OLN Announces NHL Playoffs Semifinal Schedule

[VodkaFish]

STAMFORD, CT - OLN, the cable home of the National Hockey League, today announced the network’s schedule for the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoff Conference Semifinal round. Coverage begins Friday, May 5 with OLN’s comprehensive semifinal preview show, at 6 p.m. ET, followed by a double header. At 7 p.m. ET, the Ottawa Senators will host the Buffalo Sabres, which will be followed by the Colorado Avalanche at the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim at 10 p.m. ET. Each week night, OLN will feature approximately six hours of hockey content, which will include one to two playoff games, as well as a studio wrap-up show.

OLN anticipates airing up to 52 playoff games, as well as the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final. The number of playoff games will vary depending upon the length of each individual series. In addition to game coverage, the network will be adding hockey-themed programming to run throughout the playoffs. From documentaries and dramatic films to classic games and original series, hockey fans will be able to satisfy their hockey cravings at OLN and OLNTV.com which, from April 21 - June 7, become “Hockey Central” as 16 teams go to battle during The Quest for the Cup. In total, OLN will present more than 260 hours of hockey and hockey-themed content.

The complete schedule for NHL Playoffs Semifinal round follows (subject to change):

DAY	DATE	TIME				GAMES				CONFERENCE     
Fri	May 5	7 p.m. ET (Exclusive)		Buffalo at Ottawa, Game 1	Eastern
		10 p.m. ET			Colorado at Anaheim, Game 1	Western
Sun	May 7	8 p.m. ET (Exclusive)		Edmonton at San Jose, Game 1	Western
Mon	May 8	7:30 p.m. ET (HD, Exclusive)    New Jersey at Carolina, Game 2	Eastern
		10:30 p.m. ET (Exclusive)	Edmonton at San Jose, Game 2	Western
Tue	May 9	8 p.m. ET (Exclusive)		Anaheim at Colorado, Game 3	Western
Wed	May 10	7 p.m. ET (HD, Exclusive)	Carolina at New Jersey, Game 3	Eastern
		10 p.m. ET			San Jose at Edmonton, Game 3	Western
Thu	May 11	7 p.m. ET (Exclusive)		Ottawa at Buffalo, Game 4	Eastern
		10 p.m. ET (Exclusive)		Anaheim at Colorado, Game 4	Western
Fri	May 12	8 p.m. ET			San Jose at Edmonton, Game 4	Western
Sat	May 13	7 p.m. ET*			Buffalo at Ottawa, Game 5	Eastern
Sun	May 14	7 p.m. ET* (HD)			New Jersey at Carolina, Game 5	Eastern
		10 p.m. ET*			Edmonton at San Jose, Game 5	Western
Mon	May 15	7 p.m. ET*			Ottawa at Buffalo, Game 6	Eastern
Tue	May 16	7:30 p.m. ET* (HD)		Carolina at New Jersey, Game 6	Eastern
		TBD*				Anaheim at Colorado, Game 6	Western 
Wed	May 17	TBD*				Buffalo at Ottawa, Game 7	Eastern
		TBD*				San Jose at Edmonton, Game 6	Western
Thu	May 18	7:30 p.m. ET* (HD)		New Jersey at Carolina, Game 7	Eastern
		TBD*				Colorado at Anaheim, Game 7	Western
Fri	May 19	TBD*				Edmonton at San Jose, Game 7	Western

*Games subject to change as best of seven series may be over

THE GAMES:

OLN anticipates covering 15 -20 games during the conference semifinal round. During the conference finals, which will take place from May 19-June 2, the network will present both series, anywhere between 7 and 12 games, depending on series outcomes. OLN’s Stanley Cup coverage will culminate with the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final on June 5 and June 7. The network will also take advantage of hi-definition technology, presenting one series in both the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds in HD, as well as both series in the conference finals. Games one and two of the Stanley Cup Final will also be available in hi def. Throughout the playoffs, OLN will, when feasible, simulcast games from Canadian networks and domestic regional networks covering the playoffs, thereby giving hockey fans access to even more playoffs action.

VOD:

Each night OLN features a playoff match up, the network will deliver a condensed highlight version of the game that will be distributed via the network’s VOD platform. These will be available the morning after game play, so that hockey fans who may have missed the game the night before can make sure they do not miss out on the action.

OLNTV.com:

OLN’s Web site will continue to provide exhaustive information about the NHL and The Quest for the Cup, including editorial coverage from some of the most knowledgeable hockey sources. For the playoffs, specifically, the Web site will ramp up daily coverage to include highlights from all of OLN’s games as well as daily insider video featuring OLN’s talent. Each night after the studio show, OLN’s talent will film Web-exclusive content that will give an insider scoop on what has happened to-date in the playoffs, as well as their predictions for the future.

OLN (OLNTV.com) is the leader in competitive and adrenaline-charged content. Now in more than 69 million homes, OLN is the cable home of the National Hockey League and best-in-class events like The Tour de France, The America’s Cup, Professional Bull Riders (PBR), the Boston Marathon and USSA Skiing. The network offers unique programming in four primary areas: Action Sports, Field Sports, Bulls & Rodeo and Awe-Inspiring Series, and is the exclusive home of Survivor in syndication. OLN, a wholly owned company of Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA, CMCSK), is distributed via cable systems and satellite operators throughout the United States.

[davidlee]

Merci!

[Cheesey B]

the NHL was stupid for going to OLN instead of sticking with espn. i dont have oln ,alot of people i know dont have it. good job nhl after the strike and missing playoff hockey last year. again i miss playoff hockey.they go to an obscure channel and lock alot of fans out. good job nhl. is that how you say thanks to the fans.

[davidlee]

Originally Posted by Cheesey B

the NHL was stupid for going to OLN instead of sticking with espn. i dont have oln ,alot of people i know dont have it. good job nhl after the strike and missing playoff hockey last year. again i miss playoff hockey.they go to an obscure channel and lock alot of fans out. good job nhl. is that how you say thanks to the fans.

I disagree, ESPN sucxs and I don't know anyone that doesn't have OLN channel. OLN is on all major US cable networks and satellite dish networks. They are blocked on some Canadian cable nets because of CBC, because OLN is carrying many of their game feeds. OLN is also on most major Euro cable networks.

[davesakiller]

Originally Posted by Cheesey B

the NHL was stupid for going to OLN instead of sticking with espn. i dont have oln ,alot of people i know dont have it. good job nhl after the strike and missing playoff hockey last year. again i miss playoff hockey.they go to an obscure channel and lock alot of fans out. good job nhl. is that how you say thanks to the fans.

espn's hockey coverage sucked. i am glad they are on oln. i'm sorry you don't get it, but i'm pretty sure it's very widely avavliable.

[JKidd]

I'm happy to see hockey period. Whether on ESPN or OLN, its great to see playoff hockey, regardless of the ****ty officiating or not.

Great thing to see so many games.

How many games does NBC have going through this round?