[00:00:00] Speaker A: Foreign.
[00:00:03] Speaker B: The following program is brought to you in living color on Dell gazette.com or wherever you get your podcast.
The Daily Gazette Company presents the parting Shots Podcast. Now here's your host, Daily Gazette sports editor Ken Shot. Thank you, Scott Gezy, 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 podcast with Union men's head hockey coach Josh. Howdy, Josh.
[00:00:38] Speaker C: How's it going in the final stretch? Doing well.
[00:00:40] Speaker B: Yeah, no four games left in the regular season and we'll talk about the standings and all that fun stuff in a little bit. But first, it was a mixed bag last weekend for the Garner Chargers. They dropped a 72 decision to Quinnipiac. On Friday, the Bobcats scored six of their goals on special teams, including five on the power play. But on Saturday, Union pulled out a 74 win over Princeton. In the game that saw six goals scored in a wild third period, Union finds itself tied for third with Colgate in the ECAC hockey standings and the Garner Chargers are guaranteed at least a home game in the first round of the ECAC Hockey tournament. And we'll break down everything in just a moment, but just your general thoughts about the weekend.
[00:01:18] Speaker C: You know, I a little disappointed with, you know, with the weekend in general. I mean, I think that we were in a better spot, you know, on Friday night up to one and you know, the game got away from us on special teams and you know, it falls back on me. So just gotta make sure that we focus in and tighten up those areas.
[00:01:37] Speaker B: Well, let's start with that Quinnipiac game. This to me, I thought was a measuring stick game for the Garner Chargers to see if they could compete with against the conference leaders. And for a while Union was out playing. Quinnipiac was being physical, generating scoring opportunities. But in what would become the theme for the game, a Union penalty led to a Quinnipiac power play and Jack Ricketts converted a one timer 7:34 into the first period to give the Bobcats a one nothing lead. Union out shot Quinnipiac 10:7 in the first. I mean, except for that power play goal. Did you like the way the team was playing in that period?
[00:02:09] Speaker C: Yeah, I thought, you know, the, especially the first five minutes of the game. I thought we were in control. I thought we were, you know, setting our pace and you know, was really pleased with the way we had played.
[00:02:18] Speaker B: Yeah, as you mentioned, Union took a 21 lead in the second period Colby MacArthur scores at 745 to tie it. And John Prokop's goal just over three minutes later puts Union up by one. You have to be happy with the way things were going at that point.
[00:02:31] Speaker C: Yeah, I thought, you know, in the second, I thought, you know, Quinnipiac pushed back as a really good team will, and we kind of took it there for a little bit and then kind of grabbed the game over. And, you know, I felt in a lot of ways, it was right where we wanted to be, you know, halfway through the game.
[00:02:44] Speaker B: Yeah. But then the penalties start to hurt Union. Andon Serbone ties it with 5:32 left in the second. And during that power play, three Quinnipiac shots hit the post. And then with 1:20 left in the second, Ricketts converts another one timer on the power play to give Quinnipiac a 3:2 advantage with. Really had to be frustrating.
[00:03:03] Speaker C: Yeah, I think it's, you know, one of those things that it's. Right now we gotta use it as a good learning tool. I thought, like, it exposed us a little bit in some areas, we have to tighten up and, you know, for us, if you're gonna lose and we did, it's better to find out where you're getting exposed and we can correct those.
[00:03:22] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:03:22] Speaker B: I think what even had to be more frustrating, Josh, on those two power play goals, was that the goals, both were scored late in the power play. Carbones goal came with nine seconds left on the penalty, and there was 11 seconds remaining on Ricketts goal. I mean, do you think that changed the game's momentum?
[00:03:37] Speaker C: I think a little bit. And. And also, we just. We made mistakes where we let them get behind us in the second period, and that's what caused both penalties, is one of their forwards getting even with us or behind us. And next thing you know, we take a stick penalty and, you know, do a decent job for, you know, the most part of killing the penalties off and then, you know, giving them up really late, it kind of breaks your back.
[00:03:57] Speaker B: Yeah. Well, Quinnipac takes control in the third period. A shorthanded goal for face off by. I'm going to. I know I'm going to butcher this name. Victor Sesni Carrion. I know it's not right at 5 or 9. Makes it 4 2. That was right off the face off. He just. It's something you rarely see anymore, where a guy just shoots the puck right off the face off and scores.
[00:04:18] Speaker C: Yeah. And I think when you look at it right, we have a five on three power play for, I mean, a good minute 50 to really tie the game up. And, you know, at that point, you know, it's 15 minutes left in the game and it's. It's a one goal game and you get a five on three. Like that should have been a tie game. Instead, we take a penalty face off goes the other end, and, you know, they. The guy takes a shot off the draw. Kind of weird on video. Kyle makes a save and then kicks it himself. Kind of just. He turned and knocked the puck in. So it was, you know, I didn't know it live until, you know, we watch from the speedo cameras we have. And, you know, that made it 4:2, and instead of it being a tie game, now it's 4:2 and we're completely chasing the game.
[00:04:56] Speaker B: Yeah, my head was down. I think it was post posting something on Twitter. When I heard the moans, I was like, oh, he scored off of base off. But I think the one question I have, I think was Colby MacArthur got a penalty that negated the 513 and made it a 41 3. But Quinnipiac challenged it. The original call is tripping. And I think they were looking for something, a major penalty. And for some reason, I think I heard this correctly, they changed the penalty, the slashing. I never knew you could change the penalty call on a minor. But, I mean, they didn't find anything worthy of five. But I was, I was kind of strange.
[00:05:33] Speaker C: Yeah, I didn't, I didn't even know that they changed it. But I mean, I am aware that, like, they did challenge it. I thought, you know, obviously it was a. It was a quick play and, you know, they found nothing, but it really kind of took the wind out of our sails.
[00:05:47] Speaker B: Well, Chris Pelosi gets a power play goal 115 later to make it 5 to 2. Mason Marcellus adds an empty net goal. And then Drew Hockley closes out the scoring with the fifth power play goal. Just what. What do you think happened in that third period?
[00:06:01] Speaker C: Yeah, I mean, you get that five on three and you have every, you know, again, every opportunity to tie the game up. You take the penalty face off, happens and they score. And then it's. We still have a four on three for a minute and eight seconds, we don't score. They come right down and I mean, the kid comes out of the box and it's really a four on four goal, but he's out of the box. So it's a, you know, it's a power play goal.
And that made it five, five two, we pushed a little bit empty net goal. And then I thought I was disappointed that we gave up the seventh goal just because, you know, we want to finish every game no matter what. And just thought that that was just a lack of focus and frustration to.
[00:06:42] Speaker B: To get that we have some post game sound. Let's start with union players Colby MacArthur and Jon Prokop.
Guys, the PK. I've been doing well during, especially during this on beat streak, but what happened tonight, Giving up five. John, start with you?
[00:06:58] Speaker E: Well, I mean, it starts with taking too many penalties. I mean, you're just kind of letting your PK out to dry if they have to keep going and going. You're asking a lot of your pk and, you know, we just got to bear down.
You know, we scouted them this week and, you know, obviously we didn't execute and that, you know, cost us the game tonight.
[00:07:16] Speaker B: So, Colby.
[00:07:17] Speaker D: Yeah, they have a good power play over there. Obviously they took it to us tonight and we thought we were ready, but guess we weren't.
[00:07:27] Speaker B: There's two power play goals they scored in the second period.
They scored late in the power play. You know, there was nine seconds left on the first one, 11 seconds left on the second one. I mean, how frustrating is it? You're that close to killing it off and they end up scoring.
[00:07:41] Speaker E: I mean, every. Every power plays two minutes. So you got to go the full two minutes and you got to go a little bit after that in case they have it in the zone. And, you know, we came up short tonight and showed on the scoreboard too, so.
[00:07:52] Speaker B: I mean, that first one, they had like three posts before they finally put one in.
How difficult is that to deal with? You know, you're getting some breaks here and end up not getting a break.
[00:08:04] Speaker E: Yeah, I mean, you gotta eat pucks for your goaltender and you gotta be in the right spots. You can't allow them to. To make plays. And, you know, they were just kind of passing around us all night. And like I said, it showed on the scoreboard, too.
[00:08:16] Speaker B: So, Colby, is this more of a blip tonight, just the way they give up those goals on the. On the power play?
[00:08:22] Speaker D: Yeah, all their goals, none of their goals were 5 on 5. They. They outplayed us on the special teams, and that's what lost us the game tonight was.
[00:08:31] Speaker B: What was the killer goal? A shorthanded goal there. And they swore off a face off.
[00:08:34] Speaker D: Yeah, it was a three on four. They scored in the face off.
[00:08:38] Speaker B: How frustrating is that at that point?
[00:08:41] Speaker D: Yeah, really frustrating. I was the Guy that got the penalty, we had a five on three so I was in the box. I wasn't too happy. But that centerman made a really good play.
[00:08:48] Speaker B: Yeah. How difficult is also the fact that you guys did not score in a proper play while they got five and giving up a short inter goal.
[00:08:55] Speaker D: Yeah, obviously really frustrating. Our special teams right outplayed tonight so we'll have to be better tomorrow.
[00:09:03] Speaker B: Now let's hear from the Quidditch pxdi starting with Jack Ricketts and then head coach Rand Pecknold.
Jack, talk about the power play. It was impressive to know you guys are third rank coming into this game. Third rank in the country. You scored five times on the power play. What's been the key factor so far this year?
[00:09:20] Speaker F: Yeah, I think special teams is really important. Can win and lose you game. So it's been something that we've been dialed in on all year and nice to pot a few out there.
[00:09:30] Speaker B: Yeah, especially you're down 2 to 1 there and you get going there and you get a couple in the second period to make it three, two and then, you know, blow it open there in the third period. So talk about your two goals. What would you see on those?
[00:09:43] Speaker F: Yeah, just, you know, great movement from our unit up top and you know, getting shots through on net, which is the biggest thing and you know, staying hungry around the net and trying to get my stick on the puck.
[00:09:55] Speaker B: I know this would have been a nice for Rick Brennan to come back here to Union. What would he think of this power play tonight? Sorry? What would Rick Bennett think of this power play?
[00:10:05] Speaker F: Oh, Bennett. Oh, he would have loved it. A couple net front goals because it.
[00:10:09] Speaker B: Looked like he always had a thing, a pack of wolves mentality.
It looked like you guys had that on the power play.
[00:10:15] Speaker F: Yeah, exactly. Always staying hungry.
It was too bad he wasn't on the bench with us, but it was a fun one hole like that.
[00:10:22] Speaker B: Well, the PK has also been good for you guys. Top five in the country. You killed Union's power play. You got a shorthanded goal too. So how big is that special team going to be down the stretch here?
[00:10:32] Speaker F: Yeah, I think having a great penalty kill wins you games. Being able to, you know, keep the puck out of our end for as long as we can and then hunker down and block shots and get the puck out when it matters. So it's going to be huge going down the stretch.
[00:10:45] Speaker D: All right.
[00:10:46] Speaker G: Oh, sorry I made you move.
[00:10:50] Speaker B: First of all, I'll get the question out of the way. Here. Why was Rick not here tonight?
[00:10:55] Speaker G: He's recruiting.
[00:10:57] Speaker B: You think he would love to come back and see you guys play the way you did here?
[00:11:00] Speaker G: Yeah, yeah, yeah, absolutely. Like, he's, he's been a great addition to our staff. I mean, I've known him for over 30 years. Great coach, obviously won the national championship. Great person, great human being and, you know, we've been thrilled to have him on our staff.
[00:11:12] Speaker B: Was this a planned recruiting trip? Just obviously, you know, people, we got to get players. Yeah.
[00:11:18] Speaker G: So next question.
[00:11:20] Speaker B: Okay, just talk about the power play tonight. Just you guys been number three in the country coming into this game and five of your seven goals. Come on, the power play and of course the short handed book. But talk first, talk about the power play. How good. Why has it been so good this year?
[00:11:36] Speaker G: Well, first of all, we got, we got two units. I think that helps a lot. Both units are really good and they both make plays.
And then just, just I think our buy ins, you know, been really good in terms of how we want to execute, how we want to exploit other teams that we're going against. In the end, like, you know, you need skill out there, but you got to have some will. And they've been good at that too. Winning battles, winning races, and you got.
[00:11:57] Speaker B: Your guys to lead twice there. You scored the game's first goal and then Union comes back to take a 21 lead a second period. But how crucial was it to get those two third, second period power play goals?
[00:12:07] Speaker G: I mean, they're all, they're all big. I mean, the, you know, to be down 2:1, I thought that was a huge goal. Make it 2:2. I thought the biggest goal of the game was the 42 goal. The, you know, it's three on four and Vick scores. And I mean that's, you know, that's a, that's a 1 in 100,000 shot. It happens once and we see it once in a blue moon.
[00:12:22] Speaker B: But I was going to say, you don't.
[00:12:23] Speaker G: He asked me, he goes, you want to win it? You want me to win it back or shoot it? I go shoot it, shoot it forward. So I'm not credit for it because I didn't tell him to shoot it on net, but I just said shoot it forward.
[00:12:31] Speaker B: Yeah, I grew up in Philly. I saw Rick McLeish do that a lot with that. So you don't see that much anymore. So I mean, to see that happen, I mean, how pleased was everybody on that bench?
[00:12:41] Speaker G: Yeah, it was big time. I thought that that was the Pivotal.
[00:12:43] Speaker B: Play of the game and your penalty kill, that's top five in the country, too. So I'll ask the same question I asked Jack. How critical will it be down the stretch here to keep the special teams going?
[00:12:53] Speaker G: Well, yeah, it's always important as you get the playoffs, as you finish the year out. You know, we struggle a little bit early. We lost so many penalty killers to graduation or NHL contracts last year, so it was a huge work in progress in October. But we've come a long way and guys are buying in. We're getting the goaltending, so it's been really good since probably mid November.
[00:13:12] Speaker B: On.
Well, Pecknall was a bit testy when I asked him why former Union head coach Rick Bennett, now an assistant with Quinnipiac, was not with the team on Friday. And I think that ruined what could have been a wonderful moment. Were you disappointed that Rick wasn't there?
[00:13:31] Speaker C: You know, I always enjoy talking with Rick, so, yeah, I would, you know, love to see him and. And welcome him back. You know, it sounds like he was out recruiting or doing something, so, you.
[00:13:40] Speaker B: Know, it just seemed interesting.
[00:13:44] Speaker C: I mean, it's. It's a. Yeah, I mean, however they want to go about it, I mean, that's their call. And, you know, I think. I think a lot of their staff and, you know. Yeah, just. It would have been nice to see him, but I'm sure I'll see him on the road here soon.
[00:13:56] Speaker B: Well, let's move on to the Princeton game. And how important was it for the team to shake off the Quinnipiac game and get a win?
[00:14:02] Speaker C: It was really important, and I think it. It was a tough game to bounce back from. I mean, that was really, you know, we. I thought we had prepared really hard for the week, and the guys were really excited about the opportunity. And, you know, halfway through the game, you're in a pretty good spot and then the wheels fall off. So a lot of emotion and just a lot of hard things to deal with to be able to bounce back and be ready.
[00:14:24] Speaker B: I mean, is it better to be able to bounce back instead of sitting a week stewing over that?
[00:14:29] Speaker C: For sure. I mean, I think anytime you lose, you want to be able to get right back after it and play. And, you know, the best medicine for a loss is to go out and get a win. And we had that opportunity.
[00:14:40] Speaker B: Well, Riley Bruik starts things off well for Union, scoring 27 seconds into the game to make it one nothing. Bruik was at the left point when he shot the puck, it hit a Princeton player and went in and I guess that's a case of putting the puck on net and seeing what happens.
[00:14:53] Speaker C: Yeah, I mean, if, if you throw it on net, you never know what's going to happen. And you know, a nice play by John Procop to find Riley and Riley, you know, ripped the puck and, you know, luckily for us, it bounced off one of them and went in.
[00:15:06] Speaker B: Well, Princeton ties it on a. On an Alex Cunnel of Olive Goal 3 10. But Ben Muthesbach takes advantage of a turnover to score and give Union the lead back. So your thoughts on that first period?
[00:15:17] Speaker C: You know, it was nice to get the jump on him early and then, you know, obviously we make a mistake on a breakout where we make a nice play. Just we didn't catch the pass and we had a. Our D was going for a change and, you know, kind of gave him a freebie. So nice play by Ben to get one back and was happy that, you know, we had the lead. I thought it was just an okay period.
[00:15:38] Speaker B: Well, the Union's power play, which went 0 for 5 against Quinnipiac, got 1111 into the second against Princeton when Colby McArthur scores. Konovalov gets that one back for Princeton. So it's actually missed a goal in there, but it was 3:1 and Konilov makes it 3:2. So going into third and I think that's when the game got a bit interesting.
MacArthur scores the second power play goal of the game at 8:22 to make it 4:2. Brendan Gorman scored for Princeton at 9:41. Union's Lucas Buzziol scores. One hundred and two later, Princeton's Kevin Anderson gets a power play goal with seven minutes left. Union's D.J. hart scored 51 seconds later. And then Brandon Burr seals a deal for Union on an empty net goal with 136 left. I would needed a timeout. Just try to keep track of all that stuff on social media. But how wild was that third period?
[00:16:31] Speaker C: Yeah, it was. I mean, it's pretty crazy. I mean, you look at, you know, just the amount of plays that were made in the goals that were scored. You know, ideally for us, we just run through the finish line and don't give them, you know, give them those opportunities, but credit to them, they kept competing, they kept battling and they made some plays.
But yeah, I thought it was good, good response for us. Every time they scored, we. We came right back. But it'd be nice to just close the door and, and go, yeah, actually, I was right.
[00:16:57] Speaker B: Kind of made it okay. Konlov's goal. I misspoke here. Konov's goal made it 3:2. I was right the first time because I was getting my things mixed up here. But McCarthy's goal made it three. The first power play goal made it three one.
Yeah, just, it was just crazy just how that, I mean, how big was that to at least have that two goal lead? So anytime Princeton came back, you still had a cushion.
[00:17:22] Speaker C: Yeah, and you know, whenever we needed a big save, we really got it from Kyle there in the third. Like there was chances when it was three, two and you know, you know, like four, four, three, where if they could have tied the game up but like, you know, he was there to close the door for us, but really, really proud of the response and you know, like a nice, nice play by Josh Nixon to find DJ Hart and that was, you know, an incredible shot. So just some nice goals along the way.
[00:17:48] Speaker B: Yeah, I mean, I guess the team had to feel good in this, you know, getting that tough loss out of the way.
[00:17:55] Speaker C: Yeah, it was a bounce back win and again it was, it was really difficult to, you know, kind of handle that because you, you know, you're, you're just so excited about that game and then you don't finish it off and you know, next thing you know you're, you know, you're one game away from having a really bad weekend.
[00:18:11] Speaker B: Well, we have post game sound. Let's hear from the Union players first. That's Colby McArthur and Riley Bruick.
[00:18:19] Speaker E: Start.
[00:18:19] Speaker B: Colby, three point night for career high. How does it feel?
[00:18:23] Speaker D: Yeah, really good. Obviously it feels really good to get the win after last night's performance. So.
[00:18:28] Speaker B: Yeah, talk about your goals. Both similar goals. One timers. I think, you know, the first one was a solid one. The second one I think was going to a good bounce for you.
[00:18:37] Speaker D: Yeah, our power play wasn't going yesterday. Quinnipiac had better special teams than us. So we bounced back today. A couple lucky bounces. Great pass from Vegas. My first goal. Lucky bounce. Second one was able to bury probably.
[00:18:49] Speaker B: For you scoring so quickly to start the game, how critical was that to get the thing going? Especially after what happened last night.
[00:18:56] Speaker A: Yeah, it was big, big to turn the page quick and get into the game tonight, so definitely a good way to start.
[00:19:01] Speaker B: Yeah, you're at the left point there. You're just looking to throw the puck in the next. I think it bounced off a couple Princeton people.
[00:19:06] Speaker A: Yeah, I knew, I knew Suts and booze were getting to the net there, so figured throw it on net. Hopefully they could get a stick and I'll hit a shin pad or something like that on the way and got a good bounce.
[00:19:15] Speaker B: Yeah, you guys, the only time Prince and ty was at 1:1 but then you guys are up 2 and they were playing catch up. So how good was it for them to be the ones playing catch up?
[00:19:25] Speaker D: Yeah, obviously you get a lead in hockey, you have a good chance of winning the game. So it was great by Riley to get that first goal first.
[00:19:32] Speaker B: Riley, what do you think being able to keep at least a one goal lead?
[00:19:36] Speaker A: Yeah, I think like commanding the game is, is big. Being in control, having them chase us, us set the pace was a big focus of ours tonight, playing our game. So executing on that was a good step for us.
[00:19:48] Speaker B: How better was the penalty kill tonight? I know you gave up one there in the third career, but with what happened last night against Quinnipiac going, giving up 5 out of 6 opportunities, how critical is it to get the PK back on track tonight?
[00:20:00] Speaker A: Yeah, I think just ironing some little nuanced stuff out with us and figuring it out as a group, you know, not leaving anyone behind. Obviously last night wasn't our best by any means. So turning it around and getting on the right track tonight.
[00:20:15] Speaker B: What'd you see on the Buzio's goal there? Sort of. Was it a give and go?
[00:20:20] Speaker A: It was. He kicked it to me at the line. I knew, I knew Sutts was driving. I was honest. I was trying to feed it through to Sutts on his net drive. Got a good bounce off one of the Princeton guys. Skates and Booze was in the right spot as he usually is and finished it off.
[00:20:35] Speaker B: Well, you guys are now at least will be in the top four going into next weekend. Of course it would be a critical game Saturday at Dartmouth. Team is chasing you right now, four games left. I mean how important is it to keep your position where you get a first round by?
[00:20:50] Speaker D: Yeah, really important. But we're not going to look forward. We're going to look forward to Friday. We're going to deal with that game first, get our three points and then we'll, we'll move on to the next one.
[00:20:59] Speaker A: Yeah, just have a good week at practice.
Build obviously got to, got to keep getting better this time of year, you know, fix some areas of the game and you know, be our best on Friday.
[00:21:10] Speaker B: How important was it for you guys, you know, to get to seven goals without Nate Hanley in the lineup tonight?
[00:21:14] Speaker D: Yeah, obviously he's our leading scorer. It Was really. He's a big loss for us. Hopefully have him back next weekend. But yeah, we were able to contribute offensively without him.
[00:21:26] Speaker A: Yeah, it was big, big to get some scoring from up and down the lineup. Obviously Hands is really good offensive talent, so we definitely miss him. But good for good for other guys to step up and fill some sho.
[00:21:37] Speaker B: How crazy was that third period?
[00:21:39] Speaker A: Yeah, it was a little up and down, maybe a little bit more so than we would have liked. But good on us, I'd say to stay resilient and keep getting those leads back.
[00:21:49] Speaker D: Yeah, for sure. Obviously we would like to keep them at three or two, whatever they were at, but we found a way to get the win.
[00:21:59] Speaker B: Now let's hear from Princeton head coach Ben Sire in his first season with the Tigers.
Ben, it was really a back and forth game, especially at third period. Lots of goals, but you tied it once. But once you got two goals up, you're always playing catch up the rest of the night. So how tough was that?
[00:22:15] Speaker H: It's a challenge. I mean they did a nice job of responding.
You knew they'd be or we knew they were a gritty team in a competitive group coming in and you saw that they got a lot of scoring from, from a lot of different guys here tonight. And you know, they certainly set the tone early in the game with their first shift and that continued for them throughout the game.
[00:22:40] Speaker B: Yeah, helped me. How tough is that? You're less than 30 seconds in the game, you're down one nothing.
[00:22:44] Speaker H: Yeah, that's not exactly how you draw it up. And you know, I thought our guys responded extremely well. I thought there was fight in our guys all the way right to the very end and. But like you alluded to, you know, when you're playing catch up here, it's, it's a challenge.
[00:23:00] Speaker B: Especially that third period is kind of wow, it's I think six goals in that third period and you know, Union gets one, you guys get one back quickly, they respond quickly. So. Yeah. How do you try to slow the game down at that point?
[00:23:12] Speaker H: Well, you're hoping that, you know, you get some ozone time here and go from there and you know, it seemed like it was such a ping pong game here, you know, even the last outside the empty netter. But even off the rush, you know, you feel like you have guys picked up here and you know, they still do a good job of getting the puck down and getting one in the back and that. So it's a, in those games certainly fricking very wild. You know, but we got to do a much better job of slowing things down.
[00:23:48] Speaker B: Four games left in the season. Now. What are your goals as you head toward the Final Four?
[00:23:52] Speaker H: Well, I think our goals have never varied here, is that we want to continue to become more consistent. And, you know, we had a group this weekend that was depleted. Very proud of our guys from illness to, you know, guys that were banged up here, not being able to dress a full lineup here both nights here this weekend. So very proud of our guys. And so our biggest goal is to get healthy here down the stretch.
[00:24:20] Speaker B: Gotta mention that this past Saturday's game against Princeton, the 1991-92 team, the first Union Division 1 team, was honored during the first period. There was a reception afterwards. I had a chance to talk to several of those players. That was my first year covering the. Then Dutchman.
I asked you the question. I think I got asked the question of several of the players. Do you think that group, you know, making the transition from Division 3 to Division 1, were pioneers?
[00:24:48] Speaker C: Yeah, no question. I mean, I think that when you. When you take a look at Union hockey history, like, we owe a lot to that. That team and that group, you know, they kind of paved the way for us and, you know, was really, really excited to honor them. Plus, they're all such great guys. Like, so many of those guys give back to the team now just on a regular basis. It's. It's really impressive the amount of time and money they give back to the program.
[00:25:15] Speaker B: Did you get Dalton to keep quiet for a little bit?
[00:25:18] Speaker C: He was great. You know, like, he was enjoying time with his teammates. And it's always fun to just sit back and kind of watch those guys, you know, former teammates get back and get to get together and, you know, hear him tell stories and talk about, you know, inside jokes or just different things. So, you know, a great group of guys.
[00:25:35] Speaker B: Yeah, I mean, to me, two of the most memorable games were the two EC hockey victories. They had the overtime win at Dartmouth on a Craig Ferraro with about 10 seconds left in overtime, and then the win at Cornell. Lionel Rake in their first visit there. And just recalling Dalton Menhall scoring his second goal game in Empty Netter. And they played an afternoon game that day, that Saturday at Dartmouth. And when Menhall scored that goal, the fans just started rushing for the exits. It was like a.
Everybody, everybody heading out. That was very interesting to see. And of course, I think also what I remember most about that going downstairs and the teams were coming off the ice. Then head coach Bruce OLO is crying.
[00:26:14] Speaker C: Yeah, I'm sure it had to be emotional. That's, you know, you know, some tough times when you're making that transition and you know, you're every, every win's a milestone.
But yeah, like those guys. Again, just so much to be grateful for from that group and really, really excited we got to honor them.
[00:26:34] Speaker B: Well, let's take a break. I'll have another Mesarik memory. We'll preview this weekend's ECC hockey games at Harvard and Dartmouth and what these games mean with the regards to the ECC hockey standings. You're listening to the Parting Shots podcast.
[00:26:57] Speaker I: 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 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.
[00:27:29] Speaker G: Explore the benefits of subscribing to the.
[00:27:32] Speaker B: Daily Gazette like our convenient E Edition app, personalized newsletters and unique reader rewards. When you join, start your membership today. Offers redeemable at www.dailygazette.com hi, this is Union College hockey alum Craig Ferrero. You're listening to the Parting Shots podcast with Daily Gazette sports editor Ken Shot. The Parting Shots podcast presents another Union Hockey Messerink memory.
[00:28:03] Speaker J: I'm Dalton Menhall. I played for Union College men's hockey from 1988 to 1992. My most vivid memory of playing in Messer Rink was our final game my senior year when we played Yale and went into overtime. It was an opportunity for Shane White, who hadn't played all season, to play. He came up with I think like 52 saves and we went into overtime and unfortunately we lost. But it was, it was the effort and the fans and the emotion of that night that really sticks with me to this day.
[00:28:39] Speaker B: Welcome back to the podcast. I'm host Ken Schott and I'm joined by Union Meds head hockey coach Josh Hauge. Union will play its final row games of the regular season when it visits Harvard at 7pm Friday and Dartmouth at 4pm Saturday. It's a big weekend because if things break right, Union could wrap up a first round bye for the ECAC hockey tournament. The conference confirmed Tuesday that Union clinched at least home ice for a first round game. Looking at the standings, Union is tied for third with Colgate with 34 points. Union currently has the tie break on Colgate for that shootout victory they had earlier this month.
Both teams are two points behind second place Clarkson and six and back of first place Quinnipiac. More importantly, Union is four points ahead of Dartmouth and Cornell who are tied for fifth. So how critical of a weekend is this for the team?
[00:29:25] Speaker C: Yeah, this is, this is huge. I mean, it's. You got to get points, you know, and you have a great opportunity in front of you. So this will be a tough test on the road, but one, one we're ready for.
[00:29:36] Speaker B: Well, Harvard has an up, has had an up and down season. Last weekend they wanted St. Lawrence 6 2, but then dropped a 6 nothing decision to Clarkson. I mean, how important will it be to take control of this game against an inconsistent Harvard team?
[00:29:49] Speaker C: Yeah, they're, they're really talented and I mean, they've had some really good games. They beat Northeastern a couple weeks ago. You know, they were really good against St. Lawrence on Friday. And you know, that game against Clarkson, it was 00 for, you know, you know, a lot of it. And then all of a sudden, you know, Clarkson kind of exploded. But they're talented up and down their lineup and we got to jump on them right away.
[00:30:09] Speaker B: Yeah, then it'll be on the Dartmouth on Saturday. The Big Green have won the last four meetings against the Garner Chargers, including a dominating 4 nothing win at Mess on January 17th. The Big Green eliminated the Garda Chargers from the best of three ECAC hockey tournament quarterfinals last year, sweeping the series. What's it going to take to end the skit against Dartmouth?
[00:30:30] Speaker C: Yeah, I think they play a, you know, a really connected, structured game and they're hard to play against and they don't give you a lot of time and space. So I thought they really controlled the game against us last time. So we're going to need a better effort. We're going to need, you know, to be physical and hard and we're have to drive pucks to the net and I think we'll have a, you know, hopefully a better effort in that game than we did the first time.
[00:30:53] Speaker B: Why do you think Dartmouth was able to control that game?
[00:30:56] Speaker C: I just thought they, they jumped on us right away and they really, you know, you know, suffocated us as far as just they didn't give us a lot of time and space and they were. They're hard to play against and I just, for whatever reason it was, you know, they kind of took it to us that night.
[00:31:10] Speaker B: Yeah, Dartmouth really came on last season and I thought they'd be really battling for the conference title this year. But they've, they got off to a good start. They slumped. I know they had some injuries, but they seem to be trying, still trying to find their way. So I mean, how important is it going to be to maybe you need to get off to the good start. There's no question about that. So how important will it be to get off the good start up there and keep it going?
[00:31:35] Speaker C: Yeah, I think for us, like, I think we're a different hockey team than, you know, the last time we played them.
I think we're, you know, take out, you know, a period on the weekend. I think we're trending in the right direction. So for us it's, it's all about to just, you know, playing with good habits in detail and attacking the game.
[00:31:54] Speaker B: Do you have an update on injured union fours Nate Hanley and Carter Korpi?
[00:31:58] Speaker C: Nate's practicing, you know, hopefully he'll be ready for the weekend as all side, you know, as all signs point to that, but it's, you know, got to get there and then Carter's still, still out and just kind of getting back on the ice.
[00:32:11] Speaker B: You think he might be back for the playoffs?
[00:32:14] Speaker C: We're hoping for the playoffs. That's kind of the, you know, the timeline we're, you know, giving ourselves. So if we can earn that, that buy it gives him a little bit more time.
[00:32:21] Speaker B: So yeah, anything on the recruiting front.
[00:32:24] Speaker C: Just, you know, continuing to be out. We did, you know, we did commit our first player out of, you know, major junior hockey in Tyler Parr from the Saskatoon Blades. So really excited to get him signed.
[00:32:36] Speaker B: Can you tell us a little bit more about him? He looks like he is a leading scorer for the Blades with 18 goals and 34 assists in 51 games. He's a right winger.
[00:32:45] Speaker C: Yeah, he's, you know, he's a hard nosed player. He plays, you know, you know, a physical brand of hockey and also can, you know, play with a lot of skills. So for us he's somebody we're really excited about. He can kind of, you know, play in all areas and you know, for us it's kind of our first, you know, venture into, you know, the chl and we're, we're excited to have him.
[00:33:05] Speaker B: Yeah. How tough? How's that been so far Going in there? I noticed a couple of recruits, we can't obviously mention names at this point because they haven't officially been signed their commitment letter. But this, to have this Tyler be the first true CHL player to join a union and by the way, what years will that be?
[00:33:26] Speaker C: It's most likely going to be we'll play another year of junior hockey. Yep.
[00:33:29] Speaker B: See, but what is, what does this mean now for the program that you can detract players from the Canadian junior hockey?
[00:33:36] Speaker C: Yeah, it's different and it's a whole new world. And I mean, for us, obviously, like, there's, you know, a lot that goes into it. It has to be someone that is going to kind of fit into our culture and that, you know, wants, you know, a high end academic experience as well as a high end, you know, athletic experience. So, you know, we got to make sure we find the right kids and that we're bringing in, you know, young men that are going to come in and do things the right way. But it is nice to have the ability to go up there and, you know, get a player that, you know of Tyler's, you know, athletic ability.
[00:34:08] Speaker B: And not only is he the leading scorer, he's leading our team impellemus with 50, but also on shots on goal with 129. I mean, it seems like a player who's not afraid to shoot the puck.
[00:34:20] Speaker C: No, he'll shoot the puck for sure. And he's, you know, he's also not afraid. He can't do it in college hockey, but he's not afraid to drop the mitts as his penalty mitt. It's a show. He's a tough, hard nose.
[00:34:29] Speaker B: Can't drop the mitts in college hockey unless they were decided to let you let them do that. But no questions from our listeners this week. But of course, if you have any questions, you can always email them to me at shot. That's s c h o t
[email protected] or you can post them on my personal Facebook page and the Parting shots podcast page. You can also send them via bluesky X&threads Slapshots. Well, Josh, as always, I appreciate the visit. Good luck this weekend and we'll chat after the games.
[00:34:56] Speaker C: Thank you very much.
[00:34:57] Speaker B: All right, that's Josh. How'd you come. Coming up on Thursday's podcast, I'll have the union men's and women's hockey previews weekend. On the men's side, I'll have interviews with union players Colin Ferguson and Josh Nixon. The women's team travels to Providence, Rhode island to face Brown in the ECAC hockey tournament. First round game of interviews with head coach Tony Macy and players Stephanie Bourque, Sophie Matsukas, Marin Friday and Emma A Bear. And a lot of interviews with members of the 199192 Union team the first season of Union Division 1 hockey. Dalton Menhall, Bill Railson, Rick Clifford and Craig Ferraro will join me, so please tune in.
The views expressed on the Parting Shots podcast are not necessarily those of the Daily Gazette Company. The Parting Shots podcast is a production of the Daily Gazette Company I'm Daily Gazette Sports Editor Ken 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.
