[00:00:00] Speaker A: Foreign
[00:00:03] Speaker B: the following program is brought to you in living color on elliot gazette.com or wherever you get your podcast.
The Gazette News Group presents the Parting Shots Podcast. Now here's your host, Ken Shot. Thank you, Scott Geezy. 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. It's our weekly visit the last one of February with Union Men's head Josh Algae. Gosh, it's end of February. Can you believe that?
[00:00:35] Speaker A: No. It's crazy how quick this season goes and where we're at.
[00:00:39] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:00:39] Speaker B: So let's talk about Union wrap up its M and T Bank center portion of its regular season schedule this past weekend hosting Harvard and Dartmouth and turned out to be a four point weekend. The Garner Chargers defeated Harvard 41 on Friday and then rallied from a 31 deficit with two third period goals to earn a 33 tie against Dartmouth. Union got a point but couldn't get that extra one in the shootout as Dartmouth won that two.
Before we break down the games, your general thoughts on the weekend?
[00:01:07] Speaker A: Yeah, generally pleased. Overall, I thought we played some good hockey. There were some moments of things, you know, we have to clean up, but overall was was happy with the play.
[00:01:17] Speaker B: Well, let's start with the Harvard game. The Last time these two teams met, the Crimson skated to a 4 nothing win on January 19th at Bright Landry Hockey center in Boston. Union was looking to avenge that loss. What was the pregame message to the team?
[00:01:31] Speaker A: I think we're a different team than, you know, the last time we played them there and we just wanted to, you know, focus on playing the way we've been playing. So it was more about just us. And obviously Harvard has some pretty talented players, so just making sure we make it difficult for them.
[00:01:44] Speaker B: Well, the game is scoreless until there was 628 left in the first period. Clifton park native Troy Pelton has the puck as he skates behind the Harvard net. He spots Jacob Jeannette in front into the zone.
[00:01:55] Speaker D: Jeannette checked into the half wall, throws it behind the net.
Benz racing after it. Here's Ethan Benz back to the point. Lassard. Lassard. A shot. Charrette. I don't know if he didn't see it right. Marked that one off. Pass out front. Shot. Score.
Jeanette rewarded and Union goes in front, one to nothing.
The first shot didn't go in, but then Pelton finds Jacob Jeanette in front and the junior puts home his second goal of the season.
[00:02:27] Speaker B: That's Andrew Santillo and Steve Sheraton on the call on ESPN. That goal gives unit a 10 lead. And we'll talk about more about Jeanette in a little bit. But it's a nice way that your fourth line opens to scoring.
[00:02:39] Speaker A: Yeah, they played with a ton of energy on Friday night. Arguably was our best line. And anytime they can chip in offensively, it's huge.
[00:02:48] Speaker B: Well, the first period ends with Union up one nothing. How did you like the team's effort in the period?
[00:02:53] Speaker A: Yeah, it's real positive. Again, I thought we were playing well, you know, as the period went on, we got better and better.
[00:03:00] Speaker B: The second period begins, and just 141into the period, Colby McArthur makes it two nothing.
[00:03:08] Speaker D: Here's an interception by Lindauer. Lindauer looking out in front. MacArthur shoots. Score.
Union doubles its lead.
It's Colby MacArthur and it's two nothing. Union. And that was a fantastic four check there for Union. Getting the players in deep. And that was forcing a turnover. And that's the top line. MacArthur from Lindauer and Mutersbaugh. And a big goal for Union coming out here early in the second frame.
[00:03:37] Speaker B: How big was that goal coming so early?
[00:03:40] Speaker A: Yeah, it was real important.
And you know, that for us, that line was, was, you know, playing well. So for Parker and Ben to, you know, create a turnover and then Colby stop at the net and have good habits, it was, it was really important.
[00:03:53] Speaker B: Well, a big moment takes place with 12:48 left in the second. Harvard's Jack Thompson appeared to have goalie Cameron Korpi beat when he skated from behind the net to the right side as he tried to wraparound. Korpi got his left pad on it to keep it out. And then 48 seconds later, Lucas Boziol scored to make it three nothing from
[00:04:11] Speaker D: Joe Miller went wide. So Harvard ratcheting up the play here midway through this period.
Here's a turnover. Lorenza centering pass shot. Score.
It's Busiol.
It's three nothing.
Another goal for Union there, where the primary assister does a lot of the work and someone's just open in front. And Lucas Buziol is the recipient this time around.
[00:04:38] Speaker B: Well, that was a two goal swing. Josh, how big was Korpi save?
[00:04:42] Speaker A: I don't think people realized like how athletic of a player that was like for him to get to, you know, the front post and then get all the way over on that wraparound in such a, you know, such a quick moment.
Unbelievable save by him and huge for us.
[00:04:57] Speaker B: Well, Union wasn't done scoring yet. Once again it was pelton setting up Jeanette, this time with 7:14 left in the second.
[00:05:04] Speaker D: A 2 on 2 here. Bruick and Pelton now 3 on 2, shot, save, rebound as buziol was driving the net.
Now pelton behind the net. Team's back at full strength, 7:20 to go in this second period.
Jeanette shot. Score.
It's Pelton. It's four nothing union.
Well, Jacob, Jeanette was so thankful for getting the goal to start the game for Troy pelton. He says, hey, let's return the favor. Makes a beautiful pass out in front and pelton puts it home for his third goal of the season. And it is now 4 nothing union.
[00:05:50] Speaker B: It was Jeanette's first two goal game in his career. It was the 74th career game with union this season. Jeanette has been a part time player seeing action 11 games coming into that Harvard game. He had a goal and an assist. Me, how big of a game was this for Jeanette?
[00:06:04] Speaker A: Well, Jacob's been playing really well for us and I think, you know, I.
Well, it's probably been a frustrating season for him in a lot of ways. Maybe not getting the ice time or the opportunity that he wanted. And, you know, instead of, you know, really feeling sorry for himself and complaining, he's just been working hard and he earned his opportunity and he's made the most of it here. And in the last couple games, he's been playing really well. He's been playing physical, he's been playing with a ton of accountability and responsibility and that's why he's been a staple in our lineup here of late.
[00:06:37] Speaker B: Well, Korpi makes another great stave stopping Richard gallant on a breakaway. But gallant got a measure of revenge late in the period. He was leading a two on one rush down the left wing. He passed the puck to a Harvard player on his right side. Unfortunately for our union defenseman, Etienne lessard, the puck hit his skate and caron passed Corby. How frustrating was that?
[00:06:59] Speaker A: Yeah, you know, Etienne played it really well. He got him to the outside, took away the back door and then just, you know, hit him right in the foot.
[00:07:06] Speaker B: So. Well, the period ends 4 1. Union leading. However, the crimson out shot The Garner Chargers 20 to 15 in the period. Was that kind of annoying?
[00:07:14] Speaker A: Not really. I mean, I thought we did a nice job, you know, starting to, you know, try to frustrate them.
Once they got the third one too, or the. Excuse me, once we got the fourth one, we were just trying to stay above them and make sure. We didn't limit chances.
[00:07:26] Speaker B: Well in the third period, Union does an outstanding job protecting the lead. And Union does get its revenge and beats Harvard.
Had to be satisfied with the effort. Everyone had to be satisfied from the coaching staff to the players.
[00:07:38] Speaker A: Yeah, I thought up and down the lineup. It was a good performance by us
[00:07:41] Speaker B: and real pleased I have postgame sound. Let's hear from Jacob Jeannette, Troy Pelton and Cameron Korpi.
Jacob, we'll start with you the first two whole game of your career.
How's it feel?
[00:07:59] Speaker E: I mean that I could contribute about 98% of the effort to Peltz. He was unbelievable down low tonight. Benzi has been fantastic on our line as well. He's always, he might, he. I don't know if he got on the score sheet tonight, but he does so many great things as well. And I mean I was just feeding off those two energy the whole night and I, yeah, I'm lucky to play with those two guys.
[00:08:18] Speaker B: Take me through the second goal because it looked like you come around the wraparound from a our standard point. Maybe Troy got it, but Troy looked at you and pointed to you.
What did you think?
[00:08:30] Speaker E: If I'm a betting man, that's his goal after they look over it tonight.
But yeah, that's kind of what I think. I have no idea what it hit. He just pointed at me and he
[00:08:40] Speaker A: was like, oh, that was you.
[00:08:40] Speaker E: And that was kind of it.
[00:08:42] Speaker B: Troy, your thoughts on that one? I was just at front of the net.
[00:08:45] Speaker A: I didn't feel it, so I'll give it to him.
[00:08:48] Speaker B: But they can look at it in video. I don't care.
[00:08:52] Speaker E: Cameron, that's three straight for you guys. Does it feel like this group is. Is kind of peaking at just the right time?
[00:08:59] Speaker F: Yeah, I mean, I think we're doing a lot of good things right now.
Obviously it's the right time of the year to do it, but I mean we gotta keep building every day and you know, look forward tomorrow.
[00:09:08] Speaker B: The wraparound saving me there in the second period. Then you guys go down that score. I mean, how big was that? Basically a two goal swing.
[00:09:16] Speaker F: Yeah, I mean I just kind of was just out of position. So I mean I just threw the leg out there and luckily it just hit me in the toe.
[00:09:22] Speaker B: What about the breakaway on the lot? Did you hit the backhand and try to slip it through the five hole?
[00:09:27] Speaker F: Yeah, I mean, I think just same thing because like last week just he had a lot of back pressure. So I knew he was either gonna try to go five Hole or just shoot it.
[00:09:34] Speaker B: So kind of a fluky goal that they got there off of massage skate there.
One of the things he just struck his shoulders and.
[00:09:42] Speaker F: Yeah, I mean, just can't control that. I mean, Les, he did the right thing. I mean, he's playing it the right way and just unfortunate bounce.
[00:09:49] Speaker B: Two straight games now. You've played very well. You look like your old self from the beginning of season. Are you feeling more comfortable and back to where you were back earlier this season?
[00:09:58] Speaker F: Yeah, I mean, I think I feel good right now, but obviously there's. There's more to come and more big games to play, so I just got to keep getting better every day.
[00:10:06] Speaker B: Troy, what does that mean? See Cameron play so well the last couple games? It's been great. I think the whole group has bought in. Great goaltending, great, great plays all around.
[00:10:14] Speaker A: Everyone's buying in blocking shots, bumping guys.
[00:10:17] Speaker B: It's just been awesome to see.
[00:10:19] Speaker E: Jacob, just. This has been a really tough stretch. Three teams you've already played above you in the standings, all teams that you've beat. How much you guys relish the opportunity to go after these teams that are. That are maybe above you in the standings. Yeah, I mean, the standings can always say so much. Like, this group is really special. And I mean, we've shown it that we can not only hang with the best teams in the conference, it's not the country, but we can. We can pound them, too. And I think, like, we haven't peaked at all yet. Like, we're on the way up and we're playing good hockey, and we keep getting better every day. Like, this group is completely relentless, and we just keep getting after it, and I think we're going to be scary to play against going forward.
[00:10:55] Speaker B: Jacob, for you, how tough has it been? You know, in and out of the lineup, getting regular time. But you see, like, the last couple games, you've been getting more and more chances to play.
How have you dealt with it and how much has that fueled your desire to work harder?
[00:11:11] Speaker E: I mean, yeah, you just got to show up and do your job every day. Like, it's like you don't make any excuses for anything. And like, the guys who are in the lineup, they, you know, they take it with their best effort. And yeah, I mean, I'm just grateful for the opportunity in front of me. And when you're called on, you got to play. And like, that's. That's the approach I think every guy on this team takes, and that's the approach that I'd like to take towards it.
Troy, after a season filled with a lot of splits, weekend splits, you guys are starting to stack some wins now. How good does it feel to be in a rhythm and to have three straight wins against some really good teams?
[00:11:46] Speaker B: It feels great.
[00:11:46] Speaker A: I mean, like I said before, everyone's
[00:11:48] Speaker B: buying in and, you know, we're doing the right things and it's led to a few wins in a row now,
[00:11:53] Speaker A: so hopefully we can keep it going tomorrow.
[00:11:55] Speaker B: It's a big one. We got seniors playing for a big game. So I'm excited.
[00:12:00] Speaker E: Cameron, you guys are just a few points out of that coveted 4 seed now. How exciting is it that you guys have a potential first round buy and whole mice kind of in your sights right now?
[00:12:09] Speaker F: Yeah, I mean, obviously you don't want to look too far forward. Like, I think we're all just kind of looking forward to tomorrow and just trying to do our job. And then whatever happens outside of what we can control is whatever happens.
[00:12:22] Speaker B: Let's move on to Saturday, the final regular season home game. Dartmouth, which has been a pain in the butt for Union by winning the last eight meetings, is the opponent. It's also Senior Night. All nine Union seniors are in the lineup. What is the message for this game?
[00:12:36] Speaker A: Before the game, just talked about, you know, the importance of this senior class and everything they've done for the program and just make sure we honor them with a really good effort. And, you know, also just wanted to thank those seniors for everything they've done for me personally and our program.
[00:12:53] Speaker B: Was it tough to get them all in the lap? Because obviously some guys have to sit down. Will Felicio was a scratch. I think Drew Sutton was a scratch. I mean, you got. There's guys obviously have to sacrifice to get these seniors in.
[00:13:05] Speaker A: It was, it was a really difficult decision with the lineup.
One that makes you question, like, if you should have Senior night at a different time. That's something we kind of batted around because you want to, you know, make sure you're. You're doing everything to honor the seniors, but at the same point giving your team the best chance to have success.
[00:13:23] Speaker B: Well, Dartmouth gets the game's first goal. Hayden Stavroff, the nation's leading goal scorer, beats corporate on a one timer at 8:21 to give the big green a one nothing lead. And that's how the period ends. How would you assess that period?
[00:13:35] Speaker A: I thought the first 10 minutes they were the better team. I thought as the period went on, we started to play a little bit better, but was A little disappointed with the first 10.
[00:13:45] Speaker B: There was an incident with 729 left in the first when Nate Hanley was boarded by Dartmouth Eric Charpentier in front of the union bench. It looked nasty. Charpentier got two minutes for boarding while unions at ETN Lasari got two minutes for roughing as he retaliated first. Why wasn't a five minute major issue to Charpentier?
[00:14:05] Speaker A: They said that he turned or that you know, Nate turned and you know we, we had the option to challenge it. You know, I thought the hit against Lassard a couple weeks ago was a little, a little worse. So I thought it was going to be a hard time getting, getting the five minute major and they wouldn't look at it on their own.
[00:14:22] Speaker B: Yeah, I was going to ask you, did you think of challenging it to get that upgraded?
[00:14:25] Speaker A: Yeah, we did and we just thought that the hit on Lassard was worse. So that was kind of our, you know, our decision.
[00:14:33] Speaker B: Yeah. Well, the second period begins and the 259th into the period sharp and tier is called for hooking and Alex Lorenza makes him pay.
[00:14:43] Speaker D: Lorenza shot. Score.
Tie game. Alex Lorenza makes it 1 1. He missed an opportunity just a couple seconds ago and he made sure not to miss this one. Got the puck on his stick and he wraps it home for his fourth goal of the season.
The power play strikes for the Garner Chargers and we're tied up at 1.
[00:15:06] Speaker B: Nice play all around to get that goal.
[00:15:08] Speaker A: Yeah, you know him, you know when he caught the puck, nice fake shot and then just pushed forward and was able to finish well.
[00:15:15] Speaker B: You playing well and appears to be in control. But the big Green being the pain that they are to the Garter Chargers scored twice in in less than a four minute span. Stavro gets the first one on a one timer just inside the left circle at 12:54. And when I was typing in the agate on his first goal and looked for the number of goals he has scored, I was stunned to see how many he had. Now he has 26 on the season. I said earlier that he is the nation's leading goal scorer. I mean, how good of a player is he?
[00:15:41] Speaker A: Yeah, he's an exceptional shooter. I mean probably the best in the country. When he puck gets on his stick, he's quick to finish.
That line is extremely difficult to play against and they create a lot.
It was frustrating as a coaching staff. I mean I think that's, you know, a guy you want everybody to know when he's on the ice. And obviously we missed him twice.
[00:16:05] Speaker B: Well, sometimes he lets people know when he's on the ice, when he scores. I mean, he screams and goes to the glass to celebrate. So a little, maybe a little cocky.
[00:16:14] Speaker A: I know that my kids took note of that, so they're not too happy. But you know, he's a good player and he lets everybody know it.
[00:16:23] Speaker B: Yeah. With 308 left, Alex Kraus makes it 3:1. It was a controversial goal. Korpi appeared to have been interfered with by a Dartmouth player. He lost his stick in the process and was off balance when Kraus beat him. You challenged for goalie interference, but you lost that challenge. What was seen on the video, they
[00:16:41] Speaker A: just felt like we didn't give him, you know, the opportunity to leave the crease and that we, we drove him into the net. So that was how they ruled it.
You know, we got it. We got to handle that better. And we had a couple opportunities to get the puck deep earlier in the shift and we got hemmed in our zone and that's how the puck ended up in the back of the net.
[00:17:00] Speaker B: Well, down three, one after two. What's the message heading into the third period?
[00:17:05] Speaker A: I, I just. This group does things the hard way sometime and we're comfortable doing that. So it was, you know, we gotta, we gotta get a spark here and get going and, and once we do that, I think we'll be all right.
[00:17:16] Speaker B: Well, yeah, third period gets going and Dartmouth maintains that two goal lead. It's past the halfway point and the pressure is on Unions to score twice. The red hot Lucas Buziol responds.
[00:17:28] Speaker D: Puck played ahead for Bruick.
Here is Buziol.
Shot by Lindauer's blocked. Held in by the blue line. Rebound shot. Score.
The rebound was sent home and it's a one goal game. It was Lucas Buziel.
[00:17:48] Speaker B: Well, Buzio has been on fire. He's on an eight game point scoring streak. He has six goals and five assists for 11 points during his run. Buzio is fifth in on in the team scoring with 12 goals and 11 assists for 23 points. What has been the key to his streak?
[00:18:04] Speaker A: I think he's just, you know, continuing to do what he's, he's done in his time here. He plays the right way, he's extremely responsible.
He works hard, he gets to the high traffic areas and you do that consistently, you're going to get rewarded. And now he's got a little confidence in his finishing ability. But I mean you look at last year in the playoffs, he was arguably our best player and we're going to need him to be that way down the stretch.
[00:18:30] Speaker B: Well, 121 later, there is a face off in the Dartmouth left circle. Buzio is tossed from the face off and replaced by Parker Lindauer. He wins the face off back to Riley Bruick. Bruick then passes the puck to DJ Hart at the top of the slot. The junior defenseman takes a couple of strides to his left and then fires a puck on net.
[00:18:50] Speaker D: This is now a thing where Lindauer is now on the second line with Buziol and Bruick at the moment. Hard shoot score, tie game.
D.J. hart with a seeing eye WR from the blue line.
If the crowd wasn't into it before, they are most definitely into it now.
DJ Hart, his first goal of the season and what a fantastic time for it for the junior from Stanford, Connecticut.
And we said you needed a couple goals to get to three, and, well, they're at three.
[00:19:31] Speaker B: That ties the game at three. And the season high crowd of 23:45 goes into a frenzy. Mean, how big of a goal was that?
[00:19:38] Speaker A: Yeah, it was huge. And it was sold out in there. It was a, you know, awesome moment.
[00:19:42] Speaker B: Well, it was Hart's first goal of the season. Talk about the weather. With wherewithal to move to his left and get that screen set up in front of Dartmouth goalie Emmett Croto, who never saw the puck.
[00:19:53] Speaker A: Yeah, he was able to, you know, create a shot lane with his movement up top. And then we got traffic there. And a nice finish by DJ well,
[00:20:01] Speaker B: third period ends 3, 3. Each team gets a point as we head to overtime. And Union had some chances there in the overtime, especially I think Ben Muthesbaug late missed an open net. Neither team scores an ot. So it's a tie. The shootout will decide who gets the extra point. Unfortunately for Union, Dartmouth wins that shootout. Two nothing.
What were the feelings like after the game?
[00:20:22] Speaker A: Yeah, disappointment.
Just, you know, felt like could have used that extra point.
You know, we had, you know, the two on one with, you know, 30 seconds left with Brandon Beer and Ben Meathersbaugh. Usually when those guys get a two on one, we feel pretty confident. And then in overtime, I felt like we had. I thought we had the better of the play in overtime, but, you know, unfortunately weren't able to finish. But then it was just on to honoring our seniors.
[00:20:45] Speaker B: Yeah, speaking of that, the ceremony took place after the game. I was kind of annoyed. I don't know how you felt, but that most of the fans were leaving after the shootout ended. I mean, they missed A nice ceremony. I mean, how tough is it to watch a ceremony knowing that their college careers are winding down?
[00:20:58] Speaker A: Yeah, it's tough. I mean, this. This group means a lot.
You know, unbelievably special group for me, and it's sad to know that they won't be with us next year.
[00:21:09] Speaker B: Well, I have postgame sound. Let's start with unions. Lucas Buziol and DJ Hart.
Now look at the start of the ub. The good news is you got a point out of this. The bad news, don't beat Garp again.
Won last night, but what do you take away from this game?
[00:21:28] Speaker G: Yeah, I mean, we were kind of talking about that in the room. Like our first wasn't the best hockey we could have played, but, you know, for the second half of the second period and that third career, I thought we took it to him. I mean, and we were down 3:1, and, you know, coach came in the room and be like, you know, game's not over. We had a really good third period. I think if we play a full six, I think we can beat him. Obviously, you know, losing shootout stings, especially on senior night for those seniors, but, you know, we know if we run into them again, I think we had a good chance of beating them.
[00:21:53] Speaker B: Dj, your thoughts?
[00:21:54] Speaker C: Definitely, I agree. I feel like our first period was a little bit rough. We didn't quite get into the swing of the game as quick as we wanted to, but I thought our second or third were really good hockey. That was, we were playing our game, and second, we had a couple unfortunate plays, kind of not go our way, but at no point, we never thought we were out of that game. So it was all positive energy. We knew we had a really good chance of winning that game, and it was just unfortunate, the outcome.
[00:22:20] Speaker B: So no frustration after that second period when they got to his two goals?
[00:22:23] Speaker C: No, no, no frustration.
We knew what we needed to do and just clean up a couple things and we were fine.
[00:22:29] Speaker B: Lucas, tell me about your goal.
I think Riley had the point shot and you were there at the doorstep.
[00:22:36] Speaker G: Yeah, I mean, I kicked it out to Riley, got back to Parker, shot, put him up, block fed Cal. Cal had a nice shot of net, kind of rebound, just banged around, kind of off my stick. And we built some momentum and energy off of that and obviously, you know, scoring a couple shifts later with DJ scoring, so, you know, we had the momentum on our side. It was six minutes left, to be honest, and thought we could. We could win a regulation, not overtime.
[00:22:55] Speaker B: You've been able to roll 18 game point score stream. What's been the key for you?
[00:23:00] Speaker G: I mean, just confidence, just, you know, playing the way I know to play. I mean, I don't really focus on that. I'm just more focused on getting three points every night. If the points come, it's great, but I'm more focused on the team.
[00:23:11] Speaker B: Take me through your goal. I think you made a smart move there. You took a couple strides to your left after you got the pump and broke.
[00:23:16] Speaker C: Thank you.
It definitely felt good to get it. We knew we needed one at that point in the game and a lot of things happened before that. Just momentum coming from the second period into the third period. We knew if we just kept putting pucks on net that something good was going to happen. And it was great screen by everybody in front and I just threw it on net and it, it happened to go in. So.
[00:23:37] Speaker B: Yeah. Were you looking at when you made that move to your left, did you notice there was a player stuff there screening the goaltender?
[00:23:43] Speaker C: Yeah, I mean I looked up and pretty much couldn't see the net, but I knew if I threw away it off their hips that that right side had a chance.
[00:23:51] Speaker B: What does it say about this evening? Let's go back to the Clarkson game. Yeah, you come back several times the Colgate game. Come back several times tonight.
I know games pass in some, some of the games, particularly Quinn Pack game down there. I know coach was talking about maybe you guys were feeling sorry for yourself, but the fact you're showing some, some guts coming back or something. Some of these games you didn't win the clock game, didn't get a point. You won the Colgate game, got three and then get a point here. And what does this say about this team as he heads in the postseason?
[00:24:22] Speaker C: I mean, I think it's pretty self explanatory, like we're never out of a game and we know that that's our mentality.
We're the best team in the league in our opinion and anybody we play is going to have to play their A game to beat us. So it's. We're coming no matter what. Down up. We. We just got to play our game and good things will happen.
[00:24:41] Speaker G: Yeah, I mean just to reiterate what he said, I mean, you know, we've been playing really good hockey the past couple weeks and you know, we want to carry that in next week, last week of the regular season and hopefully bring that momentum into the playoffs. And we believe we got a really strong group in there and we can do, we can do Something special.
[00:24:55] Speaker B: Let me ask you about Matt Dubreu. Obviously he's set back with his cancer treatment. Your thoughts on Matt?
[00:25:05] Speaker G: Yeah, you know, we're wishing him all the best from all the guys. You know, we're hoping he's doing well and we're sending our wishes.
[00:25:10] Speaker C: Same thing here. We're, we're sending our best wishes over there and hoping for a speedy recovery.
[00:25:16] Speaker B: Now let's hear from Dartmouth head coach Reed Cashman on his thoughts of the game.
[00:25:22] Speaker E: Coach, you just want to open up
[00:25:23] Speaker B: with an opening statement.
[00:25:25] Speaker H: Yeah. Hard fought game.
[00:25:28] Speaker B: Union.
[00:25:28] Speaker H: Heavy competes, makes you play a full 60 minutes.
Liked our first, liked our third second got away from us a little bit and you know, feel good about the weekend. At the end of the day, we got five points, head back home and get ready for Quinnipiac Prison over the second period.
[00:25:49] Speaker B: You said me wasn't great, but you did score those two late goals there to take the lead and seemingly were in control.
[00:25:55] Speaker H: Yeah, but we were really emotional.
We were, we weren't clean coming off our zone.
So yeah, I mean, we came out of that with the 31 lead, but we weren't, we weren't playing the way we, we would have liked to have played. And like I said, I thought we actually, I liked our third better than our second even though the score was, was reversed.
[00:26:13] Speaker B: Yeah, we had to take those two quick ones. William, what do you think at that point?
[00:26:18] Speaker H: I just think it's hockey. I think, like, like I said, I thought we were on our toes. I thought we were pressuring. I thought we had an opportunity to get, to get that fourth goal and make it 4 1.
And there's just individual moments and individual breakdowns. And again, they, they were into it too. Right. So I wasn't thinking anything other than I liked our game and I liked our team and let's find a way to win this game.
[00:26:42] Speaker B: Union. I mean, this is as close as they've come to beating you guys. I mean, what, what did you like about what you saw of Union?
[00:26:49] Speaker H: Well, they're. Since Josh has taken over, they compete at an extremely high level.
When you give them time and space, they come and they come in waves. They come from different places.
There's an aggressiveness to their offensive game.
They got some mobile D back there and so it's really well coached because, you know, on video what you're going to get and what you see on video is what you see live.
And so, yeah, they're tough to defend. They're obviously scoring a lot of goals right now.
[00:27:19] Speaker B: Can you talk a little bit about star golf? I'm just pronouncing exactly. Sorry, but another two goal effort this weekend. Just I looked that way after he scored his first goal. I didn't realize he had that many goals this year.
[00:27:29] Speaker H: Yeah, I mean he's leading the country in scoring. I think he's the best goal scorer in the country.
But he's also a huge leader for our group. He's physical, he plays inside the dots, he's strongly on his team.
We feel really fortunate. He's obviously having a year.
[00:27:46] Speaker B: Let's take a break. When we return, we'll preview this weekend's final ECAC hockey regular season games at Yale and Brown.
Yale game is on Friday. The Brown game is on Saturday and what the ramifications will be for the Garden Chargers to earn an ECAC Hockey Tournament first round. Bye and we'll answer listeners questions. You're listening to the Parting Shots podcast.
The ECAC Hockey Championship returns to Lake Placid, New York this March. Witness the first ever ECAC Hockey Women's Championship in Lake Placid on March 6th
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Welcome back to the podcast. I'm Gazette Union hockey beat writer Ken Shine. I'm joined by Union men's head hockey coach Josh Halge. Well, this weekend is the last one of the regular season.
Union visits Yale at Ingalls Rink in New Haven, Connecticut on Friday and then plays at Brown at Meehan Auditorium in Providence, Rhode island on Saturday.
There's a lot at stake this weekend with regards to seeding in the ECAC Hockey tournament. The Garden Chargers are in sixth place and have clinched home ice for the first round, a single elimination game. But the first round bye is in play. They are four points behind Princeton for the final first round by slot and Union trails fifth place Harvard by one point while Union plays Yale on Friday. Harvard hosts Princeton. This is a pretty simple Union must beat Yale regulation and hope that Harvard beats Princeton in regulation. That means Harvard will be tied With Princeton while Union will be a point back. Then we move on to Saturday while Union faces Brown. Princeton visits Dartmouth while Harvard hosts ECAC hockey leading Quinnipiac. If Union wins in regulation and Princeton and Harvard losing regulation, Union moves into the fourth place and gets that final first round. Bye.
I'm not going to get into the scenarios if overtime or shootouts are needed because my brain will explode. I mean, how are you approaching this weekend? Will you be keeping an eye on other games or will you keep your focus on your games?
[00:30:29] Speaker A: Yeah, our focus is strictly on Yale right now.
You know, after Friday night's games we'll, we'll sit down and, and run some numbers. The only thing I do know is if the game was in overtime for us we, we have to win in regulation or overtime to have a chance at that.
At that buy just with the scenario. So like we can't let it get to a shootout on, on, on Friday night.
[00:30:54] Speaker B: Yeah. Because the second, second tiebreaker is wins in regulation and overtime shootout wins do not count.
[00:30:59] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:31:00] Speaker B: So the first tiebreaker is head to head. So obviously Union and print and Union has split with Harvard and Princeton in that category. Yeah, I was just like I said, I was just like there's too many, too many scenarios. I just wanted to, I tried to keep it simple in my column. I appeared in Tuesday's Daily Gazette Because I5 I'm probably involved algebra. I was not good at algebra. So.
[00:31:21] Speaker A: So we have a, A board in our coaches changing area and it's a pretty, pretty big board. And the amount of Hylo Griffix, they're like. You wouldn't even know what's going on. So.
[00:31:35] Speaker B: Excuse me. Well, you said after Saturday's game that you haven't concerned yourself with that first round by. Why is that?
[00:31:40] Speaker A: I think that when, you know, really when we started talking about it, we weren't playing great hockey and that was for us the biggest thing is just to make sure we got back to kind of how we were playing at the end of, you know, the first half of the season. And when we came back from break for whatever reason, we just, it took us a little bit to get back going and I think now we're, now we're playing the right way. It'd be great to earn the bye if we can, you know, get a chance. But if not, I just like how we're playing right now.
[00:32:07] Speaker B: Well, last time Union played Yale was not a good game. The Bulldogs took a 41 victory on January 17th at M& T Bank Center.
Yale had the better play in that game. Why did the game get away from Union and what would be the key to playing better and beating Yale?
[00:32:23] Speaker A: Well, I think it's twofold. One it's. I mean, Yale played really well. I didn't, I didn't love the way we played, but really you can say, you can blame it on us or whatever, but like, Yale did a lot of good things. They stayed above us, they didn't let us transition.
It was a long night for us and you know, there haven't been too many times this year where our team was frustrated and that was one of them.
[00:32:45] Speaker B: Well, the night before you had an outstanding 4 nothing win over Brown.
What was the key in that game?
[00:32:50] Speaker A: Yeah, you know, I think we got a power play goal early and I don't think it was a 4 nothing game, just the way, you know, I think we got two empty net goals there at the end. So their goaltender was really good and I thought we got good goaltending as well that night.
[00:33:05] Speaker B: What would be the key to winning at Meehan?
[00:33:08] Speaker A: It's creating your own energy and playing with discipline. I know it's senior night, so hopefully there'll be a little bit better of a support and energy in the building, but, you know, we got to make sure that those people are quiet.
[00:33:19] Speaker B: Well, early in the podcast, we heard the union goal calls. We did not hear Matt Dubray calling those goals. Last Friday, he announced he had a setback in his battle with acute lymphatic leukemia. He'll undergo treatment again. Matt reached out to me last Thursday to let me know of his situation. And if you have not seen my story of Matt, it's on DailyGazette.com I normally don't use profane language on this podcast, but I will make an exception here. Fuck cancer. I feel bad for Matt and his family. He sounded frustrated to me in our chat. I mean, what are your thoughts on Matt?
[00:33:52] Speaker A: Yeah, it's extremely difficult and you know, for, for someone that is just such a great person and around our program and, you know, the voice of our program, it's really tough.
You know, we're here to support him any way we can. And I think the biggest thing is just there's nothing that we can say to him other than just that we're there for him.
[00:34:14] Speaker B: Well, there was a big hockey game Sunday morning at the Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. Team USA Hockey beat Team Canada 2 to 1 in overtime on a Jack Hughes golden goal. It's Team USA's third gold medal and first since 1980. It came on the same day when Team USA beat the Soviet Union in 1980.
What did you think of Sunday's game?
[00:34:35] Speaker A: Yeah, it was a lot of fun to, you know, be able to watch on. On a typical morning, it's tough to get my two sons up. They like to sleep in, but they were, they were up right for the, you know, the 8 o' clock puck drop. And I think that's a memory our family will always remember.
[00:34:52] Speaker B: Well, Brown made some news on Monday. They have a new head hockey coach. UMass assistant coach Tom Upton was hired. He'll replace Brendan Whitted, who took a family leave of absence when he returned. When Brendan returns from that, he'll work in the athletic administration.
Your thoughts on Upton? What do you know about him?
[00:35:08] Speaker A: Well, I think he's a great personality. He's a lot of fun to be around.
This will be his first experience in the ECAC as his previous jobs have been in Hockey east and Atlantic Hockey. So I think that'll be a little transition for him, but excited for him.
[00:35:25] Speaker B: Well, Upton will take over at the conclusion of the UMass season.
Did the hiring seem quick?
[00:35:31] Speaker A: It was different, you know, with the whole transfer portal world. I think a lot of people are maybe pushing things a little faster than normal. So, you know, I think Brown felt like they found their guy and they went with him.
[00:35:44] Speaker B: Well, our favorite segment is up next here. We always take questions from our listeners and we have a lot of them Again. Andrew Jarrett writes, I was pleased to see Jeanette have two goals against Harvard. His upper left corner attempt at a third goal was a very good idea but just barely missed. I hope his success against Harvard boosts his scoring confidence. He is a bit of an untapped source scoring source, in my opinion. Your thoughts on that?
[00:36:09] Speaker A: Yeah, I think anytime you're getting, you know, production from other players that maybe haven't done it, it's huge. And I think for a lot of this season, Jacobs really questioned his role question where he fits on the team. And I think right now he finally understands what he needs to do and is playing at a really high level for us.
[00:36:29] Speaker B: Well, Andrew also writes that he's noticed that the lineup, Jeanette, Ethan Benz and the Pelton is pretty big. Did their 200 plus pound per guy weight factor into the formation of that line? Are there specific opponents that Josh thinks they will match up well against?
[00:36:43] Speaker A: Well, yeah, I think we need that line to be physical. We need them to possess the puck and hold onto it and, you know, they got to be a line that People don't want to play against. So yeah, I definitely think we'll use them in a lot of different ways.
[00:36:58] Speaker B: Union professor Brian Cohen writes, josh Halsey switched Lynn Dower and Burr in the third period against Dartmouth. Was it a matchup he saw or something else?
[00:37:06] Speaker A: We just felt like the first 10 minutes of the third period we were stagnant and not getting anything done. So we, you know, made a decision to switch lines and try to give those guys a spark and, you know, luckily enough it worked out.
[00:37:19] Speaker B: Kelly Dobski, who Bicki is asking, she was curious about postseason play. With all the possible scenarios and the way teams have peaked or tanked as we finished the regular season. If Union has to play a first round game, which team would they hope to face on home ice?
[00:37:36] Speaker A: Yeah, I mean, we're hoping to not play that weekend, but yeah, I think at this point we just got to make sure we're playing well. We haven't really given a ton of thought to who we're going to play and Obviously you got RPI, St Lawrence and Brown that are all fighting to push up in the standings. So any three of them, they're all difficult opponents.
[00:38:03] Speaker B: Ben McCarthy has a couple of questions. First one, would you consider adding in a post game lap for for the players to thank fans? I've seen Maine do it after every home game and I like to see spectators stay longer and be more involved.
[00:38:16] Speaker A: Yeah, we typically do the stick salute. It's funny you say that because at the start of this year that was kind of our plan was we were going to do the lap and then the first game was against army and it went to the shootout and we lost and for whatever reason because of that we didn't do it. So then we just stuck with what we did that first game.
[00:38:36] Speaker B: He also asked, what rule changes from the NHL or otherwise would you like to see in the coming years? Maybe changes from the transfer portal.
[00:38:45] Speaker A: As far as NHL stuff, I think
[00:38:49] Speaker B: he's maybe referring to NHL rules that would affect college hockey.
[00:38:53] Speaker A: Yeah, not a ton of things. Whether it's a hand pass in the D zone or the one thing and I know you've mentioned it here and just you've been pretty vocal about it, honestly is just having the referees communicate better of what's going on. When there's challenges and different things of that nature, I just sometimes having them mic'd and letting everybody know what was going on I think would be beneficial.
[00:39:15] Speaker B: Magular refs Finally, Jarrett Lacourt writes, is it safe to say that Korpi has emerged as the number one goalie as we head into the final weekend playoffs.
[00:39:26] Speaker A: Well, I think Cameron's playing at a really high level right now and you know, that has nothing to do, you know, Braden is pushing as hard as he can and trying to get back in that net.
But, you know, at this point, you know, Cameron's. Yeah, Cameron's played really well.
[00:39:42] Speaker B: Well, thanks everyone for the questions. If you have a question for Josh, you can email them to shot. That's s c h o t
[email protected] or you can post them on Facebook on my personal page and the Parting Shots podcast page. You can also send them via bluesky X and threads Slap Shots.
Well, the Daily Gazette ECAC hockey face off selections for the regular season wrapping up this week. I'll post my picks usually on Wednesdays and then you can send your picks to me. I'll post those pics before the first game, usually on Fridays to play. Send your picks to
[email protected] well, Josh, good luck this weekend and we'll talk after the games.
[00:40:18] Speaker A: Sounds great.
[00:40:18] Speaker B: All right, thanks, Josh. Howjee. Coming up on Thursday's podcast, we'll preview the Union men's and women's weekends. Or on the men's side, I'll talk with Nick Young, Brandon Burer and Cameron Korpi. After the big two one upset of fifth seed at Clarkson last Friday, the Union women faced top seed at Yale in the ECAC Hockey tour in the best of three quarterfinals in New Haven, Connecticut. Basically a doubleheader coming up for Union hockey on Friday.
[00:40:41] Speaker A: Yeah, it'll be fun to be able to watch that game, you know, for us.
[00:40:45] Speaker B: Yep. I'll talk to Union head coach Tony Macy, defenseman Stephanie Bourque, forward Kerryanne Engelbert, and goalie Emma Ryumi. I asked her about her incredible behind the back save she made early in the third period against Clarkson. Did you see that?
[00:40:57] Speaker A: I did. That was amazing.
[00:40:59] Speaker B: I'll also speak with Union women's hockey goalie and Winter Olympics women hockey bronze medalist winner Monya Wagner. She's back in town. Arrived late Tuesday. I spoke with her on Wednesday.
Story will be up shortly on DailyGazette.com and I know that our photographer over there column was getting pictures and you had a chance and some of the men's players had a chance to interact with mono, the bronze medal.
[00:41:22] Speaker A: Yeah, that was, I mean, unbelievable. And you know, I think everybody on campus is so proud of her. There's not too many times where our guys, you can tell where they're in awe of something, and they all were in awe of it. It was a really cool experience.
[00:41:34] Speaker B: Yeah, I got, I got to touch the bronze medal before I started talking with Mona, and it didn't break, thank God.
So, yeah, look for that story coming up on DailyGazette.com and in the Thursday print edition.
The views expressed in the Parting Shots podcast are not necessarily those of the Gazette News Group. The Parting Shots podcast is a production of the Gazette News Group. I'm Daily Gazette Union hockey beat writer 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.
