Peter Laviolette admitted he didn't want to do it.
But, by the time he stepped behind the bench in Edmonton on Saturday night, it was already halfway to fruition. Buried deep in the visitors' locker room at Rogers Place, a mask in the shape of a bull's head was packed away, waiting for stardom.
And when Captain Roman Josi sailed a puck into an empty net to give the Predators their second victory in as many nights in the province of Alberta, upholding their end of the challenge, Laviolette's players began calling for Bushwacker.
Back-to-Back for Bushwacker: The Inside Story of the Preds' Bull Head
Laviolette Reveals How Challenge, Sporting of Bull Head Came to Be; Preds Appreciate Coach Keeping His Word
© Glenn James