Greenie criticized USCHO's failure to have a box score from the Badger
Showdown.
 
At a time when college hockey has NEVER had as much coverage as it does
now, he
chooses to see the glass half-empty when it is virtually overflowing.
 
Has college hockey EVER had regular previews of games where they can
read a coach's
view of the contests?  With only a few exceptions, my Hockey East
previews have had
comments from all nine league coaches.  This is unprecedented.
 
Has college hockey EVER had regular features like USCHO has, either one
or two
new ones each week?
 
Has college hockey EVER had such a near-total box score coverage?
 
Since Greenie has chosen to criticize this point, let's look at USCHO's
track record.
The weeks preceeding this one showed the following box scores for teams
in the four
conferences:
 
Week 11:        9 for 9
Week 10:        16 for 16
Week 9:         38 for 38
Week 8:         43 for 43
Week 7:         36 for 37 (we missed a mid-week game)
Week 6:         40 for 40
 
and so on.
 
Sure looks like we've doing a pretty good job.
 
And it sure seems disheartening to be criticized for the rare exception.
 
Especially when the exception involves a tournament, which means that
it's
unknown who is responsible for distributing the information, as Deron
pointed out.
 
> Isn't the first responsibility of a journalist to gather the information?
>
> Just imagine what the sports news world would be like if all of the outlets
> only reported on "what was given to them."
>
 
I'm sorry but this displays a real ignorance of college hockey
coverage.  There isn't
a person at the Boston Globe or the Boston Herald or any paper who goes
calling for a
box score.  The Sports Information Directors send this information to
the appropriate
outlets, of which USCHO is now one.  And we've achieved a near 100%
coverage rate in
our first few months.
 
>It seems that nowadays the only time we hear from Mike or
>Dave is when there is some silly flame war occuring, and they feel
>compelled to step in and break up the fight.
 
I can only shake my head.
 
In a typical two-week period, I write two weekly previews, a feature
article, and three
or four game reports for USCHO.  How much more do I have to give to
college hockey?  I
am giving all I have, including things like being an hour late for my
family's
Christmas celebration (on Christmas Eve) because I finally reached one
of my coaches and had the opportunity to include his quotes in my
preview.  Including
piling up ridiculous long-distance phone charges so I can provide the
best possible
previews and features.  Including existing on four hours sleep on a
regular basis.
 
(I wouldn't trouble people with these personal details, but I feel that
since I was
singled out, I must respond.)
 
If someone chooses not to read my pieces on USCHO, that's their
decision.  One I hope
that they'll change, but their decision.
 
My commitment to college hockey has reached near-insane levels.  I can't
do anything
more.
 
Dave Hendrickson   [log in to unmask]
Hockey East Writer for US College Hockey Online
        http://www.uscollegehockey.com
 
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