Rating NHL Broadcasters

Since Justin is on vacation, not a lot noteworthy has happened in hockey, as the NHL world awaits Steven Stamkos' signing decision. However, since he likes writing about announcing; this article from SB Nation rating local NHL announcing crews would certainly have caught his eye.

http://www.sbnation.com/2011/7/8/2250696/nhl-broadcaster-rankings-announcers-commentators

Here are the comments about the Flyers CSN announcers:

"Jim Jackson, Keith Jones - Philadelphia Flyers: Keith Jones has become a caricature of the "good Canadian boy" ex-hockey player. On Versus, he's somewhat balanced and talks about things other than physical play.

On the Comcast broadcast, Jones wears his heart on his sleeve. Everything can be improved with toughness and every player having an off night "needs more effort", regardless of the level of effort. "Being more physical" in all aspects of the game is paramount.

Jackson carries a heavy Philadelphia bias and refuses to criticize a Flyer, even when the criticism is obvious."

In the few opportunities I've had to listen to Jim Jackson, I've enjoyed the broadcast. He calls a solid game and his voice doesn't annoy me. I guess calls like this are what accounts for this guy's opinion of Jackson as a Flyers homer. I do agree that Keith Jones doesn't really bring anything to the table.

Now, as some people who read this blog or follow Justin on Twitter know, I'm a Capitals fan. Ranking the team of Beninati and Laughlin as 3 stars is pure insanity, or perhaps he listens to those broadcasts with cotton in his ears. He correctly nails Beninati on the screaming on random plays, but misses how he all too often falls back on his stupid catchphrases and his incessant Comcast promotion. And Laughlin falls back on his hockey player-ese of just attaching "Y's" to every player to serve as a nickname. He also thinks every bad call against the Caps is a conspiracy, and also always has an excuse when the Caps flame out in the playoffs. I deserve a medal for listening to 15 years of these guys doing Capitals games on TV.

Anyway, these lists are always fun for debate as to which crew is the best. My money goes to Randy Hahn and Drew Remenda of the Sharks.

Also, remember to catch Bob Costas and Al Michaels as they work tonight's Mets at Giants game on the MLB Network.

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If You SMELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL........What Jim Jackson.................Is Cookin'

I don't listen to Philadelphia radio up here so I might have some of the details on how this got started a little fuzzy, so bare with me here.  Apparently Flyers play-by-play announcer Jim Jackson was on Preston and Steve's morning show on 93.3 WMMR before Thursday night's Rangers-Flyers game.  How something like this got brought up I have no diea, but Preston and Steve asked Jim Jackson if he could throw in the word "jabroni" during the Rangers-Flyers game.  Jim Jackson duly obliged with the following awesomeness.



He took the dare and used it to call Sean Avery a jabroni. Now that's hilarious. Well done, Jim, well done. I am sure he will be receiving a call from Vince McMahon in no time.

On This Day In 2004: Friday Night Fights

Friday, March 5, 2004. Arguably one of the greatest sets of fights in hockey history. 32 seconds and 5 rounds of fights and brawls later, the Flyers were left with only 7 available players and the Senators 6.

Watch the greatness for yourself.

Round 1


Rounds 2 and 3


Rounds 4 and 5 (listen as Jim Jackson delivers the greatest call in the history of fighting at the end of Round 5)


"PATRICK SHARP HAMMERED HIM WITH A RIGHT! DOWN HE GOES! DOWN GOES SPEZZA! DOWN GOES SPEZZA!"

Ottawa would score a goal in that final 1:12 to close the gap to 2, thus giving the Flyers a 5-3 win in one of the greatest Flyers games I have ever seen. Believe it or not, I still have that game on VHS video tape, and yes, every now and again when I am home, I pop it in the 'ole VCR player. Fights just do not get any more epic than that.