Nashville, TN--Mike Santorelli picked up a goal and an assist and Ryan Jones netted a goal as the Predators rookies rallied from one-goal down on two occasions, before eventually dropping a 3-2 shootout decision in Monday night's rookie game against the Atlanta Thrashers at the Sommet Center.

After a scoreless first period, Danick Paquette opened the scoring for Atlanta early in the second period. Jones tied the score 2:04 later, banging home a feed from Mike Santorelli. Santorelli created a turnover behind the Atlanta net and riffled a pass to Jones out in front for the goal.

The Thrashers re-gained the lead with a shorthanded goal late in the middle frame.
Mike Santorelli tied the game with a breakaway goal with 4:21 remaining in the contest. The Preds rookies carried the play the remainder of the game, but were unable to net the go-ahead score. Ryan Maki was robbed off a rebound attempt with 1:46 left in the game. Ten seconds later, Jones drew a penalty to give the Preds a power-play through the remainder of regulation. Jon Blum rang a shot from the point off the inside of the post with around 45 seconds left in the contest, the last high quality scoring chance for any of the teams.

In the shootout, the first three shooters for each side were unable to convert. The fourth Preds shooter was denied on a pad save and then Chad Painchaud won the game with a snap shot high to the glove side.