he used cocaine every day when he pitched for the Red Sox in 1986, a year he won 16 games with a 3.78 ERA. Talk about things going better with Coke.

 

 

Chipper Jones, 40, is mad at Jamie Moyer, 49, for accusing him of stealing signs. I guess this episode is baseball’s version of "Grumpy Old Men."

Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, Californiawww.leftcoastsportsbabe.com

 

Jamie Moyer has accused Chipper Jones of stealing signs. Of course Moyer used to steal signs when he was younger. Most of them said “Caution, Chariot Crossing.” 

 

 

 

Jared Weaver broke a tradition of leaving teammates during a possible no-hit bid by going to the bathroom in the eighth inning. Thus, this becomes the first no-hitter ever pitched in relief.

 

 

Andy Pettitte is set to start on Sunday when he rejoins the Yankees. He says he hopes he doesn’t misremember his fastball. 

 

 

 

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels was suspended and fined for beaning rookie Bryce Harper on purpose. On the plus side, the city of New Orleans just gave Cole “Honorary Captain” status on their pro football team.

 

 

Can’t wait to watch the Lingerie Football League on my new 65 inch (size matters) H-DD TV. Talk about a perfect Boob Tube for my Man Cave. 

 

 

 

The Tampa Bay Lightning will install a new $5 million HD video screen in its home arena. It’s because over the decades, when you think of great innovative ice hockey, you think “Tampa Bay”. 

 

 

Toronto’s mayor refused to speak to reporters during a very brief photo opportunity outside his office inside City Hall. Citizens of Toronto hope the Toronto Maple Leafs GM will show the same pity on Torontonians for the summer.

The provincial government has introduced legislation to regulate boxing, kick-boxing and mixed martial arts events across B.C. The bill is known as the kicking, gouging, biting and slapping outside the Legislature amendment and will be law once the backroom scuffles are finished.

Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgaryhttp://smacksport.blogspot.com

 

 

 

 

A cow wandered up to the drive-through window at a Colorado McDonald’s. My first question would have been, "Do you want flies with that?"

Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com