PRO HOCKEY
NASHVILLE, Tenn. | Pekka Rinne didn't make a save or even get into uniform, but the mere presence of the minor league goalie gave the Nashville Predators plenty of motivation.
Dan Ellis made 37 saves and then was perfect in the shootout, leading the Predators to a 2-1 victory over the visiting Blackhawks on Saturday.
Rinne, who has been playing for Milwaukee of the American Hockey League, was scheduled to start against the Blackhawks but he had trouble making airplane connections and arrived about an hour before the game. His equipment was still in transit.
"The coaches said they needed someone to make big saves," Ellis said. "They needed someone to erase mistakes up front. That was our approach going in.
"As goaltenders we have taken a lot of criticism. It's a team game, but all of a sudden it became an individual sport. A lot of fingers were being pointed at us. It was motivating, disheartening and frustrating that they felt the need to call up Pekka."
The Predators' only goal in regulation was scored by Jason Arnott at 5:24 of the first period. The Blackhawks tied it on a goal by Andrew Ladd at 14:42.
Neither team scored again, setting the stage for two unexpected heroes in the shootout.
Rich Peverley opened the shootout for the Predators. It was his first NHL attempt and he scored by going high against Nikolai Khabibulin. Patrick Kane had opened the shootout with a goal against Ellis, a backhander to his glove side.
Alexander Radulov scored what proved to be the deciding goal. He faked a high shot and then put the puck between Khabibulin's legs. He had missed on his previous seven attempts this season.
Ladd tied it at 14:42. His wrist shot from a few feet went in low to the glove side of Ellis who stretched, but was unable to reach it.
"Khabibulin kept us in the first couple of periods and in the third Ellis kept them in," Ladd said. "That's the way it goes."
The Blackhawks outshot the Predators 38-34 overall. The Predators didn't commit a penalty, and Chicago was whistled for four.
"I'm proud of our guys because they came to work," Blackhawks coach Denis Savard said. "It was a strong effort and that is all that you can ask. We had plenty of chances to get plenty of goals. When you get 38 shots with no power play you've done something pretty good."
