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Bob Hunter commentary: NHL hidden in plain sight on Versus
The Columbus Dispatch ^ | May 12, 2009 | Bob Hunter

Posted on 05/12/2009 9:32:41 AM PDT by buccaneer81

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To: Landru

I’m not a huge fan, but I was really pulled into the game during the Rangers’ 1994 Stanley Cup run. I watched the entire series, and that climactic game in MSG was amazing. Now, I don’t even know if I *get* Versus, much less what channel it’s on, that’s how little TV I get to watch anymore!

}:-)4


41 posted on 05/12/2009 11:14:41 AM PDT by Moose4 (Hey RNC. Don't move toward the middle. MOVE THE MIDDLE TOWARD YOU.)
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To: buccaneer81
Last weekend NBC chose to air the TPC golf tournament, and the Caps/Pens game 5 was nowhere to be found. That should be the straw to break Bettman's back, but it won't be.

??? I don't understand what are you posting about. Caps/Pens game 5 was broadcast Saturday by Versus. I watched it. There was a NBC and Versus conflict last Sunday but Game 5: Ducks @ Red Wings was carried by the NHL Network channel - 5:00 pm (TSN Canada Live Feed). I watched this game too. This info was posted in advance on Airborne's NHL HOCKEY PLAYOFF TIME !!! thread. Hope this helps.

Regarding several other posts, NHL blackout rules apply. This has nothing to do with the Versus channel.

TAB

42 posted on 05/12/2009 11:22:05 AM PDT by flattorney (See my comprehensive FR Profile "Straight Talk" Page)
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To: Moose4
"I’m not a huge fan..."

Honest, I wasn't either.
But no anymore.
The series is knotted up at 3 apiece, and the way they went absolutely nuts in each of the preceding 6 games I --& my wife, no less!-- wouldn't miss it.
We're hooked...no wait, that's 2 minutes in the "box"! :o)

"...but I was really pulled into the game during the Rangers’ 1994 Stanley Cup run. I watched the entire series, and that climactic game in MSG was amazing. Now, I don’t even know if I *get* Versus, much less what channel it’s on..."

What a pity, my friend.
I mean it too, best damned unbelievably physical ball busting action there is anywhere...maybe ever.

"...that’s how little TV I get to watch anymore!"

HA!
If by [that] you mean lack of time?
Perfectly understandable, perfectly.

If OTOH you'd meant you threw the damned thing out?
Woe be me to knock you for that.

In fact I often wish I'd do likewise more often than not.
If I did, though?
It'd be after the Stanely Cup. LOL

43 posted on 05/12/2009 11:26:51 AM PDT by Landru (Arghh, Liberals are trapped in my colon like spackle or paste.)
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To: flattorney
I don't understand what are you posting about. Caps/Pens game 5 was broadcast Saturday by Versus.

Not on my cable system in Columbus. Every other game has been.

44 posted on 05/12/2009 11:32:23 AM PDT by buccaneer81 (Bob Taft has soiled the family name for the next century.)
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To: oh8eleven

1 - It does matter how old the picture is, a decade is a long time in any sport. Might as well throw around pictures of guys without helmets, it’s not the game today.
2 - Your link doesn’t even have stats back to when your picture happened. Back then the league averaged over 1 fight a game.
3 - way to prove you know you’re full of crap. Nobody who has a real point needs to attack the person, my sign on date has nothing to do with the topic.


45 posted on 05/12/2009 12:41:36 PM PDT by razorboy
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To: razorboy

‘Tis better to remain silent and thought a fool, then to open your mouth and remove all doubt.


46 posted on 05/12/2009 12:57:25 PM PDT by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
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To: oh8eleven

Funny how the guy complaining about fights in the NHL is all about the personal attacks. Hypocrisy much?


47 posted on 05/12/2009 1:05:37 PM PDT by razorboy
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To: oh8eleven
Doesn't matter which channel carries the NHL ... no one will watch because of the fighting. Childish and booooooring.

I watched 10 or 12 playoff games so far this season and so far saw a grand total of one fight.

Thankfully, fighting ain't what it used to be in hockey. I agree it was boring, (and mostly contrived) but it's far less now and the great players can show their stuff without getting pounded by some goon. I can't imagine how many goals a Gretzky or Mario would have scored with today's more wide-open rules. It's a far better and more exciting game than it was in the past.

If you love a good contest with some amazing athletes on both side of the puck all giving 100% effort on every play, it does not get any better than the current Pens-Caps series. I don't think you even need to be a big hockey fan to enjoy this series. Game 7 tomorrow night. It should be another classic contest.

48 posted on 05/12/2009 1:17:26 PM PDT by Ditto
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To: Ditto
I've been a Rangers fan since before "Fast Eddie" (Giacomin).
IMHO fighting should just be banned - look how much better the game is with all the latest changes (as you pointed out).
49 posted on 05/12/2009 1:58:03 PM PDT by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
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To: oh8eleven
IMHO fighting should just be banned - look how much better the game is with all the latest changes (as you pointed out).

It can't be 'banned' entirely or the cheep-shot artists would ruin the game. Their always needs to be the ability of the players to enforce the unwritten rules of the game among themselves and the guys who would intentionally try to hurt another player needs to know that he's going to face worse than a few minutes in the box and a fine from the league.

Through the 70s and 80s, there were far too many players who couldn't skate worth spit, but could punch anyone out and only got payed to intimidate other players. Too many fights, not to enforce any 'rules' but simply as intimidation.

Not anymore. Yes, there are some real tough guys out there, but they can play pretty good hockey too.

Sorry, but the occasional fight is necessary just to keep the lid on and keep everyone out there 'honest'. Other sports have the same. A dirty player in football is pretty likely to get himself hurt before the game is over, and in baseball, there is always that high and tight fastball designed to keep guys civilized.

In hockey, I'm not seeing the bench clearing 15 minute fights that were relatively common in the past. There are still fights, but they are generally one on one and shorter than the commercial breaks.

50 posted on 05/12/2009 2:19:02 PM PDT by Ditto
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To: Ditto

I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree.


51 posted on 05/12/2009 3:50:57 PM PDT by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
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To: Ditto

Bench clearing brawls became a thing of the past when they put in the mandatory 3 game suspension for the coach if any player left the bench during a fight. Which is good because the bench clearers were the most boring fights imaginable.

And fighting could be banned, but the stick work would get worse and worse. And the fact remains that a one-on-one fight is usually pretty exciting. 90% of the people who complain about fighting just want to say bad things about hockey, they wouldn’t watch anyway.


52 posted on 05/12/2009 3:56:17 PM PDT by razorboy
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To: razorboy
And fighting could be banned, but the stick work would get worse and worse. And the fact remains that a one-on-one fight is usually pretty exciting. 90% of the people who complain about fighting just want to say bad things about hockey, they wouldn’t watch anyway.

I agree with all you said.

53 posted on 05/12/2009 7:21:48 PM PDT by Ditto
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To: oh8eleven
I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree.

That's ok too. But if you don't watch, you are missing some amazing athletes in action. I started going to and following hockey games 40+ years ago, (never played the game myself mostly for lack of opportunity) and I have to say that the game and competition now is IMHO, better than ever. From a spectator standpoint, I would rate pro hockey as the most exciting pro sport when viewed in person. What those guys can do on skates in incredible. But even on TV, it is not that bad of a show.

Just my opinion. But if you are a sports fan, tomorrow night's game between the Pens and Caps is a must see event.

You don't have to money on a horse to enjoy the Kentucky Derby, or be a golfer to enjoy the final round of the Masters. If game seven of the Pens-Caps series is anything like the first six games, you won't have to be a hockey fan to enjoy this one either. It promises to be an all time sports classic.

BTW, Go Pens! ;~))

54 posted on 05/12/2009 7:45:32 PM PDT by Ditto
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To: buccaneer81

I agree Bettman needs to go. I geuss that the NHL made a decision. Would they like to be the big fish in the small VERSUS pond or just another fish in the ESPN River. On VERSUS they can have a pre-game and post-game show while on ESPN the game ends and they immediately go to SportsCenter where they barely mention hockey.


55 posted on 05/12/2009 8:20:06 PM PDT by fkabuckeyesrule
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To: freedumb2003

I was channel surfing one night and I noticed that the SCI-FI channel mentioned that their ECW (Extreme Championship Wrestling) got higher ratings than the NHL playoffs.


56 posted on 05/12/2009 8:22:52 PM PDT by fkabuckeyesrule
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To: dfwgator
****A Red Wings-Hawks Conference Final would be delicious.****

Maybe but I believe the Red Wings have pretty much trounced the Blackhawks this year. As much as I hate to say it and its a horrible thing to say but the Blackhawks fortunes turned for the better when their owner died. He kept home games off of TV. After he died they put games on tv and things have been better for the Blackhawks.

57 posted on 05/12/2009 8:27:09 PM PDT by fkabuckeyesrule
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To: fkabuckeyesrule
I agree Bettman needs to go

Worst commissioner, ever.

58 posted on 05/12/2009 8:27:56 PM PDT by dfwgator (1996 2006 2008 - Good Things Come in Threes)
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To: Hat-Trick
****Last weekend NBC chose to air the TPC golf tournament, and the Caps/Pens game 5 was nowhere to be found.****

I believe game 5 of the Pens-Caps series was on saturday night on VERSUS.

59 posted on 05/12/2009 8:35:22 PM PDT by fkabuckeyesrule
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To: fkabuckeyesrule

Versus needs to make itself known. A few bucks spent on promotion would go a long way.


60 posted on 05/12/2009 8:52:24 PM PDT by buccaneer81 (Bob Taft has soiled the family name for the next century.)
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