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Salomaki & Bitetto on battling for roster spots

It was a penalty-ridden game to close out the preseason for the Nashville Predators Saturday night. A total of 18 combined penalties were called on the Predators and Tampa Bay Lightning, with 10 on Nashville. Tampa Bay won the game in overtime, but most of the focus was on the players battling for an opening night roster spot.

Miikka Salomaki and Tony Bitetto were given another opportunity to impress Saturday night. Salomaki has made it count this preseason with four goals. Saturday night, he notched one on a penalty shot. He was also given a tremendous opportunity on special teams, with 3:58 on the power play and 3:36 on the penalty kill.

Tony Bitetto spent much of the evening paired with PK Subban. He logged a total 21:05 on the ice including 1:39 on the power play and 4:21 on the penalty kill.

Both players suffered injuries last season that hampered their ability to crack the lineup for a consistent amount of time. Big decisions now come for the organization to put together the opening night roster. Video above from Salomaki, Bitetto and head coach Peter Laviolette.

Justin is the author of "The Making of Smashville." An award-winning reporter, in 2013, he received the Silver Medal in the Best Sports Reporter Category for The Tennessean's Toast of Music City reader's poll. In 2014 & 2015, Justin was voted as the Best Sports Reporter in Nashville. In 2014, PenaltyBoxRadio.com received the silver medal as Best Blog in Nashville. In 2015, the website received the award for Best Sports Blog in Music City. In 2016, the site was awarded 2nd place as Best Blog in Nashville. He has been a featured guest on "NHL Tonight" on NHL Network, "Inside Sports Sunday on WSMV-TV, "All Things Considered" on NPR, "Road to the Cup" on WKRN-TV, "Sportsline" on NewsC hannel 5+, "Predators Playoffs Today" on ESPN 102.5 The Game, TSN 1290 Winnipeg, Sportsnet 590 The Fan - Toronto, TSN 1260 Edmonton, WGR Sports Radio 550 - Buffalo, and featured in The Ringer, Saturday Down South and The Tennessean. Credentialed by the Nashville Predators, the NHL (Stanley Cup Final, Draft, All Star Game), WCHA and CHL.

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