In a week without a win, the bright spot for the Nashville Predators is that the offense chipped in twice to overcome deficits, force overtime, and at least earn the team points in the standings. Nobody did more on that front than the guy with the cleanest face in Smashville, Patric Hornqvist.
In addition to leading the team in scoring, his discipline while taking abuse led directly to the power play on which Shea Weber scored yesterday, too.
After last week's work, Hornqvist now has five goals in his last nine games, a welcome bit of news for a guy who's enjoyed some hot and cold stretches this season. After a 7-goals-in-6-games outburst in late October/early November, Horn Dog scored just one in his next 19. We'll take the hot Hornqvist, please.
Perhaps my favorite goal this week was his marker yesterday at Boston. Why? Because while Sergei Kostitsyn led the rush down the left wing (and did a fine job staying with the play and fighting through the defense to make that centering pass), Hornqvist got to the top of the crease, and stayed there. Too often, you'll see guys get caught up in the moment and go whirring by the net in a flash, and unless that pass is perfectly placed and perfectly timed, the scoring chance is missed. Instead, Hornqvist got himself in good position to bury that sucker even if things weren't set up so nicely.
Here's to hoping that Hornqvist can keep those goals a-coming as the Predators meet the #4 & #5 scoring teams in the NHL this week.
0 recs | 7 comments
I wonder if there’s someone out there with access to all of the game footage, who can make a video compilation of all the abuse that Horny takes after the whistle is blown, I’m sure it’d be quite lengthy. I’m surprise he stays in the lineup for so long.
JBoogie22 - February 12, 2012
Horny has a thankless job, but he’s very good at it. He won’t have a high point total this year, but he’s tied for the team lead in goals and usually buries it when given the chance.
pekkaslap - February 12, 2012
i'm with crispy
i am so glad crispy goes ballastic on the after the whistle shots hornquist takes. blow the whistle!
predwheels - February 12, 2012
Honk if you're Horny
come on refs, blow the whistle when he gets face washed!!!!
Creeping Death - February 12, 2012
Honk!
But yeah seriously….the all the crap that goes on after the whistle that is allowed is rediculous. It takes a bloody mouth to garner a roughing call when all the time he’s getting tossed about like a rag doll.
Herzausstein - February 12, 2012
Horndawg is amazing
The guy gets murdered every night and always goes back for seconds. You can’t ask for more than that.
901predfan - February 12, 2012
Not to take anything away from HQ,
but the goal above was all SK
Lil cutie - February 13, 2012
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