The Chicago Blackhawks had just completed a game one victory over San Jose.  It was one of the most exciting and action packed hockey games I have watched in a long time.  it was a game that kept you on the edge of your recliner until the final horn.  So, what did listeners want to discuss on WGN radio following the game?  The unbelievable play of goalie Antti Niemi?  The blazing speed of Jonathan Towes?  The game winning slap shot from the slot by Dustin Byfuglien? The fact the Sharks were whistled for no penalties?

No, of course not.  That would mean they were actually hockey fans.  They called to bitch about the announcers.  Seriously.  They bitched about how the announcers were against the Blackhawks.  Are you people brain dead?  You've just witnessed an incredible, heart stopping, pulse racing hockey game and you are bitching about how NBC covers hockey. 

Here's the reality: Doc Emerick is one of the best, if not the best network hockey TV announcer around.  Few share his passion and preparedness.  Doc is to the NHL as Vin Scully is to baseball.  There hasn't been anyone on network TV this talented since the late Dan Kelly. Notice I keep saying network TV, because that's what it is.  It's not Comcast, where you bandwagon jumpers have enjoyed Pat Foley. It's a national broadcast where the announcers are supposed to be neutral.  But if you ever watched a network broadcast of a hockey game before you'd know that.

Oh, and Doc's partner?  That's Ed Olczyk, who is Foley's sidekick on Comcast and a Chicagoan by birth. 

What the hell is wrong with you people?  How can you possibly embarrass yourself like that?

A couple of other things that I heard on the radio yesterday:

• It's obvious Ranger Rongey is getting a little crispy having to answer the daily questions on WSCR on why the White Sox suck (and make no mistake, they suck).  In a diatribe after getting his umpteenth "Greg Walker needs to be fired" call, an exasperated Ranger was trying to explain why firing the hitting coach or the manager isn't really the answer.  He used Ned Yost as an example and intimated that Yost was a longtime retread.  "How many times has he been fired, a couple."  No, Ranger, only once, since the only time he had previously managed was in Milwaukee.  I don't begrudge Ranger.  He should get combat pay for some of the knuckleheads he has to deal with.  BTW, Ranger, I agree.  Firing Walker solves nothing.  In fact, it creates more problems.
• I heard an update guy make fun of someone who wanted to see the Hawks play Montreal in the finals as I do and for the same reason.  Say the kid "I want to see a Cubs-Detroit World Series to get even for 1935 and 1945."  Funny, son.  You weren't even a gleem in your daddy's eye when the Hawks and Canadians played in 1971 and 1973.  And you weren't a ten-year old kid with a transistor radio listening to Lloyd Petitt call the third period of game seven in 1971 when Henri Richard scored the game winner and Montreal skated around the Chicago Stadium which the Hawks had won after two periods.  Don't screw with history, kid. Especially my history.
• Even the most loyal fans have run out of patience with the White Sox . (South Side Sox)
• Tom Paciorek is as good on the radio as the Big Hurt was bad on TV.  I really miss ol' Wimpy.  I even like him better than Steve Stone, who I've never been a big fan of anyway.  And, as I thought, Frank Thomas was underwhelming on TV.  Next time Stoney needs some time off, perhaps Robin Ventura would be a better choice or better yet a Hawk/Wimpy reunion.
• If you want to complain about the Blackhawks getting the short end of the stick, send e-mail to SI.  Apparently, Allan Muir thinks it's not about the Hawks being a good team but about San Jose being chokers .