International Media Descend On United Center For Stanley Cup Final
CHICAGO (CBS) -- As you might expect, media outlets from across the country are in Chicago to cover game one of the Stanley Cup Final, but you might be surprise by the number of international media.
CBS 2's Mai Martinez explains why all the foreign interest.
When the Blackhawks and Bruins hit the ice Wednesday night, nine countries other than the U.S. will be represented, and that means media from around the world bringing the story home.
"Slovakia is like hockey country, so I believe lots of people will watch the final game," said Miroslad Lukac, a TV reporter from Slovakia.
Among the three players Slovaks are watching, two are Blackhawks-- Marian Hossa and Michal Handzus.
"It's fun. It's big back home because three Slovaks in the Final, and obviously the Stanley Cup is going to come home this summer either way," said Handzus.
The Czech Republic also has players on both the Hawks and Bruins.
Czech Republic reporter Marian Hajda says that back there, "Everybody is excited, watching in the middle of the night."
"It's nice you know, when you talk your language, you know, and I know back home in Czech, they really follow that, and it's kind of biggest sport back home," said Blackhawk forward Michael Frolik, a native of the Czech Republic.
But Canada, hands down has the highest number of natives chasing the cup, with 16 Canadians on the Bruins and 13 on the Hawks.
"Hockey is king in Canada. We do it from the start of the season until the end, and of course Cup Final being the show piece," said Canadian reporter John Lu. "I predict that we're going to see a great series."
