Dave asks about how shots are kept in these games. I've noticed quite a few strange things about how the scoring is done. For example, if a guy puts in a rebound, the goal is scored as unassisted - the shooter isn't given an assist. Well, at least they are consistent. I've also seen cases where a player feeds a teammate for a 2x1 and only the two players on the 2x1 are scored on the goal (one assist). I don't know if that's because they miss the first assist (not likely with all the replays available) or because they just aren't giving those players assists. I will say this - with all the hockey TNT (mostly) and CBS (a little) have been showing, I'm having trouble keeping up with it. And that's the way I like it! :-) After work, I come home to watch the tape, but inevitably I find myself switching between the tape and CBS's prime-time coverage, such as the other night when ice dancing was on. And I am happy that TNT has been filling its time after hockey with the medal performers from ice dancing, etc. - after seeing that gold medal performance from the Russian couple who ice danced to Bach, I really wished I had taped it. What an exquisite performance to an exquisite piece of music, and I'm not even a classical music fan. Anyway, I watched the France game on tape tonight and yes, their performance was on after the game. Thanks, TNT! The Boston Herald has some remarkable quotes from CBS in today's (2/18) issue, in a column by Jim Baker. "Mark Harrington, CBS vice president for the Olympics, wasn't even aware in a telephone press conference during the USA-Sweden tie that, barring a loss, the Americans would play today. He refused to say if he'd release the game to TNT so cable viewers could watch it live. Ultimately, Harrington relented... "...CBS' behind-the-scenes disdain for hockey emerged when coordinating producer Mike Pearl told the St Petersburg Times: 'Hockey is getting attention, but I'm convinced this USA team could crash any day now. Tomba is a celebrity skiier, so maybe he'll become the No. 1 headliner. Who knows?' "Nice attitude, Mike. But typical. It was like pulling teeth getting Harrington to realize that viewers here aren't clamoring for more soft features and that they don't want hockey treated with an after-the-fact brushoff... "When TNT was finally given the USA-France game, TNT executive producer Don McGuire reacted: 'This proves CBS cares about US viewers and we're very happy to carry the game.' Privately, however, TNT sources credited the Herald for convincing CBS to OK the live cable telecast. Harrington apparently didn't want a repeat of the 1980 ABC embarrassment when border viewers saw Team USA live on Canadian TV before the action was made available on ABC, which wanted it saved for all those lovely prime-time ratings." Now, of course, we face the problem of Friday's USA-(EUN/FIN) semifinal. It starts at 11 am EST, and no one is scheduled to be on air at that time. TNT doesn't come on until 1 pm. I can't imagine that they aren't going to work out something to get this game on live, but as it stands, it won't be on. TNT is apparently getting much higher ratings with its weekday Olympic coverage than with its normal fare, so I bet they'd jump at the chance to show it. But what will CBS do? Will they release it or try to hold it till primetime, and THEN only show it if the outcome is favorable? The last paragraph above makes me think there might be a good chance it will be on live. It would truly be a joke if Team USA's biggest game in 12 years is shown live in Canada and much of the rest of the world, but not here. Finally, two lighter notes: 1) I have to like this Alberto Tomba. Flamboyant, yes, but the guy backs up what he says. Headlines: "Tomba says when he leaves, Albertville will be renamed 'Albertoville'". Then he goes out and wins a gold medal. 2) $60 (US) tickets for USA-Sweden were going for $500 Monday. It would be quite an understatement to say I'm getting pretty excited about the chances for this team! There's not much else I can think about. Yet, we've got to remember that there is still a distinct possibility that they could finish out of the medals altogether - they need at least one win against probably EUN, CAN or SWE to be assured of at least a bronze. But whatever happens, I'm extremely proud of how this team has performed and appreciative of all the fun they've brought me since I started following them back in the summer. They deserve a grand reception when they return. --- Mike Machnik [log in to unmask] mikem@{beanpot,bubba}.ma30.bull.com