I'm wondering if anyone on this network has noticed the exceptionally
fine camera work of ESPN during the NHL playoffs?  They have come as close
as I have seen to capturing the speed of the game which is really its
most attractive feature.  Camera work for hockey is such a difficult
art that it is really nice to see the effort they have put into the
coverage.
 
It is also interesting to note the plugs they are putting in for the
college backgrounds.  I think it is QUITE noticeable, and may indicate
that ESPN feels it has found a nitche that it can exploit and greatly
expand.  Let's see how many (if any) college games they do next season.
 
Which brings us to a subject which to many of us purists is anathema --
namely the marketing of college hockey.  One of the strengths of the
ESPN NHL coverage is that they are so successful in putting faces on the
players.  Notice how quickly they snap in tight when the action permits.
This is in stark contrast to coverage in the old days when sweater numbers
and nuances in helmet features were all we saw to distinguish the players.
If the half shield is out for college hockey, let's at least get rid
of the wire mask in favor of the full ITEK plexiglass shield.  I'm fully
expecting an avalanche of high temperature invective about this suggestion.
The players mostly prefer wire.  But it would really make the game more
appealing to the casual observer (whom we need).
 
  -- Dick Tuthill
     (It was nice to see so many ex-Whalers last night in the Isles-Pens
     game -- Ray Ferraro, Ulf Samuelson, Dave Tippett, Ron Francis.
     Thanks so much, Eddie Johnston.  You darned near ruined a vibrant
     franchise.)