Spaling, Predators eliminated

Drayton native Nick Spaling and his Nashville Predators were eliminated from the National Hockey League playoffs on Monday night.

The Predators were defeated 2-1 in game five, resulting in a 4-1 series loss to the Coyotes. In 10 games played this post season, Spaling registered three assists and a plus-four rating, while averaging almost 16 minutes of ice time per game.

The 23-year-old was an integral part of the Predators’ penalty killing unit, which killed off 86% of the team’s penalties, good enough for sixth out of the 16 playoff teams.

During the 2011-12 regular season - his second full season in the league - Spaling played in 77 games and tallied 10 goals and 12 assists for a career-high 22 points, to go along with 18 penalty minutes and 107 shots on goal.