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Ponies Trump Pucks At NBC

NBC Sports is defending a decision to cut off Saturday's airing of the Buffalo Sabres-Ottawa Senators playoff game in favor of the Preakness Stakes. While the net got some flak for the call, a spokesman says there was no other choice, as it is obligated under contract to run the Preakness.

NBC carried the final minutes of regulation, but cut out when the hockey game went into overtime, handing it off to Versus. The only affiliate to stick with it, not surprisingly, was the one in Buffalo. NBC says the Preakness contract supersedes the NHL, and Versus had to get it even though it doesn't have the same reach as some NBC's cable channels.

The NHL knew the risks and says even having some of the game on NBC was worth it. "We terribly regret that some of our avid fans weren't able to see the overtime play," a spokeswoman says, although it was not as big a problem among home viewers as those at bars and restaurants, where Versus distribution is spotty.

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