NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Nashville Predators were off to a rocky start in Thursday night's season opener at Bridgestone arena until a pedal tavern to the ice.
It was a wild game against the Minnesota Wild that as NewsChannel 5's Steve Layman pointed out the Nashville Predators seemed to dominate but didn't have much to show for it.
A Preds penalty for having too many men on the ice led to two goals in 43 seconds, turning a 1-0 lead into a 2-1 deficit after two periods.
But then... the pedal tavern took to the ice.
For those who may be unfamiliar, the pedal tavern - for the most part - is loathed by locals. It's ever-loud bachelorette party "woohoo girls" and drunk tourists have become a fixture on Broadway. And for a local trying to navigate downtown, it has come to represent the new culture of Nashville.
Predators CEO Sean Henry told NewsChannel 5 that the organization is always looking for fun ways to make people smile, and they wanted to bring something "uniquely Nashville" to the ice. The result is the "Crisp Wagon," but it isn't just a gimmick. The seats on the pedal tavern are auctioned off, with the proceeds going to the Preds Foundation, which donates to several local charities. Henry said the organization hoped to raise $100,000 this season from the auctions.
Even though the folks on it were decked out in preds gear, fans in the stands booed as the pedal tavern made its way around the ice.
However, the next time the Preds took the ice, they dominated.
With just 27 seconds into the third period, Roman Josi’s shot brought the Preds to a 2-2 tie.
It was followed by two more goals, giving the Preds three goals in seven minutes, and thus the #RallyTavern was born.
Layman took to social media to see if fans felt differently about it after the game. Let him know what you think. Is it now the #RallyTavern or just an annoying bar on wheels?
What did you think about @PredsNHL having a pedal tavern ride around the ice as part of their intermission entertainment? @NC5
— Steve Layman (@SteveLayman) October 4, 2019
