Transcript
Speaker: Go talk till the whole night goes. Let it roll
Speaker: With the same old friends
Speaker: Welcome everyone to another episode of the Lawson Lounge. a podcast dedicated to Western Michigan Broncos. hockey. I'm one of your hosts, Tony Ringgett, joined as always by Matt Wally -Walasek. Brian Plonsky, boys. How are we doing?
Speaker: Great weekend to be a Bronco. Brian, let me throw it to you. You know, every weekend's a great wicked weekend to be a Bronco. But writing a canon back to Kalamazoo where effing belongs makes it that much better.
Speaker: Yeah, amen to that. but You do anything fun this weekend? I had to work most of the day. saturday but luckily it was welcome to fall we go from 80 degrees to 50 in the span of 12 hours so that was great for the sinuses for the allergies for the where are my sweaters moments but Just... It's going to be 70 all week. So, you know, we go from one day of fall to, oh yeah.
Speaker: Does my heat still work in the car? Always a fun... I know you don't know anything about heat in a car, or Tony. You haven't... I love months out of the year. Yeah, that's true. What did you do this weekend, my man? I uh...
Speaker: Fun packed wedding weekend down ah down in the city and And then, you know, just riding the high, man. We went out pre -gaming at a sports bar. Watch Ohio State, Indiana.
Speaker: Florida, Texas, hit a little two -game parlay there, riding the high. Came off a Western. win than the night before so I was Jazzed up going into the...
Speaker: into the wedding. and then Watch not only... are Yeah, I guess I did get to watch the last like two minutes of Notre Dame football. Collapsic. So I was like, oh, yay.
Speaker: Notre Dame went 0 -3 this week. got yeah So, you know, it was a fun weekend though.
Speaker: Tough weekend to be the Irish. very Very tough for them. That is facts. Yeah, we. we had We had a little bit of a... It felt like late late fall weather on Friday night. we had a We had our homecoming football game at the high school I work at. and Okay. I was wearing a sweatshirt and I was cold and had to leave at halftime.
Speaker: um We're also not doing very well. um But yeah, it was. ah It was good to be able to throw on a sweatshirt and be cold again than yesterday. Jacqueline and I ended up going to a friend's birthday at a nice little patio bar up in Plano.
Speaker: um I'm definitely not doing that drive when the stars eventually move up there. but Man, it was great. It was like 70 degrees. We were in the shade and it. Dude. Felt great. Had a sweatshirt on. Loved it. So.
Speaker: um But yeah, we talked a little bit about that cannon coming. Coming back down to Kalamazoo, great victory for the football team. on saturday picked up the 21 14 victory over the chips got a little bit hairy at the end At. Last.
Speaker: A minute and a half of the game took about three hours. but You know what? A win's a win. Yeah, and then another... Last minute Hail Mary pass. that I don't like this where we're the ones defensively playing Hail Marys.
Speaker: Every couple of weeks now. it Did we have to look at the clock? That's where my eyes went to. I'm like, don't watch this damn clock yet again. Well, he caught it this time, so it didn't matter. yeah at least ah Yeah, at least this time they played it well.
Speaker: Or so the fact that Central didn't have... a six foot seven receiver either or probably, boy but. I mean... ten rap I got nervous because. i mean That starting quarterback just ran all over them in the last two minutes. and And then he gets just.
Speaker: popped. I wasn't a fan of that flag. i mean I guess I kind of see why they threw it. when you but when you slow it down i'm just To me, you're you're the you're like a running back at this point. like He didn't try to slide.
Speaker: It didn't look intentional. It just looked like a good. Big head. I think that that's running back or a receiver. I don't think the ref calls or throws a flag on that. so Wasn't too thrilled about that, but luckily that didn't hurt Western. and and staying where it belongs, Kalamazoo.
Speaker: we've We've dominated this rivalry over the last 15 years. kind of Shifted. shifted things a little bit. Yeah, I mean, with Central, I mean, Coach Mack. Ends up kind of like retiring, kind of out of the blue.
Speaker: Um... Which I think he's still with Central, but like on more of like a. special advisor or assistant to the AD or something like that, which. Kind of interesting because I think he's.
Speaker: More from like the Montana -ish or Colorado area, if I'm not mistaken. Um... I was really surprised a couple of years ago that he retired. uh you know,
Speaker: I mean. 60ish. is kind of young I think nowadays for coaches to retire. Um... So it was a little surprising. So I think they're just still still trying to get their footing with.
Speaker: the new coaching personnel, their recruits, but. It's hard to recruit when you got. western that's just Recruiting overly well. down in kalamazoo and no one wants to drive up to that Crap town.
Speaker: City of two lives. And I think for us, it helps in the recruiting because. it's a little bit easier for kids from you know say pittsburgh or chicago or Indianapolis or Columbus or Milwaukee to.
Speaker: To get to Kalamazoo. I mean, that was PJ Flex. whole thing was I'm going to recruit a six hour radius and and nothing more, but. It's like, yeah, you don't have to recruit more than the six -hour radius from Kalamazoo because you have all these.
Speaker: big cities and really big football football areas. Perfect. Yeah, I mean, Lance Taylor's doing a phenomenal job. you know just keeping that going so
Speaker: Keep it going. i would Keep him a little bit longer. Yeah. All righty, boys. We'll switch gears a little bit to to college hockey. I don't want to dive too deep into this because we are not a...
Speaker: hockey in the classroom show anymore. Um, That's simpler to type. ah But. just around the NCHC this past weekend. um St. Cloud State.
Speaker: was at Boston College. They split that series. ah losing 4 -0 on Thursday and then winning 5 -3 on Saturday. um Miami and Robert Morris in Pittsburgh, not Chicago.
Speaker: um miami won that series pretty pretty handedly 7 -1 on thursday 3 -2 on saturday Um, Augustana, man. They're looking good, jumping up the rankings. They got a nice sweep over Omaha this weekend. they got ah Both games were pretty tight, though. Augustana got a late. goal.
Speaker: on Thursday to win 2 -1 and then ended up winning 3 -2 in overtime on Saturday. All right. Colorado College split with UConn. They won 4 -1 on Saturday, but did fall on Friday 3 -2 in overtime.
Speaker: Um, Great debut for for Hackstall in... With Arizona State, they got a sweep in at Lowell. Winning 5 -4 on Friday and 4 -2 on Saturday.
Speaker: Duluth. They won 7 -1 against Minnesota on Friday and then tied 2 -2 on Saturday. So that was a little bit around the NCHC.
Speaker: Yeah, I mean, the one that... carley in those. No. ah The only ones I took were like tacking a couple. I took some of like the more favorite ones. Uh... But...
Speaker: In August, they had a game. series doesn't necessarily surprise me after last week uh after we were recorded i think the next day i was listening to a podcast with our With our guy Schlossman.
Speaker: If I'm saying that right. um who's been on this pod. the original Hockey in the Classroom at one point with us. and he And he brought up that Augustana is kind of like a good sleeper team, that they returned a lot of guys.
Speaker: from last year. um so he's not overly surprised that they're this that they're this competitive um And so far, it's kind of more making sense when you look at the scores because.
Speaker: Again, we're not studying these teams religiously. Um, especially if Western's not playing. So we're not going to really know too much about. who stayed and who's gone and who came in as transfers and whatnot with a lot of these teams. but Yeah, I mean, Augustana is... um they're They've been so far kind of making a statement early on. and then ah Yeah, you mentioned it, Hackstall. I mean...
Speaker: We already knew he he could dominate college hockey once upon a time, and it's like he it's like he didn't. you know leave uh now he's just with a different team and uh Yeah. Arizona State just got scary again.
Speaker: I don't know what to say there. it's that You got to think now. Arizona State's going to try to really contend in the NCHC with Axtell back and in the flow here.
Speaker: Does he ever smile? I've never seen it. There was an Instagram post. He did kind of give a little smirk on it. Walking out of the tunnel on his first track warm -up there with the team. so Uh...
Speaker: I think he has the capability Okay. But does he want to, though?
Speaker: Until he wins the national championship.
Speaker: Then oh man he'll kill he'll he'll do a thumbs up, I think, and then he's going to start recruiting for the next cycle after that. But no, I'm with you there with Augustana. I think that's been a nice surprise. i think I don't know if we were talking too much about the NCHC prior, but I thought Omaha would be a team that take a little bit of a. Meow.
Speaker: Bottom half, not top half team. I'm working on the Augustana. I'm working on their fight song on an Alma Mater, guys. I know you know I love a good fight song. So I'm working on getting the lyrics down for that. So any help. um In the comments, it'd be great.
Speaker: um regarding that but they even jumped to, I think they're up to 13 in the ranking. so Nice little showing for them early. And I hope they can keep their train rolling. on Yeah, and speaking of the rankings, we did move up to number five this week, and and obviously we'll we'll talk about our our upcoming series this weekend against Michigan, but number one against number five coming up. coming up there. um So I was watching, I think I was on Instagram, and it was one of those videos where it was say something nice about your rival. about like your rival
Speaker: And it was Anaheim Ducks version. So they're like they they had washy on there. They're like, say something nice about the Miami Redhawks. yeah i saw that the one that like threw me was this they i'm like you gotta at least have some some knowledge of who their rivals are they asked a dude from north dakota
Speaker: Hey, so say something nice about the University of Notre Dame. Like, yeah why? Yeah, that one threw me off a little bit. I mean... two I know that both teams have been around for a long time, but I don't. That was. Once can I re - recall.
Speaker: I mean, you go back to the 80s, as far back as you want, and I don't think those two are rivals at any point. and theyre college hockey careers or live so I mean Yeah, that one that one kind of like, I mean, of all the teams you could have picked for North Dakota to have rivals, but like.
Speaker: How norton Notre Dame jumps out at you, that one does make sense. the The social media interns probably saw UND. It's like. Hey! You must be wrong, because you have the same three letters in your name.
Speaker: ah Honestly, that was my exact thought. yeah Who's the real UN? I'm going to see how many times Notre Dame's actually played North Dakota. I'm sure it's ah i'm sure it's less than 10 times in recorded history. So I do want to ask you guys, because...
Speaker: I don't really know on this one. Who would you say is Western's biggest rival in hockey?
Speaker: Oof. today. Today, it's gotta be Denver. I mean, that it's that one's just... it's The way it's been shaping up and... The conference playoffs leading into, well, even leading into the playoffs, the way that they battled in the regular season.
Speaker: the last couple years. we've now reached the semi you know frozen four or right before in the regional against them And we've traded off. I mean, it's it's hard not to say it's Denver, but if you're going back.
Speaker: You know, to like when we were. college to like 20. 2009, 2010, I mean. That list could be a little bit longer. i mean because we had a lot of good rivalries back in the old ccha and then we got Some that came over from the OCCHA like Miami.
Speaker: that one really sticks out the most for me Uh... Well, like Ferris State was a big rival when we were before the. The realignments, Michigan State was, Michigan.
Speaker: I mean, kind of like the in -state schools. Oh. We're like the biggest rivals for us. And then you just throw in. Miami, Notre Dame a little bit you know from the old CCHA days. You know, so it's...
Speaker: But for me, it's Denver that currently. i You can make an argument for a couple other schools, but for me, that's that's the one that matters the most. I'm with you. I think now Denver.
Speaker: historically i lean towards miami just because i felt like It means a lot in your family too, Wally, with that. But I think of more. when it was the CCHA era. You had...
Speaker: If you lived in Michigan, lower Michigan, mid -Michigan and further, you probably knew someone at one of the state schools we played the CCHA with. So when you play Ferris, you probably would, you know.
Speaker: you know job with one of your friends that you grew up with that goes there for whatever reason it must be want to be an eye doctor go to ferris or something but is that a golf course management That's right. like i'm like What's the other goofy major they have? That one.
Speaker: The Higher Ed Talk podcast comes later. but hey um I would totally... I totally apply for that. to said To be in that major. yeah You're pros.
Speaker: So I think that's where it comes out. I think the the historical rivalry, I go with Miami just because I'm... Probably played them every year since we've been in a hockey program. Denver is just the the thorn in the side. quote unquote, rival that we have conference -wise now.
Speaker: So yeah, I'm with you there. Tony, do you think the same thing? Yeah, I mean, I think with Miami, it's it's an easy one to say that with because wet but we're the only two that came over from the CCHA. but also having the Mac.
Speaker: rivalry for now, at least. But, i you know, I and I hate to always bring stuff back to the stars, but I think like. I think Western hockey is kind of like the stars for a rivalry standpoint where it's just kind of who's. Who's good right now? It's not a, treat you don't really have.
Speaker: a traditional rival. um It's kind of. who's playing well right now and and going back to what wally said you know we've also They knocked us out of both the NCHC and NCAA tournament last year. We did the same thing to them the year before. so Um, The thing about Denver is, though, I've been i've been out to...
Speaker: to DU a couple times. I was at the semifinal game. I mean, do you fans like I've never had a bad experience with. Like they've always been super nice, super kind. um Fun to interact with so I don't know if everyone's had that experience, but I've always had that experience
Speaker: I never got that experience at Ferris. No, those three fat old guys. If you ain't first, you're last. Remember. And Matt's a sellout down here.
Speaker: Matt Sellot -Wallacek over here. thank Well, boys, shifting gears a little bit. um you know, We played two games, an old CCHA. you know rivalry there um it's always fun to get those home and home games again Um,
Speaker: Great weekend for the Broncos. I thought we played really well for the most part. I mean, there were times I feel like in the second game where we kind of. We're over this.
Speaker: um But overall, I thought it was a really good weekend. um what What were your takeaways from from the weekend? just a quick thing was just um I caught...
Speaker: Probably a split amount of both. game one and game of the Friday game and didn't catch too much of the Saturday game because I was running the streets doing Fooled. Foolish things. But. I feel like every. The Friday game. Again. I'm going to keep saying it every week. But man. The energy in that barn.
Speaker: is just. You can feel it. I think I can feel it coming through. the radio as i was doing my Friday night tasks here. um I can just feel that energy. translating through there.
Speaker: um I just think it's just that team never stopped. I kept waiting. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop here. I keep waiting for like a really, ah um I mean, we'll probably talk about it at some point. It's just the way a season goes. I kept waiting for like something stupid. I was waiting for something. Okay, like maybe we're not really clicking this well, but.
Speaker: Every game this week, Friday, Saturday games, just... They were just humming. you know, maybe one or two bad shifts here and there. Generally speaking... This has been a nice, but and I would say not a nice surprise. This has been very nice. start to the season.
Speaker: Offense, defense, and in the pipes too.
Speaker: Yeah, I mean um From game one. You could tell they they played us. from start to finish type game. When you look at the the score sheet here.
Speaker: um You know, we dominated the shots. Uh... disappointed a little bit more in the face -off circle but uh you know Notre Dame looks like they got some guys that can win the dot there and I think uh last season they were a little bit more successful in the dot as well so Um... not entirely surprised that it was probably closer than than you would like or we've seen other games like ferris where we kind of it was more lopsided but Um,
Speaker: You know, they were able to make up for it with their forechecking because, I mean. yeah Even if Norton didn't want to face off, I mean, puck possession was... heavily favorited Western's ah side there. so Uh...
Speaker: But you like that they were scoring in all three periods versus like the second game. It really just seemed kind of like the third period. it was I wouldn't say going through the motions, but. almost like they were being a little bit more cautious with.
Speaker: when they wanted to shoot. waiting a little bit more patiently for lanes to open up Notre Dame was a little bit better, I think, in game two, getting sticks in the in the passing lanes.
Speaker: ah The only disappointing thing for me in game two was that five -minute penalty and not getting at least one in first. Kind of looked a little frustrated. with the boys you know like That's it.
Speaker: kind of unacceptable uh with how powerful you know offensive powerful we are Uh... Not the greatest look for us on the power play wise that we couldn't get one at least Again, I When you're already up 4 -0, though, are they being a little bit more cautious?
Speaker: when when and where to shoot the puck versus like the first two periods it's just pucks on nut And even the game one, it was just a lot of pucks on that um from almost anywhere.
Speaker: Um, So you know I don't know if that's the case or not, but that's kind of what it looked like. so just You don't want to do that. especially with like a Michigan who were playing. this week, at least the one game. but even the exhibition, in Wisconsin.
Speaker: and really also throughout the whole conference. I mean, we're going to be. This isn't going to be a really a slow part in the schedule after. after this come upcoming weekend. and it's It's really just hitting the hitting the ground running now. We're playing.
Speaker: top 10 top 15 teams almost every weekend and from here on out now it seems like so ah You got to play a full 60.
Speaker: Yeah, and I mean, it it is encouraging that. and Let's be honest. i mean Notre Dame is probably going to finish near the bottom of the Big Ten. Ferris State's probably going to finish near the bottom of the CCHA. But at the end of the day, this is what you are supposed to do against teams like this. and And we did exactly what we were supposed to do. we dominated in all ah facets of the game.
Speaker: One. big every single game. um didn't Really have to work too, too hard, I guess, or have any of those butt clenching moments. in or in the games or anything so it was very very encouraging to see and i I definitely am excited for Michigan. I wish this was a home and home. But I know we'll get them.
Speaker: again in January. But I do wish we could see, you know, a full weekend. And I think it'll be a good. Telltale where where we're at. um Looking at one one of the takeaways I had with.
Speaker: with the games were. you know Ferris really couldn't get any sustained momentum going or not Ferris sorry Notre Dame Ferris couldn't either, but... um They couldn't really get any sustained possession going. It seemed like they'd get a shot on and then.
Speaker: you know, either Either Quentin Miller would make the save or, you know, the rebound would get onto our stick and we'd have it going the other way. so Um, And I felt like we did a very good job of controlling. controlling the zone for the most part in in these games.
Speaker: Yeah, I want i mean, I want to take. Well, I was just going to say... I was just going to say, yeah, I mean, overall, I mean, that. uh the puck possession was was i think at an all -time high again again like you mentioned when you're playing like a A team that's going to be like a Notre Dame that's still kind of rebuilding and trying to find.
Speaker: you know, that that next great Notre Dame team. And I think they're probably. Um... Getting closer to that, I mean, they got the Nelson brothers.
Speaker: Seems like every... 10 years, werere taught that they got someone with the last name Slaggart. It's a... And Kev really played outstanding, I thought. for for both games i mean it it really could have gotten out of hand um in both games. I mean, I know when you... People are going like, hey, 6 -1 is not out of hand. i mean When you think about it, I mean, really Western... 45 saves.
Speaker: Yeah, I mean, Western had... Could have really. probably put up eight nine goals i mean kev made it few outstanding states. He really wasn't getting as much defensive help in front of him.
Speaker: that he would like. um And so, you know, again, like I said, the same thing about Ferris, that goal, he kind of stood on his head as best he can. To not make it a bloodbath. um So, yeah, I mean, it's... ah But yeah, like you said, like the the you know they were able to really get one shot. and Western was able to just either get. get it out or.
Speaker: turn it around and get the pace going the other way, which is that that's going to be Western's game all year. That and get pucks on net with guys in front Yeah, exactly.
Speaker: So we started the scoring pretty early on Friday night, 19 seconds in to be exact. um Zach Wisdom made a nice play to keep to steal the puck, keep it in the zone. And got it to Spicer, who just kind of walked in and beat the goalie over the shoulder. Beautiful shot from from Cole Spicer to get his, I believe, first of the season.
Speaker: Yeah, I mean, it was... um you know Nice play off the boards. I mean, Lafreniere. Brings it in. Um... Initially, I think, and then... ah Yep. Notre Dame kind of turns the puck over trying to go from board to board.
Speaker: Wisdom kind of gets it. um and that defenseman pinched on him, so it kind of left the lane open. Spicer came in full speed and and I mean You know, I kind of wrote my notes here. A healthy Spicer is a dangerous Spicer right now. He's winning face -offs real well.
Speaker: Um... you know He's got a bigger jump in his step right now than last season, it seems like, which is good. And that wrist shot in 19 seconds in, I mean.
Speaker: I don't know if if this was part of the scouting report to kind of go more blocker side on comp. It seems like they. Thank you. They kind of want. you know, we're leaning towards more of that at certain points throughout the game.
Speaker: I know they got goals from both ends of on or both sides of of temp, but... Um... But yeah, I mean that. Can't start a game any better than that with a great forward check and then a two -on -one to start it. and Just sniping it just under the blocker there. so It's good to see Spicer.
Speaker: you know, a healthy Spicer and what he can what he can do for this team.
Speaker: And first really does love that line with, with Hawkerine and Spicer and wisdom. I mean, I noticed. There was one power plant. I think I have it in the notes here. but Man, I felt like they were on the ice the entire time.
Speaker: um they because they just wouldn't lose control of the puck. and and super I thought the power play was excellent on Friday night. I think they scored on what, their first? two or three power plays.
Speaker: Yeah, so it looks like spices. So it looks like Spicer's kind of taking on that Valente. Sec side, you know, he's he's kind of setting up on that right side. for the 1T.
Speaker: Yeah, I mean, Hawker Iden. you know he's gonna He's doing the little things right. He's just... He's kind of looking like, for me, like an Andrew Shaw. for the Hawks back in the day, he's kind of just.
Speaker: really being like a little bit of a pest for some guys because he's just getting his his shit rocked every weekend and it seems like now he's getting beat to hell i mean he I believe he got one of the boarding calls. Um...
Speaker: which was questionable for me but i i you know i thought it was a good call still but Man, he's he's in front of that the goalie almost. anytime he's out there and he's just getting cross -checked left and right so You know, you hear coaches always say. We love the guys.
Speaker: When they're on your team, and you hate when you got to play guys like that against yourself. The. that That line right there is... It's doing well so far to start the season.
Speaker: And then about six minutes, about five minutes, five, six minutes later. Um, Edison Engel with his first career. College Point. Really nice stretch pass to Neering, who looked like he was kind of getting taken down. at the Well, he had the puck, um but it was able to get it to Tommy Lafreniere, who just had an absolute snipe.
Speaker: from the left circle to to beat Kempf. That was a beautiful shot. Watching the highlights back, just like, ooh. Everything about that play was just... Chef's kiss. I mean, that that angle.
Speaker: ah No pun intended. where the puck came from. It's unbelievable. i mean I mean, when you slow it down or you watch that replay, mean he's left of the face off dot. I mean. You really have no room. I mean, you really got to snipe it. and I mean, we've already now seen at the Ferris weekend. We now saw at this past weekend.
Speaker: This kid's really shy. I mean, he's not afraid to shoot from anywhere. and he's And he finds the the littlest crease in the net to get the puck there. so uh i mean this the The freshmen have been really impressive so far through two weekends. That's that's all I really.
Speaker: Can't really say much more right now about them.
Speaker: Yeah, they've been they've been great. i mean And Sikora, I can't remember if he scored the first night, but or but he he had one the second night, that fourth line. got going in that second game. but yeah they're fun man this this is a good group There was no more scoring in in the first period. We did get two.
Speaker: um But we started scoring pretty early on in the second period, two minutes in. It was on the power play. Hockerinen and Spicer kept the puck. There was a cross -ice pass to Banach.
Speaker: Who would go top glove? Top corner, glove side from the circle, Zachariah Wisdom. Shocker was kind of in front of the net um creating a screen. I'm not sure if that pop took a little bit of a jump off of somebody's ski skate or stick, but a beautiful shot by the freshman.
Speaker: ah Yeah, I mean, I mean, but knock is just. I mean, he like I said last weekend, you know that first game against Ferris, he was noticeable. but Not as much on the stat sheet. And then we saw the second day at fairs. you mean Guy goes off for four helpers. and just creating plays all over. And now...
Speaker: You see it in Notre Dame both games. he's He's just getting more and more confident on the ice. um Which... People are probably going like, it looked like he had kind of fits going into the the whole season. It's like, yeah.
Speaker: He did. But but you got to remember, this kid's a freshman. You you still got to get. acclimated with the line that you're on and whatnot. so ah But you can see the chemistry is there, especially with him and Whitelaw. They seem to just find each other.
Speaker: But in this case, with the power play. Um, you know it's It's good to see the power play roll, at least in this first game for them. But Knox just... God, I mean, that his roster is unbelievable.
Speaker: And Binnock and Vison are our two leading scorers this season, both of them with seven points, each having two goals and five assists. Both of them. you know, two guys that you kind of hoped would come in and make a big difference already have. And I, and I know like nationally right now, Adam Banach is making such a, making such big waves.
Speaker: I know he was highly touted coming in. but Probably been one of the most impressive freshmen. early on in this young season.
Speaker: We would then score with about eight minutes left in the second period. We just got back to five on five. That four on four we had pretty much looked like a WMU power play. We absolutely dominated the pace of play there. But then Ken Floss is sick. Nearing came onto the ice, got the puck behind the net, just kind of.
Speaker: kind of turned around and just jammed it home. I'm thinking of Kempf had his stick there. He probably makes a save, but alas, he didn't, and it was 4 -0.
Speaker: Yeah, I mean, nearing this point at that. no Go ahead, Brian. I was going to say, I think at at that... Naren Golgan. We get the four on four. I was kind of like, oh, I'm going to get, a gun you know, the signature WMU power play, as Tony you just said, was on point for that.
Speaker: Get it back to even strength. Like, okay. I think they're ready to, like... maybe just go through the motions and get a couple you know get another shot or two here. But... nearing getting that goal there i think that really put the i don't say not the dagger but like that made me feel like We are firmly in firm control of this game.
Speaker: And I kind of was like ready to. Post. the rest of the way.
Speaker: Yeah, I mean, near that's where Nearing's going to do a lot of his scoring down low. We've seen the last two years that he likes to drive the net hard. But. It's going to be these greasy goals where he's just going to have to jam at pucks.
Speaker: And it's going to take one or two. swipes at it, maybe three or four. until the whistle blows um and get the puck behind the goalie there. And yeah, I mean, to your point, Tony, you're probably right. I agree. I think if Kemp has a stick.
Speaker: He probably makes that save, but um you know unfortunately for Kemp, they got... They got knocked out some way, somehow. um I can't remember if it was kind of just like incidental from one of his own guys or whatnot, but.
Speaker: I mean, Niren takes full advantage. He kind of notices that because... You know, it goes behind the net. and then Circles back and just does a little quick wrap around so um and And it's good to get Neering scoring early. I believe he had one last weekend, too, against Ferris.
Speaker: Um... He's kind of one of these guys where if we can get his motor rolling early. his confidence continues to grow. and We saw that when he was a freshman last year. It seemed like it was a little lacking.
Speaker: at times so it's good to get him rolling early here especially when We got Michigan coming up, especially.
Speaker: And that was it for the scoring in the second period. We hit that fourth goal, and I think there is something with first and getting getting to four. You always feel pretty good when you can get to that number, especially with this team. Um,
Speaker: We did score our. Arf. Fifth goal of the game, about four minutes into the third period, another power play goal. Um, Whitelaw had the shot, Kempf made the save, but let the rebound go. and And Big Ty Hendricks was right there in front of the net to jam it home.
Speaker: Yeah, it's like I said last week or a couple weeks ago when we were talking about about him. where uh where we know especially on the power play that he's just in front of that i mean this is Like I said, this is where he's going to make his money. I mean, it's gonna be just rebound goals.
Speaker: deflections Um... yeah I don't think we saw that a lot last year. and I think that was kind of where I was getting a little frustrated because it looked like. At times he kind of looked frustrated on the ice, trying to do a little too much.
Speaker: His confidence skating -wise, too, looks a lot better than compared to last year. um You know, he had a couple dangles. It might have been more in the game, too, if I'm if i'm remembering it correctly. but he's He's just skating it looks like a lot better than last season last season. I don't know Um,
Speaker: it just I think maybe it was just too much pressure. uh for him maybe he's putting on or taking on too much pressure of himself. I don't know what it was, but. Uh... But, yeah, I mean, you could tell he's he's loving life in front of the net and just causing all havoc. I mean, when you're 6 '5", too, these goalies, we're going to be.
Speaker: going up against are going to have. A real hard time. with Both him and Eric. just get in front of them. Uh oh. and screening the goalies left and right.
Speaker: i I love that line with, with nearing Hendricks and. And Lafreniere, that's such a such a dangerous line. And I think that's technically what, our third line?
Speaker: Yeah, technically, but. You know, like we've talked about with all four lines at Western. Three and four could be. Line one. pretty much anywhere else i mean maybe a couple big big time problem, but really anywhere. um And.
Speaker: When you got two 6 '5 giants and then Lafreniere is what, like 6 '2 -ish maybe? Uh, like... that's a big That's a big boy lie. um and they could skate And they could skate pretty quick, too, for big guys, especially Lafreniere. He's got...
Speaker: He's got a quick motor. um So that's. yeah That's a dangerous line when they could shoot. deflect at screen goalies real well. i They're going to get a lot of goals this year.
Speaker: Notre Dame would get one back. That was... Quentin Nelson's mil Quentin Miller. I've been doing a lot of these football drafts and I always draft Quentin Nelson with the with the Colts, so.
Speaker: um quinin g Quinn Miller's... ah Scoreless streak at Lawson came to an end. Danny Nelson scored on a tip from a shot. from the point from Jaden Kerr, not much that he could do on that one.
Speaker: Listen, he ain't gonna be perfect every night. I mean. I think last year, Hammer only had three total shutouts throughout the whole season, if I'm not mistaken. so Uh... The fact that. he You know, he's already walk he's walking away with two. and and the first two weekends is incredible.
Speaker: of But yeah, I mean, it's... Some of these deflections, you just these goalies can't do, you know again, can't do at all. Uh, This one, the puck just had eyes and and found the crease but you know got behind For me, it's going to be a case of this year of how does Western respond when they do that? we've we I've had a.
Speaker: I don't want to say a bad history, but It... Go until even like the Andy Murray days where. There was always this trend of we either would score a goal and give one up right away.
Speaker: or give up a goal. And kind of like. Didn't do much about it. we we were always really kind of always playing behind in that regard sometimes uh Not really saying that first teams have been like that, but. um You know that.
Speaker: Again, it's just how does this team react when they give up a goal? Do we attack? Do we go back on the defense? um I think. as Tony's probably going to loot. you know here shortly This team.
Speaker: goes on the attack. and you know, we we avenge that goal. at some point.
Speaker: We do just that. um got our sixth goal of the game uh this was on the power play again so the third power play goal um Another tip. Bobby Cowan got a tip off of a blast from Yonah Weiss.
Speaker: I'm. Bobby's second of the season. He currently I think leads the team with three goals this season
Speaker: Yeah, I mean, it's something I was going to bring up maybe more later with when we preview Michigan, but. I mean, when you're a team looking at Western right now. I mean, the scoring's coming from all four lines. you know A lot of these teams that we're going to play,
Speaker: They're going to really rely on their first two lines and maybe that third. the fourth is going to be your traditional energizer line like you see in the kind of in the NHL. I... Not here. I mean, Western's really got... I mean, again, first has had this for quite some time. he He has confidence to put the fourth line out there.
Speaker: against another team's First line. uh not just to to maybe play defense or kill penalties or whatever. like he's trusting them to score goals just like the third line etc so I mean.
Speaker: we're We're not going to see here at Western probably this season and a guy go off for. you know, 25 goals. If we do, it's incredible because the the ah offense is going to be well spread out throughout the whole team.
Speaker: Yeah, currently... Go ahead. No, I was gonna say the fact of When you talk about a third line or a fourth line, I don't think of them as... The. third best line. I just think of them that is just literally in order of what lines are going out there. so And you're right, he's not a...
Speaker: Versus not afraid to throw. a fourth line out there. to get. the matchup game going or to force anything that way so it's just a weird thing i think there's a mentality of I'm on the second line, the third line, the checking line.
Speaker: the the the relaxing line, or whatever you want to call them. um It's just nice to have that, you know, I don't worry about. a specific line going out there, number -wise or just person -wise. We've got to give them a name for the for the tall guys. line the for um For.
Speaker: nearing and for when Lafreniere are out there. We gotta think of a good name for them. All right, that's that's your... tasks for the week, Brian. All right, I'll see what I can do. Well, power play this week Power Play Friday night was good. Three for five, 60%. Penalty kill was a perfect two for two.
Speaker: Um, 51 in the dots so Did manage to get the edge in the face -off circle. Cole Spicer was great. um I think he was 11 for 17. 65%.
Speaker: Um, Tyler McKenzie went 5 for 10. He was 50%. Wow. Lafreniere and Benac were just under 50 % in the face -offs. um Zach Neering and Yonah Bison in each of three -point nights. on. Friday night.
Speaker: Yeah, I mean, before we we go to game before we go to game two, though, Tony, I mean... Uh, I don't like being the the bear. of like bad news, but like, again, I like looking at both the games from the positives and the negatives and like, where could this team.
Speaker: improve on the negative side. for me unfortunately like it's gonna and and really and i think it's gonna be a trending thing for a few weeks until I think first. Kind of locks down.
Speaker: Uh... Who's going to be that? Uh... consistent third line defense with Wahlberg. For me, Luke.
Speaker: Book. However you pronounce his name, you know. I apologize to him. for probably Butcher again. ah But. But I wrote down here through game one a couple of things that just kind of was like.
Speaker: What are we doing? um you know he he He's giving up now. Uh... Both games. Or... at least in this game this game one i believe one in ferris where He gives up a turnover in a bad spot, giving up a...
Speaker: Odd Man Rush. Luckily, Wahlberg. Was able to recover pretty good. And. Nothing really comes of it. but When you're playing teams like Michigan, North Dakota, Denver, they're going to capitalize like that. That's the stuff that we got to.
Speaker: Really? get out out of our system quickly here. And I'm putting a little bit more pressure on him because he's been in this system now full season of last year. and This is this year two.
Speaker: You know, he's not the freshman anymore, and he played every game. for pretty much last season. so Really, there shouldn't be too many excuses for why he can't play to the caliber that the rest of the defensemen are playing at. Um,
Speaker: And then at times it just seems like he's trying to do too much. And I don't know if it's a case of. Because he could see Yonah Vizen and Orzac Sharp the way they're skating. Or Neumeier. um And these are guys that have are very confident in their skating abilities and their offensive defensive abilities.
Speaker: Let me say this. The potential is there. he's just got to take some of these bad decision makings that happen every now and then and and get him out of here. Um, Like, for example, I believe it's in period two. He just takes a bad penalty. The the play's over with. The whistle blows.
Speaker: and And he just kind of wraps a guy. And brings them down. It's like. Those are the penalties we don't want, especially when we get into. these big games with Michigan ah and in conference play. And he had a bad penalty against Ferris. That's why he, I don't think he got. But in the game Saturday.
Speaker: Uh... So again, it's like... Between him, callback, and angle, which one of you three are goingnna are going to finally be? a little bit more consistent because right now We got five that are playing very consistent.
Speaker: defensive hockey right now for the Broncos. and are contributing offensively too. Wow. And, you know, you could see first just rotating all the games with an extra attacker being angled.
Speaker: All back. got the the nod on Saturday at South Bend. yeah I think he's trying to truly so also find. where Where can we get?
Speaker: consistency out of these three and who's it gonna be um so Again, like I don't like bringing it up the negatives because I think, like I said, wook And it has a lot of potential. Angle's got a lot of potential callback. plate very ah Well, last season being put. halfway into the season at all.
Speaker: It really has to learn the system pretty quickly. um So it's just like, all right, guys. Which one are you just not going to make that one or two bad mistake that's going to keep you playing? Friday and Saturday instead of just Friday and you're going to wait till next week.
Speaker: So. You know, that's that's kind of what I got from game one a little bit.
Speaker: Yeah, no, I was i was watching ah the highlights of it. this afternoon. And when he, when he took, when I saw that penalty, he took, I was like, Oh, I know what Matt's thinking right now.
Speaker: Yeah. i I don't like, I just don't like the dumb penalties like that. Brides by Gears. Good. But you hit it right in the head. like that That can fly against Notre Dame or Ferris Camp. can't fly against Michigan or North Dakota.
Speaker: um Shots on goal, though, were 51 -20. on friday night so absolutely dominated shots on goal i felt like our our mentality was just, let's throw it on net. and Let's see if we can't jam one home.
Speaker: Saturday night, though. um Gotta love. Most of our scoring in the first period um started about 630 into the game. That fourth line added again. Sidlowski did a really great job of kind of holding the puck in the zone waiting for waiting for um his teammates to get in. He got it to Zach Sharp, who let one go and then. Tyler McKenzie and Sikora were.
Speaker: We're in front of the net and 32 jammed at home for. for his first goal of the game and second goal of the season.
Speaker: Yeah, I mean... what You look at game two. the first period really kind of had like a choppy start for me a little slowish for both sides um It was a ton of icings. Just a lot of missed paths, a lot of missed connections.
Speaker: uh because you know like that first goal really kind of came later versus obviously friday with 19 seconds or you know even Friday that second period was only within the first two minutes if I'm not mistaken so You know, a little different. um Going into game two. um Well, yeah, I mean, that fourth line producing again. I mean, Sikora with a nice rebound.
Speaker: Mackenzie, Shakora, and... and Yeah, I'll do it. Really been impressive so far. And then Zydlowski, I mean, we saw what he did against Ferris and now.
Speaker: Uh... You know, Whaler wasn't on the stat sheet Friday, but... Overall, played a great two -way game. Friday and... You know, he gets rewarded Saturday, so it's... so it's it's it's the Like and we talked about, this fourth line could be a first line anywhere else.
Speaker: um it's it's just You got to be. buzzing if you're first on that coaching staff going, hey, i we we we can roll forward deep no and at any point here.
Speaker: Well, I think I made a comment that they'd probably be the top line on half the teams in the country. I take that statement back. I think they'd probably be the first line on about three quarters of the teams in the country. mm -hmm I mean, the way it started. I i would agree.
Speaker: Well, we would score six minutes later. um Phil Wahlberg just kind of threw one on that. Not sure what part of. of ty hendrick's body it hit off of but it hit off of something and it went into the back of the net Um,
Speaker: for another goal for Hendricks, his second of the weekend. Yeah, I mean, it it looked like it bounced off the bottom of his skates or something. But yeah, I mean. Again. You throw it on net, good things happen. We we say it time and time again. You hear it when you're watching any type of hockey game. college or professional and uh And you probably heard it in that game, too, because Steve Conroy being a long time. ah announcer with the Blackhawks, at least when Eddie O was on the road and he would fill in. I always would.
Speaker: you know, Say it because you heard it all the time from Eddie Olchek. ah But yeah, I mean, when it... When pox knuckle pox. Goalies just have no chance. and I mean, even when you watch Hendricks reaction, he's cracking up because he's just he couldn't believe him. He's.
Speaker: He's literally jumping. Six foot five on. And he's probably, what, six? at 768 on Skate. Jumping up and... it deflects off the bottom it's just yeah what you nothing you could do there so Um...
Speaker: But again, it's like. This is where Hendrix is going to make his money. Right in front of the net. No. deflections, redirections, however, rebounds. That's where he's got to be.
Speaker: And i think he's I think he's figured that out, too. Oh yeah. And that's where he's going to make his money and the at the next level too. Oh, 100%. That's where, if he wants to play play in the show.
Speaker: Like that's where he needs to. Help you. Probably like a third, a fourth liner, at least to start. ah But like you could see like. like why she's doing it right now. Like that's, that's where he. He's making his my winning face -offs and getting to the front of the net.
Speaker: Kill and penalize. And Hendricks will probably be like that at least to start his career. um But if he continues to be successful at it. he'll help He'll move up at some point.
Speaker: um So it's. He's just got to get consistent like he's. started the season off. Stay consistent throughout this year, and and good things are going to happen for him and the boys. I feel like the announcer who does the NCHC TV broadcast for Western has has kind of compared him to Thomas Holmstrom a few times.
Speaker: back in his Red Wing days. Yeah, he brought that up, I think, in the Friday game. I think I heard him say that too. which He's not wrong. I mean, Holscher was a pest being in front of the net. I think every team...
Speaker: and every fan that wasn't a Red Wing fan. Paid at Holmstrom just for that. Him and Johan Franzen, I mean, that's... As a Blackhawks fan, I couldn't stand those two back in the day. um And honestly, that's probably what the Red Wings need to go back to because.
Speaker: Dave. whatever they're doing now is not working especially if uh Larkins get about to get traded. Here's what the rumor is. So they're going to need more offensive power than to bring it.
Speaker: Yeah, I've heard it might be this week. That's a rumor. Not like trading a star player in October. Well, yeah I mean, same thing. Probably going to happen with Hellebuck too. Yep.
Speaker: Well, yeah exactly. Who knows with what Halibut, what's going on in that situation.
Speaker: Man wild times We would score about four minutes later. We did have back to back two on ones. coming in the first time both of them i think were white law and cowan um i think white law had the first one just kind of tried to get it over to bobby cowan and The defender made a nice play to break it up. But about 40 seconds later, Bobby Cowan came in and it kind of reminded me of that goal that Owen Michaels had in the national championship coming in two on one and then just letting one go.
Speaker: um you know, far side and and beating the goalie.
Speaker: Yeah, I think it's something that we he really wanted to show off a lot last year. that hit his Not only his wrist shot, but his clap around the power play. It was just a little. inconsistent at times last season I mean he was also a freshman so you kind of got to give him A little bit of the benefit of the doubt last year, too, on that one. but I mean, this year, he his shot just looks...
Speaker: kind of night and day um right now. compared to last season and it's been more consistent so far to start the season which is great. I mean, yeah, that two -on -one. And for me, when these two -on -ones... Uh,
Speaker: I love when these guys just. Take the shot. uh Thank you. See you a lot in the NHL. that extra pass. And it really does cost you. It's like. Again, it's really simple. Just get it on that, if anything, because.
Speaker: Uh... you know the guy that's coming down with he's gonna hopefully be there at least for a rebound chance at at worst case uh In this case, Bobby Collard was able just to snipe it. Again.
Speaker: ah Same kind of like Spicer in the in the first game. driving up a slot and and just went. ah blocker side there. and Like, that's what I'm saying. I wonder if that was in the game plan the whole time. Go blocker side, I'd cap for something.
Speaker: Yeah, did it a few times Well, not much happening after that for a while. um But then late. Late -ish. in i believe it was latest in the uh in the Five minutes in.
Speaker: so It was quite a bit later than the than the last goal. and Tata Banach scored. um his his first of the game
Speaker: And... White Law just kind of hit him driving to the net. It was a nice nice play by Adam Binak to get to the net. White Law did a great job leading him there and found the back of the net to extend the lead to 4 -0 and wrap up the scoring for the evening.
Speaker: I feel like Benach's name, it's like we were saying before. Guy wouldn't hear too much. We gotta say much. We'll hear him on the statute. I feel like I've heard we've heard his name in the statute and just in -place setup.
Speaker: And finally him getting. back that now made him tied for the leading goal scorer on the team. I really just put that all home.
Speaker: Yeah, it's it's good to see that Bannock can score from anywhere. um If you're a Western fan, you'd love to see that because. You know, you you kind of wonder if he as a playmaker, does he really just make his. is bread.
Speaker: you know, kind of in that outside umbrella a little bit you know from dot to dot where he's going to try to take chances with the shot or cross. cross paths in there, whatnot. But no, he's up in front of the goalie and a nice little deflection.
Speaker: Intentional or not, i don't you know it doesn't matter for me. As long as it deflected and went behind the goalie, that's all I care about. um So, yeah, I mean, it's good to... But Nock's not afraid, even though being a smaller guy. to get to the dirty areas a little bit there. so um at At one point, I thought it double deflected, I think. Was it... um Uh...
Speaker: Wisdom. kind of like right next to him but no it looks like it just went off straight but knocked stick and Just kind of flutters right behind Kemp at that point. so Uh... it like Like I said, it's it's good that...
Speaker: just one of the smallest guys on the team. Outside of Sam Hawk. it gets to the gritty areas to get goals in.
Speaker: Yeah, he's he's been outstanding. I mean, he's... I mean, both him and Lafreniere have been... more than what they were billed as, I think. And I mean, they're kind of the guys that we talked about that.
Speaker: if we are going to take it to this next level and you know compete for a national championship those are two of the guys that we're gonna have to kind of step in and and make a difference. And and they truly have.
Speaker: Yeah, I mean, similar to like when, I mean. Most Western fans probably know and remember that. i mean the national championship was. bumping Owens, you know they were...
Speaker: only sophomores and and Bump was real good his freshman year i mean kind of like surprised a lot of people Uh... the way he was scored his freshman year. so ah You know, nothing out of.
Speaker: Out of the norm for for Western hockey fans that we're leaning on some of the younger guys to kind of lead the way. or or you know at least contribute at a little bit of a higher level. Uh,
Speaker: The way Binnock and Lafreniere play, you wouldn't even guess that they're freshmen, the way they're playing. um They look like they've been playing the last couple seasons with Wester at this point. so that Again, that's...
Speaker: Uh, As a Western fan, you're... you you can't say enough good things right now about those two. And if you're. Not a Western fan. You. That's got to be scary for you when Westner comes through. to your barn or vice versa.
Speaker: So. 4 -0 win on on Saturday night. Shots on goal were 39 -17 Broncos. Not a lot of penalties that game. Um, We were 0 for 2 on the power play, not too concerning given the given the night before. And we're perfect one for one on the penalty kill. We also were 53%. in the circles on Saturday night.
Speaker: And I think Saturday night. Yeah. I mean that third period.
Speaker: The Saturday night just will go ahead Brian willing to I think we only took two penalties Saturday night, but okay. That's a pretty smooth game. um with regards to that after right after what we did friday night getting three on the power play.
Speaker: taking advantage of everything. Really wasn't much call for the refs to kind of let this one kind of... I didn't see it was too chippy. I just feel like it was just kind of let the let him play a little bit. So. I'm not mad about today only having two penalties in a game, though.
Speaker: Yeah, I mean, we talked about it earlier, like that third period, it just. little slower i mean they generated shots But... um a little disappointing when you get a five minute uh finally to go on the power play and you didn't at least get one.
Speaker: Um, Not necessarily did Western need it when you're up 4 -0. the The boys walk out of Compton with a shutout for Miller. Go. Uh... to get a second already of the year. but um At the same time, you know.
Speaker: Again, like like we were talking about earlier, where they... Being a little bit more cautious and kind of like. taking the right moment versus to take a shot versus just getting pucks on that like we saw. the the Friday game, you know, possibly, but like.
Speaker: Again, I think first doesn't really want to see it. I think he's. If it's up to him, like. Boys, let's try to win this 7 -0. What are we doing here? i mean is so Again, like I'm just speculating. I don't know if that's the case or what or what happened there. but um but um
Speaker: but uh No, I mean, I was thinking about this the other – after the Saturday game, you know. and Not in a bad way. Zach Sharp, I just feel like he's been a little quieter. You don't hear his name as often.
Speaker: Uh... And again, I'm not saying that in a negative way. I think he's been playing very well so far. I think he's been taking it. Knowing when to take his chances to skate up the ice. and get involved in the offense and Um...
Speaker: I mean, he got on the stat sheet on the on this Saturday game here with a couple helpers. Again, like we were talking about earlier. or I mentioned earlier, like the scoring is across the board. Well, I just pulled up a stat sheet. The only one that doesn't have a point right now is Quentin Miller. So, I mean, that's impressive.
Speaker: All right, so we're we're getting scoring from top. literally at the bottom. Um... And I wouldn't even be surprised at some point if Miller gets a helper here or there. You know, when it's that it is what it is. but ah So it...
Speaker: But again, I mean, I... I've been pleasantly happy with. sharps game so far this season versus Last season, i just I thought he was with Bison and out.
Speaker: Uh... He was really trying to fill the void of. I gotta be that. offensive defenseman and really get the puck in and create some offense. and Really created a couple odd man rushes back last season that you just didn't want to have.
Speaker: So, yeah, I just wanted to throw that out there. But, yeah, I mean, the third period, it's at least, you know, we're generating shots. and And no one walked out hurt. I mean, Hawkerine got. cross -checked a couple times which You just don't want to see in games like that late.
Speaker: But Miller, again, just. Tom Cool collected between the pipes. I mean, he was tested at times, a couple bad turnovers. Um, But like I even wrote down here in the first period, Neumeier makes a couple of great plays.
Speaker: to get the puck out of the net. kind of cancel out a couple scoring opportunities. so Again, i when you're Quentin Miller and you've got help in front of you like that, it's... You've got to be successful.
Speaker: Um... And Miller's just knowing he doesn't have to just do it all himself. He's just got to be ready for when the puck eventually does get to you.
Speaker: Couldn't agree more. Um, But Quinn Miller has been excellent this year. He, uh... He's four obviously 4 -0. only allowed two goals this year so his goals against average is 0 .5 Pretty solid.
Speaker: Yeah, his save percentage is 976. presee The four game MVP right there. Yeah, he's been a he's he's been fantastic. But yeah, Adam Banach, Yonah Weissman, each with... each with seven points this season.
Speaker: um William Whitelaw, he has six. Bobby Cowan's our leading goal scorer with three. He's got five total points. Um, I was let's see we have We have 10 players that have more points this year. than we've allowed goals.
Speaker: Wow. That is a hell of a stat line. Hold on, let me get this one. So that's five. Is this Tony trying to do math here?
Speaker: nine We've got nine players that have the same amount of goals or more. than we've allowed this season. jesus You like that early on, so.
Speaker: Yeah, yeah, you love seeing it. oh and it Yes. and And yeah, like you said, Matt, I'm not sure we're going to see a 25 goal score on this team. but we might see him might see like 10, 15 goal scorers.
Speaker: Yeah, I mean, i think little much but i mean i mean well I think the way that they're playing right now, they're starting. They're going to be top five in scoring. Um... But...
Speaker: like compared to like maybe a Michigan or Michigan State. We're probably going to rely. more heavily on at least their first two lines. Um... Western is going to spread the wealth through four lines up front and three lines back. um So it's um It's real good to see, especially when you talk about the you know the longevity of the season going into the playoffs.
Speaker: you know Knowing that you don't always have to get your first or second line out there. um especially late in the season. to to win some games late. um Bursch can throw any line out there.
Speaker: um and you know kind of save the legs a little bit you know you know first is always no known for Making sure the boys know get short shifts and fresh legs out there. So um You know.
Speaker: i think i texted you guys saturday like man this team really could score like this It's still early, but like it's it's hard not to get. buzzing about it because Uh,
Speaker: i what they're doing right now. Really, I... I don't even know if they really... i would have to look back if this is kind of if they even started this way the national championship season i know they so i mean they know they won a lot of games but Uh,
Speaker: buzzing this way? I don't know. They might have. Um, The true test of knowing like, hey, how is this team really going to perform against? Now, like. what we'll probably see in the playoffs. and especially the big tournament, is coming up here on Friday.
Speaker: Yeah, so that season they started out 4 -1, 5 -1 against Ferris. then 6 -2 against Bowling Green
Speaker: So started off pretty hot and then. Absolutely crushed York University in an exhibition game, 8 -0. Okay. Okay. All right. Probably first just trying to fill a gap there.
Speaker: Yeah, yeah, for for sure. for sure. But yeah, it's been a good start to the season. Very balanced scoring. matt i pulled this statistic specifically for you.
Speaker: Cole Spicer has taken the most face -offs on the team. He's taken 70. He's won 60 % of them. After that, Tommy Lafreniere is second with total face -offs. He's winning 54 % of them.
Speaker: Adam Banach. has taken 37 and is 62%. And then Tyler McKenzie is 158 % of his. face -offs, and he's taken 33 of them. so Yeah, I mean, overall, the team is, I think, roughly around 55 % faceoff.
Speaker: Anything over 50 is huge. I think that's the way to be successful. And again, like you look at that game against Notre Dame where the puck or the faceoff was really. um 50 -50.
Speaker: Uh... Western's forecheck and backcheck really is another, is really like that second pillar of how they're going to be successful because. I remember even. Steve Conroy really alluded like. yet.
Speaker: Notre Dame's just waiting face -off, but it doesn't matter because we're getting the puck. We're causing turnovers. and turn it around and and creating offense. ah And and that's really that's really been the blueprint over the last.
Speaker: three, four, five seasons now. Uh... And. and That's really how you're going to win a national championship. um really from any team, not just Western's perspective. um so The way that they're doing it now and or how early they're doing it. consistently doing it is is a great sign.
Speaker: Um, Hey, guys. Got to do it against these. these big teams coming up that have a lot of heavy firepower. and Again, though, it's... it I'm... Someone asked me the other day or texted me, hey, you got Michigan early this season. Are you nervous?
Speaker: I mean... That first game against Denver, you see that you know it kind of blew them out. that That was more surprising. ah But. the The second game against Denver was more what I expected it being a one goal game.
Speaker: I really don't see that being any different for Western, at least you know being a one -goal game. i mean I think Western has. Enough. Firepower.
Speaker: And they got a great goaltender. We got good defense. to to win a game i don't you know i know michigan's got all these hype Power. draft picks, whatever.
Speaker: Um, For me that doesn't mean much. They're playing the same game. They're on the ice as long as Western does. the things that they do well. which is face -offs, forecheck, and get pucks on that.
Speaker: Help Quentin Miller out. Stay out of the box, really, against Michigan. They're going to be successful and they're going to walk out of Yost a winner.
Speaker: Facts.
Speaker: Yeah, this is going to be a good early season test for us. um Again, like I said earlier, I wish wish we had it a full weekend of it. but um i'm I'm excited to see what we got. i I don't have a ton to say. Michigan's such a good team. They've got so much high high -end talent.
Speaker: um But, you know, oftentimes with a lot of new talent comes in, comes kind of taking time to gel together. But, man, can Michigan score? a lot of goals i took some notes they're 6 -0 this season they beat bowling green 7 -2 and 4 -3 They beat Anchorage 10 -1 and 7 -2.
Speaker: um their hockey team can score more. can score more than their football team can um They beat DU 4 -1 and 4 -3. So, I mean, their worst games, they have scored four goals. so um You've got two teams that.
Speaker: Have a lot of firepower coming at each other next weekend. Well, you got to be nervous if you're a Michigan fan with the penalty kill so far. Their penalty kill has not been good. To start the season, they're under 80%.
Speaker: Uh... for a team that's this high power high you know and you have the resumes you know, from all the draft picks. ah You would think that. they would be closer to 90 percent so ah If Western can get them on a special team advantage. here.
Speaker: That could be a huge differential in this game coming up Friday. ah Western's power play. can generate shots. Even if they don't generate a goal on the power play, they'll get one right after because of how many shots they're going to generate.
Speaker: Um, And really, too, I mean. The power play, I mean, we we talked about maybe last week or two weeks ago. like If you're in that like 18 to 25 % conversion on power play, you're probably doing, ah you're you're doing good.
Speaker: I mean, they're on the low end at the 22. Um, percentage so you know like their power play is doing all right so far i again when you talk about michigan hockey And you. you All we've heard about going into the season is how many draft picks they had.
Speaker: You would think that they would be like Denver last year, closer to 30%. um Again, it's still early in the season. but um Yeah, I mean, like they're they have a lot of guys that are scoring, but when you look at the stats...
Speaker: it really jumps out the pages perron and hag or however you pronounce it I mean, they're really the two that are are scoring left and right right now. so i mean they're They're leaning heavily on on a one or two lines.
Speaker: But, I mean, they they will get scoring. kind of like Western from across the board. so It's going to be ah a fun battle. But right now, when you look at the... Had to have.
Speaker: It's goaltending. Miller's got the upper hand right now.
Speaker: Do you have a projection for next week? Are you going to put a bet down? Let me ask that. that's the key question how much are we betting here I'll definitely put a bet. But... ah Yeah, Western's walking out of Yost with a W. ah You know, like.
Speaker: Five, six years ago. I would have been excited for this game. But then. thoroughly disappointed with the outcome because Michigan. At Yost has always been a better team against Western.
Speaker: and then vice versa when Michigan would come. to Lawson it was always a little bit different. uh because the environment i they really do think that does play ah an advantage for both teams.
Speaker: However, these last three so three seasons and really the last five seasons. with first at the hub I don't go into these big games anymore. Like last year, was it BC or BU early on that we played?
Speaker: I think it was BC. um or two years ago, or two years ago, I'm sorry. I get in that natty run. That game I got excited for. and and you know, It was a slow start for Western, but Western then rallied and ended up only losing at the end there.
Speaker: i mean i think they ended up losing by two but one of them was probably an empty nutter Uh... You know, Western can hang with the big dogs. Like this isn't the same Western that we went to school where we're.
Speaker: consistently the underdog and it's heavily underdog. I mean, we can contend now. And, you know, like, i I don't think there's a true favorite in this game anymore, except from just the fan base perspective.
Speaker: Statistics. and ah rosters. back to You know. Side by side. It's really anybody's game. It's just who's not going to make. the most heirs. the uh penalties et cetera.
Speaker: Uh, And, you know, the way Western played. it Notre Dame. minimizing the penalties versus how fairs kind of started Uh, that's That's promising. that you know,
Speaker: In a week's note, you know. in a week span we were able to kind of fix that a little bit, stay out of the box as much as we can. But yeah, we're walking out you we're walking we're walking out the we're walking out of with a W. Come on.
Speaker: Stupid question. It was, but you know we got a good answer out of it. so good for that'll be That'll be clipped for later, probably. So I'm looking forward to it. And I'm kind of with you too, though. Like, I'm not...
Speaker: I'm working. intrigued about this game mainly because it's Number five and number one. Michigan had their... test. Their early test, they went to Denver. Now they're coming back home.
Speaker: Do you think maybe, I don't think they're looking ahead? um Again, I have an 100 -Michigan schedule in front of me. but you know This is the game maybe we've been looking forward to. We, as in Western Michigan, looking forward to going to Yost. And then we get to get him on the other end in January, which we'll be present for.
Speaker: Um, You're right, they've got the firepower. Maybe they're a little more relaxed because they're at home and they beat... Denver in Denver. at At Elevation? Maybe at... In Ann Arbor, it's a little different there. So but again, I'm with you, too. I'm not.
Speaker: dreading this game. The only thing I'm going to be worried about is if we play like like a stinker of a game and I don't want to think the sky's falling. But hopefully the test, hopefully pass the test. But Wally's got confidence. You know what? Wally's confident. I'm confident.
Speaker: Wally's always confident. i mean Truth. truth I mean it. Uh... If this would have been... you know like the way they have this set up where We're playing Michigan one game now.
Speaker: We're playing the Elder. A couple of months from now, and then we get into the playoffs. I've been like, oh, come on. Seriously, we got to spread this out like this. But... In hindsight for me, for as. from Western's perspective, I kind of like this. I mean,
Speaker: yeah Even if we do lose to Michigan. we have now two months to kind of okay we know how they're gonna play And we're going to get them here at Waldo Stadium. But then even going into the playoffs, like that's, it's like. You don't have to wait now.
Speaker: six months or whatever to figure out Hey, you're like. the The last time we played Michigan was. for again october and now we're going to potentially get them and maybe in the frozen four like that's a long gap in between for non -conference teams Uh...
Speaker: So, you know, from that perspective, like, I think this is kind of cool, like for Western, like, hey.
Speaker: You know, like. we're not going to be you know they're going to know what to expect if we do see them in the playoffs because we're going to catch them in October, but now we're also going to catch them mid -season. We'll see if anything's changed since that.
Speaker: or what is done more consistently. Um, to really kind of game plan for the long the long run, which is obviously a national championship. If. You know, God forbid we end up. meeting toe to toe with them at some point. um So, you know... yeah From that perspective, Ike. i could i know people like telling you much like i kind of wish we had them saturday too Yeah, I get that, but...
Speaker: from the longevity perspective i think this is actually kind of works in western's benefit um from just a strategy perspective. for a natty run.
Speaker: Well, yep, this definitely has the possibility of being a Frozen Four or a national championship matchup. So I'm i'm excited for Friday night. If you're going to want to watch it, you're going to have to pay for Big Ten Plus. so Another, another.
Speaker: Back to our streaming from from last week. Could you believe that? Like not only like Twitter blew up before. We got our episode posted about like the streaming issues and mainly with the Michigan Denver, which I sympathize.
Speaker: But like. It even got brought up ah by Steve Conroy during the game. like the the Like, how could, like... He was just like, you know, kind of natural. Well, they messed up. They they missed out on an opportunity to have.
Speaker: One verse two on national television. and I mean. And we were like. retweeting all these people like this is unbelievable like how how could college hockey like do this and ah why did they like why do they think this is acceptable and I mean, now you got one verse five again. and i mean i'm using five Generously because.
Speaker: We're really playing like a top. three team right now. I mean, if you looked at the polls, Michigan, Michigan State, and Western Michigan all got first place votes. No one else did. But we're five.
Speaker: North Dakota and Wisconsin. We're ahead of us. so Everybody's voting the Michigan schools. And this is an old CCHA rivalry, too. like It's like... I mean...
Speaker: I just don't get it. i don't get it you get you get all these early games with high power teams Uh, to really help. grow the game. and Not like michigan the state of Michigan needs help growing the game, but in general, the ne get the get it out nationally. and Um.
Speaker: just two missed opportunities. Back -to -back weeks. Unfortunately, it's got to be with frickin' Michigan. in both games Denver and Western, bud. Um, whatever, i but. I mean... this I just don't get it. Why?
Speaker: college hockey. is okay with this.
Speaker: Yeah, I mean, I think it just has it probably at the end of the day, it comes down to money. and it Like everything in college sports now. Yeah, I mean, it's it's it's I think the subscriptions are a way for the NCHC to to get some money. and Bye.
Speaker: What are we gonna do about it? Who knows maybe this was you know, what was needed to kind of start some change of at least getting it a little more consistent in you know where leagues are on are on television.
Speaker: But looking at looking ahead to this weekend. Around the NCHC, obviously our game, we we we touched on. Um, I think outside of WMU.
Speaker: Michigan. The most intriguing series is North Dakota at Minnesota. That's a Thursday, Friday, renewing that old rivalry. Miami takes on Anchorage.
Speaker: Duluth and Bemidji play a home and home. This weekend, Omaha's at Lindenwood. Denver hosts BC. Colorado College is a home and home with their Colorado Springs Brethren Air Force.
Speaker: And then St. Thomas and Minnesota State are home and home. um I would love to see Minnesota State make the jump to the NCHC at some time.
Speaker: Yeah, I mean, we'll see what happens. I mean, with, ah you know, the rumors about what is it like Oklahoma State and a couple other schools that want to eventually go D1. you know I don't think they want to have too many independent teams. They're going to want...
Speaker: these teams to go to conferences at some point early, at probably after one or two seasons. So, yeah, we'll see what happens down the road. and It almost seems like the CCHA has been not like the feeder. of these newer teams Um... to get them in a conference and then.
Speaker: if They want to keep it. you know to whatever they are now 12 or whatever you know Who to team out, essentially. uh Almost kind of like in, you know, Tony, you're... your're Football.
Speaker: You guys. promoted or relegated. Um... Your football. with Well, he's the one that watches it. I just watched that last, so I don't watch it. Or the World Cup. I don't watch a religiously like him. So, yeah, it's his football. His favorite Saturday morning activity.
Speaker: yeah Yeah. This video is Sunday. Um... I mean, I would have been with you, Tony. in North Dakota, Minnesota would have been a cool one. But for me, the way Minnesota started, it's... it's It's shaping and the way North Dakota is already.
Speaker: Jumping off to the season. um This is looking like it could potentially be just. oh a one horse race with North Dakota. I don't know. Minnesota minnesota is still trying to find them.
Speaker: They're footing now with... the the post moscow era um essentially so ah It just hasn't been great for Minnesota to start the season. I really am intrigued, though, by St. Thomas, Minnesota State. um and You know, I think St. Thomas right now. they're They've only had two games, so they're 1 -1.
Speaker: Uh... Not a lot of offense really. Five goals. They've given up seven. But these Rico teams, you never know. I mean, he gets the boys ready.
Speaker: We saw that many, many times when he was at Miami. Minnesota State just, you know. Just seems like they they know how to reload and retool every season. ah obviously will be probably one of the favorites to win. um the ccha so I think of all the games, because you you kind of looked at, I mean. bc hasn't looked great so i mean you got to think downward is going to really rebound after being swept by Michigan.
Speaker: Um... Duluth Bemidji, that could be a good one. Duluth seems to just be all over the place. either they got They get smoked or they smoke a team. i mean they I mean, that's where I'm saying like they beat Minnesota. It was like 7 -1 last week.
Speaker: It's just not looking good in Minnesota right now for the Gophers. um Miami should beat Anchorage. I would be surprised if they if they split that one.
Speaker: Same at Omaha and Lindenwood. So if there's one I'm circling, St. Thomas, Minnesota State, I think St. Thomas could at least give Minnesota State a tough time. maybe potentially split there. uh I necessarily don't think. or won't be surprised if Minnesota State walks out two wins, but I think it'll be a lot closer than people are expecting.
Speaker: I just like the home and homes. Like... I've got to wonder, for Air Force CC, you've got to think you can walk that, can't you? I've got have to look it up, see if that's possible. so You're the geography major. Yeah. I know, I should know. I'm not a Colorado...
Speaker: First of all, Colorado, not my area of choice. called oh after I got you. This is a little different. Colorado not home is is not as forte, but...
Speaker: Knowing 98 % of. Colleges, mascots, and fight songs is his forte.
Speaker: This is... You guys are the only two friends I really have, so thank you for that.
Speaker: All right, let's look at this. It would be a, oh Lord. so far
Speaker: About 10 miles. Brian, you can run that. right I ain't driving 10 miles. Don't you think I'm walking 10 miles? You're tripping. I mean, 58 minutes by bicycle.
Speaker: Or 48 minutes on e -bike, you just haul and just drive like a maniac. that that That is exactly how I would expect Brian to respond to that. I see it every day.
Speaker: And that's Brian's Geography Corner for the week. You know, you guys have like your little flowing. There's my new segment. I'm going to see. We're going to talk about ice size. We're going to talk about walking distance. We're going to talk about a lot of things.
Speaker: And then we'll just watch the ratings tumble on this.
Speaker: Well, you better hope that... You better hope there's a lot of home and homes that you could. you could throughout the season to do that. thought Do an ideal driving distance and see how many Taco Bells there are between the two arenas. That's what I'm going to do. There it is. And Plonsky, we don't cover Hockey East or ECAC, so there's not going to be many more home -and -homes. Yeah, you're right. Thankfully. those are those are dark Those were dark days covering Atlantic hockey.
Speaker: Yeah, that was a rough one. i was I was a big AIC fan. You were the NFC fan while he was the UConn guy? I'm just the the sole Mercier supporter here. of left I went on a fly in to UConn last year and got and got Wally a UConn hockey shirt.
Speaker: Haven't disappointed me since. but
Speaker: Wow. All right, boys. Well, anything y 'all want to add before we sign off for for the week? Falls here. Let's keep it rolling.
Speaker: So we are we beat The chips. And now let's go kick some Wolverine ass.
Speaker: Let's go. All right. See you guys next weekend. Cheers. See you next week.
