A Night in the Booth
Eddie Olczyk, a former Seattle Kraken TV analyst, recently opened up about a harrowing moment on the air that still makes him shiver. The story dates back to his early days in the Pittsburgh Penguins broadcast booth, where he was paired with veteran partner Mike Lange.
During a live Islanders‑versus‑Penguins game at the Nassau Coliseum, Lange stepped out for a quick smoke break, only to discover the door had locked behind him, leaving Olczyk to call the action solo.
Locked Out, Left Alone
The pressure mounted as Alexei Kovalev struck on a power play, forcing Olczyk to juggle play‑by‑play commentary while the arena’s lights flickered and the crowd roared.
In the midst of the chaos, Olczyk resorted to a catchphrase borrowed from legendary New York Rangers announcer Sam Rosen, a move that later became an inside joke between him and Lange.
The episode left a lasting impression, influencing Olczyk’s decision to step away from the Kraken Hockey Network after four seasons, a move he announced earlier this year.
Reflecting on the night, Olczyk says the experience underscored the unpredictability of live broadcasting and the thin line between triumph and disaster.