The best news for the NHL tonight when Sidney battles Nicklas is the broadcast won't be fighting Kobe and Superman. When the NHL and NBA went head-to-head earlier this week by each having a final series game on the same night, it was a clear ratings victory for the NBA, at least south of the border. If Americans are disappointed Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers aren't facing LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, they aren't showing it in the ratings. The Lakers vs. Dwight (Superman) Howard in the NBA final won the night in each of the first three games. NBA's Game 3 on ABC Tuesday drew an 8.6-rating compared with the NHL's Game 6, which picked up a 4.1 -- good enough to be called positive but the perception isn't great. It would be easy to say hoops is twice as popular as hockey and headlines reflected that view. But there should be a complete sea change for tonight's Game 7 when Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins try to knock off the defending champion Detroit Red Wings and shutdown defenceman Nicklas Lidstrom. Game 7s are special, and the NHL has the airwaves to themselves when the Cup is guaranteed to be handed out. This should cap a great season of playoff action. Because of the head-to-head matchup, the ratings for Game 6 were down 7% from the clincher a year ago, although this series has done well overall. Game 5 was the top-rated program on Saturday night in the U.S.
MLL FINDS HOME
Getting four games on TSN2 doesn't sound like a huge victory for Major League Lacrosse, but considering the National Lacrosse League didn't have a single game on any TV channel this season, put it in the win column for Canadian fans. The brand-new Toronto Nationals debuted on the sidekick TSN2 June 4, and a second Nats outing will be on June 25. The MLL all-star game from Denver July 16 -- the same city as the NLL feature exhibition in March -- plus the championship match Aug. 23 also will be available for TSN2 subscribers. All those feeds came through ESPN2, which has delivered field lacrosse for years. The closest lacrosse fans on both sides of the border got to seeing NLL action this season was through the Internet feed on nll.com.
WIDER 'NET
Instead of using cameras, Sportsnet used a different technology to provide a blow-by-blow of the court case in Phoenix. Coincidentally enough, it was a BlackBerry. Sportsnet reporter Arash Madani sent about 110 messages from sessions lasting four and 3 1/2 hours during BlackBerry owner Jim Balsillie's attempt to bring the Coyotes to Hamilton through bankruptcy court. Madani burned through a battery, to the point where he told people on sportsnet.ca he had to find an power outlet to recharge. The best message Madani sent was: "So Gary Bettman came out at recess, stopped for a moment with 60 media then charged toward his limo, like Ben Roethlisberger on a motorcycle without a helmet, stopped again and praised the judge for his preparation and knowledge of the case. Thanks for talking to your fans, Commish." Thanks for your hard work, Arash.
AROUND THE DIAL
Anyone tuned into the NBC Detroit coverage of Game 6 witnessed the oddest interview of the playoffs. WDIV reporter/anchor Katrina Hancock was crushed against Wings defenceman Nicklas Lidstrom for post-game comments. Lidstrom answered questions with Hancock about six inches from his face, and he had to wait as she threw back to the rest of the crew on the ice ... The NHL awards next Thursday from Las Vegas will have appearances by Robin Thicke and Michael Buble ... Sportsnet is going all-HD in most areas across the country, which means viewers will get a wider selection if they subscribe to all four stations.
