TUNING IN … WITH ARDITH STEPHANSON

End of Round One

The first round of the NHL playoffs is drawing to a close. The veritable buffet of three games or more a day is also drawing to a close.

So what are your thoughts on the telecasts to date? Not the hockey – first rounds seem to always feature OTs, upsets and some exciting matchups. But what about the announcers?

Everyone has their own likes and dislikes, pet peeves and favourites. In my opinion, Jim Hughson on CBC and Chris Cuthbert on TSN are clearly the cream of the crop of play-by-play announcers. They are both a treat to listen to, are able to follow the play, know their stuff, are objective, don’t talk too much…I could go on but I am biased.

CBC relegated Bob Cole to the B team a few years ago and it appears he will stay there. I wonder if that would that be the case if the Maple Leafs were in the playoffs? Yep, I still think Hughson would be the go-to guy.

However, I’m not sure about Craig Simpson’s status as CBC’s number one colour commentator with Hughson. I don’t find him that enjoyable to listen to on a nightly basis. One guy I didn’t mind was Greg Millen on CBC’s coverage of Chicago-St. Louis series. He was decent.

Gord Miller continues to be a strong play-by-play announcer for TSN and I don’t mind him paired with Ray Ferraro. I also really like Kelly Hrudey as a colour commentator over on CBC, and I think he makes Mark Lee stronger. I also happen to like P.J. Stock in the studio.

I realize everyone loves to hear Bob McKenzie but I honestly get tired of the guy. I don’t need him yelling at me every night. And I’ve already expressed my thoughts on Pierre Maguire. ‘Nuff said.

Your thoughts?

Bouncing over to the NBA (literally)

Lest I anger anyone, I better talk about NBA playoffs as well.

Toronto does not have the Leafs to cheer on this spring (again) and the Blue Jays are following their usual trend of preseason hype followed by early inconsistency. So it’s a good thing the big city of TO has the Raptors!

As evidenced by the crowds gathered to watch them outside the Air Canada Centre at the “Party in the Square,” people are enjoying the Raptors’ first visit to the postseason in six years. Converting Maple Leaf Square outside the ACC into a public viewing zone has proven to be a great way to generate excitement for a playoff run.

However, stealing the spotlight away from the basketball on Friday night was the focus on Rihanna. In fact, a short clip of the telecast (I believe from TNT) that was subsequently posted online didn’t even show her face….choosing instead to focus on other areas of her body.

It’s pretty disturbing that this is the focus. Disturbing, but not at all surprising.

Oh, in case you care about the basketball, the Nets beat the Raptors that night to take a 2-1 series lead.

Around the Dial

Before I rip the Blue Jays too hard, I should point out that they are in an extremely tight East Division, as always. We do have the opportunity to see a lot of their games over the course of the season, so here’s hoping they give us something to watch … Anyone with SHAW will be able to watch the WHL championship. All games between the Portland Winterhawks and Edmonton Oil Kings will be televised live on SHAW TV with play-by-play from Dan Russell and analysis from Bill Wilms. SHAW’s WHL Central will feature Peter Loubardias, former play-by-play man for the Regina Pats. The series starts May 3 … Round two of the NHL postseason will feature another Original Six matchup, and a renewal of the Boston Bruins-Montreal Canadiens rivalry. According to the CBC, it will be the 34th time the clubs have met in the postseason, more than any other two teams in North American pro sport, in a rivalry that dates back to 1929. In their most recent matchup in 2011, the Bruins eliminated the Habs in the first round with a Game 7 overtime victory. Boston went on to win its sixth Stanley Cup. It is less common for them to meet beyond the first round. The Canadiens haven’t played the Bruins outside the first round since 1992, when Boston swept Montreal in the division final. The last six meetings between the clubs have all been first-round matchups. The Habs have a 24-9 edge in all-time series against the Goons…er, Bruins.

Send in your thoughts and follow me on Twitter @Ardith_S