MTSN GNASH Newsletter for February 26, 2024

Starting today, broadcast links for the gameday newsletters will be embedded in the game previews.

Previewing tonight’s games

Both games will be played @ Bellevue-Crisp
Henry Hine Cup Losers’ Bracket Final - #7 Hendersonville-Beech-Gallatin vs. #5 Brentwood - 6:45 PM (MTSN coverage begins at 6:40 PM BROADCAST LINK)
Paths to this game
Hendersonville-Beech-Gallatin
-Defeated Centennial 6-3 on February 7 in the first round
-Defeated Tennessee Outlaws 5-3 on February 12 in a Winners’ Bracket Semifinal
-Lost 6-0 to Rutherford Rampage last Wednesday in the Winners’ Bracket Final

Brentwood
-Lost 3-0 to USN-BA-Nashville Christian-FRA-Goodpasture on February 7 in the first round
-Defeated Independence-Ravenwood 2 8-2 on February 12 in the first round of the Losers’ Bracket
-Defeated Tennessee Outlaws 3-1 on February 14 in a Losers’ Bracket Quarterfinal
-Defeated USN-BA-Nashville Christian-FRA-Goodpasture 4-3 in a shootout last Wednesday in the Losers’ Bracket Semifinal

Season series: Only meeting ended in a 3-3 tie on December 6.
After knocking off 2 seed Centennial and 3 seed Outlaws to open the Hine Cup, 1 seed Rutherford was a step too high for the Commandos, who got pulled back down to Earth last Wednesday. Now, they have to face a Brentwood team on a revenge tour through the Losers’ Bracket, a Brentwood team that looks like they actually want to win this thing. Brentwood should’ve won that December 6 game; they had a 3-2 lead with just under 20 seconds left, when a turnover at center ice led to the tying goal from Gideon Drobnick with just six seconds left. Goaltending will decide this game, as it will likely be rematch between Jackson Brodrick and Payne Fielder, as they were the two netminders from the December showdown. Fielder has been tremendous since the first USN playoff game, allowing only six goals in the three games afterward. The Commandos were missing Carter Morrison in the December 6 game, who could no doubt make a difference tonight, as well. This feels like it will be another close one.

But I’m saying it’s Brentwood joining Rutherford in Wednesday’s Final.

Consequences of this game’s result
Winner will play Rutherford on Wednesday @ 8:40 PM @ Centennial A in the Hine Cup Final
Loser is eliminated

Predators Cup Losers’ Bracket Semifinal - #8 Ravenwood vs. #5 Franklin - 8:25 PM (MTSN coverage begins at 8:20 PM BROADCAST LINK)
Paths to this game
Ravenwood
-Defeated Summit-Page 6-4 on February 8 in the first round
-Lost 5-1 to Montgomery Bell on February 14 in a Winners’ Bracket Semifinal
-Defeated Pope Prep-MLK-GCA 7-4 last Wednesday in a Losers’ Bracket Quarterfinal

Franklin
-Lost 4-2 to Montgomery Bell on February 7 in the first round
-Defeated Summit-Page 6-3 on February 12 in the first round of the Losers’ Bracket
-Defeated Father Ryan 4-3 last Wednesday in a Losers’ Bracket Quarterfinal

Season series: Franklin won both meetings - 7-3 on October 2, and 7-2 on November 27
Ravenwood might be the story of the entire postseason. The 8 seed that did absolutely nothing in the second half of the regular season - except beat Mt. Juliet - has defied expectations, and now find themselves two steps from returning to the Preds Cup Final. Standing in their way is a Franklin team that obliterated them twice in the regular season, a Franklin team on a mission to get one more crack at MBA, and then another crack at Ensworth. Except against MBA, the Raptors have played pretty good shutdown defense this postseason, only allowing 22 shots for Pope last Wednesday, and forcing Summit to the outside a lot on February 8. Franklin, meanwhile, scratched out a tough win against Father Ryan last week, the kind of game you need to win this time of year. Even better, Hudson Lohse returned to the lineup for them, and scored the goal that gave the Admirals a 3-2 lead after two periods. This game might be closer than the first two.

But I’m still picking Franklin to win it.

Consequences of this game’s result
Winner plays Montgomery Bell on Wednesday @ 7:10 PM @ Centennial A in the Losers’ Bracket Final
Loser is eliminated

Brackets

Predators Cup

Click on the bracket image to see it; it automatically updates when a final score is entered.

Henry Hine Cup

Click on the bracket image to see it.

Wednesday’s schedule

MTSN will broadcast both games; broadcast links will appear in tomorrow’s newsletter.

Both games will be played @ Centennial A
Predators Cup Losers’ Bracket Final
Ravenwood/Franklin winner vs. #4 Montgomery Bell - 7:10 PM

Henry Hine Cup Final
Hendersonville/Brentwood winner vs. #1 Rutherford Rampage - 8:40 PM

Podcasts

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The next newsletter comes out tomorrow, February 27.