While most American viewers were shut out of Canadian-based live hockey this past week, those in Chicago got to see the team's final trip to Western Canada this year.
Of course, the entire country ended up seeing the Edmonton-Chicago game yesterday, thanks to Sam Gagner's 8-point effort. Glad to see that the NHL Network used the TSN feed and they showed the rebroadcast in Chicago. Having Mike Johnson rinkside gave an unique perspective on the reaction from Edmonton's bench as to the herculean effort.
Only 1 NHL player ever scored more than 8 points in a game. Scott Gomez had 7 points in a year for the Montréal Canadiens, and 0 goals.
The Chicago-Vancouver "rivalry" is one-sided as the Blackhawks think more of Vancouver as a rival. The fact that WGN carried the game on a weeknight speaks volumes to how the Blackhawks feel about the game. The fact that TSN carried every Chicago game on the Western Canada road trip speaks volumes to what Canadian TV thinks of the Chicago NHL franchise.
If it weren't for the Edmonton game, this would have been the most noteworthy game. One of the best-played games of the year.
Canadian fans can watch WGN's local feed, so that feed was available throughout Canada (except for Vancouver). WGN operates as a superstation but its Blackhawks and Bulls telecasts are prohibited from being showed on U.S. cable systems, thanks to the NHL and NBA.
The irony is that the Chicago Blackhawks had the worst TV rights for many years: no home telecasts, even on cable and no OTA telecasts. Now, WGN in Chicago is one of the few (or maybe the only one) OTA stations that carries NHL hockey.
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Live Canadian-based hockey returns on Thursday as the Maple Leafs travel to Philadelphia. TSN is carrying the game in Canada, though the fear is that Comcast Sports Net Philadelphia will be the feed for the NHL Network.
We'll have more on Hockey Day in Canada later in the week.
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One of the most iconic MLB players from Canada has announced his retirement. Matt Stairs, born in St. John's and grew up in Fredericton, New Brunswick, has retired as an active player and will work for NESN as an analyst for Boston Red Sox telecasts.
Stairs was a 1B/OF/DH through his 19-year career, but became best known late in his career as a pinch-hitting extraordinaire.
Matt Stairs played for both Canadian teams, signing and playing with Montréal and later playing for Toronto. He also suited up for the Oakland A's, Kansas City Royals, Washington Nationals, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, and Milwaukee Brewers.
With his physique being better suited for softball, Stairs was an endearing athlete who was more relateable than the average millionaire baseball player.
Stairs finished his career as a .262 hitter with 265 HR and 30 stolen bases.
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