Friday 29 April 2011

Hughson and Simpson.....equal one too many slap passes

Upon completion of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs taking place on Wednesday night with the Montreal Canadiens being eliminated in overtime by the Boston Bruins, the number of Canadian teams still in contention is the Vancouver Canucks. While a great number of loyal Canadian hockey fans will turn their allegiance towards the Canucks, there appears to be two notable Canadians who are making it very clear who they are rallying for. Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson not only are covering every game the Canucks are having covered by the CBC, they also appear to be letting it known they are cheering for the Canucks as well.

With every “slap pass”, or pass made from “Daniel to Henrik” and the analysis of everything aimed towards (or against) the Canucks it is growing increasingly obvious that something needs to be said to the dynamic duo, and I am not referring to the Sedin twins either. CBC has never been shy to provide a pro Canadian feel to their telecasts when one of the six clubs are playing but you cannot help but notice that Hughson and Simpson have taken that approach to a whole new level. From defending questionable actions or plays by a Canuck,  the obvious anxiousness to see the Canucks beat the Blackhawks and the never ending adoration for anyone or anything wearing a Canucks jersey.

I say this, not to bash the Canucks because they are a fine, well coached and well run hockey club with a solid organizational structure in place. These observations are nothing new as the dynamic duo have had trouble hiding their affection in the past. How Hughson and Simpson get away with this baffles me and takes away from what is generally the finest hockey telecast in the world. Being a neutral and unbiased partner is how all games should be called and covered by any play by play team on a national station like CBC, TSN, NCB and Versus;  I can understand those rules being bent by those who work in a particular market and are hired to strictly cover that specific hockey club.  Anyone who remembers the tandem Fred Cusick and Derek Sanderson covering the Boston Bruins throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s can certainly recall them being as pro Bruin as you can get,  Joe Bowen follows similar lines covering the Maple Leafs or even the 6th  man of the ice for the Senators Dean Brown in Ottawa since the Senators joined the National Hockey League. I should also point out Ian Mendes in Ottawa who is better known to many as “Ian Sensdes” for his above and beyond coverage of his beloved Senators.

If CBC wants to maintain its standard of coverage and professionalism with his “Hockey Night in Canada” brand someone should take a stroll down to the booth and have a little chat with their employees prior to game time. Weather it is the Vancouver Canucks hosting the Nashville Predators or the Anaheim Ducks taking on the Minnesota Wild, CBC should be providing commentary that is a little less with the pom-poms and more with the play by play.

Dubs' Tidbit - Two other events kick off today and tomorrow, first the 2011 Men's IIHF World Hockey Championships and the Royal Bank Cup. Both provide some great and entertaining action for any hockey fan to enjoy.

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