Even though the Eastern Conference is still sorting through various game 7s, the Predators have known for a few days now, that they will play the Phoenix Coyotes in Round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.  This matchup will prove to be a goaltending battle. Both Pekka Rinne and Mike Smith are playing hot right now, the main difference is Pekka has been playing lights out good for a couple seasons, and Mike Smith just caught this groove the end of this season.  Pekka is the “veteran” Goaltender in this series with Smith playing in his first playoffs. The key will be to just keep creating chances against Smith. My impression is the Coyotes don’t really have deep scoring and rely more on Defense and goaltending.  Preds will need to capitalize, and bring 3-4 scoring lines to wear them out.

     All that being said, you know your friends at Has Been Sports love to have a good time. You also know Justin and I from Monday Night Forehand like to get loud and proud when we watch hockey,  So, we got some parties set up for you!

     Friday night, April 27, the Puck drops on Game 1 in Phoenix.  Right now it looks like the estimated start time is 8pm Central. 

    We have teamed up with Nobody’s Grille in Murfreesboro.  Nobody’s will have the game on with sound. They have two giant TVs in the main room, along with the entire main room wall, bar, sunroom, and game room area walls also lined with televisions.   Nobody’s is also offering some great game day specials.

3.99 Loaded Potato skins

4.99 Smoked Wings

4.99 Big Ben Nachos.  That’s right. BIG BEN NACHOS!

Plus: FREE BEER. Yes Every time the Preds score you will get a free cup of Bud Light or Miller Light if you are wearing your Preds jersey.   

     You can also call Nobody’s at 615-962-8019 and make reservations , just tell them you are part of the Has Been Sports watch party.

     Then on Sunday, we take the party up I-24 and head to Buffalo Wild Wings in Smyrna on Sam Ridley Parkway.   Right now the game looks like it will be a 7:00 PM start.  Buffalo Wild Wings will have the game on with sound piped in as well.  

     We will have Game 2 on all the big screen televisions and as many or all of the TVs surrounding the restaurant. No, Big Ben is not taking on the Blazing Wing Challenge. Beating it once was enough, trust me. But you are invited to, and we will all cheer you on. I will even offer you strategy and tips and coach you if you are really interested in it. Heck we will even video it and youtube it for you!

   So, no matter what your other weekend plans are, make sure your weekend begins and ends with Monday Night Forehand and Has Been Sports.   We can’t wait to cheer on the Nashville Predators and hope you will join us. 

Lots of support so far the auctions and wristbands.  

There are 2 days remaining in the next auction. 

This auction includes the Hal Gill Hat Trick- 3 pucks signed by Gill. Includes Preds, Penguins, and Canadiens. 

There is also a mini goalie helmet signed by Pekka Rinne, Anders Lindback, and goaltending coach Mitch Korn.

There are also pucks signed by Paul Gaustad, Shea Weber, Mike Fisher,and Pekka Rinne.

 The auction is at: http://www.32auctions.com/Pucks

The ID is ” pucks” 

the Password is “Belak” 

Here is the Round 1 Western Conference Preds vs Wings Schedule!!!!! 

(all times Eastern)   

Includes the Tv Networks— Not listed is all games not nationally televised should be on FS-TN, I will try to confirm. 

 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 20128 P.M.DETROIT AT NASHVILLE  CNBC, CBC

FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 20127:30 P.M.DETROIT AT NASHVILLE   CNBC, CBC

SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2012NOONNASHVILLE AT DETROIT NBC, CBC

TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 20127:30 P.M.NASHVILLE AT DETROIT NBC SPORTS NETWORK, CBC*

FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 20128 P.M.DETROIT AT NASHVILLE CNBC, CBC*

SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2012TBDNASHVILLE AT DETROIT TBD*

TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012TBDDETROIT AT NASHVILLE TBD 

Stay tuned to Bigben.section303.com and hasbeensports.weebly.com because we WILL be bringing you away game watch parties!

On Friday, the Nashville Predators are taking on the Detroit Red Wings. This game is huge the two teams, along with the Blackhawks are fighting for spots 4,5 and 6 in the standings. Has Been Sports and Monday Night Forehand want YOU to take on the Wings, too. We have set up a watch party at Buffalo Wild Wings on Sam Ridley Parkway in Smyrna.
We will have tables reserved/set aside in the bar area and the game will be on with sound. In addition, there will be….FREE BEER SAMPLES. Yes, The Beer Girls from either Miller or Sam Adams will be on hand giving out samples. If this still isn’t enough to entice you, you can come out and watch Big Ben take on the Blazing Challenge.
When I shaved my head for St. Baldricks, I made the claim if I met my goal, I would tackle this challenge. Friday will be the big night. Sometime either in the 2nd intermission or right when the game ends, I will attempt to eat 12 of the Blazing wings, with no napkins,drinks, ranch etc.. i should point out in testing I made it through 3. But now I know what to expect. I also have formed a plan not only for the attack but also the recovery as well. Justin will be recording the challenge as well for you tube. We will also do a live podcast from the party and possibly live blogging as well. Come out, enjoy the game, have some wings, watch me do one of the top 5 stupidest things in my life, and all around have a good time. Plus I will have the Wade Belak scholarship fund wristbands and who knows, we may even have some give aways.

Buffalo Wild Wings is on Sam Ridley Parkway in Smyrna TN. The game starts at 630pm Central time.

Monday Night Forehand is pleased to announce the Has Been Sports Hockey Day Party. On Saturday, March 31 The Bridgestone Arena will be host to not one but TWO exciting hockey events. With so much hockey, we are proclaiming the day Hockey Day!

At 1pm the Vanderbilt and University of Tennessee (Knoxville) ice hockey clubs face off in the “Battle of I-40”. This FREE game has previously been held at Centennial Sportsplex but is moving to the larger venue with the hopes of increasing attendance. We will meet at the arena then find a section to take over once we get inside (No matter which team you’re cheering for). After the Collegiate tilt, we have reserved the private room at the Hilton Sports Grille. Anyone who follows Big Ben and Justin know this is a favorite Pre-game location. We will party and get pumped for the main event that evening, Nashville Predators vs Chicago Blackhawks. The Predators are returning home for this  Central Division heavyweight bout after the toughest stretch on their schedule all season.

Starting on Saturday March 24, the Preds take on the Winnipeg Jets at home (Win 3-1). The team then flies to Chicago for a Sunday March 25 matchup against the Blackhawks. Then on Tuesday 27th, Preds are on the road against the Blues. Friday March 30th sees the Preds take on the Detroit Red Wings in Detroit, before returning for the Blackhawks match. This week will be extremely demanding on the Preds and will probably determine their Playoff seed. Fans will need to bring their A-game as well. We know that the Chicago bandwagon will be bringing lots of fans downtown and to the game, So this is a chance for Predator fans to meet up and get ready for a rocking night.

The Sports Grille is located on 5th Avenue directly across from the Bridgestone Arena in the Hilton Hotel. They feature a range of food and drinks with plenty of TVs as well. So come spend your afternoon with Has Been Sports and enjoy a full day of hockey!

Here are the links to the various auctions. All auctions go to the Andie and Alex Belak Scholarship fund. All Athletes/celebrities who have autographed items are aware of the auction and cause. They have all been extremely supportive.

Preds Presses (Original Auction)

www.32auctions.com/Belak the ID and PW is Belak.

2ND Auction (pucks and Misc. items)

www.32auctions.com/Pucks

ID: Pucks PW : Belak

Pucks auction includes items by Mike Fisher, Shea Weber, Ryan Suter, Hal Gill, Pekka Rinne, Anders Lindback, Jordin Tootoo, Paul Gaustad, and more. It is also more than just pucks!

A huge thank you to everyone who has donated items, as well as bid so far. I am continuing to accept items, if you are interested in donating items please email me bigbenpreds@gmail.com

For more information on the Wade Belak wristbands, click HERE.

I am not affiliated with the Nashville Predators organization in any way. Just a die hard fan. This auction as well as wristband sales are my personal way of trying to help give back to the family of my Friend and Hero, Wade Belak. I make no claim of endorsement by any NHL organization, player, or by any charity. Just a guy trying to help out.

for my hair.        And you can help.   On Friday March 16, 2012. I am shaving my head for the St. Baldricks .  

Read More

Tonight, not only do the Predators face off in a divisional matchup, BUT the team is also hosting Hockey Fights Cancer night. 

Read More

Here are the links to the various auctions. All auctions go to the Andie and Alex Belak Scholarship fund.    All Athletes/celebrities who have autographed items are aware of the auction and cause. They have all been extremely supportive.  

Preds Presses (Original Auction)

www.32auctions.com/Belak        the ID and PW is Belak.

 2ND Auction (pucks and Misc. items)

www.32auctions.com/Pucks

ID: Pucks  PW : Belak

Pucks auction includes items by Mike Fisher, Shea Weber, Ryan Suter, Hal Gill, Pekka Rinne, Anders Lindback, Jordin Tootoo, Paul Gaustad, and more.  It is also more than just pucks!

Read More

I’ve answered the call to be a hero! I’m having my head shaved to stand in solidarity with kids fighting cancer, but more importantly, to raise money to find cures. Please support me with a donation to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. This volunteer-driven charity funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U. S. government. Your gift will give hope to infants, children, teens and young adults fighting childhood cancers. So when I ask for your support, I’m really asking you to support these kids. Thank you!   Check out my page HERE

Please take a minute to look at the different charitable projects going on.

On March 16, 2012 I will be shaving my head completely bald for St.Baldricks.  

Each year, 160,000 children are diagnosed with cancer worldwide. Cancer is the number one disease killer of children in the U.S. and Canada. Research saves lives. St Baldrick’s is a volunteer run charity that funds research for cancer treatments. 

Please check out my page and consider donating- Here

 The Belak Scholarship fund auction is up!  The first auction has launched here.  The Auction ID and Password  are Belak

There will be more upcoming auctions, Items are starting to come in and I wanted to get a head start.   If you have any items you would like to donate, email me bigbenpreds@gmail.com and I will get in contact with you. Thanks for all your support! 

Use auction code Belak and password: Belak.  you will see all the items up for bid. 

http://www.32auctions.com/view_auction?id=Belak&pwd=Belak

The Black and White photos were the best way i could get for the words to show up. The blue side contains ”  WADE BELAK #3 ”          The yellow side contains ” HEAVEN GOT A LOT TOUGHER”