Friday, January 16, 2009

NHL fans need more Versus coverage

Many hockey fans seem to think Versus' NHL coverage is lacking. That the announcers, cameramen, producers, etc. are sub par. I don't get that thinking.
In my opinion Versus' coverage has improved every season since 2005-2006. It's getting better all the time. I sincerely believe the quality of the telecasts has improved over time.
That doesn't mean Versus is perfect. My biggest criticism of Versus coverage is that games are only on two nights per week. There are games just about everyday. More games on different nights should be broadcast nationwide on Versus.
Wednesday night's game between the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins is one such game.
A rivalry is budding between Alexander Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin, and another between Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby. These players are arguably three of the most exciting, young players in the League too.

From the Canadian Press.
PITTSBURGH — Alexander Ovechkin let his play do the talking in what is becoming one of the fiercest interdivisional rivalries in the NHL.

The game reads as if it was pretty chippy too.
It's no secret Ovechkin and fellow Russian Malkin, who went Nos. 1 and 2 in the 2004 draft, have been feuding. In the two team's previous meeting Oct. 16, Ovechkin repeatedly sought out Malkin to deliver a hit to his former roommate.
Also, it appears the relationship between Crosby and Ovechkin - who entered the league together during the post-lockout 2005-06 season and were hailed as league co-saviours - might have soured. The previous two NHL scoring champions jawed at each other while the teams came onto the ice to begin the third period.

The Caps eventually won in a 6-3 shootout.
So there's a high-scoring, feisty NHL game, yet many hockey fans outside of Washington and Pittsburgh probably didn't see it. They should have, and the game should have been on Versus.

No comments: