Comcast SportsNet To Carry '71 Hawks Game

From ChicagoBlackhawks.com: (link)

Original Black/White Telecast from 1971 to air on March 18 at 10:30 PM CSN Blackhawks announcer Dan Kelly, along with Hull & Mikita, to Host Telecast.

Chicago, IL (March 12, 2008) – Comcast SportsNet, the television home for the most games and most comprehensive coverage of the Chicago Blackhawks, will deliver a special Blackhawks classic game from December 11, 1971, as Hall of Famers Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita and Tony Esposito led the Blackhawks to victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. This special Blackhawk Legends game telecast will air on Comcast SportsNet on Tuesday, March 18 at 10:30 PM.

Comcast SportsNet’s Blackhawks play-by-play announcer Dan Kelly, along with Hull and Mikita, will host this special Blackhawk Legends telecast with discussion before the start of the game, interviews during intermissions and post-game wrap-up discussion. Among the interview highlights include Hull discussing what it was like being the first Blackhawk ever to score 50 goals in a season and Mikita talking about being one of the first players ever to use a curved hockey stick.

This original black and white “Hockey Night in Canada” match-up took place from the Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario, and featured the announcing tandem of Bill Hewitt and Bob Goldham. Comcast SportsNet will also re-air this game on Wednesday, March 19 at 10:00 AM.

“We’re very pleased to be airing this classic Blackhawks game from 1971 as it truly showcases the greatness of three Blackhawk legends in Hull, Mikita and Esposito,” said James J. Corno, President of Comcast SportsNet Chicago. “Our live coverage of the Blackhawks pre-game ceremony honoring Hull and Mikita was a proud moment for our network and we’re already looking forward to covering the Esposito pre-game tribute for our next home game telecast on March 19th.”

“This game represents the golden era of Blackhawk hockey,” added Jay Blunk, Senior Vice President of Business Operations for the Chicago Blackhawks. “This rare footage will allow fans to see the great skills of Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Tony Esposito, and a host of other Blackhawk greats in its purest form. The game will take our fans back in time and is sure to provide chills and excitement as we celebrate our heritage with this broadcast. We invite our fans to be a part of this historic evening.”

Comcast SportsNet’s next 2007-08 Blackhawks regular season home game telecast occurs on Wednesday, March 19 vs. Washington from the United Center. Tony Esposito will be honored by the Blackhawks in a special, on-ice pre-game ceremony prior to the game and Comcast SportsNet will have live coverage of all the festivities beginning at 7:00 PM on Chevy Blackhawks Pre-Game Live.