William Shatner's Stunning Rendition of the Miracle On Ice

One of the most epic moments in hockey history, at least here in America, is the 1980 Miracle on Ice. I don't need to remind you what it is or why it was significant. You know all that. What I do need to do, however, is show you how when Dan Patrick applies his brilliance to something, it turns to gold.

Thanks to the Media Hounds at Awful Announcing, comes the sound byte to end all sound bytes. OK, that's over hyping it, but it is kinda cool. From AA:

I think it was about a year ago when Dan Patrick had William Shatner on [his radio show] and made him recreate some of the most famous Sports calls ever. Well one of the ones he did that day was Al Michaels' "Miracle On Ice" call and Michaels just happened to be the DP Show today and of course Dan just happened to have the clip handy.

Simply epic. If Shatner had been calling that game instead of Michaels, I think everyone watching would have slept rather peacefully. Instead, people went out, got drunk, rioted and then set a few stray cats on fire.

Concussions? Bah! Never heard of em!

It really amazes me the lengths NHL teams will go to avoid diagnosing their players with concussions. James Mirtle has a great article on it today at his blog.

Maybe it's the fear of attaching the stigma to a player? We all saw (and made) the jokes about jello head Eric Lindros after his concussion problems. Maybe teams are afraid goons will go headhunting if they know a particular player is toughing out a concussion.

Either way, it's not to hard to figure out who is hurting from one.

Exhibit A: Carolina's Matt Cullen gets truck sticked by Colton Orr of the Rangers.

That's probably the ugliest concussion I've seen since Paul Kariya got laminated a few years back in the playoffs, while still with Anaheim. Nonetheless, the Hurricanes are keeping quiet about it. While there's no harm in trying to keep your player safe by saying nothing, it still makes me believe that the NHL is turning a blind eye on concussions. Mirtle points out a few other examples of players who have phantom injuries, unrelated to obvious concussions.

*fade out to dream sequence... setting is corporate headquarters of a radio manufacturer in the 1920s*

Boss Guy1: Oh, I do say! We are making quite the pretty pennies with these amazing little boxes.

Boss Guy2: Huzzah! Yes! I just bought us all a case of the finest scotch with my share and a beautiful diamond necklace for my wife.

Boss Guy3: Our sales are, dare I say, better than that of the finest bootlegger around!

All Three: (conceited) BAHAHAHAHA!!

Intern (runs into the room): Excuse me, misters.

Boss Guy2: What is it boy?

Intern: I think you guys need to see this article in the paper. There's a new invention called the television. You can see AND hear broadcasts. It could be the next big thing.

Boss Guy3: What do you take us for, a bunch of yellow bellied scoundrels??

(all three chuckle)

Boss Guy1: Harumph! That's horse feathers! We're talking about the radio, boy. Everyone in America has one. Dry up! Get lost!

Intern: But...

Boss Guy1: I said run along! We don't need any on your nonsensical talking pictures!