TSN becoming untouchable

So far in the Olympic games, every game has been covered by a combination of Bob Mackenzie, Nick Kypreos, Panger, Millard and the usual James Duthie. The commentary duos have been a combo of Gord Miller, Peter Maher, and Chris Cuthbert on play by play, and Pierre McGuire, Ray Ferraro and John Garrett providing color. Well, if there's two things to take from this Olympics, it's this... 1) John Garrett reminds me of Al Strachan but a little less negative, and 2) Nick Kypreos is getting exposed by TSN's quality broadcasters.

Now let's not freak out. I was just like the rest of most Canadians when the hockey shift started from CBC, over to TSN. The torch has passed, TSN carries way more games and has taken the reins in regard to the NHL. Though they still don't really hold a stick to CBC's commentary of Jim Hughson and Bob Cole, two household names in Canada, they're starting to close the gap. They're in-game analysis is as good or better than CBC right now. Mackenzie is the main reason for TSN's good game analysis and league news, but it's really starting to show now that the Olympics are in full swing. Take, for example, Nick Kypreos... from Sportsnet. Funny I know, I shouldn't be picking on Sportsnet, it's too easy... Ever watch one of those commercials on Sportsnet when Kyp and Maclean pop up and say stuff about breaking trades and how exciting it is? Man that's hilarious. I can't remember Sportsnet ever breaking a real trade.. call me ignorant, but come on.

I'm not trying to pick on Sportsnet, I'm just stating the obvious. I still watch HockeyCentral at Noon because they talk about the Leafs a lot, so they're fine in my books. But I have to say wow, Nick Kypreos getting ripped up at the Olympics. He was in the middle of some speal in the first game and in the middle he started to trip up in his words a little and ended up wrecking the whole point. "Oh god, I'm not talking on Hockey Central right now, there's actually millions of people watching this" had to be what was running through his mind. Panger kind of did the same thing but persevered and came back better afterward. Kypreos on the other hand is getting ripped on national television by TSN's obviously superior staff.

Last night Kyp made some point about how the Finns weren't big enough to compete with the Swedes because despite they're physicality, they were too small considering Sweden's larger players like Kronwall, Ohlund, Franzen, etc. Then Mackenzie reeled off a good point about something or other, didn't really rip Kypreos or counter and destroy his point, though he has many times so far in this Olympics. So the third starts and then McGuire completely destroys Kyp's point and completely counters with the exact opposite. Right after that, he commends Mackenzie on how awesome his little tidbit was during the intermission. Pure hilarity.

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Tomas Kaberle has looked great in these Olympics eh? Same with Kessel. I think any Leafs fans checking out the games should be liking what they see. Tough to see the American team and think that Komisarek could be on that team. The USA has shown a grit and intensity in each game that has been spectacular. Quickness and physicality have been their bread and butter so far. Add Kommo to that mix and bodies would surely be flying. We'll hopefully see him in suiting up for the States in Russia 2014.

Enjoy the games over the weekend. Tomorrow is a triple header of the best hockey possible. Make yourself comfortable for almost 12 hours of craziness.

MSU