Hockey Night in Canada

[C91]

Okay, up until about a year ago, I only had a modest interest in ice hockey.  I stopped and watched a casual game on TV every now and then.  When the Lightning made their Stanley Cup run, I joined the rest of Tampa Bay in cheering them on.  I witnessed one of the last tie games when the Lightning hosted Nashville in 2003.

But, it was only a passing interest.  Until I discovered...

Hockey Night in Canada!

Bar none, this is the best produced sports broadcast of all time.  And not just for the game itself.  The intermission programming includes the infamous "Coach's Corner" with the always-impeccably dressed Don Cherry and straightman Ron McLean.  Cherry always calls it like he sees it...sometimes to the dismay of the CBC.

I've spent many Saturday nights on the couch this season...stuffing my face with chips...waiting to hear "Hello Canada!  And to hockey fans in the United States and Newfoundland" followed by music that has been referred to as Canada's second national anthem.  And for six (sometimes nine) hours it's Hockey Night in Canada!

Hockey Night in Canada 2007 Season Opener

[bevis]

you know.  i spent my life with the attitude that if you play soccer, it's because you can't catch.  but i took my mom to europe a couple years ago, and we watched soccer and snooker, and got hooked.  i went back to amsterdam for the start of the 2006 world cup and it was awesome.  now i get "the beautiful game" and i love it.  maybe i need to get the canadian view of ockey, eh.  my dad's mom was from edmonton after all.

ps- why did i go to amsterdam when germany hosted the cup?  puulleeze.