Former Vancouver Canucks defenceman and Hockey Night in Canada analyst Kevin Bieksa shared an intriguing story from his playing days during last night’s game between the Canucks and the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. As the Canucks faced off against the Predators in Game 3, Bieksa found himself in familiar territory, remembering an incident from the past.
Back in 2011, during the Western Conference semifinal series between the Canucks and Predators, Bieksa experienced firsthand the Predators’ attempts to make life just a bit more difficult for their opponents off the ice. One tactic involved blocking off the closest hallway to the Canucks’ dressing room, forcing them to take a longer route. Not one to back down from a challenge, Bieksa decided to respond in a similar way. 
Taking matters into his own hands, Bieksa orchestrated a retaliatory move by blocking off the Predators’ usual walkway to their dressing room, mirroring the tactic employed against his team. However, there was one exception: a Predators staff member known as Partner, who was allowed access to the restricted hallway.
Reflecting on the incident, Bieksa explained the rationale behind allowing Partner exclusive access, stating, “Partner is the gentleman who works for the Preds and we always try to get him on our side as he does the laundry.”
Amidst the playful banter, Bieksa revealed another amusing detail about the encounter. When asked if someone had alerted then-Predators head coach Barry Trotz about the situation, Bieksa said, “Somebody tipped off Barry. He came walking down when I was putting the tape across and he was like, ‘What are you doing?’ And I go, ‘Fair is fair. Barry.'”
As Bieksa reminisced about the incident, it raised questions about whether similar tactics are still in play during the current matchup between the Canucks and the Predators in 2024. If it is the case as a playful nod to past rivalries or a genuine attempt to gain a competitive edge, it’s stories like these that add a little more entertainment to playoff hockey.