ESPN commentator essentially calls Nathan MacKinnon a pedestrian hockey player live on the broadcast
After a few days of no hockey, Game 1 of the Cup Finals happened last night and what a game it was. It might've been one of the most entertaining games of the season, with Colorado and Tampa trading rush chances and controlled possessions, along with some stellar goaltending.
At one point of the game, midway through the second ESPN's play by play commentator did not seem all that enthused by the game or Nathan MacKinnon for that matter. As MacKinnon was attempting to gain the Lightning zone, the play by play commentator said "Here's Mackinnon, he can fly and he's strong, other than that not much talent".
I'm not sure if this was the commentator's attempt at a joke or he's secretly a Lightning fan. If it was a joke, it might've been worse than the officiating we've seen these playoffs. If he just isn't a fan of the Avalanche, or MacKinnon, he certainly displayed it there.
It's a shame that ESPN is broadcasting the Finals over TNT because the TNT broadcasts were so much better, during play and of course the intermissions. But hey.. they paid more money, right? So I suppose they can do as they please. Hopefully next game, the commentator has a little more enthusiasm in his play calling, because listening to him was like watching paint dry and a series with this much skill and talent should not have a monotone commentator like that. Least of all, one who doesn't seem to know the difference between elite talent and "not much talent".
