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NHL commissioner Gary Bettman says Pat Foley 'didn't have his facts straight' on late starts rant

The top executive of the league responds to Pat Foley's late start rant.

By Brandon M. Cain
Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman addressed Chicago Blackhawks TV play-by-play announcer Pat Foley's late start rant during a Friday session at the Associated Press Sports Editors commissioner meetings.

With about seven minutes to go in the third period, play stopped, Foley laid into the 8:42 p.m. start times. Comcast SportsNet aired the full rant, while the NBC Sports Network feed cut off Foley's rant.

"Eddie, we've had a tremendous series between two great teams here. And it has been compelling theater: The two teams have been tied or one-goal games 96 percent of the time so far. But this is the third time in five games that a start time of 8:42 [p.m.] local was mandated. I can say with certainty: Players can not stand these late starts. Coaches can not stand them. Most importantly, the fans can't stand them.

"So as we approach midnight eastern - AGAIN - on a work night, a school night, a simple question: An 8:42 puck drop serves, who?"

Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun Times reported some of Bettman's thoughts on Foley's rant.