[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 elliot gazette.com or wherever you get your podcast.
The Gazette News Group presents the Parting Shots Podcast.
[00:00:15] Speaker B: Now here's your host.
[00:00:18] Speaker C: 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 Party Shots Podcast studio in Schenectady, New York for our 502nd episode of the okay, I'll stop counting now. We'll count when we get closer to a thousand in a few years. How's that sound? Well, I have another great show for you, of course. It's Saturday's Coming up with the Capital District Mayor's cup games between Union and RPI men's and women's hockey teams. We're going to preview that. We're going to talk with RPI junior defenseman Kendall Davidson. And I may have said in the close of the Wednesday podcast with Union meth head coach Josh Algeri that she was a forward. My mistake.
Well, Kendall has a chance to make some history. We'll talk a little bit about that with her on the podcast.
She was not at Tuesday's press conference, but I have plenty of sound from Tuesday's press conference.
For the women's side, we'll talk with the Union men's head coach Tony Macy and goaltender Monya Wagner. This will be Monya's last game before she heads off to the Winter Olympics to play for Team Switzerland.
On the RPI women's side, we'll have head coach Brian Vines and for Nina Kristof. She's also heading to the Olympics to play for Germany.
And on the men's side, we'll speak with Union defenseman Nick Young and Union forward Brandon Burr. And on the RPI side, we'll hear from head coach Eric Lang and forward Brad McNeil.
The Buffalo Bills made some startling news on Monday when they fired head coach Sean McDermott after nine seasons. And on Tuesday, I had a chance with my talked with my good friend John Warrow of the Associated Press. He covers all things Buffalo for the ap, and he was writing about that stunning announcement. He'll talk a little more and give some inside stuff about what went down with Sean McDermott. As I said, we talked Tuesday. The Bills had a press conference Wednesday, and by all accounts, it's kind of a weird press conference.
[00:02:20] Speaker B: So.
[00:02:21] Speaker C: Well, coming up, we're going to talk Capitol District Mares cup hockey.
So stay tuned right here on the Parting Shots podcast.
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[00:03:23] Speaker B: This message presented by the New York State Public High School Athletic association and the New York State Athletic Administrators Association.
[00:03:31] Speaker C: Welcome back to the podcast. The annual Capital District Mare's cup games take place Saturday at MVP Arena. The women phase off between Union RPI at 3 o' clock while the men get going at 6 o'.
[00:03:44] Speaker D: Clock.
[00:03:44] Speaker C: And we could see some history in the women's game on Saturday. My next guest was a member of the winning team for Union last year's game and this year she's over across the river at rpi. And maybe it can help lead the Engineers to a title and become the first player to win two Mayors Cups with two different teams. It's junior defenseman Kendall Davidson joining me now here on the podcast. Kendall, appreciate a few minutes talking here. How are things going?
[00:04:11] Speaker E: Yeah, it's awesome. Things have been going really well over here.
[00:04:13] Speaker C: That's great to know. Have you given any thought to this? I mean, this has never happened before.
Obviously with the transfer portals, it's a lot easier for this to happen, but this. You could make some history on Saturday.
[00:04:28] Speaker E: Yeah, no, I never really thought of it going in. That wasn't really my mindset. But I've definitely thought about winning it two years in a row. And the Mares cup is a great game to be a part of and I'd love to make history by winning it again.
[00:04:38] Speaker C: What was it like winning it last year? Because I think it was just the second time Union had won the cup in the history of the women's game.
[00:04:46] Speaker E: Yeah, no, it was a great feeling. It was the second time out of the six or seven years we've done it at this point and it was only second time we won it. And it was a great feeling. It was a great game and it was a really good battle and a great atmosphere.
[00:04:58] Speaker C: Well, I have to ask you, what led you to leave Union and go across to the hated rival of the Garner Chargers?
[00:05:08] Speaker E: Yeah, no, RPI is a great school. They're A great engineering school and me being an engineering major. The puzzle piece just kind of fit perfectly and it wasn't too far of a move and it kind of just worked out really well.
[00:05:19] Speaker C: How did your now former teammates react to that?
[00:05:24] Speaker E: I don't think there was much surprise with it. I got some ties at rpi, so it worked out well.
[00:05:31] Speaker C: What ties did you have at rpi?
[00:05:33] Speaker E: Well, my former coach from Union moved to rpi, so then I had some connection there and just a good culture here and.
Yeah, no, it was a pretty easy decision for me.
[00:05:47] Speaker C: What was it like in those two games, the conference games earlier this year, when the. Especially the first one at Houston Fieldhouse, which you guys won in overtime? What was the. Were you nervous facing your former teammates in that game?
[00:06:01] Speaker E: Yeah, of course, emotions were pretty high going into that game, but kind of once you start playing the game, that kind of just goes away and you kind of enter a.
A natural flow and rhythm. But of course the emotions are really high going into it and nerves are pretty high. But it was a good game. It was a good weekend. Obviously a weekend split.
[00:06:18] Speaker C: Yep.
How has. How has the adjustment been at rpi? I mean, has been good for you?
[00:06:27] Speaker E: Yeah, it's been great. I've been loving it here. We have a great culture here, a great team, kind of a second family for me. Great school professors are awesome. It's been a great fit for me. I've been really loving it.
[00:06:39] Speaker C: What is it like playing that Mayor's cup game? This would be your third one. What is that atmosphere like? I mean, I know it doesn't count as a conference game, but there's got to be a lot of bragging rights on the line and be able to bring that cup back to campus.
[00:06:54] Speaker E: Yeah, it's a great game. Honestly. It's an atmosphere like no other game we play during the season and it's not a conference game, but we treat it like just the same. It matters to us so much and that cup is so important and the atmosphere is great. The fans are great. The fans are honestly what makes that game. There's always a really good turnout and it's a really high energy atmosphere. And playing an MVP arena obviously is a pretty big rink to play in, so it's always a pretty cool game.
[00:07:22] Speaker C: What's it like playing there? Obviously it's a big, bigger stand. The crowd's not as on top of you as it is that Houston Field outset and of course at the new M and T Bank Center. Of course, before you played a mezzo crowd was on top of you. But what is that atmosphere like playing on a bigger service like that in a bigger arena?
[00:07:42] Speaker E: It's obviously a different atmosphere, especially because MVP arena isn't usually played like hockey games aren't usually played there.
So it's definitely an adjustment. But the fans make it really loud, the both fans for both Union and RPI turnout and it feels like they're right there with you. It's a high, high pride game to play in and. Yeah.
[00:08:05] Speaker C: Have you exchanged any text messages with your former teammates?
[00:08:10] Speaker E: Not. Not about the Mayor's Cup?
[00:08:11] Speaker D: No.
[00:08:14] Speaker E: No. That might be too personal.
[00:08:18] Speaker C: Talk about your time in Union. Did how much did you enjoy it and how much did Tony Macy change the culture at Union?
[00:08:28] Speaker E: No, I'll forever be grateful for my time at Union. It taught me a lot. I really enjoyed it there.
Tony really came in and the culture changed a lot with him for the better. I think he really got things tied up straight there and he's doing great things with that program and I think if he continues on the way he's going, he's going to bring that program a long ways. And yeah, being there taught me a lot. It wasn't the right fit for me, but I'm forever grateful for my time there.
[00:08:55] Speaker C: What would a win mean, not just for you personally, but for the Engineers as you get back into conference play next week? I mean, I know you got. You guys are struggling a little bit. So is Union. So, I mean, these are two teams that trying to snap winless skids here.
[00:09:13] Speaker E: Yeah, no, I think a win would be a great sort of confidence booster going into these last few weekends of conference play and then the first round of playoffs.
And it would kind of bring morale up and just bring a lot of energy to the team and a lot of confidence. And obviously the Marist Cup's a good one to win because it's good bragging rights.
[00:09:31] Speaker C: Well, Kendall, I do appreciate a few minutes. Good luck on Saturday. And if we're talking after the game, that probably means you're making history.
[00:09:39] Speaker E: Awesome. Thank you so much. Thanks for having me.
[00:09:41] Speaker C: Thank you. That's Kendall Davidson. Let's do more previews here with the Mayor's Cup. Let's talk with head Union head coach Tony Macy, get his thoughts on Saturday's game.
Tony, how important is this game on Saturday? You guys are in a little bit of a slump here. How important is to get the win and get back on track as you head into the final stretch of ECAC hockey play?
[00:10:05] Speaker F: I think this is going to be a Good breather for ours away from the league.
Not so much in the fact of playing somebody who, you know is not a top 10 team, basically, but just to give ourselves a chance to play for a trophy. I think that's a big one.
You know, play in front of our alumni. We got a lot of alumni coming back already.
There's about a group of almost 40 that are coming back. So good to see, to see that. Good to see our group supporting us. We know that they're going to be loud and proud coming in. So I think it'll just be a good opportunity for us to get our game under us and play hard.
[00:10:46] Speaker C: What's going to be the key on Saturday?
[00:10:48] Speaker F: I think the biggest thing is just going to be consistent. We've had a couple games here against RPA already. I think the first game we were pretty inconsistent with our efforts and then the second game we jumped out quick and allowed them to get back in the game. But I just got to continue, you know, pushing plays, pushing games because games like this, especially on a building, in a building that you're not used to on ice that right now has basketball covering it, you know, your bounces probably are going to be a little bit all over the place just because the ice probably won't be as hard and crisp as, you know, whether it be our place or their place. So big thing is just get off on the right foot, foot and start fast.
[00:11:32] Speaker C: Let me ask you about Kendall Davison. And she played for you last year, was part of the winning team. Now she's on the other side of rpi, has a chance to make history. First of all, why did Kendall transfer?
[00:11:44] Speaker F: I think she was just looking for a different opportunity based on, you know, what we were kind of bringing in our program moving forward. And you know, I think that having the familiarity with the area as well as the, the program there on the educational side, I think was it was a big thing for her. So, you know, she's done well since she's been there and, you know, not surprising.
[00:12:10] Speaker C: How important will it be to not have her not make history?
[00:12:14] Speaker F: Yeah, I think that that would be, that'd be great. I think the big thing for us right now is just making sure as a group that, you know, we put together the right effort and playing the right way.
Something that we've talked about all year. So we want again, build towards playoffs and this is an opportunity to set ourselves up to play in a playoff type atmosphere.
[00:12:33] Speaker C: What kind of a player was she for you?
[00:12:35] Speaker F: Kendall? Yeah, you know, she was a Hard nose defender, you know, you can always rip a puck, you know, and I think that she battled hard every game, so that's. That's where he's at.
[00:12:49] Speaker C: Now. Let's hear from Union goaltender Monya Wagner, who will be playing in her final game as she heads off to Italy to play for team Switzerland in the Winter Olympics. That starts up soon.
Can't wait to watch that. So here's Monya Wagner.
Well, Monia, how much are you looking forward to Saturday here? What's probably your final game before you head to the Olympics?
[00:13:12] Speaker G: I'm very excited. Mare's cup is always a special event weekend, and I think it's going to be like another. Another level of team spirit and game fun.
[00:13:22] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:13:22] Speaker C: How important is it to get that one? You guys are, you know, obviously been struggling a little late here. I mean, how important is it to maybe get that win and maybe help you kick start conference play once you return? Because you're getting the final stretch of the regular season.
[00:13:36] Speaker G: I think it's going to be huge.
I mean, playing for a Cup is always. There's more on the line. It's very fun, and just all the emotions that come with it, I think can really fuel our team. So it would be. It would boost our game for sure.
[00:13:52] Speaker C: You guys split the season series in conference play.
What did you learn from those games, and how will you apply that to Saturday?
[00:14:01] Speaker G: I think we know that they're a really good team, structurally. They have good special teams teams.
We learned that during those series. But we also know that we know how to score.
We're like a talented team. We have a good, stacked team.
So I think it all comes down to who wants it more, who's battling harder, who's playing more for each other as a team, because, yeah, basically, who wants to win more.
[00:14:28] Speaker C: You have a former teammate playing for the other side now, and Kendall Davidson. She helped you guys win this cup last year. Now, she could end up making history. If RPI wins, become the first player to win the cup for both teams.
How important would it be to not make history for her?
[00:14:47] Speaker G: I think huge. We don't want her to get that.
But it's always, obviously, going to be really fun seeing her again being part of our team. She's obviously a close friend to a lot of the girls on our team right now, so just seeing her again is gonna make. Make it even more, like, more special in a sense. And, like, you just want to play harder and probably beat her even more. Like, it's gonna be a big motivation. Too.
[00:15:13] Speaker C: What was it like to being her as a teammate?
[00:15:20] Speaker G: I think. I don't know. She's a funny girl. Like, she's very supportive of the people around her.
And on the ice, she. I mean, she has her body size, which I don't know how tall she is, but she's one of the. She was one of the tallest on our team and has a really good shot, so I don't think you want to stand in front of her blocking that when she's coming at you. So. Yeah, she's very talented.
[00:15:42] Speaker C: Were you guys surprised she went across the river to rpi?
[00:15:46] Speaker G: Maybe a little bit.
[00:15:47] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:15:48] Speaker G: Yeah, you wouldn't expect that, but, I mean, that's. It was her choice, and I think. I'm sure it's a great fit for her, so. Yeah.
[00:15:57] Speaker C: Now let's go to the RPI side. Let's start with their head coach, Brian Vines, who has been involved in all these Mares cup games. If you remember, he was a men's assistant coach under Seth Appert. So he has experienced all the Mares cup games since the start of it in 2013.
So here's my conversation with Brian Vines.
Brian, how big is this game Saturday, guys? You know, obviously, both teams are struggling coming to this one. How big is this one to get a win and get your season back on track?
[00:16:28] Speaker D: It's a huge game. You know, it's. We look forward to this game every year. You know, it's, you know, cliche but true. You mark it on your calendar. You talk about it being able to play your rivalry in a facility like this in front of both of our fan bases.
We just want to put our best foot forward, and we know it's. It's going to come down to the wire like it does every year.
[00:16:46] Speaker C: You split the season series with unions and conference games. You wanted your building union one at its building.
What did you take from those games and how will you apply it to Saturday's contest?
[00:16:57] Speaker D: Yeah, they were both, you know, they were interesting games. I mean, the first one, a traditional RPI union rivalry game, comes down to overtime, and one of our kids makes a play, you know, right after they, you know, barely put the game away as well. And then going there, you know, was spotting them five goals in the first period, but still clawing our way back into that, you know, to give us a chance at the end. So, you know, it's really about managing our energy properly this week. I mean, we're naturally going to be up and excited and everything else, but it's really Being able to step on the ice and find the right energy, you know, to play against your rival and play a mature game.
But like I said, it's. It's going to come right down to the last minutes.
[00:17:38] Speaker C: You have been a part, as you mentioned in your speech, you've been a part of every one of these games. You know, back when you were an assistant coach with Seth Avert. Well, just what's your perspective on this and how this has grown over the years?
[00:17:51] Speaker D: Yeah, I think this is exactly what makes college sports and college hockey so special, is when you bring two great universities together, you know, men's and women's programs, and that's evolved over time as well, which has been really great to see. I mean, I think we set a record in our first Mare's cup on the women's side for fan attendance for a women's college hockey game.
It really helps grow the sport. It's unbelievable platform, you know, for both of our communities and, and yeah, I mean, we're, we couldn't be more excited to get going here at 3 o' clock on Saturday.
[00:18:19] Speaker C: Of course, 2014 was always rememberable, right?
[00:18:22] Speaker D: Yeah, yeah, it certainly was. You know, when you have all the mayors down on your benches and RPI wins the game, you know, in the last minute and the benches are clearing and then, yeah, there was a little bit of a melee there at the end that I don't think either university was particularly proud of at the time time, but really kind of springboarded Union that year. I think their last loss was maybe against St. Lawrence the next weekend and then they ran the table to the national title. And, you know, even in that season where we weren't having such a great year and Union was, was, you know, a top ranked team in the country.
Even that game, I think it was a 21 hockey game that came right down to the wire as well. And I think that's what really makes this event, you know, so special is you have two great teams, great pride, great, you know, proud programs and universities, you know, and bringing the communities together, I think, you know, makes it really.
[00:19:13] Speaker C: Really special chance for some history this weekend. Kendall Davidson played for Union last year, won cup, now she's over at rpi, has a chance to be the first player to win the cup for both teams.
First of all, what kind of player has she been for you?
[00:19:28] Speaker D: She's been amazing. You know, just she, she plays probably the most minutes, you know, on our back end. She's brought a real leadership element as well.
From her experience, you Know, having two years of college hockey under her belt, she's a presence. You know, I think people know when she's on the ice, just with her size and her power and her skating ability.
She's really, you know, added an offensive element to our game, you know, over the, over the season that we really rely on, you know, in our power play and penalty kill and all those types of things. But she's, she's fitting great and we'll definitely be picking her brain on how we get the. This, this trophy back to Troy.
[00:20:05] Speaker C: She probably doesn't even know. The fact is she can make history. But how did she end up. She ends as a transfer portal. And was she the first team that she contact? Were you guys the first team she contacted?
[00:20:16] Speaker D: Yeah. Yeah. And I think it was, it was unique. I mean, she loves the area and she wanted aeronautical engineering, you know, and we're, you know, our engineering program is one of the top in the, in the world, you know, so it was just a kind of a naturally good fit and we've been really, really happy to have her.
[00:20:36] Speaker C: Now let's hear from RPI senior forward Nina Kristof. This will be her final game as she'll get ready to go to Italy to play for Team Germany in the Winter Olympics. Here's Nina Kristof.
Nina, how much you looking forward to this game on Saturday and how important is it for the team to get the W and get back on track here?
[00:20:55] Speaker H: Yeah, I think it's going to be a huge game for us. Definitely looking forward to it. One of the biggest games of the year.
[00:21:02] Speaker C: How big is this? Because both teams coming in slumping a little bit.
So is it going to be desperation mode for you guys?
[00:21:09] Speaker H: I don't think it'll be desperation mode. I think it's more get our groove back. And I think we played some good hockey at sue last weekend. So just bowling off a bat and getting back to how we played at.
[00:21:17] Speaker C: Dartmouth, Harvard, you guys split the season series.
You wanted your building in overtime, then union wins the. In their building.
What did you learn from it and how do you apply it to this game on Saturday?
[00:21:29] Speaker H: Yeah, I think we just gotta be physical. Can't take a shift off. Those little mental breaks are gonna cost us. So that's something we've really been working on. So we're looking forward to it.
[00:21:38] Speaker C: How much fun is playing in this game?
[00:21:40] Speaker H: Yeah, it's obviously one of the biggest stages that we play on every year and just the rivalries runs deep. So it's very exciting.
[00:21:48] Speaker C: There's a chance for some history debate on Saturday. Kendall Davidson is a teammate of yours now at rpi. She was on Union's team that won it last year. So if you guys win this year, she becomes the first player to win the cup for both teams. So, I mean, how important? Maybe to make some history here.
[00:22:02] Speaker H: Yeah, you know, I think we're all excited, and I know Kendall's really excited to beat her old team, so we're excited to background that.
[00:22:08] Speaker C: How has she been a teammate this year?
[00:22:10] Speaker H: Yeah, she's been awesome. She's a big presence out there. She's very physical, and I think that's something that we need.
[00:22:15] Speaker C: How important is that?
[00:22:17] Speaker H: Very important. Like, I think that our game when we play physical, is when we play our best.
[00:22:20] Speaker D: The.
[00:22:21] Speaker H: So having her on the team really makes a difference. Back in the D zone, let's talk.
[00:22:26] Speaker C: About the men's game. It'll be the 13th encounter of this Mayor's Cup. Union has won nine times out of the first 12, including four in a row. So they're going to try for a fifth straight Mayor's Cup. Last year, they won the game in overtime, 3 to 2. So RPI, looking for some revenge in that one, had a chance to talk to several members of each team.
And let's begin with Union defenseman and team captain Nick Young.
Nick, I mean, how desperate is this team? Two straight losses. The offense is sort of dried up.
Just the one goal in that first period against Yale. Nothing on Monday against Harvard. I mean, how desperate is this team going into this Mare's cup game?
[00:23:09] Speaker I: I mean, I don't think it's desperation. I just think it's kind of getting back to our roots and kind of understanding what made us so successful and kind of getting back to that this week in preparation for Saturday.
[00:23:19] Speaker C: Why do you think it's not desperation?
[00:23:21] Speaker I: Because I just think when you say desperation, it kind of gets us away from who we are. And sometimes desperation isn't always a good thing. So I think there's a time and a place for it, and I don't think we. We're at that level yet. I think we just kind of get to our Union identity and get back to that.
[00:23:37] Speaker C: For this team, it's great offensive numbers, teams put up with the shots on goal, averaging over, you know, 36 going into yesterday's game.
Why, as a team, only scored one goal in that first period against Yellow and nothing against Harvard on Monday. What. What do you got to do to get back to that identity?
[00:23:53] Speaker I: Yeah, I just. I think we Kind of have to go back over our offense and it all starts with turnovers too. I think that our turnovers have gone up a little bit towards this stretch and once we start cleaning those things up, everything will start falling back into place. And you know, teams go through some tough times, but I'm not hitting the panic button yet. I trust our team. I've seen what our team can do, so I know we'll be able to bounce back.
[00:24:16] Speaker C: This Mare's cup, how different is it? Obviously it's a rivalry, it's a different setting, but it's one game this week. You don't have the Friday game.
[00:24:23] Speaker F: You can focus all your energy and attention on Saturday.
[00:24:26] Speaker I: Yeah, I mean, it's super nice. I think, you know, I've been there the last three years and it's something that a lot of people take pride in and our whole squad, you know, we've been fortunate enough to win it the past three years. So the guys who've won it before, we're, we're looking to do it again.
[00:24:40] Speaker C: Little extra to try and keep it going, especially for you in your last year.
[00:24:43] Speaker I: Absolutely. I know my whole class wants it for the, for the full four years. So I, I know we have a lot of guys who are returning, so they know the significance of it. So hopefully they're, we're all able to lock it in and be ready.
[00:24:55] Speaker C: Yeah. I was going to ask, how important is it? I mean, you haven't lost in this thing. It's, you know, you know, looking from like at five in a row, how big is this on Saturday?
[00:25:02] Speaker I: Yeah, I mean it's, it's huge. I think every game from here on out is huge. We don't have that many left before playoffs, so obviously this game means a lot more. And like all the coaches said over there, you know, the alumni means lots of alumni means lots of school. So everybody knows what it means as a Union garner charger.
[00:25:19] Speaker C: So do you think it's because if you win, just jump start your stretch drive here for ECAC hockey.
[00:25:25] Speaker I: That's, that's the plan. I, I think so.
[00:25:30] Speaker C: Now let's hear from Union's leading goal scorer, senior forward Brandon Burr.
Brandon, how frustrating has this stretch been? You know, guys, you know, had gone great guns offensively. Now you haven't scored a goal in over 100 minutes.
[00:25:44] Speaker D: Yeah, it's obviously very frustrating, but all.
[00:25:47] Speaker C: Teams go through this, so I think.
[00:25:48] Speaker D: Just stick with it. We'll definitely get out of the slump. I believe in us.
[00:25:51] Speaker C: How important is this game as far as you know, re jump starting this season and trying to get back on track, especially in conference play. Because right now you really put yourselves in a bind trying to get a first round bye.
[00:26:04] Speaker D: Yeah, it's big.
[00:26:04] Speaker C: I mean, especially in this rivalry game.
[00:26:06] Speaker D: If we get, get this win here.
[00:26:08] Speaker C: Get some momentum going forward for us, what's going to be the key to get back on track?
[00:26:13] Speaker D: Scoring goals, but more specifically, just rebuilding.
[00:26:17] Speaker C: That chemistry we had.
[00:26:18] Speaker D: Just moving the puck, getting pucks to the net and scoring goals again.
[00:26:22] Speaker C: Well, Josh was saying, he said the last three games you haven't played well even though you beat Brown. He thought the practice habits last week weren't good and that ended up leading to the one and two weekend. What do you have to do in practice to get back to the habits that will make you successful? I think we shouldn't be better all around, give more effort. I think that's, that's the main thing.
You haven't lost in this thing. It's your third Mare's cup team's looking to win five straight. What's going to be the key against rpi, a team that, you know, you split the, the conference games with? I think just getting on them early.
[00:26:55] Speaker A: And bringing our full game that we.
[00:26:57] Speaker D: Know we could play.
[00:27:00] Speaker C: Thanks, Brandon. Now let's go over to the RPI side. The Engineers split the season series with Union in the ECAC hockey games. RPI won 5:2 at MIT Bank center and that was the first victory for new head coach Eric Lang. And then Union got the revenge the next day at Houston Field House with a three nothing victory.
So Lang has gotten his little taste of the rivalry and he can't wait to play on Saturday of MVP arena for a trophy. So here's my conversation with Eric Lang.
Eric, you're getting your first taste of the Mayor's cup here. What have people told you about it?
[00:27:38] Speaker J: Yeah, obviously I think the first thing that's obvious anytime in your season, you can play a game that induces pressure and creates a playoff like atmosphere. I think it's beneficial for both programs and I think it's an opportunity for us as coaches to gauge our players in these moments and who can we trust. And they're, make no mistake about it, they're legacy games. You know, they're games that you'll remember if you won or lost, you'll remember if you played well, you'll remember if you scored.
And as coaches, we look forward to these games as well. They kind of keep us up a little bit, bit more at night. And these are all Good things.
[00:28:11] Speaker C: Have you had a chance to, you know, look at past games, you know, what people told you about what this atmosphere is like?
[00:28:17] Speaker J: You know what just obviously some of our alumni, you know, reinforcing how important the game is. Some of that stuff. I, you know, I could go back to the, to the Seth and Benny days and you know, the crowds here and it's, it's an environment, like I said, you want to, you know, it's a great student athlete environment.
[00:28:37] Speaker C: You guys, obviously you won on Saturday against Brown. I mean is that you guys have some momentum going into this game.
[00:28:45] Speaker J: I guess it's better to have won than lost. For us right now we're still trying to gain traction and play consistently day in and day out and actually really liked us. Since we've been back from break. We played three really good games, eight out of nine periods that we, that we really like.
And in fact the Yale first period, we were really good in that game. So we're playing pretty good hockey. We're not quite getting results, but we're still process driven in terms of how we want to play.
You know, playing with second and third effort things that are important to our program right now. We got to make sure we check.
[00:29:18] Speaker C: Those boxes for your seniors. I mean they have not won this. Covenant Union's won the last four. I mean how motivated are they for this to finally end that streak?
[00:29:29] Speaker J: Yeah, I would imagine it's important to them. Again, I come back to these legacy games and you certainly don't want to go through your, your entirety here without having won one of these. And you know, they're important, they're important games for our program, they're important games for unions program and you know, really looking forward to Saturday.
[00:29:46] Speaker C: What do you like about your team? The way me you got off a little slow start with you guys. You have your patsy some impressive meeting a couple weeks ago. You gave Princeton and Quinnipiac all they could handle. So I mean, how do you like the way your team has developed over the course of the season?
[00:30:00] Speaker J: Yeah, the word I like to use is I think we're trending, I think we're trending to become a competitive hockey team right now.
You know, we get off to a rough start, we get off to that 016 start probably a little bit more schedule induced than how we were playing and, and in that time frame we.
[00:30:17] Speaker D: Were putting out a lot of fires.
[00:30:18] Speaker J: We couldn't really get to how we wanted to play. And then we had a good 5 and 5 stretch and then you know, I Didn't love our last weekend before break and coming out of break, I really liked our energy and the way we're practicing and the way we're trying to, you know, striving to be the team that we, you know, play to an identity and it's starting to morph into that. I think we're trending in a good direction. We want to be a team nobody wants to play at the end of the day year. And that's important for us.
[00:30:45] Speaker C: How important would it be for the program to win this? You know, especially with the last part of the ECA hockey schedule coming up. How important will it be to get this win and head back into conference play next week?
[00:30:58] Speaker J: You know, one thing I said in one of our early meetings with our, with our group is, you know, before we want to talk about being a nationally ranked team or a nationally contender, we need to be the best locally. And that's important for us. And it's a great rivalry where, you know, we're a stone's throw away from one another. We're like minded institutions. I think we fight similar battles in terms of the landscape of college hockey. I think there's a, there's a lot of good between Union and rpi and it's important, it's important for our program.
[00:31:27] Speaker C: You guys back in January, not January, October. You won at Union. Union came back and won an rpi.
What did you take from those games and what do you have to do to make sure that you get that win on Saturday?
[00:31:40] Speaker J: Yeah, they're, you know, I think unions, the strength of unions team is the team. I think they get contributions up and down their lineup. They've got a dynamic decor.
They've got two goaltenders that could, that could, you know, you could, they could play either one of those guys.
They're obviously well coached. Josh is doing a terrific job, job over there. We'll have to play really well and the stars will have to align in terms of we'll need solid goaltending. We'll have to check really well. We'll have to be opportunistic when we get chances and our discipline will have to be near perfect because they got a great power play. So for us right now that's, you know, we actually have a day off here and we'll string Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and get ready for, get ready for what we think will be a great college hockey game on Saturday.
[00:32:32] Speaker C: Stepping up to the interview room here is RPI forward Brad McNeil.
Brad, how much are you looking forward to this game on Saturday? And how important will it be to get a win and get your season when you return to Commerce play, Get to kick start that?
[00:32:48] Speaker A: Yeah, no, super excited.
As we've kind of touched on before in the coaches too, like this is a game we have circled on our calendars. You know, right as that schedule comes out, you know, you get a feel for it. Playing Union in the beginning of the year with the home and home and it sort of just builds up that rivalry and anticipation for a weekend like this and you know, with the, with everything on the line with the trophy, the bragging rights, all of it, this can be a game to light a fighter into the season. It can be a turning point. Pointing can be something you look back on at the end of the year that, you know, really kick started some momentum. So we're looking forward to that.
[00:33:23] Speaker C: Yeah, the Union's won the last four Mares Cups. I mean, how important will it be to snap that streak on Saturday?
[00:33:28] Speaker A: Yeah, I mean, super important playing and to myself, you know, it. It hurts a lot. It's not easily forgotten. You know, seeing them celebrate and take that trophy at the end of the game, you know, I know from the guys that were here before for us as well, means a lot to them. And just the fans that come out and support every year, whether it's at home or at a game like this, we'd love to show the community how much we appreciate that and bring a trophy back and celebrate with them.
[00:33:56] Speaker C: You guys got off to an 06 start, but you guys been playing well. I mean, you gave Princeton and Quinnipac all they could handle a couple weekends ago.
You bounced back from the Yale loss to be Brown on Saturday.
Do you like the way this team is trending and what the job Eric has done in his first season?
[00:34:13] Speaker A: Yeah, I mean, I think he's done a great job. I mean, I think if you ask any of the players, you know, we love the direction we're going in. We love everything he's instilled just from a culture standpoint. And you know, I think that's starting to show on the ice as well.
You know, there is obviously a bit of a learning curve involved with which is the amount of turnover, but I think that's starting to come along, along great.
I think the team's in a good spot.
You know, we're starting to. Starting to put things together and that's what it's about. You know, not. Not putting anything we, we learn on the shelf and you know, stacking the things we're learning and hopefully start, you know, stacking shifts, stacking periods and stacking wins.
[00:34:52] Speaker C: What did you learn about the two games you played against Union this season? The win at at Union and the loss at Troy at Houston Fieldhouse.
[00:35:01] Speaker A: I mean, a lot, I think over not only just the season, but the years as well, you start to become a bit more familiar with each other.
You know, we know it's always going to be a tough game. I think when you, when rivalries find each other, it's less about records, about stats, about, you know, how the two teams are doing and more just about that specific game. Because in games like this, with tensions that high, anything can happen.
So I think just as much as we're focused on them, you know, we want to control. We can control and do what we know we can to give ourselves the best chance to win and bring the trophy back to Troy.
[00:35:33] Speaker C: We're going to shuffle up to Buffalo to talk about the Bills and the firing of head coach Sean McDermott with John Warrow of the Associated Press. You're listening to the Parting Shots podcast.
If you really want to know what's going on in your community, you have to read the Daily Gazette. We don't take a side. We're right down the middle and we're.
[00:36:01] Speaker B: Going to get to the truth.
[00:36:03] Speaker C: Our reporters and photographers are out in the field bringing you updates every minute with trust, accuracy and integrity. From the first page to the last page. Independent, probing journalism. We're finding out what's going on in community where nobody else is covering. It's who we are. It's what we do.
Welcome back to the podcast. Two days after the Buffalo Bills lost to the Denver Broncos in overtime in the AFC divisional game, the Bills surprisingly at least, my perspectives fired. Head coach Sean McDermott will talk with John Warrow, the search press, the associate press who covered, covers the Bills for the AP and our good friend. And John, welcome back to the podcast. Can you explain what's going on in Buffalo?
[00:36:58] Speaker B: Who knows? Ken, thanks for having me on.
[00:37:01] Speaker C: Appreciate you coming on.
Even though, even though.
[00:37:05] Speaker B: And remember in these, remember in these chilly days, as the weatherman said says, remember to bundle up before leaving the house because without that, without that, you'd never know to do so.
[00:37:16] Speaker C: Well, I just came back, we're taping here on a Tuesday afternoon and I just came back from the Mayor's cup press conference between Union RPI playing on Saturday, both men and women. So it's cold out there and I bundled up. And before we get to the Bills, I want to ask you how did you not make the top 100 list of the Hockey News? What Steve Wano, your esteemed hockey colleague at the ap, did.
[00:37:38] Speaker B: Well, it's good for Steve. It's good for Steve. I don't know, I just fly under the radar. And these are, you know, I'm used to being overlooked, much like my favorite band, the Replacement. So it's fine with me. But thanks, but thank you for recognizing me, Ken.
[00:37:54] Speaker C: Well. Well, Steve and I both went to the same high school, years apart down in Suburban.
[00:37:58] Speaker B: Oh, my gosh.
[00:37:59] Speaker C: Yeah, Holy Ghost Prep. Yeah, we're both HCP alums.
[00:38:03] Speaker B: Oh, God bless you.
[00:38:07] Speaker C: He's more famous. He's more famous than I am. So, anyway, anyway, let's get back to the subject at hand. What, what happened?
[00:38:14] Speaker B: Well, I think as we, as we look back and as I look back and reflect and see how things unfolded in the weeks, there were rumors that came out, speculation from this unsourced speculation from the national writers a few weeks ago that Sean McDermott's job was on the line. Those in Buffalo did not believe that, but it seems to reflect what was.
And I think I underestimated this.
What's been a rift growing between the coach and the general manager.
And I think things were leaking out of Bill's drive, these rumors were leaking out from the front office to reflect that rift.
And that's what happened.
And this is. I'm just reading the tea leaves here because in. I had, I had a long chat with Sean McDermott about two weeks ago, just before they played Jacksonville in the playoffs. And in no way was he, did I find him to be a coach on the hot seat.
There was no indication of that being the case.
So something above him was happening that led to this. And it seemed that they were just waiting for Sean McDermott to lose or win the super bowl before pulling the trigger on what seemed to be a decision made well before what happened on Saturday in that loss, the heart wrenching loss at Denver.
Certainly Sean McDermott takes blame, takes part of the blame for failing to get the Bills to the super bowl over his nine seasons.
But there's enough blame to be laid on how this roster was built over the past two seasons. Let's say in failing to give him the talent to build a Super bowl contender. Mind you, this year the Bills were undone by a lot of injuries, but questions regarding the receiving core and the talent around Josh Allen persisted with the players that he got that were already there before. Before Josh Palmer proved to be hurt for long, for long stretches of time. Keon Coleman decided that he was going to arrive late to meetings and get disciplined.
But this, despite what Brandon Bean said in April, that he thinks this group of receivers is far better than what the Bills had last year, in retrospect, they weren't. And I think an admission of guilt towards that was evident in November when Brandon Bean was bringing in Nicole Hardman and Brandon Cooks to try and shore up that. That room.
[00:41:17] Speaker C: Yeah, I mean, Diggs, look at him. He's going to play for super bowl on Sunday with the Patriots against Denver.
[00:41:23] Speaker B: Wouldn't that be something? But I will say this.
Stefan Diggs worked his way off this, off this roster two years ago.
So I don't begrudge the Bills for. For cutting their ties at that point. It was a matter of they.
They needed to part ways at that point.
What they've not done is done enough to replace his absence.
[00:41:49] Speaker C: How much is the general manager to blame for this?
[00:41:53] Speaker B: I think a lot.
And I think, and I think, you know, as we heard from Sean McDermott go public with his sides, questioning the roster without specifically mentioning Brandon Bean often before the Jacksonville game, at least twice he mentioned how Jacksonville's offense got better with the addition of Jacoby Myers, you know, and a player that I think Brandon Bean was willing, was going after but couldn't leverage and got outbid by the Jaguars back in at the trade deadline. The other thing that came up and really I think was a blemish, an uncontrollable blemish, an accidental blemish, perhaps, on Brandon Bean was the Bills cutting jamarcus Ingram, defensive back, after claiming Darius Slay off waivers.
Darius Slay never reported to the team.
And that before the Bills could resign, Jamar had a chance to resign. Jamarcus Ingram, he was signed by the Houston Texans.
So they lost out on that. So that was. They lost two players in that one move. And that really bothered. I think that really bothered McDermott. Although it seemed uncontrollable, there's no way Bean could have anticipated Darius Slay not reporting to the team. Because in, in the end, Darius Slay wanted to go back to your Philadelphia Eagles.
[00:43:23] Speaker C: Yes, because he, in fact, he was at the playoff, the wild card game against the 49ers. I was like, shouldn't you be with your team? Even though, man, I know he didn't want to play there, but I mean, as an Eagles fan, Darius Slay was past his prime. Thank you for winning super bowl last year. But there was a reason they let you go after the season, and that's that's, that's another discussion for another time.
[00:43:46] Speaker B: But still in the big picture though. I mean, Darius Slay would have helped the Bills, as would have jamarcus Ingram had they been on the roster. And so you lost two players. And as you saw at the end of the Denver game, Bo Nix picked on what was essentially the Bill's fifth string cornerback in Dane Jackson in what proved to be the.
I want to say the what, the last drive in the fourth quarter or the. Or, sorry, yeah, Denver's last drive in the fourth quarter that allowed them to take the lead before the Bills tied it and forced overtime.
So, you know, all those things work into what happened here.
And at no point did have I seen. And I've gone through, I went through the 17 year drought. I've covered the Sabers who are in the midst of a 15 year drought, and I went through the bill 17 year drought and I've seen coaches come and coaches go and I've seen, I've seen the moments where they, as I refer to it, jump the Shark where they lost the team. At no point during these nine years have I seen Sean McDermott lose this team, including this year. And I think that's a testament to him and a reason why I think he did not deserve to be fired.
[00:45:09] Speaker C: Has there been reaction from his players?
[00:45:12] Speaker B: Well, I mean, all the players have, I'm not saying unanimous, unanimously, unanimously. But a lot of them have come out ex former players and current players have come out in Support of Sean McDermott for who he is and who he's been and being shocked by this decision, which again indicates that he had the pulse of the locker room.
And this wasn't always the case with Sean McDermott. When he got, when he got to Buffalo, he had to learn by trial and error in many ways how to get, how to resonate with his team.
And that happened over the course of many things, including the Demar Hamlin situation where he almost, you know, he had to be resuscitated on the field after, after his heart stopped in a game in Cincinnati. But through that and a lot of other things, Sean McDermott earned his trust among the players and especially the veterans in how we approach things. So, and, and now we get to the challenge of what the Bills face.
They have a coach, or they had a coach who transformed the culture in Buffalo, turned a losing laughing stock of a team into a perennial playoff contender.
And now the Bills, now it's on Brandon Bean to find a guy who can take them two steps further, one step further, perhaps in some ways to the super bowl and while maintaining the culture and trust that's been established.
Sure, you've got Josh Allen, but the question is, who is that coach that can bring them finally to the promised land? And if that coach doesn't, how does that reflect on being going forward?
[00:47:04] Speaker C: What kind of coach can they be looking for? I mean, obviously Mike Tomlins out there, I don't know if he's going to be interested.
[00:47:12] Speaker B: I think Harbaugh would have been. I think Harbaugh would have been a great addition if Bean would have him.
But my guess, I don't. I would be surprised if Mike Tomlin takes the job because one, he's more defensive minded. Two, I'm not sure if he would trample on Sean McDermott's reputation because the two are close. Went to William and Mary and I'm not sure if Mike Tomlin would want to follow Sean McDermott into a situation to work under Brandon Bean. I'm not sure if that would happen, but I think the Bills ultimately want.
Want to target an offensive minded coach to, to get to work with Josh Allen and to. I'm not sure if it's fixing an offense, but getting an offense to work even better. But at what expense?
At a, At a, at a defense that really had a lot of issues but functioned enough to get the Bills to the playoffs. Under Sean, under McDermott.
[00:48:19] Speaker C: Where does McDermott land? There's obviously some opportunities out there. I mean, I, I don't think the Dolphins hire anybody, I mean, you could say, in the division really haunt the Bills for, For years.
[00:48:30] Speaker B: Right. Well, I, I think the Dolphins have hired a defensive coordinator.
[00:48:34] Speaker C: That's right. Yeah. Yeah, that's. That's right. Yeah, that's right. From the grand.
That's right.
[00:48:39] Speaker B: Titans just. The Titans just got.
I'm trying to think of what other openings are open that really makes sense.
[00:48:49] Speaker C: Pittsburgh's there, but I don't think that'll make sense.
[00:48:54] Speaker H: Actually.
[00:48:54] Speaker B: Does to some effect.
I think that one makes a lot of sense actually to me.
[00:49:00] Speaker C: But.
[00:49:00] Speaker B: Although the Steelers like to go with young, fresh talent.
But I think, I think McDermott would be a good fit in Pittsburgh because of what they have there already. And I think he could get that team to the right place.
Who else has got openings?
A lot of teams. That was that.
[00:49:25] Speaker C: Did Cleveland hire anybody yet?
[00:49:28] Speaker B: Cleveland would make sense, but, but there's a quarterback situation. I would hesitate because Cleveland doesn't get anything right unless, unless Sean McDermott does what he did in approaching his interview with the bills back in 2017 and demands more control of the roster as he did in Buffalo. Things don't change in Cleveland because that team just doesn't work for some reason. And whether it's too many cooks in the kitchen or what have you, they need someone to go in there and take control and transform that team, much like McDermott did with Buffalo. So if he gets more control of that team, then Cleveland would make sense.
[00:50:16] Speaker C: And then I think Arizona hasn't hired anybody yet. I don't know if that, That's a volatile situation there too, at the Cardinals.
[00:50:21] Speaker B: Well, yeah, it's. I'm not as familiar with, with, with Arizona, but they, their track record on hires just doesn't seem to work.
And that's really where, what it comes down to what I think McDermott has the choice of what best fits him. I mean, Baltimore is on the table.
[00:50:42] Speaker C: True.
[00:50:43] Speaker B: Wouldn't that be something.
I think that that might be a very good transition. So I think McDermott is the best candidate out there right now, and I think it could serve to be a godsend for whatever team lands him.
[00:51:01] Speaker C: What is his legacy with the Bills?
[00:51:05] Speaker B: Good guy, smart coach who never got to the promised land and whose term was cut at least one year too short, too quickly.
I think he will.
Well, I mean, unless until somebody wins a Super bowl in Buffalo, McDermott will go down as, maybe not as beloved as Marv, but I think based on the outpouring of support he's gotten, I think, and I think that might have been unexpected in the wake of his firing, that he became someone Buffalo backed and a Buffalonian by choice and by adoption.
A respected coach who just never was able to overcome his team's flaws and eventually his own, but not doing it dishonorably.
[00:52:13] Speaker C: How much is Bean now on the hot seat after this? I mean, how much.
How important is it going to get for him to get this right and get a coach? That's the thing.
[00:52:22] Speaker B: What if the Bills. What if. What if the Bills missed the playoffs next year? I mean, this is a new division with Mike Brable and New England Patriots taking it over. The Bills still have Josh Allen, which makes them contenders and they should be playoff contenders every time they, you know, any season they have Josh Allen behind center.
However, what happens if thing doesn't mix or if they go, if, if something falters? And I'm not saying that's going to happen because, you know, let's see who the coach is and, and how things play out. But what happens if the Bills go nine and what is it, eight yeah, I'm not, I'm not accustomed to adding up to 17.
[00:53:05] Speaker C: It'll be 18 soon enough.
[00:53:07] Speaker B: Right. No, I get that. But what happens if the bills go 9 and 8?
How does that, you know, where are we. Where are we a year from today, then?
It's a fascinating transition and Bean is banking on himself. More credit to him and God bless that it works out.
But this, this is a big swing without any guarantees at the end of the road.
[00:53:36] Speaker C: How much are you going to miss Highmark Stadium slash Ralph Wilson Stadium slash Rich Field?
[00:53:42] Speaker B: Yeah, I mean, I, I mean, I don't get it. It was a, it was a great. I'm glad. It was a great place to cover games for 26 years.
Everything was close. Everything was like on. You're on top of everything. I've not yet enter had a chance to tour the new stadium and it's smaller and apparently a bit more cozier.
But I'm a throw, I'm a throwback guy. I hate the bells and whistles of new stadiums and maybe this is going to be nice, but I go back to my days of attending baseball games at Tiger Stadium and how beautiful a place it was to go see a game as opposed to the wonderland theme park of Comerica park where the Tigers play now, where if you sit in the. Way in the back, it feels like you're in Windsor, Ontario.
So, I mean, so I'm, I'm a big throwback guy. I loved, I love Joe Louis Arena, I love the, the Olympia. I even saw the games there.
But I, I even love covering games at Nassau Coliseum.
So, yeah, I'm one of those throwback guys. But, you know, I'll give it the benefit of the doubt and see what, what, what things are all about in this, this new era of, of the NFL. And, you know, I guess I'll.
We'll see. Talk to me later.
[00:55:17] Speaker C: Well, as someone who's covered union hockey now for 30 years and they're playing in a new facility this year, I am.
I got a. At 29 years of an end zone press box. Finally I'm on the side and I love it and great views and sites and a lot more bathrooms, a lot more concession stands as opposed to the old place. It was 50 years old and outlived. As useful as. I'm very happy with the modern aesthetics of MNT Bank Center. But I agree with me.
I grew up in Philadelphia, went to games at the Spectrum with the Flyers and the Broad Street Bullies era, sat in the 700 level for the Phillies and The Eagles at Veterans Stadium. But there was a time the vet was out.
I still miss the Spectrum.
I've covered the college hockey NCAA Tournament at what is now Xfinity Mobile arena and the umpteenth name change that that place has had.
And you're way up high and you're not on top of the action like you were in the Spectrum especially. I covered a few games when I worked at the York Daily Record. I went down the, you know, cover some Flyers games because they were affiliated with the Hershey Bears when I covered them. And the press box was right at the top of the first level there, and it was a great view. And now everybody's upstairs and you're so high and it's like you wonder if you're going to have an airplane come flying through your press box. But. But yeah, it's. I mean, I.
[00:56:34] Speaker B: Well, there's no, there's no stranger press box than, than I've been in than. Than Syracuse's. Than Syracuse.
[00:56:41] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:56:43] Speaker H: So.
[00:56:43] Speaker B: Well, have you ever been.
[00:56:44] Speaker C: No, I have not.
[00:56:45] Speaker B: You have to climb what is. There's stairs. Technically they're considered stairs, but they're more like a ladder to get into this press box in which the ceiling is about five foot two.
[00:56:57] Speaker C: Okay. Well, when I covered. When I traveled with Union back in the day, go up to St. Lawrence and Clarkson and Appleton are in St. Lawrence. The press box, there was a ladder and the rungs were up against a wall, so you really could not put your foot in. You had to be careful you didn't lose your grip and, you know, having your laptop go crash into the, to the floor below, and it's like you're putting your life in danger. So I, I can see.
Like I said, I haven't been to Syracuse, but I can compare it to Syracuse with apples in arena back in the day.
[00:57:27] Speaker B: It sounds very similar. Yeah. Sounds very similar.
[00:57:30] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:57:30] Speaker B: But no, I'm. I'm a throwback guy. But yeah, it's like modern amenities, I guess, you know, know and whatever, and we'll see what the new security details are with this new thing. But, I mean, it was. The Ralph was getting old and needed. Was never going to be upgraded to, to, to fit modern standards, you know. Green Bay, I guess, is, Is an exception.
I was fascinated, though, watching the Bears play whenever they played this weekend and seeing the shots of the stands, and that struck me as the, the, the, the, the scenes, the views struck me as something from the 50s. I loved it with all, like, the people, you know, the cold air, you know, Breathing and, and all that stuff. And I was fascinated by that. And now of course, the Bears want to move and get into their own new place. But. But I was fascinated by the shots from Soldier Field over the weekend.
[00:58:26] Speaker C: Yeah. Quick thought on the Sabers. I've had Joe Yearden on your. Helps you cover the Savers for the Associated Press. Just your general thoughts. Yeah, Joe's a good guy. I mean, he's been good to me. He used to help cover RPI and enjoy covering that, so he really got a start. But just your quick thought on the Sabres. Just me. I know they lost Monday in Carolina, but my goodness, they're playing well.
[00:58:49] Speaker B: Yes, yes, they are.
They found their vision, they found their focus. And I think even though their run of 10 games, of the 10 game winning streak began before Kevin Adams was fired, I think the firing did lift that team. Lift with Jarmo coming in and bringing them a direction and a vision that I think in some ways was lacking or became stale under Kevin Adams. I think that lit a fire under that team.
I mean, there's still a long way to go. It's, it's, you know, we've got the Olympic break and who knows what could happen at the trade deadline. I expect Guillermo Kikalainen, the new gm, to bring in some talent at the before the trade deadline in early March.
But I think the team is on a better trajectory and again finally has a sense of vision in which Kevin Adams could never bring himself to during his term. Kevin did some good things in reshaping the franchise or reshaping the roster, but there was never any seemingly completion date for this transition. It was always a hope to win.
Now this team has adopted a belief that it can win.
I don't know how that switch flipped so quickly, but it has happened.
And there is finally hope in Buffalo that the Sabres might be in the playoffs in April and end this horrendous 15 year drought.
[01:00:31] Speaker C: Yeah. Well, John, I always appreciate a few minutes and when the Bills hire someone, we'll like to have you back on.
[01:00:38] Speaker B: Well, we'll see because you might be calling me in Milan.
[01:00:41] Speaker C: Oh, you're going over there too? All right.
[01:00:43] Speaker B: Yeah. At least. Yeah. I'll be covering most of the mostly women's hockey and doing some on the men's side. So how, when the Bills do it, whenever they. Whatever happens, I've got a, I've got a ticket booked and I'll be off and trying to find my, to quote the office to try to find my favorite pizza spot, Sbarro in Italy.
[01:01:07] Speaker C: Well enjoy it over there and we're looking forward to your coverage of the women's hockey. We in fact we have a couple of area players are going to be playing there. Monya Wagner, the Union goaltenders are playing for team Switzerland and Nina Christoph of a senior forward for RPI will be playing for Germany, so we'll be keeping track of that as well.
[01:01:24] Speaker B: Oh, some of the B pool stuff I believe. Yeah, the Swiss are coming along but we'll you know, they've got Alina Mueller. They always the Switzerland, the A pool but they always play Finland tough.
I'm picking the Americans to win Canada to barely hold on to silver, but I think they're going to be in for a fight with the checks depending on how the playoff round if if Canada faces the checks in the semifinals.
Be careful.
You've heard it here first.
[01:01:56] Speaker C: Okay, well, we'll hold you to that. And John, again, as I said, appreciate a few minutes and we'll talk soon.
[01:02:02] Speaker B: Sounds good. Thanks for having me on.
[01:02:03] Speaker C: All right, that's John Warbro, the Associate Press. I'll be back to wrap up the the podcast and have the latest winner in the Daily Gazette to you picking a football contest in just a moment.
[01:02:41] Speaker G: Explore the benefits of subscribing to the.
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[01:03:12] Speaker C: Back to wrap up the podcast, the week 20 winner in the Daily Gazettes you pick a football contest was Rick Bellinger of Johnstown with a 4.0record. Rick wins a $100 price chopper Mark Market 32 gift card. Congratulations Rick. The VIP winner was Jim DeMarco of Morris Ford with a 4.0record winning a tiebreaker because I also went 4.0to improve to 183.98and1. The Gazettes Will Spring said was 3.1. He is 171, 109 and 1.
I'll announce the U Pick A Football contest winner's name and that winner's name will appear in Thursday's Daily Gazette. To play, go to DailyGazette.com and click on the you pick' em football banner.
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That wraps up another edition of the Parting Shots Podcast. I want to thank Kendall Davidson, Tony Macy, Monya Wagner, Brian Vines, Nina Kristoff, Nick Young, Brandon Burr, Eric Lang, Brad McNeil, and John Warrow for being a part of the show.
If you have questions or comments about the podcast, email them to me at shot. That's s c h o t
[email protected] follow me on X threads and bluesky at Slapshots.
The views expressed on 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 Ken Schottz. Thanks for listening and I'll catch you next time from the Parting Shots Podcast studio in Schenectady, New York. Good day, good sports.
