Teams across the NHL are making their late-season playoff pushes, meaning that games are starting to become more exciting. Unfortunately, this coincides with NBC's coverage of what would otherwise be must-watch TV. Even worse, they have exclusive coverage of all hockey games in the Olympics, ruining the best hockey in the world, the likes of which we can only indulge ourselves with once every four years.
At first, I thought it was great that NHL games were being broadcasted nationally. There's no doubt that America doesn't fully appreciate the grandeur of professional hockey. Casual fans flipping through the channels or those with a basic TV package might take a moment to give the game a chance, something it hasn't gotten since ESPN decided to ignore the NHL after the lockout. Broadening viewership would certainly help franchises decide to avoid relocation, a growing problem, particularly in the Southeast Division.
As it turns out, these new fans have had a negative impact on the game as well. While their newfound support has led to an unprecedented sellout streak 0f 144 games and counting, bandwagoners in the city of Pittsburgh have frustrated long-time fans. Their ridiculous opinions are based on their limited understanding of the game, such as the line "Jordan Staal sucks" because he went 12 games without a goal. Staal, the #2 overall pick in 2006, runner up for the Calder Trophy the same year, and anchor of the best third line in hockey, has three goals in as many games since the drought. These fans typically wear powder blue throwbacks, most commonly with #87 on the back, yet have no idea that those were the team's standard colors for years. These fans have raised ticket prices and clogged season ticket waiting lists. True fans lucky enough to attend an occasional game have to deal with their utter incompetence. (Why is everyone booing that Jagr guy?) Total disgrace.
In addition, we have to put up with the lousy commentators NBC allows to "cover" the game. Between Mike Emrick, Eddie Olczyk, and Pierre McGuire, the network overdoes the "superstar effect." Fans across the country are sick of hearing about how good the stars are, how good the grinders are, and how good the coaches are. They focus more on the individuals than they do on the game. And inevitably, Olczyk will subtly bring up that he coached the Penguins. In any matchup between Detroit and Pittsburgh, and NBC makes sure they get the rights for each one, the following exchange will always take place.
Olczyk: Marc-Andre Fleury's first career win came against the Red Wings.
Emrick: Wasn't that your first career win too, Edzo?
Olczyk: Yes. Yes, it was.
Congratulations. You beat Detroit one time back in 2003. The only problem was that you didn't get many more wins. You finished that season 23-47-8-4, good enough for dead-last in the entire league. You nearly lost more games in a row (18) than you won all season. Your tenure of three years doesn't sound too short, but it was artificially extended by the lockout, meaning you only coached 113 games. Yet, you still managed to rack up 74 losses. The next year, Michel Therrien led the team to the playoffs, where they had earned home-ice advantage. So next time you feel tempted to mention your coaching career, don't.
As for Emrick, he may be one of the most annoying commentators I have ever been forced to listen to. He obsesses over the star players more than the other two combined. Every chance he gets, he's making a comment about how great of a leader the captain on either team is or how the teams have great depth. And then there is that voice. The high-pitched squeals every time Marian Hossa touches the puck are enough to drive the most dedicated fans to change the channel. As a certain follower of this blog made note, Emrick's voice (along with something else...) pick up every time the puck enters the slot.
In all honesty, NBC's commentators understand and care for the game. But that doesn't make it any easier to listen to them. I am tempted to mute the TV and listen to the call on the radio. Penguin fans know you can't beat Mike Lange and the old two-niner (Phil Borque).
The other problem NBC presents is that they manage to acquire the rights to the best games of the season. As much as it pains me to do so, I must admit that the Sunday matinee is truly "the game of the week." The three broadcasts thus far have all featured the defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins against some of their biggest rivals. These include cross-state nemesis Philadelphia, Detroit, whom they met in the last two Finals, and Alex Ovechkin's Washington Capitals. The network is taking a brief hiatus before returning with two more games involving Sidney Crosby's team.
Even though they broadcast the most compelling games, NBC still can't do much else right. The following image, courtesy of RockTheRed.net, was shown by the network. We know the game is on Sunday, they mentioned it twice, but is it in the afternoon or evening? The time 12M isn't descriptive enough for me. It features Washington's old logo, the one they haven't used for three years. A commenter on Yahoo! who goes by the alias Puck Buddy 289 came up with a clever joke, saying that the 20,000 dedicated fans who pack the Verizon Center despite harsh blizzards "have never seen that logo before."
RockTheRed.net
In case you couldn't tell, I don't care for NBC's coverage of the NHL. I would much rather watch the games on the local networks or another national channel. Maybe even ESPN, if they ever decide to recognize hockey as a sport. Unfortunately, all Olympic events, including hockey, will be shown by NBC. I'm giving them one last chance to earn my respect and appreciation. Hopefully, they won't blow it.
No comments:
Post a Comment