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Nashville took a shootout victory from the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday night. The decision, while favorable for the Predators, was Minnesota’s 8^th loss a row.

The Preds couldn’t have done it though without their 2001 Draft Pick, Jordin Tootoo.

Netting the team’s lone goal in the 3^rd, Jordin put the team in position to endure Dany Heatley’s late 3^rd period goal that tied the game. In the shootout, Colin Wilson put in a backhander from close range past Minnesota’s Josh Harding.

Jordin’s a player you can’t really put a finger on why he works. He’s a fan favorite type, a team guy.

Formerly an enforcer, Tootoo’s game has evolved. After a disappointing rookie campaign, he spent time in Milwaukee with the Admirals (AHL) for a season and a half. For those years, and in his return to Nashville, he’s been a 100 PIM a year or more guy.

Plenty of fans would look at those numbers and write him off as a second tier goon; but his energy’s infectious.

Jordin’s new game might be attributed to his fresh start on life. Stepping away from alcohol last December possibly has given him a chance to refocus his energy (although it’s worth mentioning this might be a contract year for him).

Tootoo has 6 goals and 10 assists to date, including a big assist on Nashville’s game winner over Edmonton (2-1) on November 28. He’s certainly off to the best start of his NHL career.

A clean start on this season hasn’t completely reversed his tough guy ways. In a contentious decision earlier this season, Brendan Shanahan suspended Tootoo for two games because of a charge on the Sabres’ goaltender Ryan Miller.

Whether or not he sufficiently try to avoid contact with Miller, the incident will be just a small blemish on his new start.

Jordin Tootoo is taking life “one day at a time”, and for now he’s giving the fans in Nashville a little more to cheer for than normal.

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Ice Insiders Chris Berry Interactive Chris Berry Interactive