(CMT Offstage keeps a 24/7 watch on everything that's happening with country music artists behind the scenes and out of the spotlight.)

The Nashville Predators did not win their Tuesday night (Oct. 25) hockey game against the San Jose Sharks. But I'll bet Dierks Bentley was watching anyway and probably loved the game regardless of the outcome because Mike Fisher (Carrie Underwood's hubby) played well. When Bentley and I caught up a couple of weeks ago, we talked about Fisher's recent trade to the Nashville team from the Ottawa Senators. Bentley told me what a huge Fisher fan he is. "I saw Mike and Carrie at a fundraiser dinner thing in Nashville a little while ago. And she's great and everything, but all I wanted to do was talk hockey," he told me. "I was like, 'How's your shoulder? How do you think you guys are gonna play this season?' I'm such a gherm*." Fisher had had shoulder surgery during the off season, so I think it was sweet of Bentley to be so concerned. And Fisher collected an assist in Tuesday's game, which I'm told is a good thing. My sports reporter friend also told me, Mike Fisher was known as a solid player even pre-Carrie. Knowing how much Bentley loves the game and how Underwood married into it, I might actually start liking hockey this year.

* Gherm: A fan of a celebrity who could be classified as fervent, loyal, enthusiastic and zealous. Or unreserved, over-the-top, all-consuming and creepy. It just depends who you're asking. And, you know, who the gherm is.