I Love to Hear Broadcast Crews Squirm

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

I usually listen to the DRW games on the radio, 1290AM, CJBK in London, ON; unless there is a Knights game (which there was last night) which trumps the Wings broadcast. I checked the score and knew exactly what my next step was: upstairs and listen to AM720, WGN, Chicago's NHL flagship. Why, you ask? There are few things better than listening to a broadcast of a game when THEIR team is losing. Their play-by-play man is John Wiedeman, (who talks so fast he must breathe through his ears when he's doing the game) with colour man Troy Murray. Early in the Second Period, Wiedeman says something along the lines of "I like what I'm seeing now; Byfuglien hitting Datsyuk, their best player, into the boards".

Is there a paper strike In Chicago? Isn't this guy aware that the DRW has LOTS of great players. I must give credit though; they did mention that Kane has to stop taking stupid penalties. Looks like his routine is wering a little thin.

During the Second Intermission, Murray says that "I haven't seen Chicago show frustration like this during this recent streak", referring to the 9-GST that was snapped and winning 10 of their last 11 during that span. He said that whatever they wanted to do, Detroit wasn't going to let them.

Radio Squirming 101: I love it!

[CrossoverThrash 0]

Olczyk was saying nonsense on CSN too, he was saying it was a very close game

[Guest nutz2u]

Olczyk was saying nonsense on CSN too, he was saying it was a very close game

Now there is one guy that really makes me wanna puke. ******* has played for so many different teams that regardless of who the Wings play on Versus he is always yapping about how great the other team is playing. Too bad he couldn't transfer all that fantastic hockey knowledge to the ice when he played, maybe then he could have stuck with a team longer than a year or two. f***in dickwad.

[Hockeymom1960 5,107]

Now there is one guy that really makes me wanna puke. ******* has played for so many different teams that regardless of who the Wings play on Versus he is always yapping about how great the other team is playing. Too bad he couldn't transfer all that fantastic hockey knowledge to the ice when he played, maybe then he could have stuck with a team longer than a year or two. f***in dickwad.

I couldn't agree more. I just call him "Eddie the Oaf"

[chrisdetroit 189]

I couldn't agree more. I just call him "Eddie the Oaf"

Same idiot that said the Avs were going to beat the Wings in round 2 last year and just before the game when they found out that Foppa wasn't playing, Melrose changed his prediction to the Wings. Eddie still though that the Avs would win.

Clueless is the word that comes to mind.

[titanium2 867]

I think he demonstrated his supreme hockey knowledge when he was coach of the Penguins.

Did Edzo ever apply for a coaching job for the Red Wings? He might be like Melrose in that he's just po'd at the Wings organization for 'not giving him a chance.'

[Guest Shoreline]

Now there is one guy that really makes me wanna puke. ******* has played for so many different teams that regardless of who the Wings play on Versus he is always yapping about how great the other team is playing. Too bad he couldn't transfer all that fantastic hockey knowledge to the ice when he played, maybe then he could have stuck with a team longer than a year or two. f***in dickwad.

He's partially the reason I avoid Versus whenever I can.

It seems American announcers who go prime time (ESPN/NBC/ABC/Versus) just sit there and yap about bulls*** all day long. Saw highlights of a recent game (yesterday or the day before) with Joe Beninati and Ed Olczyk and I couldn't believe it that all except for one goal scored did it seem like their jabbering back and forth was interrupted by a ******* hockey game (i.e. a goal scored) going on down there. "Oh yes Ed and he was once in the All Star Game back in 1673.. SCOREEEEE". It's really pathetic.

[j.hoop 64]

Olczyk was saying nonsense on CSN too, he was saying it was a very close game

lol maybe it was close if the goals dont count

even then, not at all !

[edicius 3,269]

Olczyk was saying nonsense on CSN too, he was saying it was a very close game

Eh, Olczyk always talks nonsense. Plus the man couldn't coach his way out of a paper bag in Pittsburgh. Although he did whine quite a bit less than Therrien.

[FinRedWing 172]

Those homers!

(Check out my sig)

[Hockeymom1960 5,107]

Eh, Olczyk always talks nonsense. Plus the man couldn't coach his way out of a paper bag in Pittsburgh. Although he did whine quite a bit less than Therrien.

I just remember one time listening to Versus and I didn't know it was the deuche bag and all he did was diss Hasek. Couldn't believe it. He was in fact quite rude. I thought they were suppose to be non bias. I even emailed Versus and told them how I felt about the asswipe.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Don't really listen to sports broadcasts on the radio, and usually tune out broadcast crews on TV and just like to watch the game. Because no matter what you say or how indifferent/non-biased these guys might try to be, somebody is going to claim bias or idiocy or rant that this broadcaster has it out against my favorite team.

As for sports radio broadcasts outside of games, if it's just a game recap or not any major sports drama headlines and I do listen to them, I usually turn it off after about 5 - 10 minutes since the answers and comments are usually cliche and obvious to answer that I can answer them in my sleep, although it is funny sometimes to listen to angry obnoxious fans.

[ComradeWasabi 109]

Listening to the local feeds of any team except Detroit drives me crazy. Ken and Mick are probably homers for the Wings, but any other voices make me cringe. Specifically, the San Jose and Nashville commentators are the worst offenders.

That being said, I must say that I do love me some TSN. Their panel in between periods is usually great, even though John Tortorella is there now; Bob McKenzie and Darren Dreger know what they're talking about and I even like James Duthie. Just keep Pierre McGuire away from my TV set and I will be fine.

[pjgj13 30]

Most home team announcers are homers. Not because I am a Wings fan, it seems like they call it pretty even. About as even since they are employed by the Wings.

[Guest Shoreline]

Specifically, the San Jose and Nashville commentators are the worst offenders.

You have got to be kidding me. You've never watched a San Jose broadcast, then. Not only are Remenda and Hahn extremely tough on the Sharks, and always have been, but they tend to gush over the Wings when the Sharks play them. Hahn and Remenda are exactly the way broadcasters should be. They call the game, and they employ tough love on the team they broadcast for. Can't tell you how many Sharks fans used to ***** like they were fans of other teams when they're point out how bad the Sharks were years back. As for Nashville, you have a point. Crisp and whatever the hell his name is are awful.

Edited December 31, 2008 by Shoreline

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

Another thing that was touched on in the post-game report: the fact that Chicago is now considered one of the "elite" teams of the League, but they shouldn't be when they did such a lousy job on faceoffs in the game. I checked the sheet:

Chicago: 17 of 55, 31%

Detroit: 38 of 55, 69%.

[FireCaptain 563]

Pete Weber and Terry "Crispy" Crisp.

I only know this due to the blackout rule. If the Wings play the Preds, I have to take the home feed for the Preds due to my location.

Crispy does have a few fat ass Cup rings that he's worn on a few occasions.

I had no idea he was the Lightning's coach..

As for Nashville, you have a point. Crisp and whatever the hell his name is are awful.

Edited January 1, 2009 by FireCaptain

[Nev 1,085]

You have to remember that a lot of the local broadcast teams are actually employed by the Hockey clubs, so they have to have their heads up their own teams ass - Colombus springs to mind here. Olcyk and the Chicago broadcast team are also terrible homers.

Whats inexcusable is when the likes of Olcyk carry their bias over into national broadcasts on VS.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Most home team announcers are homers.

Bingo. A big reason why I don't take a lot of these broadcasts seriously, as there will be bias like this by default. Neither good or bad, just is what it is.

[miller76 463]

The Ducks announcers especially annoy me. The color comentator Brian Hayward is the biggest homer I have ever come across.

Note: And if you are watching the Rose Parade this morning, your listening to John Ahlers. Who happens to be the Ducks play by play guy. yay! There is just no escaping the Ducks crap 24/7 here.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

With people talking about "homers" (not the version on skates), I was reminded of this. Living in Southern ON, we cannot escape the Mighty Leafs. Their colour man is Jim Ralph, a former goalie, who toiled in the AHL and a real "homer". This is a little off topic, but with hangovers on a lot of people's minds today...

It's an NHL drinking game, like the "Bob Vila Drinking Game" (whenever Bob touches something, you take a drink). This version can be played whenever the Leafs are playing, via radio or online through their network. Every time Ralph says "You know what?", that's your cue for a drink. Good luck with this. And, please do it in the safety of your home, not in your car.

[ComradeWasabi 109]

You have got to be kidding me. You've never watched a San Jose broadcast, then. Not only are Remenda and Hahn extremely tough on the Sharks, and always have been, but they tend to gush over the Wings when the Sharks play them. Hahn and Remenda are exactly the way broadcasters should be. They call the game, and they employ tough love on the team they broadcast for. Can't tell you how many Sharks fans used to ***** like they were fans of other teams when they're point out how bad the Sharks were years back. As for Nashville, you have a point. Crisp and whatever the hell his name is are awful.

I wasn't really thinking about their homer rating, just the way that their voices sound. I'm so used to Ken and Mick that it's just weird having other people call games, especially on other Fox Sports networks like they have in San Jose and Nashville.

I don't mind the actual commentary from San Jose's crew, now that you point it out.

Also, how about Jim Fox? The way he ends his sentences drives me ******* batty. Anybody who's listened to an FS-Kings broadcast before knows what I'm talking about... he's just so ******* monotone.

at the end when he says "every player should have". Imagine that tone, but repeated on every single sentence of colour commentary he offers throughout the game. Edited January 2, 2009 by ComradeWasabi

[BuckeyeWingsfan80 209]

Those homers!

(Check out my sig)

Danny Gare isn't that horrible. And you can hear him hesitate when the Wings are playing the BlowJackets....

[desdave 0]

I may be mistaken on this... but dont think I am:

With the exception of National channels (NBC/VS/CBC/TSN)... ALL play-by-play and color commentators are employed and paid by the team for which they are announcing. i.e. Ken and Mick are employed by the DRW. Jim Fox is employed by the Kings... Brian Hayward is employed by the Ducks, Remenda and Hahn are employed by the Sharks... AND NOT FSN.

This may explain why they are (ALL, in my opinion) Homers. They may be told by their bosses not to bad mouth the teams!

I am a huge DRW fan... but you cant tell me with a straight face that Ken adn Mick are not constantly rooting for the Wings. I have CI and hear all the announcers at some point of the season.

Some of my favs are: Ken & Mick, Bob Miller (LA Kings), Cole & Neale (CBC), Strader and Pang (Phoenix). I love Chico from NJD... too funny sometimes! I used to like JD, but he found a better gig.

Some of my least liked: Brian Gayward (ANA), Weber and Crisp (NSH), The St. Louis Guys, EdZo, Gord Miller & Pierre McGuire (TSN).

Dave from Ontario (California)