Trisha Yearwood had a key role in the Nashville Predators scoring the first goal of their postseason game on Monday night. She didn't do it by picking up a hockey stick and throwing on some skates, although that would've been something to watch. Instead, she was tasked with saluting the stars and the stripes before the drop of the first puck. It was a big responsibility in a country music crazed community, but she nailed it.
Singing the national anthem
Rumors spread earlier in the day that Yearwood might be on the mic for the big moment prior to Monday's game.
Nobody knew for sure until she took to the ice. Rocking her Nashville Predators jersey, she stepped up to the plate and delivered a minute and a half long rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner."
Trisha Yearwood with another awesome rendition of the National Anthem #Preds #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/LhG6VQPZNu
— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) May 23, 2017
Eddie George and injured Predators Kevin Fiala and Ryan Johansen were on hand to add to the hype of the proceedings. Yearwood became the latest in a group of country stars to sing the anthem before home playoff games, including Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Little Big Town, Vince Gill, Keith Urban, and Lady Antebellum. The team did draw some flak when pop star Kelly Clarkson sang the anthem before a game they wound up losing.
With country music stars back in the saddle, the same fate would not occur.
Predators are Stanley Cup bound
In the wake of Yearwood's performance, the city of Nashville responded with cheers and the hockey players responded with some inspired play. Less than a minute and a half into the game, Austin Watson opened the scoring for the home team.
The lead would be maintained until the third period when the game was briefly tied 3-3.
The Predators scored the last three goals of the game, though, winning 6-3 and winning the Western Conference Finals over the Anaheim Ducks four games to two to advance to their first ever Stanley Cup Finals.
A trip to the Stanley Cup Finals means at least two more country-inspired performances of the national anthem at home hockey games.
Yearwood could be a good luck charm following this victory, but the team will probably look for other performers. Maybe her husband, Garth Brooks, can take the song for a spin.
Chris Stapleton is arguably the biggest name in country music right now and is from Nashville. Sam Hunt doesn't have the same allegiance, but he also has some roots in the city. The options are plentiful to get the team and its fans going before trying to capture their first NHL title.
