MTSN GNASH Newsletter for October 18, 2023

Tonight’s MTSN broadcast

Father Ryan vs. Brentwood - 7:25 PM pregame, 7:30 PM faceoff BROADCAST LINK

Previewing tonight’s games

MTSN broadcast game in BOLD.

Tennessee Outlaws (1-0-1), Centennial (0-2-1) - 7:10 PM @ Centennial A
This is a pretty important game for both teams, but Centennial most especially. Despite letting a 3-0 first period lead against Hendersonville-Beech-Gallatin slip into a 4-4 tie (after having to score the tying goal, having gone behind 4-3 late in the second period), I still think that the Outlaws will be battling Summit-Page for the other midseason promotion to Tier 1. But, they can’t have another result like the one last week before the big showdown with Summit on November 8, or else, that game may not matter (keep in mind that the Outlaws play Ensworth-Nolensville-Lipscomb - who will surely be one of the two teams moving up - next Wednesday night). However, Centennial need to close out games. On Monday, 12 days after the heartbreaking loss to USN, the Cougars had a 4-3 lead over Hendersonville, only for Dom Harpole to score the tying goal with 28 seconds to go (what is it with Hendersonville and 4-4 ties on Mondays?). And this game tonight is one they absolutely have to win, because a loss would give them a third defeat on the first half of the season, and pretty much crush any hopes of getting back into the Predators Cup this season.

I’ll take the Outlaws.

Father Ryan (2-0-0) vs. Brentwood (0-3-0) - 7:30 PM @ Antioch-North
Yep, I’m also shaking my head looking at Brentwood’s record. I’m also stunned by their stats: 5 goals scored, 15 allowed. They’ve basically been taken to the woodshed in all three games they’ve played: Against Franklin, then Ravenwood, and most recently, Montgomery Bell. In the latter game, they actually scored the game’s opening goal, the first time they’ve led a game this season, only for the Big Red to take it away from them. If the Bruins lose their next three games (tonight vs. Ryan, Monday against Pope Prep-MLK-GCA, and next Wednesday against Mt. Juliet-Wilson Central-Green Hill), they will be making the midseason drop to Tier 2. They have to start winning games, and now. That means having all three aspects of their game (scoring, defense, and goaltending) playing at full song. Unfortunately, they’re taking on a Father Ryan team that lucked into getting the best goaltender in the goalie draft lottery in Zach Fonnesbeck. Thanks to him being so brilliant in goal, the Irish have given up two goals (one each to Ravenwood and Pope), and their top scorers like Austin Hester and Carter Middleton have taken advantage of their scoring chances.

I think Ryan will move to 3-0 after this one.

Station Camp-Liberty Creek (0-3-1) vs. Independence-Ravenwood 2 (0-3-0) - 8:15 PM @ Antioch-South
This is a game between two teams that will pretty much be staying in Tier 2 once the second half of the regular season comes calling. Three losses are too many to come back from, and neither team has enough power to make a run. That said, I do think that Indy are the better team here. Landric Mayeski and Torrin Kemble are absolute forces, something that the Bison don’t have. Mayeski and Kemble combined for three of the Eagles’ four goals in the 7-4 loss to Ensworth two weeks ago today. Meanwhile, poor Station Camp have scored one goal in their last three games.

Not much to say about this one; I’ll pick Indy here.

Hendersonville-Beech-Gallatin (1-1-2) vs. Summit-Page (2-0-0) - 8:30 PM @ Centennial B
The Commandos have had a nice time lately; they’re on a three-game unbeaten run, with two ties sandwiching a win against Station Camp. They’ve given themselves a chance to take a midseason trip up to Tier 1, but now, they’re in a must-win situation. And they must win tonight. This is Hendersonville’s fifth game of the first half, and the next one after tonight won’t be for two weeks. During that time, the race for midseason promotion will start to evolve, and Hendersonville’s fate will likely be decided during the layoff. They’re facing a Summit team that has played two games…scoring a combined 15 goals. And they’ve already lost to one of the three likely contenders to do a Jeffersons and move on up to the east side (Ensworth). Hendersonville will need to play their best game so far, and hope that everyone else has a bad time while they sit on the sidelines. Unfortunately, I don’t see that happening. Summit have scorers up and down the roster. And Brady Tessier was pretty stout in goal against Station Camp the other night.

I’m picking Summit.

Mt. Juliet-Wilson Central-Green Hill (1-2-0) vs. Montgomery Bell (3-0-0) - 8:40 PM @ Centennial A
For the second straight week, the Bears are involved in a game with real consequences at stake. With a Montgomery Bell win, both the Big Red AND Franklin will clinch spots in Tier 1 for the rest of the regular season, and Predators Cup berths for the postseason. The Bears are coming off of a win against Rutherford last Wednesday, where they needed a three-goal third period to put the game away. This came on the heels of a 6-0 loss to Franklin, and before that, a tough 2-1 loss to Pope. MBA, meanwhile, have been pretty steady. Wins against Rutherford, Pope, and Brentwood have put them in position to secure their status for the rest of the season. The top line of Lee Guy, Trace Graham, and Matthew Moore have scored nine of their 13 goals. Those nine goals from the top line are more than the five total goals Mt. Juliet have scored. I think that will make the difference here.

Pick: Big Red.

Standings

Friday’s schedule

Both games will be played at Centennial B. MTSN will broadcast both games.
Rutherford Rampage vs. Pope Prep-MLK-GCA - 6:30 PM
Father Ryan vs. Montgomery Bell - 8 PM

Monday’s final scores

Game broadcast by MTSN in BOLD.
Hendersonville-Beech-Gallatin 4, Centennial 4
Summit-Page 8, Station Camp-Liberty Creek 1 PODCAST LINK

Podcasts

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Miscellaneous links

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The next newsletter comes out tomorrow, October 19.