Here We go...

Not a bad start.

Cole, with a pretty good chance from the right wing. Chris Mason in goal for Nashville has had good rebound control on chances by "26" and Dennis Seidenberg.

Eric Staal, Erik Cole and Andrew Ladd are playing on the same line.

Nashville gets a too many men infraction here - we'll see what the new look power play can do.

There are five forwards on the first unit (expect alot of that this season), with Staal and Cole on the points. They are working Hamilton down low. I'll tell you what - he has great hands and can quarterback from the half boards.

Not a bad power play, pretty good puck movement. First time out - shots are 7-3 in favor of the Hurricanes. A good start.

Commodore takes a puck off the face on a dump in, and reacts with a slash - this will be the first penalty kill chance.

Good kill by Carolina. Canes kept them on the outside. The only chance came late - Vernon Fidler from a tough angle. Grahame read the play and made an easy save.

Canes get a two on one. Cole, from the right, passes to Staal who one times it. Mason makes a great save. Cole and Staal have some magic early. Canes outshooting Preds 11-6. So far, this is the best period of the pre season.

Cole continues to impress. His skating is outstanding. Effortless - with a tremendous first step. Eric Staal executes an perfect head man pass and Cole busts in on the right wing. Chris Mason is having a great period, otherwise the Canes could have one or two goals by now. Brandon Siutter is playing between Justin Wiliams and Ryan Bayda. They generate a great chance but Williams is denied at the top of the circle set up by Bayda. Shots are 17-9 Hurricanes.

After pressuring the puck in the neutral zone, the Canes generate a power play by drawing an interference penalty. JP Dumont has a shortahnded chance. One of the drawbacks of five forwards is that this stuff can happen. Grahame stays composed and makes a good save.

A very good period in many ways. Shots are 18-12 Carolina. The only drawback - no finish around the net, but you can thank Chris Mason for that. The Preds did hit the post once. Ex-Cane Marty Gelinas had the chance, he'll fit in well with this group.

See you in the second !

Number Two...

Early stages - Gleason is paired with Commodore...they look pretty good.

Gleason catches a shot off the foot, but looks to be okay.

Nashville buzzes early with four shots, but nothing troublesome for Grahame. The Canes are not skating as well to start the second.

Commodore takes a penalty for holding the stick.

Gleason is having a good game - physical, aggressive on the attacking forward...all good signs.

The Canes took another obstruction penalty on the "kill". It's Letowski for a slash - 5 on 3 Preds.

Dumont has a chance but fans on a "goalmouth" pass from Arnott - that easily could have been 1-0.

Erik Cole utilizes his speed again, busting down the right side. He drives the net without hesitation.

Jeff Hamilton now mans a point on the initial power play. Good point shot, low and hard...good save from Mason.

Watching Brandon Sutter, he really knows how to play the game - never out of position. Shots are 6-3 Nashville in the period.

Canes get a power play. Not much this time. Nashville gets a good short handed chance - John Grahame has been solid...maintaining good control of his rebounds so far.

Noah Babin was given a test with a penalty killing sequence late in the period. A chance develops, Grahame with his best on breakdown.

The line of Fiddler, Dumont and Arnott are down too low and the Canes get caught running around - Arnott scores to make it 1-0 Nashville. No fault to Grahame. Nashville has enjoyed an edge in play in this period.

Shots are 9-9. It's not a bad period, but not as good as the first. Nashville finshes one play that's the difference.

One more from Music City !

The Last One...Maybe

Trevor Letowski takes a penalty for hooking which starts the period. Nothing gives on the power play and Arnott takes a penalty for the Preds.

Not much happening here at the first break. Here's to hoping they make a go of it here.

There's great energy in the building, they have brand new scoreboard with a massive LED board. This building can rock.

Brandon Sutter had a great chance on a partial breakaway, just missing with a "wrister".

The Canes get a power play chance with 11:30 left. Canes convert. Beautiful work by Staal, Ladd, Williams, Cole and Hamilton - good hard work on the boards keeps the puck in the attacking zone. Staal's shot is stopped and Williams cashes in on rebound.

The power play looks good.

Sorry I "pumped" the scoreboard - they have just lost the time clock, well at least lights are still on!

The Canes get a power play, but get careless in their own end. Vernon Fidler scores a "shorty" on a clean break-in. Sometimes one mistake will be the difference in game like this.

Transition time, not good for the Canes. The coverage breaks down and the Preds play "connect the dots" on a beautiful play.

The Canes press but don't score and frustration sets in - Williams takes a penalty for slashing.

There's not much time left and the Preds have the power play. Williams is also given a penalty for holding to make matters worse.

Power play goal for the Preds. Now for the big picture - a game that started with so much promise has evaporated. The Preds have had more at the right times.

Look for more transactions after this one, as the Canes will 'trim" it down for Monday.

See ya !