SMASHVILLE Scope: Hockey Is For Everyone

The Nashville Predators remain in the playoff hunt as they wrap up their 2022-23 regular season schedule with a visit to the Calgary Flames and home contests against the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche this week.
Before the Preds head down the final stretch, here's everything you need to know about this past week in SMASHVILLE:

Warm Welcome

Jake Livingstone made his NHL debut in Thursday's matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Livingstone hails from Creston, B.C., and is finishing up his final semester at Minnesota State University. During his three-year career with the Mavericks, he was named to the All-CCHA First Team and claimed the conference's Defenseman of the Year award for the second straight season as a junior. He earned the honors after establishing NCAA career highs in assists (27) and points (35) in 2022-23, his junior campaign; he also led all CCHA blueliners in assists (17) and points (22) during conference play.

"It's exciting to be put into that situation," Livingstone said following his first game with the Predators. "It's meaningful hockey, not just your first game, but it's also a chance to get close to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, so everybody wants to do that." Livingstone said. "[The coaches] said settle in, play my game. Coaching staff just said you're ready to play your game."

Let's Hear it For the Girls

Last weekend, Bridgestone Arena welcomed the second annual
Preds Girls Hockey Day
, presented by CAT Financial. The events kicked off on Friday with the first all-girls team to compete in the Nashville Predators Amateur Hockey Association's Middle School hockey league, followed by a full slate of girls youth hockey programming at Ford Ice Center Bellevue on Saturday, and, of course, the Preds Girls Hockey Day taking place Sunday.
Monday, the
19UAA Junior Preds brought home the National title
under the leadership of head coach Kahlie Singletary and Junior Preds girls hockey director Mekenzie Steffan. The team had a come-from-behind victory over the Arizona Kachinas at the 2023 Chipotle-USA Hockey National Championship game in Irvine, California. In addition to the U19 Jr. Preds, the U14 and U16 teams also clinched nationals berths via district championship wins.
Ford Ice Center Bellevue offers a number of girls-only hockey programs such as Learn to Play, PREDecessor, and skills clinics. In addition to a summer camp hosted by former Olympian Lyndsey Fry, this summer's programming will include an eight-week Learn to Play program for girls ages 10 and older who are new to the sport.
If you or someone you know is interested in playing girls hockey,
click here for more information.

Pride Night Threads

In celebration of the team's eighth annual Pride Night,
every Preds player took the ice clad in custom jerseys
designed by local artist Landon Matney, a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. Tying in historical undertones of both the Predators and gay rights activism in the United States, the
thoughtfully designed sweaters
offer a message of love, inclusion and acceptance.
"I think inclusivity and representation] are always important," Matney said. "And I think it's awesome that the Nashville Predators are trying to include that."
Defenseman Tyson Barrie and his teammates felt it important to convey welcoming and acceptance to members of the LGBTQIA+ community. The organization aims to create a safe space for everyone to enjoy the game of hockey, regardless of their sexual orientation or identity.
"I think I know how hard it can be for people to come out and live their authentic lives," Barrie said. "I hope that none of the stuff that's gone on has pushed anybody back, [especially] any young kids who are thinking about it. So I'm just really, really excited that everybody on our team is going to participate."
To learn more about the "Hockey is For Everyone" initiative, click
[here
.

Milwaukee Admirals Update

The Admirals snapped a four-game losing streak with a 5-1 win over the Rockford Ice Hogs on Saturday. Devin Cooley stopped 45 shots between the pipes and earned his 15th win of the season.
Milwaukee is playoff-bound after clinching a top-three finish in the Central Division by virtue of Iowa's loss to Chicago on Friday. The Admirals have four games remaining in the regular season, which wraps up on Sunday, April 16.

Goal of the Week

Assist of the Week

Save(s) of the Week

Predators Official Podcast

Darren McFarland and Kara Hammer catch up with Egor Afanasyev on his way to the airport as the Predators depart for their final road trip of the regular season - a trip to Winnipeg and Calgary that could determine Nashville's playoff fate. Afanasyev talks about who he sits with on the team plane and what his first 15 NHL games have been like. Darren and Kara also discuss the shutout victory over Carolina, the Preds now being one point out of a Wild Card position and how much fun these young players have been to watch.

Coming Soon to Bridgestone Arena

April 13: Minnesota Wild vs. Nashville Predators
April 14: RESCHEDULED: Colorado Avalanche vs. Nashville Predators
April 15: Nate Bargatze: From Old Hickory to Broadway
April 16: New Edition: Legacy Tour
For more tickets and event information, click
here
.