FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, February 26th, 2013

“WEDNESDAY NIGHT RIVALRY” CONTINUES ON NBC SPORTS NETWORK TOMORROW WITH CAPITALS AT FLYERS AT 7:30 PM ET

Game followed by Detroit at Los Angeles at 10 p.m. ET

“When the Capitals play against the Flyers, it is never a friendly game.” – Pierre McGuire

Wednesday Night Rivalry has Produced 4 of Top 5 Most-Watched Games in NBC Sports Network History

Friday Night Ice: College Hockey Action on NBC Sports Network Features Wisconsin at No. 15 Nebraska-Omaha at 7:30 p.m. ET 

NEW YORK – Feb. 26, 2013Wednesday Night Rivalry continues tomorrow on NBC Sports Network featuring the Washington Capitals against the Philadelphia Flyers at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Flyers are currently third in the Atlantic division with 19 points, while the Capitals are looking to gain ground in the Southeast division (13 points).

Emmy Award-winning play-by-play commentator Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick, analyst Eddie Olczyk and ‘Inside-the-Glass’ analyst Pierre McGuire  will call the game live from Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Penn.

PIERRE MCGUIRE: “When the Capitals play against the Flyers, it is never a friendly game. Both teams are starting to play at a very competitive level. The Flyers have an edge to their game that can drive opposition stars crazy. The key on Wednesday is whether Capitals’ star Alexander Ovechkin can battle through the physical intensity of the Flyers’ approach.”

EDDIE OLCZYK: “The Capitals are playing better. Captain Alexander Ovechkin and center Mike Ribeiro are heating up.  Troy Brouwer is off to a great start and goalie Braden Holtby looks to have regained his form from last year. The Flyers are trying to get on a roll and goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov has been consistent while Wayne Simmonds is emerging as premier power forward. Scott Hartnell, back after injury, will bring a needed element to the Flyers team game.”

LIAM MCHUGH: “Claude Giroux is much more than just an electric talent, he’s emerging as a true leader and tone-setter for the Flyers. He’s the rare pro-athlete who possesses both the presence to stand up and speak his mind in the locker room one day, and the ability to back up his tough talk on the ice the next.”

ADDITIONAL GAMES

Following Wednesday Night Rivalry tomorrow night will be the defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings (20 points) hosting the Detroit Red Wings (21 points) from Staples Center in Los Angeles. The two teams are both looking to improve their standing within the Western Conference.

NBC and NBC Sports Network’s NHL coverage will continue on Sun., Mar. 3 with the undefeated Chicago Blackhawks facing off against the Red Wings at 12:30 p.m. ET on NBC, followed by the Montreal Canadiens against the Boston Bruins at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network. Monday, March 4, the Pittsburgh Penguins will host the Tampa Bay Lighting at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by Tuesday’s coverage of the Flyers at N.Y. Rangers at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Emrick (play-by-play), Olczyk (analyst) and McGuire (‘Inside-the-Glass’) will call the action in Detroit, while Dave Strader (play-by-play) and Engblom (‘Inside-the-Glass’ analyst) will call Sunday and Tuesday night’s coverage. Kenny Albert (play-by-play) and McGuire will be on-site in Pittsburgh for Monday’s game. Randy Hahn (play-by-play) and Drew Remenda (‘Inside-the-Glass’ analyst) will call tomorrow’s game in Los Angeles.

RATINGS

Last week’s thrilling Wednesday Night Rivalry game, in which the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins, 6-5, scored a 0.55 household rating, making it the highest-rated NHL regular-season game in the history of NBC Sports Network*. The exciting game, which featured 11 goals, including six in the third period, also marked another successful iteration of Wednesday Night Rivalry, NBC Sports Network’s new NHL franchise, which has produced four of the Top 5 most-watched regular-season NHL games in the network’s history.

Overall, Wednesday Night Rivalry games are averaging 783,000 viewers, up 83% vs. Wednesday night exclusive games last year (427,000). Following are the Top 5 most-watched NHL regular-season games in NBC Sports Network history (Wednesday Night Rivalry games are in bold):

DATE GAME

VIEWERS

Jan. 23, 2013 Boston-N.Y. Rangers

956,000

Feb. 20, 2013 Philadelphia-Pittsburgh

901,000

Oct. 6, 2011 Philadelphia-Boston

874,000

Jan. 30, 2013 Chicago-Minnesota

827,000

Feb. 6, 2013 Boston-Montreal

771,000

*NBC Sports Network was previously known as VERSUS (2006-2011) and OLN before that.

COLLEGE HOCKEY

In addition to the NHL, NBC Sports Network will resume Friday Night Ice, its college hockey programming, with Wisconsin at No. 15 Nebraska-Omaha at 7:30 p.m. ET, live from CenturyLink Center in Omaha. Dan Parkhurst will serve as play-by-play announcer alongside analyst ‘Inside-the-Glass’ analyst Ken Hodge.

NBC and NBC Sports Network’s Upcoming Hockey Schedule (all times ET, subject to change):

DATE

GAME

TIME (ET)

NETWORK

Wed., Feb. 27 Washington at Philadelphia

7:30 p.m.

NBCSN

  Detroit at Los Angeles

10 p.m.

NBCSN

Fri., Mar. 1 Wisconsin at No. 15 Nebraska-Omaha (college)

7:30 p.m.

NBCSN

Sun., Mar. 3 Chicago at Detroit

12:30 p.m.

NBC

  Montreal at Boston

7:30 p.m.

NBCSN

Mon., Mar. 4 Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh

7:30 p.m.

NBCSN

Tues., Mar. 5 Philadelphia at N.Y. Rangers

7:30 p.m.

NBCSN