Crosby needs to play through extra attention

We have the pleasure every year to watch the Senators play their home games as season ticket holders. We watched this team change over the season and the result was really spectacular.

I just wanted to address a misconception that Jenn in Detroit seems to have about the CBC.
The funding for the CBC comes from the Canadian taxpayer through the federal government. It is the peoples network.

The tradition of "Hockey Night In Canada" began 64 years ago broadcasting on Saturday nights across Canada. Their coverage is, Canadian Teams.

Our Canadian lads play on every team in the NHL. If a Canadian Team is not playing we love to cheer for Detroit, Atlanta, New Jersey etc, if it's televised.

When the US anthem is played in our rink I know I sing along (know it by heart now), as I do our own. There is always loud applause for both. I think it's rude and distasteful for anyone to do otherwise. It should not be tolerated in any NHL rink. After all this is only a hockey game, win, lose or draw.

Don ; I am a sen's fan and i hated it all season long when i watched Crosby play against us. He whine's to much everytime he get's hit and thinks it's a penalty. This guy has to realize hockey is a contact sport and you get hit and sometime's hard. I say grow up fast or take up swimming lesson's a less contact sport.

Hello Don and Ron
I only have a comment about Sydney Crosby..for one I am glad that the Penquins are now golfing lol but I truly believe if Master Crosby would leave his kindergarten antics off the ice he would be a much more likeable hockey player. I was a hockey mom for many years and I know we did not tolerate that kind of behaviour so please comment on Crosby faking complaining constantly to the refs it is not a good role model for our young hockey players.

Yes, CBC has deteriorated in its coverage. They think they have to be like everbody else, I guess. What was it the guy said? "the media has become the message. The message has become the media" The TV techs have so much at there fingertips they want to use it all. For instance the crawl across the bottom of the screen at the beginning of the period, do they know how annoying it is when it covers the play and it does trust me if only for a few key seconds? How about the other graphic covering the top of the screen? They'll be running ads down the side of the screen soon.

Oh yea, what about us guys who are in pools? Remember when old Fred Fittgen (I think it's how you spell it) spent half an intermission on team standings, scoring leaders and such. Well we need it now more than ever. And the play-by-play or should I say play-by-every-other-play. It's the game gentlemen not the color commentator and the whom ever else carrying on a conversation about ???? I want to hear. And yes we have our favourite announcers/commentators but are the only supposed intelligent ex-players goalies? Don't answer that. The only innovation I've seen that I really appreciate is from your competitor and that is the cameras at ice level and from behind the net and the half-boards, especially during powerplays. I never want to see a close-up of a player streaking down the ice. I loose all perspective of who's with him, who he can pass to, who can catch or check him.

Cherry's good 'cause he knows how to watch a game and how players react to situations, how they're thinking. He speaks to a higher intelligence level (that would be me and most of Canada) than TV network execs. give us credit for.

Jenn,
I had to write back and correct you when you accused Edmonton fans of booing the American National Anthem...Jenn, I think you'd better check your VSR/DVR/TVo...whatever you have, because I was one of the THOUSANDS of fans in Rexall place during each playoff game last year...Not only did we NOT "boo" the US Anthem, we sang it loud, and clear, showing our Canadian Pride and that a few American jerks can't tempt us to sink to thier level. We always have and always will show class and dignity...I was a VERY PROUD CANADIAN when we all sang both anthems in Rexall,and will continue to be one!

Replace Don Cherry by Kelly Hrudey... not everything revolves around the Leafs with Kelly.

I would like to take a moment and remind all of you who are complaining about American fans booing the Canadian national anthem that last year in the playoffs, Edmonton fans did the same thing when the American nation anthem was sung. I think it's incredibly rude and classless for ANYONE to boo during the singing of the anthems. I also think it's classless to boo players, regardless of which teams they are on. It's a hockey GAME for crying out loud. Root, root, root for the hometeam, but show your visitors that you have some decency.

And as much as I love Coach's Corner, I never take what Cherry says about the Wings too seriously. He doesn't discriminate, he hates everyone the same. But I do respect him for paying homage to the Canadian troops and to fallen hockey players.

I apologize for the idiots who boo the Canadian national anthem. God keep your land, glorious and free. Go Wings.

Yes Mr.Cherry,Keep your head up!Re- the Eves Hit....I see the game has become a little heated since the incident.Mr.20 for the Pens came back out to play after showing some fake remorse on the bench and Ottawa is finally starting to show a little more grit.I just can't wait to see the greeting he gets back here in Ottawa for game 5!

ok for all those who are mad when sens fans boo sidney crosby get over it thats hockey and yes of course we are going to boo sidney so get a grip GO SENS GO boo sidney boo!!!!

dirty hockey getting sick of it low blows putting ottawa player out dirty hockey

Just wanted someone in your broadcast booth to remind or at least mention that the next time that the Pittsburg fan Boo the Canadian National Athems... they should be reminded that there is actually 23 canadian boys playing for the Penguins versus 5 Americans... so when they are Booing our National Anthems they are actually Booing there own Player... Very typicals of them...

GO Sydney...

Sens Fans...
I went to the Sens/Pens game yesterday and was extremely disapointed with the lack of passion at Scotiabank Place. It was cool when we got there, somewhat of a red glow but as soon as Pittsburgh scored the only thing we heard from "Sens Army" was Crosby Boos and "Fleuryyyyy". Getting on Crosby will only make him play better.
Sens fans have got to stop playing for granted, get cup crazy.
In the mean time, Go Pens Go.

No mention of the booing of our wonderful national anthem? Americans continue to impress me.
No mention of the many Canadian soldiers that were killed in Afghanistan this week? Imagine that, a government owned company not wanting one of their personalities mentioning a situation where government support happens to be dwindling.
But Ottawa is still going to win.

I was watching game 3 of the Ottawa-Pittsburg series, and once again I was disgusted to hear the Canadian national anthem booed. It is a disgrace to the American people and they should be ashamed of their behaviour. I hope they realize it says a lot more than "we don't want you to win", it screams we are ignorant to everything around us! They must realize that Mr.Crosby is indeed a Canadian, and when he hears that booing, must shake is head in shame for the lack of respect. When the American anthem plays throughout Canadian arenas, you hear the words. And that in itself says so much of the Canadian people.

Thanks for thinking about the "boys" overseas. It really helps when Don mentions the mission and of course photos of those killed. It really measns a lot to the troops over there. I have done four tours and at times it seems no-one in Canada knows you're over there.
Thank you very much Don and Ron..thanks for supporting the troops!!! You guys are the best!

Detroit had someone parked in front of Kipper every play...can the Flames not reciprocate...or is that not their style of play?

increasingly worried,
Brian

The CBC is clearly irked that they have to cover the SENATORS instead of the Laffs. As fair minded as Maclean is...it seems to pain Bob Cole; he's seems so bummed having to cover Ontario's superior hockey team.

The new N.H.L. is a joke now.
The refs are killing the game. Look at the first round of playoffs. A mystery as to why or were they call get their calls from. It is truly shamefull!! Get the refs. out of the game before they wreck the playoffs!!!! Let the men play the game and only call the real old fashion game like they did before in the old N.H.L.

This is the best time of year for all of us hockey fans no doubt,to see the world play as 1,and only 1 team will prevail,there will be no 2nd or 3rd places,"Lord Stanley" can only except 1 team,and that team whose willing to show how much heart and determination they have to do 1 thing,and that is to hoist the most prized trophy in the whole world,"Lord Stanley".Who could ask for anything more.

Watching your televised game between Calgary and Detroit on April the 15. I noticed at 15:46 of the first period Calgary scored and no goal was awarded to Calgary. It was stated by the announcer that the goal tender stopped the puck with his leg. I reviewing the action is slow-mo I noticed that the puck crossed the line and hit the back of the net (padded base). If it was not the puck whay was it.

Thank you

Greg- your first clue you're still watching HNIC is the blatant Canadian-team-biased commentators. It was so bad in game 1 of the PENS-SENS series, that I watched game 2 coverage from a US feed.

To the HNIC crew- the greatest player in the game today is STILL Canadian, you know. He just happens to play for the "other" side along with a double handful of other up-and-coming Canadians.

It wouldn't kill you to comentate a more neutral game.

Agreed, Greg.
I know that the design format of HNIC shouldn't be that big a deal, but it really gets under my skin. From what I can figure, they've copied the scoreboard format tit for tat from NBC, which frankly shows weakness in character if nothing else.
Come on, HNIC. Let's go back to the unique visual layout we all know and love.

Sad to say but I think Colin Campbell may have errored on the Radulov suspension. One game still does not show the NHL's urgency to remove hitting from behind. Too many players (whether in the NHL or not) are coached not to hit from behind because of the dangers, but leagues are still not enforcing the act strongly enough. Whether there was intent or not shouldn't matter... someone is going to be seriously hurt and then the league will have to react. The league needs to become pro-active towards these hits, and not re-active once that player gets seriously hurt.

I was at the 2nd game..Am not a Sens fan, (Habs). Was annoyed at the rude behavior of fans, the language was classless,the constant booing of Sid Crosby was irritating. Won't go to another game in Ottawa. No class fans are a black eye to hockey playoffs. The homer referee's spoil our game, they couldn't wait to call a Pitts penalty. 40 seconds from puck drop. Pitts 9 , Ottawa 3..is that homer refereeing or what. I seen Sid perform, he is in a class of his own, skilled, incredibly powerful and still a teenager. Fans should be excited to see him play. He is a Canadian great and for sure destined as the next one. However, how can there ever be anyone as great as Gretksy. I guess time will tell..eh ! Go Pitts go. Go Sens go. I just love good hockey..no matter who the team is. one more thing.not related to this. Drop the one point for making it to over time, you win, you get 2 points, you lose, you get 0. thats hockey. and, is a shoot out goal for player stats..shouldn't be included..records will fall from past players that earned them in regulation time...

Enough of the Senators choke talk already. They shellacked the Pens in game one, and lost by one goal in game two. Hold the choke talk until they do choke. Sid the kid is going to turn hockey into soccer with his embelishments upon being touched ... it's embarrassing to hockey fans. From a Euro it's expected ... from a Canadian it's treason.

Go Winnipeg Grenadiers Go

ever body knows they was a no hit rule when playing against that cherry picking gretzky. you can't tell me that he wouldn't be getting run over behind the net 8 times a game if there wasn't a no hit rule for him. how do you think he set all those records, played in the lightest division played each of those weak teams what 12-15 times a year while only played the eastern conference 2-3 times, while lemieux and crosby play in the east most of the time, and got hit. an example is don cherry roc-em-sock em 8 i think when some dummy for the leafs ko'd him at the blue line head down, that kid was never heard from again. and now this brand of diving whanabee brand hockey is the worst ever . gary has got to go, grapes for commissioner, yes commissioner, not president.

I have to agree with the sentiments made by Mr. Greg Abott above, and I'm an American. I participated in a fantasy NHL playoff draft last Wednesday night in a metro-Detroit area sports bar, and when the games got started, I wondered what channel was broadcasting the Sens/Pens game because I had never seen such aweful graphics before. I figured that it must've been Versus, but when I got home and turned the game on, low and behold...it was CBC!!! You guys used to rule in all facets when it came to broadcasting games. I would even watch CBC over FSD sometimes if they were both carrying the Wings game, and I love Ken Daniels & Mickey Redmond. However, CBC just has (had) a better all around broadcast in my opinion. Having Don Cherry at first intermission doesn't hurt either, but please restore the old graphics as they were much, much better!!! LET'S GO REDWINGS!!!

Thanks Don and Ron and CBC for your contued support for all of our troups. No matter what the politics are you always remember and recognize the troops I respect that.
Dan.

I Would like to remind everyone that there certainly was a "no hit" policy on Gretzky when he played with the Oilers, his first hit came from one of his former Oiler team mate after he was traded to the LA Kings. Also I really get annoyed when Gretzky is always referred to as the greatest player, he had a very skilled team with him. Mario Lemieux on the other hand started with a "no name" group of players,and still managed to make a franchise team out ot the Pens. Had Mario not been beseiged with injuries and cancer, and had had the opportunity to play as many games as Gretzky (he played 500 games less than Gretzky) he would have broken all of Gretzky's records, in spite of being double-teamed all the time,hung onto and dragged down, without any penalties being called.
Gretzky was a great ambassador for hockey, which has made his name well known, and when I discuss hockey with some people, often that is the only name they can identify with,it would help the game if announcers and other media would market other players, and introduce the public to the many talented players in the NHL.

what happened to Toronto? they couldn't beat the Islands to make the playoff?

We look forward to HNIC every weeek and are sorry we did not see Don "live" today, not to shortchange Ron and Hrudy...they are great! I am a Wings fan and have to agree that hockey is much more "pasturized" these days. Gotta protect that investment, but boys you gotta earn your "bones" too!
We would love for Don and Ron to come to Atlanta and show them some real Southern hospitality! Email us and we'll pick you up at the airport!

Hey Don, take it easy on Pavel. All parts of his game are getting better, look how Babcock is using him on the PK this year. It's unfair to compare ANYBODY to Stevie Y.

How can you folks be so critical of Datsyuk and Zetterberg? Not only do they represent 2/3 of the best offensive line in the NHL, each in their own right are two of the elite offensive players in hockey. Seems to me that your real complaint is that they don't play for your team. As for Don Cherry's criticism of Datsyuk's feable shot blocking abilities, agreed, but as a Wings fan, I'll give Paval a pass on shot blocking in exchange for his shot scoring skills. We need Datsyuk on the ice, not on the training table.

i would like to comment on the lack of physical attention the greatest hockey player in history received, regular season and or playoffs; was there a unwritten, hands-off Mr. Gretzky policy in the 80's??

What Don failed to mention is how the Detroit Red Wings keep whining and begging for Penalties every time they feel as if they have been wronged! It totally sickens me that players like Datsyuk and Zetterberg get away with frequent Diving simply to draw Penalties, and yet the Referees are gullible enough to keep buying it! Grant it the Flames were outplayed very badly in Game 1, but the Officials need to crack down on the Diving that the Red Wings do to draw Penalties!

NICE TO SEE THE PENS WIN
WAY TO GO SID NICE WINNING GOAL
GREAT PLAYING HE IS SO STRONG ON HIS SKATES

I'm a Sens fan but I have to admit that when it comes to the playoffs they choke. If the Sens could win a cup I would go insane but 'till then my money's still on them!
GO SENS GO!!

Ok....
About a week ago, I noticed the format of HNIC had changed.
4 words. I DONT LIKE IT. A LOT of people dont like it. What happened to keeping the top left corner of the screen during the hockey game simple and easy to read? As well, all the segments in between periods such as Behind the Mask, etc, are all different. I thought I was watching hockey on an American station for a few moments but I was wrong , it was CBC.... Please consider going back to the way HNIC was used to be!! Please