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CBC sets TV ratings records for Saturday games

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MONTREAL, OCT 19/02- Hockey Night in Canada’s Don Cherry on the Coach’s Corner set during the Montreal Canadiens - Toronto Maple Leafs game at the Bell Centre. PHOTO DAVE SIDAWAY/To accompany story by DAVE STUBBS of The Montreal Gazette ** Embargoed until Oct 26, 2002 ** 7 of 10

Dave Sidaway

NBC isn’t the only network that’s feeling good about the NHL’s opening weekend.

In Canada, the CBC says over 3.3 million TV viewers watched Saturday evening’s game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens, making it the most-watched regular season “Prime East” game ever on the network.

In addition, the CBC says the Ottawa-Winnipeg contest that preceded Toronto-Montreal had 1.49 million viewers, a record for Saturday afternoon games on Hockey Night in Canada.

Hey...remember the lockout?

Of course, it remains to be seen if TV ratings remain strong throughout the season and into the playoffs. There was a lot of hype heading into the opening weekend. People were bound to tune in.

The NHL has to be happy though. No longer are hockey fans talking about the lockout -- they’re talking about slow starts for the Flyers and Rangers, the goaltending in Vancouver, and Todd Bertuzzi’s mono scare.

Just like they should be.