NEW YORK — Eddie Olczyk is used to thinking and talking, on the fly. That’s just what a veteran TV hockey analyst does. Most of the time it’s about strategy, or an official’s call. On this occasion it was about right and wrong.
Then again, in this era, where instant judgment is passed on social media, somebody’s “right” is always another person’s “wrong.” So, there were those unhappy with Olczyk’s decision to, as his detractors saw it, crash the Islanders fans' party after Anthony Beauvillier’s overtime goal Wednesday night forced a Game 7 in the Isles-Lightning Stanley Cup semifinal series.
After all, Olczyk, who won a Cup with the Rangers in 1994, knew the history. This was perhaps the last chance for the Isles’ faithful to celebrate in a dump-of-a-building they have taken to calling the “barn.” For the sentimental, the dramatic diehards, all those beer and “hard” seltzer cans being chucked on the ice were just part of a celebration; a massive toast to the franchise’s star-crossed history.
For Olczyk, those cans raining down on the ice were missiles. As NBCSN’s cameras focused on the bizarre fan reaction, Olczyk, working with Kenny Albert and Brian Boucher, instantaneously, took the sane road.
“Your team just won in overtime ... and you’re one win away from going to a Stanley Cup Final. I can’t understand this,” Olczyk said. “They are throwing them from all sections! This is dangerous for the players. This is your team! Cal Clutterbuck just absolutely knocked a can of something out of the air!”
In about 48 meaningful seconds, Olczyk not only had outlined the danger that existed for Islanders’ players who still were celebrating on the ice, but the sheer lunacy of the moment. If not for Olczyk’s righteous spiel, the novice or casual fan tuning in might have thought this was some kind of ritual playing out after an OT win.
Olczyk’s words had more impact because he made his point quickly and concisely. There was no moralizing. Other commentators, preachers, pontificators and, er, analysts might have been inclined to go on a more elongated rant about how this was another example of poor and dangerous fan behavior. They would have made the twisted scene more about themselves than what actually was happening in the stands and on the ice.
Not Olczyk. He got in, made his point, and got out. His words were perfectly punctuated when Beauvillier was forced to do his postgame interview, conducted by Boucher, from underneath a protective awning.
Following that spot, there was no need for Olczyk to continue. In just a few choice words he already spelled out the reality of the situation.
