What a wonderful night for the sport and what a classy and deserving group
of individuals
recently inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. You could certainly argue it
was one of the greatest classes ever, what with the likes of Messier, Stevens,
MacInnis, and Francis inducted, along with NHL front-office legend Jim Gregory,
who entered the Hall via the Builder’s Category. To a man, the induction
speeches were eloquent and inspiring, and it brought back tremendous memories of
the impact those players made on the game of hockey. I just wish the ‘Canes and
Devils hadn’t both been playing that night. It seemed a little odd that Francis
and Stevens wouldn’t have had the stage to themselves. Fans of both teams had to
feel a little conflicted.
*****
People ask me all the time about the challenge of calling a sport as fast as
hockey. Certainly it is challenging, especially since the game was opened up
post-lockout. And after seeing this year’s version of the Carolina Hurricanes, I
felt like the guy reading the legal disclaimer on the end of all those radio
ads. It’s no wonder the ‘Canes lead the hockey world in scoring; they all look
as though they passed the Lance Armstrong School of Cycling with A+ grades and
certificates of merit for extra effort. It’s a joy to watch two offensive minded
teams like the Thrashers and Hurricanes do battle, and count me among those that
think the sport shines when the scoring chances abound, as they do when these
two teams meet.
*****
I think it’s tremendous that NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and other league
officials will rotate
as hosts of a weekly call-in show on XM Satellite Radio. It’s unprecedented
for a commissioner of a major sport to give fans that kind of access, and to me
it’s another reflection of the league’s attempts to bring fans closer to the
game. Sure, the show’s delay sequence may have to be stretched beyond the usual
eight seconds, but let the comments and questions fly!! I just hope nothing
(within the bounds of good taste) will be off limits.
*****
Wow, you know Dallas is a tough hockey town
when the GM is fired with his team at .500 and sitting in second place in
its division, three points out of first. I know the Stars suffered a devastating
defeat when they gave up five 3rd period goals in that legendary Kings comeback
at the Staples Center, but it still seems a bit extreme to make Armstrong the
fall guy so early in a season in which Dallas can still reach for the stars.
