Once upon a time, this was the sort of thing that I wouldn’t have missed. A Game Seven in the Conference Finals… that doesn’t happen every day. It is a worthwhile experience. But I’m almost certainly going to miss this Game Seven this evening, for three reasons:
1) Basketball.
2) I just don’t care.
3) Even if I did care, I don’t get OLN.
So that settles it. I just… you know, I feel a slight twinge of regret for missing this game. I love sports, I watch all I can, and there’s a Game Seven on, and… I’m not the least bit compelled. And the fact that I’m not is probably a pretty good sign that I’m done with the NHL forever, and I just don’t think it’s possible for them to get me back. Anyone else feeling like that? Like, “I probably should care, but I just don’t?”
I’m trying to think of things that hockey could do to get me back, and… the one thing that keeps occurring to me is the lack of compelling personalities. I need people to root for, I need people to hate. Hockey players are like stormtroopers. Seen one, seen them all. If I try to think about someone in the game right now with a discernable personality, the only person who comes to mind is Jeremy Roenick, and he’s a complete douchebag. I can’t even stand to look at his face.
Look, for example, at the two young stars in the game, two guys who everyone should be excited about, Sid Crosby and Alex Ovechkin. I’ve seen them on SportsCenter 50 times each, and I couldn’t tell you one thing about either of them that isn’t about what they do on the ice. There’s about a 98% chance that they’ll both end their careers without uttering as much as one memorable soundbyte.
Anyway, I kinda went off on a tangent there. That certainly isn’t the whole reason that I can’t get excited about hockey… I have other major issues related to the game itself that aren’t really worth discussing. But yeah, that’s one of them. And maybe that’s shallow of me. Maybe I shouldn’t need any personality to accompany things… but I can’t think of a single reason to care about who wins tonight between Carolina and Buffalo.
hro Says:
June 1st, 2006 at 10:27 am
I’m from Canada, and here, they SHOVE hockey down your throat. They’ll even cancel the broadcast of a Jays game to show you 14 years olds playing hockey on a pond.
On our version of sportscenter, they’ll show/talk hockey for about 45 minutes, then “gloss” over the rest of the world of sports.
Canada’s made hockey into a cult sport; enough to alienate any American. I’m not surprised you guys don’t care, because the Canadian media doesn’t seem to care too much about “American” sports.
Their biggest mistake was not re-signing with ESPN. Even if it was going to be for less money.
DookieStyle Says:
June 1st, 2006 at 10:52 am
Maybe you should watch because there is nothing more exhilirating than a game 7 in hockey.
Also, you’d know more about Sid or Alexander if you even paid attention to hockey, which you don’t. As you stated, you see sportscenter highlights.
Again…needing personalities. You don’t watch hockey. I bet you haven’t watched a stitch of hockey all year. You bring up Roenick becuase he’s controversial…and yes…you know that…because you’re part of the “paparazzi of sports” known as sportsblogs.
Love your blog. Stop writing about anything hockey.
unc_samurai Says:
June 1st, 2006 at 11:00 am
The Crosby/Ovetchkin thing is so overblown, just like LeBron or Kobe in the NBA. Yeah, they make for good highlight packages on Sportscenter, but teams like the Spurs and Pistons are consistently more fun to watch. Remember the Rangers of the late 90’s and early 00’s? That was a bloated, star-studded team that went nowhere.
jerloma Says:
June 1st, 2006 at 11:15 am
Not only did I not know there was a game 7, I think I may have thought that the season was already over. I might check in if nothing else is on. Is OLN even on DirectTV? I think I’ll root for the Sabres. They seem to have a loyal fanbase and I think I remember them getting screwed out of a Stanley Cup a few years back. Something to do with Brett Hull, Domenic Hasek, and the goal line.
the mighty mjd Says:
June 1st, 2006 at 11:31 am
DookieStyle, since you watch so much, I think you should take the time to tell us about all the fascinating personalities in hockey. Like that one guy who gives everyone a nickname that’s a shortened version of their last name, with a “-y” attached to it… or that one guy who punches people in the face. I knew that a sensitive hockey fan would get all indignant, but… you know, you never took the time to tell me why I was wrong.
And thanks for your advice, but I think I’ll keep writing about whatever I want.
Blogsy McBlog Says:
June 1st, 2006 at 12:23 pm
Your theory (if its a theory; more like an observation, perhaps) would explain why Olympic hockey seems to generate far more buzz than NHL hockey. Outside of Canada, I can think of one compelling NHL rivalry; Detroit-Colorado, and even that is becoming dull. The NHL needs to return to divisional playoffs, combined with unbalanced schedules. The animosity that familiarity brings can foster interesting storylines quicker than almost anything. As for international hockey, the added element of national pride fosters wonderful and compelling drama that simply cannot be matched in a professional league (college sports creates similar interest, albiet on a different level). Player-driven storylines are difficult to generate in such a fluid, non-discrete sport.
tony Says:
June 1st, 2006 at 12:24 pm
You finally show your ignorance, MJD… all hockey nicknames have “-sy” at the end, not just “-y”. It’s the same way in soccer, but for some reason when hockey players do it, it sounds a hell of a lot less gay.
As far as finding players to hate, it’s really not that hard. If you follow hockey even a bit, you still find players that get shoved down your throat every night on the (limited) SC highlights, or little things players do that make you hope for paralysis. Brooks Orpik, for example, is a twat. Also, Lindy Ruff is a whiny bitch, and as much as everyone talks about how much of a nice guy Daniel(le) Briere is, and there’s no doubt he’s got skills, the next time I want to see him is on the back end of a Zamboni accident. I also reflectively yell obscenities and throw the bird at the TV anytime Brendan Shanahan’s face shows up. See? It’s not that hard to find people to hate. It’s just not as easy as the NBA, where you can pull against the guy with the longest rap sheet. (Although Kevin Stevens deserves an honorary spot on the Trailblazers’ roster.)
So anyway, while you’re not caring about the greatest thing in sports next to a Game 7 for the actual Cup itself, could you please take my g/f to a movie tonight? It’s going to kill me to have to wait for TiVo to be able to watch it.
DookieStyle Says:
June 1st, 2006 at 12:36 pm
You haven’t watched any hockey. That’s reason enough that you are wrong. You’ve watched more horse racing than hockey, I bet.
Rob Says:
June 1st, 2006 at 1:59 pm
I see where mjd is coming from. I read alot about the Crosby kid, but since he has no Nike franchise or arrest warrants, he’s not a compelling character. He’s an awesome hockey player, no doubt, but *ehh* … his abilty or sport doesn’t excite me anymore.
In my case, it’s even sadder for the NHL. I’m a North Carolinian who gets OLN, enjoys minor league hockey live, watched every match of the 2002 NHL Finals and has been in the presence of Stanley itself. Yet, I just have no desire to watch the Canes tonight or any other night. Part of it I know is obsessive hockey fans who will not accept that their sport now ranks below NASCAR, golf and spelling bees. Get over it.
the mighty mjd Says:
June 1st, 2006 at 3:45 pm
You know, I really wasn’t trying to antagonize hockey fans… I was just bringing up what I felt was an issue as it relates to the popularity of hockey. Hey, I guess there’s a chance I’m wrong, and hockey is full of Richard Pryors. But I don’t see it. And if it makes me less of a sports fan to want to have players to like and dislike, based on more than what they can do on the ice, then, hey, I guess I’m less of a sports fan. I’d enjoy the NFL less if Clinton Portis didn’t give interviews like he was on LSD, or Chad Johnson didn’t do touchdown celebrations, or Hines Ward didn’t smile after taking a big hit, or Ben Roethlisberger wasn’t so damn warm and cuddly on QVC.
And, like I said, this is just a part of my issues with hockey… there are others about the game itself, which really aren’t worth getting into.
zibby Says:
June 1st, 2006 at 7:12 pm
You blog about arena football, soccer and horse racing. Why you think you know what is and is not compelling sport is beyond me, because you clearly don’t have a clue. You go right ahead and miss the game. YOU’RE the one who’s missing out, not hockey fans.
Dave141 Says:
June 1st, 2006 at 7:34 pm
mjd,
What’s with all the ruckus? I got your point loud and clear, and it was obvious you weren’t trying to say “hockey sucks” or anything else that simple. And while some folks apparently missed your point, I bet the Commissioner’s office has gotten it loud and clear from the TV ratings.
Now, I’m a huge hockey fan, so I’m not trying to trash the sport. But I’m also a huge soccer fan as well, and one thing I’ve noticed about most US soccer fans is that they get all defensive and shit as soon as anybody says they aren’t really into their sport. Sound familiar? And the fact that I just compared the behavior of hockey fans to soccer fans might just suggest where hockey is on the sports totem pole right now.
And if popularity is your thing, that’s not great company to have in the USA, don’t ya think?
tony Says:
June 1st, 2006 at 11:17 pm
Without riling Rob up anymore, and maybe it would be different if my team had lost, but THAT is why Game 7’s rock. It’s just too bad that people make that judgement that “hockey sucks” ahead of time. Any other of the “Big 4″ (or “Big 3-plus-something else”) sports, a game like the one tonight would be classified as an epic before anyone left the building.
the mighty mjd Says:
June 1st, 2006 at 11:37 pm
“…and one thing I’ve noticed about most US soccer fans is that they get all defensive and shit as soon as anybody says they aren’t really into their sport. Sound familiar?”
Well, yeah, but… you’re not talking about me, are you? I mean, I like soccer, but I’ve never been like that. But if you were or weren’t, yes, either way, you’re right, it seems like some hockey fans are pretty defensive about their sport, to the point where they’ll attack someone who wasn’t trying to slam it to begin with.
BG Says:
June 2nd, 2006 at 12:36 am
I may not know hockey but I know “Blades of Steel” when I see it. Awesome.
tony Says:
June 2nd, 2006 at 12:54 am
I hope I didn’t come across as one of the defensive ones. Folks can like what sports they’d like, sometimes I just don’t get those that are quick to drop (and no one here, necessarily) the “hockey sucks” bomb when it’s really such an awesome game to watch when playoff time heats up. Obviously, I’m biased, but I’ll take a scramble in front of the net in the closing minutes of a one-goal game (there were five of them in the CAR-BUF series) a million times over before I’d take the 15 timeouts and then the clear-out play for one shot to win an NBA game.
But more importantly, Bryan Trottier was hired by the Islanders today. You’re with me, tit-fucker.
DookieStyle Says:
June 2nd, 2006 at 8:01 am
One of the best game sevens ever. 3 goals in the third…
Rob Says:
June 2nd, 2006 at 8:02 am
I didn’t mean to infer that I think “hockey sucks.” Far from it. I actually tuned in last night to some of Game 7. Sure, it was during TOs between Dirk and Nash, but still - I made the effort.
A good friend is a HUGE ‘Canes fan. Season tickets and all. Whenever someone knocks hockey, his response is the same - “My love for the sport doesn’t hinge on you liking it. So f*** off.”
tony Says:
June 2nd, 2006 at 11:09 am
Rob,
I know ya didn’t… no one here has really gone there with it, I was just dragging numerous non-web conversations into the fray. But I knew you couldn’t stay away last night. ;)
As for the OLN thing, talking to a friend of mine who ordered Center Ice to see all the games because his dish company doesn’t get OLN… once he paid for the package, he found out that they blackout all the games that are on OLN. I think the OLN thing *can* work, but whoever is sitting in the NHL office in charge of the TV package needs to get their head out of their ass.
Dave's Football Blog Says:
June 2nd, 2006 at 12:24 pm
It’s not OLN anymore. It’s VERSUS!!! Hockey! Cycling! Bull-riding! Arena Football! W00t!!!
I jumped on the Carolina Hurricanes bandwagon after they knocked off the Habs, but that’s mostly because A.) I live here, and B.) a redhead I used to date works the jumbotron at the RBC Center. Hockey is actually much more fun to watch than it was 4 years ago, when the clutch-and-grab Canes made me wonder why this sport was so popular. The rules changes helped. A lot.
That said, if this had been a Game 7 between Buffalo and New Jersey, I wouldn’t have cared one bit. Hockey is a game with lots of local appeal and no national TV audience. You either care about the team in your city, or you don’t care. The NHL has a LONG way to go to get back in the same neighborhood as the NFL, the NBA and MLB.
Biggest fear for Game 1 of the Finals — Clay Aiken singing the national anthems. *shudder*
fredwilo Says:
June 2nd, 2006 at 4:11 pm
I was a passive fan before the strike and could not care less now. It is ironic, b/c one thing I agree with is that some of the rule changes worked to make the sport more exciting (some parrallels to the NBA) with less clutching and grabbing and more skating. But all you have to do is look at the TV ratings — hockey has done an awful job of promoting itself over the past decade. And for me, the strike was the final straw.
Spaceno93 Says:
June 9th, 2006 at 12:36 pm
I think hockey will be a niche sport (and I”m a hockey fan) so will soccer. I think hockey needs to realize that and just stop trying to be something they are not.
But, I’m not looking to debate that - while rates are bad compared to other sports, for OLN it was the most watched in there history. Hopefully, next year ratings will improve.
Sorry, hockey doesn’t have a Sammy Sosa or McGuire to revive the game or a LeBron James.
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NHL CONFERENCE FINALS DRIVE OLN TO MOST-WATCHED WEEK IN NETWORK’S HISTORY
Stamford, CT (June 1, 2006) – OLN, the cable home of the National Hockey League and the Quest for the Cup, today announced that the NHL’s 2006 Stanley Cup Conference Finals games for the week of Monday, May 22 drove the network to its most-watched week ever, with a 210 percent increase in total viewer impressions over year-ago figures (426,355 vs. 137,324). In addition, HH impressions were up 220 percent over last year (312,702 vs. 97,789).
OLN’s average HH rating for the week of May 22 is also up a significant 150 percent over year-ago figures (.5 vs. .2). Among key male demos, the network showed an astounding 426 percent gain in viewership for Men 18-34 (48,613 vs. 9,234), a 346 percent gain for Men 18-49 (136,742 vs. 30,635) and a 250 percent gain for Men 25-54 (137,058 vs. 39,104) as compared to last year.
OLN aired extensive coverage of the Quarterfinal and Semifinal rounds, and will air exclusive live coverage of the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday, June 5 and Wednesday, June 7 at 8 p.m. ET, when the Edmonton Oilers take on the winner of the Eastern Conference Final – either the Buffalo Sabres or the Carolina Hurricanes. The Western Conference Final began Friday, May 19 when the Anaheim Mighty Ducks hosted the Edmonton Oilers. Eastern Conference Final coverage on OLN began with Game 2 on Monday, May 22 with the Buffalo Sabres at the Carolina Hurricanes. During each night of the playoffs, OLN featured approximately six hours of hockey content, which included game coverage as well as a studio wrap-up show.