Both in production and on-air talent, the new Seattle Kraken Hockey Network (KHN) has been described as “network quality.” In Saturday’s 2-1 overtime win over Calgary at Climate Pledge Arena, viewers were shown why that description fits.
Forslund Just Right
The reason 3-on-3 overtime is popular is because it’s so chaotic, with instantaneous changes of possession, odd man breaks, and glorious scoring chances. This, however, poses a challenge for play-by-play broadcasters. Too few words, and listeners won’t be informed; too many words, and it’s impossible to keep up.
In the span of 10 OT seconds Saturday, Seattle’s Jordan Eberle stole the puck, Brandon Montour fired on goal, Flames goalie Dan Vladar made the save, Montour retrieved the puck, waited, then fed Eberle for the game-winning score. That was exhausting just to write, but KHN PxP voice John Forslund, like Goldilocks, got it just right under the most hectic conditions.
“Nazem Kadri… a steal, Montour… stopped by Vladar… Montour gets it… Eberle… scores! Hey, hey, waddaya say! Jordan Eberle… and the Kraken win in overtime.” Enthusiasm without losing control, entertaining while remembering to report the who, what, when. Forslund processes thoughts into words so effortlessly, viewers don’t realize the true degree of difficulty.
Production All Over It
Kudos to Forslund and analysts Eddie Olczyk and J.T. Brown for mastering one of sportscasting’s hardest jobs – not speaking. For 30 seconds, the trio didn’t say another word, allowing the celebrating visuals and raucous audio to wash over Kraken fans through their TVs and online devices.
This also allowed the production team to shine. Of particular note was the on-ice camera, taking us right into the dogpile of celebrating Kraken players as CPA commenced a “Let’s go Kraken” chant. We also got to share coach Dan Bylsma’s broad smile as he exited the bench for the dressing room. The cameras caught the shots, the director and his team made sure we saw them.
Olczyk & Brown Tell Us Why
Luck, it’s been said, is preparation meeting opportunity. Exhibit A: a camera exclusively recording the Kraken bench showed the jubilant reaction the moment Eberle’s goal tickled the twine. The crew continued to shine, providing replays of the winning sequence from five – count ’em, five – different camera angles.
Over the replays, the on-air analysts analyzed. Brown noted Montour’s “no-panic” patience waiting to pass until Eberle was in shooting position. Eagle-eyed Edzo noticed that just before Eberle’s shot, Vladar had lost his goal stick, which had to be a distraction in an already chaotic sequence. (Calgary’s Rasmus Andersson, understandably in a panic, accidentally kicked the stick out of his goalie’s hand trying to defend.)
Another on-the-fly decision: not going to a commercial break right after the final horn, as KHN had done two nights earlier after the Kraken’s 6-4 victory over Philadelphia. Viewers were treated to several minutes of the celebration, the goal replays, and both Eberle and goalie Joey Daccord yeeting plushie salmon into the crowd.
Putting a bow on a marvelous slice of sports television, Piper Shaw’s on-bench interview with Eberle, eliciting this grade-A quote: “I just kind of closed my eyes and shot.” Fortunately for Kraken viewers, everyone at KHN Saturday night kept their eyes wide open when it counted most.