Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Foreign.
[00:00:03] Speaker B: The following program is brought to.
[00:00:05] Speaker C: You in living color on Dell gazette.com or wherever you get your podcast.
The Daily Gazette Company presents the parting Shots Podcast.
[00:00:18] Speaker B: Now here's your host, Daily Gazette sports editor Ken Shot.
[00:00:24] Speaker C: 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 for our weekly conversation with Union man said hockey coach Josh how's it, Josh? Welcome back. How are things going?
Hanging in? Can't complain too much. Union continued its four game road trip to start 2025 with a North country trip to Clarkson and St. Lawrence. It's always a tough trip because there isn't an easy way to get there. The weather can be tough and you face a couple of tough teams.
You know, you want to get six points out of a weekend like that, but coming out three points sometimes from another country is probably nothing to sneeze at. And Union did split the trip, losing the Clarkson 53 on Friday and then beating St. Lawrence 85 on Saturday. Before we break down the games, what were your general impressions of the weekend?
[00:01:15] Speaker A: You know, I thought, I thought we'd let Clarkson off the hook a little bit just with our puck management.
It was a game where we could have, you know, could have closed that one out and finished it. And you know, I thought Saturday, I thought it was an outstanding first 10 minutes of the game. You know, maybe some of the best 10 minutes of hockey we played. And I thought we got a little loose, especially in the last nine minutes. So it was in between there. There was some good and good and bad, but overall we'll take the points and kind of move on.
[00:01:42] Speaker C: Yeah. Well, let's look at the Clarkson game. Union and Clarkson were tied for third place in ECAC Hockey standings starting the weekend. The Golden Knights took a 41 win at Mesa Rink back in November. So the Gardner Chargers really needed to even the score behind winning at Cheo Arena. And Union gets off to a good start as Ben Muthersbog scored 5:10 into the game to give Union a 1 nothing lead. And for the freshman forward Muthersbog, who got off to a good start this season, the goal snapped a 10 game goalless drought for him. I mean, how important was that for him to snap the slump?
[00:02:12] Speaker A: Well, I think he's been playing some good hockey of late and you know, really focusing on his detail and you know, I think when you do that eventually you get rewarded and you know, it was good for him to get one and, you know, kind of get that, you know, I guess, you know, everybody's a little worried about it when he hasn't scored, but, you know, for us, he was doing a lot of good things. So happy he could get it.
[00:02:31] Speaker C: Yeah. How good was it to get the lead?
[00:02:34] Speaker A: You know, it's a difficult place to play and, you know, when they get rolling there, it's a hard spot. So to jump out early and get that first one was big for us.
[00:02:44] Speaker C: With 128 left in the first talon, Sigournsen ties it for Clarkson. But 46.4 seconds later, Riley Brueck tipped the Cullen Ferguson left point shot home to give Union a 21 lead. So you have to be feeling good at the end of the period.
[00:02:58] Speaker A: Yeah, I wasn't really pleased with that first goal we gave up. I thought it was a, you know, we just kind of gave him a free chance and. And they made a nice play to finish. And then a lot of maturity from some young players for us to, you know, get that puck in deep and then, you know, go low to high with it and, you know, Riley gets to the net front and gets the tip and the goal.
[00:03:17] Speaker C: Well, Union takes a 31 lead a minute 34 into the second period. Again, it's another redirection goal as Josh Nixon tipped a John Proko left point shot into the net. That was a nice way to start the period.
[00:03:29] Speaker A: Yeah, you put yourself up, you know, three 1. We had kind of been talking about, you know, getting to the net front and owning the net front because that was an area where we felt like they controlled the last time we played. So, you know, we were pleased with that.
[00:03:41] Speaker C: Well, Clarkson coach Jean Francois ould decides to challenge the goal, believing that Nixon's stick was high when he tipped the shot home. The review seemed like it took forever before the referee said the goal stood. In a way, it worked out as a de facto timeout for Clarkson, and it seemed to affect Union's momentum. Did you notice a momentum shift with that video review?
[00:04:01] Speaker A: Yeah, I thought, you know, it did take a long time and we got to respond better to that.
You know, we had some opportunities, but they kind of get the next goal and that really kind of turned the tide for them.
[00:04:13] Speaker C: Well, the game turned in Clarkson's field favor shortly after that.
Anton Martinez scored 225 after Knicks goal to make it 3 to 2, and then Ryan Richardson tied it midway through the second period. The period ended 3 to 3. How frustrating was it that you started the period well? And then things that seemed to fall apart after the video review.
[00:04:33] Speaker A: Well, I think the biggest area of frustration for us was just the way we managed the puck. You know, we had the puck on our stick and we turned it over multiple times and you know, that was just kind of the theme for us when, when we made a mistake, they made us pay.
[00:04:47] Speaker C: Well, Clarkson got a power play midway through the third period and it made Union pay as Jarrett Mangan fired a shot from the left circle past goalie Kyle Chauvett to make it 4:3. Then late in the game, Martinez scores on a one timer from the slot and Clarkson takes the win. You know, we talked after the game and I could sense frustration because for the second straight game, Union blew a two goal lead. Union was able to rally to beat yell 4 to 3, but couldn't do it against Clarkson. How frustrated were you and how frustrated was the team?
[00:05:16] Speaker A: I think we were all, you know, disappointed in the fact that we thought, you know, we let, let a game get away and you know, at times this season we've, you know, you know, made some mistakes and let teams back into games. But usually we have the ability to close it out where, you know, last in that. Last Friday we didn't have that ability. We didn't, we didn't do a good enough job. We didn't extend our lead when we had opportunities. And it just, you know, is, it is a difficult one.
[00:05:40] Speaker C: Well, let's talk about the St. Lawrence game. When Union fans tuned in to the ESPN plus telecast, they saw someone different in goal for Union. It was not junior Kyle Chauvet. It was freshman Lucas Massie. It was the first start of Massey's college career and his second appearance overall. Massie played in the second period of the 64 loss to Alaska Fairbanks on November 9th. What led to these to the decision to start Massie?
[00:06:03] Speaker A: I couple things, I think just one being, you know, we felt like Lucas really earned it and had been, you know, working hard and wanted to see what he could do. And then I think secondly, I just. The way Friday night went, we knew we'd get a good response from the group and you know, want to make sure when you're putting a guy in for his first game that you're going to, you know, put him in a position to have some success. And I, you know, I thought the guys came out and were ready to go and play for him.
[00:06:28] Speaker C: Did you sense any nervousness with him?
[00:06:30] Speaker A: I don't think so. He seems, I mean, he's always pretty calm and collected. So Nothing really seems to faze him too much.
[00:06:36] Speaker C: Chris. We'll hear from Lucas on Thursday's podcast, but he did mention in the Tuesday media availability he was getting ready to eat lunch when he got the word. I think that caught him off guard a little bit.
[00:06:45] Speaker A: Yeah, he was walking over and I just, you know, said, hey, you ready to go today? And he's like, yeah, I go. Okay, you got the net. So he was, he was ready.
[00:06:52] Speaker C: Well, I don't think Massie needed to be nervous. Thanks to his teammates, probably, probably mad for what happened against Clarkson. Union jumped out to a 5 nothing lead in the game's first 12:36. Nate Hanley started the scoring 207 into the game when he forced a turnover and fire the puck home. Then Union scored three straight power play goals, two by Brandon Burr and one by Kaden Villegas. Villegas goal Chase Saints goalie Dominic Bassey. Mason Kucinski replaced him and Parker Lindauer scored a shorthanded goal to make it 5 nothing. And the route was on. How happy were you and how shocked were you with the start?
[00:07:28] Speaker A: Well, St. Lawrence is a, you know, usually a really strong defensive team and you know, especially their penalty kill is, you know, it was before that game was in top five in the country. So, you know, it was a little surprising the way way it went. But at the same point, you know, was pleased with just our energy and effort early.
[00:07:46] Speaker C: Yeah. After Lindauer's goal, Felkis Gavris scored on the power play for the Saints. So it's five, one after one. I thought the Saints played much better in the second period. Greg Lapointe scored just over five minutes into the period. Union was undisciplined at times in the period. Did you feel fortunate that St. Lawrence didn't score more than one goal in that period?
[00:08:04] Speaker A: Yeah, a little bit. I think that like we took our foot off the gas and, you know, they probably got, you know, a stern talking to in their locker room and, you know, we ended up challenging the second goal, but we didn't really think it was one of those things too where we just were going to take our time out and it was close enough. We figured we'd take a look at it. Just, buddy, gave us a little bit extra time to talk to the guys because I just, I thought our detail had kind of took our foot off the gas and our detail was just, wasn't as sharp.
[00:08:35] Speaker C: We saw six goals in the first period and then we see six goals in the third period. Ethan Benz scored a minute 35 into the third to make it six two. St. Lawrence got the next two goals. To make things interesting, Burr seems it seal the deal when he completed his hat trick on an empty net goal with two minutes left. But Isaac Bandu scores with 34.7 seconds left on the power play to make it 7:5. And Hanley officially ended things when he scored an empty net goal with 5.3 seconds left. It was a wild game, but you had to be happy to get the win in north country slip. And how was the Sergey's postgame?
[00:09:09] Speaker A: Yeah, we were pleased to get it. Yeah, I mean Sergi's does a great job. So always good food up there.
Yeah, I was a little, you know, the last eight or nine minutes. I was not the kind of hockey you think is, you know, what we're accustomed to. I thought it was a little bit.
We were pushing to try to score and you know, we just want to be a little more sound because, you know, you're up 6:2 with eight minutes. Eight, 8:30 left or whatever. The game should be over. They shouldn't even get a sniff. And you know, we, we let them get, get into it. Fortunately for us, we were able to punch right back whenever we gave one up.
[00:09:42] Speaker C: How often did you go to Circus when you were up there?
[00:09:46] Speaker A: Probably once every two weeks. We'd, you know, if for sure if it was a Friday night and we didn't have hockey, we would, would get it. So if it was in the summer, they always treated us great when we were there.
[00:09:56] Speaker C: That's one thing I miss about going on the road. There was always a post game pizza roll there at Sergey's back, obviously. Well before COVID I was up there for the playoff series against Union and Clarkson when you were still associate coach. And is that post Covid? Unfortunately, they were closed by the time I got out of the chill arena. It's like, no, you can't do this to me. I want to get my pizza roll. I haven't had a pizza roll in years.
[00:10:18] Speaker A: Yeah, they definitely went through Covid. They, you know, didn't have. You couldn't go in there. So it was a little different. But they had their delivery and you could, you know, get takeout.
[00:10:28] Speaker C: But I always kid. Chris Wells, the St. Lawrence women's hockey coach, said he should give me pizza when he comes down. But I never, never actually really asked him to do it. But maybe one of these days will happen. But. Well, let's take a break. I'll have another mess in rink memory. We'll preview this weekend's ECZ hockey games against Dartmouth and Harvard at Messerink and I'll ask Josh about the status of Junior four Carter Corpy. You're listening to the Parting Shots podcast.
[00:10:59] Speaker D: It's the most historic conference in college hockey. It's a battle night in and night out. ECAC Hockey. An iconic conference, home to 12 of the most prestigious years, universities and programs in the world and showcasing the best student athletes in the sport. Top notch facilities and arenas, incomparable traditions, passionate fans, alumni who go on to become elite professionals, leaders and champions. ECAC Hockey. There's no experience like it.
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[00:12:26] Speaker B: Hi, this is Union College hockey alum Sebastian Midmar. You're listening to the Parting Shots Podcast with Daily Cassette sports editor Ken Schott.
[00:12:34] Speaker C: The Parting Shots podcast presents another Union Hockey Messerink memory.
[00:12:41] Speaker B: I'm Brock Mathison. I played for Union College men's hockey from 2007 to 2011. My most vivid memory of playing in Messer Rink was the fans. To be honest, they were tremendous. Always packed that barn. Really fun spot to play in.
[00:12:57] Speaker C: Welcome back to the welcome back to the Podcast. I'm host Ken Schadt. I'm joined by Union Men's hockey head coach Josh Halji. So Josh, let's preview this weekend at Mess Rink. It begins at 7pm Friday when the Garner Chargers face Dartmouth and continues at 4pm Saturday when Harvard comes to Mess up. Let's begin with Dartmouth. The Big Green eliminated the Garner chargers from the ECAC Hockey Tournament best of three quarterfinals in two games last season by scores of 31 and 4 2. Is that still in the mind of everyone as they get set to face them Friday?
[00:13:24] Speaker A: Well, yeah, I mean, I definitely think everybody remembers what happened last year and we had some good games with them in the regular season. So we know that they're a really talented team. We know they play with a ton of structure and that they're, you know, difficult to play against.
[00:13:38] Speaker C: What do you remember about that series?
[00:13:41] Speaker A: I think just that, you know, like we had some opportunities but their goalie was outstanding. And I thought, you know, Luke Haynes was really good in that series. He, you know, he was, he was just making plays whenever they needed him, I guess.
[00:13:56] Speaker C: Well, let me ask you about Luke Haynes on my list here. He was Darwin's leading scorer last season with 18 goals and 18 assists. But he missed the first 11 games of the season because of an injury in preseason. He just scored his first two goals of the season last Saturday against Brown. I mean, talk about a little bit more how of a dangerous player he is.
[00:14:13] Speaker A: Yeah, if you give him time and space, he'll make you pay. But then, you know, he has the ability to create space on his own. He'll, he'll drive pucks to the net and yeah, he's pretty shifty and you know, he's also, you know, got some strength to him and he's a, you know, has a high end to compete. So he's hard to play against.
[00:14:30] Speaker C: Now you mentioned the goaltender, Cooper Black last year, a 68 goaltender and he gave up his final two years of eligibility to sign with the Florida Panthers organization. So are you glad he's not around now?
[00:14:41] Speaker A: We're happy that he got a pro contract for him. That's awesome for him.
[00:14:45] Speaker C: Well, Dartmouth did reach the semifinals in Lake Placid. A lot was expected of them this season. They were picked to finish third in the preseason coaches poll and the Big Green got off to a good start, going 611 in their first eight games. But in their last eight games they are 2, 5 1. Can you pinpoint why they have struggled?
[00:15:03] Speaker A: No, not really. I like their team on video. They look like a strong group and have a lot of their key players back from last season. So yeah, I think it's a thing of maybe they just were, you know, things were going for them really, you know, going well for them early and they just, you know, started thinking about, you know, NCAA tournament and you know, all the expectations and you get away from your day to day process.
[00:15:26] Speaker C: Yeah, well, Harbor's offense, we'll talk about Saturday's game. It's. He'll face a Harvard Team that Union swept last year, a 54 overtime win in Boston and a 62 triumph at Mesa. Crimson dropped a 31 decision to second ranked Boston College on Tuesday, but they posted a pair of three one wins over Brown and Yale last weekend. What are your thoughts about the Crimson?
[00:15:46] Speaker A: I think they're playing their best hockey of the season. Even last night's game, I thought it was a, you know, highly competitive game and you know, they had some opportunities to, you know, to finish and you know, tie up, tie with B.C. and you know, B.C. end up getting that empty net goal. Their goaltender is, they have a first year goalie that's playing really well for him right now and yeah, they're always, they're always pretty talented.
[00:16:08] Speaker C: Offensively, Harvard's offense is averaging just 2.4 goals per game, but the defense is allowing just 2.8 goals per game. How important will it be to frustrate their offense and trying to outplay their defense?
[00:16:18] Speaker A: Yeah, you know, they're like I said, they're typically, you know, a team that has some of the higher end offensive players in the league. So it's always, you know, a test for us and you know, for us we take pride in, you know, scoring goals and making plays and we, we want to be a team that can generate. So playing them is a great challenge.
[00:16:36] Speaker C: Carson, you enter the weekend tied for second place with Clarkson with 18 points, six points behind conference leading Quinnipiac. Dartmouth is in fifth with 16 points. Harvard is in sixth or sorry, Dartmouth is fifth, 16th. Harvard sixth with 15. So how big will this weekend be to put some distance between those two teams?
[00:16:56] Speaker A: Yeah, it's huge. I mean it's such a tight conference right now and you can have a good weekend and be in the top four. If you have a bad weekend, you could be, you know, staring at that bottom four. So for us it's, you know, having that next game mentality and really focusing on trying to get points against Dartmouth.
[00:17:10] Speaker C: Well, one Union player who hasn't not has not been in the lineup the last three games is junior forward Carter Korpi. He was injured in the Brown game. What is his status?
[00:17:18] Speaker A: He's out for a little bit here now. We're hoping to get him back by the end of the season but you know, right, right now we're going to have to do it without him.
[00:17:26] Speaker C: Lower body.
[00:17:26] Speaker A: Yep.
[00:17:27] Speaker C: How tough is it because he's one of your top penalty killers. Obviously scored his ability to score shorthanded goals.
[00:17:33] Speaker A: Yeah, I mean we're going to miss him. He's He's a, you know, a guy that can do a little bit of everything for us. Has played, you know, penalty kill, has played some power play, has, you know, played on the checking line, played on the scoring line for us. So does a lot. But you know, got to take care of his health and hopefully we get him back soon.
[00:17:50] Speaker C: Well, some news on Tuesday night came out, Josh. The opening dates for the new Mohawk Harbor Event Center. During a zoom call with Union hockey season ticket holders, Union athletic director Jim McLaughlin announced the dates of the first hockey game to be played in the center. McLaughlin said the women's team will play the first ever hockey game at 6pm on Friday, September 26th. The opponent has yet to be determined. The men's team. We already knew that it's going to be Army west point for the first game and now there's a date there, October 4th. McLaughlin added that Union men are going to expect to have 19 or 20 home games next season. They talked about season ticket prices. Men's season ticket price will be 279 for an adult, 1. 99 for a child 12 and under and 1. 99 for union faculty and staff members. Women season ticket prices $75 for an adult, 50 for a child 12 and under and 50 for a union faculty and staff members.
I guess the nice thing all ticketed areas have chair back seating.
Sections 4 to 6 and 4 to 16 will have padded seat armrests and cup holders. Now that you know the dates, how excited are you to really get, get over there?
[00:19:01] Speaker A: I think, I mean we're grateful to be where we're at, but just knowing how close we are, it's, it's an exciting time and you know, we want to get recruits in there. We want to get, you know, want to get our offices set up. We want to, you know, get working out there. So it's, it's, it's pretty cool to know it's just around the corner.
[00:19:18] Speaker C: Yeah, I mean, have you been there lately?
[00:19:21] Speaker A: I haven't, you know, been there lately, but Cooper Sharp's coming into town this weekend to watch our games and so we'll get him over there this weekend and be able to take a look.
[00:19:31] Speaker C: A question from listener Jim Calhoun. Will the new rink have any dimension changes from Messer Rink example, more room behind the nets or wider?
[00:19:40] Speaker A: No, it'll be a similar size. I do believe the one big change is our benches are going to be.
[00:19:46] Speaker C: On opposite sides and the penalty box will be next to yours. So that's an advantage a little bit there to have that so appreciate the question, Jim. If you have any questions for Josh like Jim sent, you can email to me at shot. That's schottailygazette.com you can also post them on my Facebook page and on bluesky X and threadslapshots. Some college hockey news. Seems like all the veteran coaches are stepping aside. It was announced just recently that Ferris State's Bob Daniels will be stepping down at the end of the season. Of course, Ferris State beat Union in the 2012 Frozen Forest semifinal down in Tampa, Florida.
Your thoughts about Bob Daniels?
[00:20:28] Speaker A: Yeah, he's done an amazing job and, you know, somebody that, you know, stuck with the program when maybe had opportunities to leave and just was always loyal to Ferris, you know, he had. They had some years there where they were really humming, obviously mentioned 2012. And, you know, a lot of people that I talk to talk about how good the 2012 team was for Union and maybe that was the team they thought that could have, you know, won the first national championship. So for them to beat Union, it says a lot and, you know, happy for him. He's going to enjoy some time away from the game, but he'll be missed.
[00:21:02] Speaker C: I think that would have been. Even if they got to the final, they would probably face a Boston College team that Johnny Goudreau. I think that might have been a tough, tough one for Union to win, but, yeah, that was a tough, tough loss for Union. It was a tight one one game. I think Union in that game, played tight. First day, was a lot more relaxed. I think Union, the moment maybe got to him a little bit, but they learned from it two years later, ended up winning the whole thing.
[00:21:25] Speaker A: Yeah, it's funny how that works.
[00:21:26] Speaker C: Yeah. Well, Josh, I waited until the end of the podcast to ask you this question as a Minnesota native. How mad are you that the Minnesota vikings, who went 143 during the regular season, looked like a 314 team losing to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC wildcard round Monday night?
[00:21:44] Speaker A: Yeah, it's a frustrating point. I think if someone would have told me at the beginning of the year they would have went 14 3, I would have thought you were, you know, a liar. So, really enjoyed the regular season, but, yeah, frustrating for them to not be able to advance in the playoffs. And I guess maybe, sometimes, you know, your weaknesses really shine through. And I thought you saw that in the playoffs.
[00:22:07] Speaker C: Sam Darnold for 16 games was good and the Detroit game looked bad and it just carried over.
[00:22:14] Speaker A: Yeah, he. Yeah, hopefully he gets a big contract somewhere.
[00:22:18] Speaker C: I mean, he may not get that big contract, may have heard him as his chances, but, well, Josh, appreciate the visit. Good luck this weekend. We'll talk after the game. All right, that's Josh Algae. Coming up on Thursday's podcast, I'll have interviews from Tuesday's Union Hockey media availability. You'll hear from on the men's side, defenseman Colin Ferguson for Brandon Burr and goalie Lucas Massie. From the women's side, you'll hear from assistant head coach Sean Skelly, a defensive mar on Friday, and forwards Maddie Leaney and Amanda Kwan. I'll also talk to the American International men's hockey coach Eric Lang. He'll talk about the schools to decision to move the hockey team from the NCAA Division 1 to Division 2. And he'll talk about the college transfer showcase that he's going to run in April. So please tune in.
The views expressed on the Departing Shots podcast are not necessarily those of the Daily Gazette company. Departing Shots Podcast is a production of the Daily Gazette company I'm Daily Gazette Sports editor Ken Shots. Thanks for listening and I'll catch you next time from the Parting Shots podcast studio in Scott, Connecticut. In New York, Good day, good hockey.