Don't play the blame game

Hello Don and Ron. I am so glad that you 2 are on Hockey Night In Canada, it wouldn't be the same without both of you. Please keep up the great work. I can't wait to here your thought's on this series. Lets go Canada, bring the Cup home where it belongs. Dwight

Don,

We don't get HNIC coverage here in Dallas. However, I was in Hartford recently and caught you via satelite. Keep up the great work!

Go Ducks!!!

Mike

Don, please advise the young woman singing our National Anthem, at the Anaheim Duck's venue, that our National Anthem is "O Can A da" NOT "O Can Id da".... Go Ottawa Go!!!!!

With thanks,
Linda, a proud Canadian

We love you Don!

The only thing I would change about your segment to make it better is add more time.

Keep it real Grapes!

SENS IN 4

GO SENS GO!

dear Don
my boyfriend convened me to a sens fun, go sen go. I love sen and Toronto leaf

To the untrained eye it might look like Ron is getting abused and shouted down, but I have watched this show long enough to know that Ron knows how really mess with Cherry. He knows the buttons to push to get Don all charged up. Cherry by himself is not nearly as interesting.

I think the "brains" marketing the NHL need to do the opposite of whatever ideas they come up with because, "frankly" they make the best sport in the world appear as a joke here in the United States. It is not acceptable to have NBC drop an overtime game let alone during the playoffs. Is it also necessary to have the "cartoon music" during all of the "fast-forwarded" replays? Maybe, the NHL could have NBC draw in Disney characters to appeal to the American public during the game. I think the game would be better served if they left it alone, provide some real, respectful, "public" coverage here in the states and provided more grass roots opportunity for kids here to play. Keep up the good work, Mr Cherry, maybe the NHL could learn something.

Hey Don.
I love your comments only at 90% you're right
but please do support our Ottawa, this time are for real .
They do play with their hearts and souls.

Way to Go Ottawa,
From Beijing, China.
May-25-2007

Don,

Loved you as a kid on the Grapevine, watching CBC in Detroit. Best show ever. Even as a lowly American, I know my Canadian national anthem to this day.

Do you think the NHL should contract and consolidate the talent? The new NHL, calls, and lack of quality hockey is killing me.

Best regards,
Nick Dragan

BOOOO hockey during the day! BOOOOO American TV stations! YAY Hockey NIGHT In Canada!

The American commentators for the Salt Lake Gold Medal game said that it was like Canada's Superbowl. One of the commentators that had lived in Canada jumped in and said that it really did not hold that much meaning to Canadians and that the Stanley Cup meant much more than even the Superbowl does to Americans. The game is more than a sport and much more than a bussiness. It is an honour. I dreamed as a boy of holding the cup over my head, and now that I am a father I hope the same for my newborn son. Courage, desire, heart, striving to prevail this is what the cup means. I hope the players on the Senators understand what is expected of them. I know the Canadians do. A few years ago when Karia got levelled in the playoffs and came back scant moments later to blast one by one of the greatest goaltenders to play the game, he was asked by a reporter (obviously not Canadian) how he could pull off such a thing. He said something along the lines of him getting paid alot of money and that it was his job to do it. All other hockey competitions are of little consequence in Canada. We expect our teams to win and when they do we are satified but not overcome with joy as winning is expected. The Stanley cup is another matter all together. Each team has their Canadians that refuse to return home without the cup, and to win it is a rare honour. To my countrymen who stand on the edge of a dream I have nothing to say, to the international players who have rightfully become rich playing this great game I say to you, Do not come home without the cup. You can leave your teeth, your youth, your health, and your broken bones at the rink, but whatever happens, Do not come home without the cup. That is what is expected of a Canadian professional hockey player and that is why he is made rich and honoured. I hope your names go on the cup gentlemen, I can not think of a nicer thing to say to a professional hockey player.

Don,

We need to beat up on the NHL about scheduling playoff games during the DAY - don't they know that it is HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA!

Hey Don, don't forget to mention that most of the star Duck players are (unlike Detroit) all GOOD CANADIAN KIDS- Neidermayer(2), Pronger, Beauchemin, Getzlaf, Perry, McDonald and, of course, J.S. Giguere. Oh, and Don, please...it's zhi-GARE, not GIG-er (as in a music gig). Just think if Zsa Zsa Gabor and Danny Gare had a child: Zhi-Gare. OK, Don? Thanks.

Oh, and one more thing: I think I need a new monitor. (I view CC on the web) Because you look like a freakin' giant canary. Can you imagine somebody lookin' like that? I gotta get this thing fixed...

The trouble with Don Cherry on Coach's Corner is that he doesn't listen to what Ron Maclean is saying and jumps all over him willy nilly. Maybe Don should do more listening than talking sometimes and he would have a better segment. Still love ya, Don!

Don and Ron,

I am not a big fan of Chris Chelios but I have always admired his passion for the game. That was until last night. Over the last couple of years, the game has endured greedy expansion, prostitution of the rules and ugly violent events but hockey has always retained one of the purest moments in sport - the teams exchanging handshakes at the end of a series. Exhausted combatants setting aside their differences and sharing congratulations and condolences. It sends shivers up the fans' spines. For Chelios to leave the ice without shaking the hands of his rivals is disrespecting the very game that gave Chelios his life. For me to have to explain why to my ten year old son was heartbreaking. Chelios should hang up his skates in pursuit of something less honourable and more selfish than hockey.

Sadly, Craig

hey Don
i really wish you could be the person who talks threw the whole game because the other speakers ALWAYS go for the team detroit is playing. I really like how you really dont pick sides like they do but you still have an Opinion. Something that really bugs me is that they will show a shot over 5 times but when detroit shoots it, and it looks like it goes in they only check it once or twice! SO thanks for doing these shows i really like them. Oh, and sorry if there are spelling mistakes, i am only 13 and trying to get this done before the games starts!
Shelby

Just sounding off on the Saturday afternoon games, they suck. The NHL bends over backwards for NBC by ruining our Saturday night games, then shuts down broadcasting of OT for a horse race.

atta boy Donald S... both you and MacLean make my day over here in warm Wisconsin - we have to watch versus - lord help us if that station keeps calling games in the US. Glad to see i can catch coaches corner on good ol' CBC!!!! CBC keep it up! You have no idea how much Canadians in the US miss tuning in!

Mike from Oak Creek, WI

I thought NBC were idiots, but tonight CBC is a close second by showing the election in Manitoba instead of the hockey game!!! I am more than just a little pissed off!!! This is ridiculous, tell them to wake up DON!!! I'm sure I'm not the only person ticked off Please let this be known on coach's corner since I won't be able to see it tonight!!!

Don
When you don't have a good comeback for Ron's comments your better off folding man.
Regarding Ron's comment concerning Rick Jackman not being a great defensive's defenseman and as to why Pittsburg let him go?
"Their stupid" Is not a very intelligent response.
If it is your intention to make Ron Maclean look good! You’re doing a great Job, having said that, I still love to see you two together, its one of the best things that has happened to hockey broadcasting. Keep up the great entrainment!!

PS: For the record, I think Ron was closer to the truth regarding Jackman

Don

It appears to me that Giguere's goaltending gear is excessively large, reminiscent of what goaltenders wore a year or so ago. Didn't the NHL restrict the size of gloves, pads, etc.?

Dear Don,

I am a Canadian from Montreal now living in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. I am very proud of the Ottawa Senators as we speak and firmly believe that they will lift Lord Stanley over their heads in a couple of weeks. I just want to thank you for being our inspirational national support for so many years and always sticking to your unique behavior and criticism of certain unspoken comments. I miss CBC and Hockey night in Canada here. We only get Versus and certain games but what I really love is Ron and you butting heads at the Coaches Corner intermission.

I respect and like my American friends and entourage here and they do the same towards me. The only negative thing is that when my blood boils for Canada and our Country to go all the way in Hockey, whether it's the Habs, Leafs, Canucks, Oilers, Flames or now the Sens, people over here don't like it and make fun of us calling us names. That's why I admire you Don because you have always stood out and made us proud. May god bless you, the game of Hockey and our beautiful country Canada.

All the best. Amin

The officiating in the playoffs has been terrible and as a result of questionable calls at critical junctures the officials are dictating who wins - this should not be the case. I'm sure the apologists will make all kinds of excuses - blah blah blah. On Saturday the Sens beat the Sabres yet Buffalo had the game stolen from them with an intentional act. When you watched the game it was clear that Vanek's patience in front of the net was setting up an open net marker -a high probability play. Instead, Buffalo was denied and overtime ensued where luck has as much to do with a win as anything else. Buffalo deserved the win and had it but for cheating. And I 'm sure some will say that's hockey - hogwash.
Fast forward to the Detroit game. Detroit outplayed Anaheim by far yet a penalty was called with less two minutes remaining ensuring a 6 on 4 for the remainder of the game. That's not hockey and in very close games is denying the deserving team a victory . It's almost as if it was intentional.

What is with CBC - don't they want a Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup? The commentary for the game on Saturday was so Buffalo sided it made me sick. I had to watch NBC where they were not favouring one team over the other. I am so sick of hearing about Toronto. Ottawa has made it to the Cup and they are going to win the Cup. Get on board and stand behind the only Canadian team or don't say anything at all!!

Grapes, Ron:

We must band together and wake up, the NHL will never be huge in the States.

We are letting one television network dictate when our playoff games are being held. This same network leaves a Game 5 conference final to go to pre-horse race coverage. Unbelievable. Thank God for the CBC.

Please don't let this happen for the Stanley Cup Final. I thought it's Hockey Night in Canada, not Hockey afternoon in Canada.

Andrew

Can you please tell me why, in jr. when a players helmet gets taking off that player has to go to the bench. Why isnt that inforced in the N.H.L. for the safety of the players. I think it should be for all leagues of hockey. If that player doesnt go off he gets a penalty, for 2 minutes. What do you think of this comment, please get back to me. Thank You! Dennis Moro from Trail B.C.

GO SENS GO BRING BACK THE CUP 5 STR YRS

I am outraged at the wa that NBC handled the game on Saturday between the Sabers and the Sens. To show a bunch of horses walking around and jockeys sitting in a room and little Bobby Costas give us a bunch of jibberish about horses that nobody understans iswas redicoulous. the race itself didn't even run for over an hour after they went on the air. I watch more hockey than you would ever believe there are true fans here in the US. The problem is Gary Bettman, it's time to go Gary before we can't see any hockey here in the US at all. It's a great sport, and there are people here who truly do love it. Also...........GO SENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dear Mr. Cherry,
It was great to see you at HSBC Arena for the Buffalo/ Ottawa series. I'm a season ticket holder for the Buffalo Sabres and having you at those games made it worth all the money I paid for, even though the Sabres could not win. I really respect your hockey knowledge and watch the Coachs Corner ever Saturday unless I'm at a Sabres game.
Unfortunately I was not around to watch Bobby Orr play when he did, but I saw you comparing him to Scott Niedermayer on the last Coachs Corner. Do you see any of Bobby Orr's talents in Brian Campbell?
Don you are welcome back anytime in Buffalo. Buffalo loves you!

The overall coverage of the NHL playoffs by CBC has been excellent, top notch.

But I would like to know why CBC had to cut away from the post game interviews/comments during the final Ottawa-Buffalo game? Isn't Canada main sport hockey and not soccer. It would have been nice to see more post game interviews/comments on TV. Regardless thank-you for the WEB feed which I able go to and view(excellent stuff).

Also, I don't really see much excitement by Ron, Don, or Elliot with a Canadian team making to the Stanley Cup Final. Couldn't they show just a bit of Canadian pride for a
Canadian team accomplishing something great!

I'm sure it would be completely different story (for the post game interview coverage and more enthusiastic CBC media coverage) if the Leafs made it to the Finals.

Peter

I'm on the other side of the world and I'm missing the playoffs for the first time in my life (24 years). I'm glad I'm able to watch Coach's Corner online because it's the only bit of hockey that I'm getting. Don, I love your comments and you're always dead on. Thanks CBC!!!!

Don:

I cheered for Toronto and they lost out. The final game against Montreal was a doozey. My 16 year old son Ken is on me about cheering for Ottawa. How can a displaced Canuc who lives in the USA hope for the Leafs greatest rival?He says it would be like a Yankee Fan voting for the Red Socks. And here in CT, it is WW III on that front. All I can say is that when they drop the first puck next fall, I will be back on the Leaf bandwagon. Lord Stanley's cup has been away too long and it would be nice to see it come home for a change. If the timing works, I might just make the 8 hour drive to see a parade. They just have to go through those pesky Ducks or Wings! You can take the boy out of the Country but....

By the way, the CBC did a nice job with the history of hockey. I bought the CD set and have been loaning it to the parents of my Son's High School hockey team. This is a must add to your collection! I watched it over three evenings. Just made me miss home, but also proud of the history of Canada's game. Thanks also for supporting our troups. Their accomplishments are beyond description in my books. I pray for their safe return!

Garth Stapon

New Milford, Connecticut USA

thanks Don for Always speaking the absoulte truth and having such courage to tackle all the other things everyone is afarid to talk about !!

I think Coach's Corner is the best thing that has happened to hockey intermissions. Don Cherry calls it like the sees it and is usually right on the money. I have been watching hockey ever since Bobby Orr got drafted to the NHL as I am from Parry Sound as well. There has been no one like him since. I think the Ottawa Senators have the stuff this year to win the Stanley Cup.

Well said Ben. Without Versus down here in California there would be zero play off hockey. NBC is a joke, name one other sport that would get cut away from if it went long?
While I'm cheering for a certain California team to make the finals I am only doing so to see the Sens live in action (and I won't have to worry about having the game cut off).

I dearly miss my CBC hockey, at least the announcers are less bias and try to give the good and bad for both Canadian and US teams. Kudos Cherry for not counting Buffalo out...though they are now. GO SENS!

CBC, if only you'd make your broadcasts available on the internet to places outside of Canada. Hockey is not the same without Ron and Don - HNIC forever!

I remember Rick jackman in the Leafs development plans and was wondering what happened. Thenks for explaining the argument thing with Rick Ley.
Surprised Don never acknowledged the Sudbury Wolves cinderella run to the OHL final. They play like his kind of team.

Now Don I really hope you blast the network(s) for air time on the NHL Playoffs...! I have never watched a Lord Stanly Cup (playoff) game in the morning, just wondering what is going on with theses people running around making theses kind of desions, and how stupid that is.

Greetings Don, Ron

What a shame that hockey can't always be as wonderful as game 5, good teams, good officiating, good fans and a great game, On the other hand, can you believe it ... bigger nets, give me a break! I watched a bunch of meaningless statistics about goal production, and how its down, what about the trap for example ... does anybody really know just what the heck goal production means anyway ... meaningless statistics amount nothing more than noise, they fabricate a moral panic that misleads you from the real problem and it underlying causes ... I worry that every time the NHL has the opportunity to strengthen its game, it does something nonsensical like 'bigger nets', all this nonsense makes the NHL look like an impetulant child ... oh ya ... hockey in Europe, why not in Winnipeg ... Finally, please indulge my rant a little further - hockey is hockey, it's not basketball ... can ANYBODY stop this insanity, can ANYBODY stop Mr Betman, and, please, please, please take his signature off the puck, somebody should tell him that hockey is not all about him anyway ...

yeah NBC switched the game to VS which isn't readily available to some basic cable customers. The heck with hockey.... Funny thing the game was over before the race happened, all NBC showed was interviews with jockeys, owners,etc. They could have at least at least kept the game on network TV until the time of the race. I wondered what would happen if the game went overtime, now I know. I got to see the OT-Miller's amazing save, and Alfredsson's great 1 against 3 winning goal, but I bet a lot of folks with no cable or no VS missed out on an exciting end to the series......but that's what American TV does to hockey

Loved it! Nice to see some honest opinions on television for a change.

Hey Don I love to watch Coachs Corner on the web. Ever since the CBC moved to a digital signal and left the big dish owner in the cold.
I have been watching you on the web. I truely miss the other segments when you are outside Coachs Corner. But am greatful to the CBC for keeping your show on the web. It is truely the best show on all TV.
Just wanted to let you know what the American TV station did because of a Horsey Race. The game went into overtime and NBC cut out and changed the game over to Verses a premium channel that most cable companies don't carry.
Now does everybody understand why Hockey will never be a big three sport again in the USA.
I think that the NHL should have a nice talk with this TV station and drop the coverage from a National TV company who belives that they should cover all the festivites before this gamblers paradise horsey race.
i have always been sick of hockey coverage in the USA hockey has always played second fiddle to all other sports. I am true hockey fan and belivie that the cup should stay in Canada. I have to feel for the true hockey fans in the US because they could not watch the overtime. Could you possibly mention this in an upcoming show? How hockey will never be big in small markets in the USA. Long live Hockey the best sport and I will always be one of your biggest fans. Your word is gospel to the true hockey fan.
Thanks for letting me vent on the TV Company NBC and they plan to air another game tommorow ! God forbid it goes into overtime again we will miss the local news!

It's been a long time since I've seen this calibre of hockey... but then again, that's what the NHL playoffs is all about!
I watched the Ottawa - Buffalo live on Hockey Night in Canada via NASN in Europe, but the post game show here was not shown... the mets/yankees game was more important, i guess!?!
When I tried to watch the post game show online, cbc website told me that you had to be in Canada to watch this. Why?
I'm a Canadian, and I wanted to enjoy the Sens victory! Can you please check this out, just in case NASN cuts off its transmission after the Sens win the Stanley Cup, I would like to know that I could see the post game show on the internet!
I agree with you on Pronger... he caught caught up in the heat of the moment! But what a competitor!
Keep up the straight talk Don!

Jonathan

Don you are the man!!!!! Why arent you Prime minister???!!!! You speak the truth and what is right.. Your the best philosipher this world has to offer, and someday the world will realize that HOCKEY is the fastest, smartest, most actionized sport EVER!!!!!!!!!!1 wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo GO SENS GO