Stock Solid as a Rock MTSU

 by Danny Brewer   There have been a couple of consistent things for Middle Tennessee State football over the past decade or so. One has been marked in the left-hand column, the other, the head coach. Since December of 2005, Rick Stockstill has been the leader of the Blue Raider football program. A firmness for fundamentals and excitement for the game has guided the former Florida State quarterback as he has taken the MTSU program from Football Bowl Sub-division infancy to a perennial bowl participant. Four straight post-season appearances and eight trips overall to the bowling alley in thirteen seasons is a solid statement. And now as he prepares to begin his fourteenth season at the Blue Raider helm, Stockstill will stick to those same rock-solid principals. “This is my 37 th year overall in coaching but I still get just as I excited as I did in my first,” says Stockstill. “I love the competitiveness, I love the players, I love the grind. I am still having fun and love what I do. When you quit enjoying it that means it is time to hang it up.” Stockstill has made things fun for a lot of players over the years…

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Vanderbilt Should Hire Drew Maddux for Basketball Coach

Former Commodore star calls this his dream job. For years, Vanderbilt University has been one of the toughest places to play for opposing teams. Their arena, Memorial Gym is the most unorthodox venues in college basketball in the country. Opposing coaches must get used to their bench being behind a basket instead of on the sidelines. Also, the floor is elevated so the game looks like a Broadway production. Through the years, Vanderbilt teams have enjoyed beating top teams because of their advantage. “Memorial Magic” has been witnessed many times on West End. Recently, Vanderbilt fired their head men’s basketball coach Bryce Drew. Drew came in as an up and coming coach from a mid-major program in Indiana, Valparaiso University. At his opening press conference, Drew discussed coaching a Vanderbilt team to a Final Four. Three years later, the Commodores are looking for a new coach. National names have been rumored to be front runners for the job. Former Georgetown University coach John Thompson III, University of Central Florida coach Johnny Dawkins, Murray State University head coach Matt McMahon and Lipscomb University’s head coach Casey Alexander to name a few have been discussed. All have great resumes, but they all…

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Pearl-Cohn, Miquan Tucker Shoot Their Way to Region Victory

Junior small forward Tucker hits 10 three pointers to lead Pearl-Cohn to home game on Monday The Pearl-Cohn Firebirds used a hot shooting night from Miquan Tucker (pictured, right) to outlast the East Nashville Magnet Eagles 71-60 in the Region 5AA championship game from Pearl-Cohn. Tucker went 10 of 17 from behind the three-point line to lead of scorers with 31 points. “I was shooting the ball with confidence and looking for my teammates,” said Tucker. “After winning this game, my focus is on the next game. We have to stay locked in, in practice and execute.” Tucker scored 19 first half points to help stretch a second quarter 17-point lead with 4:21 left in the half. The Eagles closed the half on a 16-6 run to cut the lead to 30-26 on a Caleb Grimes three point shot at the buzzer. After Pearl-Cohn junior post Tyrone Marshall (pictured, left) scored a basket to start the second half, the Eagles went on a mini 6-0 run to tie the score at 32. Marshall then took over on both ends finishing the quarter with three dunks and three blocks. The dunks all came off of pick and dive plays that forced…

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East Nashville and Pearl-Cohn To Play for Region Championship

Two storied high schools will battle for the right to host a sub-state game. Before the season started, not too many people would have predicted this match-up. The East Nashville Eagles were coming off an undefeated regular season in 2018 but fell short by one game of reaching the regional finals. That team graduated six of their top eight players. The Pearl-Cohn Firebirds ended the 2018 season in last place in District 10AA. New coach Terry Cole had a couple of nice pieces coming back but the resurgence was thought to be in the future. Both teams lost to Martin Luther King Academy I the district tournament but now they have clinched a berth to play at least two more games. “All I have to say is that we made it to Friday,” said Eagles head coach Jim Fey. Last year we had a good team. We didn’t make it this far. I knew this team had a chance because they play hard. I like our chances.” Eagles Hold Off MLK The Eagles and the Martin Luther King Academy Royals gave everyone in attendance at Pearl-Cohn their money’s worth in the first game with East holding on in a 54-51…

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District 10AA Boys Sweeps Region 5 Games

For the second consecutive year, the District 10AA boys’ teams swept the four Region 5AA quarterfinals. By virtue of the top seeded Martin Luther King Academy Royals, the second seeded Pearl-Cohn High School Firebirds and lower seeds the East Nashville Magnet Eagle and the Maplewood High School Panthers all winning against their District 9AA opponents, the Region 5AA semi-finals have been moved from Greenbrier High School to Pearl-Cohn High School on Wednesday. At 6pm, the district regular season champion East Nashville will take on district tournament champion MLK in a rematch on the district semi-final which MLK came from a double-digit deficit to win 56-51. The Eagles are coming off an impressive 91-71 road victory over White House High School. After being 25-21 at the end of the first quarter, White House went on a 6=0 run to go up 31-21 at the 7:05 mark of the second quarter. East then went on a 26-4 run in the second and part of the third quarters to take a commanding lead and never looked back. East Nashville vs. White House East Nashville (91) Taras Carter 7-13 5-9 22, Caleb Grimes 5-9 0-1 11, Tre Shaw 2-4 0-0 4, Isaiah Jones 4-4…

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District 10AA Girls’ Teams Take Different Roads to Region Semi-Finals

East Nashville makes fourth consecutive trip while Maplewood has first team in regionals The Tennessee Region 5AA girls’ semi-finals is just like a wedding. The East Nashville Lady Eagles and Cheatham County Lady Cubs, they would be considered something old. Both teams advanced to Murfreesboro for the state finals last year. For the Lady Eagles, this is their fourth consecutive trip and all four years they advanced to play in Murfreesboro. “Last week was an up and down week for us so I was glad to see our kids get together and decide to play with an overall effort,” said East Nashville head coach Missy Donaldson. We are a player led team more than a coach led team. As a coach that is good to see. The kids in the past did all that they could. This team right here we stress for them to relish every moment. They truly play with 100% effort. I am honored that I get to coach them.” The Lady Cubs defeated East Nashville last year to win the region. Both teams then won sub-state games but lost in the quarterfinals of the state finals. Head coach Jim Gibbs has a veteran team at his…

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Maplewood Lady Panthers Eye Long State Playoff Run

NASHVILLE- As you walk in Maplewood High School’s gym, you can’t miss the wall behind the south end that has two panther eyes. This Friday, those eyes and the eyes of District 10 AA will be on a crucial girls’ basketball match-up between the East Nashville Lady Eagles (23-2 overall, 10-1 District 10AA) and the Maplewood Lady Panthers (15-3, 11-0). A victory by Maplewood will clinch the district for the first time and give them a season sweep of the powerful East Nashville squad in both teams’ last regular season game. “This game is very important,” said Lady Panther head coach Tristin Williams. “A win will put us in a good position for the tournament and we expect to see them again in the (district) championship. We have been focused on the task at hand all year. Our goal is to get to Murfreesboro this year. We are trying to get where they are. Coach (Missy) Donaldson does a great job. I have respect for the players and coaches over there. They work extremely hard.” Another daunting image when you walk in the gym are the banners hanging with championships on the wall. In recent years, the boys’ program coached…

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East Nashville Eagles Slide Past Stratford Spartans to Nab Top Spot as District Tournament Nears

NASHVILLE, Tennessee – The East Nashville Magnet Eagles (21-3 overall, 10-0 District 10-0) clinched the top spot in the district as they outlasted the Stratford Spartans (8-12, 3-6) 65-60 Tuesday at Stratford. The Spartans, playing without four of their top players stayed close throughout. East took a four-point lead into the half, but the Spartans started the third quarter on an 8-1 run to take a 41-38 lead with 5:20 left in the stanza. East then went on a 6-0 run to retake the lead. Stratford matched that run scoring six straight as well. The Eagles then went on a mini 4-0 run to close the quarter with the game tied at 48. “They wouldn’t let us get away from them,” said East head coach Jim Fey. “We made mistakes and missed free throws. Their effort was better than ours.” East took a five-point lead at 55-50 midway through the fourth quarter. A conventional three-point play by Startford senior guard Quanie Clendening (20 points) cut the lead to 55-53. The Eagles struggled from the free throw line but kept the Spartans at bay. With 50 seconds left, Eagle senior guard Caleb Grimes (19 points) blocked a three-point attempt by Greg…

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Fisk Splits with Hiwassee

NASHVILLE– The Fisk University Bulldogs split with the Hiwassee College Tigers in front of a sold-out crowd in North Nashville on Wednesday. Lady Bulldogs Run Out of Gas in Home Loss Senior guard LaShae Brown scored 27 points and frontcourt mates Andria Thomas (12 points and 18 rebounds) and Kennedi Stephens (10 points 12 rebounds) recorded double-doubles but it wasn’t enough as the Fisk Lady Bulldogs (3-15) lost their 12th straight game 86-71 to the Hiwassee Lady Tigers (17-3) in non-conference play. The first half was close as the Lady Bulldogs went into the locker room down by two points and were primed to deliver an upset. “At the end of the day, we have to learn how to keep our energy throughout games,” said Fisk coach Lauren Falohun. “We didn’t finish around the rim. We dominated them on the boards, but we didn’t take care of the ball. That really hurt us.” The Lady Tigers had four players in double figures led by Leisa Butler’s 22 points. After only being up by five to start the fourth quarter, they scored the first six points in the final stanza and never looked back. Hailey Browning added 17 points, J’Lynn Majors…

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East Boys, Maplewood Girls Top Weekly Tennessee Star Teams

  The East Nashville Magnet Eagle Boys (17-3 overall, 7-0 D10AA) and the Maplewood Lady Panthers (13-3, 7-0 D10AA) top this week’s Tennessee Star Metro Basketball poll. The Eagles, riding a 14 game winning streak, are facing their toughest challenge so far this week facing ninth-ranked Pearl-Cohn (11-7, 5-2 D10AA) at home on Tuesday and seventh-ranked Martin Luther King Academy (10-7, 3-3 D10AA) on the road on Friday. “Every game is tough for us especially in our district,” said East head coach Jim Fey. “You can’t take anyone for granted. Every team wants to beat us and seem to play their best against us. Just another tough couple of games if you ask me.” The Lady Panthers are riding high after going into East Nashville and defeating the Lady Eagles 60-58 for the second year in a row. This week the Lady Panthers will take on 17th ranked Stratford (2-11, 1-5 D10AA). Games This Week: Tuesday, January 22 (All girls’ games start at 6 pm. Boys at 7:30) Hume-Fogg @ Whites Creek Martin Luther King Jr. @ Stratford Pearl-Cohn @ East Nashville Hunters Lane @ Cane Ridge Glencliff @ Hllsboro McGavock @ Hillwood Antioch @ Overton Stem Academy @ RePublic…

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Metro Nashville Basketball: Eagles, Panthers Split Doubleheader

Girls Lady Panthers Upset Lady Eagles in a Classic (January 15, 2019) The battle of the top two teams in Metro Nashville girls’ basketball did not disappoint anyone, as it came down to the closing seconds. The number two ranked Maplewood Lady Panthers gained a huge road win against the number one ranked East Nashville Magnet Lady Eagles 60-58. The game had many ups and downs as both teams fought until the very last second. The pace of the game was up and down with each possession the defense got tighter as both teams made runs throughout the game. The Lady Panthers was led by senior forward Ye Taviea Carter who had a game-high 19 points and 11 rebounds. She was a major factor the last three minutes of the game making big shots and grabbing rebounds in clutch moments. Sophomore guard Tameia Shaw for East Nashville tried to keep her team in it throughout the game with the Eagles leading scorer London Fairs having an off night. With 22 seconds left in the game and up one point, Carter missed a free throw and teammate Zariah Cameron grabbed the rebound and scored to give Maplewood a three-point lead 59-56.…

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Father Ryan’s Adriana Batey Signs Letter of Intent to Milligan College

SOUTH NASHVILLE– If you see Adriana Batey in the mall or about town, she looks like a normal teenager. Around the Father Ryan campus, she is soft-spoken and studious. When you put a shot put in her hand, she is aggressive and as her coach describes, a self-motivated technician that is intentional on fixing her smallest errors and is critical on herself but gets results. Batey accounts her aggressiveness from playing soccer at a younger age. Today that hard work paid off as she signed a letter of intent to compete in track at Milligan College, a NAIA near Johnson City, Tennessee. “We are so proud of where she is right now,” said mom Veronica Batey. “She struggled with academics when she first came to Father Ryan and now she has excelled as an A-B student. Her coach, Coach (Scott) Shaver is like family to me. We saw her start as a multi-eventer and then she decided to just throw. I am happy she picked Milligan because they cultivate the athletes well. I am so proud of her, I can’t even imagine.” Adriana has been competing in track for seven years. Her personal best is close to 34 feet in…

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Metro Nashville Basketball Round-Up

by McKinley Young Jr.   Girls Thursday 1-10-19 Bailey Leads Antioch past Republic Aniyah Bailey scored 22 points to lead the Antioch Lady Bears over the Republic Lady Blazers 60-40. Destiny Johnson had 13 points and JiKiya Morris added 10 points for the Lady Bears. Other games: Cheatham County 60- Maplewood 35 Franklin 51 – Cane Ridge 39 Friday 1-11-19 Shaw Triple-Double Helps Lead East Pass Whites Creek WHITES CREEK, Tenn.-East Nashville Lady Eagle sophomore guard Tameia Shaw recorded her second triple-double of the season with 12 points, 14 assists, and 10 steals, as the number one ranked Lady Eagles (17-1, get a district road win 73-22. Junior London Fairs lead all scorers with 29 points hitting seven three-pointers. Quentarra Mitchell notched a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. NaKiya Armstrong led Whites Creek with six points. East Nashville (73): London Fairs 29, Quentarra Mitchell 14, Tameia Shaw 12, A’Niya Young 8, Kristina Smikes 4, Jaelynn Knox 3, Mariuana Hughes 2, Zayla Jones 1 Whites Creek (22): NiKiya Armstrong 6, T. Cockrill 4, D. Boatright 4, M. Shannon 4, A. Waller 2, M. Shelton 2 McGavock Outlast Overton in a Thriller Jada Johnson scored 14 points to lead McGavock…

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East Nashville Girls Hoops Team Wins Triple Overtime Thriller

Editors Note: Tennessee Star Sports Editor Scott Wallace announced today that former Fisk University basketball and baseball player McKinley (Mac) Young Jr. will be one of the writers for the Star’s sports department. Young has a plethora of contacts and knowledge of local sports. He is currently an assistant football and baseball coach for Hillsboro High School and does sports information work for basketball at East Nashville Magnet. He is also a correspondent for Wallace Media Group. “Mac has been with me for a number of years now and has been a reliable source of sports in Nashville,” said Wallace. “He brings excitement to whatever he does. His knowledge of sports makes him a force to be reckoned with.” Young will mostly handle Nashville Metro Sports. He will also contribute from time to time with writing about other schools in the Middle Tennessee area. He will also provide a his weekly Top 19 Metro Girls’ and Boys’ teams. Metro Girls Metro’s top team gets a big game from four-year starter to prevent upset. This past Tuesday, the East Nashville Lady Eagles (16-1, 4-0 10AA) pulled out a classic three overtime road victory over the Sycamore Lady War Eagles 67-64. The…

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The Tennessee Star Names Nashville Sports Journalist Scott Wallace as Sports Editor

Veteran Nashville sports reporter Scott Wallace has been named Sports Editor of The Tennessee Star. Tennessee Star CEO and Editor-in-chief Michael Patrick Leahy praised Wallace for his credentials in sports journalism and his commitment to covering local high school and college athletes. “We are thrilled to announce that Scott Wallace has accepted our offer to serve as Sports Editor of The Tennessee Star. Since our launch almost two years ago in February 2016, we’ve been looking for the right person to fill this important position for us. Scott is the right man at the right time,” Leahy said. “Our team at The Tennessee Star has followed Scott’s career in local sports journalism for some time. We look forward to the in-depth coverage and inside details of the sports scene here in Tennessee Scott will be providing our readers,” he added. Wallace tweeted the news Tuesday, saying, “New year new opportunity Blessed & honored 2 b named sports editor for @TheTNStar Another way 2 get local athletes recognized nationally Here is a link to my 1st story https://tennesseestar.com/2018/12/22/atlanta-suburb-honors-hometown-hero-injured-tennessee-state-football-player-christion-abercrombie/ … Thanks @GillReport and @michaelpleahy for the opportunity #ItsOn.” New year new opportunity Blessed & honored 2 b named sports editor for @TheTNStar Another…

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Atlanta Suburb Honors Hometown Hero, Injured Tennessee State Football Player Christion Abercrombie

SOUTH FULTON, Georgia – Cheerleaders, students and football players recently filled Westlake High School’s gymnasium for a pep rally, but there was no football game. School leaders welcomed back injured Tennessee State University football player Christion Abercrombie, a Westlake graduate. It’s the first time Abercrombie has made a public appearance since being injured during the TSU game against cross-town rival Vanderbilt University. He suffered a life-threatening head injury during his team’s 31-27 loss. He collapsed on the sideline. The team knew it was serious, but had no idea he would have emergency surgery on his skull that night and many more ahead. “He understands some days and some days he doesn’t. (It) depends on his mood,” said mom Staci Abercrombie. After several surgeries and lots of prayer, Abercrombie is moving quickly on the road to recovery. “Christion is an inspiration to all of us,” said South Fulton Mayor Bill Edwards. “He has persevered through his head injury. In football sometimes, the other team will recover a fumble. Christion has recovered his own fumble and is still on the road to recovery. Today, December 19, 2018 from now on will be known as Christion Abercrombie Day in the City of South…

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Ohio State’s Meyer Put on Leave, Inquiry Opened

Urban Meyer

Urban Meyer’s job appears to be in jeopardy. Ohio State placed Meyer, one of the most successful coaches in college football history, on paid administrative leave Wednesday while it investigates claims that his wife knew about allegations of domestic violence against an assistant coach years before the staff member was fired last week. Courtney Smith, the ex-wife of fired Buckeyes assistant Zach Smith, gave an interview to Stadium and provided text messages to former ESPN reporter Brett McMurphy between her and Shelley Meyer in 2015 about Zach Smith’s behavior. Courtney Smith also provided threatening texts she said came from her ex-husband, and text messages between her and other wives of Buckeyes assistant coaches, discussing Zach Smith. “Shelley said she was going to have to tell Urban,” Courtney Smith told Stadium. “I said: ‘That’s fine, you should tell Urban.’” Zach Smith, who has never been convicted of any crimes, was fired last week after an Ohio court granted a domestic violence protective order to Courtney Smith. A message left by the AP for Zach Smith’s attorney, Brad Koffel, requesting comment was not immediately returned. Ohio State Title IX Meyer is heading into his seventh season at Ohio State, where he is…

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Steve Gill Remembers John Ward, the ‘Voice of the Vols’

Steve Gill, John Ward

In the final segment of Friday’s Gill Report, broadcast live on WETR 92.3 FM in Knoxville, Steve Gill reflected on the life and times of legendary Vols sports broadcaster, John Ward. Ward passed away this week at age 88 after a lengthy illness. The segment opened up with a 1995 recording of Ward calling a classic moment in Vols football history: a first-down, first play touchdown by then-quarterback Peyton Manning and his wide receiver, Joey Kent. “What did he do?” Ward said in his trademark galloping cadence – the live Vols fans roaring in the background – “All he did was score!” “The Voice of the Vols has passed,” Steve Gill said, “But his legacy lives on as long as someone shouts ‘BOTTOM’ whenever a Tennessee basketball player scores a basket; or ‘Give him six!’ when they cross the checkerboard; or ‘It’s football time in Tennessee!’ when those crisp, Fall Saturdays begin.” He continued: You know, when I was a kid – eighth or ninth grade – we lived in Colonial Heights Virginia, near Richmond, and late at night I could tune in and just barely catch the Vol basketball games. I would have to actually turn the dial sightly…

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Is Your Representative Playing In The Congressional Baseball Game?

Congressional baseball game group photo

by Evie Fordham   Sixty members of Congress will take the field for the Congressional Baseball Game for Charity on Thursday night in Washington, D.C. Click here to find the complete roster. Twenty-four Democrats and 36 Republicans will face each other at Nationals Park. Notable politicians playing include Republicans Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Rep. Mia Love of Utah and, of course, Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana. Scalise was shot when a gunman opened fire at a Republican congressional baseball practice in 2017. Five people were wounded, and Scalise was hospitalized for months, undergoing multiple surgeries after being shot in the hip. He will be the starting second baseman for a team hoping to earn victory over the Democrats, who beat the Republicans 11-2 in 2017. The game is available to watch on Facebook Live; the first pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. Eastern time. The congressional baseball game offers Republicans and Democrats a chance to cross party lines for a good cause. The event will support charities like The Washington Literacy Center, The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington and the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation. – – – Evie Fordham is a reporter at Daily Caller News Foundation. Follow Evie on Twitter @eviefordham.            …

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Nashville Soccer Club Lands Internationally Famous Executive for Taxpayer-Funded Stadium

Ian Ayre MLS Soccer

Internationally renowned soccer executive Ian Ayre was announced as the first-ever CEO of Nashville’s Major League Soccer club on Monday, NewsChannel 5 reported. His team will have a nice taxpayer-funded stadium in which to play. Ayre served as CEO of Liverpool Football Club of the English Premier League, one of the most respected soccer clubs in the world, the station reported. He has a record of success, having being voted Premier League Chief Executive of the Year in 2017. According to leaders with the MLS expansion team in Nashville, he was the top pick for the job. Ayre’s team will play soccer in a taxpayer-subsidized stadium in a deal helped along by former Mayor Megan Barry, The Tennessee Star reported in December. The Metro Council voted 31 to 6 to “approve $225 million in revenue bonds for a soccer stadium at the Nashville Fairgrounds despite concerns about the fairgrounds’ existing uses as well as the growing list of costly city projects,”over the objections of some Metro Council members. Save Our Fairground then filed a lawsuit to stop the MLS soccer stadium construction, which was ultimately dismissed. The Nashville Sports Authority was a finalist for the Beacon Center’s 2017 “Pork of the…

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Sports Experts, Commentators Call Penalty on Nashville Predators For Endorsing Briley

Sports Experts Decry Preds Briley

Yet another Nashville Predators foray into progressive politics has some saying the team’s president and CEO should spend time in the penalty box. The National Hockey League team’s President/CEO Sean Henry endorsed liberal mayoral candidate David Briley. The former vice mayor assumed office in March when disgraced Mayor Megan Barry resigned. The special election is May 24. The political move made national headlines. “I’ve honestly never seen this before, and I think it’s bad for our country to be politicizing every aspect of our lives, including teams endorsing a political candidate,” Clay Travis of Outkick the Coverage said on his website, as quoted by Brietbart. NewsChannel 5’s Steve Layman said in a broadcast column, “Sports and politics don’t mix.” He cited the fallout over the National Football League players who knelt during the national anthem. That leaves the question: Why would a sports team endorse a candidate? Could money be a factor? The Tennessean reported that the Preds are working with Briley to secure a new lease on Bridgestone Arena. Nashville attorney Daniel Horwitz told the newspaper the team’s endorsement does not violate state law against using public buildings to support a candidate unless giving equal presentation to all sides.…

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Predators Bounce Back to Tie Series in Winnipeg, Beat Jets 4 to 0

Preds

The Nashville Predators bounced back on Monday night to tie their Western Conference Stanley Cup semi-final series with Winnipeg 3 games apiece, defeating the Jets on their home ice 4 to 0. The series returns to Nashville for a seventh and deciding final game on Thursday. Victor Arvidsson put the Predators ahead for good at the 1:02 mark of the first period, with assist from Roman Josi and Ryan Johansen. In the second period, Filip Forsberg put the Predators up 2-0 with a goal at the 8:15 mark, with assists from Ryan Johnsen and Craig Smith. Forsberg scored his second goal of the game at the 5:55 mark in the third period, to put the Predators up 3 to 0. Arvidsson and Josi assisted. Later in the final period, at the 15:58 mark, Arvidsson got his second goal of the game, an empty netter, to make the score Predators 4, Jets 0. Predators goalie Pekka Rinne returned to form after a subpar Game 5, stopping all 34 shots on goal by the Jets.  

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Predators Fall to Jets 6 to 2

Preds

Hopes that the Nashville Predators will make a repeat appearance in the NHL’s Stanley Cup Championship Finals diminished in Bridgestone Arena Saturday night when the visiting Winnipeg Jets easily defeated the home team in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals, 6 to 2. The loss put the Predators one game away from elimination, as Game 6 returns to Winnipeg on Monday, where the Jets have enjoyed a huge home team advantage throughout the regular season and into the playoffs. Down three games to two, the Predators will have to win the away game in Winnipeg to force a decisive Game 7 back in Nashville. After a scoreless first period, the Jets jumped to an early lead when Paul Stastny scored at the 7:44 mark of the second period. The Predators’ Yannick Weber answered to tie the game up at 1 to 1 with an unassisted goal at the 11:08 mark, but the Jets jumped back into the lead barely a minute later when Kyle Connor put the visiting Jets up for good with a goal that made the score Jets 2, Predators 1. It was all down hill for the Predators after that. Conor scored his second goal at…

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Predators Beat the Jets 2 to 1 to Even the Series, Head Back Home for Game 5 on Saturday

Preds

The Nashville Predators came through in the clutch, beating the Winnipeg Jets by a 2 to 1 margin in the fourth game of the Western Conference semi-finals of the NHL’s Stanley Cup Playoffs on Thursday, evening the series at 2 games apiece. Game 5 will be played at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and Saturday night, and fans around Middle Tennessee are expected to clamor into downtown Nashville to watch the game inside the arena, and outside and large watch parties. Ryan Hartman staked the Predators to a 1-0 lead at the 17:20 mark of the first period with an unassisted goal that quieted the raucous Winnipeg crowd. P.K. Subban gave Nashville a 2-0 lead at the 14:36 mark of the second period with a power play goal and assists from Flip Forsberg and Ryan Johansen. But in the third period, the Jets got some of their offensive mojo back when Patrick Laine scored on a power play at the 19:09 mark. In the end, it was a case of too little too late for the Jets, and the momentum in the series, tied now at two games apiece, swings back to the Predators. Expect to see a lot of “throwing that…

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Predators Win Double Over-Time Thriller 5-4 to Tie Series With Jets

Preds

The Nashville Predators won a thriller against the Winnipeg Jets 5 to 4 in double over-time Sunday night at the Bridgestone Arena to tie their second round Western Conference Semi-Finals series in the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs at one game apiece. Kevin Fiala hit the game winner 5:37 into the second over-time period, after the game ended tied 4 to 4 in regulation, and neither team scored in the first over-time period. “Craig Smith and Fiala skated up on a 2-on-1, and Jets defenseman Byflugien failed to block Smith’s cross-ice pass to Fiala who beat goalie Connor Hellebuyck with a backhander,” ESPN reported of the winning goal.   Video: OT GWG. #StandWithUs | #WPGvsNSH https://t.co/FScfJSDSnv — p-Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) April 30, 2018 ESPN provided this game summary, via the Associated Press: Ryan Johansen scored two goals, Viktor Arvidsson had a goal and two assists, and P.K. Subban had a goal and an assist as Nashville won both its 100th postseason game as a franchise and coach Peter Laviolette’s 50th with the team. Filip Forsberg also had three primary assists for the first time in the postseason in his career. Mark Scheifele scored two goals and had an assist. Byflugien had a…

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More At Stake for Blue Jackets Than Predators in Finale

Preds hand shake

For the Columbus Blue Jackets, it’s about playoff positioning. For the Nashville Predators, it’s about fun and tuning up for what they hope will be a long playoff run. Saturday night’s regular-season finale in Bridgestone Arena can make the difference between a potential first-round series with two-time Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh for Columbus (45-29-7) or maybe…

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Predators Go for Franchise Record vs. Sharks

Thursday night is about chasing history for the Nashville Predators. When it hosts the San Jose Sharks in Bridgestone Arena, Nashville can break the franchise’s single-season record for points with a victory. Currently sitting at 109 points with a 49-16-11 mark, the Predators can also move a step closer to home-ice advantage for the Stanley Cup playoffs by picking up two points.

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Topping Predators Tall Task for Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres ended one long streak against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday. It will be a whole other task when the Nashville Predators visit on Monday. The Sabres (23-36-12) snapped a 12-game losing streak to the Blackhawks on Saturday with a 5-3 home victory. It was Buffalo’s first win over the Blackhawks in nearly a decade, with Buffalo’s last win over Chicago coming in December 2009.

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Phillip Fulmer Reveals More Details About Top Assistant’s Sudden Departure

Tennessee athletic director Phillip Fulmer confirmed that the football program’s decision to part ways with former running backs coach Robert Gillespie wasn’t mutual, but both sides handled it professionally. Fulmer, who was speaking at the Big Orange TipOff Club in Knoxville via GoVols247 on Wednesday, revealed that Gillespie “didn’t like” being dismissed from the Vols’ coaching staff, but understood that it was a matter of “big boy business.”

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Mike Fisher Coming Out of Retirement to Rejoin the Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators announced on Wednesday that former team captain Mike Fisher is coming out of retirement to rejoin the team. “On Wednesday morning at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Fisher took to the ice in what is the first step toward the former Predators centerman rejoining the club he captained to within two wins of a Stanley Cup last spring – with hopes of getting just a little bit further this time around,” NHL.com reported. Indeed, Fisher intends to begin skating and working out on his own before joining the entire team for practices. The ultimate goal is to sign a contract before the Feb. 26 trade deadline and return to game action and pursue the one thing every hockey player dreams of. It’s a virtually unprecedented move – only a handful of former NHLers have stepped out of retirement and back onto the ice to give it one more try. Nashville sport fans shouted their approval of the move on Twitter and local talk radio, as the Predators announcement on Twitter gained hundreds of retweets in minutes: Mike Fisher confirms he's only coming back to play in this season, nothing more. #Preds — Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) January 31, 2018…

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