The NHL Winter Classic has become the “event” that it was set out to be when originally conceived by the executives of the National Hockey League some time ago, and both the League and the fans alike are the better for it. What’s more exciting than the idea of watching hockey players grind it out against the elements? Absolutely nothing, this is hockey the way it was meant to be…
…you know, minus the shitty camera work that is.
Saturday night’s edition of the now yearly New Year’s Day event found NBC putting to use a similar camerawork style akin to that of what they do for their NFL games. The end result of this “creative” take on hockey is nothing more than a shitstorm of frustration for NHL fans. Corner battles for the puck were practically incomprehensible to watch, as was keeping track of the puck itself. I remember years back when the NHL was on FOX, a colored trail was used to help viewers keep track of where the puck bounced and flew on the ice (no, I can’t remember what the hell it was called exactly, and I’m too damned tired to look it up on fucking Wikipedia too, so blow me), and even that wouldn’t have worked out well here.
On one hand, I applaud NBC and the NHL for wanting to spice things up to draw in more viewers, because the NHL really does need them. Granted that ratings are the highest they’ve been for the League in quite some time, and the League as a whole is doing better than they have years before the lockout (both of them) ever loomed, but for some reason the sport just doesn’t have the viewership of the NFL, NBA, or MLB. That being said, with lockouts and labor issues looming for both the NFL and NBA, apparently ESPN is looking to give the NHL another shot since giving them up after the last lockout concluded. Let’s hope so, and then we may actually have some great play-by-play commentary again.
Speaking of the commentary, I like Doc Emrick as much as the next hockey fan, but other announcers and analysts on the NBC/VERSUS roster like Eddie Olczyk, Mike Milbury, and Darren Pang (God I hate him so much, always have) are so horrible and nerve-grating that I pine for the days of ESPN-flavored hockey. Could anyone call a better game than Gary Thorne? Fuck no! To this day, he’s still the first guy that pops in my head when thinking about calling a hockey game play-by-play, and I sure fucking hope to Christ that if/when ESPN takes another shot at the NHL, he’s the main man to go to.
Keep in mind that I know hockey doesn’t offer the same kind of universal appeal that watching a bunch of ‘roided up dudes in jocks wrassle around a field grabbing each other to get a hold of a dead pig has, so this may or may not have any kind of relevance to you whatsoever. If it doesn’t…well, suck my ass then ya bunch of pricks.
Uncle Nick needs another shot of motor oil…
It was called the "Fox Trax" puck, btw. Im ok with the WC. Well, ok other than the fact that its a safe bet the Pens will have another appearance simply because they lost. Thats the thing that is KILLING me about the new NHL. Im all for speed and scoring they implemented through rule changes to attract casual fans who said hockey was boring. Theres almost nothing better than a close, high scoring game. What im vehemently against is thats its like im back in high school. Its a popularity contest. Its Gary Bettman throwing certain players down our throats. Thats why, if you look at the all star ballot, its filled with the Pens and Hawks. If he would give other teams a shot at high profile games (WC, Heritage/Alumni Games), smaller market teams (Thrashers,coyotes) would attract more casual fans--especially with sports fan looking for something to watch with a possible lockout of the NBA/NFL. Ok. I think im done with my rant.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more Jack. I love the high scoring, fast-paced game myself, but I understand that Crosby and the Pens being the focal point of the NHL is essential to the thriving of the league as a whole, at least in Bettman's eyes anyway. Hockey players are tough to market, not everyone of them has the personality of Jeremy Roenick or Chris Pronger, so someone like Crosby who has been billed as the next Gretzky since he was a teenager is sensible enough to market around, but I agree that more deserving teams with just as rich if not more rich histories (Rangers, Leafs, hell even the Isles) should have been considered for the Winter Classic this year as well. And the All-Star fan voting is a joke, it always has been, and with the changes and "drafting" to happen this year with it, it seemingly always will be too.
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