Episode Transcript
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[00:00:13] Speaker B: The Daily Gazette Company presents the parting Shots podcast. Now here's your host, Daily Gazette sports editor Ken Shot.
Thank you, Scott Kesey, and welcome to.
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[00:00:32] Speaker B: Shots podcast studio in Schenectady, New York.
[00:00:35] Speaker A: Where we have our weekly sample with Union men's head hockey coach Josh Housing. Josh, how's it going?
[00:00:39] Speaker C: It's going well. How about yourself?
[00:00:40] Speaker B: Not hanging in there?
[00:00:41] Speaker A: Can't complain. Get ready for Thanksgiving?
[00:00:43] Speaker C: Yeah, it's a good time of the year.
[00:00:44] Speaker A: Yep. Before we get going, Josh, I just want to say that with this being Thanksgiving week, this will be the only podcast we'll have this week. We'll resume our Thursday podcast next week. So. And try to enjoy the holiday and just do one podcast where don't want your listeners get too overwhelmed with me and maybe falling asleep listening to podcasts after eating turkey. But anyway, well, you had this past weekend off, Josh. The players finished their end of first trimester exams last Tuesday. Now all the players have to concentrate on is hockey, hockey and hockey. How good is it to be able for the, for the players to not have to worry about any classes over the next three weeks?
[00:01:19] Speaker C: Yeah, this is a great time for us. We, you know, we have more time to, you know, be at the rink. We can get extra video done, you know, just. And we're also getting on the road here, so it's been, it'll be nice. We haven't been on the road very much this season, so it's, you know, an exciting time as far as you can put the books away and just focus on hockey practice.
[00:01:38] Speaker A: Practice a little earlier, I think.
[00:01:39] Speaker D: Right.
[00:01:39] Speaker C: Yeah, we, we start, you know, we have some pre practice ice but get going at about 10:30 every day now.
[00:01:44] Speaker A: Yep. Well, the Gardner chargers have played 11 games so far this season, so you're third of the way through the regular season schedule. Union is 31 and 0 in ECAC hockey play for 9 points and 73 and 1 overall. How would you assess the first third of the schedule?
[00:01:59] Speaker C: I think it's been a solid start for us. I mean, obviously you look back and you know, you'd like maybe a little bit better or, you know, get some results in that Alaska series. I thought the Clarkson game was one we could have found a way to win. But I mean, you know, overall there's, you know, some games we could have maybe you know, we could have lost and, you know, but the guys found a way. So it's, you know, it's an exciting group and they're a lot of fun to be around. So I'd say it's a solid start.
[00:02:24] Speaker A: What has pleased you the most?
[00:02:26] Speaker C: I just think, you know, their attention to detail and how hard they work on a daily basis. It's, you know, it's been fun to, you know, be at the rink and be with them. And I think this is a pretty big freshman group as well and they've kind of stepped in and, you know, fit in well.
[00:02:43] Speaker A: Who or what has surprised you in the early going?
[00:02:46] Speaker C: I mean, I think I'd be, you know, lion if I thought we were going to score, you know, as much as we did right away. I thought we were going to eventually get there, but, you know, be a team that's in the top 10 and scoring, I think is a good start for us. You know, we got to still find a way to manufacture against, you know, some of the teams that are really strong defensively. So I think that's, that's an area for us we got to keep improving on.
[00:03:06] Speaker A: I think Ben Muthus Bog has been a revelation. I mean, you know, coming out of juniors, I mean, the stats didn't stand out, but he has really been a lightning rod for scoring on the offense so far.
[00:03:19] Speaker C: Yeah, he's been, you know, a guy that like, we can look to and has been, you know, you know, very key and, you know, you expect freshmen to make an impact. I don't know if you expect him to do as much as he's done.
[00:03:29] Speaker A: Or do you have any major concerns right now.
[00:03:32] Speaker C: I think just, you know, continuing to tighten things up and then, you know, again, as, you know, ECAC play, you know, gets going here, it really gets hard to score. So it's going to be, you know, continuing to find ways and, you know, to get second and, you know, third level scoring for us.
[00:03:46] Speaker A: As you mentioned, with the getting out on the road, you spent the last eight games in the Capital Region, seven at Mesa and one at rpi. And the Gardner charts are headed out on the road for, for the next two weeks outside the Capital Region. This Friday and Saturday, Union visits Niagara for a pair of non league games. And next weekend it will be ECZ hockey matchups at Princeton and Quinnipiac. And we'll talk about those games on next week's podcast. The last road trip outside of the Capital Region was the second weekend of October to Stonehill and Boston. University of Course, some interesting travel issues.
[00:04:17] Speaker B: With that, going to Stonehill.
[00:04:18] Speaker A: So, I mean, how much are you and the team looking forward to getting back out on the road and out of the capital region?
[00:04:24] Speaker C: Yeah. Yeah. This is really our, you know, our first true road trip where we're going to be leaving the day before and, you know, we're going to be staying in one spot. So I think this is great for team bonding and, you know, getting to know each other better. And, you know, I think we're really excited about, you know, getting on the road, seeing, you know, seeing some movies on the bus and just kind of, you know, relaxing and focusing in on hockey.
[00:04:45] Speaker A: What are the movies you guys watch on the bus?
[00:04:47] Speaker C: Everybody kind of watches their own thing. Typically, the coaching staff is up watching video, but, you know, just. It is kind of nice just to, you know, just relax and, you know, just let someone drive you where you're going.
[00:04:57] Speaker A: Of course, this day and age, everybody has their phones. They can watch what they want on their phones, and you don't have to worry about putting something in the video or the vcr, whatever they have on the bus these days.
[00:05:07] Speaker C: Yeah, it's. It's a lot different. There's not a lot of cards that are played or, you know, like, that's kind of, you know, some of the stuff that was done in the past. Everybody kind of, you know, keeps themselves. Every once in a while you get the guys, though, they'll get talking and going, and it's. It's a good time.
[00:05:18] Speaker A: I'm old enough. Remember when you got on the bus, there was nothing to do. You just watch the scenery or you have this life, this little book I have as a kid. You try to see what license plates are out there and put them in your little sticker book.
[00:05:28] Speaker C: Well, there you go. Yeah, I don't know if that's something we're going to be doing.
[00:05:33] Speaker B: Well, the big question for me is, are the road jerseys ready?
[00:05:37] Speaker A: You wore the home whites for the games at Stonehill and BU and RPI, although wearing the homes that white is RPI was scheduled because it was RPI's blackout game. So we're going to see the Garner jerseys on this weekend?
[00:05:48] Speaker C: I would expect so. Unless. I mean, I don't know if Niagara has anything planned. They haven't communicated with me. But I would expect you'll see them this weekend.
[00:05:55] Speaker A: The jerseys are all set. What was the problem?
[00:05:58] Speaker C: We were missing one. We couldn't find it. We still didn't find it, so we had to order a new one. And yeah, there you go.
[00:06:03] Speaker A: Well, let's talk about Niagara. The Purple Eagles are 75 and 3 overall. They are in second place in Atlantic Hockey association with a 632 record for 22 points. How tough of a matchup will this be?
[00:06:14] Speaker C: Why the thing that really stands out is just the level that they've scored at. I think, you know, all the analytics show that they're a top five team as far as scoring in the country right now and just generating chances and you know, that's been pretty impressive. They have a couple guys up front, you know, that are really leading the charge for them and yeah, they, they're, they're always, you know, a well coached team and you know, they got some offense to go with it right now.
[00:06:38] Speaker A: Yeah. Looking at their stats the other night, Shane Ott leads the team in scoring with three goals and 13 assists for 16 points. J A Hearn has a team leading eight goals and goalie Pierce Charleston is 743 with a 2.61 goals against average, a.927 save percentage and one shutout. So how important are those players for RPI or for Niagara?
[00:06:58] Speaker C: Yeah, they're, they're, you know, really important. And I think, you know, for them offensively, those guys really get them going and you know, we kind of get like a chart on every goaltender and you know, he's been pretty solid everywhere, so we're going to have to take his eyes and get traffic to the net.
[00:07:12] Speaker A: Well, the Purple Eagles played a pair of games last weekend at aic, splitting the series and you guys were off last weekend. So any concern about rust for your team while the Purple Eagles play last weekend?
[00:07:22] Speaker C: Yeah, it's always a challenge when you know, you're coming back from the buy in, how you're going to respond. And you know, I think, you know, we can have, if we can have a couple good practices here going into the weekend, we should be in a good spot. But it is always a little bit of, you know, something, you know, it takes a little bit to get back into that game, that game mode.
[00:07:39] Speaker A: Yeah, well, this is the second time in which you had a weekend off after playing the weekend before. The last time Union tied and lost to Alaska Fairbanks. What does the team have to do to avoid that kind of result in the Niagara series?
[00:07:50] Speaker C: Well, I think just playing with energy and then, you know, we just didn't finish the game against Alaska the first night and second night things just didn't go our way. So I think that we're in that spot that we're, we're ready for the challenge and it should be a good test.
[00:08:05] Speaker A: Well, Niagara has played three ECAC hockey teams this season. They lost to Clarkson and St. Lawrence and tied and beat RPI at Houston Fieldhouse. The Purple Eagles also played two teams you faced in Army, West Point and Mercyhurst. Have you watched the taste of any of those games?
[00:08:18] Speaker C: Yeah, we typically go back and watch, you know, like the last four or five games and we saw the AIC games, we were able to kind of spend some time with that. But then, you know, seeing him against Mercyhurst, seeing him against Holy Cross has kind of been our, you know, our key games. The game's really early against St. Lawrence, Clarkson, we watched a little bit when we were getting ready for those two opponents, but haven't spent a ton of time using that video.
[00:08:42] Speaker A: Could this be a weekend where goalies Lucas Massey or Joe Sherb get some playing time?
[00:08:47] Speaker C: Yeah, we had kind of talked about that as a staff. I mean, you get going here and gets really into ECAC play. So, you know, we got to, you know, continue to give ourselves the best chance to win. But those guys are pushing and, and they're, you know, I'm sure they're wanting to get their opportunity.
[00:09:00] Speaker A: It's been about seven years since Union and Niagara played. How good does it get them back on the schedule?
[00:09:05] Speaker C: Yeah, I got a lot of respect for their staff and just how they do things. So it'll be good there. You know, get over there and play them and, you know, they are. They're always, you know, first class and, you know, they do a nice job.
[00:09:17] Speaker A: Will they be reciprocating next year?
[00:09:19] Speaker C: Yeah, typically that's kind of how we're trying to do things is we'll go to the teams that will come back and we'll get them back here next year.
[00:09:26] Speaker A: Well, Union just missed out on making the top 20 in the USCHO.com and USA Hockey the rink Live College hockey polls. On Monday, Union was the top team and other teams receiving votes in both polls. Any thoughts on that?
[00:09:39] Speaker C: Not really. I mean, it's, you know, again, it's nice that people recognize this, but like, for us, it's all about where we're at in the standings and just taking it one day at a time.
[00:09:47] Speaker A: Well, let's hear what the Union players have to say. Let's start with CEO, defenseman and team captain Cullen Ferguson and then junior defenseman and assistant captain Nick Young.
[00:09:59] Speaker E: Cullen, for the first time since the second week of October, you guys are actually going to have to leave the Capital Region to Play a couple of games. How much are you looking forward to that?
[00:10:07] Speaker D: Yeah, it'll be nice.
[00:10:08] Speaker F: You know, it's fun getting on the road with the guys and I'm really looking forward to getting after with them.
[00:10:12] Speaker E: Yeah, obviously you're playing a non conference game too with Niagara. What do you know about them right now?
[00:10:20] Speaker F: Well, they're a hard working team. They're at the top of the Atlantic. So I mean like we know every game in college hockey only gets harder from here. So we're ready for the challenge. We just need to focus on our details and get the job done.
[00:10:32] Speaker E: Now you guys are done with classes for the first trimester, so it's a lot. Just basically focused on hockey. How good is that to worry about hockey and not have to worry about the academics right now?
[00:10:43] Speaker F: Yeah, it's fun. I mean, you're just with the guys all the time and you know, it's kind of like pro. You go to the rink, you work out, you do your video and then you kind of got the rest of the day to yourself to get to take care of your body. So yeah, it's fun.
[00:10:55] Speaker E: How would you assess the first few games of the season? Here you're a third of the way through the schedule.
How would you assess things? What have you liked? What do you think needs to be improved upon?
[00:11:06] Speaker F: Yeah, I mean things are going really well. I mean, I think our scoring and our offense has been really good. I think we're sitting at the top of the ECAC right now and like.
[00:11:17] Speaker D: I think we're tied for third, I.
[00:11:18] Speaker F: Believe, or something like that. So we want to strive to be better in the ECAC and then we want to just keep winning out of conference games. We just want to make sure we're playing hard every single night. I think the most important thing is that every game from this point on will only get harder and we need to play harder and our game needs to elevate. I think the freshman class has been really good. I think a lot of guys in the junior class have really stepped up.
So yeah, things have been going well. I'm happy. But we want, we want more.
[00:11:45] Speaker D: For sure.
[00:11:47] Speaker E: You guys are coming off a weekend off. You had a similar situation after the RPI games when you played. He took the week off. Then you had Alaska, Alaska fair ranks come in for two. You guys tied and lost those games. What do you need to focus on to do different this time? Coming out of this particular weekend off.
[00:12:09] Speaker D: I think we need to manage the puck better.
[00:12:10] Speaker F: I think we need to support. I Think we need to come lower, I think, in the defensive zone. You know, if you can break puck so quick, then you can go play offense. Our team can play offense. We can move, we can make plays. I think we just need to hone in on helping each other break the puck out and always supporting.
[00:12:27] Speaker E: Well, you're back in action, Nick. This weekend, two games on Niagara. The first time since the second week of October you guys have gotten on a bus to play games outside the capital region. I mean, how nice is it maybe to get back on the road road and play some games after being home the last month or so?
[00:12:45] Speaker D: I know it's awesome. Like, we. We love getting on the road and being together and going to get after a team. So it's been. It's going to be a nice change of pace. I think it's going to be really refreshing for the group.
[00:12:56] Speaker E: My question is, did the road jersey now arrive?
[00:13:04] Speaker D: That's a good question. I guess we'll see this weekend.
[00:13:08] Speaker E: What do you have to do up in Niagara to get, you know, obvious?
The last game you played against Clarkson, you lost. I mean, the effort was good, but you just weren't able to bury it. How important is it to get back to play the kind of game you played against St. Lawrence in these two games in Niagara?
[00:13:24] Speaker D: No. Yeah. I think just like something that I really took away from St. Lawrence was like, how well we played as a unit of five on the ice at all times, and we played a full 60 minutes. And I think that's our identity, and if we stick to that, we're going to be a really tough team to beat the rest of the year. So I think just getting those details dialed in and playing all together, keep communicating on the ice and makes life easy for everybody.
[00:13:47] Speaker E: Now, you guys, you know, this is the second time this season where you've had a weekend off between games. The last time that happened was with the Alaska Fairbanks series after you played rpi. It didn't turn out well for you guys tied at a loss. What do you have to do this time to make sure that you come away with a couple wins?
[00:14:08] Speaker D: Yeah, I mean, I. I think that, like, we were kind of on a hot streak in the beginning, and guys let that get to them. I think that reality check was really good for the group. I think guys know now that, you know, if you don't show up, it's anyone's game, and we're trying to make it only our game. So, like I said, just playing as a unit of five and, like, focusing on those details, sticking to who we are instead of who we think we are, that's, that's when we're playing our best hockey.
[00:14:32] Speaker E: You guys are a third of the way through the schedule right now, obviously, you know, doing well, getting some votes in the, in the college hockey polls. What have you liked about the team's play so far? What do you think needs to be worked on as you move forward?
[00:14:48] Speaker D: I mean, I love the group. Our, I think our work ethic is second to none against, you know, anybody.
I think we're, we're a high scoring team. We, we've been able to put the puck in the net for the majority of the games, which has been great. I just think we need to tighten up a few structure details where, you know, we're, we're all on the same page. I think the times we get in trouble, some guys are, you know, getting away from what we do in our structure. So I think if we just tighten up a few of those details, we're going to be, we're going to be really set to go.
[00:15:18] Speaker E: What's it like now with the exams over, first trimester over, you have three weeks of games, you know, starting this weekend with the Niagara series. You got to get back to ECAC hockey play next weekend with Princeton and Quinnipiac, and you close out December with home games against Vermont. So what's it like to just focus on hockey and not have to worry about academics?
[00:15:39] Speaker D: No, it's awesome. It's pretty much the big relief just, you know, coming to the rink, working out, being with the guys, keep building that camaraderie because, you know, we're the only ones here pretty much. So just being together at all times, pushing each other in the weight room, pushing each other on the ice, and it's just, it's really refreshing to give 100% just to hockey at all times.
[00:16:01] Speaker A: Can you update us on the status of Ford Parker Lindauer?
[00:16:05] Speaker C: Yeah, he's been practicing and, you know, he's wore a red jersey here. We'll get him into contact here this the rest of the week and see if he's ready to go on Friday. But the expectation is that he's going to give every effort to be ready on Friday.
[00:16:18] Speaker A: How is he feeling? It was hurt. Was it the Alaska Fairbanks game? Right?
[00:16:23] Speaker C: Yeah, it was the last game against Alaska and he was moving really well today in practice. And we feel really good about where he's at and just kind of how he's progressing. But you always want to make sure guys are healthy and Ready to go?
[00:16:36] Speaker A: Of course. We always like to take questions from our listeners. You can email your questions to shotailygazette.com or post them on Facebook. Bluesky X& Threads and I'm @slapshots on Bluesky X& Threads. You going to get on Blue sky soon?
[00:16:49] Speaker C: I'm still learning. Yeah. I'm behind the times here. Have some of the guys teach me about technology.
[00:16:55] Speaker A: So what are the Thanksgiving plans for the Halogie family?
[00:16:57] Speaker C: Well, I'll be on the bus there heading to Niagara, but on Wednesday here the team will come over and we'll have a Thanksgiving meal. And you know, I think that's always a fun time and the guys do a great job just, you know, hanging out with my kids and you know, we'll have the staff over that want everybody who can make it and we'll just spend some time together and then, you know, get ready to go on Thursday.
[00:17:20] Speaker A: Well, Josh, I appreciate the visit. Have a happy Thanksgiving and we'll talk after the games. Enjoy the weekend.
[00:17:24] Speaker C: Yeah, happy Thanksgiving to you as well.
[00:17:26] Speaker A: Thank you very much. And I'll wrap up the podcast with another mess of rink memory and announce the latest winners in the Daily Gazette's you Picking Football contest in just a moment. You're listening to the Parting Shots podcast.
[00:17:45] Speaker G: It's the most historic conference in college hockey. It's a battle night in and night out. BCAC 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.
[00:18:17] Speaker B: Explore the benefits of subscribing to the 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. hey Pro Football fans, it's time again to match witch with other pro football fans and win a prize by playing the Daily Gazette's you Pickem Football contest. To play, go to dailygazetteprofootball.upickem.net and make your picks before the first game kicks off each week.
[00:18:49] Speaker A: If you have the most weekly points.
[00:18:51] Speaker B: You win a $100 Hannaford gift card. Play the Daily Gazette's U Pick a Football Contest today.
[00:18:59] Speaker C: This is Daily Gazette Senior writer Indiana Nash. I would like to wish you a happy holiday season and a great 2025.
[00:19:07] Speaker B: The parting shots podcast presents another Messer Rink Memory this one from Maine head coach Ben Barr, who played for RPI from 2000 to 2004 and later was an assistant coach at Union from 2008 to 2011. This is Ben's most memorable moment from the 2003 ECAC Hockey Tournamen first round series game two when he scored two short handed goals in less than a minute against Chris Mayott to help RPI win the series in two games.
[00:19:35] Speaker H: As a player, it was definitely that playoff series that was fun. You know, after a year that wasn't very successful for us at RPI to go be our rivals in the playoffs, there was fun.
I think I blacked out kid.
[00:19:47] Speaker E: I can't decide. I can't.
[00:19:49] Speaker H: There was no rhyme or reason to it. It was. The only thing that's funny for me now is that it was Chris May out in the net. So I get to make fun of him every time I see him or talk to him for the rest of my life. So regardless of it's gonna beat us or whatever at some point in TC or, you know, I still have that on him. I I really don't remember a lot of it. I just remember the aftermath and like how crazy the whole thing was. Like I was like the same way two times in a row, you know.
[00:20:15] Speaker B: Back to wrap up the podcast the Week 12 winner in the Daily Gazette's yous Pickle Football contest was David Bingham of brainerd. With an 112 record, David wins a $100 Hannaford gift card. Congratulations, David. The VIP winners were Matt Margiata of SG Roofing and Nick Platel of Grand Premier Tires. They each went 10 and 3. I was 8 and 5. I improved to 123 and 56. My Gazette colleague Adam Schinder was also 8 and 5. He is 120 and 59.
I'll announce you 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 U Pick'em Football banner.
Just because COVID 19 mandates reason, that does not mean you should relax. Be vigilant. If you have not gotten vaccinated or received a booster shot, please do so. Do it for yourself, do it for your family and do it for your friends. Don't forget to download the Daily Gazette app and sign up for our E Edition so you never miss a headline. Subscribe today at www.we have a lot of great specials going on when credibility matters. Trust the Daily Gazettes. That wraps up another edition of the Party Shots podcast. I want to thank Josh Howje, Cullen Ferguson and Nick Young for being a part of the show.
[00:21:32] Speaker A: If you have questions or comments about.
[00:21:33] Speaker B: The podcast, email to me at shot. That's s c h o t t dailygazette.com follow me on X Threads and Blue sky at Slap Shot.
The views expressed on the Parting Shots podcast are not necessarily those of the Daily Gazette Company. The Parting Shots podcast is the 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 Party Shots Podcast Studio in Schenectady, New York. Good day, good hockey, and happy Thanksgiving.
