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J O K E   &   D A G G E R - November 20, 2006 There has been and still is a lot of great play-by-play announcers out there. But for my money there has never been anyone better than former Hockey Night in Canada announcer Danny Gallivan. Gallivan brought us a sense of tempo and urgency that few have been able to duplicate. He invented new phrases like “Savardian Spinorama”, “cannonating drive” and “failed to negotiate the pass.” But I’ll never forget the night that Gallivan was doing a game between the Minnesota North Stars and the Montreal Canadiens. He was partnered in the booth that night with colour-man Dick Irvin. As Minnesota forward Mike Eaves carried the puck up ice, Gallivan brought out another of his famous improvisations: “And now it’s Eaves corralling the puck for Minnesota, and picking up speed as he enters the Montreal zone. Eaves goes wide and drops the puck to Hartsburg. I suppose you could say he was Eaves-dropping Dick.” Sadly, Danny Gallivan is no longer with us. But if he was I’m certain he’d have a never- ending list of new phrases for his partner Dick Irvin. Such as: “Here comes Crosby into the Buffalo end, he fakes right, dips left and easily speeds right past the overmatched Sabre defenceman Kalinin. I suppose you could say he got caught Kalinin the wrong way Dick.” “And the St. Louis Blues have won their third straight road game, this time in overtime on a beautiful three-way passing play with Dan Hinote getting credit for the winner. It would appear Dick, that the Blues are going to finish this road trip on a real Hinote.” “He shoots, He scores……….Matt Stajan. What a goal by the Leaf centreman. At one time the Leafs were down 4-0, but they have now whittled that lead down to 4-3 with lots of time left. I suppose you could say Toronto is Stajan a thrilling comeback Dick.” “And the Atlanta Thrashers Shane Hnidy, who has only scored 5 goals in his entire career steps up and puts home two for the Thrashers tonight, including the winner in overtime. The game is over. I suppose I could say Hnidy night Dick.” “Here come the Bruins through the neutral zone. Chara, over to Savard, back to Boyes and oh Boyes takes a big hit on that play from Exelby. Now Boyes comes back at Exelby and they’re all in there pushing and shoving. I suppose you could say Boyes will be Boyes Dick.” “The Sabres are short handed once again. The Canadiens continue to press. Here’s a shot from the point that is blocked by Adam Mair. He’s down and he’s hurt. The Sabres trainer comes running on to the ice to assist him. I suppose you could say he’s running for Mair, Dick” “Here comes Lehtinen up the ice for Dallas. He rags the puck and tries to kill time as the Dallas penalty is almost over. He steps over center and flips a soft bouncer in on Luongo, and oh he scores!!!! From center ice the puck bounces and somehow finds it’s way into the net. And the Canucks are pulling Luongo and making a goaltending change. I suppose you could say he got caught Lehtinen too many soft ones tonight Dick.” “The Coyotes come rushing up the ice. Comrie passes to Shane Doan. He’s got McCabe one-on-one. Doan goes left, shifts right, stops and spins. It’s safe to say he Doan know what to do next Dick.” In summary let me say this. If you ever get a chance to watch some of the old vintage hockey games, make sure to find one that includes Danny Gallivan. I’m sure he’s calling games up in hockey heaven now. I doubt they had to talk him into it. He was probably quite EAGER to do so. And he’s probably OSGOOD now as he was then. He starts a rush with a whisper and finishes it with a YELLE. When the game slows down he can STAAL for time. He will always give his best and never CHEECHOO. And love every minute of it. He’s just that kind of guy. Always having fun. Always JOKINEN.

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