'Love it': Master tactician Kris Knoblauch pulls "fast one," this time on hockey media
Article content
In other words this was a full practice but without the newsmedia around.
As TSN's Ryan Rishaug reported: 'Media told it would be scratches only, and no time was given for the skate. Clearly feeling they need to give their guys a break from a Stanley cup spotlight that is getting hot. Have covered well over a dozen finals and never had this happen before.
And Montreal hoockey writer Renaud Lavoie in response to Rishaug: 'That's because it's not supposed to happen…'
And Mark Spector of Sportsnet: :Oilers pull a fast one on the Stanley Cup media contingent, claiming an off day for the players. Then they skated. Subterfuge.'
And the Athletic's Daniel Nugent-Bowman: 'This was declared a day off, so there was no reason for most reporters to go to the rink. (The coach did his avail on Zoom, which is another issue entirely.) Fans don't care about media gripes, but this isn't a great look for a league that should be craving any coverage it gets.'
Vegas hockey podcaster Chris Gawlik said: 'Love it.'
My take
1. Nugent-Bownman is right that fans don't care about media gripes. Not in the least, at least so long as there's a huge amount of commentary on their favourite team and interviews with their favourite players. The fact is that there's no shortage of such reporting and commentary right now at this moment.
2. I don't expect any reporters to like what Knoblauch did. If I was a reporter covering the event, I'd not like it either. At the same time, the Oilers have a game to win. As an Oilers fan, I put that ahead of any other consideration here.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Edmonton Journal
2 hours ago
- Edmonton Journal
Superstar Jets goalie Hellebuyck casts wide net, winning Hart, Vezina trophies
Article content Hellebuyck had 81 first-place votes to runner-up Leon Draisaitl's 53, as tabulated by the Professional Hockey Writers Association, though he surely would've swapped places with the Edmonton Oilers centre starring in the Stanley Cup final. His victories represented just under 84% of the Jets' 56 wins, though after the voting he had road game hiccups in Winnipeg's two playoff series. Winger Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning, winner of the Ted Lindsay Award as the MVP voted on by players, edged Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon for third place. 'I saw someone in my yard and was confused,' Hellebuyck said with a laugh. 'That moment (when the Hart appeared) was like putting a cherry on top. I had no idea what the Hart looked like.
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Dairy Queen Canada offers Oilers fans a way to chirp back in sweet campaign
A viral moment during the Stanley Cup Playoffs is taking a sweet twist - allowing Edmonton Oilers fans a chance to get under the skin of the Florida Panthers. Panthers forward Brad Marchand was caught sneaking a mid-game snack during intermission in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final. It sent the internet into a flurry with many believing he was eating a spoon of a Dairy Queen (DQ) Blizzard treat. Marchand later said it was a spoon of honey, but declared a liking for DQ's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Blizzard. DQ Canada is playing into the fun with a 'chirp back' for Oilers fans in a series of events in and out of the arena. Some of the teases include: a renamed Blizzard called the Chocolate Chirp Cookie Dough which will be sold in stores; free custom fan signs that will be handed out in Edmonton's Ice District; social media chirps aimed at Marchand; and LED truck ads near the arena and player hotels. The campaign will run from Thursday to Saturday.
Globe and Mail
2 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
Redblacks go into home opener against Alouettes without QB Dru Brown
The Ottawa Redblacks are facing a tough test just two weeks into the CFL season. Ottawa (0-1-0) will be without starting quarterback Dru Brown for its home opener against the Montreal Alouettes (1-0-0) Friday night. Brown suffered a hip injury late in last Thursday's season-opener against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The team is hopeful Brown will be ready to return to action next week. In the meantime, Matt Shiltz will make his first start for the Redblacks against the Alouettes, who opened their season with a 28-10 win over the visiting Toronto Argonauts. The Redblacks signed Shiltz over the winter to shore up under centre. He'll work with backups Dustin Crum and Tyrie Adams on Friday night. '(Shiltz) has great experience,' head coach Bob Dyce said. 'Any time you have someone who's played in this game, started important key games, that's invaluable. And, you know, he's got a great command of the huddle.' Shiltz, who spent the first five seasons of his career in Montreal, will have some familiarity with the opponent, but doesn't see it as factor. 'You think about it a little bit, but honestly it'' the next game on the schedule and it's your opportunity,' said Shiltz. 'Being away from Montreal for, I think it's three seasons, it's there but it's not something that I'm really focusing on.' The 32-year-old Shiltz has been taking first-team reps all week in preparation for Friday and believes if he can do his job the receivers will take care of the rest. 'They've all had that success, and you've just got to put (the ball) in the vicinity, and you can trust that they're going to make some plays,' Shiltz said. 'So, it's all on you.' One of those receivers he'll be looking to connect with is Eugene Lewis, who will make his home debut after signing with Ottawa in the off-season. The two were teammates in Montreal and Lewis is looking forward to reigniting the connection. 'He's probably one of the only quarterbacks that I've had multiple touchdowns in one game with,' said Lewis. 'So, I know Shiltz, I know what he's capable of.' Shiltz may feel a little bit of pressure to get Lewis the ball. A touchdown Friday night would mark Lewis's 10th consecutive game with a TD, tying Terry Evanshen for the longest streak in league history. Lewis says going after the streak is a bit of a balancing act. 'Obviously, as an individual, as a person, as somebody, with what I'm doing in my career, yes, I really want this,' Lewis said. 'I know God has this plan for me, and it'll be hard to get here again.' Lewis says the main focus has to be winning the game, but he believes that if everyone does what they're supposed to then he stands a good chance of a record reception. The Redblacks will also be without starting safety Alonzo Addae. The 27-year-old suffered a season-ending elbow/tricep injury against the Roughriders. It's an unfortunate turn of events for the Pickering, Ont., native whose season was cut short last year by a knee injury. Canadian Charlie Ringland will step in for Addae. The Redblacks will also need to be much more disciplined after taking 13 penalties that cost them 126 yards in their opening game. --- ALOUETTES (1-0-0) AT REDBLACKS (0-1-0) Friday, TD Place Stadium END THE STREAK: Montreal holds an eight-game winning streak over the Redblacks and have won 10 straight games at TD Place dating back to August 2018 RECORD MATCHING: Alexandre Gagné of the Alouettes had a great start to 2025 when he recorded a CFL-record-tying seven special teams tackles. He now has 111 for his career to rank tied for 34 all-time. His seven tackles set a new Alouettes record. HARDY HURRIES: Hardy tied for the most receiving yards last week with 133 on eight catches. He's riding a streak of five straight 100-yard games.
