Rest In Peace, Versus Network

When Comcast first approached me to advertise for them about the new channel Versus and talk about the new forms of programming, I was elated that soon I was showing just how viable I was as a blog source and respected among the mainstream media. I was glad to help them out hopefully during that time. It was a cleverly named channel, I'd thought.
Versus, the name, was the epitome of what sports was about. It was the antagonistic competition that drove the compelling narrative story - something that the audience can follow.

In the time that Versus was a sports network that dared take a chance on a lot of new programming, it grew itself into a familiar brand of sports broadcasting that featured my favorite sport of hockey. Versus was going to position itself as an alternative channel to the established networks of familiar names. They were banking on a proportional backlash that fans thought that the snobbish "Entertainment and Sports Promotion Network" looked down on. But it wasn't the only people who looked down upon the channel. Soon, some fans would turn negatively towards versus and suggest that it really wasn't legitimate because of the difficulty finding it on the channel locater or have it on at all.

It was the re-defined OLN network that Comcast used to air the outdoor sports like hunting, fishing, cycling, and motor sports. Sure, other channels did that, but not with the Comcast budget.

But as the popularity of hockey returned after the lockout, Versus grew an audience of hardcore hockey fans. They got familiarized with Keith Jones, Brian Engblom, and of course the ever-present Bill Clement. It was slowly but surely delivering the kind of content that the fans expected. When the Comcast company finally moved it to a respectable slot on the cable dial, the "stain" of a second-rate sports network was already upon it.

And don't forget the short lived gimmick PR campaign that had some unintended backfire. "Show us your V" campaign was laughed at all over the internet.

So, it had to go. Once the NBC-Universal merger came through, it was only natural to rename the Versus channel to the more familiar multi-spectral peacock of NBC Sports branding and compete with CBS, ABC/ESPN, and FOX. Today, marks the first day of that new format, so..

RIP

VERSUS

(2006-2012)

Neal's Damatic Goal Becomes Instant Promo

If you're not loving hockey, then you haven't seen this year's playoffs. The stakes are higher and the civic pride is at an all time high. I was woried about my hometown team going into these playoffs missing both elite players while mixing and matching lines while others are targeted for suspension.

Enter: James Neal.Yea, it's his first goal as a Pittsburgh Penguin since the trade deadline that brought him over.

It's moments like this that make the writers and bloggers glad that the drama is ramped up for this time of year. It's what sells. It's what gets people watching and it gets us all talking about it.

This video content was courtesy of my friends and contacts over at NBC/Versus.

You can read more local coverage at the Pittsburgh Tribune Review

Slovakia Lose Bronze to Finland

The hands down selection as the "dark horse" in these Olympic games tournament has to be the Slovaks. Now built evenly with good goaltending and developed scoring talent, the Slovaks made a very good run in 2010. It is something that I hope they build upon during the next few years and rise up

However, team Finland once again proved to be a spoiler for the Slovaks who now only have a 4th place finish to show for their otherwise successful run. Jaro Halak, playing with the confidence of being the #1 goaltender in Montreal, was the first player who stood out and stepped up to the challenge. He saw an enormous amount of rubber his way during the opening round loss to the Czech Republic, but bounced back to earn wins against the powerful Russian and Swedish squads.

The three other players who were worthy of representing the Slovak Olympic might were: Zedeno Chara, Marian Gaborik, and Pavol Demitra. Chara was crucial in the Russia and Sweden games while he constantly slammed opposing forwards into the boards. The tighter confines that most other European teams that weren't used to North American sized rinks. Gaborik was the scoring threat that the team used to have with the now-retired Peter Bondra. If he didn't score, Gaborik created a lot of second and third chances. Pavol Demitra was clutch when clutch mattered in some of the later games against Canada and Sweden. If it wasn't for him, the Slovaks might have finished lower than what they did.

[Via: NBC Oylmpics]

NHL Ratings Increase During Winter Classic

Not only was there more eyes focused on the Winter Classic in Chicago, but there was also an increase in Bridgestone tire company mentions during the entire broadcast. I am a bit jealous because I still liked the uniqueness of the big Buffalo game.

Last year's Winter Classic at the Buffalo Bills' Ralph Wilson Stadium drew a 2.6 overnight rating and a 5.0 share on NBC when Pittsburgh beat Buffalo 2-1 in a shootout.

It marked a return for NHL on TV and stuck it to all the haters who wanted to see hockey wither and die out. But now that last years game was a phenomenal and true classic, more eyes wanted to check out the second version.

Ratings increased 12 per cent in the U.S. for the NHL's third outdoor game, which featured the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings at Wrigley Field.

It might have had something to do with the larger market and with that... a more even interest level. Chicago currently fits within the 3rd largest media market in the country. Despite holding a game in New York's Yankee Stadium, the Wrigley Field set-up gave it a intriguing storyline.

The hard part was selling non-Wings and Hawks fans on the game too.

The New Year's Day event on NBC earned a 2.9 overnight rating and a 6.0 share, the best overnight NHL regular-season rating in nearly 13 years. The Red Wings defeated the Blackhawks 6-4.

Almost immediately, pundits reported that they know cities are lining up to bid on the next game in 2011.

[Via: Toronto Star]

Battle of Pennsylvania 07-08: Game 6

Another national broadcast on NBC for the Penguins and the Flyers. I am sure the suits at the Peacock network are upset that the game is not going to feature Sid Crosby. But the Penguins were determined to get their game plan and not stoop to the lowest common denominator.

So.. the game begins and I am fighting the hangover blues of a wild weekend. The Penguins come out firing in the first period knowing what is at stake. A shaky (and possibly tired) Biron lets in a soft goal to Malkin. That was Malkin's 40th of the year. Honestly, I haven't been keeping an eye on his goal totals, so when I saw the stats line on the screen, I was a little surprised. What is it with Malkin when Crosby is away? Malkin comes out of his shell when Crosby is out of the lineup, but disappears when he is relegated to the 2nd line. Speaking of streaky stuff, local sports guys warned that Sykora was streaky scorer, and boy were they right! Welcome back to the scoresheet, Sykora!

“That’s what you need when your top guy goes out,” said Ryan Malone, who had two assists while skating with Malkin and Sykora. “There’s no reason when Sid comes back that we can’t have the same desperation, the same attitude. He’s just going to add to us.”

This further frustrates the Flyers who are starting to look like the Flyers of last year. Boston wore them out last night.

1st intermission with NBC and I am really starting to like "Mad Mike" Milbury. Gotta laugh at his provoking commentaries.

Second period shows Biron in no real desire to play and the Penguins again go on the attack. Biron mishandles a rebound that Tyler Kennedy - KENNEDY hits in and gets replaced by "da Gangsta" Niittymaki.

Biron wasn’t happy with his play, or being lifted, saying, “When you get taken out of a game where your playoff life is on the line, you’re never happy about it.”

The Flyers had shown some spark of life as the only guy to show up was Patrick Thoresen. Even when you can't condone his attack after the whistle on Letang, at least he was getting noticed. He also helped set up a great centering pass to perennial Penguin-killer Knuble for the Flyers only goal of the game. After having lost Hatcher last night, the Flyers also look to have lost RJ "Benedict Arnold" Umberger as his knee was rolled under by Whitney.

In the third, with the threat looming of a real full on Flyers brawl when the Flyers get frustrated, the Penguins poured on the heat and added another "1st timers club" goal by Hal Gill. And Sykora added a final 7th goal to rub it into the Flyers noses remembering how the Penguins were badly beaten 8-2 in December.

Payback is a bitch... and now all is right with the world.

[Via: Yahoo! Sports]

Breaking News: Crosby Could Return Soon

Today, I am stretching the rules here at COHF and going to report that Penguins fans were teased by the FOX Sports Net Pittsburgh's speculations that Crosby is ready to return and may make a grand return during Pittsburgh's game at Washington on Sunday. Both Bob Errey and Paul Steigerwald said it was logical that he may be ready to return next Sunday after viewing new Crosby practice footage during their Pens vs. Thrashers broadcast.

If Crosby were ready to return, I would believe that the NHL and the Penguins would maximize his re-emergence to the fullest and place the game on national television. The Penguins are 11-10 without Crosby, but still hold on to 1st place in the Atlantic Division.

[FOX Sports Net Pittsburgh]

Crosby Classic in the Clutch

With the amount of hype and media coverage that converged on this "classic" style game, the top goal for this would have to be delivering to the new fans in high hopes that it revives the TV ratings. The NHL needs to make a comeback. So, the league decided that it should get back to it's roots and sell itself as "old school".

I watched the game from the comforts of the Rivertowne Pub & Grille disappointed that I could not be in Buffalo to make the trip in person. I wouldn't know my way around on my own anyway. I was also wearing my own throwback jersey a #87 Crosby jersey circa 1991. At first, I didn't like the idea of the Penguins going that far back to their powder blue days. Pittsburgh is always black and gold to me. But as the game started, I found myself liking the powder blue Penguins jerseys and put them on a mental note to try and get one of those for my collection someday soon. The Sabres were no big surprise, as I have seen those in action when I was a little kid. With both teams blue, could have the Penguins settle for black and gold to provide a contrast?

Now on to the game and it's presentation on NBC. Finally, a major network presents the game how it should be done. I am going to credit NBC for sticking with a real game plan of highlighting players and introducing them to the audience. They also did a great job covering the weather and explaining why the snow was affecting the game play, how the players had to adjust, and saluted the ground crew for their yeoman-like work.

This is how hockey should be presented from now on! The WWE-styled pyrotechnics as the teams came onto the ice gave it a context that these teams were going to battle. Then we were treated to another moving rendition of O' Canada, proving once again that they have the better national anthem. Then in a plot-twist, the singer performing the American pre-game salute chose to spotlight his monologue instead of getting right to the anthem. Leftist secularists everywhere I predicted, at that moment, threw a collective hissy-fit at the mention of "God Bless America".

In the first minute, the game showed hopes of a high scoring affair as the Penguins were quick to score first. Crosby assisted on the first goal as I am sure he was feeling a little more pressure to shine when he knows a whole continent is watching him. New fans expect to be wowed by plenty of goals, but this game provided eye candy to the hardcore hockey fan as a well defenced game provided chances for goalies Ryan Miller and Ty Conklin to shine. Who better to have in the net

The game went into overtime and I went to the edge of my seat. The Penguins could ill-afford a loss and a win shoves a little more confidence in their direction. I could just sense that if Conklin could come up big, the Penguins shootout specialists would come through in the clutch. Christiansen, who is usually golden, misfired in the first round. Letang, who I was very supportive of in training camp, got another goal leading to Crosby's drama. When Crosby found an opening and sealed the win, I was elated that the one kid that had been hyped the whole game was able to prove just how good he was. On a similar note, Ryan Miller proved in this game why he is on the rise to becoming a premier elite goaltender in the upcoming generation of players.

I recently bought the Penguins 10 greatest games DVD box set and now I wish they waited another year so that this would be added into the legacy of the Penguins franchise. It has to be one of the best games I will always remember watching.

Lets do this every year! But maybe they should just make it an exhibition when too much rides on winning and losing points. Would an All-Star game work in this outdoor format? Some of the things they could have done better for a next time: Dump Costas- he loves himself too much. Reschedule event when nothing else is going on to steal media attention away.

NHL on NBC - Special Guest

You may see a familiar face tonight on the TV screen as the LA Kings visit silicon valley and the Shark Tank. Yes, all the rumors are true. I will be a special guest of the NBC broadcast to deliver some wit and superior knowledge during the intermissions. I will expect to be grilled as more of the veteran broadcasters will no doubt treat me like a rookie.

I will also get to comment on how the post-season will shape up and look towards possible match ups later on. I will need all the support of you, my readers, and NHL fans to watch the series of games on NBC.









(But if you have read this and seem to have forgotten that today is April Fools Day... well then... the joke is on you.)

Someday, my broadcasting talents will land me on TV or radio full time to talk about the game I love. But not today. Should someone from NBC Sports actually be reading this, then let me know where I can send my resume!

Battle of Pennsylvania 06-07: Episode 8 Live Edition

So, I am going to sit here and blog live as I update this blog and watch the Penguins and Flyers as they are broadcast from NBC this afternoon. As they open up from an excellent view of Pittsburgh and my hometown, they introduce the broadcast for this game and explain others will see Colorado vs Detroit.

Joe Micheletti is in the booth between the benches. During the last home game, Bob Errey sat in the same place and helped out the Penguins by acting as a screen from the opposing team during the timeout. Will Joe help out? Probably not.

EDIT: Uh-oh. 1-0 from the "new look" Flyers and Jason York.

EDIT: The Crosby and "youngest to 200" talk this period has reached 4 times and we are not even half way through the 1st period. NBC really understands how to focus on the prime-time players.

EDIT: Who made the decision that this game gets the "B-game" crew of broadcasting commentators? They are doing a great job, but Mike "Doc" Emrick should be doing this game.

EDIT: The answer to the Moose Trivia Question is Brett Hull. He was drafted in the 6th round while Ferraro was drafted in the 5th round and Clement was a 2nd rounder.

EDIT: Uh-oh. Fleury is starting to crack. 2-0 Flyers after a long shot from the blue line.

EDIT: I went ice skating late last night and now that NBC is showing a lot of the Rockerfeller Center (or as they like to call it "The Rink at 30 Rock") I am determined to ice skate on that legendary sheet of ice once before I die.

EDIT: Congratulations to Gary Roberts for his first goal in a Penguin uniform. Marty Biron has been absolutely huge this afternoon. No wonder Buffalo was winning so many games this year. Simon Gagne is also hustling out every opportunity. He may figure in on the scoreboard before this game is over.

EDIT: Great job with Brett Hull's slapshot editorial. Now, if he could only have time to practice it a little more so he doesn't sound like he is reading it off the teleprompter.

EDIT: It is now coming down to overtime 3 on 3 to decide the final game of the series.

EDIT: Okay, great. it is a shootout. The Pens MUST win this game for the pride of the city and to keep pace in the playoff perspective. Marty Biron hasn't made any mistakes at all this game.

EDIT: And Crosby once again comes up the hero to score the clutch shootout OT goal. Fleury came up huge by snapping up shot after shot. This is history in the NHL this afternoon, everybody. This is the first time the Penguins have been able to sweep the season series in the NHL since both teams came into the league in 1967.

In closing I would just like to thank all my friends at NBC Sports, those who work behind the scenes, and those have been blogging and featuring my blog to all their readers. I truly appreciate the attention on that large scale. But if any of my readers haven't seen the NHL on NBC blogs yet, then what are you waiting for?

Live Blogging Announced For NHL on NBC

Confessions of a Hockey Fanatic blog would like to announce that during the NBC broadcast of the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers*.

Prepared for the game, this blog will update itself frequently to instantly react to all aspects of the game as well as editorialize on the NBC broadcast. This is expected to be the last meeting between the two clubs during the regular season and with the Penguins franchise future uncertain it could be the very last Battle of Pennsylvania game.

* = Pending uninterrupted Internet service availability.

Breaking News: NBC to celebrate hockey fans

Well, as an influential and well connected member of the new media, I have something to report that my friends in NBC Sports have let me know that they will be holding a fan celebration to kick off the 2007 season at Rockefeller Plaza, NYC on January 13th. As a hockey fan, you will be treated to prizes and games, food and beverage discounts to restaurants around rink side and NBC has asked that all fans who attend the broadcast to please wear your hockey jerseys, sweaters, or caps. You could be on TV! It sounds like a lot of fun.

In addition to watching the NHL on NBC broadcast from New York city, you can be a part of "history" as they expect Brett Hull to sit in with the NBC crew and opine and not caring what you *bleeping* think.

The games featured that weekend are the feature game (billed as an "original 6 battle") Bruins vs. Rangers with regional coverage Pens vs Flyers or the LA Kings vs St. Louis Blues.