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Comment by fredleblanc | Hacker News Reader

The NHL has started adding additional "non-standard" camera angles to their streaming (pay) NHL GameCenter app/service. Many (perhaps all, I don't know) now give you a top-down shot of each goalie in addition to the standard home and away broadcasts. I watch them now and then, and it's really interesting if you're a fan of the game.

I know the adoption of this is mostly going to be extracurricular for now, maybe used during All-Star games and such (they've been known to mic up and interview goalies in those while they're in goal).

Although these videos did make me dizzy, it's such an interesting way to become more engaged in the game. I love that the NHL (being the "4th-place league" in the US) is always doing interesting, creative things to try to make their league better.

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I'd be interested in that, but as I understand it they black out your home games; so I'd still have to watch them on cable anyway without the whiz-bang features. I'd guess most people are like me and are fans of the team in their market.

They blackout your home games and all nationally televised games (although there may be a carrier-exclusive deal worked out here and there).

It's a shame that the NHL signed such a long deal with NBC. I know it was just a couple years ago, but everything was so different then. I hope when their next deal comes around, the NHL is the first to abandon these stupid blackout restrictions.

Besides, if you stream it live, you're still watching the commercials.

Its true. I think the Winter Classic is another example of the League branching out into new territory and making the game exciting for a wider audience. Not to mention how the lockout made the game more competitive and exciting to watch. When you're in 4th you have no choice but to be scrappy.

Yes, you're absolutely right. Last year, in an attempt to "make it up to the fans," they added all of those extra "Stadium Series" outdoor games. Although I'd rather see more standard games, they're neat things to see.

A side note on the GoPro video on that site is similar to how I felt attending an actual game this year with really good seats: you don't fully get the sense of how fast the game moves and how incredibly talented these guys are as pushing a little rubber puck around ice. This video made me feel like I did watching it live and right in front of me: just wow.

I know. Hockey games are a great spectator sport in person. I'm always surprised by just how TALL the players are. Great atheletes, fast moving sport. The GoPro cameras should bring more of that excitement over the "air-waves."

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