[00:00:00] Speaker A: Foreign.
[00:00:03] Speaker B: The following program is brought to you in living color on Dell gazette.com or wherever you get your podcast.
The Daily Gazette Company presents the parting Shots podcast. Now here's your host, Daily Gazette sports editor Ken Shot. Thank you, Scott Kezy, and welcome to the Parting Shots podcast. Available wherever you get your podcast. Subscribe today. Thanks for joining me from the Parting Shots podcast studio in Schenectady, New York. We're with Union meds head coach Josh Haugy. Unfortunately, Josh, this is our season finale. So I know it's kind of tough to talk about, but how are you otherwise?
[00:00:44] Speaker C: Yeah, I mean, starting to, you know, transition here and you know, kind of going through the stages of the grieving process, but, you know, one step at a time here and you know, you start looking back and thinking about some of the positive things. But obviously it's, it's, it's still fresh.
[00:00:58] Speaker B: Yeah, we'll talk a lot about the season and the future in a little bit, but let's get into it. It was a rematch of last year's EC hockey quarterfinal series between Union and Dartmouth. Union was looking to avenge last year's sweep by Dartmouth in Hanover, New Hampshire. And this time the series was at Messerink for the final college hockey games at the 50 year old facility. And it was electric atmosphere for game one on Friday. It sold out. Crowd of 2302 came out for the game and Union scored the game's first goal. Lucas Buzziol led a 2 on 1, 2 on 1 rush down the left wing. He had a had Parker Lindauer on his right. Buziol decided to shoot and he beat goalie Emmett Croto glove side less than six minutes into the game to give the Garner Chargers A1 nothing lead. It was the first time that Union had a lead against Dartmouth this season. So it had to feel good to get that advantage.
[00:01:47] Speaker C: Yeah, I thought, you know, we came out established the way we wanted to play and you know, a nice play on that two on one for, you know, and a great finish by Lucas.
[00:01:55] Speaker B: Yeah, I like the fact that Lucas shot the puck because sometimes, you know, players at two on one look to make that pass and sometimes you give up, give up an opportunity for at least if you shoot and get a rebound. But Lucas had used Parker as a decoy there and it worked out.
[00:02:09] Speaker C: Yeah, great finish by him and he was outstanding all weekend.
[00:02:13] Speaker B: And that 948 of the first Nikita Nikora ties it. Union outshoots Dartmouth 157 in the first period. But did you like the way the team played in the First, Yeah, I.
[00:02:22] Speaker C: Thought we were the better of the two teams. I thought we deserved to be up. But, you know, unfortunately there's a little bit of a scramble and, you know, we, we actually challenged the play. We thought that, you know, Kyle was kicked a little bit. Refs thought differently. And yeah, it was 1:1.
[00:02:39] Speaker B: Yeah, it took so long that they played Country Roads through its entirety there. Well, it has now become the official song of the video review there.
[00:02:47] Speaker C: It seems that way, which I don't.
[00:02:50] Speaker B: Mind at all, but, well, it didn't take long for you to regain. Early in the second period, Kaden Villegas, with some excellent puck control, fires a pass from the right circle to Josh Nixon at the left in the net. And he fires a one timer home 133 into the period to give Union a 2:1 lead. Talk about Villegas puck handling that set everything up.
[00:03:09] Speaker C: Yeah, he, you know, made an unbelievable play, but just kind of cut it to the outside when. And then it allowed Josh to get off the back post and great vision by Kaden. And, you know, at that spot, you know, you're up 2:1, you feel like you're in a really good spot.
[00:03:23] Speaker B: Yeah. Union has that lead going into the late stages of the second period, but Dartmouth takes advantage of a bad line change by Union. With 250 left, Braden Dorfman scores a tie at a two. And that's how the period ended. Union played well for the first 40 minutes, yet it was a tie game. How frustrating was that?
[00:03:40] Speaker C: It was extremely frustrating. You know, you're, you know, at one point I think we were out shooting them 23 to 8. Felt like we were in complete control of the game. And still it was 2:2 at the end of the second. So a tough one. I thought that second one, like looking back in, in hindsight, really, really deflated us and, you know, took a lot of wind out of our sails.
[00:03:59] Speaker B: Yeah, I mean, Darlington took control in the third period. The Big Green limit the Garner Chargers to three shots on goal. And they got the tie breaking goal at 7:33 when Sean Chisholm tips in a shot by Eric Charpentier in an attempt to spark the offense. You pull Koley, Kyle Chauvette for an extra attacker with 307 left. And then a couple of minutes later, with a face off in the Union zone, the Garden Chargers take a too many men on the ice penalty due to some confusion when Kyle started to head to the bench, stopped, I guess he saw. Dartmouth player with the puck in the neutral zone. But the extra attacker skater Stepped on the ice, touched the puck. You know, Dartmouth takes the game. And I mean, how frustrating was that third period, that whole sequence there?
[00:04:40] Speaker C: Yeah, it was. It's hard to, you know, and I. It's hard to kind of handle just like everything that happened. Like, you know, we got to. We gotta do a better job with just, you know, you give up that goal late in the second period, you gotta. You gotta regroup and come out, you know, more focused and, you know, with more attention to detail and, you know, you gotta have more intensity. And I think, you know, we felt sorry for ourselves a little bit. And it was, you know, that was our game to win. Obviously, we made little mistakes that turned into, you know, big results against us. And, you know, credit to Dartmouth, they made plays when they needed to and, you know, again, I thought that, you know, you got to win that game just with the way you played. We had so many opportunities to finish, we missed the net, so many opportunities to take a shot, and we, you know, passed it up and, you know, when it's a 2:1 game and you have the ability to make it 3:1, like, that's probably game over if you do it and we didn't, you know, a good team like Dartmouth is going to make you pay.
[00:05:37] Speaker B: I have to say one thing with that face off in the Union zone that was set up when Colin Ferguson knocked down a potential empty net goal by Dartmouth with a high stick. I don't know how he got his stick on it good, but that, you know, saved it, saved the. The bacon for the moment. I was. I was kind of impressed how he was able to knock that down.
[00:05:54] Speaker C: Yeah, he's got good hand skill and, you know, like, again, you. You have a chance to make him pay, and we just didn't do it.
[00:06:00] Speaker B: Well, let's get the postgame stown from game one, starting with Dartmouth head coach Reed Cashman and player Sean Chish and followed by Union players Cullen Ferguson and Josh Nixon.
[00:06:13] Speaker A: Yeah, I think that was the game we expected.
Two really evenly matched teams.
Union was clearly prepared, took advantage of the 11 or 12 days that they had. Was proud of our guys, of how we kind of stayed in the battle long enough to. For Chase to get that goal. Go ahead.
[00:06:33] Speaker B: Goal.
[00:06:33] Speaker A: But took all 60.
It's an exciting brand of hockey. Both teams are playing and fortunate or excited about what the outcome was tonight and excited for tomorrow.
[00:06:44] Speaker B: Reed. I mean, it was the first two period that was probably the best Unions played against you this season. The fact that you guys were two, two after two, how Good.
[00:06:51] Speaker A: Did you feel, well, that. I mean, that first period is the best. Best period anybody's played against us all year, and the second wasn't that far behind the. The pace at which they played, the. The physicality, the commitment. So we didn't love exactly where our game was. But, yeah, when you. When you. When you walk off the ice after the second and they had the territory advantage that. That it was a tie game, you felt good about, hey, let's take a breath, and let's just focus on winning the last 20.
[00:07:17] Speaker B: Sean, your thoughts of that?
[00:07:19] Speaker D: Yeah, just same thing. Like, we just kept with our game and stayed with it for 60. It wasn't our best game for the first 40, but this last 20, we came out and then we played our game, and like Reed said, they're. They're a good team, and it's going to be evenly matched the whole time.
[00:07:34] Speaker B: Sorry.
[00:07:35] Speaker A: Tough, physical playoff game.
[00:07:36] Speaker B: High intensity, but no penalty. Speak about the discipline for you guys on that.
[00:07:41] Speaker A: Yeah, I mean, I think I thought both teams, you know, played it pretty. Excuse me. Played a pretty clean game.
Really competitive groups. I mean, I think. I think both of our staffs and both of our programs have tried to build a foundation on. On competitiveness, and that's high character. Kids in that room that play physical, and we believe in a physical brand as well. And I didn't think anybody crossed the line tonight. So. Good hockey game.
[00:08:06] Speaker B: How much did Braden's goal there in late in the second give you guys some momentum going into the third?
[00:08:11] Speaker A: I don't know about momentum, but it helped us. It stabilized us, you know, and we were able to catch them in a line change. We're able to play with a little bit of pace, which we hadn't gotten to, and then Brayden, obviously with it with a great finish.
[00:08:24] Speaker B: Talk about your goal.
[00:08:26] Speaker D: Yeah, we just kept playing our game for the third period. We were feeling pretty good, and we stayed on it, and it was a great shot by Sharpie and just got lucky, tipped it in. So it was nice to get that.
[00:08:37] Speaker A: It didn't look like the hardest shot.
[00:08:39] Speaker B: Was that easier for you to get a stick on? It was.
[00:08:42] Speaker D: It was just like the guy was boxing me out pretty good, and I just got my stick in the lane, and it was nice. It was a good shot by Sharpie.
[00:08:48] Speaker B: What do you have to do to close it out on Saturday?
[00:08:51] Speaker A: Well, we need to be better tomorrow than we were today.
I would expect Union to be. To be better than they were from a standpoint of.
I think both. Both of Us will go look at the video and we cannot afford to have such a territorial disadvantage tomorrow. And so there's lots for us to learn from.
Our guys will be excited about it and it's going to be another. It'll be another one goal game tomorrow night.
[00:09:16] Speaker B: Sean? Yeah.
[00:09:17] Speaker D: You know, this is the best time of year. Everyone's playing for their season. It's great hockey and it's, it's exciting to play. So we're excited.
[00:09:25] Speaker B: Guys, the first two periods are probably the best two periods you played against Dartmouth all year, but they come out 2, 2 tie. And how frustrating was that, Colin?
[00:09:35] Speaker D: Yeah, I mean, it's frustrating, but you can't really dwell on that. At the end of the day, the game of hockey doesn't care how many shots you put on them, how good your plan. At the end of the day, results matter. So that's what we're looking for. With that being said, the game of hockey doesn't care that you go up one nothing in the series, so.
[00:09:55] Speaker B: Oh, sorry. Josh, your thoughts?
[00:09:58] Speaker D: Yeah, it's tough. Like, obviously every fan in that building knew that we should have won that game, but that's just how it goes. Like we dominated that game probably 95% of it. And they just had a couple bounces, which is. That's like Cullen said, it's talky. So we knew it wasn't going to be easy. So tomorrow's a new day, so we're going to come back tomorrow and regroup and we're going to win tomorrow.
[00:10:21] Speaker B: So you mentioned during the week having a belief of all the guys in the locker room and what's the mood.
[00:10:27] Speaker A: Now and what's the expectation tomorrow, knowing you're down?
[00:10:30] Speaker D: Yeah, I mean, it hasn't changed at all. I still believe in the guys who showed it for.
Showed it during the game. And I think we just need to just fix our mistakes and move on. I mean, you can either sit and dwell on it and worry about it, or you can move on and get back to work and come back in a series.
[00:10:51] Speaker B: Josh, talk about your goal. Kaden with nice puck handling, set the whole play up.
[00:10:56] Speaker D: No, I just snuck back door and Kaden found me, which he always does. He's been doing that for the last two years since I've been playing with him. So I expect nothing less from him. He's a great player. So it was just tough that that could have been in the game winning goal. But like we said, like, tomorrow's a new day, so we're gonna score more goals tomorrow.
[00:11:15] Speaker B: What do you got to do to get power plays? I mean Dartmouth was not in the penalty box all night.
[00:11:19] Speaker D: Yeah, like we can't plan what the refs are going to do. So obviously in their eyes they had a great game, they played a clean game, which it's hard to do in hockey but like you said, like tomorrow's a new day. So I don't really know what to say after that.
[00:11:39] Speaker B: Well, the pressure is on Union heading into game two. And it was deja vu as Buziol scored the opening goal at 11:14 of the first period for a 10 Union lead. And unfortunately, just like in game one, Dartmouth ties it on a Luke Haynes goal. A short time later and unfortunately for the Garnet Chargers, Dartmouth takes control in the second period. John Fusco scores on a rebound of his brother Matt's shot just as a penalty to Colin Ferguson expired and Haynes made it 3 1. A little later on the power play goal. Union gets a power play late in the period and that carries over into the third. So what is your message to the team between periods?
[00:12:14] Speaker C: I mean just, you know, it's kind of, hey, it's time we have, we have nothing to save it for, you know, gotta throw everything we can to the net. And again, you know, like that the first period it felt like that first goal for them. You know, it's a shot going wide, it hits a guy in the back and pops into the net. And then, you know, I thought it really hurt us in the second period not having DJ Hart. DJ got hurt in game one and you know, in a couple key situations where he had been on the ice, just not having him, I think hurt us.
[00:12:42] Speaker B: Yeah. What happened with DJ there that game one?
[00:12:44] Speaker C: Yeah, just pulled his hamstring on a kind of a fluky play and you know, hopefully he's, he's you know, back and able to start training here quickly now.
[00:12:52] Speaker B: Now you can mention what the injuries are but, well, no laughing matter obviously here, but Union does not take advantage of the power play. And the road becomes even bumpier when Nate Morgan scores at 308. Josh Nixon gets Union back. That goal back for union of 148 later to give a glimmer of hope. But chisholm scores at 629 to make it a three goal game again. Union gets another power play midway through the period. And in an effort to spark the offense, you pull shovet for an extra attacker. But Cooper Flinton scores a shorthanded empty net goal to put the game away. Morgan added a late power play goal to make it a 72 final and a sweep with a series. There was a lot of emotion afterwards, Josh, as the players gathered around Chauvet. The fans gave the team a standing ovation and the players did a lap around the ice to salute the fans. As you watched that, what was going through your mind?
[00:13:40] Speaker C: I mean, I think that was one of the more special moments for me.
I think it just kind of happened organically and it was pretty cool. The guys go around and just see the fans cheer and, you know, it could have been pretty easy for the majority of them to leave with the way the game kind of ended for us. And you know, just true to the support we've gotten all season, they stuck with us to the, you know, the end. And yeah, it was pretty special.
[00:14:07] Speaker B: Yeah. Unfortunately, Colin Ferguson's college career ended with a five minute major game is kind of for face masking there late, but he was able to come back and join, join the team there, which I thought was kind of nice to see that happen. I don't know if the officials really cared at that point, but maybe just talk about Cullen's leadership and what he meant to this team this year.
[00:14:27] Speaker C: Yeah, he's, you know, he took it on and did an amazing job.
You know, he's, he wears his heart on his sleeve. He's very passionate about the game. He spends a ton of time worrying about everything around our team and, you know, I don't know if you have anyone else that cares as much as he does. He's just, you know, he's so invested into every one of our guys and we'll definitely miss him.
[00:14:51] Speaker B: Well, let's get the postgame sound, starting with Dartmouth head coach Reed Cashman and Luke Haynes, followed by Union players Cullen Ferguson and Kaden Villegas.
[00:14:59] Speaker D: Coach, you just want to open up.
[00:15:01] Speaker B: For the statements about tonight's game.
[00:15:02] Speaker A: Yeah, I think just, I think congrats to, you know, Union and Josh and the great year that they had and earning that first round bye and incredibly hard fought series. I don't think the score tonight is indicative of what the series was from our standpoint.
We're grateful to come out here and win two games. Tough building, tough team.
Pretty cool to play the last games in this building. There's been some awesome hockey memories over the years and then just on the ice, incredibly proud of Luke and his teammates, of how they performed and earning our program a trip back to Lake Placid, which is, which is special.
[00:15:51] Speaker B: Marie, just talk about this game started the same way as it did last night. Union gets the first goal, buzzy old scores, you guys tied. But this time, the second period, you took control there. The two goals, including the power play one by Luke. How important was it to really take control once you guys got up three one. It was, it was trouble for Union.
[00:16:10] Speaker A: Yeah, I mean, we had a better first, but they got the lead again. It was a pretty evenly matched first.
You know what? Our power play hasn't been as good as it needs to be. And these guys have worked, you know, really hard at it. And really to get both the second and third goal are power play goals. I know the second one is as a, as the guy comes out of the box, but to get those two power play goals. To your point, Ken, to get a lead, then we could start to lean on our, on our depth a little bit and, and play our whole lineup and, and because you got to use a lot of energy to come back, especially when you're down 2. And I thought the depth was, was really important for us.
[00:16:44] Speaker B: Luke, for you, you know, getting the tying goal there. How important was that to level things there?
[00:16:50] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, yeah, definitely important.
[00:16:54] Speaker D: Yeah. Went off my hand or butt or something, but yeah, and I was trying to get to the net. Sharpie makes a good play, just shooting for bodies and was lucky enough that that one hit me. But it was big for the group and I think helped us rally back.
[00:17:06] Speaker B: It seems like Sharp and Tear has a knack of getting shots to the neck. There was deflection last night on the game winning goal.
What about. What is he. Why is that so special for him?
[00:17:17] Speaker D: Yeah, I think he's just a really smart player, really good at the blue line with pucks, you know, getting pucks through and putting them into traffic where, you know, bounces and things can go in. I think he's really good at and something that he, you know, practices a lot.
[00:17:31] Speaker B: And then your power play goal there, how important was that? You had a two goal lead there.
[00:17:35] Speaker D: Yeah, definitely important. Good buffer Stavrov makes an unbelievable play. Had a breakaway just about and then threw it back to me. And I was just the benefactor of a really good entry on the power play. And I was happy to be there, coach.
[00:17:52] Speaker C: You know, just talk about going on the road in the playoffs and having to deal with a tough environment. Obviously didn't have to do it last week. Didn't have to do it last year. What kind of does it take in order to get the job done on the road?
[00:18:02] Speaker A: I mean, honestly, if you look at our record, we're much better on the road. This year than we were at home.
Our guy. The bigger the atmosphere, the better our guys are. I think that's a credit to our leadership, our senior and our junior classes in particular. I mean, last night was awesome. That student section was incredible. It felt like what playoff hockey should be. And so I think you just use that energy, you know, that's, you know, they're rooting against you. But there's some, there's energy in the building. And our guys have really enjoyed going on the road.
There's something about being in the hotel, being on the bus, sticking together. And so this is a challenging environment, but we are excited about the environment.
[00:18:41] Speaker B: Luke, what does it mean to get to Lake Placid again this time? And what do you have to do to get over the hump?
[00:18:46] Speaker D: Yeah, definitely. Awesome feeling. I think that last year was a big lesson for us, just kind of going up and then losing it a little bit in the third. I think it'll be really, really good lesson for us going into, into this year.
As coach said, the maturity and the quality of our leadership has been unbelievable all year, and I'm just happy to be a part of that.
[00:19:06] Speaker B: Reed, your thoughts on that question?
[00:19:08] Speaker A: Yeah, I mean, it's. You need experience, right? We've, I've talked about growth in our program the last four years, and it's like every step is, is a new one for our group. Right. And so last year, Lake Placid, that was new. Where we stay, what the rinks like, what the atmosphere is like, what some of the media is like. And so, yeah, we're gonna have, you know, our first year guys. It'll be new, but we're gonna have a massive chunk of guys that are gonna know what that bus trip looks like, what the atmosphere will be like, and we're really motivated. We know we're gonna have to play our best hockey, but we're incredibly motivated to go win two games in Lake Placid.
[00:19:43] Speaker B: Any other questions?
[00:19:45] Speaker C: Yeah, Coach, just one more. You played in this building a lot, quite a bit throughout your career. You get to close it out. Just what does this building mean to the conference and college hockey and all that stuff?
[00:19:55] Speaker A: Yeah, I mean, I've had unbelievable experiences here from when did I get back coaching at Quinnipiac? 2012, I guess maybe like that 5 year run when they won a national championship and we went Quinnipiac with the two Frozen Fours. This, it was, it was some of the best hockey I've been a part of in this league with those two teams.
It's got History. The thing about the ECAC that's awesome is the history and the buildings tell a story, right? And this building has a story to be told.
To play these last couple games was important, exciting for us. Like, I love the history of the game. I love the history of our program. I know Jason Tapp, who's probably won more than anybody, both as a. As a home coach and an away coach, was pretty excited. He could finish it off, too.
[00:20:43] Speaker B: Well, game starts out like last night, you guys. Lucas gets the opening goal up one nothing. But they tie it. But then the second period just seemed to get away from you. What happened there?
[00:20:54] Speaker D: Yeah, I mean, we just took a couple penalties. They capitalized on it. Yeah, that's it.
[00:21:00] Speaker B: Good.
[00:21:01] Speaker D: Yeah, I mean, they got a couple bounces and boys fought back. Super proud of him. All year they fought back, but weren't able to get the goals we needed, which is unfortunate, but still super proud of him.
[00:21:14] Speaker B: The third period, I mean, they seemed like Dartmouth just put the game away at that point. Was it really difficult that third period to try to come back?
[00:21:21] Speaker D: Yeah, I mean, it's tough, but we did our best. We kept battling. It's all that matters. Just like, never give up.
[00:21:29] Speaker B: How disappointing is it to close the season the way and close Messer right this way?
[00:21:34] Speaker D: Yeah, it sucks. Definitely wanted to win.
Yeah, I mean, obviously you want to win them for not only the fans, but especially the guys you've been with for four years. So. Yeah. Sucks.
[00:21:46] Speaker B: What was the end of the game like? A lot of hugging there. Down with Kyle. And what was that emotional first, that emotion like?
[00:21:55] Speaker D: Yeah, I just like thanking the guys for making it an unbelievable year and thanks for battling with me every single day. I could always count on them and rely on them, so. Just wanted to tell them that.
[00:22:10] Speaker B: What was it like taking the lap around the rink?
[00:22:13] Speaker D: It was good. Going out as a senior, I mean, messes my home, so I wouldn't really want to play anywhere else in college and just wanted to pay respect to. To the fans who have been so supportive and have made my four years here so unbelievable.
I mean, they're what make Mesa so great.
[00:22:35] Speaker B: So, Katie, your thoughts on that?
[00:22:37] Speaker D: Yeah, I mean, they stuck with us from the time we got here, and over the four years we've been here, it's only grown. And of course you have those fans that are always loyal and no matter what the outcomes are. So that lap I thought was huge. You know, it shows how far the program's come because it just shows how grateful our team was not Only to each other, but also the fans are super involved and helpful the program to carry it to where it's been at now. And yeah, I'm sure they're going to have a hell of a year next year in that new rink, but it was good to send it off that way with that lap and just thanking the fans.
[00:23:13] Speaker C: Kaden, you talked about pride in this group and just talk a little bit more about that pride in this. How this group's grown over the last couple years.
[00:23:20] Speaker D: Yeah. So first year we were here is. It was not great. You know, there's a lot of switch up going on and then second year coming in how just took over and got a grasp of the team. Obviously it was first year, so some things went right, some things went wrong. A little bit of a learning process, but these past two years it's been levels above where it was.
We got the buy this year, which was one of our goals and it's. It's always great to attain that. But yeah, the pride comes in knowing that you get the bye and especially if the guy's coming back, they're going to know what that feels like. And now they can carry that into next year and it's expected. And now they're going to go to Lake Placid next year. We truly believe it and they're going to make great things happen.
[00:24:01] Speaker B: For both of you guys. How would you characterize a season? I mean, I know it's right now disappointing not to get to Lake Placid, but this is a team won 19 games, got a first round bye.
How would you assess the season?
[00:24:17] Speaker D: I was pretty happy. The Capital Skates Mayor's cup first round by fourth place.
I'm definitely happy and proud of all the guys in that room. Obviously it's not the way we wanted it to end, but I'm just, you know, just happy. I think we left the program in a better spot when we were here and I just want to, I just want to see them keep on, just keep doing great things like this is the best place to play in college hockey and your thoughts?
Yeah, I mean, getting that by just obviously not how we wanted to end, as Ferg said, but it's just a lot to learn from them.
Yeah.
[00:25:04] Speaker B: What do you think it's going to take for this program to get the Placid next year? Get over the hump?
[00:25:09] Speaker D: I mean, it's in that room.
So I believe they can do it.
You know how just doing a great thing. He knows how to get the most and the best out of his players.
I believe that they can do it next year. They just got to believe in themselves and, yeah, give it everything they got.
Yeah, I mean, I thought we had a good weekend this weekend. That first game probably deserved more than what we got, but it's playoff hockey. Anything can happen there. And then played a good game today until, you know, we started having to take some chances and it might have got away from us a little bit, but that's what happens. So, I mean, they've shown they can. They can do it.
Maybe they didn't get the bounces or whatever, but it's only going to feel them for next year.
[00:25:58] Speaker B: What was memorable for you guys in this rink?
[00:26:02] Speaker D: That's a tough one.
Most memorable moment in this rink.
Winning the Capital Skates is pretty cool.
I didn't even know what they looked like. So when we got off to, like, a hot start in conference and got to take the Capital Skates, that was pretty cool. I mean, I had won the Mayor's cup every year, but the Capital Space, the Capital Skates, was there something different. So that was pretty cool.
I got a recent memory. So probably that Cornell game where you. You earn yourself the buy. That's what you work for all year. And maybe the guys weren't as excited about in the locker room because we knew we earned it, we deserved it, we were fighting for it. So it wasn't like, oh, my God, we got it. But internally, it was one of those goals you set and it's like you're just super proud of the group. And to get it done against a good team like Cornell, that was probably one of my favorite.
[00:27:04] Speaker B: What's it going to take to get up against Dartmouth? That's seven straight losses for this team.
[00:27:08] Speaker A: What do you think?
[00:27:11] Speaker D: I mean, they're a tough team. They're good, but we're just as good, in my opinion. You know, score more goals in them. Score. That's all it is. Just gotta score, finish our chances. We have them. Just gotta bury it, put in the back of the net.
[00:27:27] Speaker B: Well, just listening to Cullen Kaden speak and even you in the postgame, just the raw emotions of trying to comprehend what happened was definitely on display. Man, Cullen was doing his best not to cry. And I think you were, too. I mean, for the most part, I know everyone wanted to be somewhere else and talking to the media, but there had to be a lot going through everyone's mind, trying to process everything.
[00:27:49] Speaker C: Yeah, this one, it was just. I mean, it was different than the first two seasons. And, like, I just think Everyone, you know, thought it was going to go a certain way, and it didn't. And it was really hard to handle, and you just, you know, you really feel bad for the guys and. And again, when you have guys like Cullen and Kaden who care so much, it's hard for them to, you know, speak at those moments.
[00:28:08] Speaker B: Yeah. Because, I mean, as a reporter here, you're looking not only get the game reaction, but trying to also wrap up the season away. It's kind of tough at that moment to encapsulate what the season meant, what happened, how good it was, and we'll talk a little bit about that in our second segment. But just, I mean, just trying to. I mean, you were trying to find the right words and it had to be tough.
[00:28:32] Speaker C: Yeah, it's. There's no real good thing to say to, you know, a bunch of young men that put everything into a season and then all of a sudden it's just done. And, you know, like, you know, everybody knows it can happen, but, you know, even on Monday, I felt like we should be getting ready to practice and you just, you know, it just kind of empty and you don't really know what to do.
[00:28:50] Speaker B: Well, let's take a break. I'll have one final Messarin memory and Josh and I will recap the season and we'll have questions from our listeners. You're listening to the Parting Shots podcast.
[00:29:15] Speaker D: It's the most historic conference in college hockey. It's a battle night in and night out.
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[00:30:18] Speaker D: Hi, this is Mike vicchione of the 2014 National Championship Union College Men's hockey team. You're listening to the Parting Shots podcast with Daily Gazette sports editor Ken Schop.
[00:30:27] Speaker B: The Parting Shots podcast presents another Union hockey Messerink Memory.
[00:30:33] Speaker D: I'm Sebastian Vidmar. I played for Union College men's hockey.
[00:30:37] Speaker C: From 2015 to 2019.
[00:30:39] Speaker D: My most vivid memory of playing in Mesa rink was senior night played at Swedish Anthem and we beat Harvard at home. It was a. It was a special night. It was a great time.
[00:30:54] Speaker B: Welcome back to the podcast. I'm host Ken Schott. I'm joined by Union men's hockey head coach Josh Hause and I just want to say thank you to all the alums and opposing coaches who offered their thoughts on the final year of Mesa Rank. It was a lot of fun putting those together. Of course, I had a story in last Friday's paper. It's also
[email protected] so read some of the thoughts of the alums and opposing coaches on their favorite memories of competing in Mess and rink. Well, Josh, let's look back at the season. When the ECAC hockey coaches preseason poll came out in September, Union was picked to finish eighth. I think that was a surprise considering that the Garner Chargers finished sixth in 2023-24 and reached the ECA Sacky Tournament quarterfinals. The Garner Chargers proved the coaches were wrong in their prediction. Union went 12, 8 and 2 in conference play to finish in fourth place, earning an ECACH first round tournament berth or bye for the first time since 2018. The overall record was 1914 and 3, the first overall winning record since the 2018-19 season. The season, of course, didn't end the way you hoped. You've had some time to digest things. Are you pleased with how the season went?
[00:32:08] Speaker C: I mean, no, not really. I think there was.
It's hard to say that because there were just a lot of really, you know, great things about it and a lot of good steps. But, you know, for us, I think there was a couple milestones that we just felt like we didn't get, you know, advancing in the playoffs, 20 wins for us at least. I just think that's the mark of a good hockey team is 20. You know, when you get that, you start, you know, putting yourselves in the, you know, the ability, depending on how your league does for. And that large bit in the NCAA tournament, you know, so I thought that, you know, we left a little bit on the table there.
There were some really good pockets of the season where I was really pleased.
You know, I thought we learned a lot about our group. I thought we learned about what it takes to be successful, you know, and. And then, you know, there was some, you know, big changes just with the team and you know, obviously with the staff having a new assistant come in. So, yeah, I think it's easy to be really negative because we didn't win and make it to Lake Plass. I didn't get that 20 win mark, so I'm taking that approach. But there were a lot of positives.
[00:33:17] Speaker B: Well, there were some great individual efforts. Let's start with junior forward Brandon Burr. He had a breakout season leading the team with 19 goals. He had a pair of hat tricks, both coming on the road. He was named to the All EC Seokie third team. You recruited him to go to Clarkson. Didn't work out there. When you got the job here at Union, you went back and got Brandon and he's been, he's been a fine. I mean, talk about Brandon's performance this year.
[00:33:40] Speaker C: Yeah, he's, he's got the ability to finish. He can, he can make players around him better.
You know, I, I think there's a play against Dartmouth with, you know, you know, seven or eight minutes left where he just drives wide and cuts it to the back post and he's got that kind of power and the ability to make plays. So he's somebody that has the ability to play pro hockey at some point and he's really taken the steps to get there.
[00:34:06] Speaker B: Freshman 4 Ben Muthersbog collected 13 goals and 15 assists. He had an early season hat trick against Mercyhurst. He tied for the team lead in power play goals with five and showed that he's not afraid to shoot the puck. Muthersborg led the team with 118 shots, the only Union player to hit double digits. He, he was named to the East Asiaki all rookie team and is a finalist for East Icaki Rookie of the Year. I think Josh, his ceiling is going to get higher.
[00:34:30] Speaker C: Yeah, he's, he's a special player. He's again a goal scorer and that's a nice thing. You know, you got a couple guys coming back that are proven goal scorers next year and he's, he's just scratching the surface on how good he can be. So really pleased with him.
[00:34:44] Speaker B: Was there any other player or players that stood out to you?
[00:34:47] Speaker C: You know, I thought Parker Lindauer really did a nice job, you know, coming out of the transfer portal. Somebody that, you know, we thought could make a step for us. But you know, he took a really good step for him himself in college hockey. And then we asked him when Carter Korpi went out to go from a line where he was a scorer for us to go to a checking line. And be more of a defensive player. And he took on that role really well.
[00:35:11] Speaker B: Speaking of Carter Korpi, how difficult was it not to have him after January?
[00:35:16] Speaker C: It's unfortunate. With everything with him and obviously would have loved to have him. I think he makes us a little bit, you know, different of a hockey, you know, different hockey team. He's heavy, he's hard. He can, you know, obviously he can.
[00:35:26] Speaker B: Score as well, especially with shorthanded goals. Which leads me to talking about the special teams. The power play was second best in conference play and third overall. But I thought there were some. Sometimes when there was too much passing or not getting a goal when it was needed. The penalty kill struggled at the start of the season, but improved from the midpoint of the season. On your thoughts on the special team?
[00:35:46] Speaker C: Yeah, I think, you know, we. We got to be better there next season. I think it's an area which we'll be focusing on. And I think, and again, like, this will be a nice summer where, you know, Coach Zanello will fully take over the penalty kill next year and, you know, that that'll be his. And then, you know, it'll allow me to bounce back and forth a little bit between the power play and penalty kill. So we have, you know, just some different. Different ideas going forward. So I think that's an area where we're excited about. We can, you know, grow as a team.
[00:36:11] Speaker B: One thing that cannot be ignored is Union's record against the top five teams in the conference. Union went a combined.091 against first place Quinnipiac, second place Clarkson, third place Colgate, and fifth place Dartmouth. What does the team need to do better in order to beat those teams?
[00:36:26] Speaker C: Well, I think it's just those are. Those are hard games to win, and we got to be a little bit harder. We got to get to traffic areas. We got to defend harder and just, you know, take steps along the way.
[00:36:36] Speaker B: Well, it's no secret that Union junior defenseman John Prokup is getting looked at by NHL scouts. He had a good season, collecting eight goals and 19 assists. He was a third team all ECAC hockey. He's 15 points away from 100 for his career and would join Matt Boddy as the only Division I Union defenseman to have 100 career points. What do you think he'll do? Have you really talked to him at all?
[00:36:57] Speaker C: Yeah, we talk. I mean, Daley, he's actually just called me.
[00:37:01] Speaker B: Oh, it's 101 live.
[00:37:04] Speaker C: You know, I think, you know, whatever he chooses to do, we're going to fully support. Obviously we'd love to have him back, but if he feels it's right for him to move on, then we'll do that. I think it'll be, you know, I think he'll have a lot of, you know, thinking to do here over the next couple days, but if he gets an NHL contract, I'd fully support him going. But at the same point, if he feels for his development he needs another year, then, you know, we'd love to have him back.
[00:37:27] Speaker B: Yeah. Well, as always, we like to take questions from our listeners and we had a bunch of people even before I had a chance to request questions. We're putting questions on my Facebook post. The game over the weekend, Anthony Sacks has a few questions. He had three of them. One we can't ask. We'll talk about that later. But he has two questions for you. One is, if Prokop goes pro, will you be active in trying to replace his experience in the. In the portal?
[00:37:55] Speaker C: Yeah, I think that for us right now that's kind of what we're waiting on is to see what happens. But I think you'll see us be active in the portal. You know, I don't think that we want to be living there all the time, but, you know, if you can, you know, grab a guy and especially if you lose somebody with experience, I think it would be important to get a guy.
[00:38:15] Speaker B: Anthony also asked about Kyle Chauvett. Of course he was named to the third team. Oecac Hockey.
Anthony says Charvet has had one of the lowest save percentages of any 25 plus game starter in Division 1 for two seasons running. And he plans to add serious competition at goalie through the portal this offseason.
[00:38:34] Speaker C: I mean, again, like right now we're going to look at, you know, every position and, and see who goes in the portal. If, you know, if we have any guys that leave, you know, as well. So just, I think you'll see us look in the portal for all three positions, you know, at the same point you could see us, you know, add, you know, first year players as well.
[00:38:50] Speaker B: Yeah. Peter Bowe is asking about the physicality or lack thereof. Union showed very limited bouts of hitting. Nothing ever sustained. When other teams hit back, union players tended to make hurried decisions. Is today's game beyond a consistent physical game plan and does coach see any pros or cons on their game approach of that in the future?
[00:39:10] Speaker C: Well, I think we want to be physical and hard, especially in front of our own net and the other team's net. But it Is like some of the physicality has been taken out of the game. You know, like the open ice, the big open ice hits just can't, you know, you can't do them as well.
[00:39:24] Speaker B: Christian Hess has a question and he did some research here. I'm very impressed with this one this year and he's saying we refers to Union were 27 on Saturday games at 4pm when playing the previous night. Union was 71 when playing 5pm or later. Over the last three years Union is 4151 on 4pm starts and 1112 and 3 when playing later. Any consideration in starting the Saturday games later in the evening given these statistics?
[00:39:53] Speaker C: Yeah, I mean that really good research. You know I think we've talked about, you know, moving them back a little bit for different reasons. One player safety is just is a paramount here though like when other teams are traveling. I think that's you know, part of the reasons why we look to the four. I wouldn't be surprised if we went to a five o'clock start. I don't think you'll see us go to that 7:00 start. I just, you know, especially going to the new building here. So I think there's some of those things are, you know, to be determined but we'll definitely take that research in and talk about it.
[00:40:26] Speaker B: Jake Lewis has two questions. His first one with the season now over and the mess of ring chapter for the program closed, what are you doing now to prepare the team for next season in a brand new home?
[00:40:36] Speaker C: Well, you'll see now here, so obviously the guys are going to go on. They got finals right now and they'll go into spring break and then we'll come back in a week and start lifting.
The ice will stay in at Mesa for a little bit here but whenever it goes out then we'll start skating in the local community rinks here and we're allowed to do skill sessions and practices with them, you know, during that time and we'll continue to do that. We'll give them a little bit of time away from us yelling at them and barking at them. But eventually we'll get right back to skill sessions and making sure we're getting better.
[00:41:07] Speaker B: There is no risk for the weary, is there?
[00:41:09] Speaker C: No, definitely try to, you know, get out as much as we can.
[00:41:13] Speaker B: Jake's other question We've seen the team records improving since you first started at Union, but come playoffs we always seem to fall short. What are some adjustments you would like to make to your roster to make a deeper run towards bringing another Championship. Home to Schenectady.
[00:41:28] Speaker C: Well, I think just continuing to add more depth and, you know, I do think we can be a little bit harder and more physical. So I think those are, you know, some areas where we can, you know, take a step.
[00:41:38] Speaker B: Well, thank you to Anthony, Christian, Peter and Jake for your questions. It's always much appreciated. And thank you everybody who's submitted questions throughout the season. My question. I have more questions for you, Josh. So what is next for you? Recruiting. Finalizing the schedule, Preparing the move to Mohawk Harbor Event Center?
[00:41:54] Speaker C: Yeah, I think it's definitely finishing. Finalizing our schedule and recruiting. I want to try to get out and see all our, you know, committed players and, you know, spend a little time with them and then, you know, make sure everybody's, you know, in a good spot.
[00:42:05] Speaker B: Well, we know that you're opening against army in the first game at Mohawk Harbor Event Center. Correct. Probably have a different name by the time the puck is dropped at there. But any other hints in the schedule you can mention?
[00:42:17] Speaker C: Well, I think you'll see it, you know, Alaska back in. We're trying to add a couple Hockey east opponents right now and finalize that. Obviously, we're off to Belfast next year. You will see more home games. We're going to have more home than road games, which will be nice. I think we'll end up having seven home games, three neutral site games and only two away games.
[00:42:34] Speaker B: Of course, the RPI Capital skates class don't defend that. Plus the Mares cup. So we know that that's definitely on the schedule. So we should mention that you are a finalist for the Tim Taylor Award for ECAC Hockey Coach of the Year. The other finalists are Quinnipiac's Rand Pecknold and Clarkson's JF Uhl. The winner will be announced Thursday at the conference banquet. Well, congratulations on being a finalist. What does that mean to you?
[00:43:00] Speaker C: I think it's, you know, I think it's a team and leadership award. I think, you know, Cullen Ferguson deserves a lot of that. You know, I think you look at Mike Zanella and, you know, John Ronan and just everything they've done for the program.
I think you give those guys a ton of credit just for everything they do. So really grateful to be able to work with them.
[00:43:19] Speaker B: Well, signing season is underway. On Wednesday, it was announced that Caden and Villegas signed a contract with the ECHL's Adirondack Thunder. Viegas tied for the team leading scoring with 29 points on seven goals and 22 assists. How happy are you for Them.
[00:43:32] Speaker C: Yeah, really happy as, you know, anytime these guys get a chance to go play some pro hockey, it's. It's an exciting time. And it, you know, it's a little bit of like, you know, makes you realize that the work you're putting in is not for, you know, nothing.
[00:43:44] Speaker B: Do you expect any other signings at this point?
[00:43:46] Speaker C: Yeah, I would expect a few of our other seniors graduating and then, you know, obviously, we'll see what John decides.
[00:43:50] Speaker B: Yeah, just the transfer portal update. Josh Phillips, senior defenseman, has entered the portal. He has a one year of eligibility remaining since Union doesn't have any graduate classes. Really not a surprise for Josh to enter the portal.
[00:44:03] Speaker C: Yeah, he came in and talked about some pro options and then mentioned, you know, he does have the other year. And I just said, hey, let's get you in right away and, you know, see if there's any opportunities for you that you like.
[00:44:12] Speaker B: Well, I don't know if this is a portal transfer situation, but we should give a salute to Union men's hockey sports information director Dominique Delpret, who's leaving Union at the end of the month for another job. She did a great job courting things and having to deal with me because I can be a pain sometimes. Your thoughts on Dominique?
[00:44:28] Speaker C: Yeah, she's, you know, been here for. Since day one for me, and, you know, was always just kind of holding my hand, walking me through all this stuff. So I appreciate everything she's done for us in the program.
[00:44:39] Speaker B: So who do you like this weekend up in Lake Placid?
[00:44:42] Speaker C: I don't.
You know, I have a hard time not cheering for Cornell, just in the sense that, you know, Mike Schaefer in his final season, and obviously I coach with. With Casey.
So. Yeah, that's, you know, I guess that's where go with them.
[00:44:56] Speaker B: Well, I make my picks on my Thursday podcast with Dan Rubin of USCHO.com, but I like Cornell because I think Quinnipiac has a history of not winning this tournament, which it's shocking. They've only won one ECAC hockey tournament title.
[00:45:12] Speaker C: Yeah, that's. I mean, that's kind of one of the surprising things in all of this is just the fact that they haven't won it and you obviously have had the national tournament.
[00:45:20] Speaker B: You know, speaking of national championship. National tournament, we should mention next year, Union is hosting the regionals, the Albany regionals at MVP Arena. I mean, how much fun is that going to be, especially if Union gets there?
[00:45:35] Speaker C: Yeah, I think it's, you know, everything is setting up for us to be, you know, looking forward to an exciting season. So, yeah, really pleased with that.
[00:45:44] Speaker B: Well, Josh, year two of your weekly visits is in the books. I appreciate you making the trip into the Gazette offices and the Parting Shots podcast studio every week. I think the listeners are getting a great inside look at the team this way and I know we'll chat a few times during the off season and I thank you very much and try to enjoy your off season.
[00:46:03] Speaker C: I will. I do also just want to thank all the listeners and for all their questions.
Just know that like we're doing everything we can to, you know, keep building this program and taking steps and I think a lot of the reasons we're able to do that is just the coverage that you, you provide for us, Ken, and just really want to thank you for everything you do for the program.
[00:46:22] Speaker B: I appreciate it, Josh, and just completed my 29th season and the one thing, you know, 29 years at Mesa Rink and two stints of covering this team, it's at least I got to take my seat home. I got sitting near my desk. So that was my prize for 29 years of covering. I'm looking forward to the new building. I did get a tour of it with Jim McLaughlin. Our video we're Stanhood also was accompanied us, took some video and we're getting to hope to post that soon on DailyGazette.com got to see where I'm going to be covering the games. I'm liking it, being on the side, not to worry about straining my eyes looking down at the other end of the ice. But yeah, it's going to be a lot of fun. I think there's going to be a lot of excitement with the new building and the program getting back to trying to get back to where it was 10, 12 years ago when it was challenging for national championships.
[00:47:13] Speaker C: Yeah, I think, you know that the resources we have are really going to help us out. So it'll be, it will be game changing to have the new building.
[00:47:19] Speaker B: All right, Josh, appreciate it. We'll talk soon.
[00:47:21] Speaker C: Thank you very much.
[00:47:22] Speaker B: That's Josh Howjee. Coming up on Thursday's podcast, Dan Rubin of USCHO.com joins me to analyze the championship round of the ECAC hockey tournament. Then Emmanuel Ben Barri, the voice of Siena men's basketball on jams 96 and post game host for New York Yankees on the Yankees Radio Network, joins me to chat about Siena and the Yankees. So please tune in.
The views expressed on the Parting Shots podcast are not necessarily those of the Daily Gazette company. The Parting Shots podcast is a production of the Daily Gazette Company. I'm Daily Gazette sports editor Ken Schott. Thanks for listening and I'll catch you next time from the Parting Shots podcast studio in Schenectady, New York. Good day, good hockey.
