[McG]

Great result!

I’m covering old ground here, but I intentionally had the tv on mute and listened to fan960. Even although there was a delay, it made all the difference not being forced to listen to cheerleading for 3 hours. I did give in during the first intermission of what was one of the most dominating periods of hockey we’ve seen from the flames, and in truth a post and crossbar away from 6-1. What greeted me?

For a national broadcast, ie a supposedly “neutral” point of view, we were greeted with a full out fellation of the oilers and Ron Maclean’s dream teddy bear, Mavi. I turned the audio off before it even got to the first gambling ad.

Listen to me Rogers. I’m your primary demographic. I have disposable time and income and I’m the one that you need to care about. I’ve left hockey and I’m leaving your advertisements behind. I’m only interested in the Flames now. You have driven me away from the sheer exhilaration of hockey. If I hadn’t played at a mediocre level I’d believe that all hockey was able to provide is fawning broadcasting with inexplicable power plays. One or two players on one team.

What I saw in the first intermission was as if it had been recorded days ago. Cardboard cutouts spouting some infantile lines about a player that was wrong and had a big waaah. No analysis of the actual game or why the Flames were dominant.

Everyone can pick at least two oiler sycophants on the broadcast crew. Is there a flames balance? Friedman? What a lackey.

It reminded me of why I’ve left hockey. Even the most basic understanding of the game is vastly superior to what is broadcast on snet and HNIC. Analysis? No. Insight? Nada. Fanboys? Why yes, yes there’s that. And that’s what is wrong.

Remember Peter Puck? Howie Meeker? I was really young but I sure learned a lot about the game. Now? We get Edmonton Eskimo and Qmjhl highlights.

So buh bye.

And go flames go.