Katrina’s Daily Rant: NHL Game Broadcasts

Nov 18, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Network broadcaster Pierre McGuire (left) interviews Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brian Gibbons (49) after Gibbons was named the first star of the game for scoring his first career NHL goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the third period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

So last night I was watching the Philadelphia Flyers play the Ottawa Senators and trying to come up with a topic for today’s rant. During the game the commentators talked about Mark Borowiecki and I thought they were pronouncing his name wrong (they weren’t its just pronounced way differently than its spelled). This gave me an idea for today’s rant my pet peeves during NHL game broadcasts!

The first thing that came to mind when listing my pet peeves was the mispronunciation of names. I was once watching the Flyers play the New Jersey Devils and the announcer kept calling Brayden Schenn Brendan Schenn. This annoyed me to no end. I believe that if you are going to be a commentator at least take the time to learn player names. During this same game the commentator also confused Sean Couturier and Wayne Simmonds. Not only was Couturier’s number in full view but Couturier and Simmonds look drastically different from each other.

Nov 15, 2013; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Philadelphia Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds (17) during the third period against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre. Winnipeg wins 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 13, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Sean Couturier (14) at the face-off circle against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Flyers won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Another pet peeve of mine happened just last week when the Flyers played the Pittsburgh Penguins. Pierre McGuire interviewed Craig Berube and Dan Bylsma on the bench during a game. This is a regular occurrence on American broadcasts and it is actually ridiculous. This is not the time for an interview. That coach is trying to coach his team! He shouldn’t be talking to Pierre, he should be talking to his team. I do not understand how this is allowed to happen. Some teams won’t let me interview players at all let alone during the game but Pierre can hop on the bench and talk to coaches whenever he feels the whim. I just don’t understand.

The other pet peeve of mine has to do with being able to watch games. The reason I watch so many Flyers games is that I have NHL Game Center and I am not able to watch games on Game Center that I am theoretically able to watch on television. The problem with this is I am a student who does not have cable and therefore I cannot watch in market games at all. As a Toronto Maple Leafs fan my only saving grace is Hockey Night in Canada live stream. The problem I have with Game Center blocking in market games is if I had the means of watching in market games I wouldn’t need to watch them on Game Center. I would watch it on TV, its way easier. I understand that it is a deal with the broadcasters but I still think its stupid.

What do you think? What are your NHL game broadcast pet peeves? Share your thoughts in the comment box below, on facebook, or on twitter!