“Words are free. It’s how you use them that may cost you.” -KushandWizdom
The San Jose Sharks were in town to meet the Winnipeg Jets Sunday night. Someone on staff at NBCSportsCalifornia in San Jose had a great idea for a pre-game interview piece. Let’s ask the Sharks players what “the worst city to play in is?” Interesting how this was asked just before a game with Canada’s coldest city. What a coincidence!
Provocation?
Dislike between sports teams is not new. In fact, it’s expected by their fans. A healthy dislike between players is just part of sports. But there is a line you don’t cross: Don’t go after a teams fans or the city itself. Someone at NBCS did not get that memo.
This was a tongue in cheek setup. A way to foment some controversy and light a fire under a game that might have ended up being rather pedestrian otherwise. The Jets are rolling through the standings and the Sharks are stumbling out of a playoff spot. If this was supposed to be a lighthearted interview piece, it failed. If it was to pick a fight, you got one.
Just the Facts
Winnipeg is indeed Canada’s coldest city with a high of 15°F and -9.3°C on average during the winter months. However, it is second for the city with most sunshine in Canada at 51% with an average of 2,353 hours of sunshine each year. The leader, Calgary comes in at 52% and an annual average of 2,396. That’s pretty close.
Besides, plenty of other cities are cold. Edmonton, Minneapolis, Buffalo all rate up there as harsh winter destinations. In fact, Minneapolis has an average low of 11°F and –11.7°C in the winter. Buffalo’s lake effect snow can pile double-digit drifts in hours. Boston even canceled their homestand with Florida this past week.
A Mountain Out of a Mole Hill?
This is a tongue in cheek interview right? Just poking a little fun at an opposing team while on the road? Not meant to be taken seriously. Right?
The fact here is that they are intentionally trying to make a specific opposing city look bad. Bottom line, this paints the city of Winnipeg in a negative light. That should never be allowed in professional sports media. It’s classless and not good for the NHL. This interview idea should never have gotten past the NBCS producers.
Next: Nic Petan, from top prospect to barely holding on
The Response
The Jets iced the Sharks in an easy 4-1 win. How”s that for cold?
Bad internet reception? That should be optimal for a team on the outside of the playoff picture. Maybe put a little more time into preparation? Perhaps get on the stationary bike and watch some game video? Give yourself a better chance to win. Opposing teams have 4 wins at Bell MTS Place this season. The least of their worries should be their internet connection.
The organization as a whole took the high road and declined to comment. Locals, however, were not so quick to dismiss the shots against their city. The best response coming from Dayna Spiring, CEO/President of Economic Development Winnipeg:
"“Given that the Jets beat the Sharks 4-1, I can understand that they don’t like Winnipeg. It’s never fun to lose. Once the NHL playoffs get into full swing and the Sharks have some more time on their hands I’d be happy to tour them around and show them all that Winnipeg has to offer — festivals, food trucks, sunshine, world-class attractions and one of the best culinary scenes in the country. If they want to take me up on my offer, we could even invite them to a Jets playoff game.”"