It's NHL PLAYOFF TIME! First round playoff match-ups, broadcast info, BCHL back to Williams Lake.

CBC'S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA continues a 55-year tradition and raises the curtain on the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs Jam-packed Round One schedule features exclusive coverage of Canadian NHL teams, launch of an all-new enhanced viewing environment at CBCSports.ca
and special Playoff Preview show, April 8

TORONTO, April 6 /CNW/ - From the first puck drop to the hoisting of the Stanley Cup in June, CBC'S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA is home to the biggest names and biggest stars, bringing Canadians wall-to-wall coverage of the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs and exclusive Canadian coverage of the Stanley Cup Final in High-Definition.

CBC'S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA powerhouse playoff schedule kicks off on Tuesday, April 8 at 7 p.m. local with Playoff Preview2008, followed by the first puck drop of the playoffs on Wednesday, April 9 at 7 p.m. ET. All of the games in the Pittsburgh/Ottawa, Calgary/San Jose, and Montreal/Boston series will be available exclusively on CBC'S HOCKEY NIGHT IN
CANADA. Additional games from other series will also be presented by CBC and will be announced tomorrow.

(Please see complete broadcast schedule below)

"We are very excited about the strength of our Round One broadcast schedule," said Scott Moore, executive director, CBC Sports. "The NHL worked very hard with us to provide as many prime time games involving the Canadian NHL teams as possible. From our broadcast schedule to our preview show, to our online offerings and contests, we are proud to be providing Canadians with a Stanley Cup playoff package that is second-to-none."

For the first time ever during the NHL post-season, CBC'S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA will feature one series per round broadcast in Mandarin, live and on demand at CBCSports.ca, beginning with the Montreal/Boston series. Games broadcast in Mandarin will also be available free to Bell ExpressVu subscribers on channels 249 and 724

Jason Wang, Mandarin play-by-play voice for the 2007 Vancouver Whitecaps' home broadcasts on webcast radio and Shaw Multicultural Channel, will call the select playoff games in Mandarin.

On Tuesday, April 8 at 7 p.m. local, Ron MacLean sets the stage for the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs with Playoff Preview 2008, a one-hour, comprehensive playoff preview special. Scotty Bowman, the winningest coach in NHL history, and Kelly Hrudey will join MacLean in studio at the Canadian Broadcasting Centre in Toronto to breakdown all eight playoff series and provide detailed analysis. The grand prize winner of Kraft Hockeyville 2008 will also be announced during the broadcast.

Starting Wednesday, April 9 and continuing each night during Round One, MacLean will host the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Canadian Broadcasting Centre in Toronto along with Don Cherry and Kelly Hrudey. P.J. Stock will also join MacLean in-studio throughout Round One to provide his insight and analysis of all the first round action.

On Wednesday, April 9, CBC'S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA kicks off its 2008 Stanley Cup Playoff schedule with a must-see doubleheader. The action gets underway at 7 p.m. ET when Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins host Jason Spezza and the Ottawa Senators at Mellon Arena. Jim Hughson will call the series alongside analyst Garry Galley and rinkside reporter Scott Oake.

In the nightcap of the twin bill, CBC'S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA will go rinkside at HP Pavilion in San Jose at 10 p.m. ET as Joe Thornton and the Sharks kick off their series versus regular season 50-goal scorer Jarome Iginla and the Calgary Flames. Steve Armitage and Cassie Campbell will report from this Western Conference Quarterfinal best-of-seven showdown alongside play-by-play commentator Mark Lee and analyst Craig Simpson. (Please see below for complete first round broadcast schedule and distribution).

CBC'S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA continues the post-season momentum on Thursday, April 10 at 7 p.m. ET as Carey Price and the Montreal Canadiens face off against Zdeno Charra and the Boston Bruins at Bell Centre. Reporter Elliotte Friedman, play-by-play commentator Bob Cole and analyst Greg Millen will follow this Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series.

On Saturday, April 12 at 6:30 p.m. ET, CBC'S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA sets the stage with Scotiabank Hockey Tonight, the pre-game show, followed by game two of the Boston/Montreal series. (Please see below for complete first round broadcast schedule).

Hockey Night in Canada Radio on SIRIUS will also offer comprehensive coverage of the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs on SIRIUS Satellite Radio's Channel 122 airing Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. ET (encore presentation from 6-8 p.m. ET). Starting Monday, April 7, Hockey Night in Canada Radio will also be available on CBCSports.ca, live Monday to Friday from 3 - 4 p.m. ET. Host Jeff Marek will be joined by CBC'S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA personalities and other guests throughout the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada's national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. With 28 services offered on Radio, Television, the Internet, satellite radio, digital audio, as well as through its record and music distribution service and wireless WAP and SMS messaging services, CBC/Radio-Canada is available how, where, and when Canadians want it.

April 6, 2008
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CBC'S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA: 2008 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS ROUND ONE -
CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS BROADCAST SCHEDULE

All series best of seven. Schedule subject to change.
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS (2) VS. OTTAWA SENATORS (7)

G1 Ottawa @ Pittsburgh Wednesday, April 9 @ 7 p.m. ET FULL
NETWORK

G2 Ottawa @ Pittsburgh Friday, April 11 @ 7 p.m. ET FULL
NETWORK

G3 Pittsburgh @ Ottawa Monday, April 14 @ 7 p.m. ET FULL
NETWORK

G4 Pittsburgh @ Ottawa Wednesday, April 16 @ 7 p.m. ET FULL
NETWORK

G5(xx) Ottawa @ Pittsburgh Saturday, April 19 @ TBD FULL
NETWORK

G6(xx) Pittsburgh @ Ottawa Sunday, April 20 @ TBD FULL
NETWORK

G7(xx) Ottawa @ Pittsburgh Tuesday, April 22 @ TBD FULL
NETWORK

SAN JOSE SHARKS (2) VS. CALGARY FLAMES (7)

G1 Calgary @ San Jose Wednesday, April 9 @ 10 p.m. ET FULL
NETWORK

G2 Calgary @ San Jose Thursday, April 10 @ 10 p.m. ET FULL
NETWORK

G3 San Jose @ Calgary Sunday, April 13 @ 10 p.m. ET FULL
NETWORK

G4 San Jose @ Calgary Tuesday, April 15 @ 10 p.m. ET FULL
NETWORK

G5(xx) Calgary @ San Jose Thursday, April 17 @ 10 p.m. ET FULL
NETWORK

G6(xx) San Jose @ Calgary Sunday, April 20 @ TBD FULL
NETWORK

G7(xx) Calgary @ San Jose Tuesday, April 22 @ TBD FULL
NETWORK

MONTREAL CANADIENS (1) VS. BOSTON BRUINS (8)

G1 Boston @ Montreal Thursday, April 10 @ 7 p.m. ET FULL
NETWORK

G2 Boston @ Montreal Saturday, April 12 @ 7 p.m. ET FULL
NETWORK

G3 Montreal @ Boston Sunday, April 13 @ 7 p.m. ET FULL
NETWORK

G4 Montreal @ Boston Tuesday, April 15 @ 7 p.m. ET FULL
NETWORK

G5(xx) Boston @ Montreal Thursday, April 17 @ 7 p.m. ET FULL
NETWORK

G6(xx) Montreal @ Boston Saturday, April 19 @ TBD FULL
NETWORK

G7(xx) Boston @ Montreal Monday, April 21 @ TBD FULL
NETWORK

(xx) If necessary
(Courtesy of CNW Group)
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Toronto, ON – TSN unveiled its coverage for the First Round of the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sunday featuring action from three entire series.

Additional games to TSN's broadcast schedule will be announced later on Monday. All games will air in High Definition on TSN HD.

TSN has exclusive Canadian coverage of the following three series in the First Round: Washington vs. Philadelphia, New Jersey vs. New York Rangers and Anaheim vs. Dallas.

It all gets underway on TSN April 9, opening night of the Playoffs, with Game 1 between the Rangers and Devils (7pm et/4pm pt) and TSN will provide coverage of the first three rounds of the Playoffs.

To ensure fans are able to see as many live games as possible, TSN will use its alternate feed to air simultaneous live coverage of games. For channel listings, viewers can check their electronic program guides or visit TSN.ca.

TSN will continue to use two broadcast teams for its NHL coverage - Gord Miller/Pierre McGuire and Chris Cuthbert/Glenn Healy. TSN will also use its popular 'One Up/One Down' broadcasting format at every available opportunity, with the play-by-play announcer in the broadcast booth and the game analyst at ice level.

James Duthie will be in the TSN Studios for pre-games and intermissions and will be joined by Hockey Insiders Bob McKenzie and Darren Dreger, as well as analysts Dave Hodge, Mike Milbury and Darren Pang.

Also, Canada's favourite crab-eating macaque, Maggie the Monkey, will be back to use her 'highly scientific' method of spinning a wheel to predict the playoff winners.

Leading up to the Playoffs, TSN will get viewers primed for the post-season with a three-hour blockbuster lineup of Playoff Preview coverage on Monday, April 7, beginning at 7pm et/4pm pt/4pm pt with McGuire's Monsters, followed by the Fantasy Draft Special at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. Then, at 8pm et/5pm pt catch the Scotiabank NHL Draft Lottery Special, in which NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly will reveal the the Draft order. And at 8:30 pm et/5:30pm pt, it's the 90-minute NHL on TSN Playoff Preview Special, with in-depth analysis of each playoff series.

TSN's broadcast schedule for the First Round of the 2008 Playoffs is as follows:

Wednesday, April 9
7pm et/4pm pt Game 1: NY Rangers @ New Jersey

Thursday, April 10

10pm et/7pm pt Game 1: Dallas @ Anaheim

Friday, April 11

7pm et/4pm pt Game 1: Philadelphia @ Washington
7pm et/4pm pt Game 2: NY Rangers @ New Jersey (on TSN alternate)

Saturday, April 12
10pm et/7pm pt Game 2: Dallas @ Anaheim

Sunday, April 13
2pm et/11am pt Game 2: Philadelphia @ Washington (pre-game at 1:30 pm et)
7pm et/4pm pt Game 3: New Jersey @ NY Rangers

Tuesday, April 15
7pm et/4pm pt Game 3: Washington @ Philadelphia
8:30pm et/5:30pm pt Game 3: Anaheim @ Dallas (on TSN alternate)

Wednesday, April 16
7pm et/4pm pt Game 4: New Jersey @ NY Rangers

Thursday, April 17
7pm et/4pm pt Game 4: Washington @ Philadelphia
8pm et/5pm pt Game 4: Anaheim @ Dallas (on TSN alternate)

Friday, April 18
7:30pm et/4:30pm pt Game 5 (if necessary): NY Rangers @ New Jersey
10:30pm et/7:30pm pt Game 5 (if necessary): Dallas @ Anaheim

Saturday, April 19
1pm et/10am pt Game 5 (if necessary): Philadelphia @ Washington (pre-game at 12:30 pm et)

Sunday, April 20
TBD Game 6 (if necessary): New Jersey @ NY Rangers
TBD Game 6 (if necessary): Anaheim @ Dallas

Monday, April 21
TBD Game 6 (if necessary): Washington @ Philadelphia (pre-game TBD)

Tuesday, April 22
TBD Game 7 (if necessary): Philadelphia @ Washington
TBD Game 7 (if necessary): NY Rangers @ New Jersey
TBD Game 7 (if necessary): Dallas @ Anaheim

BCHL Returning to Williams Lake in 2009

The British Columbia Hockey League will be returning to Williams Lake for the 2009/10 season, the league announced Sunday. The BCHL’s Board of Governors has approved the sale of the TimberWolves franchise to local businessmen John Wright, David Pocock and Richard Kohlen.
Wright, who won two league championships playing in the BCHL in the 1970s, will lead the team’s Hockey Operations department.

“We’re very excited about the franchise,” Wright said. “Our goal is to have the rink sold out every night and we’re confident we can do that. There’s always been strong support for Junior A hockey in Williams Lake and getting started in 2009 is going to give us a chance to have all the right pieces in place.”

The franchise will continue to be known as the TimberWolves and will once again play out of the Cariboo Memorial Complex. Wright, Pocock and Kohlen are also heading development on a multi-rink training facility in the area.

BCHL Commissioner John Grisdale says the league and its governors are confident that the group will experience tremendous results with the club.

“For a franchise to succeed, it’s crucial to have an ownership group that’s well-entrenched in all facets of their local community,” he said. “John, David and Richard are passionate about the game and they have expertise in hockey opera­tions and all aspects of running a successful franchise. “In terms of business, marketing and community involvement, it’s an ideal group. Williams Lake has tremendous fans and we’re thrilled to have them back as a part our league.”
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I'm happy to hear this for Williams Lake, but I sure hope they made them build a new press box!!