the nhl experience - nashville style

I've shot a good deal of video at recent Predators games.
As a result, i have a series of them uploaded to Google Video that, when strung together, may give you some idea what attending games can be like. (All of these can be viewed much larger by clicking on the Google Video logo instead of just hitting play)

First, we have the occasional open practice the day before a game. The Sportsplex is open to anyone that wants to watch the players run drills or sometimes even have a full practice.


Second, we have the pre-game warm-ups.
Anyone is allowed to go down near ice level (or to the glass if you get there early enough) and watch the players up close. If you are lucky, you may even be one of the many fans that J.P. Dumont or Vern Fiddler flips a puck to over the glass.


Next we have the visitor starting lineups.
In Nashville we have the tradition of yelling "SUCKS!" after each visiting players name is called out. After the coach, we yell "AND HE SUCKS TOO!"


After that, the Predators mascot, Gnash, is introduced. Sometimes he just comes out on the ice riding a four wheeler. Sometimes he comes straight down a rip line. But for really big games (first and last games of the year, playoffs, etc) he will come down the rip line swinging.


Then of course we have the Predators starting lineups as everyone skates out for the game.


Once the game gets starting, it usually isn't long before someone on the opposing team is whisted for a penalty and has to go to the penalty box.
For this, we all yell "AHHHHHH...SIT DOWN YA LOSER!"


Once we are on the power play, it usually isn't very long until we get to go through one of the many stages of our goal celebration with our own creative lyrics to "The Hey Song"


During intermission, there is usually some sort of silly contest featuring some people in tennis shoes trying to run around on the ice. This is my favorite flavor:


After a while the opposing team gets tired of being pushed around and they may start a little fight or two...and then someone may throw a catfish on the ice...and sometimes they happen all at once


So see, it is so much fun - everyone should come out and watch all the hockey games they can in person!