"There's any number of reasons that Shea Weber is now the Nashville Predators' captain. In general terms, it is his combination of attitude and ability. As for the specifics, well many of those were prominently on display to those on hand Monday for the Predators' 2-1 preseason victory over the Atlanta Thrashers. "He was a force out there," coach Barry Trotz said. "Obviously, he was physical. I thought he made pretty good decisions all night. I thought he stepped up when we needed something to happen on the power play. "… He was a difference-maker, and that's what Shea can be." The announced crowd for the Predators' final home appearance before the regular-season opener (Oct. 9 vs. Anaheim) was 10,411. The actual number was significantly lower than that. Not to worry, though. None of what Weber did against the Thrashers was new to anyone who has seen this team at any time during the previous four-plus seasons, when he was just an up-and-coming defenseman. Paired for the first time this preseason with regular partner Ryan Suter, he had a goal and an assist in addition to a team-high four hits. "It's been a long time since we played together, but it was good to get back out there with him," Weber said. "Now we can just work on getting back to (the way we played) last year." His most notable moment was his game-winning goal with 8:58 remaining - a heavy slap shot from the blue line that found its way through traffic and into the back of the net just 16 seconds after the final penalty of the contest was called. He also had the only assist on Nashville's other goal. He wound up to uncork a slap shot but changed his mind when he saw a defender in his path. He instead pushed a pass to forward Sergei Kostitsyn, who was unchecked at the front of the net and able to redirect it home just 3:06 into the contest." http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/sports/weber-shoots-shoves-shows-way-predators-victory
