Music City, here we come
by James Mirtle on Feb 23, 2009 8:00 AM CST
46 comments
I've been talking about doing it for years. And with a few days off coming up this week, I'm finally going to make it happen.
I'm going to Nashville.
For whatever reason, Air Canada flies Toronto to Tennessee direct every day, and it's not difficult to get a reasonably priced flight to downtown Nashville. I'll be there for a few days, catching Thursday's game against the Coyotes and Saturday's matchup with the rival Red Wings (a game likely to be the team's fourth sellout of the season given all the ex-Detroiters who turnout for games).
Why Nashville?
In 2006-07, I had a chance to visit Washington and see what the Capitals were building in the U.S. Capital, and last season, I went to Detroit, Pittsburgh and Columbus in the span of about a month. They were all excellent experiences, and I think they resulted in some of the best entries I've ever put together.
Hockey in the south is a Canadian fascination. It's such a strange idea, after all, that what was created as a cold weather game can thrive in many of the places it does, especially when there are bizarre, nationalistic feelings of ownership over a league which has really been very, very American for its entire existence.
I've been writing about the NHL in places like Phoenix, Dallas, Raleigh, etc., for years now, and in terms of unique markets — case studies in the NHL's strange expansion plan, if you will — Nashville is right at the top of the list.
I think it'll be a fascinating trip.
If you know the area and have any recommendations for things to see or do, I'd love to hear them, and if you happen to be in the area, feel free to touch base with me by email. So far, I've heard nothing but good things about the city.
And for a few days I'll be a Preds fan.
Wings suck?
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Have fun in our city
Hopefully, you can bring us some mojo and help us win those important games. Eklund came to Nashville a few years ago, and we all thought it was great for our city to get some exposure.
Welcome to Smashville, Tennessee.
by smashville on Feb 23, 2009 8:17 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Except Eklund is a joke and the good Dr. Mirtle has credibility when he talks about hockey. Both are famous, though, and that’s all that counts for exposure.
Have fun on your road trip!
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure!
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Feb 23, 2009 8:58 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
James has cred?
Not according to San Jose Sharks fans!
Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.
by saskhab on Feb 23, 2009 10:13 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Huh?
Are they too busy stuffing their faces with sushi and wine at a hockey game?
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure!
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Feb 23, 2009 10:14 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
At sharks games I pick up Micro-brew and Garlic fries… delicious.
The 2008-2009 Colorado Avalanche: Slumpbusters
by Jibblescribbits on Feb 23, 2009 11:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Whoops
Caveat: I’m an Avs fan and Denver transplant living in San Jose
The 2008-2009 Colorado Avalanche: Slumpbusters
by Jibblescribbits on Feb 23, 2009 11:45 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, getting micro-brews would be pretty sweet ARE YOU LISTENING MR. JACOBS?
I guess I’ll have to keep settling for Sam Adams. And with no more winter lager…sigh.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure!
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Feb 23, 2009 12:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Funny, I’m a Sharks and I think Mirtle’s pretty credible. Was there a memo I missed or something?
Bay Area born and bred.
by Nael M. on Feb 23, 2009 11:46 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Sharks fan, rather.
Bay Area born and bred.
by Nael M. on Feb 23, 2009 11:46 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Just a joke based on this infamous moment (link below), plus James’ assertion that Brodeur was the hands down choice for the Vezina last year over Nabokov that drew some ire from the Bay area.
http://www.fromtherink.com/2009/2/11/755792/we-get-letters
Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.
by saskhab on Feb 23, 2009 12:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
And by the way
You better hope for 5 goals! That gives free frostees for everyone in attendance.
And be prepared for some really unique traditions, including “fang fingers” every power play, shouting “SUCKS!” after every player on the opposing team is announced, Cellbock 303 (aka the loudest section of the loudest arena in the NHL), and the occasional catfish thrown onto the ice.
Welcome to Smashville, Tennessee.
by smashville on Feb 23, 2009 9:00 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Doesn't take 5
In the month of Feb, as part of the “Fangtastic Feb” promotion it only takes a Preds win to get a frosty
Blog- http://paulnich.blogspot.com
Hockey Pics- http://flickr.com/photos/paulnich/collections/72157600076075216/
Hockey Vids- http://vimeo.com/pwnicholson/videos/tag:nhl
by pwnicholson on Feb 23, 2009 9:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Thats what I thought I read on the twitter feed
but I went there and they refused to give me one after the wings game Feb 10
Welcome to Smashville, Tennessee.
by smashville on Feb 23, 2009 9:52 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I thought it was for just three specific games, not the whole month. Can’t find a link, though to explain.
More fun than a stick to the face!
by Dirk Hoag on Feb 23, 2009 9:59 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
loudest
there is no way on earth that nashville has the loudest arena in the nhl.
by detroitnick on Feb 23, 2009 10:49 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I’ll give you “most obnoxious song played after the home steam scores” if you want to take that.
by detroitnick on Feb 23, 2009 10:51 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
What do they play, mr. rival fan?
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure!
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Feb 23, 2009 10:57 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
mix...
A predators version of “I Like it, I love It” by Tim McGraw, which then fades into “The Hey Song” just like everyone else.
Blog- http://paulnich.blogspot.com
Hockey Pics- http://flickr.com/photos/paulnich/collections/72157600076075216/
Hockey Vids- http://vimeo.com/pwnicholson/videos/tag:nhl
by pwnicholson on Feb 23, 2009 11:02 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m trying to get some seats in 303 for Thursday’s game.
by James Mirtle on Feb 23, 2009 12:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
It’s such a strange idea, after all, that what was created as a cold weather game can thrive in many of the places it does…
Why don’t you go and write about one of those places, instead of Nashville?
by mc79hockey on Feb 23, 2009 9:13 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Because I want to go to Nashville?
by James Mirtle on Feb 23, 2009 12:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
You need to get back down to DC. As I’m sure you’ve heard, Verizon Center is a bit different now than the last time you were here.
by Sct112 on Feb 23, 2009 9:29 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Check out the Cell Block
The ‘spirit section’ if you will in the Sommet Center is up in section 303. I sit on the back row in between section 303 and 304. Come say hi! I’ll be there for Thurs game. Don’t think i’ll make it for Sat. against Detroit, though you’re in for a great game that night.
There is also a meeting of Twitter/Blogger Pred fans that meet outside the press area in between periods including Forechecker (Dirk Hoag), Brandon Felder, and a few others. I’d also recommend following @PredFans on twitter (a group conversation twitter account powered by ReTweetBot.com) during the games. Quite a conversation usually gets going.
Other than that…no other special sections really worth making sure you see. Personally i’d recommend the burgers as some of the best i’ve had in an arena, but would avoid the pizza (its only so-so).
Hope to see you, and enjoy!
Blog- http://paulnich.blogspot.com
Hockey Pics- http://flickr.com/photos/paulnich/collections/72157600076075216/
Hockey Vids- http://vimeo.com/pwnicholson/videos/tag:nhl
by pwnicholson on Feb 23, 2009 9:29 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
The Wings Suck jersey is kinda funny, if a staple at every arena in the league. But allowing a kid to look up to Tootoo is the real crime in that photo…
Enjoy the trip. Nashville, I think, would be a fun place to go catch a game.
by Resolute on Feb 23, 2009 9:32 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
My five-year old would probably pull your sweater over your head and pound away if he heard you dogging Tootoo…
Looking forward to meeting you, James!
More fun than a stick to the face!
by Dirk Hoag on Feb 23, 2009 9:49 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Hah! Perhaps. ;)
Tootoo just bugs me becuase he plays the game completely the wrong way. Then again, I spent years watching him run out and deliberately try to injure people in the Dub before anyone else even heard of him. He hasn’t matured at all since making the NHL.
by Resolute on Feb 24, 2009 10:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
he has changed some
This year especially i honestly have to say he has changed his game a good deal. He certainly has games where he is out doing his typical hit-hunting, but he is more likely than not play a more responsible positional game now. He’s finally learned that going way out of his way for all these crazy hits wasn’t helping his team. Last night during the Phoenix game was a good example. There were several times where he skated in on the forecheck, then backed off to disrupt a pass, etc where in the last few years he would have just taken himself out of a play with a wild check against the boards.
Blog- http://paulnich.blogspot.com
Hockey Pics- http://flickr.com/photos/paulnich/collections/72157600076075216/
Hockey Vids- http://vimeo.com/pwnicholson/videos/tag:nhl
by pwnicholson on Feb 27, 2009 12:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
On the Forecheck
is giving you some love
Welcome to Smashville, Tennessee.
by smashville on Feb 23, 2009 9:41 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Love Me Nashvegas
Lived there for a short while and loved every minute of it. Get yourself some meat and 3 action down there!
The population of Pominville keeps rising!
by Blackcapricorn on Feb 23, 2009 9:53 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
loudest building?
nice try. i’m glad you think its the loudest building in the league, but lets be serious, how can a building which is half full be loud.
take a trip to western canada and you’ll hear what a loud building sounds like.
by slutnuts on Feb 23, 2009 10:32 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Or to Toronto, or Montreal, or Philly… These are loud places.
by Habs on Feb 23, 2009 10:52 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Toronto … not so much.
Montreal was excellent at the all-star game. Buffalo always does well for big games, too.
by James Mirtle on Feb 23, 2009 12:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Really?
I kind of assumed with Toronto, having never been to the ACC myself. I would’ve thought it’d be quite noisy, considering it’s always sold out and Toronto fans appear to be fanatical enough…
But I’ve been at the Bell Center often, and once at the Wachovia Center in Philly, and I know these places are loud.
by Habs on Feb 23, 2009 2:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The lower bowl tickets in Toronto are $220 to $450 and all bought up by corporations, not Leafs fanatics. It’s a morgue in there sometimes.
by James Mirtle on Feb 23, 2009 2:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah...
Not until the playoffs.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Feb 23, 2009 10:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Everyone says that....don't take it so seriously
For a post on the topic, see here: http://urlzen.com/6pn
Besides, they said loudest building, not loudest fans. Maybe we have the loudest AC system in the league? ;-)
On a more serious/rebuttal/argument note: The building isn’t half-full. It is a small building to being with, and the Preds actually run in the top 1/3rd of the league every year in % of the barn being full. But max capacity is 17,113 for hockey, so that means there aren’t as many people in the arena period. I don’t think the arena has every literally been “half full” (8,556 ppl), something that many other franchises can’t say.
Blog- http://paulnich.blogspot.com
Hockey Pics- http://flickr.com/photos/paulnich/collections/72157600076075216/
Hockey Vids- http://vimeo.com/pwnicholson/videos/tag:nhl
by pwnicholson on Feb 23, 2009 11:00 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I remember when I was in Nashville in high school, we were at a bar and there was a Wings v. Predators (home) game that evening. We asked if they could turn on the game. Both the bartender and two waitresses looked at us blankly as if we had just turned our bodies inside out.
by hallock on Feb 23, 2009 11:38 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I’ve mentioned before that I went about two and a half years ago and had a blast; there’s some fun, unique presentation elements, as well as some kind of cheesy ones. While you’re in Nashville, of course, you can’t go wrong with a city tour, taking in the Ryman Auditorium, or if it’s your thing, the Country Music Hall of Fame. I only had one day to play tacky tourist there, but I was happy with my experience. Heck, the persistent road construction and drivers who didn’t know how to signal reminded me of being back in Calgary! BTW, where are you staying? I was at the Gaylord Opryland when I was there and it was fantastic.
Oh, and pulled pork makes everything better. Just saying.
by Doogie2K on Feb 23, 2009 1:53 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Opryland?
Wow that is one of the most amazing hotels I have ever seen. So amazing, that we actually go there every Christmas Eve.
Welcome to Smashville, Tennessee.
by smashville on Feb 23, 2009 1:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I was there for a conference, so I got a discount rate, and then got reimbursed for all but my Tacky Tourist day by my University after the fact. No way in hell I could’ve afforded the $1,000+ hotel bill for my week in town otherwise. ;)
But I definitely would go back if I could ever afford to. The mini-river, the arboretum, the food court, the sports bar, the little shops, the radio station (!)…I stayed in the least-fancy part of the hotel, the last one to be renovated, and was still thoroughly impressed. I tried to eat in a different place every meal, and got to everything but the revolving restaurant.
by Doogie2K on Feb 23, 2009 6:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Jack's BBQ for a pre-game meal
I highly recommend Jack’s bar-b-que for an awesome pre-game meal. It’s on Broadway about a half-block north of the arena. Flying pigs out front (pork is ok, but the brisket is my favorite)
Blog- http://paulnich.blogspot.com
Hockey Pics- http://flickr.com/photos/paulnich/collections/72157600076075216/
Hockey Vids- http://vimeo.com/pwnicholson/videos/tag:nhl
by pwnicholson on Feb 23, 2009 9:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Welcome to Nashville!
You should check out the Suite Level Club, formerly the Jack Daniel’s Number 7 Club, for a pre-game meal. It’s a little pricey (about $30) and you need to have reservations if you want to get in before 6, but it’s delicious…an all-you-can-eat buffet-style spread of gourmet food. It’s the only place you can get away with eating such nice food in jeans and a hockey jersey, haha. And it’s super-convenient b/c you can get a reservation for like 5 or 5:30 and not have to rush to get to the game since you’re already in the arena. It’s also a sneaky way to get into the arena before it opens at 6. Plus, it’s soooo tasty!
Also have others have said, definitely check out section 303 and be prepared to yell “YOU SUCK!” a lot. Some people think it’s juvenile and stupid, but I love it…it’s like a college atmosphere in there, with the crowd starting their own goofy chants. It’s awesome. (The proper way to execute the different “sucks” chants is to yell “Sucks!” after every Wing’s name in the starting lineup, and “He sucks too!” after Babcock’s name is announced. When it’s announced that the Wings are on the PP, you yell “And they still suck!”. And after we score, you yell “Conklin….Conklin….Conklin….YOU SUCK!”.) There are other various colorful chants you’ll hear if you sit in 303, which you totally should. They used to have a website with chants posted, not sure if it’s still around. Have fun!!!
by Ally6729 on Feb 25, 2009 5:20 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
section303.org
it was just recently re-launched.
Blog- http://paulnich.blogspot.com
Hockey Pics- http://flickr.com/photos/paulnich/collections/72157600076075216/
Hockey Vids- http://vimeo.com/pwnicholson/videos/tag:nhl
by pwnicholson on Feb 27, 2009 12:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
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