Other than the small fast moving puck – everything else about the game is just so good! Its high speed, big hits, skill, teamwork and the fact that you just never know that a key moment in the game might happen 3 seconds from now.

So different from football and baseball – both which I like – but only have about 10 minutes per game when the ball is actually in play. And of course basketball is known (for many up here at least) as the sport that you only have to watch the last 3-4 minutes – that actually takes about half an hour or longer to play. Hockey – especially during the playoffs can be so exciting for non stop extended stretches. And nothing in any of the other sports comes close to the drama of sudden death overtime. I know – I’m sounding so Canadian – it’s true.

Hockey is by far the most valuable sports property on TV up here. One night early last week there were two hockey games going head to head with two NBA playoff games. Two million Canadians watched one of the hockey games, 600,000 the other. At the same time NATIONALLY the two NBA Playoff games drew 9,000 and 17,000 viewers respectively. I guess the NBA’s MVP is responsible for attracting 8,000 extra viewers across all of Canada – because it was a Cavs game that got the 17,000.

I can’t wait for tomorrow nights Game 7 with the Caps and Pens. And Boston have forced a game 7 with Carolina and Anaheim is leading their Game 6 against Detroit. Even though my Leafs are long dead this season – I’m really psyched with these playo9ffs. Awesome stuff!

But it’s hard to sell hockey on TV when it seems like almost half the goals are hard to follow/see even with slow motion.

Last night’s OT winner in game 6 was a perfect example. During the initial live feed it was impossible to see what actually happened to the flight of the puck and how it got by the goaltender. Even in slow motion replay it’s still not that easy to follow. As I said, it’s a shame.