From the CBC:

When the Calgary Flames face off against the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night, Hockey Night In Canada won’t be there.

It’s the first time a Flames playoff game won’t be televised by CBC-TV. Instead the game will be carried by the cable network TSN, angering fans who don’t have cable.

Scott Moore, head of CBC Sports, said as part of a new deal, the NHL only allows CBC Sports to cover a maximum of two Canadian-based teams in the first round of the playoffs.

I’ve seen mention around the interwebs that getting the games on TSN is no big deal, perhaps even preferable to some people, but I think they ignore the very important point made in the paragraph above: CBC is a free access national network; TSN requires cable service.

While I realize this isn’t CBC’s fault at all (they’re doing the best they can with an imperfect situation) you have to feel badly for Flames fans. Cable is expensive and not everyone can afford it. In fact, these days I’d say a lot of people can’t afford it.

So if you’re upset about missing your HDTV broadcast, perhaps take heart that at least you’re getting a live, free broadcast of arguably the best quality in the NHL.

Hell, a lot of us can’t afford HD, either, so perhaps there’s another thing worth keeping in mind. These are tough times and, all things considered, missing HD for two road games is a relatively small sacrifice.

But if the Canucks do make it to the finals, well, we’ll talk. If such a miracle were to happen, I agree we should to demand to witness every bloody moment in the highest definition possible. :)

Update 6:53pm PT: Thanks to Dobber Hockey‘s Angus in the comments below earlier today, a note that Save-On Foods (i.e. Jim Pattison) will be coughing up the $100K to rent the truck for two games in St. Louis. Now that’s a very generous contribution!