Transcript
Speaker: I don't even know what he's thinking. i He's just a complete birdhead. Brady Kachunk. Thomas is my best friend. I got a lot of good-looking newts on my team.
Speaker: You just got newt. I've just had him. Just that most.
Speaker: Hi everyone and welcome to episode Parker Kelly of Elite Suns Brain. As always, I'm Viata and I am joined by the artist formerly known as At Erickson's Burner. How's it going? I'm doing pretty good. How are you I'm good.
Speaker: ah Sorry guys for the delay in uploading. We do have an excuse. we were taking turns being sick, so we just like couldn't make it work. Yeah, we didn't want to do it at the same time because that would have been too convenient. So you were sick first and then I got sick, but now we're here and it's fine. and you were spared having to hear my scratchy voice when I had a cold.
Speaker: Well, I'm sure it would have sounded awesome anyway, but... I'm glad that we are feeling good now because I feel like it'll make the content better too. That's the main reason to get better if you're sick is for like content reasons. Yeah, exactly. Why else would want to be well, you know?
Speaker: So anyways, we're going to jump into SENS content because i mean, we've had a whole month, not quite. Well, yeah, kind of a whole month of content from the SENS.
Speaker: And i feel like around this time last year, We were at a point where we just kind of said there's nothing left to say about the Sens because they're so bad in November. They've tanked their season.
Speaker: Like, okay, we're recording this beginning of November, not end of November, but still. I remember there being a lot of despair around this time of year when the Sens didn't get off to a great start. How are we feeling right now?
Speaker: feel like they've gotten off to like a fine start. Like, I don't feel despair, personally. Yeah, it's been a bit up and down, a bit it's so over, we're so back.
Speaker: yeah I feel like at this point, like we'll see what November brings, but I'm kind of in the mindset of, look, as long as they don't completely tank their season in November, it's fine. like I've reached a state of Zen, the Sens are going to get off to a bad start.
Speaker: And it's just a matter of watching the standings to see how far behind they get, because there's there's plenty of points that they can make up later in the season, you know?
Speaker: Yeah. I feel like my litmus is always... Like, I feel like this is, like, the benchmark is, like, are they above or below 500? And they are above 500 as of recording this.
Speaker: So... We take those. Yeah, it's fine. We'll see what November brings. I mean, like, well, it's also hard because I think most years they have done okay in October. It's just like, again, November where they've really, really gone on a long losing streak.
Speaker: So, you know, we'll see what this month brings. But they've had some stretches of really good play and some stretches of really bad play. Even the good play is like, it's a little lucky, you know? um But like, I think the main difference this year and last year is that the rest of the Eastern Conference is also pretty bad. So they're still keeping pace with everyone else, even though they look kind of shit.
Speaker: Yeah, which isn't good. It's like. You can only be judged by like the company around you. like You can only judge them according to like the people we have to compare them to, right? So like I'll take them being pretty bad if like everyone else is just worse.
Speaker: Again, they've just got to sort of keep pace with the other teams until we get to December and then then the season starts, you know? Yeah, exactly. yeah November will, as it always is, be important for them.
Speaker: But I feel like... I don't know. I feel like I'm like cautiously optimistic going into November. Like I feel like I haven't been like, oh my god, like they're definitely gonna like lose.
Speaker: Like they're definitely gonna tank their season in November. Like I feel like I haven't felt that. Yeah, I think I have more confidence in the team's ah ability to pull themselves up when they start losing. You know, in past years, it was like they would just dig themselves into this hole. As soon as they started the losing streak, they couldn't get out of it. Whereas we've already seen some winning streaks from them. We've seen them bounce back.
Speaker: They don't have Brady Kachuk, which is unfortunate. Some players have been playing badly. The structure isn't great. Like, I don't love what I'm seeing from the Sens. But again, i kind of have this mindset of like, just get through the first two months of the season and then we will see what happens.
Speaker: I feel like, yeah, I'm like, we just have to like wait and see, obviously. um Because like, that's the thing. November is so defining for them. So yeah, it's November 3rd now. So we will see.
Speaker: yeah And you know who they're ahead of in the standings, at least for now? Toronto Maple Leafs. The Toronto Maple Leafs literally what they're like almost okay they're eighth in the freaking wild card race.
Speaker: I mean they're also only one point behind us with the better points percentage but still. It's not about the points it's about standings right now. Ignore the points.
Speaker: God the East is such a mess. You know it's like everyone's so bad. Why is everyone tied? it's true. Like everyone is like within like one point of, except annoyingly the haves and friends.
Speaker: It's just so annoying. The haves are off to such an annoyingly good start. That's what's irritating me, but. It's pissing me off. It's fine. Maybe it will inherit November from previous seasons.
Speaker: That's what I'm banging on. Fingers crossed. Anyways, yeah. Leafs second last in the division ahead of only the Buffalo Sabres. Yeah. as As it's supposed to be, you know? sir Sure sounds like the Leafs could do with a 100-point playmaking winger, but not sure where they could find one of those.
Speaker: I feel like also on that, there was like something I think in The Athletic that was like Austin Matthews, like everything was easier with like Marner, like penalty killing was easier with him, like everything was easier with him. And it's like, yeah, like that, that'll happen. Yeah.
Speaker: Yep, should have thought of that before you, i mean you kind of traded him, but refused to sign him. That was the main thing. yeah It has been slightly less awesome, though, because I feel like um coming out now as I was on the gene Jays ah bandwagon very heavily and I feel like everyone who's a Leafs fan was not paying attention to the Toronto Maple Leafs because they were like literally who cares and like you know what you finally understand literally who cares about the Toronto Maple Leafs exactly but yeah so now that the Jays oh my god tragically
Speaker: it's over we but we want to talk about that now because we had this in our google talk about it later i feel like it's relevant to bring up now because like no one was talking about the toronto label because like there was another toronto sports yeah and it's like i i know i wish they had been more focused on the leaf so they could really have a meltdown but hopefully now you know they they've already experienced such heartbreak they're so beaten down and now they have to turn their attention to the leafs and i hope the leafs continue to disappoint them that's yeah what I'm hoping for but yeah it'd be amazing if the Leafs tanked their season in November and then could crawl out of the hole ah literally like if one Ontario team has to do it it be I don't want that but i am yeah and that's the thing it's exactly like I'm hoping that now finally everyone will be paying attention to the Leafs again hopefully they crumble under the pressure i feel like they have a history of doing it hopefully it happens again
Speaker: And, okay one thing that has been pissing us off about the Sens on Ice Play, we're saying, like, we don't really care, but we need to talk about this. Is Jordan Spence the new Eric Branstrom? Oh my gosh.
Speaker: I would say he's gotta be, right? Like... He fits all the people. He's not even as short. But, like, spiritually, he is the next Eric Branstrom.
Speaker: I adore him, and he has been playing so well. And the thing is, like, okay, with Eric Branstrom, at least on some level, I can understand watching him and going... yeah, I don't like the way this guy plays. Like, I love him, but he did make some frustrating mistakes.
Speaker: He was not the toughest player to play against physically. Jordan Spence, I don't see that. I watch him play and I'm like, he's a good hockey player.
Speaker: Like, he does everything right. He's not making these big mistakes. He's just really solid and dependable. And then you look at his fancy stats and he's one of the best defensemen in the league. So what the fuck is he doing in the press box?
Speaker: I like don't understand it because also I feel like that was like, I don't know, offseason feels so long ago for some reason, but I feel like that was like one of their only offseason moves. So I'm like, yeah, it was their big offseason acquisition.
Speaker: yeah Oh my god. always And everyone was so excited. They were like, oh my gosh, Jordan Spence for cheap. ah the The player cards were getting posted. Everyone was like, let's let's freaking go like This is awesome. And I feel like, I don't know. I don't understand. Because I feel like, I'd understand if like it was that the big offseason move and then like he was playing super poorly. But like he wasn't. So I don't get it.
Speaker: Also, Nick Jensen sucks. Plays him with Spence. Oh my god. Yeah. Wasn't that the thing? Like, didn't last year Nick Jensen break, like, everything?
Speaker: Like, he had... Yeah, I feel like he's, like... He was already old, and he not great in the playoffs. And I feel like he is definitely... I think... I think he must be injured in some way, maybe. Maybe he's just old.
Speaker: But I'm like, let him... Let him get some popcorn in the press box. It's fine. And, like, look, I know... know that you don't want to mess up the pairings too much. But, like, here is my proposal, okay?
Speaker: Shabbat-Zub, you keep them together. Great pairing. Shabbat... Or wait, did I say Shabbat? Sanderson-Zub is what I meant to say. I don't remember if I said Shabbat or Sanderson.
Speaker: Okay. Shabbat, instead of playing him with Jensen, because oh my god, that pairing is not working, you try him out with Spence. And I know that Spence has only ever excelled in third pairing minutes, but like...
Speaker: try him on the first, second pair, 1A, 1B. I don't know how we're arranging this. Try him in slightly higher minutes next to Shabbat and just see if it works.
Speaker: And then if you need Jensen in the lineup, put him next to Clevin. He can provide veteran leadership the way Travis Hamanick did. Like, and just try it. I don't think he's as bad as Hamanick. Like, I don't think he's dragging the team down, but like...
Speaker: why don't we try Jensen in reduced minutes and Spence in slightly higher minutes? And if it doesn't work, we we rearrange it. It's just like the current arrangement is not working.
Speaker: yeah because I feel like the other thing is that I truly agree it is not working. I am like horrified like the defensive structure of the Ottawa Senators. But the other thing is that I feel like the whole thing with Jordan Spence was like he was like in LA right before and they were like,
Speaker: And the whole thing was like, oh, they really don't use him. Like, they really don't give him minutes. But he is a great young player. If they just gave him minutes, it's like, oh my gosh, it's happening again. like what's happening? Oh my god. This is also, look, I'm glad the Sens made a coaching change. I know I was a DJ Smith defender longer than I should have been.
Speaker: But like, I remember when people were mad at DJ Smith. I kept saying he's actually not as bad about these things that you're mad at him about as other coaches are. As in, DJ Smith is like much more willing to play young players than most coaches are. He was much more willing to give players a chance. He didn't like hate specific players other than Brent Strow as much as most coaches do, right?
Speaker: And we're seeing that happen with Travis Green coming in and suddenly it's like all the bad things that coaches do, he's doing it. and like, Again, I'm not saying that we shouldn't have fired DJ Smith. Like, I, good riddance DJ Smith. I'm just saying, reminder, all coaches are like this.
Speaker: Yeah. Yeah, like, I really don't understand it. I feel like I, like, because I feel like also, not to like go back to like player cards, player cards, but I feel like analytically, right, there would be like,
Speaker: Like, Nick Jensen would just be very red. I'm like, I feel they should, like, open up, like, a spreadsheet or something. Like, surely there's a spreadsheet that would tell them this.
Speaker: You know what mean? I know. It's so frustrating. It feels like the GM is using spreadsheets, but the coach isn't. Yeah.
Speaker: And they, like, won't send the... It's, like, that thing. You know, on, like, Google Drive or whatever, if you, like, send the thing and it's like, oh, you don't have permission. Like, please, like, request permission. I think that has been happening.
Speaker: Like, I think yeah they have not been sharing the permission and something's getting lost in translation also like not to go back to baseball but I sadly got so not sadly but like I got so baseball pilled for the past two weeks but I feel like the way they talk about analytics and baseball it's like we gotta break and I know that that's like analytics started with baseball and and like all the other sports got it I'm pretty sure is how it worked but like oh my god we need to get that here guys we need to do money all I know that's money puck but like we need to do that here like They talk about stats and stuff so much in baseball.
Speaker: It's crazy. We need to get some of that. Man. Yeah. Just sad. It feels like it is a common thing where like, yeah, the NHL is starting to adopt analytics, but i don't know. It feels like it's the front offices, but the coaches haven't got on. Like, that's the problem. In my head, that's the problem. But the front offices are like, yeah, we're going to acquire these players who have good underlying numbers.
Speaker: But then the coaches are like, oh I don't give a shit about stats. yeah and then and then it's like okay so then what's the point here i know it's weird because it's like I do because it's obviously that thing of like you definitely don't want your GM telling your coach how to do like who to deploy and stuff like that's obviously like you don't want that but it's true because then it's like if they aren't talking if they aren't both looking at the same things then it's like It's like Chop or something, where it's like you've got all these ingredients and you don't know what to do with them.
Speaker: Yeah, it's like, are they not sitting down and saying, hey, Travis Green, what is your problem with jordan's Jordan Spence? Like, just just sit in a room. just Just the two of you.
Speaker: the conversation doesn't need to leave that room. Just say, hey, what is Jordan Spence doing wrong that you don't like? And then pull out a... graph and be like pull out a spreadsheet I don't know be like hey look so this is what Jordan Spence is doing on the ice do you like what what this is do you like this because I happen to like what Jordan Spence is doing on the ice and somehow don't like oh my god Yeah, that's like what's frustrating, because right? Because like obviously like we don't know what is ever being said because like they obviously don't tell us.
Speaker: But it's like we know enough to be like I can see it and also math people are telling me what to think a little bit. And it's like it's annoying then just be like, well, I would try this, but obviously I have no pull. So it'd be nice for someone with pull to pull up a spreadsheet.
Speaker: um But yeah. That's just like an analytics tangent. I still feel like it's crazy how, like, I know that obviously people are like hiring like data scientists, all that stuff, but I feel like it's just like still so underutilized.
Speaker: Like, I feel like there's a bunch of teams. I think the OSNs are sadly one of them, but like, i don't know how big they're like, analytics department is actually I think they maybe increased it a bit and like recent years yeah they need to hire Louis I'm saying like they should at the very least listen to the Zoobcast they should listen to this podcast that listen to this podcast which tells you to go listen to the Zoobcast and then do both yeah yeah exactly god hate that we have to have this type of conversation all the time with different defensemen with the Sens
Speaker: No. It just feels like it should be solved. Because it's like, feel like this is such a stereotype, you know? But it's like, the stereotype is like, oh, the the coaches just play their guys and they don't actually care about, like they just care about veteran presence, blah, blah, blah. The intangibles. They care too much about the intangibles and also they're like, oh, he's tough and hits.
Speaker: And it's like, How have we been having this conversation for this long? And just like, it's not even like Jordan Spence fails the eye test. It's not like he has a bad plus minus or he's not putting up points. Like, he's been doing everything well.
Speaker: Why do they hate him? I was so excited when he played at the home opener because I was there. And i was just like, every time I saw him, i was like, that's my little guy.
Speaker: gosh. So at least I got to see him. That's good. yeah Equally important sense discussion. Fashion. ah What did you think of their red jerseys that were a little controversial online?
Speaker: Okay, I haven't seen any of the online discussion, so you know this is coming from the heart. I was watching the game with my family. First thing, i i say this first and I say it throughout the game. I go, I hate those jerseys.
Speaker: They're so ugly. And then I think like at one point they started losing and I was like, it's because of the jerseys. They're so ugly. I really don't like the jerseys. But I don't know if that's a hot take. I don't know if that's a bad take. I think they're camp.
Speaker: I like them in the same way that I like the Senegoth. I think it's fun. i like having a bit of color sometimes. Look, the black jerseys look so good that I'm fine with the Sens wearing black jerseys.
Speaker: But I do think it's boring. And I think it's especially boring when the whole crowd at the arena is wearing black. I hate that. So I think it looks cooler when everyone's wearing red, you know? So I like that we have jerseys with a pop of color.
Speaker: And I just think, look, I can read the numbers on them, which was not the case with many, many third jerseys the Sens have had. So they i they get an extra point in my book for that.
Speaker: And I think they just look so stupid, but in the best way. Like, oh my god, there was one game where Mstitza had obviously the red jersey and an A on his chest and the tinted visor. And we know what I think about the tinted visor. He looked so stupid in the best way. He was like talking to the refs after a fight and it was just like...
Speaker: This is so embarrassing. think, okay, I see what you mean. i'm I'm like looking at them now. I do think they're camp. Okay, I'm going to say, I do love the gold trim. I think that's funky and fresh. And I have, I don't know if I've said this on the podcast before, but I do think that they should be incorporating more glitter into like the gold. And they certainly did that here. A fan of that.
Speaker: And I like the gold generally. I think that they look like, even in real life, they look AI generated to me like they look like not real like they look like a little too like look like they're somehow like outlined in black or something so they look like cartoony I don't know what it is about them but I'm just like they don't look real they look like the mock-up online because I feel like sometimes when I see jersey mock-ups I'm like that's ugly but it's only because I'm looking at as a mock-up but it looks like I'm just looking at the mock-up all the time like they don't look like real life
Speaker: I do think they look like a video game little bit, like this NHL video game, you know, i do, I have had that thought. So yeah, I will give you that. But again, I think it's funny. Like it blends in so well with like the digital ads, like on the like, I'm like, this is all like, I'm not watching real life.
Speaker: And it like kind of creeps me out. But I do, I do like the gold and I do think that they're goofy. I just wish that somehow, it's like, I don't know, because if I was in like the meeting to be like, do we like these jerseys? I'd literally be like, can you make them look look more like real life? And that's like not a real critique. Like that doesn't make any sense.
Speaker: Like I don't know what they could have done. i think we need the Suns to start winning when they wear those jerseys and then I will like them a lot. Yeah, there you go. know what fashion choice I don't like?
Speaker: The black jerseys with the white, or the black helmets with the white jerseys. That looked stupid. they They're doing, they're trying to take too many, sometimes it's just classic for a reason. You don't have to mess with perfection.
Speaker: Exactly. Okay, other Ottawa sports news. Have you been following the Lansdowne stuff? No, I haven't been, so I accidentally forgot to look it up. Okay, so I'm just like, I'm getting a little bit concerned, guys.
Speaker: um Basically, so it sounds like the city of Ottawa is trying to revamp Lansdowne. They're proposing a new arena, and it's going to have a lot fewer seats than the current arena at Lansdowne, and basically they're proposing either that or major renovations.
Speaker: And basically the PWHL is saying, hey, our team will not be financially viable if you do this because we sell way more tickets than that proposed arena has capacity for usually.
Speaker: So this is going to be a problem. And now it's like, are we going to lose our team? Oh my gosh. Wait, I wasn't following this and now I'm sad. Okay.
Speaker: aye I feel like that's so odd. Like, is there a reason why they wanted to have reduced capacity? I feel like that's, like, so against the trend of every arena ever They're saying it would just cost a lot more to have higher capacity.
Speaker: And, you know, the 67s don't need the capacity that Lansdowne has right now. Yeah. But, yeah, the the Charges do. Yeah, like... It's not just belonging to the 67s.
Speaker: Also, like, obviously the Charge could, like, sell those seats and stuff. But also it's just, like, when random, like, acts come to Ottawa, I feel like a lot of times they do stuff at, like, at Arena.
Speaker: You know what i mean? Yeah. Like, that's another reason why makes no sense to me. Yeah. And it is, like, it's unfortunate that Ottawa doesn't have ah sort of range of different venues, you know?
Speaker: Like, you know I live in Montreal and we have like, there's Verdun that has you know a very, very small capacity. And then we have Laval where the rat where the rocket play.
Speaker: And then there's the bell sounder, right? So it's like, you know you have different... size arenas for different teams and, you know, obviously lots of other concert venues that are smaller. Whereas Ottawa, it's like, yeah, you have Lansdowne, which is pretty small, or the CTC, which has its own problems that are, you know, beyond being too big, right?
Speaker: So yeah, there isn't like AHL size arena or something in Ottawa, which is kind of what the charge need, because honestly, they've outgrown Lansdowne already. Yeah.
Speaker: Okay, well, that sucks. Why'd you tell me that? i I'm sorry. It's just like, I feel like people aren't alarmed enough. But also, like, they're not definitely leaving. It's just... yeah very concerning.
Speaker: I feel like stuff, like, it's not, like, an overnight thing. It's, like, things have to happen a lot. But, like, that is very concerning about, like, why would they not consider, like, one of the literal teams that plays all their games or, like, half their games and half them are away, I guess, like, at that location.
Speaker: Yeah. And also, is this why all the players are leaving? don't I'm just worried because, and like, the PWHL is with how willing they are to expand, I'm like, surely they're willing to relocate a team at the drop of a hat, you know?
Speaker: also, like, there's no way that that's what they're gonna do, who right? Especially because we're gonna get a downtown arena in a few years where they could probably just share that eventually. They're gonna grow, they're gonna keep growing, right? yeah And I'm sure there would be demand for that.
Speaker: Yeah, I was also just pissed off at the way that a lot of city councillors were talking about the PWHL because they were kind of angry at the idea that the PWHL wanted money. And they were like, I thought this was about supporting women's sports, not making a profit.
Speaker: And like, look, and I'm not a capitalist here. i don't support billionaires. definitely don't support Mark Walter. Right. But I think in the capitalist world that we live in, it's completely reasonable for women's sports to operate like a business and want to make profit. Like, sorry. like that's actually, like, so demeaning.
Speaker: Basically, like, I thought this was for, like, girls, but now you guys want to, like, make money? Like, yeah, sorry, you're supposed to be a charity. yeah I don't understand that.
Speaker: Very frustrating. Very concerning. There was also, I have to say this, apparently Jinsy Rose has been like sabotaging the charge with this.
Speaker: was reading through all these reports and like allegedly Jinsy Rose might have written something about how awful the arena experience is.
Speaker: Oh no! my god. Oh my god. Like, girl, I already didn't like you. And now you're gonna make us lose our team. Oh no. um well, that's bad news.
Speaker: I hope everything will be okay. That's it. Okay, like, I guess, like, rationally, it does take many steps, right? Before something bad happens. But I don't want to get, like, Arizona coyote-ed.
Speaker: you know what I mean? Like, I don't want to, like, I don't want to to move to Utah. Yeah. whatever oh my god you know who's probably doing this buffalo fans buffalo fans are behind this buffalo women's hockey fans they finally get their muffins oh my god you cracked it they've been after us from day yep that sucks that's a bad story i hope that resolves itself in a good way
Speaker: speaking of mark walter Do we want to finally finally, switch into Elite J's brain? Guys, i just got a stomachache. Like, oh my god, hurts.
Speaker: We are not on equal playing field here because, i won't lie guys, I do not watch baseball. i Look, look, sometimes I try to get into new sports because I'm like, this would be fun. And then i just realized like how much time I dedicate to hockey. And I'm like, i have so little free time.
Speaker: i cannot pick up another sport. I don't want to do this. And also I do find baseball very boring. Now I watched some of the games. I was very invested in the final game. And I will say this run made me understand why people who hate the Leafs like the Jays.
Speaker: Because for a while I was like, I can't rally around Toronto sports. Toronto doesn't represent me. I don't want Leafs fans to be happy. I cannot, I cannot identify with Toronto sports.
Speaker: And then the World Series happened and all these Americans were talking a shit about Toronto and talking about like beating the Canadians and stuff. And I was like, whoa, whoa, whoa Only other Canadians are allowed to hate Toronto.
Speaker: So i I understand now. And also I'm so sorry, people. like Guys, if you have been a Jays fan for longer than I have been, again, two weeks, I can't imagine what you're going through. Like, oh my god.
Speaker: Because I literally cried. And I was like, I just met these guys. It was so sad. i really, like, that's the thing. I think that, like, the Raptors and Jays are just, like, so different. Because it's, like, there's that's only the only Canadian team. And also, it's, like,
Speaker: Because, like, the nature of, like, the sports and stuff, a lot of the Toronto, like, Maple Leafs, right, are from Toronto, they, like, understand, like, Toronto, like, they're like, this is such an honour, blah, blah, lot, and they're like, specifically Toronto is, like, the honour, a lot of the Jays players, like, were talking, and they were just like,
Speaker: we love Canada. Like they were just like, they like, you know, that thing about when like Americans are like, oh, I'm flying to Canada. Like they don't fully like, and I know that they obviously like know about Toronto and stuff, but I think they view it like, cause they're obviously from a different country. Like they view it so much more broadly as like Canada as a whole, like I'm playing in Canada.
Speaker: I think that like helps add to it. Like they're not just so like Toronto pilled, they're like Canada pilled, which is nice. And like this run, my God. Like they were literally like,
Speaker: I don't know how much you like saw the quotes coming out of it, but like Ernie Clement, oh my God, my bias to use K-pop vernacular. He was literally like, I like, it's not every, like every year that you get to play with your 30 best friends. Like these guys, like they're my best friends.
Speaker: Like ah Max Scherzer was like, um I never knew that I could love baseball this much, but these guys made me love baseball this much. Like, um oh my god, what else? and There's just so much coming out where I was like, they're literally best friends, and they should have won based on the power of friendship, and the evil Dodgers took it from them.
Speaker: and it was so sad. ah Yeah.
Speaker: the They were so Ottawa Senators coded. i was like, oh my god. They're the baseball Sens. They literally are the baseball Sens. and People on Sens Twitter were saying it for years and I didn't fully appreciate how right they were.
Speaker: It's fucked up how the bad guys always win in sports. It is. And even after like some, I don't remember who it was, but like one of the Sportsnet, like people were like, you know, this is going to sound like sour grapes, but the worst team, like what i like the better team. Yeah, I saw that.
Speaker: You're right. Because it's like, that's the thing is like, they were the better team and they came so close. And like, they just like love each other so much. I was like, so sad. It so emotional.
Speaker: Oh, yeah. The other thing i was going to say, David Schneider apparently was like, I don't even know if I have friends who aren't on this team. Like, all my friends are on this baseball team. I was like, what the heck?
Speaker: That's so Josh Norris coded. know. I was like, oh, my God. I'm like having flashbacks. ah Yeah, sorry. it was just like so emotional. it was like the biggest two weeks of my whole life.
Speaker: And I'm a fan for life now, I will say. I'm not going to watch 162 games because like I can't believe they play 162 games. I'm not doing that. but like The games are so long too.
Speaker: oh but Like forever in my heart, 2025 Toronto Blue Jays and we'll get them next year, your guys. but man fucked up.
Speaker: and It was literally yeah it's really fucked up. Also people are like being so mean to them now. Like so like some of the players like they're DMing them such mean things. Guys that's not what this is about.
Speaker: i no one listening to this is doing that but Well, okay, I do have to come clean. Obviously, i wasn't doing that. I did post a few tweets making fun of Toronto sports generally. Look, I had, i had like, it was one of those things where, like, I wasn't that invested, and I had multiple drafts saved, depending on what was going to happen, where I was, like, either...
Speaker: yay Canada or like oh my god fucking Toronto sports man yeah and it was it was less like oh I'm a Toronto sports fan and I'm sad and more like ah lol Toronto that's and I'm sorry I'm sorry i know that that is like a very i know I know that I was being an asshole online ah but No, but honestly, I saw people like doing it, but like they were Leafs fans and they were basically just like Toronto sports game seven, blah, blah, blah. And i was like, do not compare like the failure Leafs to the Blue Jays. And Leafs fans themselves were like, do not compare the failure Leafs to the Blue Jays. Like they're different. And it's like,
Speaker: I felt bad. The Leafs did not get to game seven of the finals. I can tell you that. People were like, oh, game sevens in Toronto. I was like, the Toronto Maple Leafs could only dream of playing in game seven of a final of some sort. Like, come on now.
Speaker: Don't jinx it though. Now they're going to make it to game seven of the finals. yeah onwood No, they're going to miss the playoffs. It's fine. Yeah. um Yeah. It was so sad. I also loved the Pule Walk-It jersey. I was like getting emotional about that.
Speaker: Okay, but then also everyone was like, yeah, the greatest playoff performer. And a part of me was like, she doesn't perform in the playoffs. She only performs at the international stage. No, literally. Like, greatest Olympic performer? Certainly. But, um no. She is not clutch in the playoffs.
Speaker: Yeah, the other funny thing is that I think, like, the Blue Jays were like, oh, Captain Clutch at NHL. And it's like, Incorrect. Like, great sport.
Speaker: and I like to think they all thought that she played at the NHL. She'd be the best player in the NHL. She'd be the best player on the Hobbs for sure. Yeah, so... all and ah or also i wonder if it's like we will not be tagging but like wal mark walter owned i didn't even think of that that's probably not it but like maybe that's what they could have tagged team canada so yeah exactly but yeah that was such a thing like the vibes were so good and the bad guys won
Speaker: good it'll be okay Yeah, and um now we're going to talk about... I just needed to briefly mention this one thing, i um Have you but been reading Heated Rivalry?
Speaker: so i don't know what it Wait, what? On Twitter anymore, so you don't know this. I think I've seen screenshots. Is, like, Ottawa mentioned in this one, or is that different one? Apparently.
Speaker: So I haven't read these books either. But there is a ah hockey, yaoi book that is taking hockey Twitter by storm. Taking the world by storm. Because there's going to be an adaptation. I will watch the adaptation, by the way. And I will see if it's good enough to read the books.
Speaker: um And I'm just really amused at how many people in my real life who don't watch hockey are getting into hockey through this fucking book series. Nice.
Speaker: Apparently it gets very Ottawa friendly toward the end. However, I said this on Twitter, i do not want to read these books because apparently in the books, the Habs have won the cup several times in recent memory and like, I can't do that.
Speaker: Is it like, does this book take place in like the 80s? Like, that's the only self timeline I feel like that makes sense. Nope, it's just an alternate universe and it's a Habs Bruins romance apparently.
Speaker: Oh, okay. I feel like the Habs didn't have to win for that to happen. No hate to the author, but I'm just like, that's fine. And apparently there's not even that much hockey. That's also what turned me off. I was like, no, no, no.
Speaker: It's not that I need my hockey romance to be super focused on hockey. It's just like, I am so familiar with the highs and lows of the hockey season that like, I want the emotional beats to follow hockey.
Speaker: Like, My favorite hockey book is not a romance at all. It's Beartown. And that's a book where, like, you understand why people love hockey, you know? Like, it's it's the hockey that is the emotional beat of it.
Speaker: And yeah I don't want to read a book where it's not the main focus. That's fair. I think... Yeah, I'm not much.
Speaker: I'm not really one for like romance novels in general. that But I do like to see random screenshots of books where they randomly name drop things that I'm familiar with.
Speaker: Because I'm like, interesting. I know that thing. Apparently they were being mean to Ottawa in this book. ah What else is new? That's like the mainstream media always does.
Speaker: I know. It's like, you have to be from Ottawa to make these jokes. And actually, I think Rachel Reed lived in Ottawa for a while. I think she's from Halifax or something. So like, im okay, maybe she gets a pass. But still, I did not appreciate what I saw.
Speaker: Yeah, what the heck? Well, I guess I haven't read it. So I won't. Yeah, I know we're judging. I'm looking forward to the TV show. I hope it's good. I will be tuned into that. That sounds awesome.
Speaker: I love also that Americans are so upset about the fact that it's not streaming in the US. Oh my god. and Now you know how it feels. I think like now I think ah I think someone sent me a tweet that was like Justin Trudeau and Katy Perry are only dating so that Katy Perry can get the VPN to watch Heated Rivalry and I was like I know the like Victorian child thing is like overstated, but like that was like a Victorian child tweet.
Speaker: um So now that makes more sense. But yeah.
Speaker: and So yeah, congrats to everyone who's into that book series. Seems like you're all having a good time.
Speaker: Looking forward to watching the show. who me too we'll do a review of it we'll do a comprehensive review oh 100 yes and finally speaking of yaoi
Speaker: we had a ah final discussion topic that we were talking about before the episode we feel like we need you know we're like we have a lot of listeners who are our age who are into the same stuff we are We also have a lot of listeners who are like traditional hockey fans and we need to tell them about pop culture.
Speaker: And I need to tell you about my experience at the SENS home opener. Okay. To explain why this is relevant the SENS. It's not relevant to the SENS, but we need to explain things to people.
Speaker: I was at the SENS home opener. Having a good time despite the Sens loss, right? During the second period, I'm scrolling Twitter and I'm on the following tab, obviously, because I want to see the tweets in real time, see what people are talking about, right? To stoppage and play.
Speaker: And i see a tweet from one of my favorite YouTubers that I have been following since for like 10 years. Someone I've been a huge fan of for so long.
Speaker: At AmazingPhil tweets. If you've ever been into Dan and Phil, you might want to be online in an hour or so. And like, here's the thing. I'm finally ready to admit this on the podcast. It's not a secret.
Speaker: I think people have figured this out. I have in fact been a huge fan of Dan and Phil for the last like 10 years. I never turned off YouTube notifications for them. I have always been a huge fan. I've watched every single video.
Speaker: So why? So I knew that like, oh, they were going to do something big. They were going to like revamp their content, rebrand, whatever. But if you've ever been into them, And I was so distracted for the rest of that hockey game.
Speaker: Because I was, like, my phone battery was on, like, 15%. When left, think it was slightly higher than that. That was just refreshing. Like, what the fuck are they planning? Because also, I was like, what could it be other than the hard launch?
Speaker: They're gonna hard launch. This is what's gonna happen. And I'm gonna be, I'm gonna get this news from the Canadian Tire Center. um Anyways, the game ended and I i went to the 404 Tunney's Pasture and I sat down and I had a notification that was in fact...
Speaker: The hard launch video where they confirm that they've been in a relationship for 16 years. And I watched this on the bus. If you were on the 404 Tunney's posture and you saw me, like my face was red. i was vibrating with excitement.
Speaker: I was like in another world. that's what was going on. i was experiencing like one of the most incredible pop culture moments ever.
Speaker: um I also remember like people at the bus stop on the way home over when I switched buses asking me if the Sens had won ah because I was presumably because I was like smiling like an idiot.
Speaker: um And then I was walking home to my parents house being like, i have to act normal. I have to stop smiling because the Sens lost. I have to remember this, the Sens lost and I should not beat this Absolutely, like, over the moon.
Speaker: So guys, the Sens made fan canon.
Speaker: Honestly, like, the Sens lost, but, like, society one Like, it was bigger than the Sens. um Yeah, yeah. I was not as into them as you were because I sadly stopped watching.
Speaker: But like it healed. Like I was saying before we started recording, it healed like my grade seven self so much. I was like, oh, my gosh. Closure. i went back and watched so many videos. I was like, it's bringing out so many memories. I'm so happy for them.
Speaker: I think you said and I agree. I'm so happy for my close personal friends, Dan and Phil. Literally. yeah I know. it it Yes, it healed my 15-year-old self.
Speaker: It also healed my
Speaker: um It's just wonderful. And if you don't it like if you were not aware of this, if you don't know about this, you've just missed out so much. Yeah, because that's the thing. Oh, to be like...
Speaker: oh to be like in like grade nine or whatever and like so into Dan and Phil and then like it's just like um even if like like obviously like it's still so meaningful today but like there's just something about like that era that time that like if you didn't experience it I'm so sorry like if you're like not the right age demographic if you just like weren't into British YouTube specifically this British YouTube like I'm sorry and it's like We were talking before the podcast, I know a lot of people are like, oh, I was just so into YouTube around that time. I wasn't. These were the only YouTubers I was subscribed to. Like, don't even know how I found them because I was not generally into YouTube. It was literally just this one fandom.
Speaker: And also i should save face a little bit here. I was never posting about them. I lurked in the Tumblr ta egg and that was about it. Yeah. So I wasn't even just like generally into YouTube, but like people don't get the impact these people had on internet culture.
Speaker: And even when I explain it to people in my life, I'm like, I don't think you understand how much my sense of humor was... stolen from them you know sometimes i'll be editing this podcast or just listening to it and i'm like why did i say that in such a like dan howell voice it's so embarrassing like it's it's just like this is what happens when you watch them constantly for like 10 years and just like so many internet memes originated with these two guys Also another thing, um and I'm calling myself out here, you know how like gay people will type in all lowercase, no punctuation?
Speaker: Literally that was a Dan Howell thing. He started that. And people do that because of him. so many and So many annoying things about internet culture. But also, you couldn't, like, they, knock on wood, have been some of the least problematic YouTubers too. Like, you could do so much worse than those two.
Speaker: Like, I think, like, obviously, don't know them in real life, blah, blah, whatever. But, like, that we know. They're just, like, so, like, kind, wholesome people. Have good, like, politics, obviously. Like, good, just, like, on the right side of things. I'm just, like, I love them.
Speaker: I feel like they were just so... so much the victims of internet culture that like they were not the people causing problems. They were the ones like being absolutely tormented. Like guys, again, if you were not there, you cannot possibly understand the extent to which these random fucking guys were tormented by Tumblr.
Speaker: Literally. And you know what they did in the video? They forgave them. They were like, if you were like, I forgive you, i would have never. Never. No, no. After they came out, I was like, they would be so justified in leaving the internet forever. Give these men a gun.
Speaker: Literally, I think they're just like the kindest people. And that's like so nice. Like it's nice when kind people are the famous ones. It's parasocial. But like, yeah it's like so many people who have met them have also just been like, they're like, unbelievably kind. Yeah.
Speaker: It's so nice. I also remember, okay, so last year, i feel like I, in a way, made this happen because last year i did do a PowerPoint night with my friends where we were, like, explaining our niche interests and I did a whole PowerPoint about Dan and Phil.
Speaker: And at one point, when I was talking about how they're not that problematic, I was like, you know, ah so far, at least, they are some of the only YouTubers who were, like, never accused of acting inappropriately toward their fans.
Speaker: Their fans were acting inappropriately toward them. And then and then one of my friends was like, well... Technically, technically their relationship is an inappropriate relationship with a fan, but it's fine. It's fine. He wasn't super famous back then. It's whatever.
Speaker: People were doing a bit of discourse about that. they were. was like, oh gosh, just leave it alone. Phil was not super famous when Dan was a fan of his. Like, it's fine. Yeah, like, it's also like, it's been almost 20 years, ah he think.
Speaker: Like, we don't have to do discourse about it. But also, yeah I was saying that um my version of, like, going and re-watching all their videos is I did start watching the playlist that someone made. Beautiful playlist ah titled All Dan and Phil Videos in Chronological Order.
Speaker: And, like, low-key, guys, if you haven't you haven't watched the old videos... You gotta go do that. Like, it's... There's some good content there. I believe it. It's all so, like, early 2010s, too. Like, it's literally just, like, a time capsule. It's like, oh my gosh. Like, the outfits, the hairstyles, the iconic hairstyles.
Speaker: And just like four like, again, it's like, you see how YouTube culture started here, right? Like, even watching any of their old videos, you're like, oh, wow, this is such a time capsule of, like, internet humor in the 2010s.
Speaker: They weren't copying other people. They weren't doing the internet jokes. Like, they started these jokes. Everyone was copying them. It's true. Yeah, I like to imagine people just, like, don't, like, someone listening this who just, like, has no idea what we're talking about. They tune out, though. I said initially we were going to explain things, and then we were just fangirling instead. explanation is, okay, guys, guys, chat.
Speaker: There was... There are these two YouTubers who were like some of the biggest YouTubers of the 2010s. They were huge. They did like multiple world tours, trendsetters, invented internet culture.
Speaker: And the main thing is that the entire time they were like one of the biggest real person ships ever of all time. Like this was on par with the boys from One Direction.
Speaker: Except to imagine if instead of being famous singers, their whole job was just being chronically online. So they had to see everything. And also the whole content was just their lives.
Speaker: So this was just... And people were just like doing insane conspiracy theories. Like if you think if you think the Gaylers are bad, you don't understand. It was worse than that. It was so invasive.
Speaker: People were like... They would go on vacation and people on Tumblr would be like, I found the Airbnb that they stayed in and there was only one bed. It was crazy. And it was like, just this elephant in the room because it was all anyone ever wanted to talk about with them, but they like didn't acknowledge it at all.
Speaker: So they'd be doing like live shows. Yes, I used to tune into their live shows. And all the comments were like, is fan real? And then they would just be like, oh, I found the one comment that isn't about that. I'm going to answer that and just like not acknowledge what the rest of the chat was saying.
Speaker: Absolutely crazy. Then after 10 years, they both came out as gay, but they didn't acknowledge whether they were together. They just like didn't say anything. They were like, respect our privacy.
Speaker: we We don't owe you anything. and They bought a house together, but they were like, we're friends. And then they finally confirmed it after 16 years. Yeah.
Speaker: And like, that's the thing is that then people were like, didn't we already know this? And it's like, you weren't tapped in then. Like, you don't know what you're talking about. Also, like, Okay, ever since Twitter likes went private, I have been on Tannenpill Twitter lurking.
Speaker: And like, there were... Guys, I'm just like progressively like, seeming more insane. Revealing more about might the extent of my fandom as this goes on. and And like, there were so many people out there who were on Twitter being like, um...
Speaker: They broke up years ago and they confirmed it in their coming out videos. they are Or like the shipping ruins their friendship and they don't talk to each other anymore. Like the game of telephone was crazy. So many people were like weirdly insistent that they were not together.
Speaker: so no, it was not common knowledge. Yeah. Even though most people assumed Yeah, that's the thing. It's like that. It's like it was basically like a bell curve of like, if you know, like a little, you were like, aren't they together? And then there was like a huge middle that was like, no, because x y Z, blah, blah, blah.
Speaker: And then if you know a lot, you were like. Yeah. And they did also put like, they made they put effort into making it seem like they were not together for a while. Yeah, it's also that thing of like, you never actually know, like you're just being invasive and like parasocial if you were like, oh, I totally knew the whole time.
Speaker: Obviously, like people were like, well, Like, I don't know, they have lived, like, they lived together for a long time and all this stuff and, like, blah, blah, blah. But, like, we never actually knew. ah yeah. Yeah, and it was, were again talking about this before recording, where it's, like, if people in your life are, like, oh, yeah, those guys, I used to watch them. Are they together?
Speaker: it was, like, if you knew a lot, you had to be, like, how much time do you have? Because, like, the Almost definitely yes. They've like kind of subtly confirmed it, but like they're not acknowledging it. So it's like we're supposed to politely pretend we don't know, kind of.
Speaker: We're just not allowed to talk about that topic, except now we are. Yeah. It was also, do have to say, again, I'm saving face a little bit. Even back in 2015, my take was they are 100% together and they 100% do not want us to know about it and people should stop being weird.
Speaker: So I am extremely vindicated by this because that's exactly what was happening. And so many people at the time were like, um if they were straight couple, nobody would be questioning whether or not they're together. So it's actually fine.
Speaker: bad take. Very bad take.
Speaker: but yeah. It was a crazy... was just nuts. And also, like, lost in all this is that what they did at the end was ah hard launch a podcast.
Speaker: Which is awesome. Like, they did all that to hard launch a podcast. and was like That they called hard launch, too. Yeah. And it's fun. It's a good podcast. I mean, like, look. They embarrassed me.
Speaker: I have like several friends who don't really watch their videos who have tuned into the podcast and every week I'm like, this is so embarrassing. Like, they're being so weird. oh my god, they're embarrassing me. But, I mean, my friends like the podcast. I do think if you like the podcast, you will like all their other videos.
Speaker: It's the thing. don't Don't watch the most recent video on their channel. there's That's not a podcast. They got really weird for Halloween. That shouldn't be your first video, but everybody go watch Dan and Phil. It's not cringe anymore. You're allowed to like them.
Speaker: I'm declaring this. Go watch my my close personal friends who I'm very proud of
Speaker: I hope all of the Judebro sports fans really enjoyed that segment. I'm sure they did i I did actually make an intro to Dan and Phil playlist for my friends when I did my PowerPoint.
Speaker: So maybe I will revisit that and share it on Twitter and Blue Sky so that everybody can do their homework. There's going to be a test next episode.
Speaker: I need everybody to be able to talk to me about this. Because this has been all that has consumed my brain for the last three weeks.
Speaker: And I'm glad we got to this discuss this. We've discussed so many random topics on this podcast. We didn't even talk about how Taylor Swift's album is shit. Oh my god, it's so bad. That's for another time. i know. We we did a review of Tortured Poets when it came out. We just want to clarify. We don't like we don't like the new Taylor Swift album. not a fan of hearing the song, any of them. But like, song would ruined my life, actually. Eldest Daughter ruined my life. Oh my god.
Speaker: Everybody is so punk on the internet. It's true. Oh, God. That's the other bad thing. I still memorized all the lyrics. Oh, God. I'm an eldest daughter and I don't claim that song.
Speaker: Oh, you didn't dress up as a wolf and look fire? No. Gosh. Get an editor, girl. It's gone too far.
Speaker: Oh my god. But it also is like the most like commercially successful album in like history. So like, whatever, I guess. She won't. mean, whatever. It's so sad. cling on to folklore and evermore.
Speaker: Even older stuff. Like, Red is good. has some cringe songs, and it's still a banger album. but Because you need... This is, like, my mini take. It's, like, you need, like, enough good to just be, like, now let's do a fun one. Like, like now let's do a silly one.
Speaker: You know what mean? But this is, like, why are we doing... all silly ones like what's going on like even like I was not a huge fan of Midnight's either like the standard album but all the extra tracks I was like okay honestly like there's so much good in here that I'm like I am ready to forgive and forget lot of what I heard like oh my god these 12 songs what are we doing here was not a fan but each their own Yeah.
Speaker: So that was a long pop culture segment in our hockey podcast. um If anyone is still listening, ah follow us and Twitter and Blue Sky at Elite Sense Brain or at C Beata. That's B-E-A-T-A-E.
Speaker: um Also, I forgot that I was I promised that I would give a shout out to my friend's dad who tunes into this podcast and was wondering when we would have upload a new episode.
Speaker: I'm so sorry for the last segment. But see, again, like, so many people so many people who wouldn't know about the incredible, like, historic moment that happened on October 2025, know about There you now know about it
Speaker: you go
Speaker: So yeah, we'll see you next time. um Might, okay, we're both like a little bit busier than usual these days. And me, ah especially in January, I will be very busy for reasons that i'm I might disclose if I feel like it. I don't know. We'll see.
Speaker: Good reasons. Don't worry. So no promises about upload regularity, but we will try. So go sends go. Wait, i I did this. Hold on.
Speaker: You should also follow us at at leastinsmerey.toddler.com and subscribe to Silver 7. Bye. Go sends go. ah since Go sends go. Bye.
