NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Pekka Rinne says making nice with the fans didn't enter his mind when the Nashville goaltender skated over and handed a puck to a smiling young boy.
The goalie was just happy being back on the ice with his teammates in front of a few hundred fans.
The Predators tried to start wooing fans back Saturday for a lockout-shortened season. With the labor deal not ratified by midday, the players put themselves through an hour-long practice. The team sold hot dogs, popcorn and sodas for 50 cents apiece in what they billed a "celebration."
Fan Lee Bittinger sat near the ice, but says she's not going to reward the NHL by buying season tickets yet.
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