Annual Nashville Predators Gold Star Showcase

Nashville Predators fans packed F&M Bank Arena in Clarksville on Wednesday night to take in an intrasquad game before more preseason action this weekend.

Proceeds from the game go toward the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, a nonprofit organization that empowers families of fallen Special Operations Personnel and service members awarded the Medal of Honor.

The military is close to home for forward Michael McCarron so getting to play in this game added a layer for him.

“Being an American it’s special to honor people who have made so many sacrifices, not just them but their families too,” McCarron said. “My wife’s brother & dad were in the Marines for a long time so I know what it’s like. to have a military family so it hit close to home for me tonight.”

Team Gold & White faced off with the game going past regulation. Team white won 4-3 as forward Mark Jankowski scored the game-winner a few minutes into the extra frame.

Game winner from Mark Jankowski to end the Gold Star Showcase. pic.twitter.com/H1K4HQJuZq

— Nick Kieser🏒 (@KieserNick) September 26, 2024

Forward Philip Tomasino continued to impress this training camp picking up all three of his points on the night in the showcase during the first period.

The gold team got off to a hot start on offense firing nine shots on net in the first seven minutes. Defenseman Marc Del Gaizo jumped up on the rush with forward Vinnie Hinostroza for an early chance on goalie Scott Wedgewood.

Nashville’s white team saw a line of Philip Tomasino, Tommy Novak, & Luke Evangelista during the showcase. On a rush with just under 10 minutes to play in the opening period Tomasino found Novak on the rush to strike first.

The lead didn’t last long as the gold squad fired back a minute later with their first goal of the game. Defenseman Jake Livingstone threw a wrist shot on the net through traffic to beat Scott Wedgewood.

Team white didn’t back away as Tomasino continued his busy night contributing to the next two goals. Evangelista found Tomasino for the second goal to reclaim the lead. Then with 20 seconds to play in the first Tomasino found Juuso Pärssinen for a powerplay goal to extend their lead to 3-1.

Fast forward to the halfway point of regulation forward Joakim Kemell had a nice toe-drag & release to beat goalie Drew DeRidder to make it 3-2.

Both teams saw an opportunity on the powerplay in the final minutes of the second period but were unable to find the back of the net on the man advantage.

Things began to ramp up in the third period as Anthony Angello tied things up for the gold team with 16 minutes to play. All of the net-front traffic collapsed on DeRidder & Angello took advantage in the moment to even things up.

Just under 10 minutes to play Ethan Haider was tested as Evangelista & Novak nearly connected for a goal. Haider went down in the splits to his left side to make the save on Evangelista.

Then as he’s done during his NHL career forward Michael McCarron didn’t let up on his style of play in the showcase tossing a hit on Pärssinen during the third period.

“It’s tough to dial it back but sometimes with players like us you have to play that line or else you aren’t doing much out there,” McCarron said. “Keep it between the lines though playing against you’re own teammates. If you get it clean though you have to play your style of game & that’s what we saw out there tonight.”

No more goals came in regulation so the intrasquad contest went to overtime where Mark Jankowski ended up being the hero to give team white the 4-3 win.