Cry Me A River

The emails come in every day from Alberta, Saskatchewan, B.C. and Quebec, all lamenting the Toronto-centric nature of Hockey Night in Canada and lambasting those us of in this part of the country for not being able to understand their complaint.

Well, Saturday night it was so incredibly obvious that there was no denying it.

There sat Ron MacLean and Don Cherry after the Maple Leafs had lost 5-1 to Detroit, shaking their heads at the 14 power plays the Red Wings had enjoyed on the night.

"Terrible," murmured MacLean, agreeing with his distraught companion.

'Course, had it been the Leafs who had won 5-1 with five power play winners, it would have been a wonderful night.

In fact, it's interesting to note that for the first five to six weeks of the season - when the Leafs were winning consistently - MacLean and Cherry were able to keep it zipped on the officiating. They were too busy taking credit, for example, for Kyle Wellwood's early success alongside Mats Sundin, although you don't see them doing that or holding up newspapers as proof of their expertise so much these days.

But now, with the Leafs now in a deep funk, why, the poor lads just can't contain themselves any longer.

Suddenly the game's in crisis. Too many penalties. Not enough fights. Need more hooking, holding and interference.

And after Ian White was nailed for flipping the puck over the glass and sent to the penalty box three times in two games, sure enough there was Cherry on Saturday night once again fuming over this penalty.

What they want you believe, of course, is that they only have the greater good of the game in mind, not just the greater good of the Leafs.

But if you examine the stats, the Leafs were just doing on Saturday night what they have done most of the time in the post-lockout era, and that's take too many penalties.

They were ill-prepared for the "new" NHL - Pat Quinn never believed it would stick - and after improving that part of their game earlier this season, have again fallen back into old habits.

The Leafs gave up the 12th most power plays in the league last year, an average of 6.1 per game. This year, they're giving up 5.6 per game, better but nowhere near the record of, say, the New Jersey Devils, who are giving up only 3.5 power plays per game.

HNIC would also have you believe that every game contains a ridiculous number of power plays roughly similar to that of the Red Wings-Leafs game.

Not true.

On Saturday night, the average number of power plays in the 14 NHL games held was 11 per game. Take out the Detroit-Toronto game, and that figure drops to 10.2.

The Devils gave up no power plays at all to Boston in a 5-1 win. The Sens and Rangers each had four power plays in their game. Tampa and Anaheim combined for seven, while Dallas had five against Phoenix while the Coyotes had four.

Leaf fans, of course, dig the Leafs-getting-the-shaft angle, so they were going email crazy after Saturday's game as well.

One reader suggested too many of the referees live in the Leafs' broadcast area and are thus subconciously biased against the Toronto club. (No, I don't get that one, either).

It's the basic refrain you expect out of any overly-enthusiastic, loyal Leaf fan.

Leafs lose, too many penalties called against the Leafs.

Leafs win, the world is okay again.

That's what being a fan is all about.

You just wish HNIC could do a bit better.

Comments

[z]

Great article Mr Cox! That's 'business as usual' for the sports media in TO - one extreme to the other. Thank goodness for the 'sober' journalists who still have perspective wit.

[Sanj]

It's bad enough that we have to be subjected to Joe Bowen's biased play by play of Leaf games on the radio. I can understand the Leaf bias since it is a Leaf broadcast. But supposedly Hockey Night in Canada is a national broadcast that is supposed to cater to all of Canada - not just Toronto. What is also infuriating is that HNIC can't switch to over to an overtime game between the Habs and Sabres after the Leaf game. Maybe HNIC is afraid that their audience might see a REAL hockey game and start to demand to see a REAL hockey team as opposed to the Laffs.

[pedro]

"One reader suggested too many of the referees live in the Leafs' broadcast area and are thus subconciously biased against the Toronto club. (No, I don't get that one, either)."

liar liar, pants on fire! you know perfectly well what he means. you know the way you consistently go out of your way on the fan590 to slag the leafs so you don't look like a homer? like that.

[mark]

I didn't get a chance to watch much of the game Saturday, nor did I catch Abbot and Costello's routine. But I don't have to watch it to know what Damien has written is accurate. It is absolutely pathetic the way Don and Ron whine about the refereeing. Bottom line, the Leafs are not getting preferential treatment one way or the other. The cause of their demise is plain and simple: they stopped skating. It pains me to say this, because I really enjoyed watching them earlier in the season and hoped that they would do well. Now, it's looking all too familiar to this disappointed Leafs fan.

[Scott Main]

Hello,

Perhaps it is time for HNIC to branch out into regional between the periods banter with technology the way it is. Don Cherry / Ron Maclean can talk all they want about Toronto in the western Ontario broadcasts without fear of reprisal from fans or the media. Don and Ron do have the ability to not talk about the Toronto game when they are not at the Toronto game, I have seen it!!
CBC can find lots of candidates for Coaches Corner with regional broadcasts as well. Perhaps this will stop the banter.

As for Saturday's game, all excuses aside, the Ref's were not the only poor performers on the ice.

[Rich Thorpe]

Too bad the best game Saturday night featuring a Canadian team wasn't broadcast by the CBC.
Thank the Good Lord I have Centre Ice and RDS so I was able to watch the Habs-Sabres game and not the duller than dish water Senators, the Detroit Debacle and Alain Vigneault and Jim Playfair stifling the game of hockey.
You think McLean would have learned something after the NHL allowed him to embarrass himself in an exhibition game as an official to just shut up.
What's the old saying that applies so aptly to Red Deer Ronnie and Kingston's Biggest Village Idiot?

"Better to say nothing and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt?"

[atl Leaf fan]

Wow! As a loyal leaf fan who now lives in the states and can see all games, i feel you are way off base on how you view the penalties called. Its not that there are specifically too many called on the Leafs, I mean lets face it if they are true penalties of course by all means call it! And that is my point, Call the penalties but call them for both teams equally and there my friend lies the problem, that most certainly is not how it happens trust me.

[Billie Bob]

The question remains, or questions.

Was there any intensity?
Was there any animosity?
Did the teams seem to hate each other?
How much passion was exuded from the players?
Did anyone drop the gloves?
Were there earth shattering body checks?

The game was completely boring.

Hey folks! Go out and watch an OHL game. It makes the NHL look like what it is. A boring joke.

It’s time to trade Sundin anyway.

[Lucas]

Damien, it seems to me that this article is more about you and your apparent feud with Don Cherry and co. I think both you and he are doing a disservice to hockey fans by putting yourselves above our game.

Get over yourselves and lets start talking about the game.

[Greg Veysey]

I get so tired of this ongoing debate over Leaf face-time on HNIC. It says so much about being Canadian that people outside of the GTA insist on protesting the apparent pro-Leaf bias on CBC's hockey coverage.

These types are almost as bad as boo-hoo Senators fans. Get a life - it's only a game. I've been waiting 37 years for the Leafs to do something with nobody to hand me a tissue to dry my tears...

[vic]

you and Bob Mcowan on the FAN 590 seem to have this smug attitude that ALL leaf fans are deluded "Vito from Woodbridge" types, who don't have enough brains to realize when they have a bad team. I'm a Leaf fan, and most of the people I know or work with would consider themselves the same. I have yet to hear any of them argue that the leafs are anything but what I also believe they are, a middle of the pack team at best that will struggle to make the playoffs, and take too many penalties. Deserved ones, not "shaft" penalties. Doesn't mean I can't cheer for the home team, and does NOT mean I am just a Leaf fan, but somehow not a hockey fan. I think the usual emailers are but a small percentage of all Leaf fans. I agree with most of the points yourself and Mcowan make, but I wish you would stop branding all us great unwashed as a bunch of brainless dimwits.

[Rob]

Quite frankly, you were pretty quiet during the early part of the year when the Leafs were playing well. Barely any mention of them in most of your updates. Now all of a sudden they aren't playing their best and we get multiple articles dedicated to what is wrong with the entire team. Don Cherry... Damien Cox... there's some line about a pot and kettle... what is it again?

[Jeff Rae]

You got thast right. Just listen to the yahoo's lament on Leaf's talk after the game. Best entertainment value on the air.

[Grant Rankin]

Well you have the facts their about the penalities in the NHL on Saturday and i was surprised.But the one big fact was that the toronto game was terrible simple because of the cheap penalities that were called.If this is the new NHL its not working for me ,not allowed to hit and not allowed to touch anyone with the stick.I might be old fashioned but the classic games on cable are much more exciting to watch.The nhl is bowing to the almighty dollar and the end result is hurting the game.

[Regg Struyk]

There is a bias, but consider that the Leafs bring in the largest % of viewers for HNIC, therefore the greatest $$$$. Its that simple.

cheers

[Gabe]

Mr. Cox, I like that you are less and less inclined to write scathing articles about the leafs when they are winning. Wait...that makes sense. Do you want to know what also makes sense? Ron and Don were kind of right on saturday night. They never have hidden their leaf bias and it'd be hard to argue that the cbc has either, but what did you think of the calls in the game? Were they good calls or bad calls? Come to that, is is this a blog or another column? Aren't blogs supposed to be at least a little interactive? How would you kick start the leafs if you were able to? Come on, you HAVE a blog, blog already.

[johnny]

finally a member of the media speaks up about this bias.

The game is canada's game and not the leafs.

Lets enjoy other aspects of it then just the leaf angle.

I remember watching many leaf games this year, where I honestly felt they are gettting the benifit of the ref calls.

The new nhl is much better then the old.
The refs are not perfect but are certainly not the reason the leafs are losing night after night....

[Jethro Bodine]

If you think that HNIC has a decided Leaf bias (see Bob Cole and Harry Neale for further proof), what about TSN and SportsNet? It is obvious that terms of employment at these two 'national' sports networks must include unwavering support of the Leafs.

Not only must the great unwashed in the hinterland endure ad nauseum the blue and white pompom waving antics of these mindless zealots, but we also have to wait for the few precious minutes given to our favourite teams in their 30-minute Leaf-fest.

[Mike]

I personally find it refreshing to see people say what they actually feel and act/react with some emotion (within the moral and legal standards of course). Network television is so heavily censored and the commentary is sterile most of the time. I might not always agree with Don Cherry but he's exciting to watch. More so than the "new NHL" product on the ice these days. I might suggest that any perceived bias HNIC may have for TML balances out the constant negativity in the local newspapers. I find it amusing that you want to have your own opinion heard but not the opinion of others.

[bob miller]

You hit the nail on the head Damien, as is your custom. For those of us who do NOT live in "the centre of the universe" it becomes increasingly difficult to even wqatch HNIT (Hockey Night in Toronto). The whole show stinks to high heaven (last playoffs it was more enjoyable to watch games on American television with enlightened and moderate commentators like John Davidson and others, and, at the same time, escaping the dinosaurs on HNIT). So many slights against teams NOT from Toronto add up: a prime example that come to mind are HNIT showing, how many minutes?? of a "ceremonmy" to honor thug Tie Dummy's ability to hand on to a job for 1,000 games while NOT showing a truly interesting and worthwhile event honoring Bernard Geoffrion of Montreal (who had died just hours previously). Cherry and McLean, who both have become national jokes, can wring their hands over each Maple Leaf debacle but the fact is, the bulk of hockey fans in this country do NOT GIVE A DAMN about the Leafs. And with HNIT , TSN and Sportsnet collectively suffering near apoplexy over the poor Leafs,those of us in the "less enlightened" areas of this vast country love it...love to see them all near tears over THEIR beloved losers.
Thanks Damien....always appreciate your comments (even tho Messiah Cherry can't imagine why you would ever write anything remotely negative about Himself).
CHeers....Bob Miller, New Brunswick

[John]

Let's look at this issue from two standpoints.

1. Where is this sense of entitlement come from? I understand the majority of Leaf fans say their team is bad. But, those who are so insecure over the smallest criticism of a team are the ones who need to find something else to do.

2. HNIC is supposed to be a NATIONAL braodcast. Any sense of bias towards Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton or whoever should call their credibility into question. They should be more concerned of describing the action than to cater to one fanbase or at least the portion that is the criminally stupid.

[Wardo]

I thoroughly enjoyed all the negative commentary.

People interpreting MacLean or Cherry as complaining about a Leaf bias are reading too much into it. Oh, you really want them to talk about the refs if they won a game? Give me a break. People would just say, shut up already, they won a game.

As for those whining about HNIC's Toronto bias, the fact is, the Leafs are Canada's most popular hockey team. Fact. HNIC watchers are fortunate that the "so called" national broadcaster actually carries regional games - I guarantee you if CBC loses the contract, regional Ottawa games won't be picked up by any other network. The ratings are too puny - and half of Ottawa remains Toronto fans anyway! Senator fans better get on their knees and pray for the status quo to continue. Senator fans are overrepresented on Hockey Night as it is.

Like another poster mentioned, the Leafs are the network's bread-and-butter, no matter where they are broadcast, and they'd be lunatics not to focus on them - and that's the way it's always going to be. Ask yourself why half the arena is filled with Toronto fans whenever they visit Ottawa, Montreal, Buffalo, or even Calgary and Edmonton if you disagree.

[John]

To add -

Another thing to look at is ANYONE who blames officiating for a team's defeat is looking for a cop out. We as a society need to re-learn how to lose gracefully and acknowledge the other team beats us on merit.

And not meaning to stray from topic, I think it's time for the people in the know on hockey that the complexion of the Northeast Division has changed. The Buffalo Sabres are dominating this division. Ottawa and Toronto have fallen off the pace. Montreal may or may not hang around for awhile and Boston is well, Boston.

[mark]

Yes, Don & Ron demonstrate their bias on occassion. But come on you whiners (particularly from the West)... you get to see your games in prime time every Saturday. This crap about CBC being Leaf biased is bull. The Leafs get nationally broadcast because they provide the revenue stream. End of story. If it wasn't for those Leafs broadcasts, there wouldn't be money for regional broadcasts. Stop whining already you bunch of Toronto bashing losers.

[John]

For the record, I'm from the States and have lived there all my life.

1. mark - That kind of thinking has flawed logic. If that kind of thinking would be in the NFL TV-wise. We all would be watching the Dallas Cowboys every week instead of the home-town teams. ie a Cowboy game on over a Bear game in Chicago, which sounds wrong six ways to Sunday.

2. If everyone is so gung-ho about HNIC being pro-Toronto. Instead of just coming out and saying it, cite some examples that backs up your accusation. What do these guys say word-for-word that bother you?