Your Mid-Day YouTube Compulsory: Randy Moller Calls Cats-Canes

Your Mid-Day YouTube Compulsory: Mario Gets it Done in ’92

Conan O’Brien? The Real Reason Behind NBC Finals Switch

As we’ve reported, and gotten in trouble for previously, NBC is switching up it’s Stanley Cup Finals broadcasts to televise Games 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7.  It was a real “WTF?” move from the Peacock network, based on reactions given by hockey fans.  Well, we seem to have found the reason.

As many of you may know, NBC has been planning Conan O’Brien’s ascension to host of “The Tonight Show” for years.  Conan will debut the on the show the week of June 1st, when NBC would initially be airing Games 3-7 of the Finals.  Obviously, NBC would prefer to premiere Conan for a more highly-rated audience.  It’s a fair point to make.  

Announcers and Open Thread for Devils-Flyers

New Jersey vs. Philadelphia, 7PM, VERSUS
Play by Play: Mike Emrick
Color: Darren Eliot
Reporter:  Bob Harwood 

A Special Treat Tonight for You Center-Icers: Randy Moller!

 

Panthers play-by-play man Randy Moller

You all know who Randy Moller by now, we don’t need to post the endless YouTube clips of his goal calls.  But, perhaps the Panthers are cashing in on his buzz by featuring him on a special Center Ice-only broadcast of tonight’s Florida-Carolina match-up.  The news came to us via the Miami Herald and Brian Biggane:

Tonight’s game will not be televised by FSN as Versus has an exclusive broadcast window, but will be carried on the Center Ice package after the NHL agreed to lift the blackout.

The radio feed featuring Randy Moller and Bill Lindsay will accompany the video. Check the Panthers’ Web site after 10 a.m. for the channel listing.

So if you have Center Ice, enjoy this tonight.  Also, Randy, if you read this: How about “He’s a maniac, maniac, on the ice!”?

NBC Draws 1.0 For Another Yawn-Inducing Match-up

Both hockey and pro hoops got lost in the shuffle this weekend, as The NHL On NBC drew a 1.0/2 for it’s broadcast of Flyers/Pens, according to Sports Business Daily (reg. required).  It was tied with “NBA Countdown” on ABC for third-lowest rated sports programming of the weekend, as only a US Snowboarding event on NBC and a NASCAR pre-race show drew worse.

But, all in all, nothing really drew that well this weekend.  ABC’s Heat-Pistons broadcast managed a meager 1.4/3, while PGA action averaged a 1.5 in two days of coverage, and mighty NASCAR shrunk to it’s lowest rating of the season with a 4.1.  All in all, this was a chance for the NHL to truly get buried against March Madness, but that did not happen, as the NHL continues to draw the same audience, week after week.

Your Mid-Day YouTube Compulsory: Frankly My Don, I Don’t Give a Damn

With the Seedings and Matchups Announced, Your Updated NCAA Hockey Tournament Schedule

We can’t believe Barry’s only 52.  Not that he isn’t a handsome gentleman.  Anyway, now that we have the match-ups set, and because we had a swarm of college puck fans here this weekend, let’s give you an updated NCAA Tourney schedule after the jump.  Saturday is going to be amazing.

Things that don’t suck.

Believe it or not there is merch I don’t hate. I don’t hate the player buttons. Player buttons are my favorite thing about junior hockey. It’s cute to see the kiddos run over to the case of them and decide just which buttons should be added to their jersey. They build their own starting line on their sweater. After games they proudly rush over to the players, show off their buttons and ask for them to be signed. The players grin, excited that something as small as a round piece of metal brings happiness to a youngin’ who hopes to grow up and be just like them and to play for the Chiefs.

button button. who's got the button?

Toka and Donny.

Your NCAA Hockey Tournament Schedule and Commentators on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic and ESPNU

Note: Games may also be presented on your local regional sports network during the regional tournaments.

So on Sunday, John Buccigross, Barry Melrose and Sean Ritchlin will announce the brackets for the NCAA hockey tournament on ESPN2, which will start a week from today and culminate in April at the Verizon Center in Washington.  A few familiar faces with regard to ESPN hockey coverage throughout the tournaments.  Also of note is that some of the regional games are being moved up to ESPN2 and ESPN Classic, instead of just being stuck on ESPNU.  Another first, the Bridgeport (East) and Minneapolis (West) regionals will be broadcast in HD. Gary Thorne nerds, we don’t understand you, but this is for you.