Predators Look Ahead To First Round

In tonight's game, the Nashville Predators fell to the St. Louis Blues 2-0 in the final game of the regular season in St Louis.  I, along with several hundred other Preds fans, made the trip to watch tonight's game.  Tonight's story does not start with the game, or begin with the morning skate.  It begins with my travels; today has been an amazing day and I wish to share it with you.

I enjoy airports, airplanes, and traveling in general, and several months ago I decided to fly to St Louis to watch this game.  Several people have asked me why.  My answer has always been that I enjoy flying, and didn't have to pay much for the plane ticket anyway.  It would have been cheaper to take the 303 bus or drive my car, but I made my decision and stuck with it.  This morning I got up, headed to the airport, and started through security.  It made me feel good when several TSA agents started asking me about the game.  I felt as if the day was going in a good direction.  I got through security, headed to my gate, and arrived at B5 in Nashville's airport to find a family playing a mix of gospel and bluegrass.  It wasn't too loud, was soothing, and very enjoyable.  I had an hour to wait on my flight, which can seem like an eternity while waiting in an airport.  Today I enjoyed waiting, and even wished that I had gotten there earlier.  The time drew near for the boarding process to begin.  I watched a plane pull up to the gate, and the ticket agents announced that my flight to Atlanta would be on time, which meant that I could make my connection without an issue.  While sitting in a seat facing the window, I saw a young woman with a small child in the corner of my eye, just to the right of me.  They were headed my way, and I moved my feet to let them by.  The woman had a camera, and was taking several pictures of her baby that appeared to be just over a year old.  In the little boy's hands was a sign that said "Welcome Home Daddy", and it was then that I realized that these fine people had no interest in going to Atlanta.  I then started paying very close attention to the activities at hand, and observed several people exiting the jet way, heading on to wherever they happened to be going.  The woman and the little boy stood at the entrance of the jet way with the sign proudly displayed.  I observed every man woman and child exit that jet way, excited to see what was going to happen.  I also noticed that the entire group of people who were waiting to board the plane also had their eyes glued to that little boy.  One by one they came out...but no daddy.  The woman looked into the jet way with disappointment in her eyes, and I truly believe that the entire crowd broke into a cold sweat.  I heard in the background, "oh no, he has missed his connection", and then immediately afterwards the woman with the little boy screamed with excitement as she finally saw her soldier.  He was indeed home.  The crowd erupted in applause...it was truly a sight.  I could have driven my car.  I could have taken the bus. 

I did in fact arrive in St Louis and watched Pekka Rinne make 23 saves.  I watched the Predators fall 2-0 to the Blues, and for tonight it just doesn't matter.  After losing tonight's game, Nashville will be unable to clinch home ice advantage, but I'm ok with that.  Nashville ends the regular season with 99 points. 

How many people do not have the opportunity to hold up that sign?  To my friends and family:  you are appreciated.