The Nashville Predators are aiming to "keep the red out."
The team has adjusted the way tickets will be sold during games against the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks next season in an initiative to keep Blackhawks fans from invading the Bridgestone Arena.
The Predators, who have home games against the Blackhawks on Nov. 16, Dec. 17 and April 12, announced that they will not be selling single-game tickets to those contests. In order to attend those games, fans will have to buy tickets to a second game as well.
"Our objective is to give our team the best home-ice advantage each and every game," said Gerry Helper, Predators vice president of hockey communications and public relations Wednesday, according to ESPN.
While "Keep the Red Out" isn't the definitive name for the objective, a recent interview with team president and CEO Sean Henry has given the name some credibility.
"The best way to buy a Blackhawk ticket is to have a season ticket, a half-season ticket or a 15-game plan," Henry told website Section303.com in the interview according to ESPN. "We're breaking down every barrier to keep the red out."
Blackhawks fans have made it a habit to follow their team on the road, including to Nashville, in large numbers in recent years, and with good reason as Chicago boasted an 18-4-2 record on away from the United Center last season.
The Blackhawks blanked the Predators in all three games played in Nashville last season, winning 3-0, 1-0 and 3-0 respectively. The Blackhawks completed a season sweep of the Preds in all five games last season, also winning both games at home.
The Predators are hoping for some better luck against Chicago this season and some better fortune against the rest of the NHL after the Preds went a measly 16-23-9 and finished in last place in the Central Division with 41 points--the second least amount of points in the Western Conference in last year's lockout-shortened season.
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