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Caps penalize 'classless' CBC
Ban HNIC from dressing room before games after keys to victory aired
By ROB LONGLEY, SUN MEDIA
Last Updated: 8th May 2009, 2:15am
PITTSBURGH -- George McPhee has given the boot to Hockey Night In Canada.
The Capitals GM said the CBC crew is no longer welcome in his team's locker room before games after the network aired footage of the coaching staff's six keys to victory for Game 3 Wednesday against the Penguins.
Caps brass was almost as steamed at CBC as it was with what it felt was one-sided officiating in the 3-2 OT loss.
While none of the six keys written on a dressing room board detailed in-depth strategy, the Caps were furious that CBC broke what they believe was an implied trust.
"They, of all people, should know better," McPhee said. "They shouldn't have done it. They've been talked to."
Making matters worse, in the Caps' opinion, was that CBC froze the shot and had analysts Mike Milbury and Kelly Hrudey break down the keys point by point.
NETWORK TAKES BLAME
Coach Bruce Boudreau chimed in, calling the CBC act "classless" and "unprofessional" and expressed surprise the network would air the footage.
"They overstepped their bounds," Caps spokesman Nate Ewell said. "They basically game-planned for the Penguins. It was ridiculous."
HNIC's executive producer, Sherali Najak, acknowledged the footage should never have aired, but added there was no "malicious intent" by the broadcaster.
The board appeared behind Caps star Alex Ovechkin in footage shot by a CBC cameraman. U.S. network Versus had access to the feed and also aired it.
"I can understand (the Caps) being upset about it. We don't own the room," Najak said. "We shouldn't have put it on air. It was a mistake and we'll move on."
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As for the officials, McPhee and Boudreau were exasperated at what they felt was a one-sided display. At one point, the Penguins had six consecutive power plays.
"One team gets seven power plays and the other team gets two, it's hard to win," McPhee said. "The supervisor in this series is as good as they come -- Terry Gregson is terrific. But if the referees aren't going to listen to them, what good is it?
"Some penalties you deserve, and some shouldn't be called in an NHL playoff game. This hasn't been our style to whine about this, but at some point you have to say something."
Ovechkin threat probed
It may have been merely a prank on an online message board, but Pittsburgh police are taking seriously a death threat against Alex Ovechkin. The NHL is also is investigating the threat, in which a 17-year-old reportedly posted a message on an official Penguins message board earlier in the week threatening to kill the Capitals superstar.
ROB.LONGLEY@SUNMEDIA.CA
Ban HNIC from dressing room before games after keys to victory aired
By ROB LONGLEY, SUN MEDIA
Last Updated: 8th May 2009, 2:15am
PITTSBURGH -- George McPhee has given the boot to Hockey Night In Canada.
The Capitals GM said the CBC crew is no longer welcome in his team's locker room before games after the network aired footage of the coaching staff's six keys to victory for Game 3 Wednesday against the Penguins.
Caps brass was almost as steamed at CBC as it was with what it felt was one-sided officiating in the 3-2 OT loss.
While none of the six keys written on a dressing room board detailed in-depth strategy, the Caps were furious that CBC broke what they believe was an implied trust.
"They, of all people, should know better," McPhee said. "They shouldn't have done it. They've been talked to."
Making matters worse, in the Caps' opinion, was that CBC froze the shot and had analysts Mike Milbury and Kelly Hrudey break down the keys point by point.
NETWORK TAKES BLAME
Coach Bruce Boudreau chimed in, calling the CBC act "classless" and "unprofessional" and expressed surprise the network would air the footage.
"They overstepped their bounds," Caps spokesman Nate Ewell said. "They basically game-planned for the Penguins. It was ridiculous."
HNIC's executive producer, Sherali Najak, acknowledged the footage should never have aired, but added there was no "malicious intent" by the broadcaster.
The board appeared behind Caps star Alex Ovechkin in footage shot by a CBC cameraman. U.S. network Versus had access to the feed and also aired it.
"I can understand (the Caps) being upset about it. We don't own the room," Najak said. "We shouldn't have put it on air. It was a mistake and we'll move on."
---
As for the officials, McPhee and Boudreau were exasperated at what they felt was a one-sided display. At one point, the Penguins had six consecutive power plays.
"One team gets seven power plays and the other team gets two, it's hard to win," McPhee said. "The supervisor in this series is as good as they come -- Terry Gregson is terrific. But if the referees aren't going to listen to them, what good is it?
"Some penalties you deserve, and some shouldn't be called in an NHL playoff game. This hasn't been our style to whine about this, but at some point you have to say something."
Ovechkin threat probed
It may have been merely a prank on an online message board, but Pittsburgh police are taking seriously a death threat against Alex Ovechkin. The NHL is also is investigating the threat, in which a 17-year-old reportedly posted a message on an official Penguins message board earlier in the week threatening to kill the Capitals superstar.
ROB.LONGLEY@SUNMEDIA.CA
