Power Play

Power Play is a one-hour series that takes a behind-the-scenes look into the dynamic and exciting world of professional hockey. The series follows the Hamilton Steelheads hockey club, and focuses on the lives of the players, coaches, agents and ownership. The series stars Michael Riley, Kari Matchett, and Gordon Pinsent. Riley plays Brett Parker, a jaded, big-time, big-mouthed New York sports agent who unwillingly returns to his hometown of Hamilton, Ontario to take over the management of the local team of down-on-their-luck hockey players. Parker's return to Hamilton finds him mending ties with his estranged 17 year-old daughter, developing a suprising romantic interest in his workplace adversary Colleen Blessed (Matchett) and perhaps even more suprising, a growing loyalty and commitment to the team - setting the stage for, as Riley says, "this guy's slow and reluctant journey to redemption". This funny and touching drama is now in its second season on CTV and is also now being aired on UPN.

You might be wondering what the novelty was for me in the first place. Well, being from Hamilton, it's very rare for me to see a show or movie based in my hometown. And I'll admit that was my initial attraction to "Power Play". Good writing and strong acting, though, have me hooked (no hockey pun intended).

Most of the characters are likeable in their own way, but two performances stand out. Gordon Pinsent as the somewhat-crazy owner of the Hamilton Steelheads, Mr. McCardle, is great and fast-paced comic relief. Dean McDermott is the other performer I most enjoy. As Mark Simpson, the soft-spoken captain of the Steelheads, his intensity and dedication to the team shines through. He's extremely convincing, and in my opinion under-used thus far (2 episodes have aired as I write this). Michael Riley is Brett Parker, the guy you love to hate and hope to love, and the character around which the show revolves and evolves. The frantic pace of his life is reflected in the pacing of the show. The hockey sequences are, for the most part, well represented. And to be honest, the hometown boy in me wanted to cheer on the fictional Steelheads franchise.

I really hope this show survives, and not just because it shines a spotlight on Hamilton, but because it deserves to. "Power Play" is that rarest of creatures; a well-made Canadian drama.

I am a fan of both hockey and of Gordon Pinsent. What a treat to have seen them come together so successfully! Pinsent is blessed with hilarious dialogue, which he delivers with ease and brilliance. I hope they use him more. Dean McDermott is wonderful, too. Good writing, good cast, good show. I was fortunate enough to see a couple of episodes on a recent trip to Ontario, and was greatly disappointed to discover I wouldn't be able to see it upon my return to the U.S. This country is missing out on some top quality programming by not covering Canadian broadcasting.

This was an average show. I think it maybe could have gotten better if it stayed on for another season. The acting was fine. Most of the problem was in an obvious lack of money (like in most Canadian TV) where they just seemed to go with cheap everything and cheap stories. Oh well.

As the title says, Power Play has succeeded where many others have tried and failed -- they have made a movie/tv show centering on hockey that isn't crap. The only other production to ever achieve this was a 1994 CBC movie called Net Worth. With strong performances by all the leads, especially by the under-used Dean McDermott as the captain of the Hamilton Steelehads who is very convincing in his role as the soft-spoken jock. Gordon Pinsent is a pure delight to watch, and if you're able to follow all of his fast-spoken, half-muttered dialogue I'm sure you'll laugh as hard as I did. Overall, I'd have to say this power play lived up to it's name, because Alliance-Atlantis seem to have scored their first winner since merging.