This has happened far too many times in my broadcasting career.
Not to say say there haven't been some really great memories along the way, but will the NHL need to address changes moving forward when it comes to OT in the play-offs?
Before game 6 between the Stars and the Sharks, the OT sessions were surprisingly quick. the average was right around 12 minutes. Bang! Done.
I enjoyed last nights game in the TSN studio, along with my family of the last month and a half, James Duthie, Bob McKenzie, Darren Dreger and on this night, Matt Barnaby.
It was the 1st time for me sitting through a game that long WITHOUT actually being in the broadcast booth at the game.
I had the good fortune to work Nationally for 13 years at ESPN/ABC and it brought back many memories , especially the OT games I was a part of with Steve Levy. We were in the booth in Pittsburgh for the longest TV OT game in history and the 3rd longest of all time, the FLyers and Penguins with the great shot by Keith Primeau.
I knew that was going too long when almost everyone in the stands was asleep, there was no coffee left in the Igloo, and when I went up to owner Mario Lemieux's private box to see about a bite of something after the 4th OT, all he could do was was offer up a cold Bud Light!! No food anywhere.
That same play off, Levy and I were in Dallas for the Stars and Ducks epic battle. Finally Petr Sykora scored to put us all out of our misery. I had to text Levy after the game. Sure enough, the man with the reputation was watching the game! Great stuff.
Last year at TSN, we polled coaches and GMs and got responses from 27 coaches and or GM's from 1 team. We wanted to know if they would consider a change in the OT.
The question went like this:
Would you support the NHL going to 4 on 4 in OT during the play offs?
Immediately 3
After 1 OT 7
After 2 OT 3
After 3 OT 0
NEVER 14
What are your thoughts as fans that are either at the game or at home watching? Is there a better way to sell the most exciting finish and celebration in sports?
Or just keep the drama the way it is?
On another note. There were 2 minor penalties called in roughly 2 games of hockey.
Dallas took one when Fistric eliminated Marleau from driving to the net and that resulted in no goal to keep the Sharks season alive. Then there was the GWG from Morrow when Campbell was quilty of a stick infraction.....in the corner where there was no chance of getting a scoring play, and the player ( Eriksson) barely fell and then got up and could have continued on with no problem at all. Tough call to make to decide the outcome.
At the end of the day, the margin for error was too slim for the Cup favourite Sharks as they put themselves behind the 8 ball by going down 3-0 in the series. They put up a valient fight and had their chances. Marty Turco and Evgeni Nabokov were simply brilliant.
Round 3 is next and it begins on Thursday for the Wings and Stars and Friday for the Penguins and the Flyers. Fresh battle all the way around and it should be great. Why wouldn"t it be??
Panger
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