The NHL Network

Crack is, indeed, wack

It doesn't take Whitney Houston and her oft-quoted declaration for us all to know that crack is wack. Yo, and word, fellow babies. But today I am here to talk about another kind of crack and this one is wholly desirable and won't cause you to lose your life savings or fail a standard drug test. That's because today's crack is the NHL Network.

I am a fan of football but I rarely if ever saw the need for the NFL Network. And don't get me started on NBA TV; even though I do admit to watching Larry Bird's 50 Greatest NBA Moments. That was a heck of a show. But now that the NHL Network is in America, I am proud to proclaim that the NHL Network is the greatest single invention in the history of mankind. Yes, it is better than penicillin and sliced bread combined. Combined.

Most of us were familiar with the NHL Network from seeing the ads on nhl.com or on the Center Ice package. I first really became aware of it during the playoffs two years ago when Versus--which I think was still OLN at that point--was playing the NHL Network's flagship highlight show, On The Fly, late each weeknight. Me and Tivo and OTF became good buddies then--even though I thought "On The Fly" was probably a fishing show because it was on the Outdoor Life Network. Anyhoo, the sight of expanded highlights with Dan Pollard and Gary Green and even former Islander Bill Berg was this hockey fan's dream. Imagine--other highlights that weren't necessarily just goals and big saves! Priceless playoff insight from Hall of Fame-caliber guys like Larry Murphy. Great stuff.

The NHL Network has been available to me for about two weeks or so. Two glorious weeks. Relatives have been teasing me for the silly grin I have on my face as I am watching the Canadiens play the Maple Leafs in a game from 1982. Or when I was watching the top ten moments in the career of Wayne Gretzky. I'm telling you, just knowing that there are all sorts of old, historic games out there on TV is a great thing for all of us who love hockey. I've recorded two Islanders games so far that I don't already have on DVD. It's just so fun to relive history.