[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 Shots. Thank you Scott Kesey, 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 have another great show for you. It's going to be a Union hockey themed edition of the podcast. We'll preview the men's games this weekend. The last rogue games of the ECAC hockey regular season for the Garner Chargers. They go to Harvard and Dartmouth Union, which has already secured a home ice. At least home ice for the first round of the ECAC Hockey tournament looks to try to get a first round by if things break right this weekend, beat Harvard and Dartmouth and get some help along the way. We'll talk about that. We'll talk with Craig Ferguson and Josh Nixon about that from Tuesday's media availability. Of course, you hear from head coach Josh Hauge on Wednesday's podcast.
Now the women get ready for the ECAC hockey tournament. They have a first round game at Brown. It's the ninth seed of the Union against 8th Cedar Brown Saturday at 3:00.
We'll talk with a few people on that Philadelphia Union women's team. Goalie Sophie Matsukas, defenseman Stephanie Dvorak, head coach Tony Macy and defenseman Martin Friday and Emma Aberrat. We'll also talk to Emma about an ironman streak she set last Saturday in the season finale against Quinnipiac. And then I reminisce about the 199192 Union men's hockey team, the first year of Division 1 play. A lot of sacrifices that that team made. They could have stayed in Division 3 and going for national titles. But they're Pioneers. They wanted to go Division 1. I mean, they didn't win many games, but they had a lot of fun. And I got a chance to talk with four members of that team. Of course that was the first year I covered Union men's hockey. I can't believe it's been that long.
Dalton Menhall, Bill Relaton, Ray for Ray. Not Ray, but Craig Ferraro and Rick Clifford. I was trying to get Rick Clifford's name out but couldn't get it out. But I spoke with them last Saturday before the game against Princeton and we'll get their thoughts on what it was like back then to make the switch from Division 3 to Division 1. So, coming up, we're going to preview the Union Men's and Women's hockey weekend. So stay tuned. You're listening to the Parting Shots podcast.
[00:02:46] Speaker A: Hi, I'm Stan.
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Hi, this is Union men's hockey alum Charlie Moxam.
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[00:03:52] Speaker B: With Daily Gazette sports editor Ken Shot.
Welcome back to the podcast. Let's begin our preview of the Union hockey men's and women's weekend. We'll start with the men. They go to Harvard and Dartmouth to conclude the Roach portion of the ECC hockey regular season. And it's a big weekend for the Garner Chargers. And they had a three point weekend this past weekend losing the Quinnipiac 72 in a game that Union gave up five power play goals and one shorthanded goal. But they bounced back on Saturday with a 74 victory over Princeton and really things kind of worked out in the Union's favor. Colgate managed just one point on their Yale Brown trip. So they're tied for 30 with for third place with 34 point. Union right now with the tiebreaker because of winning that shootout game earlier this month. And Union and Colgate will close out the regular season next Saturday at mess up. That will not be the final game of Union hockey at Mesarinka. Union has clinched at least first round game in the ECAC hockey tournament. But they want more. They want that first round bye. Right now they're two points behind second place Clarkson and six behind conference leading Quinnipiac. I don't think those either team's gonna catch Quinnipiac. Quinnipiac's not actually has to collapse the last four games of the season. I don't see that Happening. Union does have a four point lead over Saturday's opponent, Dartmouth team that they lost to 4 nothing back in January was Dartmouth dominated game. Cornell's also has 30 points. So. And Cornell comes in next Friday.
So if things can break right with the scheduling, Union wins its two games, including beating Dartmouth on Saturday and some other things break right their way, there's a possibility that they could wrap up first, first round bye and essentially make next weekend more of just.
Just play for positioning in the top four. So I mean, they're still shot at second place. Unfortunately for Union, Clarkson has the tiebreaker. Those two teams end up tied in the standings there. But Union's in pretty good shape. They control their own destiny. We talked with Josh Hauge about that on Wednesday and, and we spoke with Craig Ferguson and Josh Nixon at Tuesday's media availability.
Gentlemen, found out just a few minutes ago that you officially clinched at least a home ice for the first round. Nobody can catch you for that. But how important is to, you know, you want the goals obviously first round by. So two important games this weekend at Harvard and Dartmouth. So what's the key to, you know, help secure home ice for the first round?
[00:06:34] Speaker A: Yeah, same thing that we've been.
Yeah, same thing we've been doing all year. Just taking it one game at a time. We don't want to get too ahead of ourselves. Like I said before, I think we have a, an older, more mature group that understands that every single game is super valuable. So just stick to that.
[00:06:50] Speaker B: Josh.
[00:06:51] Speaker C: Yeah, I don't think we really try and think about like how many games.
[00:06:55] Speaker A: We need to win to get that first round by.
[00:06:57] Speaker C: It's just we gotta consistently play the same way every night. And obviously we've been doing that for the last month, so we just gotta keep on doing that for sure.
[00:07:05] Speaker B: In a way though, is it kind of nice knowing that the final weekend of the regular season, next weekend won't be the last home games at least?
[00:07:12] Speaker C: No. Yeah, exactly. Like we know this is the last year at the Mesa and I feel like every, every guy here wants to play more games than then they're slotted in regular season. So to get that first round by, obviously it's crucial. But to get rest and recovery, but to get that first round by, obviously it's important for sure. So hopefully we keep on in the right way.
[00:07:36] Speaker B: Colin, your thoughts? At least have one more game here.
[00:07:38] Speaker A: Yeah, every game at the Mess is special. So the more we can, more we can play here, the better.
[00:07:43] Speaker B: I like the white guy saying the Mess.
[00:07:45] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:07:45] Speaker B: It's the first deal has a. Yeah.
[00:07:50] Speaker A: Obviously you mentioned taking it one game at a time, but on Saturday, you have Dartmouth, who is kind of right behind you guys four points back. How important is it to one, put yourself in a good position Friday going into that game to keep getting points, but then also have an opportunity on Saturday to keep. Not only get points yourself, but keep them from catching you? Yeah, I mean, it's super important. Like we said, we want to keep it one game at a time, but I think we understand that. You know, Dartmouth is a team that knocked us out of the playoffs last year, ended our season, and I honestly think they gave it to us pretty good at the beginning this season. So, of course, you got that one circled, but, I mean, we're not looking past Harvard here. They're a really good team, and if we. If we don't stick to our systems and structures, we'll cough up those points. So we need to make sure that we can do everything to get one game at a time, not get too ahead of ourselves, especially at this point in the season. Just stay calm. Don't get too high, don't get too low. We talked about this before, but, I mean, really, all four of these teams that you play over the next stretch, you know, are kind of fighting, jockeying for position. Does that almost make it a little bit easier in a way, because you. You know, it's easier to focus on how important each game is. Yeah. Yeah. I think this is when you want to be playing playoff hockey and you're going to be playing the best teams in the conference, so that's the best way to get battle tested for the playoffs. So, yeah, I think you bring up a really good point. It's going to make sure that we're taking it one game at a time, one period at a time. Really hone in on our details and help us in the stretch.
[00:09:24] Speaker B: What do you think the key is going to be in beating Harvard?
[00:09:29] Speaker A: They're a very skilled team.
They play fast, quick in transition. So I think we just need to make sure that we have good F3. We're killing their line rushes, and then we can transition on them quickly, you know, just keep kicking. I think we've been playing well. Obviously, there's areas we got to clean up. You're never perfect, so make sure that we're focused on that and just keep playing union hockey.
[00:09:52] Speaker B: When you say F3, what do you mean by that?
[00:09:54] Speaker A: Oh, yeah, I guess I should explain that better. You want to have.
So when we're on the when we're on the forecheck, if we have two forwards going in, we want to have the third forward playing a little safer above their guy. We just want to be smart. It's a smart way to play the game. Safe way.
[00:10:11] Speaker B: Josh, what do you think the key will be to be Harvard?
[00:10:15] Speaker C: I think we just, I think whatever.
[00:10:17] Speaker B: Whatever team we play, as long as.
[00:10:19] Speaker C: We'Re playing our structure and our game with speed support, finishing at the net. I feel like there's not many teams in this conference that we can't beat. So obviously this is an important weekend up here. And like Colin said, like, call a spade a spade. We owe Dartmouth for sure. So.
[00:10:36] Speaker B: But first, first and foremost, we definitely.
[00:10:38] Speaker C: Got to get that. Friday night against Harvard.
[00:10:40] Speaker B: How important was it to bounce back against Princeton with a win after what happened against Quinnipiac, especially that third period?
[00:10:46] Speaker C: Yeah, obviously we were in that game against qpac and I guess just penalties got to us.
[00:10:52] Speaker A: Such we gotta clean that up for sure.
[00:10:54] Speaker C: But to get that bounce back win for sure and get a solid win against Princeton, that's.
[00:11:00] Speaker B: It was definitely good for our team.
[00:11:02] Speaker A: Yeah, I agree. I mean we were raiding the game the whole time and then penalties killed us.
We'll get better at that. I think that was just a good learning experience for us. I'd rather, I said to the guys, I'd rather it happen now than in the playoffs. So we learn from it, we grow, we get better. And Princeton, we turned it around and that's exactly how this group's been all year. Resilient. Answer the bell when you need to. And we just keep moving forward now.
[00:11:27] Speaker B: Now let's talk about the Union women. They begin the postseason on Saturday. They go to eight seeded Brown. Union as the ninth seed. There'll be a 3 o'clock game on Saturday and it's going to be an interesting matchup between these two teams. Union won the regular season series two, winning both times against Brown. So the chances of Union winning this game on Saturday are pretty good. Union ended up tied for ninth with RPI with 24 points. But because Union swept the conference games, they have the tiebreaker on rpi. I think this is a pretty good matchup for Union heading into this game. As I said, they beat Brown twice this season, including once down at Meehan Auditorium. Brown finished with 29 and a half points. So it's going to be, I think, a great contest to see where Union is at. Last year was the first year of all 12 teams getting into the ECAC hockey tournament. Union lost 52 to Yale last year that was a team that went in on a 12 game losing streak. Union's going on a losing streak on this one. Five straight losses. But it's kind of a different feel because four of those losses have been by one goal and last Saturday's game was by two goals. If you count the empty netter it was a 3:1 game. It was actually two ones until that empty night. So Union has not embarrassed themselves. I mean they, they've played well but played tight last the games last weekend against Princeton and Quinnipiac. It was scoreless after two periods in each game. You know Union lost the to Princeton in overtime 2 to 1 last Friday. But so I think it's going to be interesting to watch this game on Saturday and see if what the Union can do. It's been a decent year for the. For the program on the first year. Head coach Tony Macy. Eight and 14 in the conference. Most conf. Conference wins in their Division 1 history beginning which began in 2003, 2004 and they won 12, 21 and 1 overall. 12 wins overall wins also a program record. So it should be like I said, a great matchup. We had three separate interviews on Tuesday. Two of them I did with remember another member of the media and one was a solo interview. Well, let's start with the Tuesday media availability at Messer Rink. We'll begin with goaltender Soviet Matsukas and defenseman Stephanie Bourque.
Well guys, here we are postseason time. Now you guys are going into this first round game against Brown on a five game losing streak. But if you look at the games, four one goal games and a two goal game. So do you guys feel good heading into this game against Brown despite the fact that you're on a losing streak?
[00:14:10] Speaker C: I think so, yeah. I think that seeing that we competed with these top ranked teams and seeing how well we played with them and how we had the lead for most of the games and we just, we were right there with them. I think that build confidence for us and I think that bringing that into Brown is huge.
[00:14:24] Speaker B: Stephanie.
[00:14:25] Speaker C: I definitely think that every game is going to be a one goal game. Now it's like it's playoff, it's. It's do or die. So I definitely think that we feel good, we feel confident, like we're ready for Brown. They're a good team but so are we. So I think we definitely just need to play a full 60 minute and bear down and capitalize on our chances and limit theirs and we'll be okay.
[00:14:44] Speaker B: You have beaten Brown twice in the regular season.
They always say it's third time's the toughest. What's it going to take to make it three straight against Brown?
[00:14:52] Speaker C: Yeah, obviously beating a team three times is definitely hard. But I think that just sticking with our system and like executing our systems really, really well and keeping things simple simple and getting pucks behind their defensemen. I think especially as a D, it's always difficult when pucks are behind you. So I think doing that and our forecheck has been working really well. So I think if you just stick with those things we'll be good. Yeah, I agree. I think definitely trying to beat them three times is hard, but playing our game and playing a full 60 minutes is what's going to give us success. And I think Tony said it the other day was that it's playoff season now so it doesn't really matter what happened in the season. And every team's a new team and it's a new battle. Now we're all 000, so it's time to get going. I guess.
[00:15:39] Speaker A: So for you in particular, just what would it mean to. Obviously, you know, you've been through a lot in your time here at Union. What would it mean to have a playoff win in your senior season?
[00:15:50] Speaker C: I think it'd be huge. I think that we've just. Last year they started incorporating all 12 teams being in playoffs. So we haven't had that much experience in playoffs. But being in a better position now than we ever were the past three years is huge. And we're playing against a close team compared to playing a like 5v12 or whatever. So I think that. Yeah.
[00:16:13] Speaker A: What also just like what experiences will we go with, Sophie? Just what kind of experiences are just for both of you guys. Can you take away from that? That Brown win or those?
[00:16:24] Speaker B: Both Brown wins.
[00:16:24] Speaker A: What kind of things? Even though obviously it's hard to be. What kind of things can you take away from those games?
[00:16:29] Speaker C: I think we can take away that. Like we've done it twice already. So like kind of my mindset is like what's one more time? Like we know what we need to do. We know how they play. They know how we play. But obviously they're gonna. It's gonna be a very close game. And. And I think if we play physical and we get like we're hard on bodies, I think we'll be okay. It's difficult to play against a physical team. So I think it's going to come down to who wants it more and which team is Going to out compete. So I think if we out compete them, then we'll be okay.
[00:17:00] Speaker B: What did you learn from last year's experience in the playoff game against Seattle? And do you guys feel a lot more confident heading into this game than maybe last year?
[00:17:09] Speaker C: I think definitely a lot more confident. I think that just with our team in general, we feel that we're a lot better this year and feel that I guess just from last year we didn't start off the game strong. So starting off the game, how we want to play and how we want to be will give us success. Because I think that, yeah, last year we started off a little weaker and we were down early. So I think not letting that happen and just, yeah, playing our game and knowing that we can do that.
[00:17:36] Speaker B: Yeah.
Similarly, you guys were on a losing streak heading in the last year. But does this feel different this year just because as I mentioned earlier, the fact four losses and one goal games and the other was two goal game which was an empty netter. So particularly a one goal game.
[00:17:53] Speaker C: Yeah, it definitely feels different because it's like a new union, like new coaching staff, a brand, like we're a new team, our structures are different and everything. So I definitely feel that it's gonna be a different outcome this year and I'm really confident that like we can go and like, like surprise a lot of teams and if we play our game, we'll be good.
[00:18:12] Speaker B: What would a win mean to this program?
[00:18:15] Speaker C: I think it'd be huge. We'd be making history. We'd be showing that, you know, like we're not done, like we came here to play, that we wanted, like and we, we also want to be a championship team. That's what we're trying to build here. Not like just like for Sophie, like leaving this year, but also like when I'm gone, like we want the program to keep going like on, like on the rise. So we want to build that championship mindset. I agree. I think it's showing how much the program's growing and how where we want to be and where we're getting it to be. And I think that a win would just prove to everyone that we are a new union and we are a better team and we are going towards a championship team.
[00:18:54] Speaker A: You just touched on it, but just we. I asked Sophie before about, you know, her winning one as a senior, you're a junior, how much would it mean? Obviously you're focused on this season, but building towards your senior season and like you said, just building this program as a whole. How much do you think it would kind of help to. To get over that hump and get a playoff?
[00:19:10] Speaker C: Yeah, for sure. I think it'll be. It. It would be huge because we'd be getting that experience and getting into those high pressure situation and we be more comfortable in those high pressure situations just because of like all the players would get that like playoff experience, which in the past we didn't really get much or last year was the first time that we did get that experience. So it would just give us to show that like we can compete with those high, like high end teams, which we've proven this year. So just be able to like keep those leads and like be able to capitalize on our chances against. Against those good teams.
[00:19:46] Speaker B: How much, you know, with Tony coming here and obviously he's experience at Clarkson, of course, winning a couple of national championships. How much advice, how much can you lean on him to get you through this experience? Because you guys, you know, this is only your second postseason where Tony's been there a lot.
[00:20:03] Speaker C: I think we can lean on him a bunch. I think he's been great this year and he's been really good going to playoffs. Just, he has a lot of belief in us and he wants us to believe in ourselves as well. So just being able to, instead of saying that like, oh, we want to be a championship team, he thinks that we are and I think that's the right mindset to have. So I think that his mindset definitely rubs off on us as players. So I think he's been huge for that. Yeah, I think on top of that, him being in those situations before and like voicing that to us and telling us like, this is what a championship team is and this is what it takes to do it. This is what a championship. This is the structure a championship team has done for the past however long and it's worked. And this is what like us hearing that experience and hearing that like direct feedback of what actually works. I think that that brings a lot of confidence to everyone and just it's. Yeah. Easy to lean on him with that.
[00:20:54] Speaker B: Just a quick thought on Ma Bear breaking the Ironman streak for Union to be able to play that many games in a row, 137.
What does that mean?
[00:21:03] Speaker C: It's huge. I don't think she's missed a single game with that. I guess so it just shows that she is a hard worker and she's never going to miss a game. And it's just. It's awesome to see that. Yeah, no, I agree. It's huge and really proud of her for that. It just goes to show that she wants it really bad for our team and that's why she wears the C because no matter how she feels, she'll do anything to be able to play in the lineup.
[00:21:27] Speaker B: Next up is first year head coach Tony Macy. We talked about the game as well as an ironman streak set by defenseman Emma Hebert.
Tony, for this program, it's the second year they're in the playoffs and you guys are going in on a five game losing streak. But if you look at the results of those five games, four one goal games and a two goal loss, technically a one goal loss with the M because they had an empty Quinnipiac on Saturday. So do you feel good going in despite having this losing streak?
[00:21:56] Speaker A: Yeah, I think the last, you know, a month, month and a half we've been really trying to focus on, you know, little things within our game, trying to fine tune it for this time of year, you know. Good thing is we've been learning how to play in close games. Now we got to make sure we're, we're taking the next step in playoffs here and winning those games. So I don't think we're in a spot where anything scares us. It's just a spot now of like, hey, we've probably been playing playoff hockey longer than most people have, so. So we're a little bit comfortable within that and we're going to take that experience into the weekend.
[00:22:30] Speaker B: Of course, you've beaten Brown twice in the regular season. They always say the third time is the toughest. So what is going to be the key to make it three straight over Brown this season?
[00:22:39] Speaker A: Well, the good thing is we've had the similar situation with rpi, right. We were able to, you know, beat them twice and then we get into the MVP game and able to come out on top there. So it's not like it's a new thing for us this year. But yeah, it's going to be tough. It's always tough to go into a place on the road and win as well. So, you know, we got a couple things that we got to make sure. We're kind of eliminating our distractions and just focusing on what we need to do. How much would it, obviously you want to win just for this season to go as far as you can, but how much would it mean to this program in terms of what you guys are trying to build to get over half of one playoff here? Yeah, I think that's, you know, that's the next step, that's what we're trying to get to. Obviously we were trying to get to home ice. That was our, our big thing. We just missed it there. But, you know, the next piece would be okay, we're in the playoffs now. Now we want to make sure we, we take that next step and, you know, get through the first round. How much can you kind of, you know, use your experience to talk, talk to the team about as far as, you know, your experience at Clarkson winning national championships, what they can expect and how to have success in the playoffs? Yeah, so this is my 11th year in a row being in the playoffs. So I already told them that we've been through it, seen a lot, all different types of years. Nothing's the same. You know, there are some similarities that you got to have where it's, you got to eliminate distractions early as much as family and everybody wants to be around and, and be excited for this time of year.
They also have to understand like this is, this is your job to try and get this done. So eliminating distractions is probably the biggest thing so that they can really focus on what we're doing.
[00:24:18] Speaker B: I don't know. When you were at Clarkson, you probably didn't have. Back then they only had 18, so you didn't have a one game format for the first round. But do you think one game format is a fair way to decide a postseason game?
Obviously we have single elimination for the semifinals of the championship. But early rounds, would you rather see best of three?
[00:24:38] Speaker A: I wouldn't.
Strictly because of NPI stuff. Haven't been around and being in those, you know, top five matchups, you know, you get that fifth team that you want to try and make sure out of your league gets into the tournament and if they have any slip ups beyond one game, then that could really hurt them to get into the tournament based on the npi. So, you know, it's kind of where we've talked about it as a league, making sure that that doesn't happen.
You know, same thing on the guy side, you know, if they get into a situation, you know, where the bottom team has to play that first game or first round series. Right. They might hurt themselves in the, in the pair wise. So we were always looking at that as a thing. But you know, I think at the end of the, at the end of the day it's, hey, you got to be really good one day and that's it. Everybody's got the same record right now. So it doesn't matter what you did really during the course of the year.
[00:25:37] Speaker B: What will be the key to beating breath?
[00:25:40] Speaker A: Well, it's just going to be what we've been doing when we we've had success with them is making sure we're getting traffic in front of the net, not passing up shot opportunities and then playing well defensively. You know, they can score goals when given time and space. So we got to limit that time and space and really make it tough on them through the neutral zone. And in our end.
[00:25:58] Speaker B: Ma Bear Ironman streak under 30, 137 games in a row play here. What. What does that mean?
[00:26:05] Speaker A: Well, it just shows that, you know, she just really taking care of herself.
It's actually a pretty amazing accomplishment when you think about it. It's a lot of games that you have to go through a lot of times where I'm sure wasn't feeling 100% that had to fight through.
So I think that that just speaks to her character and you know how she's able to grit things out.
[00:26:30] Speaker B: You see her as now as a head coach compared to when you were at Clarkson. What have you noticed about her game?
[00:26:37] Speaker A: Just that, you know, she's a lot more detailed within it.
You know, I think that the big thing with her is just she wants to try sometimes to do everybody's job because she wants to make sure we win.
So it's just again, she's been able to kind of allow other players on the ice to do their jobs and really focus in on her jobs, which I think has really helped her game take steps even further this year.
[00:27:06] Speaker B: Later Tuesday I did a zoom call with senior defenseman Marin Friday and Emma A. Bear. They have class at the during the media availability. You know, we have around 12:30 on Tuesdays. So I spoke with Friday and Aberra about this coming Saturday's matchup against Brown. Also talked to Emma Bear who about her setting a program record for playing in 137 consecutive games. The senior defenseman has not missed a game in her four years at Union, a remarkable achievement when you consider how physical a game it is. I know they're not allowed to body check, but come on, they hit each other. So it's a testament to her strength and will to get to play the game even if she has some aches and pains. But she's managed to get through it and 137 consecutive games. So congratulations on setting the ironman mark for the Union women's program. So here are Marin Friday and Eva A. Bear.
Well, guys, you had to road to Brown for the first round Game in the ECAC hockey tournament. You guys won a five game losing streak going in. But you look at those five games, four one goal losses and an empty net goal two game, two goal loss to Quinnipiac on Saturday. I know last year you ended it was the same situation. It was a lot longer losing streak. Do you guys feel more confident going into this one this time around than opposed to last year? We'll start with Marin.
[00:28:34] Speaker C: Yeah, I think definitely a lot of confidence. I think especially against a team that we performed well against during the season. I think, you know, yes, we're on a losing streak right now, but if you look at how we're kind of performing in those games, I think we're kind of right where we want to be going into playoffs. And so, you know, every playoff game is going to be gritty goals. And so I think having those one goal games is starting to prepare us for going into playoffs. And yeah, I think definitely have more confidence than previous seasons.
[00:29:06] Speaker B: Emma.
[00:29:07] Speaker C: Yeah, I agree. I think Marin said it well. I think a lot of the things that we're seeing in the past few games are easy fixes for us kind of moving into the weekend. So it's all about a detailed dialed week and I think we'll have success.
[00:29:20] Speaker B: What did you learn from last year's game against Yale that you can apply to this game Saturday against Brown?
Emma? Sorry.
[00:29:30] Speaker C: I'm sorry.
I guess just the intensity of playoffs and kind of how to handle that and how like even if you get down, you got to keep pushing. It's going to be a grimy, gritty game just kind of like Marin said. So I think us kind of having some of that experience and being able to share kind of with the younger girls too and just like kind of what playoff mentality is and we've really been focusing on that, that, on that this week.
[00:29:51] Speaker B: How about you Martin?
[00:29:53] Speaker C: Yeah, I think Emma hit some really good points. I think, you know, the experience is always going to help going into it and I think we know, you know, to have a bigger senior class going into a playoff round is really, I think an asset for us as a team. And so we'll just be, you know, helping underclassmen be ready for that. And I think we're all just really excited and feeling a lot of confidence going into the weekend now.
[00:30:17] Speaker B: You guys did sweep the season. Serious from Brown. They always say the old cliche is it's tough to beat a team a third time in a season. What will it take Marin to do that on Saturday?
[00:30:30] Speaker C: You know I think it's just going to come down to details and execution for us. And so I think we want to come in competing, playing our game. I think we don't want to allow them to have us shift how we play. So I think just making sure that we're hitting all the details that we want to kind of perform, and I think we'll be good.
[00:30:49] Speaker B: Emma.
[00:30:51] Speaker C: Yeah, I agree. I think we know how we have had success against them in the past, so I think if we kind of get on those points and then just tweak the minor things, that maybe we didn't perform as well in those games. I think. I think we definitely have the upper hand.
[00:31:04] Speaker B: Emma, for you, you have an ironman streak, 137 straight games.
How do you. How did you manage to do that, not miss a game and not get hurt or anything like that?
[00:31:15] Speaker C: Honestly, it's. That's a great question. I think being a Division 1 athlete, like, we all have injuries and illnesses. I guess I was just fortunate enough that none of mine were so severe that I had to miss a game, and I could kind of push through some different things at times. So I've been very fortunate for that opportunity, and I'm knocking on wood in front of me.
[00:31:34] Speaker B: Did you even know what you had that streak going?
[00:31:37] Speaker C: I. I didn't until this year, until someone mentioned it. I think Tony at the beginning of the year kind of mentioned you, like, you having a scam, and I was like, oh, like, I guess. I guess I didn't know that. More people didn't, I guess. But yeah, it's. It's like. It's a cool accomplishment for sure.
[00:31:51] Speaker B: Yeah. Just what does it mean to you to be able to do this?
[00:31:56] Speaker C: I mean, it's super special. I mean, obviously I love playing the games. Like every athlete, like, you practice. Yeah. But the games are kind of like what matters, and that's. I'm kind of cherishing the last ones here. So it's really. It's really special to have that accomplishment. And it's. It's. It's honestly pretty crazy to think that I played in 137 games here. It kind of doesn't feel like that at all. So it's. It's. I'm very honored and I'm very happy to do it with. With my team, for sure.
[00:32:23] Speaker B: Let me ask your co captain, Martin, about that. Just how amazed are you that she's been able to play 137 consecutive games?
You know, I think it just keeps.
[00:32:33] Speaker C: Who Emma is as a person. I think she's incredibly resilient and you know, she plays through everything. So I think as a team we're just really proud of her. And, you know, it's an amazing accomplishment to end your senior year with. So congratulations to her.
[00:32:50] Speaker B: Coming up, we'll reminisce about the 1991-92 Union men's hockey team. The first year of Division 1 play. You're listening to the Parting Shots podcast.
[00:33:02] Speaker C: Speed, Skill, physicality. Home to college hockey's elite teams, coaches and student athletes. ECAC hockey. Twelve programs competing at the highest level. A league where champions are born and world class professionals are trained. Where history is abundant and a commitment to the cutting edge is unrivaled. The best facilities, the fiercest competition.
ECAC hockey. There's no experience like it.
[00:33:34] Speaker B: You guys just didn't want it bad enough. That should have been an easy win. What were you doing out there?
[00:33:39] Speaker A: You gotta hustle.
[00:33:40] Speaker B: You could have made that play if you'd been open.
[00:33:44] Speaker C: On the car ride home after the game, when you think you're helping by telling me what I did wrong and what I need to work on, all I hear is that I'm not good enough.
That I'm supposed to be perfect. That it's not okay to lose on the car ride home. All I need to hear is how much you love me and enjoy watching me play. That my worth isn't determined by my performance.
That even on my worst day I am worthy. That you see me learning, growing and doing my best.
And that is enough.
[00:34:26] Speaker A: This message presented by NISFA and the New York State Athletic Administrators Association.
[00:34:34] Speaker B: Hi, this is Nate Laban.
[00:34:35] Speaker A: I'm the head coach in Providence men's.
[00:34:37] Speaker B: Ice hockey team and I'm the former head coach of the Union College Fighting, scrapping Chargers. You're listening to Parting Shots podcast with the Daily Gazette sports editor Ken Shot.
Welcome back to the podcast. Last Saturday, the first Union men's Division 1 hockey team that played in 199192 was honored during Saturday's game against Princeton. That was a team that was pretty good in Division 3. They were playing for national championships and it was an interesting time. Army West Point decided to go independent after they were going to leave after the 1990-91 season and ECAC Hockey was looking for 12th team to take Army West Point's place. And Union was the team that they zeroed in on and they accept it. And so 1991-92 was the first year of Division One play for the then Dutchman. They played at Achilles Rink and not Messa Rink.
It was an interesting time because obviously a lot of these guys were great Division 3 players and they were happy. They were thrilled to be going Division 1. I think they knew they were going to take their lumps at Division 1. They weren't going to win that many games. In fact, they went 3211 overall and 2191 in ECAC hockey play. The first Division 1 win back when they counted games against Canadian schools in the overall records was a 10, 3 victory over Concordia on November 30, 1991. But the other two victories were very memorable.
January 17, on a very cold night in Hanover, New Hampshire, Craig Ferraro scored with 10 seconds left in overtime to give Union a 21 victory. And then the last row game of the season at Cornell on a Saturday afternoon at line of rink. Of course, all the history with Cornell at that time, Cornell wasn't as probably good as they were back in the 70s and early 80s. And union went in there with a and skated out with a 6, 4 victory. Two of the most memorable scenes of that game came late. Dalton Menhall scoring an empty net goal and watching over 3,800 fans just storm out of the building after that goal. I think they may have been embarrassed that Cornell, a well established program, losing to a first year Division 1 hockey team. And then as I was going down to get my post game interviews, I saw head coach Bruce Delenthal at that time walking off the ice and crying. He was so emotional after winning that game. And so that was a lot of fun covering that team. Even though they didn't win much, they were competitive for most of the games. They get out, they get off to slow starts, but they were competitive. They more than held their own, despite what the overall record shows us, had a chance to talk to several members of that team at a reception prior to last Saturday's game against Princeton. So you'll hear in this order, Dalton Menhall, Bill Railton, Rick Clifford and Craig Ferraro.
Dalton, when you look back on the changeover from D3, D1, what was the mood like when it was announced?
[00:38:00] Speaker A: I would say elation, I think it was.
You know, when you're a Division 3 player, you know, you always kind of have that thought like, could I have played D1? You know, could, could I have been, you know, better or competed at a higher level? And when we, you know, made that announcement, we found out like every kid in that locker room was like, now we have a chance. Now we have a chance. We knew we weren't going to be great right away. Like, we were. We were very competitive, very good team and definitely Division 3. But the opportunity to play Division 1 was something that was universally embraced. And again, elation was the word. I used that because I think we were just excited about the opportunity.
[00:38:43] Speaker B: I mean, obviously, going up against the likes back then, The Harvards, Clarksons, St. Lawrence of the world, was it intimidating?
[00:38:53] Speaker A: Yeah, I think it was. I think going into their barns, I mean, these kids were bigger, stronger, faster. Like it was. It was not what I would call.
It wasn't overwhelming, but it was brand new. So it was like kind of the first time. And yeah, I think it was intimidating because these are storied programs. I remember we went to Harvard our senior year and we lost. It was their 1000 Division 1 win as a college. And you're like, what? Like we've played like 17 at that point. 18. And yeah, they rolled this big sheet cake out there. That was. Yeah, that was intimidating a little bit.
[00:39:38] Speaker B: But I think the highlight for you especially was the game at Cornell the Saturday afternoon. You got beating my coat the night before. You're going to Cornell line of rink. We know how that place is with the student section and all that stuff.
You guys not only win a game, you end up scoring the empty net goal. That. And I recall this succinctly. The minute you. The second you scored it, all the fans started racing out.
The doors open, they just ran out the building. What do you remember about that day?
[00:40:05] Speaker A: So, ironically, I remember the locker room before the game and Bruce was extremely, like, just laid back. Like, this is what he was. You know, the atmosphere was, this is why you play college hockey. It was their alumni weekend or whatever, like big celebrations on their side. And everybody in the locker room was like, hey, you know, slap shot, quote. We got a lot of losses. I think it was Tim Cregan. And everybody was just like, you know what, it doesn't matter. Let's just go out and have fun. And we did. And actually we stunned them. Obviously they were not expecting to lose to us. And yeah, when I, when I scored that empty netter and came down the middle of the ice and, you know, whatever I did, I dropped to one knee or whatever. It was more, I think, just a huge, you know, just feeling of relief, like, hey, we proved that we can play. And quite frankly, you know, I think it was a great moment for the school in the. In the context of this program, eventually is going to be some something. And we did, obviously over a lot of years, but it was a lot of fun.
[00:41:14] Speaker B: You look at it now, I mean, the way this program, they won a national championship. Could you have imagined that when it first went D1? Especially the fact that the school was not really helping out as far as the scholarships and all that stuff. Still training like Division 3?
[00:41:28] Speaker A: Yeah. To be honest with you, 2014 still seems like a blur to me. I don't even even think, like, I mean, to win a national championship, I.
It was amazing. I mean, again, you beat BC and Minnesota, right? Like they spent more on their hockey program than we did, I think on all of our athletics. I mean, maybe I'm exaggerating, but yeah, that was. Seems like a dream come true. And now to have scholarships, to have that rink, that facility that we toured today, I mean, it's phenomenal. It's what you should do. When you have a program that can be a national championship caliber program and compete at that level, you got to support that program. And I'm really excited about what the college has done and to get behind this and give us an opportunity to continue to compete every year for that type of title. Because ultimately I think you want that success. No different. Different than you want your academic success, your social success or whatever it is that you're trying to get from your, you know, college, university experience.
[00:42:33] Speaker B: Do you feel like pioneers?
[00:42:34] Speaker A: Yeah, I think that's a great word. I mean, because that's what we did. We. We said, look, it's not.
We're willing to do what we need to do in order to give people in the future the opportunity to go out and, and do something special. And I think, I think, I think we're fortunate that we had that opportunity. I feel really blessed to be a part of this program in this community.
[00:43:01] Speaker B: Bill, looking back on the changeover from D3 to D1, what was the mood like when the announcement was made?
[00:43:09] Speaker A: It was excitement throughout the room. We were probably over our heads in Division 1, but we were really excited.
[00:43:15] Speaker C: To give it a chance.
[00:43:16] Speaker A: Chance to see what we could do in Division 1. We knew there wouldn't be a lot of wins probably at first, but we were excited to start.
[00:43:22] Speaker B: That was this fun.
[00:43:24] Speaker A: It was, it was a blast.
I don't know how many we won that year, but we won a couple. And those, those made it all worthwhile.
[00:43:32] Speaker B: Yeah, I think the win at Dartmouth was like the first league one and of course the win at Cornell when Dalton scored the empty netter to seal the deal. So what are your memories of that that year? I mean, I Obviously said you didn't win many games, but did you. Did it prove to you guys that you could play D1 hockey since you guys are all D3?
[00:43:52] Speaker A: We're all recruited as D3 players, so to get a chance to play Division 1 was pretty exciting for all of us. And did we think we could play? We weren't too sure, so we tried, and I think we worked pretty hard and got a couple wins, so it was rewarding that way.
[00:44:08] Speaker B: Do you guys feel. Feel like pioneers, having been the first D1 team and seeing where this program, how this program has progressed from what it was to accommodating with the national championship in 2014?
[00:44:20] Speaker A: We were pretty proud of that. We were excited to be the, you know, the lead into that and to see where it went from there was amazing. I don't think when we first started there that we'd ever see a Union College national championship. So to see that was. Was pretty rewarding. And so watch them on ESPN now, and it's exciting.
[00:44:40] Speaker B: Is there a memorable moment from that season that sticks out?
[00:44:43] Speaker A: I think the win at Dartmouth was a big one for us and Cornell as well. And the first game we had was pretty exciting just being a D1 player.
[00:44:56] Speaker B: Rick, looking back at that first year of D1, when you made this, when the announcement was made, what was the feeling like among the players when they said, we're going D1 in 91, 92?
[00:45:09] Speaker A: Yeah, I mean, I think first and foremost, I think we were grateful at the time that the school actually, we had a say, we had a meaningful vote. Right. So it wasn't thrust upon us, but I think we were cognizant at the time that we were a pretty good team nationally and felt like maybe we could make a run our senior year. But we were all just, I think, as kids, super excited to try and play at a different level. Right. So I think we got swept up in the excitement of the move. And now looking back, we feel so proud of what's transpired since we've been here.
[00:45:37] Speaker B: Was there any nervousness when that season started?
[00:45:40] Speaker A: I'd love to say there probably was some, but I think we were probably, you know, I won't say young and dumb, but we felt good about ourselves. Right. Like, I think, I think about our first game here, I think it might have been the Harvard game. It was really competitive. We scored late, and then, you know, I think what we learned fast, playing back to back nights and playing up all season long, you know, we had. We had some tough times, but it didn't really ever weigh us down. And if you look over the 30 plus years of friendships, it didn't impact us going forward at all in a bad way. It was fantastic.
[00:46:09] Speaker B: I mean, you didn't win a lot of games, but was it fun?
[00:46:11] Speaker A: Oh, it was a blast. We had a blast. It's just. It's always been a great group of guys. We've. We had such a strong room. You know, one of the things I'm proud about is how many guys in our class kind of played from freshman year through senior year. So we didn't really have to worry about a lot of locker room turmoil. We've just. It was a good group and it always. We've been tight ever since day one. So, like, I can't look back and say we had a lot of negative thoughts.
[00:46:31] Speaker B: I think the two most memorable ones was the one at Dartmouth. They was in overtime. And the one at Cornell.
What did those two really stand out?
[00:46:40] Speaker A: I think Dartmouth was the first one.
[00:46:42] Speaker B: Right.
[00:46:42] Speaker A: And I think we were. We were close at Yale and some other places where we just. It was such a hard thing for us to fight through and punch through. We probably didn't realize it would take that long, but I. You know, being at Cornell for hockey homecoming and kind of surprising everybody in the rink and then having a long bus ride back, like, you just. You'll never forget the bus ride, the locker room. It was just fantastic.
[00:47:05] Speaker B: Did you think envision that this program would be where it's at now, you know, obviously culminating with the champion national championship title in 2014?
Did you ever think that would happen?
[00:47:16] Speaker A: As a fan of the game, it's hard to look at the program historically and say, wow, like, we'll be able to compete for a national championship, I don't know that we felt that way, but I think now we. I mean, I wouldn't say we expect it, but yeah, we feel like Union's a place to be a competitive hockey program. So now we're. The national championship has just kind of amped everybody's expectations, and it's been great to be part of it.
[00:47:33] Speaker B: Do you feel like a pioneer?
[00:47:36] Speaker A: I think our group of guys is a pioneer.
[00:47:38] Speaker B: Right.
[00:47:38] Speaker A: Like, we did this together. I think it's something you look back at, you might not know until you're 21, 22 years old, but sitting here at 55, I couldn't be prouder of both the experience and, like, just our group is a fantastic group of guys.
[00:47:51] Speaker B: Craig, when it was announced that this program was going to go from D3 to D1. What was the reaction like among the team?
[00:47:58] Speaker A: It was one of a lot of excitement. I remember we were tops in Division 3, probably with nine or 10 returning seniors. We thought we could have given a run to win the national championship as Division 3. But the opportunity to get into the ECAC with the Ivy League schools and.
[00:48:15] Speaker B: Play at the next level was so.
[00:48:16] Speaker A: Exciting and everybody was all for it.
[00:48:20] Speaker B: And obviously didn't win a lot of games that year. But was it. Was it fun?
[00:48:24] Speaker A: It was a lot of fun.
[00:48:25] Speaker B: It was hard, right?
[00:48:26] Speaker A: Because I know the first we probably averaged losing four or five games a year for a couple of years and then to only win three games. I think we. We won my senior year, our senior year. It was hard, but it was a great experience and you're kind of setting the way for the future. And look at us now. We're building a $50 million rink and. And things could not look brighter with scholarships and everything else for this program.
[00:48:49] Speaker B: What do you remember about the night at Dartmouth?
[00:48:53] Speaker A: I do remember it. I get reminded every once in a while. It was a very small, snowy, cold night.
[00:48:59] Speaker B: I remember the bus ride home, but.
[00:49:01] Speaker A: I remember it being tied in overtime and face off.
[00:49:06] Speaker B: I think it was outside the blue line.
[00:49:08] Speaker A: I made a couple good moves and somehow was something that gave me a.
[00:49:11] Speaker B: Great pass in front and we got.
[00:49:13] Speaker A: Our first ECAC win. So I know that's why it's a big one.
[00:49:19] Speaker B: Do you guys feel like pioneers? Because, you know, obviously nobody expected when you guys started that this program would achieve the success it did with, you know, culminating with the Frozen Four. So do you feel like pioneers?
[00:49:32] Speaker A: We kind of do. And you can see by the turnout here, right? I mean, we probably have 15 guys back from that team out of 25.
We all keep in touch. Many of us live in the Northeast. We see each other a bunch during the year, golf trips and everything like that. And it's just a special time. All the coaches over the years have been great about bringing the alumni back. I had my little guy on the ice at Yale between before the, you know, the pre game. Skate like they're great about including us. And to always be known as that first Division one team is exciting.
[00:50:05] Speaker B: We'll be back to wrap up the podcast and have the first winner in this year's Daily Gazettes auto racing contest in just a moment. You're listening to the Parting Shots podcast.
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[00:51:25] Speaker B: Mark Kestiser, the voice of the NBA on ESPN Radio and College football on ESPN Radio. I grew up in Gilderland. I'm a proud member of the 518.
[00:51:34] Speaker A: And I go back over 30 years.
[00:51:35] Speaker B: With Ken Shot and when I'm not.
[00:51:37] Speaker A: Listening to his Schottsky Radio, I'm listening.
[00:51:40] Speaker B: To the Parting Shots podcast with Daily Gazette sports editor Ken Schott. Here's Ken, back to wrap up the podcast. The week one winner in the Daily Gazette's auto racing contest was Erin Campani of Amsterdam with 55 points. Aaron wins a $50 gift card. Congratulations, Aaron. The VIP winner was Scott Lucier of CapitaLand GMC with 30 points. I had 10 points. I'll announce the auto racing contest winner's name and that winner's name will appear in Saturday's Daily Gazette. To play, go to dailygazette.com and click on the auto racing contest banner.
Just because COVID 19 mandates are easing, that does not mean you should relax. Be vigilant. If you have not gotten vaccinated or received a booster shot, please do so. Do it for yourself, do it for your family, and do it for your friends.
Don't forget to download the Daily Gazette app and sign up for our E Edition so you never miss a headline. Subscribe today at www.dailygazette.com. we have a lot of great specials going on when credibility matters. Trust the Daily Gazettes. That wraps up another edition of the Parting Shots podcast. I want to thank members of the Union men's and women's hockey teams Dalton Menhall, Bill Railton, Rick Clifford and Craig Frank Ferrero for being a part of the show.
Next week, Dave Sims, the new radio play by Playboy of the New York Yankees and like me, a Philadelphia native, will be on to talk about his new role. We might talk about the Eagles as well, so please tune in if you have questions or comments about the podcast. Email to me @shot. That's s c h o t
[email protected] Follow me on X Threads and Blue sky at Slap Shot.
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 am Daily Gazette Sports Editor Ken Schatz. Thanks for listening and I'll catch you next time from the Parting Shots Podcast studio in Schenectady, New York. Good day, good hockey.
