Transcript
Speaker: Talk till the whole night goes.
Speaker: with the same old friends.
Speaker: Alright everyone, welcome to the first ever episode of the Lawson Lounge. a WMU hockey podcast. Brought to you by three. Former Lawson lunatics.
Speaker: I mean, are are we ever really former loss and lunatics? I don't think there's anything. as former when it comes to the lawson lunatics you're a lunatic Until you die.
Speaker: Yeah, I could not agree more. But my name is Tony Rangetta. I'm one of your hosts. I am a 2013 and 2015 graduate of Western Michigan University. um joining me today, two of my closest friends. and You know, I think our friendship really blossomed because of bronco hockey but brian plonsky down in philly or I guess up in Philly for me.
Speaker: And. Matt Wally -Walsack up in the Chicagoland area. Brian, let me throw it to you. How are you doing, man? What do you hear, man? I can't believe we're... Talking hockey, we got it's about to be fall soon. This year, this whole everything's going way too fast. It's got to settle down.
Speaker: I don't know what you're talking about with fall. It hit 100 degrees again here in Dallas. so You don't have to shovel it, though. That's the problem. Yeah, that's true. That's true. that's true my my grass is i think it's not green anymore though i'll tell you that the lack of rain down here. The mix of brown and gold? Okay. uh yeah actually it matches the flag my brand new flag that's sitting out in my front yard so what Wally, how are you doing up there and up in Chicagoland? I can't complain. Football season just kicked off, which means we're closer to hockey season.
Speaker: That's the that's the attitude right there i just I just got my... my email today about selecting my dallas star season ticket holder gift so Um, Figuring out which way we're going. with that. this season. I think they're going to have two New Jersey, so I might need to use the...
Speaker: Oh, here we go. to the hanger but ah Yeah. But boys, um you know, this is not our first go around. on a podcast. specifically a college hockey podcast.
Speaker: This is definitely going to be a little bit different. I feel like we're all in different places of our life than we were. what, five years ago, four years ago? um when we had our old podcast, but Matt.
Speaker: Hockey in the Classroom was your baby. Why don't you, uh... Talk to us a little bit about. You know why you came up with that and what you thought about it Yeah, I mean, hockey in the classroom was fun. Um, You know, it was this thing right but before the pandemic, I believe, that... um I mean, we were already group chatting between the three of us.
Speaker: I mean almost every weekend. college hockey. I mean, specifically what Western was doing, but we were kind of keeping tabs throughout the whole you know, collecting of the college hockey world.
Speaker: ah like who's up there, what's going on and stuff. and You know In like the heart of podcasting world, it just like hit me like, why aren't we just putting this out there and seeing what happens? and ah You know, next thing you know, I. I think I texted you, Tony.
Speaker: I don't think I was, ah I think I was a little surprised how quickly you responded back to me with like, let' let's go. And then we brought in Brian, a you know, a couple episodes into it. Um...
Speaker: And yeah, I mean, it's something that um I was glad we did because I think, you know, it's kind of a stepping stone for what we. have here right now ah But it was it was a lot of work. um Maybe... one day in a retired life. when we all have a lot more free time and we can actually Watch.
Speaker: specifically the different conferences and different teams and really could do deep dives, maybe. One day. Could get back to that level, but... Um, You know. After we took a hiatus because of COVID. Um, Because like you said, it was just like a lot of things going on in our lives.
Speaker: Uh, Girlfriends, marriage. Now I have a kid. Um, just crap has happened. you know all for the better But... I missed recording.
Speaker: uh i missed talk i mean we're we're still texting Bronco hockey all the time. but Uh... This just gets us to another level, I think. And then we get to share it with. The alumni.
Speaker: former and current players, coaching staff. ah the student body, whoever's a big Bronco hockey fan. and That's when I texted you guys what? like three, four, five weeks ago.
Speaker: Um, hey do we want to just Do we want to start this back up? but Let's do it right. the the way we know how to do it, and that's... the number one thing we want to talk about, and that's Bronco hockey.
Speaker: Man, there's nothing better dude. I was asked of I was asked the question. you know, if you could pick any of your teams to win a championship. This was prior to 2015. or 2025. If you were to pick any of your teams to win a championship.
Speaker: Who are you picking? And I didn't even have to wait for the question to be finished. And it was always Bronco Hopkins. I think it just means that much. that much to... to all of us.
Speaker: But, I mean, I guess what ah what are you all hoping to get kind of out of out of the Lawson Lounge? I mean, I want to make sure. you know our listeners know you know who we are what we're what our goal is i mean i think it's important for everyone to know where we don't make any money off this i mean We all have full -time jobs that... you know, obviously take priority to everything else. but Um,
Speaker: you know, where... Obviously really excited to talk Bronco hockey, but what are we hoping to get out of this? Brian, what are where are you hoping? Honestly, I think it's the... balancing act of because we're all busy and have lives and some of us have child and plus one child on the way um I think it's just nice that. even if it's us, even if it's for the 90 minutes or how long it takes us to cut this podcast up, we can... still talk to each other because we've been friends for.
Speaker: a very long time. Hence why we're doing a podcast about Bronco hockey. And additionally, just a matter of, I think we have such a passion. for our university and for the the athletes representing.
Speaker: us by default to share that with folks maybe that you know are in an area like my part of the world i don't see many western michigan alumni walking around philly and if you do you probably see me i'm we usually wearing brown and gold on most weekends it'd be nice to have that for the folks in the distant fringes, maybe outside of the...
Speaker: you know, the primary alumni area or somewhere where people maybe aren't big into hockey, but you're the hockey person. Maybe we're your, our banter. to get you on that car ride home so you have someone else to talk to or listen to talk about Bronco hockey.
Speaker: that has the same passion you do. Yeah, I think that's a really good point. and And I mean, that's ultimately a big piece for me is you know bringing in. you know people that you know we never knew into kind of this like Bronco hockey group chat that we have. I mean, that's ultimately kind of You know, the way I look. at what you know i hope to get out of this podcast but i also have a lot of friends who went to colleges that don't necessarily Have.
Speaker: a hockey team and They're sports sickos and they're all hockey fans. and I think theyve a lot of them have latched on to Western. by default as their team. and um I think it'll be fun to be able to give people that, that insight into, you know, who we are, but also I think for me, a big part is, you know, that external community, that community, you know, I've already.
Speaker: found some people on Twitter, whether it be somebody like Drunk Buster or... um Jason Watts or the Bronco Barn. um our you know our old friend painted bronco wes um you know some really great characters on bronco hockey that you know, I love following and, you know.
Speaker: hopefully they'll follow on along to this as well but um Building that is, and and also what Brian said about. you know it's nice to cut it up with you guys for for a little bit
Speaker: Yeah, I agree. i mean I mean, for me, it's... ah it's it's a Definitely a combination of all that. um I think the main thing for me, though, it's like. When we were in college and we went to games Friday and Saturday we all hung out afterwards at our favorite place Waldo's Shout out to Tony. Hashtag not sponsored. Yeah, exactly.
Speaker: Yet. While we're look forward looking. Um... But I mean, we would go and literally be there after Gabe's. Bunch of pictures. maybe some wings out on friday pizza on saturday who knows And we literally would just be talking about, I mean, we would talk about a bunch of different things in sports, especially if football is always.
Speaker: and But. we're always talking bronco hockey right so this just i mean we're all in different parts of the country. so i mean we can't all be at waldo's every friday saturday night anymore unfortunately ah But maybe one day we'll get back there on a regular basis. Um,
Speaker: But like this kind of just brings that. here for us and we get to kind of share that now with Whoever wants to listen to us. um I think kind of like also, you know. Bye. i I really do feel like there's a...
Speaker: part of the fan base that doesn't know the stepping stones of how we got here in in regards to the team. And we've got to watch and experience that from really the. the gecko um So for the.
Speaker: The student body and the fan base that really never got to witness how we got here and the players that built this up and the coaching staff. you know hopefully we'll be able to get to share you know, some of that with them. and kind of just shed a little different light into Bronco hockey here.
Speaker: And I know, I think we talked about having you know a complete episode dedicated to kind of that. You know, we were all in college from like 2009 which was not a very fun year. of of Bronco hockey too.
Speaker: um you know, 2015, 2016 in that era. So, you know, we got to see the CCHA championships, the the move to the NCHC. and um I don't want to give too much away from that episode, but I mean, I feel like we all feel pretty.
Speaker: pretty fondly of of kind of that era and understand the... the importance of what that team. Amen. But I think our friendship. Brian, you and I met, we were on a campus tour as tour guides.
Speaker: um you had a stupid St. Louis Cardinals shirt or jacket or hat or something. Still own it, by the way. Just throw that out there. Yeah, I bet. I thought your name was Frank, so I was really mad when I thought your name was Tony, but it's neither here nor there. Well, I mean, at least my cousin's name is Frank. That's true. It's your your boy, Frankie. Shout out, Frankie. Shut up Frankie Um,
Speaker: But yeah, I think so. We met we met a lot earlier and then. Wall -e Was it a Ferris trip that you and I met on? ah Yeah. Yeah, it was.
Speaker: It wasn't even technically in Kalamazoo.
Speaker: Was that the game where Mitch started singing to the... to the parking. Attendant. there There was a lot that happened. There was a lot that happened in that one in that one game.
Speaker: Oh. man. And I think we got a bunch of the tickets from like. because i think i was taking a curling class or something with like with Brett Beebe or somebody and a bunch of the guys on the team just gave us like comp tickets or something to get into.
Speaker: to get into the arena for that one. But then my favorite story about how like our friendship kind of got going was. was the two of you. when you didn't know who each other were until I walked up.
Speaker: No, we were standing right there. And we were standing right next to each other for what, like 20 minutes? Yeah. wow um We're both waiting for Tony, but we don't know what we both are waiting for Tony. I'm just there like a full fool.
Speaker: And there's this large bearded man next to a. trash can. I thought he was trying to eat something out of it. I'm like, no, it's just Wally waiting for Tony. All right, bet. Okay so apparently you're a raccoon, Matt. Don't get me started on raccoons. i don't even know i't I don't even know if I was able to grow a beard back then.
Speaker: It was a little stubby, but you know it wasn't your pursuit galore now, but you have you had it back then. I mean, I'll i'll never forget cause i because I lived right in Zimmerman and we we were right out the outside that wreck.
Speaker: And all of a sudden I get a text from our boy, Ben. Hey, a guy named Tony's going to pick you up. And he sends me like, ah i don't have I don't even know if I knew Tony really what you looked like. But I think he told me like what car you had.
Speaker: so i'm like he's like oh i'll meet you right right outside the wreck at this time okay walk over and I'm just standing there like, why is this guy? Just standing here too. This isn't the bus stop. What's going on? You know, and then whatever I just kept my distance you know Don't know what... what Brian's doing over there. and Next thing I know I see the silver Pontiac pull up.
Speaker: And all of a sudden. i Head towards the car and then I look and I go this guy's heading to the same car um What the fuck? part of my french i forgot about the i forgot about the intermedium now For some of our younger listeners, we didn't have Uber or Lyft back then where they would say who was picking up. It was just... Tony's a pickup and you would just go.
Speaker: Don't recommend that. But yeah i don't I forgot about Benny being a part of this. You could have also gotten into a big daddy taxi. Hey, they got me at the airport many times, flying back home for Christmas break. Thanks for your break.
Speaker: Goated. ah that' They didn't last very long in our time there. now But, I mean, for that that trip for me... I mean, really, yeah i was the only person I knew was our buddy Ben at the time.
Speaker: I didn't know any of you guys because, I mean, we had, what, like six or seven of us that all. jumped in a van and we headed up to big rapids and And next thing you know, we were all in the same crew, went to the CCHA championship and a couple other games. and you know, are hanging out in Livonia. Brian's being weird at.
Speaker: Uh... What's that one? part with par louis we Got mac and cheese. At a burger joint. Friday during Lent. Roman Catholic let's leave it at that. No.
Speaker: Tony disappearing for at the hotel. yeah Might share that for another day. That'll be the next next episode. We've got a lot to cover there. I knew Brian for a long time. I never knew that he practiced slam.
Speaker: Like... Big J, shout out. What up, dog? i'll I'll never forget. but and And I'm not going to say anything else it to ruin that story, but I'll just never forget walking.
Speaker: out of that bar. And we're walking across the street or the highway back to the hotel. And Brian just goes, Wally, why didn't you get a beer or something? I'm like Brian, I'm only 18 turning 19 or whatever.
Speaker: He's like, wait, you're not like 30? I'm like not even close.
Speaker: Remember I said he had the beard going for you? You probably geta got away with it. I mean... It's way better now. Thanks.
Speaker: that That trip was, I think that'll forever be my my favorite college memory was. Was the 2011 -2012 CCHA. Yep. tournament and I'll never forget. I think brought Matt, when you and I got. I think when like I felt like you and I were were. were buddies at that point, we were friends, was...
Speaker: Brian and his love for public transportation wanted to take the people movement in Detroit one last time. And everyone else in the group were like, ah, yeah, that's a great idea. Let's go with Brian. And you and I look at each other and we're like. Nah, let's go watch the third place game. Yeah, um I'm not trying to watch hockey here. I'm not trying to explore Detroit.
Speaker: Yeah. I did write a paper. I'll research here about it next year at the, my senior year about the people mover. So y 'all can eat it. I think you were doing research. I was. Qualitative qualitative and quantitative research is a key, especially W being a nice... ah tier one research university. You you'll learn not learn how to research there.
Speaker: Oh man, that. I want to talk more about that trip. Because that trip also... well the the three of us were with we' We're with Jimmy, right?
Speaker: Oh yeah. yeah Oh yeah. We're in like, what, the Ren Sen? In like this little food court area. and it was The basement, the windowless basement of Lorenzo. Yeah, it was like all the black aces were out there.
Speaker: like getting food before the game.
Speaker: Or how about, it how about though after that? I mean, we. We're taking shortcuts to get into the Joe. and He led us into a... into a huge...
Speaker: like whatever field house multiplex area. And it's like filled. It's just. 13, like... 18 year old girls ah some cheerleading competition or cheer competition and we're just like What the hell? We're we're trying to get to the Joe.
Speaker: No, it's a shortcut. It's a shortcut, I swear. chat So last time I trusted that kid. Talk. Walk me anywhere. Well, and and then that was a time.
Speaker: he He went up to, i made I don't know, maybe it was me, and he goes... Hey, you want to go halfsies on some ice cream? Oh, my God. That came with something else. Unbelievable. I still say halfsies in my daily life and I have to think back to that moment.
Speaker: of just All the Spider -Man memes each other are like, did he just say Aziz? I'll never forget. just looking down after they won the CCHA. I mean, it was ah Don't get me wrong. I was.
Speaker: ecstatic and going nuts and I lost my voice. I look down and he's bawling his eyes out like he won the Stanley Cup and it's his last year on in in the NHI. I'm like, is this Ray Bork over here or is this? jimmy i'm like what is going on this kid's having a meltdown I don't know. I never thought I'd ever see this day. Oh, my God. I'm like, oh, this kid rode with us? Good God.
Speaker: And he was sober. yeah Yeah, that's even worse. start time Well, I think we all were because we couldn't. well Yeah, we were all 20. Yeah. i wasn't No, that's not true. That's not true. someone We got a case at the hotel. Don't you remember?
Speaker: Yeah, that's right. That's right. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. And Tony and tony came back with. Dr. Pepper and American Pie. No, better than that swimsuit edition. That's right. yeah yeah the the walgreens on 11 mile road there that's the class any metro jewelry people you can go see the official 20 ringette walgreens where they sold i didn't so i tried to go there to buy like a case of beer
Speaker: Because, I mean, you go to ah a Walgreens in Kalamazoo and you go buy a case of beer. Well, apparently you can't do that in Livonia. I remember that part. No. Stricker on the east side. Because you weren't with me. I think it was me and, like, Kendrick Haas.
Speaker: And we had to. we ended up going to like some grocery store was open and we were able to buy something there but I didn't come away empty -handed from that Walgreens or CVS.
Speaker: Don't ever beat the... I wasn't mad about the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. It's the... Dr. Pepper and beef jerky combo, I have a problem. okay Okay, Mountain Dew. that's At least that goes with beef jerky more. Doc Pepper, is beef one of the flavors? Is salt one of the 23 flavors? No, prune is. I'm out. We're done.
Speaker: I hate you guys, but I love you guys at the same time. Oh man. So. Yeah, that was, and we'll talk more about that, like the actual game behind that, I think in that, in the episode where we cover a little bit about the importance of of that era.
Speaker: of of team and whatnot, but. I want to talk a little bit about you know, kind of each of our. how we fell in love with Bronco hockey. um why it's so important to us.
Speaker: um Matt, why don't you start? why what What does... why Why did you fall in love with Bronco hockey? what Was there a first like moment, first game? ah Yeah, for me, it was.
Speaker: The first ever moment I i can remember going back. and Probably it was my first game too. was against Michigan State. with Tory Krug and he kept getting hurt and the whole student section.
Speaker: is going nuts. and the famous Krogue's a bitch, chant. just erupts in lawson i mean that ceiling was going to pop off and and that's that was like early in the season though it was like october still you would have thought this was a playoff game And I remember just looking because this I was like closer to the. um Where the Zambonis come out.
Speaker: i just remember looking down towards like the center by the penalty box and just kind of like this is awesome and you gotta remember too like so i've been a hockey fan all my life and as I've been a painful Blackhawks fan up until that point too.
Speaker: So, like, I was going into college really not – I knew Western had a hockey team. But I remember like my dad and my like uncles telling me like, oh, I don't think they're that good. and They haven't been good for a while. And I'm like, great.
Speaker: just Just add it to the list like the Hawks until that, you know. 09 -20 -10 And that was my freshman year, 20 Todd, ah where the Hawks were really good. And I'm like, well, at least I got the Hawks.
Speaker: Well, I mean, that team really then you know kind of surprised me and turned it around. and I mean, I'll never forget. I told i told Ben that day. I said, hey, see where the penalty box is where those guys are? park.
Speaker: starting the chance. I said, I'm going to be there one day. ah that That was always the goal. uh which i achieved for one year. um That that that right there i mean it really it was a whole thing that started for me too you're outside standing in line for three hours waiting.
Speaker: Everybody's getting nuts. I mean, it's just For me, it's the equivalent of what I imagine is like you're an Alabama football fan. for those games. That's how I take it. for Western hockey.
Speaker: And I mean, our football team has always been like... decent like They've always been solid. They've always been respectable. I mean, with with the exception of a couple years Even like our bad years, I felt like we're always like five and seven.
Speaker: So, but yeah except for the one, one and 11 year where we were really dog and flag. I mean, what if, if, if it hadn't been for UMass going for two. We might have lost that game too.
Speaker: I mean, yeah, i we were really dogging that fuck at that time after that season. Mm hmm. but i think we all like we all kind of knew and I want to say Dan Bartholomew and...
Speaker: First probably said it. um you know The thought was that if we were ever going to win a championship, it was hot. Like it was never going to be basketball. yeah It was never going to be football.
Speaker: it was always the only chance we had truly was hockey. And I felt like. It was the only sport where we could consistently compete with. the quote -unquote big schools Um, that everyone perceives to be the big schools. um That I think is what's so cool with.
Speaker: you know. with with bronco hockey matt i i'm with you like i know i was i was at western a year before you um i so A lot of people don't know this part about me. I transferred after my first semester at Western. to a small little private school in the middle of a cornfield in In Wisconsin, I call it my study a abroad trip to Wisconsin.
Speaker: Um, I'll never forget my first day there. so Someone goes and it was spring semester. They walk up to me. And they're like. I've never seen you here you must be new. i'm like oh i'm out And I kind of knew before.
Speaker: I kind of like over Christmas break, I had that regret. of Yeah, I shouldn't have. I shouldn't have ever laughed. I should have just... stayed at Western. But even then I went up to Northern.
Speaker: for a couple games to watch that really Bad. Western team. I thought they had a lot of talent. I just don't know what the problem was in 2009, 2010. Um,
Speaker: I still had that Bronco pride, but to me, Matt, I'm with you. Like the game that will always stand out. um I'll never forget the second night of that Michigan State series when... um One of the Chelios boys took a penalty.
Speaker: And I think it was. Was it Ben Warda who ended up, was a transfer from Michigan State, ended up scoring the game -winning, what ended up being the game -winning goal on the penalty on power play? And the entire student section starts chanting. Daddy's failure. oh And I...
Speaker: I don't think Chris was. in the stands that day, but I know he's been in Lawson. A few years after that, because I remember bumping into him. walking through loss and getting to my seat, but yeah.
Speaker: A tough night for the Chalios boys and Sparty in general. and That was a good Spartans team back then, too, before they had their... ah their little dip. in their demise where they were kind of like the you know, the little brother, you kind of like.
Speaker: pushed around for a while in the Big Ten. Um, Yeah, that I mean, Torrey Crews, even though... He's what he is. For our generation of... Bronco hockey fans is the most one of the most hated.
Speaker: hockey players ever. to come through Lawson. Yeah, pretty good and NHL career. Helped me in fantasy quite a couple of years in a row. What I think, I think that season he was. He was more. He was pretty high up for the Hobie Baker that year.
Speaker: Yeah, I mean, he was he was in the final. Three, I believe. If I remember correctly. Man, he... hit he i He was really the heart of that team back then.
Speaker: Let's do a little bit of research. On the fly research. the fly research. Well, and and while we're doing that, I mean, to go back to what you said, Tony, I mean. I've always told people like Western's a hockey school. we're not I mean, we like you said, we've had good seasons in football. We will always remember the 16 and 0. Six.
Speaker: 15 and 1, whatever. Flex last year where we ended up playing in the Cotton Bowl. ah college game day and everything. That was awesome. uh and then last year mac championship again uh after like 10 years and you know I'm sure we'll talk about.
Speaker: the disappointment from last week. that should never happen. I mean, we've we've always had pretty good. Uh... football team. You know, and if you... like I keep up with a lot of different sports here at Western. I mean i i can't say like...
Speaker: to the same degree as hockey or football. But like baseball has been pretty good the last like five, six, seven years. Our soccer team, both men and women. I see TARDIS.
Speaker: I think gymnastics won a national championship the same year Western hockey won, if I'm not mistaken. Or dance, sorry. Um... I mean, we've especially in the last like five years or so.
Speaker: We at the university and athletics is really. Popped out. ah But... for me will always be a hockey school. uh till the day i die uh that will never change for me my perspective but I mean, i'm a I'm a proud alum. I wear Western gear all the time. no I'll never stop.
Speaker: But... Like. You know, going back to your question, Tony, like what makes Bronco hockey special? like me being able to to to share and tell people like this is why i love western you know ah On top of a lot of other reasons, it's Bronco hockey. And that's why I stay with it and watch it every Friday, Saturday, as much as I can. and and whatnot. And, you know,
Speaker: national championship. Didn't hesitate to drive down to St. Louis and all that kind of stuff. You know, that's just what Bronco hockey means. Man, that.
Speaker: I'm sorry to bring this up Brian since you Couldn't make it into town that weekend, but. That was probably one of the coolest weekends of my entire life. And I don't even care. I mean, I do care that we won a national. championship but even like taking that out of there just to see how WMU absolutely took over.
Speaker: the city of St. Louis. um That the enterprise center was just. filled with brown and gold that was probably what 95 western fans Oh easy. And if you weren't a Western fan, you were pretty much a Western fan for that evening.
Speaker: It was, it was so cool. And just. i I remember a couple guys, what were they, wearing Alaska jerseys? And they they all said, we're we're pulling for Western. We don't want BU to win. I mean, like, it was cool.
Speaker: See you. seeing stuff like that. And I remember like one guy was like, got to be in his 80s wearing I couldn't remember what school was. And he just like ah ah first intermission.
Speaker: They look good. I hope they keep this going. I don't want to see the Terriers win. I'm sick of it. Like, let's go. It was so much fun. Um, what What was your, let's take the national championship out of it. What?
Speaker: What was your... Favorite Bronco hockey. moment memory or like what were some of the some of those that really stand out to you Obviously, that Michigan State series and in 2010.
Speaker: yeah it was fall 2010 was important but What other games stand out to you all? I think mine are like a collective of games. like We all went to almost every single one, so not to...
Speaker: like some kind of run together, some are just kind of ugly games. and you sort of just wipe it out and like, all right, let's go ahead and give them the next. Let's go go reload and get the W the next day. like you know, Andy Murray special there. But... um i think the one I think the first time.
Speaker: I think up my first Western game I i went to, Tom, I don't know if you don't think... I don't think we knew each other then, but we might have been in the building there. No, we weren't. Okay, fair enough. ah The first game I remember seeing them playing was they played Mercyhurst College.
Speaker: That's from my hometown. So it was weird seeing... the tiny Catholic school that I would drive by on a frequent basis. At my new home in Kalamazoo, playing my... you know the university that I go to.
Speaker: It was like a weird kind of. two -for -one special they were seeing. my quote -unquote hometown hockey team. and my new team that I'm here supporting. and rooting for. That was a cool moment.
Speaker: Adam. I was there with a friend of mine who went to another university. But it's also from Eerie. We got to go to that game together, so it was cool seeing, like... you know, a little bit of connection, a little piece of home. And it kind of made me realize Home wasn't as far away as I think it was.
Speaker: So it was cool like in a perspective that way. That's the one that sticks. I mean, that's like my earliest hockey memory. Then I realized that, yeah, that year they won. I think they won eight games that year. So to see them in a couple years go from eight wins to a CCJ championship and... Celebrate with you too.
Speaker: That was a pretty good swing over a couple of years there. um That's the one I think that sticks. Out. Memory -wise, I think that first playoff series, the Ferris State playoff series on the road to Detroit was great.
Speaker: Yeah. um But Sunday was a school night, so like I didn't want to go to the game. so I'll use that one. Yeah, I was like game one and two. Game three was a school night. I didn't miss that. I did. So what I just said about not missing a game, I do remember that one. It was also $5, man. That was like eight sandwiches back then. I had a school night the next, oh man. Which way do you look? Between letting promises at school, this kid is like the most...
Speaker: Mercyhurst missed out. Oh man. Yeah, I'll never forget. It was well Brett Weisopel, I think was the defenseman for, and I can't remember the name of the goalie for, for Ferris, but he was, he just stood on his head all game.
Speaker: In game three. But then why Sobel. Amen. blew a tire at the blue line dane walters picked it up and fed max campbell and he just blasted it and sent us to the Joe. all That's...
Speaker: Man, I... That Michigan State series was fun. But that's probably my favorite loss in memory. Yeah, I mean That one's up there for me. It's like Brian said, that there's so many.
Speaker: Even like the games that we lost. like were still good memories for me because like those games that were like real competitive. down the road. And I'm thinking like.
Speaker: before the NCHC. um with the old ccha i'm thinking like our rivalry with Michigan at that point. Notre Dame was real good at that point. ah Miami, Ohio.
Speaker: Um... There was a lot of just, we would. it and You guys remember. That old adage, we win Friday, lose Saturday. yeah Or was it the other way around? Yeah.
Speaker: I mean, we were always split, and so it was like we were... We had a great Friday night. And then we got disappointed Saturday. um So there was always a lot of great memories. I mean, for me, it's uh It's not the greatest memory, but it's like a little more.
Speaker: uh it's home for me is the family rivalry I had with my cousin being a Miami, Ohio alum. And I think...
Speaker: For the better part of my college career He got the one up on me, except in the CCHA playoffs that year. 2012. Where we, uh... disappointed Riley Smith and I don't know if Andy Mealy was still on the team back then.
Speaker: ah But he definitely probably had the upper hand at that point. against me. Uh... versus now like the last five or six years. Better bet. a big swing for us. Um,
Speaker: I have a lot more confidence in texting him after games now. than he probably has with me. Um, But like for me in general like the greatest memories is like why i brought my brother -in -law and my wife and a couple of his buddies to the game last year.
Speaker: You got to just experience the atmosphere. and and understand why this place is special to to us, right? um And like this is I'm not sitting in the student section anymore, but. I'm not far from watching what's going on right in Lawson. Um...
Speaker: And... I remember like after the game that, you know, they were just in awe. I mean, it was a phenomenal game too. Went to overtime and we won the overtime game against Nodak. you know.
Speaker: Awesome for me because they were pulling for North Dakota, sadly. um but they they But they were loving the atmosphere. and you know they keep joking like you know like oh you got to come up to nodak and see the barn and i always kept telling them like that's not a barn guys that's an arena Wait till you walk into Lawson. This is a barn. And when they walked in, they're like, shit, this is a barn. Like, no, you could throw baseball from one end to the other. A sticky floor, all cinnamon almond roasted smelling barn. Yeah.
Speaker: It's the greatest smell in the world. Anytime I smell that, I walk past one of those stands at the American Airlines Center. Yep. It just takes me right back to Lawson. Just right there. Yep. Dude, they're going to stretch at games. at so at stars games.
Speaker: I probably saw like... 10 different people in Western Michigan stuck this past season. I got. Blown away by it I would have bear hugged all of them. I did. The fan base is growing.
Speaker: he We gave a big embrace. Let's go. Oh man. But when you were talking about Barnes and people coming to play in a 3 ,700 seat. 1970 built arena. I think another love, you guys mentioned it sprinkled in here and there, but I'm for the fact that we got to see Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame come to our little barn and play.
Speaker: Hockey. yeah Notre Dame football is never playing in Kalamazoo at Waldo Stadium. U of M is not going to come to Waldo Stadium and play a full game. But they'll come and play hockey there. And I thought that was the coolest thing, being like...
Speaker: seeing the big schools like that come into our barn with the sticky floors and the cinnamon um roasted almond smell. to play us I thought that was always really cool, seeing big schools like that. And Alaska. being in our conference.
Speaker: Always threw me a curveball, but it was cool to see them. Great uniforms. Dude, was it what what was that dude's name? Buddy? buddy ro Go out to your Robinson. Yeah. he Robinson. no he meant And he gave it to lunatics.
Speaker: Well, I'll never forget my roommate getting kicked out out during the Michigan game with Kevin Lynch in the penalty box. i and It was right at the beginning of the game. I'm like, you're an idiot.
Speaker: why can't i whip my Why can't I whip my program when he squirts me water? You got to ask that. Then I don't know. I guess yeah start walking. Here comes the security.
Speaker: Well, yeah, man, I I definitely miss being. I think that's one of the things I always miss about being. in college again is is those times with the with with you all and in the lunatic, within the lunatic section. and I mean, eventually you and I kind of moved up, but one time, one of my favorite lunatic memories, this has nothing to do with Bronco hockey.
Speaker: Brian, do you remember this one? Is that the right? mill What? Is that the Ryan Braun story? Great times. I was i was i was on Twitter. And Brian, and Brian, I think was down by you, Matt.
Speaker: And I saw that Brian Braun got popped with roids and I just. I can't really talk much because it's so loud. We were so far away and it was so loud. And like in those days we had what one cell phone tower. So it would take you eight years to send a text to me in the same building.
Speaker: Yeah. And there's Tony standing up, like, yelling. with like blatsky paul I'm like, what? And then you're like, Ryan Braun.
Speaker: And I'm like... Is Ryan Brown a heroin addict? of what like I'm not really good at playing charades on a bloodshot eye on a Saturday night, Tony, but what's going on? And it ends up being that magical moment. I think I ended up, I think. I think i tend that he probably texted me.
Speaker: afterwards like just so you were clear. We'll keep talking about our story. You got the text when you went back to your apartment and we all ended up going to like Qdoba. to the game. Correct, because I probably went back to my apartment to go to bed because it was past his bedtime. Past his bedtime.
Speaker: Doing this podcast now is past my bedtime. I mean, to be fair, you are in the Eastern time zone. Like a whole hour jump into the future on y 'all. It doesn't look promising. Okay. Yeah.
Speaker: Yeah, yeah um I mean, we could talk about some of these moments forever, and I think we'll we'll have a lot of opportunities. opportunities to do that throughout the year and everything. Um. You know,
Speaker: I do want to. at some point throughout the year. um cover what's going on you know around the nation. Just to give people an idea, we're going to mostly talk Bronco.
Speaker: lucky But. You know, we'll definitely cover what's happening around the NCHC any big. any big news going on. you know, around college hockey as well. And I think right now, really, the only thing is that. is at such a cease. that sad story out of Arizona State. and Man, um you know, thoughts and prayers for for his family. for you know, for his teammates. But man, was that ever mishandled at by it as a as a school though.
Speaker: Um, Wow. Yeah, I mean... For me, and I think we texted about it. Two. you know i said and i saw the tweet right after i think i texted you guys the same thing is The fact that Arizona State's not worth responding to anything or and or putting out a statement.
Speaker: ah even just a condolence statement. Um... bad look on them. um Ugh. And this is it's hard because this.
Speaker: you know that is been such a promising program. for that university, the coach over there. really been building something big for them. Um, and to see this happen and you know it very disappointed and sad and and so many different things. and You never want to ever see this ever happen.
Speaker: before and after this again. Um... I think what... the only for me though too is i saw a lot of tweets like you know Arizona State's got to forfeit the season.
Speaker: And I just have a hard time. with that statement I understand where it's coming from with the grief and the anger and sadness But the ah the rest of those kids had i don't you know nothing to do with this.
Speaker: So to punish the... the players you know on the team Um... doesn't seem right. it's the university and probably the coaching staff that really needs to be penalized more than anything so for me I don't know if this is you know something that they'll...
Speaker: do but it's just really like you get a secondary coaching staff in there and let the players play that I've worked so hard to. to play division one hockey i mean with all these rule changes now too um You know, we're we're not going to see these guys, you know, like like even like football where. um They're going to be at the.
Speaker: playing for 5, 6, 7, 8 years ah You know, they only got so much time now. Um, And so to take that away from them. You know, that... that would hurt.
Speaker: a bit you know that that's just really adding more salt into the wound that's That's never unfortunately going to be really closed. Right. Um, So I did. That's what's really tough about this, too. i Really just kind of disappointed, though. with the university. um Not much more I can say about that.
Speaker: And how are they... Again, I'm a little ignorant to what goes on behind the scenes with us all but How are you still have your... coaching staff in your People aren't still recruiting. like You gotta let that blow. That's a tough look. i mean that this is This is just a PR nightmare for the school. This is a PR nightmare for...
Speaker: you know everyone i mean everybody involved but you know at the end of the day my thoughts and prayers got to matthew may edge his family his teammates and you know all of his loved ones it's such a sad um an unfortunate event and i mean you know with i'm I'm down here in Texas. I mean, it's.
Speaker: it's been hot like this happened what like three weeks ago. I mean, we have we've had 100 degree heat for that entire time. um our athletic trainer shout out shout out mike hopper if you're ever looking to Get here like an athletic trainers takes.
Speaker: hoppers hot takes on youtube is ah is a great spot to go But he's been pretty big about this kind of stuff. and you know, it's there's no reason anybody should have been.
Speaker: you know working out outside. in those conditions when you have this. that especially a d1 college has like our our high school athletes at a private school in Dallas aren't.
Speaker: aren't you know prac aren't working out in that dead heat like he was so I will leave it at that. I don't want to get too much into it. I know there's a lot of legal pieces that come into it, but at the end of the day, thoughts and prayers to.
Speaker: him and his family and And hopefully the recovery is. better than what what they're saying. Um. You know, i want I had the idea to talk about NIL and Transfer Portal and that kind of stuff, but I kind of want to punt that to a...
Speaker: to a different episode. um when we kind of talk about some of the transfers that we have coming in and whatnot Um. But I figured we need a little bit of time to talk about. everything that was.
Speaker: last Saturday. You guys have an extra second to talk about this. Hey. Yeah. He just said, well done, Tony. Yep. Yes, I do. Oh. So I'm sitting in my bar.
Speaker: yeah You want to take it away? I've... I mean, we we all know. ah If you don't know... what happened.
Speaker: Kudos to you. for get yeah go go on Go out and look at Twitter. well kudos to you for being completely oblivious to the sports world in general But our beloved Broncos went into the big house last Saturday.
Speaker: And I mean, um I'm just going to be blunt about it. We we kick the living crap out of them. For four. Quarters 60 minutes. And... um Well...
Speaker: We have, what, nine seconds left? we're ah on the 50 -yard line and Bryce Underwood over there, that wonderful $12 million dollars investment they had in him.
Speaker: launches one up in the air, not even in the end zone, is going out the back and... Clock hit zero. And then a Western player touches the ball. And the Big Ten.
Speaker: offices call in and say, put one second back on and. As soon as that happened, I... The writing was already on the wall. And. um Yeah, and Western ends up losing on a Hail Mary touchdown. and ah
Speaker: Cost me money. Because I took Western outright early in the morning. Oh. Yeah, so I was... ah I was really not happy. um Yeah, I mean...
Speaker: I don't know. i've If you want, I'll kick it off with. i disappointed in how um The Big Ten. and Michigan. and the NCAA, but more importantly, the Big Ten handled this.
Speaker: Um, I'm not really upset with the refs in general on this call. I'm more upset with the refs on like the nine missed. face mask calls that were blatantly right in front of the line judges.
Speaker: Well, we'll go back to that, I'm sure, at some point. But when it comes to this call, I don't really blame the referees. I blame the Big Ten office. ah That's unfortunately here in Illinois.
Speaker: um calling in and saying we have point. one seconds per hour clock because of rule dash four two b i don't give a crap Um,
Speaker: because it doesn't make sense. to me uh and it never will make sense to me if they can they can try to sugarcoat it and twist it in any way they want and i will never understand and believe it. um The what?
Speaker: The way Western handled it, Lance Taylor. the president, the whole university in general. 100 % class. i mean as soon as the game ended he cheered and then when the game ended again a second time He didn't, you know...
Speaker: Any other coach I think you see in the Big Ten or the SEC, any power five? They are going. Berserk. with the referees, right? and pleading their case.
Speaker: And then you'll see the referees run off, ignore them. He just took his headset off because, I mean, at this point, he kind of – like, what is what is arguing what the ref's going to do? They're not going to – say that play didn't count all of a sudden, whether that was just a fun, that was for practice, you know, like the what. is I think he understands the reality.
Speaker: I'm sure he wasn't happy. I mean who would be? Um... And. you know And the footage, too, that got caught with Winningham. you know telling them there was no time left and I,
Speaker: There's so many. I'll say this too, like all the support. You've got on Twitter from just. All these different former athletes, big -time players, celebrities. J .J. Watt, I saw, was tweeting about it.
Speaker: um You know, just. The list goes on and yeah ESPN hasn't stopped talking about it all week. Um, And everybody's in favor of Western unless you're... Uh... a certain founder of a company. that went to Michigan or your current student of Michigan.
Speaker: You're probably thinking it's the greatest, you know, that they got it right. Whatever. Sure. Um, i and There's no argument for me. Clocks or zeros. um and It's ah more upsetting. I mean, I'm joking. Like, I mean, I bet five bucks. I don't care. I mean, it's five bucks, but I could have won a lot off five bucks.
Speaker: Me, I'm more like upset. I'm looking at, you know, as I'm i'm a i'm a former player, right? I played high school ball. Played a lot of sports my life. And... Those big games, when those type of moments get – and I've never gone through anything like that before, but like I can sympathize with these players.
Speaker: This was supposed to be. a moment in their life that they'll never forget for the good reason. And it turned out to be for now the bad reason. That got ripped away from them forever.
Speaker: Um, And... that That's what I think is very disappointing. i mean the You can go down the line and say like, well, this was, you know, we beat our. first top 25. Pulled it.
Speaker: Um... First top 20 opponent, whatever. beat Michigan for the first time in God knows how long if ever. Great. i mean The accolades can go on and on and on.
Speaker: That sticks out more for me that day took that away from these guys that and they'll never get it back. And that the only memory now they're going to have is. We got screwed.
Speaker: And that that's... That's exactly what happened. There's one play in sports history that that remind that like can relate to this in any way, shape, or form.
Speaker: And that was the Armando Galarraga perfect game. Back up. that got missed. Um, by Jim Joyce. Watch that in my Smith Burnham Hall ah residence hall room on a hot game 2010. as you're trying to get in -state residency.
Speaker: Got it. um And and but boys, I mean, I'm not trying to switch the topic here too soon here, but I got breaking news. It's not good news. No, it's not good news. i just saw Unfortunately, Barry Melrose has just passed away.
Speaker: ah So that's... Huge. hit for the hockey world. I knew he wasn't doing good. um he's He's been off ESPN, I think, the last couple of years. But I mean, if you watch college hockey, at least especially in the playoffs. You know, he was always paired with Butcher Gross and he always.
Speaker: um you know, would give us two cents. You know, I never necessarily always agreed with everything he said about college hockey players, but. Barry Melvoz was a big supporter of college hockey.
Speaker: Um, and especially these guys being ah brought up through the college ranks before they went pro versus the other way around. of going to juniors and stuff so That, um...
Speaker: Yeah, that's that's very sad news to see. um uh to see that he's passed away here boys um so yeah that's a huge huge loss uh thoughts and prayers go out to the Melrose family on all the friends and family that uh You know, he's he's been what? bandwidth.
Speaker: Man. such Such sad news. and Yeah, like you said, he's been battling. battling. illness for a little while and you know i never always loved barry melrose um But I always respected what he did and how important he was for.
Speaker: you know, hockey in America when really. And it's the same thing with John Bucciaross. I'm not an overly huge fan of Bucci. But he did deliver an incredible line at the end of the national championship game. than that.
Speaker: um but i mean both of them have been so important you know when nobody else cared about hockey on ESPN. Both of them did, so. Thoughts and prayers God to.
Speaker: very male relatives family.
Speaker: But yeah, like to circle back. um So I mean... yeah I got your first phone call. Saturday night. You got a Tony phone call too? Oh. and then i Well, I would have got a second phone call, but I went to bed not happy because I had my.
Speaker: daughter's birthday party the next day. um and i' next time wally and i walk around and And I woke up the next morning. and I go, he called me 25 minutes later. I thought.
Speaker: We already talked for 40 minutes. yeah I don't remember it. Um, No, dude The thing that sucks about it is...
Speaker: And and not honestly, I think. there's good out of it. I think. You know, we might have gotten more. top 25 votes because we lost than had we actually won the game.
Speaker: True. I don't think it's going to hurt us in the long run. Let's. No. Best case scenario, we we run the table. and you know dominate teams in the MAAC. I almost wonder if that loss will actually help us.
Speaker: Um, And you know what? where right now we're kind of America's team. Anyone, any arbitrary person listening to this podcast.
Speaker: wants to jump on the Western Michigan bandwagon, we got plenty of room for you. Dubs up. Let's go. Yeah, enrollment's down quite a bit. He needs all the help we can get. I mean, it's it's crazy how that year in 2016, we're undefeated. or We're on the trip road to being undefeated.
Speaker: You know, Corey Davis, shout out, being inducted this year. ah is breaking national records. We got... you know, like ah just a bunch of stud players on that team back then.
Speaker: Um... And like all that notoriety that. the football team got. nash you know nationwide versus, you know, in comparison to now.
Speaker: Um, yeah We got great players, but we're. ah yeah It's like Brian said, like everybody's jumping on the bandwagon right now. and and it's all really for good too like i i don't think it's like pity or anything like that i take it as There's all these sports fanatics out there, especially football.
Speaker: Who? Believe and know. that this team and university got screwed. And... Everybody wants justice. I mean, it's. it's cool to see a small so yeah i'm going to say small but smaller school in comparison to michigan out of Kalamazoo.
Speaker: has, like Tony says, hey, watch out, Dallas Cowboys. We're America's team here. How about them Broncos? but man i think one of the things that frustrates me the most with with everything is.
Speaker: you know And it's not just us. it's in college football, and and we'll talk more about the the n NIL. and nil and the transfer portal but like schools like us kind of we get the short end of the stick we we recruit a kid we develop the kid And then here comes the big 10 and they, they take that.
Speaker: um we don't get anything for it. um I was in... Except last year. Except last year. Yeah, I had a day. Not sure. I mean a big part is culture and I was at the Rally House on Westridge.
Speaker: for homecoming last year, just looking for some new gear. And I overheard a player. um The player's mom. was in there and they were freshmen. And she was telling the person at work that apparently they they've been in there quite a bit.
Speaker: that, yeah, he loves it here. The culture's great. He loves Coach Taylor. Like, it's a really good place. He loves the school. They love Kalamazoo. But the Big Ten teams are calling.
Speaker: And that was, you know, in in early October. Um. And I thought for sure he was gone. And then. Lo and behold, he's back. and and whatnot so Yeah, it was it was great to see we we kept those guys, but that's the tough part. it's you know I feel like it's always the small guys that that get the short end of the stick on these calls. and um We're also the short guys that get the short end of the stick when it comes to.
Speaker: you know developing a player and getting nothing in return for it. Sort of like being the haves and the have nots. when it comes to And I owe money. Financial backing anything like that. It's like you know. Those with less will always want more.
Speaker: Yeah. I wish we had more. yeah to All of us. I do want to pause the rest of that NIL talk and everything, because I think it. in future episodes i want to i want to kind of dive a little bit deeper into you know how how it's we are able to kind of navigate that despite not being a big 10 school and having Dave Portnoy money being thrown around.
Speaker: and whatnot. I'm sure we can talk about a whole episode about it. so i'm all I'm all in for that.
Speaker: Well boys I feel like it's been a pretty successful. First episode. Great. You know, I want to. I'm hoping, you know, in the future that, you know, if if people don't love what we're doing or there's something that, you know, they would love to see, let us know, but please be kind about it.
Speaker: um Like we said, we're we're not getting paid. you know we're doing this you know we're kind of like college athletes from you know our days in college. i'm doing it for the love of the game Um,
Speaker: so yeah we're Please give us your feedback. we' we're you know excited to grow from this we know we're only going to get better each week at at what we do and we're really excited to bring anyone, everyone Bronco hockey and show everyone that isn't a fan.
Speaker: What's so great about it? Boys want to add anything? It's good to be be doing this. It's just I know the next every week we get closer to every know recording or anything like that. The weather's going to get colder.
Speaker: Fall is going to start falling. I'm not drinking pumpkin spice. Bye. At least I know hockey season's coming. so A little positive to look forward to when the weather goes south. At least we've got hockey to look forward to and watch. and react and vent and... text each other And call each other, apparently.
Speaker: Hey, I'm just excited Kyle Chalky is... just around the corner. Like you said. sorry um We're doing this. Really out of just for fun and the love of the game and the love of the our favorite team and our university.
Speaker: um And we're hoping to share our thoughts and comments and everything else. with you know. whoever wants to listen. Um, Again, like...
Speaker: We would be doing this regardless if we were still back in so in school. We'd just be at a round table at Waldo's with a couple pitchers, right? But we're doing this virtually right now. uh but Overall, I'm excited for relaunching this. um And I...
Speaker: Can't wait to see what... the season brings us this year. you know, first has got. his team Dialed in getting ready for the for the you know upcoming season. and again like i posted earlier or a couple weeks ago it's we got We got a standard now after that national championship.
Speaker: That's the standard. let's let's keep striding towards it so i can't wait to see what the season uh brings us here i've just Fridays and Saturdays, let's go. College football and then college hockey. I'm ready.
Speaker: and And Wally, how can people find us on socials? Yeah, so you'll find us right now on X and Instagram. at the Lawson Lounge and then you'll find us here also on YouTube.
Speaker: ah where we'll be posting our podcast episodes here and any of our clips and shorts and whatnot. Again, just search us at. the lawson lounge and You will find all three of us there.
Speaker: matt And Matt also does does some ah some golf takes too, if you're a golf fan. Definitely check that out. If you want. Hey, go go check out my... Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube, that's too bad. um Wow.
Speaker: playing a lot of ah Playing golf a lot better these days, but I haven't really been posting much. I've just been getting... All amped up, ready for hockey season right now. love it Well, boys, as always, great chatting with you. Can't wait for next week. and You know, we are Less than a month away from our home opener against Ferris State. so but The last home opener at Lawson Arena, too, which is wild to think. Yeah, man, that's that's wild.
Speaker: Day of recording, we are 29 days out. who Let's go. Cheers boys. Thumbs up!
