Urban Performs First National Anthem; Titans Rally Preds' Fans

"It shouldn't be possible, but [the fans] proved us wrong a lot of times. They can be even louder."
The challenge was issued by Predators winger Filip Forsberg upon landing in Nashville, roughly 24 hours before Game Three, the first conference final contest ever hosted at Bridgestone Arena.
We'll let you be the judge, but for those of us that were there: mission accomplished.

It seems like a collective breath is taken by everyone within Smashville in the moments leading up to the opening faceoff. One, because of the upcoming intensity within the game; two, due to the wonderment at which stars will be the next surprise guests to sing the national anthem and rally the crowd.
Well, let's just the fans were not the only ones who elevated their game on Tuesday night.
Country music superstar Keith Urban performed the national anthem (video above) and then later revealed in a touching video on Twitter that it was the first time in a quarter century of living in the United States that he'd been asked to sing the anthem of his new home country.
"I've lived in a America for 25 years, and I've never been asked to sing the national anthem until tonight," Urban, a New Zealand-born Australian-American, said in the video. "So it's a huge honor. Thank you, Preds, for asking me. Go Preds!"

As Urban left the ice, attention turned to the Ford Band Stage where the Tennessee Titans offensive line and quarterback in Marcus Mariota hyped up the crowd. Let's just say there was towel waving and a giant catfish, among other shenanigans.

That was all in the first few minutes after the clock struck 7 p.m. (CT). Then the game got underway:

Several more celebrities took to Twitter to share their excitement during the Preds come back in the third period.

Tweet from @TheEricYoung: @PredsNHL #Smashville LETS GO!!!!!!!!!!

Roman Josi's shot found twine with 2:43 remaining in regulation to give their Predators their 10th consecutive home playoff win. More importantly, it gave Nashville a 2-1 series lead in their Western Conference Final series with the Ducks.

Tweet from @andylassner: Big win @PredsNHL.

Not all the fun was contained within the walls of Bridgestone Arena, however. Thousands of Preds fans converged on the plaza and at the nearby Walk of Fame Park to celebrate.