Pat Sajak Gets Icy Reception as Stanley Cup Finals Starting Lineup Announcer
“Wheel of Fortune” host Pat Sajak got the cold shoulder from hockey fans when he announced the starting lineups for the Washington Capitals and the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals Saturday night.
When hosting in their hometown arena, the Knights have kicked up the showmanship on the pregame festivities this season, with everything from sword fights to performances by Lil John and Imagine Dragons. With Game 3 at Capital One Arena in D.C., the Caps planned to have a little fun by having Sajak — who said he’s been a Caps season ticket holder for 13 years — announce the starting lineups, like ring announcer Michael Buffer did before Game 1.
Also Read: Washington Capitals Advance to Stanley Cup Finals for First Time in 20 Years
But hockey enthusiasts were underwhelmed by the choice of Sajak.
“Nothing sys [sic] hockey like Pat Sajak said no one ever WTF?” tweeted one fan.
Nothing sys hockey like Pat Sajak said no one ever WTF? ????
— Lucky Z (@LokitheWolfman) June 3, 2018
Keith Olbermann didn’t hold back his opinion either, tweeting: “If anything better defines the historical vacuum that is the Caps, it’s that the ‘celebrity’ lineup announcer is @patsajak droning on pointlessly about his lifelong fandom – 13 years. Wow! 13 WHOLE YEARS? After 20 as a self-professed Kings fan? #IdLikeYouToBuyAPersonalityPat.”
If anything better defines the historical vacuum that is the Caps, it’s that the “celebrity” lineup announcer is @patsajak droning on pointlessly about his lifelong fandom – 13 years. Wow! 13 WHOLE YEARS? After 20 as a self-professed Kings fan? #IdLikeYouToBuyAPersonalityPat pic.twitter.com/0hUZbiu8ps
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) June 3, 2018
Also Read: Vegas Puts on Spectacular Show to Open Stanley Cup Finals: 11 Things You Didn't See on TV
And the criticism continued to roll in.
VEGAS: Knights, sword fights, flaming arrows, a catapult, flying magic, smoke machines and a giant flashing smoking knights' head descending from the ceiling.
WASHINGTON: Pat Sajak in a pullover with minimal mic feedback.
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) June 3, 2018
literally everyone right now…pat sajak?!?! pic.twitter.com/b6oK4WYDJF
— Kelly Campbell LFL (@kellyk_campbell) June 3, 2018
#StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/64ZHvf9PyJ
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) June 3, 2018
Pat Sajak trying to be a hype man is like seeing a school principal trying his hardest to be cool at assembly.
— Holly (@holly_holl) June 3, 2018
I'd like to buy a vowel and ask y is pat sajak on my tv past 7 pm?
— Ian McLaren (@iancmclaren) June 3, 2018
Nothing gets me fired up for hockey more than Pat Sajak. ????????????#StanleyCupPlayoffs
— Adam Ruff (@AdamRuffPhoto) June 3, 2018
The only people that would be fired up by Pat Sajak already went to sleep an hour ago. #Fail
— G Skiba (@MultiraceWagers) June 3, 2018
The Capitals deserve to lose just for that whole Pat Sajak thing
— Stephen Gross (@Stephen_Gross23) June 3, 2018
Related stories from TheWrap:
Vegas Puts on Spectacular Show to Open Stanley Cup Finals: 11 Things You Didn't See on TV
Washington Capitals Advance to Stanley Cup Finals for First Time in 20 Years
'Wheel of Fortune' Contestants Get Sassed by Pat Sajak Over 'Gynecologist' Guess (Video)
'Wheel of Fortune' Contestant Leaves Pat Sajak Utterly Confused With Horrible Guesses (Video)
