Epic Fail: NBC

I'm not even a Penguins fan, but I have to say that it is pretty foolish of NBC to once again shut down the outdoor screen for this Game 2 of the second playoff round between the Pens and Montreal.

To me, the outdoor screen in Pittsburgh is one of the most fan friendly items in sports. As someone who may never be able to afford playoff tickets, or travel to see my team play in a playoff game, the idea of being able to sit outside on a beautiful Sunday afternoon with thousands of other fans to watch a game just seems to be a worthwhile experience.

This is the second year NBC has made that screen stay dark for the playoffs. I would have hoped they learned. How much more good will they would have received from allowing it will never be known.

Sad for sure.

Team USA Moves On

Team Russia gets to go home. Did anyone have these match-ups penned on their guess list? I doubt it.

Four teams remain: USA, Canada, Finland and Slovakia. Team USA faces Finland at 3 pm on Friday. Canada faces Slovakia immediately after.

I haven't even WATCHED Finland play this tournament. I think I caught Slovakia for a few minutes on the web -- IN BETWEEN FREAKIN' COMMERCIALS!

But here's a few thoughts about Team USA's chances over at HockeyBuzz. As you can tell by the photo for today, there are a few thoughts about Herb Brooks in the entry. I've heard so many interviews with the 1980 team this week, I can't help but cry every time I do. He was taken too soon as so many special people are.

Now, on another note: I am livid over NBC's coverage of hockey and how they are handling it. Yes, thank you for Doc Emerick calling the games, but do you think you can figure out the best time to insert your commercials? I thought it was only on the webstream feed, but your broadcast feed is the same. You cut to commercials that we've seen about 1,000 times so far and the action has already started. There's a penalty called, and we have no idea WHY.

Stop it. Just stop it. You want to fulfill your advertising agreements, put the ads between periods where they belong. And by the way... I now shut off the audio on the webstream during your commercials because they are grating on my nerves. I know you may think we can be conditioned like Pavlov's dog to buy Direct TV if you air it 32 times in a two hour period, but instead I have become angered by it.

Hey NBC -- Remember the most famous comedy sketch about sudden violence: Slowly I turn? Yeah. That's where I'm heading!

It's Going to Take Seven!

Which is exactly what those of us who don't really have a horse in this race were hoping for. The sheer idea of holding onto the hockey season just a little longer.

While everyone was preparing for the Red Wings to waltz around with the cup last night on the Penguins ice, there were those of us in the Twitterverse crossing our fingers for an upset to bring about a game seven.

Marc Andre Fluery heard us and granted our wish. Lord Stanley was promptly put back in it's case and escorted out of the building and back onto a plane. The hockey faithful get one more game. The Pittsburgh Penguins get one more shot at winning it all. We won't know if they are up to the task until Friday.

Yesterday, while listening to Bill Watters on Toronoto's 640AM radio at work, I had the pleasure of actually hearing an interview with NHL top prospect Matt Duchene. I was more than impressed. So were his radio hosts.

"He's not seventeen! He can't be! He's at least 23." The host exclaimed because the answers Matt gave to each of the questions in the 12 minute segment were thoughtful and mature. He discussed the types of questions that are asked at the grueling combine he attended. The one he remembers most was "What are you most afraid of." It took a little but Matt fessed up to his answer.

"My worst fear is being insignificant." He went on to explain in brilliant detail what he expects to accomplish. It was an eye-opener. They should put the podcast link up so everyone can hear it. When they do, I will post it.

Okay, so what the heck is up with NBC & the NHL and not airing the games on the big screens at the arenas? I would be very interested in an official statement from the NHL or NBC regarding the thought process behind garnering the anger of so many hockey fans. No. Seriously. Give me a valid reason for this clause to be put into NBC's contract because I can't see the value in it.

My thought: Let's boycott an NBC airing of "The Office" to show our anger. Anyone want to join in on that?