Mike Monaco and Ray Ferraro showcased exceptional broadcasting during Game 2 of the NHL playoffs between Philadelphia and Carolina. Their chemistry and insights elevated the viewing experience, particularly in the tense third period and overtime.
Key points
Mike Monaco and Ray Ferraro broadcasted Game 2 of the NHL playoffs.
The game featured Philadelphia and Carolina, with Carolina leading the series 1-0.
Monaco is praised for his strong voice and accurate calls.
Ferraro is recognized for his insights and analysis as a color commentator.
Their chemistry enhances the excitement of playoff hockey.
Mentioned in this story
ESPN
PhiladelphiaCarolina
NHL playoff hockey might just be the most exciting spectacle in sports. With ESPN’s Mike Monaco and Ray Ferraro in the booth, it becomes even more electrifying.
This is exactly what happened in Game 2 of the second-round matchup between Philadelphia and Carolina, with the Hurricanes holding a 1-0 edge in the series. The game remained tense and tight throughout, but the third period and overtime turned into a pressure cooker. Monaco and Ferraro served as the perfect narrators for this terrific contest as Philadelphia clung to a 2–1 edge when the third period began.
Monaco continues to place himself in that upper echelon of hockey broadcasters, alongside Sean McDonough and Kenny Albert. His strong voice, accurate calls, and pacing are second to none.
Ferraro has built a reputation as a magnificent ice-level reporter and analyst. But it was a real treat to have him in the booth, where viewers could hear more of his insights and intelligence. To me, Ferraro is the Mike “Doc” Emrick of color analysts. An unmistakable voice, wonderful turns of phrase, and deep analysis.
Monaco and Ferraro work extremely well together, with Rolex-level timing. By no means a small feat when broadcasting hockey.
Time And Flow
Unlike other sports, hockey leaves little space for the color analyst to comment on a given play. Most play-by-play announcers, including Monaco, call a game as if it is on radio. Narrating every play and each name that touches the puck.
There is no set time for the analyst to speak. In basketball, the analyst can comment after a bucket and before play crosses the center line. In football, there is ample space for analysis after each play. Baseball provides nothing but time.
Ferraro excels at delivering a great deal of information in a short window, while Monaco sets the scene and captures the emotion of playoff hockey. Although his voice seldom rises to a shriek, it carries a consistent power.
Monaco also does a good job of blending statistics with the action on ESPN.
As third-period play moved rapidly up and down the ice, he noted that Flyers goalie Dan Vladar had 16 saves in the second period, tying his season high for any period. Ferraro commented on the number of penalties in the game—ten in the first two periods. This is quite rare in playoff hockey, where officials usually allow athletes to play more freely.
Q&A
How did Mike Monaco and Ray Ferraro perform during the NHL playoffs?
Mike Monaco and Ray Ferraro delivered an outstanding broadcasting performance, enhancing the excitement of the playoff game.
What was the outcome of the Game 2 matchup between Philadelphia and Carolina?
The game was tightly contested, with Philadelphia leading 2-1 at the start of the third period, but the outcome is not specified in the excerpt.
What makes Ray Ferraro a notable hockey analyst?
Ray Ferraro is recognized for his deep analysis and engaging commentary, likened to the legendary Mike 'Doc' Emrick in his broadcasting style.
What is the significance of Monaco and Ferraro's broadcasting chemistry?
Their exceptional chemistry and timing contribute to a more engaging and dynamic viewing experience for hockey fans.
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Painting The Picture
ESPN’s production values enhanced Monaco and Ferraro’s words with terrific shots of both benches and the crowd. I especially liked the many close-up, ice-level shots of the players. We see the sweat, blood, glares, anger, and intensity of these competitors up close.
The graphics were also used wisely. When Philadelphia’s Porter Martone had a scoring opportunity, a graphic immediately noted that the right winger had zero points in the previous four games following a nine-game point streak.
Hockey announcers tend to develop their own lingo, and Monaco is no exception.
I love some of his descriptions, such as saying a player is “lurking along the blue line.” He also does a nice job of revisiting key points of the game while the action continues. It takes skill to mix in data, personality, and even humor while still tracking the live play. Monaco does this expertly without falling into the traps of self-promotion or frivolity.
As the third period moved past the halfway point with Philadelphia still leading 2-1, a graphic revealed that this was the first postseason game this year in which Carolina had trailed. It also noted that the Hurricanes recorded 23 comeback wins during the regular season. Sure enough, with 8:39 remaining, Carolina’s Seth Jarvis tied the game with a blistering shot past Dan Vladar.
Monaco’s voice rose to meet the moment. He then laid back and allowed the rabid Carolina crowd to take over, creating a marvelous playoff atmosphere. On the replay, Ferraro pinpointed that the Flyers were beaten in the middle of the ice and highlighted the slick assist by Carolina’s Nikolaj Ehlers.
Penalties continued to influence the game as the teams went 4 on 4 with a little more than five minutes remaining in the third period. Carolina and Philadelphia battled through the final minutes, leading to the ultimate in NHL playoff hockey. Overtime.
Free Hockey For All
The brisk, physical play carried into the extra period. Monaco and Ferraro matched the intensity, going back and forth with the action. In perfect synergy. Monaco told us what was happening, and Ferraro explained why it was happening.
This was words and music on ice.
From a visual standpoint, some of my favorite moments came from the close-up shots of both head coaches on ESPN. Carolina’s Rob Brind’Amour and Philadelphia’s Rick Tocchet, former Flyer teammates, were two of the most intense NHL players ever. That same intensity remains evident. You could tell both coaches would trade their coats and ties for jerseys and sticks without hesitation.
Adding to their nerves were the many scoring chances each team generated in overtime. Monaco and Ferraro shared a collective excitement as they described the action. With 6:45 to play in overtime, Carolina’s Eric Robinson nearly ended the game on a wraparound shot. Shortly after, Philadelphia center Luke Glendening had a similarly golden opportunity from the left faceoff circle.
As the tension mounted, Ferraro astutely noted that many players get too excited and “trigger-happy” in these moments. Often leading to costly offside calls.
With 3:30 left in overtime, Monaco offered another strong nugget, noting that Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen had made 31 consecutive saves. At one point, Monaco stepped outside his traditional role and sounded like a fan, exclaiming, “How good is playoff hockey?”
Just when a second overtime seemed inevitable, Taylor Hall ended the contest with a nifty goal, giving Carolina a 3-2 win and a 2-0 series lead. Monaco was all over the call, bellowing, “Taylor Hall wins it in Game 2!”
His call was sharp and accurate, but in truth, anyone who watched this game joined the Hurricanes in the winners’ circle. It was the conclusion of rhythmic announcing, telling statistics, and compelling camera work.
Monaco, Ferraro, and the ESPN crew brought viewers into the arena and onto the ice to experience the full power and passion of playoff hockey.
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John Molori is a weekly columnist for Barrett Sports Media. He has previously contributed to ESPNW, Patriots Football Weekly, Golf Content Network, Methuen Life Magazine, and wrote a syndicated Media Blitz column in the New England region, which was published by numerous outlets including The Boston Metro, Providence Journal, Lowell Sun, and the Eagle-Tribune. His career also includes fourteen years in television as a News and Sports Reporter, Host, Producer working for Continental Cablevision, MediaOne, and AT&T. He can be reached on Twitter @MoloriMedia.
