2008-2009 HNIC Schedule Highlights

[Kanada Kev]

CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA continues to be home to the biggest names, brightest stars and best match-ups, today announcing a 69-game broadcast schedule for the 2008-09 season.

2008-2009 HNIC Schedule Highlights

· European Premiere Weekend: HNIC starts its 08-09 broadcast season with a doubleheader from Europe on Saturday, October 4th. The action begins from exotic Prague at 12 pm ET with a match-up between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the New York Rangers. At 2:30 pm ET, CBC viewers will be treated to a rematch of the 2007 playoff series featuring Sidney Crosby’s Pittsburgh Penguins playing the Ottawa Senators live from Stockholm. The following day, Pittsburgh and Ottawa will square off once again at 2:30 pm ET.

· Opening Night: The Toronto Maple Leafs open up their 08-09 campaign at the home of the defending Stanley Cup champions in Detroit on Thursday, October 9th. The Stanley Cup banner will be raised prior to the game. CBC will then feature a second game that night, an all-Canadian match-up pitting the Calgary Flames versus the Vancouver Canucks. Setting the tone for the evening, hockey fans will be treated to an Opening Night Concert to start the evening in style!

· Original 6 Saturday: Saturday, November 22nd will be a very special occasion for HNIC and its viewers as all six of the National Hockey League’s original founding teams will be in action on CBC. The action starts at 3 pm (all times ET) with the New York Rangers visiting Ottawa, followed by Chicago at Toronto and Boston at Montreal at 7 pm. The night caps off with the Detroit Red Wings playing the Calgary Flames at 10 pm.

· Hall of Fame Game: Annually one of the NHL’s most special nights, this years Hall of Fame Game takes place on Saturday, November 8 with the Maple Leafs hosting the Canadiens in Toronto at 7 p.m. ET. The action kicks off with Scotiabank Hockey Tonight at 6:30 p.m. ET, and following the Hall of Fame Game, Vancouver will host Minnesota at 10 p.m. ET.

· Montreal 100th Anniversary Game: The league’s most storied and decorated franchise celebrates its 100th year during the 2008-09 season. On Thursday, December 4th, CBC will be broadcasting a special game that officially kicks off the Montreal Canadiens 100th anniversary celebration, as Les Canadiens will play host to the New York Rangers.

· Winter Classic II: With the success of the Winter Classic last season, it comes as no surprise that the NHL will once again stage an outdoor game on New Year’s Day 2009. This time, Wrigley Field will be the site where screaming hockey fans will go to celebrate the New Year as the Chicago Blackhawks will host the Detroit Red Wings at 1 pm ET in front of what is sure to be a very large and energetic crowd.

· All-Star Weekend: Back to Montreal, where Saturday January 24th-Sunday, January 25th will see the NHL’s brightest stars descend upon Montreal for the All-Star Skills contest followed by the 57th All-Star Game from live from the Bell Centre.

· Hockey Day In Canada Prelude: The Montreal Canadiens will visit the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday, February 19th on CBC to prime the country for Hockey Day In Canada two days later…

· Hockey Day In Canada: Canada’s favourite hockey holiday returns on Saturday, February 21st. Once again, all of Canada’s teams will be in action as the CBC will provide viewers with a full day of action, beginning with Celebrating the Game at noon, followed by Ottawa at Montreal at 3 pm (all times ET), Vancouver at Toronto at 7 pm and finally, Calgary at Edmonton at 10 pm. Canadians will certainly welcome back the fact that HDIC will once again feature three all-Canadian match-ups this season (last season Toronto played Detroit in one of the HDIC games).

· Tripleheaders: Including HDIC and Original 6 Saturday, the network currently has 5 tripleheaders planned for broadcast during the 2008-09 season.

· Superstar Power: NHL phenom Sidney Crosby will be no stranger to the CBC this season as Crosby and his Penguins are scheduled to appear on HNIC 10 times.

· All-Canadian Match-ups: 25 All-Canadian Match-ups are in store for HNIC fans as they can follow their favourite team face off against a storied rival.

[Hal Johnson]

That Winter Classic looks good. Imagine, though, how sacriligous it would be for someone like me to go to that game? "Yup I been to Wrigley field once...for a hockey game!"