Midco expects ratings boon from Vegas game
Oct. 27—LAS VEGAS — It will be 9:07 p.m. in Grand Forks when Saturday night's U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game between UND and Arizona State begins in Las Vegas.
But Midco Sports executives are not expecting a ratings dip because of the late start.
In fact, it could wind up being one of their most-watched broadcasts this season.
"I think the specialty of the game brings that much more interest," Midco Sports general manager Craig DeWit said. "Playing in a big venue with a huge crowd like that adds to the mystique of the whole thing. Fans who aren't there in person still want to be a part of it. It's such a big, fun event that everyone wants to watch it, no matter what time it's on."
The broadcast will start at 8:30 p.m. with a 30-minute pregame show. It will be carried live on Midco Sports (Grand Forks Ch. 27 SD/622 HD), NCHChockey.com and Comcast in the Twin Cities for those with the sports package.
Midco is traveling with its largest crew for a destination hockey game to date.
Alex Heinert will call play-by-play, while former UND goalie Jake Brandt handles analysis. Taylor Budge will be on site for pregame and intermission reports. Midco also will have Mike Derman (director), Jeremy Klein (producer), Travis Wagemann (graphics) and Marty Mueller (Through These Doors) on site.
Midco will be using the Vegas Golden Knights' truck and many of the same personnel who handle their NHL games.
"Most of the freelancers will be people who are working the Golden Knights games on Friday and Sunday," DeWit said. "So it will be an extremely hockey-experienced crew."
Last year, the Nashville Predators had an afternoon game immediately preceding UND's destination game against Penn State, so Midco could not use their truck. It had to rent one, which limited some of its broadcast capabilities.
"Our viewership, all season long, for all events, has been going up consistently," DeWit said. "This is going to be another good example of that, even though it's starting later."
The game will have a Ralph Engelstad Arena feel to it in other ways, too.
Lacey Schuler will sing the national anthem, while Darrin Looker serves as public address announcer. Both regularly handle those duties for UND home games.
Tim Hennessy will call the game on the radio for The Fox (96.1 FM in Grand Forks) without a color commentator. Looker usually handles radio analysis on the road.
The game will be officiated by National Collegiate Hockey Conference referees and supervised by director of officials Don Adam.
UND's stat crew, which handles the NCHC Frozen Faceoff and NCAA regional games, will work the Vegas game, too.
Who: UND vs. Arizona State.
When: 9:07 p.m. Central on Saturday.
TV: Midco Sports (GF Ch. 27/622 HD).
Radio: The Fox (96.1 FM).
Stream: NCHChockey.com.
Of note: This will be the first-ever meeting between UND and Arizona State.
