The schedule is pretty light as we head into the All-Star break. NBC Sports Network will have another game on Wednesday from the Bell Centre, an Original 6 matchup as the Detroit Red Wings come into Montréal. This is the only time the two teams will meet this season.
---
During the Canadiens-Penguins game Friday night, the Root Sports announcers made a note that the mayor of Quebec City was in Pittsburgh to take a look at the Consol Energy Center, the new home of the Penguins, as the city looks to build a new NHL arena for a return of the NHL (Phoenix Coyotes?).
One of the announcers made a comparison to someone who looked like a "furtrapper from Quebec." Part of me was horrified at a multiple century stereotype, but part of me appreciated that he knew that about Quebec's history.
---
The NHL Network went 1-for-2 in the extra games, picking up the Rogers Sports Net Pacific feed for the Sharks-Canucks. Thanks to the two teams, pulling off the regulation-time win just under the 2:30 mark, allowing the full CBC pregame to be shown on the NHL Network.
The visiting feeds should take some of the beautiful shots of Vancouver that RSN Pacific had on the telecast. Vancouver got its "one" snowstorm of the season, but the snow had melted and the city was under beautiful sunshine. What a glorious show.
---
Problems at the Air Canada Centre caused significant delays during the Montréal-Toronto game Saturday night. Two observations: 1) the CBC kept things at the rink. NBC and the NBC Sports Network would have freaked out and showed tons of commercials; CBC kept things on hockey; and 2) Jim Hughson, Craig Simpson, and Glenn Healy are entertaining when they expound on hockey. Delays such as those rarely happen in hockey and they stalled better than any baseball rain-delay announcers. Of course, Hughson has called Montréal Expos and Toronto Blue Jays games in his career.
---
The NHL Network has definitely made two unfortunate changes. The feed we get in the States from Hockey Night in Canada won't show cutaways to other games. The U.S. audience gets silence during the breaks. While the Florida-Winnipeg was exciting, we didn't get to see much of anything on what was going on. And once again, the game ended with another game going into OT (that exciting Panthers-Jets matchup), and we couldn't see the conclusion. When you run 15 hours of NHL Tonight, why can't that wait until 10 pm Eastern?
---
The CBC announcers were talking about the outdoor hockey game at Hamilton's Ivor Wynne Stadium. They drew over 20,000 each for a AHL game and a old-timers game between former Maple Leafs and Canadiens.
Sad to think that Phoenix still has a NHL team when Hamilton draws 20,565 to see a minor-league hockey game outdoors. Hamilton has the Canadiens' top farm team and the Bulldogs hosted the Toronto Marlies. Are there even 20,565 hockey fans in Phoenix? Miami? Columbus?
---
The NHL Network blew off the latest installment of the Battle of Alberta. Calgary has had Edmonton's number and won again Saturday night. Taylor Hall returned from his 30-stitch gash in his head and his black eye.
Hall's roommate, Jordan Eberle, was the guest on After Hours. The episodes are easier to get online these days at cbcsports.ca.
I don't know what was more disappointing? That the Montreal - Toronto franchises' Outdoor Old-timers game wasn't on any Cdn TV for Friday night! Or the post NFL game Buffalo, NY beer ad where Labatt Blue is on sale at 61 cents a bottle. (in Ont. it is priced at 1.284 or 1.33 28/24 case)
I watched the Flyers vs. Rangers' Outdoor Alumni game on the CBC at New Year's; Buffalo's NBC affiliate had paid programing that day. And Buffalo fans aren't getting any hockey games owing to their local cable system dispute.
Posted by: CQ | January 23, 2012 at 11:40 AM
I know that the AHL game was on Rogers Sports Net because Ron McLean and Don Cherry mentioned it. Too bad about not having the old-timers game on TV, especially with the crowds Hamilton drew. I would have watched that.
I wish Labatt's was that cheap here. I can't speak for Labatt's in other parts of the States, but I see it much more often than Molson or Moosehead. Cheap flight to Buffalo to pick up some beer, eh?
Glad you brought up the Time Warner mess with MSG. How ridiculous. I saw where Buffalo had the best local ratings of the NHL teams. The Flyers-Rangers outdoor alumni game wasn't on NBC, but on Versus. So the CBC was your only option.
Posted by: Chad | January 23, 2012 at 04:42 PM