A look at hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole’s most iconic calls
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/04/2024 (555 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Bob Cole, the legendary voice of Canadian hockey for over five decades, died Wednesday at 90 in St. John’s, N.L.
Famous for his ‘Oh baby!’ catchphrase, Cole’s play-by-play on CBC’s ‘Hockey Night in Canada’ marked an era of unforgettable moments on the ice.
Here’s a look back at some of his most iconic calls.
“They’re going home! They’re going home!”
Cole incredulously and repeatedly uttered this line during the first period of the 1976 Super Series game between the Philadelphia Flyers and Red Army as the Soviets left the ice to protest the game’s rough play.
“Folks, there’s a new bunch on the block in the National Hockey League. The Edmonton Oilers, by name. The Oilers have won the Stanley Cup!”
Enthusiastically, Cole introduced the NHL’s newest dynasty as Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers dethroned the New York Islanders to win their first Stanley Cup in 1984.
“Look at Lemieux. Oh, my heavens. What a goal. What a move. Lemieux, Oh baby!.”
Cole was breathless but not speechless describing Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Mario Lemieux’s breakaway goal against the Minnesota North Stars in Game 2 of 1991 Stanley Cup final.
“Desjardins following the play and he misses with the short side and there he is again — scores! Desjardins! And the Canadiens win in overtime. His third goal of the game. And the series is a brand new one.”
Cole captured the moment with flair as Montreal Canadiens defenceman Eric Desjardins scored a hattrick goal in overtime of Game 2 of the 1993 Stanley Cup final.
“Canada trying to hang on. They get a break. It’s gonna be a break. It is Joe Sakic … scores! Joe Sakic scores! And that makes it 5-2 Canada. Surely, that’s got to be it!”
Cole was the voice of Canada when Team Canada forward Joe Sakic scored the clincher in the 2002 Olympic gold-medal game in Salt Lake City.
“Everything is happening!”
Cole succinctly and memorably summed up a chaotic stretch of play between the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins during Game 6 of the 2011 Eastern Conference quarterfinals.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 25. 2024.
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