CBC vs. NBC

Apparently the CBC folks are a little annoyed that the Ottawa/Pittsburgh game will be played Saturday afternoon as opposed to thetraditional Saturday night slot.

The first I heard of this was earlier today when I was driving back from Calgary, listening to XM204. John Shannon, the NHL's TV czar was on trying to explain the league's decision. They figure that by playing the game in the afternoon Canadians will still watch plus they'll have the access to the national American audience. But if the game is at night the game will ONLY be on in Canada. Shannon, who used to produce HNIC, admitted that if he was in the CBC's shoes he'd be squawking too.

After the interview there were some American callers who thanked the NHL for letting them watch Crosby in the first round. I tend to agree with them. Let's expose hockey to the biggest possible audience and if that means the odd matinee, then so be it. Of course I'mbiased on this issue. I work on Saturday nights, but often have the afternoon free to watch sports so I should be able to catch a glimpse of the game.

Shannon also intimated that if the Isles hadn't pulled off the win over the Devils that the Leafs/Sabres series was slated for a Saturday night game.