Sportsnet has decision on Oilers playoff broadcast after fan petition

Jack Michaels is the broadcaster for regional Oilers games, and brings a much heavier fan element to his calls. His obvious passion for the team and will for them to win really resonates with the fans, much more so than that of the more reserved, non-biased National broadcast from Harnarayan Singh. This year and many other years in the past, Oilers fans have actually petitioned Sportsnet to get Michaels in the playoffs.

It's tougher for the die-hard fans who watch the team every game of the year, but the Television broadcast believes they actually appeal to a wider audience with a more non-biased broadcast. That's just simply not true though. Even to a non-Oilers fan, the passion and intensity of a Jack Michaels call can be felt in your bones. In the playoffs with the most meaningful games of the year, hearing Michaels on the call would be unreal.

Alas, it just seems like something that will never happen until Sportsnet relents their NHL rights in a few years. Despite Oilers fans best efforts this year and in years past, Sportsnet has stuck with their plan in national playoff broadcasts.