NHL Broadcast Entertains Kosovo Troops

Hockey Contest Enjoyed By American Soldiers
Pristina, Kosovo

Fighting and shooting of a different nature was enjoyed recently by Soldiers serving in Kosovo.

Troops stationed in Kosovo were able to enjoy a broadcast of a NHL Hockey game taking place thousands of miles away during the match between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins.  The match was televised on Versus, the cable television home of the National Hockey League.

At the same time, pictures of brave American Airmen, Sailors, and Soldiers that are deployed overseas in Camps Bondsteel and Film City Kosovo, were displayed for a national television audience back home in the United States.

While Service Member Families thousands of miles away were enjoying the game, about thirty-five Troops gathered together to watch the game re-broadcast in real time on American Forces Network.

Enthusiasm ran high at the group who came together in Camp Film City’s Recreation Center, even at 1am when the game was on live.

“It was exciting, I emailed all my family and friends,” said Army Lieutenant Colonel Elaine Berkowitz.  “Originally I am from Pittsburgh, and want to see my Penguins play and win” said Berkowitz.

The atmosphere gave soldiers the chance to relax and not think about the stress of deployment for a little while.

“This is a fabulous type event and I believe its great for morale,” said Colonel Berkowitz.

In October a small group of soldiers came together to watch a game between the New York Rangers and the Penguins.  After this a story was written and came to the attention of Michael Baker, producer for NHL games on Versus Network.