Pittsburgh-Carolina: Versus TV Screw Up

The NHL has lost significant exposure since the lockout of 2004-05. The fact that NBC has started carrying games on occasion is a significant stride for the game. Not only has the NHL been stuck on Versus, they have been stuck with the mistakes Versus make.

Evgeni Malkin scored three goals in the Pittsburgh Penguins 7-4 demolishing of the Carolina Hurricanes.

Malkin's third goal initiated the customary display of affection by the home fans. Hats rained down from the stands and covered the ice, giving Malkin time to admire his work.

While all this was happening, the crack research team at Versus were busy looking for the last Pittsburgh Penguin to score a hat trick in the playoffs. They came up with Martin Straka in the playoffs of the 1998-99 season.

Huh? Had these researchers not watched any playoff hockey, specifically the Washington-Pittsburgh series? 

Sidney Crosby recently traded hat tricks with Alex Ovechkin in a game that the Pens lost 4-3. Granted, one of the researchers may have missed this game.  I like to believe that they would have seen that Crosby scored a hat trick earlier in the playoffs when they looked it up.

Even if they didn't find out that Crosby had one, wouldn't a superior have noticed?

Oh well, I guess Versus spares no expense to present the best hockey experience. I mean, they do have Brian Engblom, proud owner of possibly the greatest mullet ever.