Posted by Bud on December 02, 2009 at 10:52:51:
In his Blackhawks Confidential blog on the Chicago Now site, Mark Kiley talks about DirecTV, Comcast, WGN Radio, the Blackhawks and more.
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Blackhawks win shootout; DirecTV viewers left in radio daze
The more things change, the more they stay they same. As I did for years before, my radio was tuned to the Blackhawks game on Tuesday night. Yes, I'm a DirecTV subscriber. No, Comcast and DirecTV have not settled their ongoing dispute. Therefore, I went old school by listening to John Wiedeman and Troy Murray broadcast the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 shootout victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
I will offer a full disclosure and confess my attempts to watch the contest via the internet. However, my successes were limited to the last few minutes of the third period and partial snipets of overtime and the shootout. The connection was weak at best, though I did gain flashbacks to my youth adjusting the rabbit ears in my parent's basement trying to catch a fuzzy glimpse of my skating hereos on Channel 44.
The NHL network also offered live look-ins on occassions, yet nothing is more uncomfortable than not knowing when the plug will be pulled. Somewhat akin to running out of quarters at the peep show. You'll keep watching, but it just doesn't feel right.
Nothing against Wiedeman and Murray, they're a fine team for WGN, but I no longer have the capacity to imagine the action in my head while hearing the radio call. It worked when I knew there was no other way to catch Blackhawks home games live. However, tonight I imagined my neighbor sitting on his favorite chair watching the Hawks on his TV with his Comcast remote in hand and that just pissed me off.
There appears to be nothing new on the DirecTv vs. Comcast feud. Same old crap. The only glimmer is the possible merger of Comcast with NBC Universal. How would the dispute be affected by the deal? I have no friggin idea. Depends on who you read. Yep, Jerry Kayne, that means you and I will most likely remain with a blue screen for a while on channel 603.
It is interesting how hushed Gary Bettman and the NHL have remained on the subject. Makes one wonder what promises have been made by Comcast should they merge with NBC Universal. Bettman must covet the idea of more playoff coverage on a mainstream media outlet. Something to watch for in the future.
As for the Hawks, Brent Seabrook ended the game in the 11th round of a shootout that neither team wanted to end. On the plus side, Christobal Huet was solid in the extra session stopping all but one of 11 Blue Jackets shooters. Good to see Huet respond after a sub-par shootout performance in Los Angeles.
Marian Hossa's debut at the United Center was a positive as the winger posted two assists and a shootout goal. Reminiscent of his first Blackhawks' goal, Hossa's shootout tally was effortless. The guy has knack for making things look easy. On the other hand, Andrew Ladd might find his name lower on Joel Quenneville's card after his fumbling manuever.
As Murray told me through my small speakers, the Blackhawks were a little careless on the ice. Even the guys on NHL network remarked at the difficulty of returning home from a long trip. The effort was there, but the players were missing on the finer details of the game. I'd say it was a nice game to escape with two points and Quenneville's 500th victory as a head coach.
The highlight of the evening sounded as if it went to Kris Versteeg's shorthanded goal in the first to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead. Wiedemann reacted quite favorably to Steeger's toe-drag manuever. I have not caught the replay, but it's on the agenda.
All of Patrick Sharp's supporters were surely thrilled to see the (slumping?) winger net a powerplay goal in the 2nd period to even the score 2-2. Sharpie's goal was assisted by Hossa and Patrick Kane. And Pat Foley and Eddie Olcyk won't be dissapointed to find out that Duncan Keith was once again the first star of the game. Keith's shot from the blueline was tipped-in by Jonathan Toews at 4:43 of the third period on the powerplay. Keith was originally credited with the goal which tied the contest 3-3.
On a final note, these shooutouts are lasting too long for the talent on this team. Kane can't elevate the puck, Sharp hits the post, Versteeg can't find the back of a wide open net. Credit goes to Huet and Seabrook, but the Hawks shouldn't be relying on a defenseman to end a shootout.