I'm over 50 years old, this kind of stuff doesn't even register on my "Give a puck" scale.
If you don't think the local media defends the team I don't know what to say, listen to the post-game show, anyone that brings up questions or criticisms is met with anger and basically run off the air. It's bascially been this way since Murray took over. Prior to that everyone from Johnston to Muckler got their fair share of criticism. And guess what, this team has been at its least performing on the ice since then. But yeah, let's applaud mediocrity.
We (as a fanbase) need to stop looking for slights where there are none. HNIC plays to the Toronto market, they always have. Don has given our players credit in the past but he plays to the Leafs. Why is that hard to understand?
Pretty well all the regional broadcasters and reporters for every team are homers to a certain extent. Fans of one team will rip another teams homer reporters and broadcasters when their own are he same, maybe worse.
However in Canada the national sports media are headquartered in Toronto and the same homerism applies.
For example. when Ottawa had more points than the Leafs because of "loser points" and it was feared that the Leafs might not make it in when they had more wins than other teams, there was a sudden interest in loser points emanating from various media outlets despite that fact that they have been around for awhile but while the Leafs had their share it was not a concern.
Now that the Leafs have their own loser points and other teams have won as many games as the Leafs, we don't hear about loser points any more. This is the sort of thing that plays out again and again especially when it looks as tough the Leafs might make the playoffs. Whatever is of concern to the Leafs is suddenly the concern of the whole league.And that is because the 'national' sports media are obsessed with their team.
That you think that the overwhelming and pervasive homer ism for the Leafs is not a problem but you are enraged by what you see favoritism for the Sens is very curious.
The display by the HNIC crew was disrespectful to their hosts and outrageous homerism. it is dismissed because we're all used to it.But can you imagine the reverse happening at the ACC? Or really inviting the triumphant visitors to any teams home arena, kissed and fawned over by a "national"broadcast crew?
I don't think Sens fans are too sensitive at all. I think on the contrary, we put up with things that no other fan base would.Because we're used to it and thats the way it has always been.
