CBC's coverage of curling final cuts into airing of NHL all-star game

Curling trumped NHL hockey, at least for a while Sunday.

Winnipeg's Mike McEwen edged Glenn Howard of Coldwater, Ont., 5-4 in an extra end to capture the BDO Canadian Open in Oshawa, Ont. But the length of the final ran late, forcing CBC to delay its coverage of the NHL all-star game in Raleigh, N.C., by roughly 20 minutes.

Television viewers didn't see any of the nice pre-game introduction featuring former Hurricanes Rod Brind'Amour and Ron Francis or other festivities but CBC was able to begin its coverage in time for the opening faceoff.

Team Lidstrom edged Team Staal 11-10 in the contest.

But in Howard's mind, the delay was certainly justifiable.

"As it should," said Howard. "It's just an all-star game, it's really not that big a deal.

"This is a big deal."

Meanwhile, in Raleigh, Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price, who played for Team Staal in Sunday's hockey game, gave curling its due.

"Curling has a pretty big card," he said. "I think curling is probably a king and hockey is an ace.

"But I guess they had the trump card."

Anaheim forward Corey Perry was surprised to hear of the development.

"Wow, I guess that happens," he said. "It might be the first time I guess.

"But they have the rights."

Philadelphia forward Claude Giroux said while there's no doubt in his mind which sport is bigger, he figures CBC's decision will only help curling.

"Well I've got nothing bad to say about curling but I'm pretty sure hockey is bigger," he said. "I think it's good for curling then."