NASHVILLE — Like so many Americans, Ryan Kesler's reaction to the death of Osama bin Laden was one of great satisfaction.

"Proud to be an American!!," Kesler tweeted early Monday. "Justice is finally served!"

Many hours later, following the Vancouver Canucks' mid-afternoon practice at Bridgestone Arena, Kesler expanded on his feelings.

"As an American, yeah, it's obviously great news," Kesler said. "It's unfortunate it took so long and so many people died. Finally, there is some justice."

There were lots of "hell, yeahs" being shouted at Nashville's many honky tonk bars late Sunday and early Monday as news spread of bin Laden's demise at the hands of a U.S. military operation.

At Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, perhaps Nashville's most famous honky tonk, the bands playing there reminded patrons of the bin Laden news after nearly every song.

NAME GAME: Nashville coach Barry Trotz, a part-time Okanagan resident, feigned indignation Monday about the decision by the Predator Ridge Golf Resort to change its name to Canuck Ridge during the playoffs.

Trotz, who has a summer home in Vernon on Kalamalka Lake not far from Predator Ridge and plays a few rounds of golf there every summer, opened his media briefing at Bridgestone Arena by making light of the name change.

"I have a house near Canuck Ridge now," said a smiling Trotz, who suggested he'll be having a word with the resort's management when he heads to B.C. in late June.

"The boys will be getting some feedback in the summer," he said.

MORE TO GIVE: Trotz was pleased with his team's push in Game 2 and suggested that the Predators have much more to give.

"That's why we met today because there's a lot of things we can do better," Trotz said. "The next game is harder than the previous one and the one after that will be harder. We're okay with the hard stuff. If anybody has been around us for the last while, we haven't done anything easy. Ever. The harder it gets — it might sound sick — but we get really good when it gets hard. We have great resiliency and I expect us to up our compete level and conviction."

Trotz also knows the Canucks will try and rebound in Game 3 much the way the Preds did in Game 2.

"We know they are going to have a push," he said. "Any time you lose a game in the playoffs, the other team is going to have their push, or they should. We have to make sure that we are pushing."

SALO PRACTISES: Defenceman Sami Salo participated in his first full practice Monday, but neither he nor coach Alain Vigenault would say if there's any chance he'll play in Game 3 Tuesday (6 p.m., CBC, Team 1040).

Salo has missed Vancouver's last three playoff games with an undisclosed lower-body injury.

"I have been improving the last few days so that's a good sign," Salo said. "It's day to day and we'll make an assessment (Tuesday)."

TAKE NOTE, CANADA: When the Predators arrived home late Sunday afternoon, they were greeted by a good number of fans who lined the road leading to the hangar where their charter landed. Trotz said it's just the latest example that should prove to doubters that Music City loves its hockey.

"People don't realize sometimes this is a good hockey market and the fans are very passionate," Trotz said. "When we first made the playoffs there were a whole bunch of people when we arrived off the plane waiting for us. It is really special to see how much it means to them. Then yesterday, they didn't have to come and meet us there and they did. That shows they are passionate not only about the team, but what we're trying to do. It is special that those people would take the time."

Bridgestone Arena has developed a reputation of being one of the loudest buildings in the playoffs.

"North of the border they are going to see what kind of fans we have," said Nashville winger Steve Sullivan. "They are going to see how loud this building is. It ranks right up there with San Jose as one of the loudest buildings in the NHL. They are going to be rowdy on Tuesday and we are looking forward to it."

QUOTABLE: "It is a strength of this team. We don't panic when we are one goal down or it is a tight game. We have a lot of experience in those kind of games." — Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne on the Predators' knack for winning close games.

bziemer@vancouversun.com