Joel Ward returned to Smashville on Tuesday night as a member of the Washington Capitals. The Predators won 3-1 in a game that saw four goals scored in the final five minutes of regulation.
“It was different at the start of the game,” the 30-year old said after the game. “It was a bit emotional being on the different side of things, but after the first period I kind of settled the nerves a little bit.”
Ward, who was a member of the Predators organization between 2008 and the end of last season, played 13:10 and had one shot on goal.
“He had a really strong game, tonight. All the things he does like protecting pucks and getting pucks out, he is just a solid player. He is going to be good for the Caps,” Head Coach Barry Trotz said about Ward after the game. “He meant a lot to our success and to the community. I love the tribute that we did as an organization.”
“It was unexpected, I didn’t know,” Ward said about the tri...
Original Story:
