Regardless of who wins gold and who gets silver in today's game between Canada and USA the NHL ultimately becomes the real winner. The NHL needed this game more than ever to try and put itself back the on the map. Given the fact that Gary Bettman has pretty much ruined the sport in the last 7 years this game could boost popularity to those fans on the fence about hockey. Since the 04-05 lockout hockey has been struggling to get back onto mainstream TV.
They lost their deal with ESPN, ESPN 2, ABC and FOX. They were forced to agree to terms with Versus who wasn't carried by all providers when hockey came back in 05-06. NBC agreed to broadcast a Sunday games after the NFL's regular season was over and select playoff games. Then came the Winter Classic which was a huge game for NBC but it's not enough. Hockey highlights hardly make SportsCenter when football and basketball or basketball and baseball are going at the same time.
The NHL needs to win back those fans they lost from the lockout because many of them have left for football, baseball or basketball. It needs Canada and USA to put on thriller and blow up the rating charts. It needs to see a fast game full of crushing checks, slick passing, spectacular saves and pretty goals all while avoiding a blowout. The NHL needs this game to show the EPSNs, ABC, FOX and NBC that there is a market out there for hockey.
A good showing and good rating could give the NHL some upper hand come 2011 when there could be possible lockouts in both the NFL and NBA, which is another story for another day.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
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