Whether it be Pierre's and Milbury's red ties in game 5 and Milbury's red tie tonight. Or Pierre's and Olczyk's MULTIPLE assessments on the NUMEROUS times the Penguins should have been called for interference, or that the Red Wings should not have been called. Or them belaboring Malkin's cross check on Filppula when, a millisecond before, Kronwall planted [Fedotenko?]'s face into the glass. The incessant whining and whimpering and complaining that is common place with fans should NOT be emanating from the broadcast booth ... or over the airwaves at all. I might as well have been listening to Detroit's announcers and fans. They could hardly work in a complete sentence that actually commended the Penguins or, at the very least, did not criticize them. Except at the very end with the breakaway save by Fleury and the 2 saves by Scuderi---though initially (and immediately) Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum (Pierre and Olczyk) claimed Scuderi covered the puck with his hand while in the crease. As they watched the replay over and over, all the while removing foot from mouth (again), we all got to see exactly how he legally and phenomenally saved the game for the Pens.
I'm really not all that surprised. It is to be expected with a league that roots mightily for its favorite Wings and a network that is the epitome of mainstream media. But it would sure be nice to enjoy a game without all the bias and unnecessary commentary. JUST CALL THE PLAYS!
The Penguins played their butts off. They deserved it. Fleury most certainly deserved it. Regardless of what the NHL or its announcers want, I hope the Pens absolutely obliterate the Red Wings on Friday night, just like Cooke obliterated Datsyuk!
GO PENS!
PS. If I were the owner of the Chicago Blackhawks, Eddie Olczyk would be looking for another team's Color Analyst job for next season. Most assuredly after he went 'Benedict Arnold' on his own team in the Western Conference Finals. This Cup Finals series only emphasizes where his loyalties lie.
I respectfully disagree that the league is rooting for the Wings. It has been painfully obvious for four rounds now that Pittsburgh gets the majority of the favorable calls/non-calls. Tonight was no exception. Kudos to the announcers for calling it like it is.
Gonna have to agree with plots...If anything, the officiating was going against the Wings last night. I thought the officiating last night was absolutely horrible. Yeah...you don't want the officials to decide the game, but at the same time, they still have to call it like they have all playoffs and all season long!
haha this is funny. the announcers are so pro pittsburgh, especially edzo. im not sure what announcers you were listening to. a simple blocked shot by a pens d man is the greatest play in nhl history.
I wonder if this has anything to do with the fact that I'm down south and you guys are all up north? Kind of funny. At least Plots hears what I'm hearing from the announcers. As for Edzo ... are you kidding me? He's a turn-coat. Threw his own team under the bus last series and has done nothing but root against his old team in this series.
very good stuff.
Milbury was not a good GM (see Yashin), and he is possibly a worse broadcaster.