NBC Sports Ramps Up For Game 5 of The Stanley Cup Final

With Philadelphia’s overtime win in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final last night, it assured that NBC will return to the series with Game 5 Sunday in Chicago. Dan Patrick will be your event host and I say it’s fine time for him to appear. I wish that Dan had been on the series from the beginning, but he has a rather solid contract allowing him to appear whenever he wants (note the 2010 Winter Olympics when he was in Vancouver for less than a week instead of the entire 17 day stretch).

Unfortunately, the vapid Pierre McGuire will remain as intermission host with Jeremy Roenick and Mike Milbury.

Anyway, this is what NBC is saying about the upcoming Game 5 plus the ratings its garnered this past Memorial Day Weekend.

BLACKHAWKS-FLYERS FACE OFF IN GAME 5 OF 2010 STANLEY CUP FINAL THIS SUNDAY AT 8 P.M. ET ON NBC SPORTS

“Animosity levels are up.” – NBC Sports’ Pierre McGuire

Dan Patrick Joins Coverage As Event Host

NEW YORK – June 4, 2010 – NBC Sports’ coverage of the 2010 Stanley Cup Final resumes this Sunday at 8 p.m. ET when the Chicago Blackhawks host the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 5. The Blackhawks lead the series, 2-1. Game 4 is scheduled for Friday night in Philadelphia. If Chicago wins Game 4, they will have an opportunity to win the Stanley Cup on home ice with a victory in Game 5 on NBC Sports. If Philadelphia wins, the series will be tied heading into the crucial fifth game.

Dan Patrick joins NBC Sports’ coverage as event host for Game 5 from United Center in Chicago. He will also host Games 6-7, if necessary. Mike “Doc” Emrick (play-by-play), who is calling his 12^th Stanley Cup Final, Eddie Olczyk (analyst) and Pierre McGuire (inside-the-glass reporter) will call the action. McGuire will pull double duty, hosting NBC’s studio show alongside analysts Mike Milbury and Jeremy Roenick.

EMRICK: “I am so impressed with the athletes in this Final. Training camp began for these teams in September. The Blackhawks started their season in Finland, were in first place in November and never let up. The Flyers started in Raleigh, were next to last in the conference but rallied back to make the playoffs on the last day of the season. Then throw in the Olympics and the playoffs. It’s impressive to me the level of performance we are seeing and the sacrifice. It’s true athleticism.”

MCGUIRE: “The series is becoming more and more physical. The teams are building a little disdain for each other. They only played once during the regular season and the animosity levels are up. Forechecking has become an important weapon for Philadelphia and that leads to exciting hockey because of collisions and turnovers. You can see that Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews are getting more comfortable for Chicago. The crowd will be a big factor for the Blackhawks on Sunday.”

VIEWERSHIP: The 2010 Stanley Cup Final Game 2 between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Philadelphia Flyers – played on Memorial Day – was watched by 5.89 million viewers making it the most-watched Stanley Cup Game 2 on record and up 10 percent compared to 2009’s Game 2 (5.35 million; Detroit vs. Pittsburgh), which was not played on Memorial Day weekend. Game 2 also posted a 3.3/6 rating, tied with 1999 as the highest-rated Game 2 in 35 years (3.5/13 on NBC, 1975, Buffalo vs. Philadelphia) and up six percent vs. last year (3.1/5).

Game 1 viewership of 4.43 million was the most watched in 11 years (5.07 on Fox, 1999, Buffalo vs. Dallas) and up three percent vs. 2009 (4.29). Game 1 registered a 2.3 rating, equal to Game 1 last year. Hockey helped NBC win the night (A18-49) in primetime both nights.

REMAINING SCHEDULE: Games 4 will be played at Philadelphia’s Wachovia Center and will air on VERSUS tomorrow night. In addition to Game 5, NBC Sports will broadcast Games 6-7, if necessary. Following is the remaining Stanley Cup Final television schedule (all times ET):

Game 4 – Fri. June 4, VERSUS, 8 p.m.

Game 5 – Sun. June 6, NBC, 8 p.m.

Game 6 * – Wed. June 9, NBC, 8 p.m.

Game 7 * – Fri. June 11, NBC, 8 p.m.

*If necessary

We’ll be back later.