Don't cheat yourself: Watch hockey playoffs

roadee99 — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:53:10 GMT

The NHL has the best athletes in the world. Period. These guys are the toughest, most graceful and skilled skaters on the planet. Add to that the incredible hand-eye coordination, physical skills and stamina, and these guys are tops. The playoffs bring out the next level in these guys and every game is do-or-die. It doesn't get much better than this in any sport, playoffs or not. Also, I'd like to nominate Sam Rosen as one of the best announcers too. And I'm not a Rangers fan by any stretch. He just calls a great game. Go Avs!

Don't cheat yourself: Watch hockey playoffs

Amy, Lexington, KY — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 17:29:30 GMT

Amen. To watch hockey is to love hockey and there's no better time of year to get started than the Stanley Cup Playoffs. 16 teams fighting for a chance to drink from the silver chalice, to hoist aloft the longest continually contested trophy in the history of sport! Hallelujah it's time for the playoffs!!

Don't cheat yourself: Watch hockey playoffs

Mr Kris Kvamme - Los Angeles, CA. — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:13:20 GMT

Hi Mike, Emrick's very good, but Bob Miller (LA Kings) is to hockey announcers as Chick Hearn was to basketball announcers. He calls the game without being biased. He'll criticize the Kings, and praise the other team whenever it's appropriate. The Duck's announcers on the other hand, actually say "we" when they're talking about the Ducks - as if they're on the team. (as well as being terribly biased in their call of the game - any penalty against them is a bad call, etc.) Best Regards....

Don't cheat yourself: Watch hockey playoffs

DAN GILBERT — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 22:57:50 GMT

ALMOST MADE ME WANNA WATCH AFTER READING THIS GREAT ARTICLE. THE THING ABOUT HOCKEY IS IT COST TO MUCH FOR KIDS TO PLAY. THE OTHER SPORTS LIKE FOOTBALL, BASEBALL AND BASKETBALL ARE REALLY MUCH CHEAPER SO KIDS HAVE MORE OF A CHANCE TO PLAY AND BE FANS OF THE GAME. IF THEY WANT PEOPLE TO WATCH THE GAME THE NET HAS TO GET BIGGER TO BRING THE SCORES UP. SAME THING WITH SOCCER,THEY NEED LESS PEOPLE ON THE FIELD ITS JUST TO CROWDED. NO ONE IN THE U.S. WANTS TO WATCH LOW SCORING GAME LIKE THAT. SORRY JUST THE WAY I FEEL, I MEAN BASEBALL IS HARD ENOUGH TO WATCH BUT A HOMERUN IS A HOMERUN SO THEY GOT THAT.

Don't cheat yourself: Watch hockey playoffs

Larry — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:04:08 GMT

My first NHL hockey game was a game 7 first round matchup between Dallas and Edmonton some years ago. It was really incredible. The Stars lost thanks to a Todd Marchant overtime goal. Nevertheless, I was hooked. I grew up in South Texas where it's hard to make ice in the freezer much less ever see it outside. I've still never ice-skated but now Hockey is my favorite sport!

Don't cheat yourself: Watch hockey playoffs

Nate, Poughkeepsie, NY — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 20:12:33 GMT

Hear, hear!

I'm always singing hockey's praises to my non-hockey-fan friends. There's nothing better in sports than the NHL from about mid-March through the Stanley Cup finals, especially if it's your team on the tube. (LET'S go RAN-gers!)

And high definition broadcasts have done wonders for the experience of watching on TV! I don't think there is another sport that has been helped by HD as much as hockey. The wide angle camera has no problem covering an entire zone, so the puck is almost never out of view.

Don't cheat yourself: Watch hockey playoffs

Greg, Flushing, Michigan — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 20:16:16 GMT

You've got to be kidding... "And listen to the play-by-play, especially if Mike “Doc” Emrick is behind the mic.".. This guy spends more time out on a tangent than calling the game.
We watch NBC with the volume off and listen to Ken Kal call the game. Hey "Doc" take some lessons.
Just another "talkin' head" with a good strong vacum between the ears.

Don't cheat yourself: Watch hockey playoffs

Cory C, Grand Rapids, MI — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 21:44:41 GMT

Amen. Let's go RED WINGS!!!

Don't cheat yourself: Watch hockey playoffs

Larry Jacobi — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:59:46 GMT

You haven't heard a hcokey game called properly until you've heard Joe Bowen of the Maple Leafs network. Totally fair and balanced-delivered with a great sense of humor. Hockey announcing at it's best.

Don't cheat yourself: Watch hockey playoffs

Chioke Hassan,Baltimore,Md — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 02:33:18 GMT

Dear Mike
I think the NHL should bring back the All-Star game on regular TV like it used to.

Don't cheat yourself: Watch hockey playoffs

NLF — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 12:38:08 GMT

Mike have you considered this.... MOST OF US DON'T REALLY CARE AND ARE'NT INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT ABOUT HOCKEY!!! .... sheesh man given how long the NHL has been in America you guys should get it by now.

We've all seen the highlights, heard the passionate appeals and at times borderline bigoted appeals of hockeyites (who all believe the NBA's position should be their birthright) but its just not working. Its not the lack of exposure, its not the difficulty of seeing the puck, its not anything to do with announcer's voices, speed, non-stop action etc. its simply that people do not care! why is that so hard to understand. You know - different strokes ....

Don't cheat yourself: Watch hockey playoffs

NLF — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 12:42:14 GMT

From SportsMediawatch:

Both NHL playoff games drew overnight ratings of 1.0 -- down 17% from last year, when two comparable games drew a 1.2.

Flyers/Capitals was the lowest rated sporting event on NBC's Sunday afternoon line-up. The National Heads Up Poker Challenge that aired before the game drew a 1.5 rating, while the gymnastics telecast after the game drew a 1.3. Both of those events were taped programs.
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Should tell you something about Hockey's hold on the public's interest Mike.