Hockey Night in America

The Hockey Tattler, Vol. I, No. 9

Saturday March 6, 2010

Canada’s Weekend Culture Invades US

Monday nights in the fall are times when American men hibernate in front of their TV screens, watching weeknight pro football. The tradition started in 1970. But four decades earlier, the Canadians invented the idea. Hockey Night in Canada dates back to 1936, and has roots as far back as 1931.

Not many Americans south of the 49^th parallel know about HNIC, unless they are total and confirmed hockey fan(atics). But every Canadian knows about, and has probably seen, a HNC game. Saturday nights in Canada are not complete without HNIC. The events are nearly always two Canadian teams facing off for provincial bragging rights.

The event has been broadcast on CBC since Jurassic times. Due to the idiosyncrasies of North American broadcasting rules, CBC has no affiliates south of the 49^th. If you live in Buffalo, Minneapolis or Seattle, hockey games can be pulled in on the CBC channels (assuming you still have rabbit ears). But for the rest of us, CBC remains as distant as Radio Rangoon.

Fortunately, the NHL recognizes a moneymaking opportunity when it sees one. Hockey Night in Canada has made it to the NHL network. So, if one subscribes (for $79), the cable channels can light up with the Canadian game of the week.

One of the highlights of HNIC is the color commentary by Don Cherry. A former NHL Coach of the Year (and Stanley Cup winner), Cherry has become the Casey Stengel/Yogi Berra of hockey.

Just before the final Olympics game, he predicted a Canadian win by three goals over TeamUSA. So much for his clairvoyance. But he did hit the nail on the head when he said that American goaltender Ryan Miller would face more rubber (pucks) than “a dead skunk on the New Jersey Turnpike in the middle of a summer rush hour”.

The Leafs visit Ottawa tonight for a Battle of Ontario (and one of the teams sport redcoat colors). Cellar-dwelling Toronto will be playing for pride. Ottawa is in 2^nd place in the Northeast Division. Go Leafs. Later on, the Canadiens play in Los Angeles. It will be a good warm-up for the Oscars. Just a week ago, some of the Canadiens were on the west coast, a bit father north in Hockey Heaven.

Speaking of hockey heaven, Sid the Kid scored again today – 43 goals on the year, leading the league. The Penguins are opening up their lead in the Atlantic division.

Hockey Rules.