With the kids out of school today, we decided to go watch the Nashville Predators practice at the Ford Ice Center in Antioch.  My oldest daughter, Megan, is a huge hockey fan.  We warned her before we left that we would try to get some autographs from the players, but we weren't sure that was even a possibility.  Well, she hit the jackpot.  We got there much later than we had hoped and ended up, by chance, walking behind all the bleachers to the very end of the ice.  My husband had wanted to be near the middle, but there were too many people there.  We found a spot near the end with some open glass for the girls and a couple free seats.  It didn't take us long to realize we had somehow gotten lucky, as the predators were emerging from a locker room door that was roped off right behind us.  About half way through the practice, Colin Wilson showed up right at that rope and started signing autographs.  We thought, at that point, that she had gotten lucky and the day was a success. 

Then, when practice was almost over, we noticed the E-bay people lining up back at our rope and Megan jumped in line with them.  Then, as the practice ended, lots of players started showing up to sign autographs.  She got quite a few...but the highlight of her day was when Pekka Rinne showed up.  Instead of handing him the poster that everyone else was signing, she gave him her hockey puck.  She had been saving that for Shea Weber (her favorite), but for some reason, he wasn't there.  But getting Pekka Rinne's autograph was amazing!  She was so excited. Bruce just keeps saying "I can't believe that happened." 

What struck me as I looked around was all the kids with that sparkle in their eyes, just like Megan's.  There were so many kids in love with Hockey.  That's a good thing.  The problem is....we don't have enough ice.  Megan is currently taking Hockey lessons at A-Game in Franklin, TN   Unfortunately, A-Game is slated to close this spring, assuming a pending lawsuit doesn't stop it from happening.  This is going to have a horrible effect on the hockey kids in this area.  

If A-Game closes, that leaves us driving almost an hour to practice at either Centennial or Ford Ice, where we were today.  That sucks.  And that's assuming there is even room for us there.  The open skate after the Predators Practice today was absolutely out of control...way too many people on the ice to really enjoy it.

For the sake of all the little hockey fans, and especially my little hockey girl, I pray A-Game somehow manages to stay open.  And if not - that more ice comes to (south) Nashville very, very soon.   

Oh  - and I snapped a few pictures.  I hope Megan likes them.  

Calle Jarnkrok Nashville PredatorsCalle Jarnkrok practices at Ford Ice Center Pekka Rinne at Ford Ice CenterPekke Rinne practicing at the Ford Ice Center, Nashville, TN Smashville Hockey Player, Toothless at Ford Ice CenterToothless player practicing Hockey Nashville Predators at Ford Ice Center Nashville Predators at Ford Ice Center Nashville Predators at Ford Ice Center Nashville Predators at Ford Ice Center Nashville Predators at Ford Ice Center Nashville Predators at Ford Ice Center Nashville Predators at Ford Ice Center Nashville Predators at Ford Ice Center Nashville Predators at Ford Ice Center Nashville Predators at Ford Ice Center Nashville Predators at Ford Ice Center Nashville Predators at Ford Ice Center Nashville Predators at Ford Ice Center Nashville Predators at Ford Ice Center Nashville Predators practice Hockey at Ford Ice Center Hockey Girl watching Predators at Ford Ice Center Nashville Predators Coach Colin Wilson signing autographs Colin Wilson, Nashville Hockey Player Colin Wilson at Ford Ice CenterOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Predators Hockey Goalie, Pekka Rinne Nashville Predators at Ford Ice Center Nashville Predators at Ford Ice CenterOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Pekka Rinne at practice, Nashville Predators Nashville Preds Goalie Pekka Rinne Pekka Rinne signing autographsOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

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