Chicago Blackhawks play-by-play announcer Pat Foley had some thoughts to share during Thursday’s Game 5 of the first-round series between the Blackhawks and the St. Louis Blues.
The game didn’t start until 8:42 p.m. CT in order to accommodate the national broadcast schedule to get every playoff game on television. The late start is something fans of Western Conference teams have become accustomed to. Foley spoke for all fans with an epic rant on the late starts.
Foley just went off at the NHL omg pic.twitter.com/NcCthvsglL
— Zetter (@zetterhut) April 22, 2016
Chicago pulled out a 4-3 win in double overtime to avoid elimination. The game ended at 12:36 a.m. Friday.
NBCSN “analyst” Mike Milbury responded in the postgame by directing a jab at Foley.
For everyone who missed it, here are Milbury’s comments directed at Pat Foley on the late start times. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/qZiAqeWzKO
— One Goal. One Team. (@onegoal_oneteam) April 22, 2016
Said Milbury: “You know what? If that’s too late for certain announcers, I think they should just let someone else call the game, and stay home and get a good night’s rest, because 8 o’clock it is. We do that so we can get everybody involved, and all the games on. Lots of games and we do a good job showing them.”
The odd thing about this exchange is Milbury is in the eastern time zone, meaning the game ended an hour later than in St. Louis. Wake up and smell the terrible Dunkin’ Donuts coffee, Milbury. Foley was right.
Luckily, fans will get an early start for Game 6 with a 7 p.m. CT puck drop Saturday at the United Center.