"HNIC" commentator Don Cherry on Saturday night "griped about the lack of time" for his "Coach's Corner" segment on at least six separate occasions, often "with a pronounced scowl on his face," according to Steve Buffery of the TORONTO SUN. Since Rogers Sportsnet secured the rights to "HNIC," Cherry’s segment "has been cut from seven minutes to five." A source suggested that it was almost like Cherry "wanted to get himself fired." But given his "continued popularity in Canada, Cherry still seems pretty untouchable" (TORONTO SUN, 11/10). Cherry early in the segment said, "I don't have much time, as usual, folks." He later said, "I gotta talk fast, boy. You gotta pay attention to me, because I don't get much time." The NATIONAL POST's Sean Fitz-Gerald noted Cherry "seemed legitimately perturbed" during the broadcast. It is "not clear if Cherry is indeed receiving less airtime this season," but he "seemed to be making that case" on Saturday (NATIONAL POST, 11/9). Fitz-Gerald reports Cherry today appeared on Rogers-owned CJCL-AM in Toronto and "referenced his weekend antics." He said things stemmed from the previous week, when he was "really upset" at not having enough time to display an OHL team's commemorative jersey for Remembrance Day. Cherry: "That kind of got me a little upset. But I guess I gotta stop having so much coffees before, to get carried away. But oh well, everybody was watching, anyhow." He later said, "I don't know what's going to happen this week. But who knows? I say what I think and it gets you in trouble sometimes" (NATIONALPOST.com, 11/10).
