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Behind the Mask is the only podcast devoted entirely to MSU men’s hockey. Impact 89FM hockey beat reporters talk about the latest in Spartan hockey and give their weekly game picks.
Two. Welcome back everyone to Behind the Mask, our fourth episode of the season. I am your host, Akhir Henderson alongside my cohost Jack Von Winkel, Gabe Sousa. Sorry for the week delay. We had a bit of a sickness on our crew, which caused that bit of delay, but we are back here once again ready to cover another great weekend of MSU hockey and collegiate hockey as a whole.
Speaker 1:Guys, how are we feeling this weekend? Gabe, we're gonna start with you. Are you feeling better today? Is the real question on everyone's mind right now?
Speaker 2:Well, yeah, first of all, I like to say I am back to health, which is great. Coach took me off the IR, which is always good to see. But no. Yeah. I'm I'm glad to be back.
Speaker 2:Obviously, last week sucked. Missing out on taking a trip to South Bend. I understand that you guys had a little bit of fun without me. So but yeah. No.
Speaker 2:I'm good bet to be back healthy, and I'm excited for this Wisco series this week. Definitely.
Speaker 3:Feeling good. I'm really enjoying the oh, there we go.
Speaker 1:There we go. Wrong mic was on the on live right now. Your mic is now officially live.
Speaker 3:There we Hey. Well, you know what? Still feeling good regardless on what microphone's on. Yeah. I'm excited for this weekend.
Speaker 3:Should be a good series against Wisconsin, and last weekend was a great first way to open up a conference road play.
Speaker 1:Yes. Definitely. We're gonna start with that series we had last weekend. As Gabe quickly mentioned, we weren't able to go to that first game in South Bend. It was an amazing environment there in Compton Family Ice Arena.
Speaker 1:It was me, Jack Wawenko, and our photographer, Will McCarrens, who was able to come with us. Jack, do you wanna talk a little bit about the environment in Compton Family Ice Arena before we get into this game? What did you feel about it? I've been there before. This was your first time there.
Speaker 1:I gotta say, it's one of the nicer arenas I feel like I've ever been to
Speaker 3:in college. Yeah. No. It's it's super nice. The staff is super nice.
Speaker 3:I'd say that the environment was good. It was packed. Mhmm. And it was a lot it was pretty split. There was a lot of Spartan fans there, you know, and it's not that far away for a drive for a of Spartan fans.
Speaker 3:And there's a couple players from Indiana, on Michigan State. So, of course, their families probably made the drive to that. But I thought it was really nice arena. Nice vibes, and, obviously, it, fit Michigan State well because they got a couple of good wins.
Speaker 1:Yes. Definitely. As you mentioned, we were there for that first game in which MSU put up the four one victory over Notre Dame. Just an overall great game from the team. It was two one going into that third period.
Speaker 1:But again, MSU just absolutely shut down the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in that third period and really ran away with it after that Maxine Stirback goal. This was just an overall well performance from this team. You were kinda worried that maybe they would look a little bit ahead to this weekend coming up here against the Wisconsin series. But, again, it just goes to show how well Nightingale is at a coach that they just respect every opponent that they play, and they don't take anyone for granted. And they will come out and, you know, they will take care of business no matter who it is, whether it's the seventh ranked team in the country or it's probably the last place team in the big 10 right now.
Speaker 2:Yeah. I mean, you touched on it, but it's like, I don't think Adam Nyingal is gonna overlook a single opponent this year, especially the first, like, road conference opener. I don't think that Michigan State looks like dominant, like dominant dominant. This game you know, both these games were close for majority of them, but, I think that they controlled the game very well. They were in charge of tempo, and it never really seemed like that they were gonna lose at any point in this series.
Speaker 3:Yeah. I, one thing I don't know if we're getting there yet, but one thing I was impressed of in the first game anyway was, well, Lynch room was out. And so in the first game, I was curious as to how that hole would be filled. At first, we didn't know why he was out, and then I realized that he suffered an injury in practice
Speaker 2:Mhmm.
Speaker 3:Late that week. But Shadi played super, super good at center in that line. Like, he really stepped it up. He brought some that production from his line up to that second line, and, I was really impressed with that. But, yeah, you make good point, Gabe.
Speaker 3:They weren't really that dominant, for both games, and it was interesting, you know, how they responded. They were up two nothing in the first game. Puerto Martone played phenomenal the whole game,
Speaker 1:but Yeah.
Speaker 3:Specifically scoring those first two goals. And Notre Dame scored on the power play just moments before the second period ended. And so it was like, okay. Now these fans have a reason to stay. The crowd's back in it.
Speaker 3:Let's see what they got. And then that third period is where the, domination started to ensue, and then they scored that one goal and then the empty netter by regular lead to finish it off. But, yeah, I thought that first game was really impressive. The second one was impressive as well. And it was just goes to show, like you said, how they don't look past any opponent and, still play their brand of hockey even against the night fighting Irish.
Speaker 1:Yeah. I mean, you look at the scoring for this team. I mean, it is really a first and third period team. I mean, you look at how they how well they play in that first and third period. I mean, they've only given up, I believe, two goals all year the first period, and now I've scored about, like, 14 or 15 of them in that first period.
Speaker 1:So they're very great at opening games and very good at closing them. They still have not they have been the only teams, I believe so far, to not have a game in which they've been scored on first. They have scored the opening goal in every game so far.
Speaker 3:I think I think you mentioned that in the broadcast too, is so interesting. Like, mean, that just goes to that that's, you know, it's it's interesting that they're what are they? Nine and one now. Right?
Speaker 1:That's their Nine and one.
Speaker 3:In every game they've scored first, so the only and the only one would be the fourth three loss against New Hampshire. So Mhmm. That's that's a really interesting
Speaker 1:It's very interesting. And it just, like you said, goes to show how well they are at controlling games, it feels like. They never really, you know, let games get out of their control. They always feel like they're the ones dictating the pace, what is going on. And I mean, you know, Notre Dame specifically is a lot slower team, I feel like, than MSU Absolutely.
Speaker 1:They like to, you know, slow the game down a little bit more and not, you know, not one of those teams like we see a lot in the big 10 where they're really trying to get up and down the ice and create a lot more rush opportunities. And so it really felt like Michigan State was dictating that pace of play and made Notre Dame adjust to that pace of play and playing a lot faster than they wanted to. And I thought that was a really great sign for MSU and just how well they were able to control the game.
Speaker 3:Yeah. And for Notre Dame, it was interesting. They didn't really do anything offensively when they weren't on the power play. Five on five hockey was just basically a lost cause for Notre Dame to try to, you know, get one behind Trey Augustine. So it was just, you know, they had to get on the power play to do anything pretty much the whole series.
Speaker 3:And so that just, you know, says, okay, Michigan State's fast pace actually benefited them, and it kind of out outplayed and outweighed Notre Dame's slow pace because MSU was just able to really get right by him quite often. Yeah. And then when Notre Dame was on the power play, of course, it gives them the advantage. But and it's interesting, you know, even though Notre Dame is kind of lower in the statistical categories pretty much in every single one for the big 10, their power play is really good. Oh, yeah.
Speaker 3:And I was impressed with it. I was impressed with Paul Fisher. He played really good the whole series, and then we he had that first power play goal in the in the in the first game. But, yeah. No.
Speaker 3:I'd say that their power play was a bright spot for him. And so, and speaking of power plays, we we'll get there eventually, but Wisconsin's gonna bring one up their own too. So this should be interesting.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Definitely. Let's talk about some of the, you know, great plays we saw from this game. Porter Martone, the first goal that he had on this game was just absolutely dirty. I mean, man, I I I think we I said on the on the call, it just made you hit just a stank face.
Speaker 1:Just like, oh.
Speaker 3:That's what
Speaker 1:it was. Stank face. Was kinda remember what said. It was. I mean, just had Kempf on the ground by the time the puck was in the net.
Speaker 1:It it was just he made a wide open goal for himself, and it was one of the most, you know, one of the most beautiful goals I've seen all season so far from this team, but it was completely overshadowed by a goal that didn't even happen or a play that didn't even, you know, turn into a goal, that Riker Lee play, I mean, has gone absolutely viral. And you said it during our broadcast too. You told our listeners to go watch it. I think a lot of people have seen it so far all over social media.
Speaker 3:You saw it. I'm sure.
Speaker 2:Of course. Yeah. Yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah. It was I mean, you you talk about some of the stuff that he's just able to do out there. I mean, even it just it felt like the team in general a lot of the time too were just trying some things that maybe you wouldn't see them do against a more serious opponent at times, but it it just goes to show how talented they are and just how fun it feels like. There are a lot of fun they're having out there too. And Riker Lee, just what can you even say about this kid?
Speaker 1:I mean, just one of a kind talent.
Speaker 2:I mean, I think the Predators probably got a good talent in
Speaker 3:Oh, yeah.
Speaker 2:Yeah. He it's kind of funny. I was thinking on the way here, you know, because I knew we were gonna talk about Wrecker Lee, and I was like, wow. He he earned that empty netter in game one.
Speaker 1:Oh, He had nine shots.
Speaker 2:Yeah. I was like I was like, well, does missing eight times warrant like, does he deserve an empty netter? Maybe. But he's an entertaining player. And then on that Martone goal, I mean, it's it's tough when you're a goaltender and you see Danny Russell, Charlie Stramel, and Porter Martone skating at, you know, towards you.
Speaker 2:And obviously, Stramel had a nice pass across, and then Kemp had a right. It was Kemp playing, and he had to respect the shot. Then Martone just said, nope, and just slid right across and hit a backhand in. And that was very impressive to see. And the other thing too, you mentioned how, Michigan State always scores first.
Speaker 2:I think part of that is due to how talented this first line is for Michigan State. Obviously, that they're gonna be dominant right out the gate. And the other thing too you talked about, Jack, is, you know, how it felt like Michigan State had the advantage in five on five. Well, Michigan State spent a lot of time in five on five because they only had, I believe, three penalties in that first game. So it's good to see the guys stay disciplined as well throughout the series.
Speaker 3:Yeah. That was something really to note too is that they really didn't you know, it's penalties didn't have been a problem all year for Michigan State and the whole theme of the season. And Nightingale said it a couple of weeks ago, now it's kinda resonated with the whole team as in we everybody's talked about it from us to the, you know, other announcers to the team to the coaches is play with emotion, not emotional. Mhmm. And head coach assistant head coach, Jared and Michael, said that before the game, you know, in in in his press conference, and I think they really took that to heart this series.
Speaker 3:They really did not play with too much, too much emotional ability and didn't let their emotions get the best of them, and it really showed because they, you know, did not struggle with penalties and being in the box as much as they have the rest of the season.
Speaker 1:Yeah. I thought that was probably the most impressive part of this series, you know, going against a team that, like you said, you're a lot talented then. It's the little things, like you said, keeping yourself out of the box or being really good in five on five that really, I think this team did a lot of improvement on, and that just those are the things and those are the series where you can really focus on those little things, and really, you know, emphasize and make sure you're improving on those. And I thought they did a really great job of doing that, in this first game. And like you said, the second game too, they only had three penalties again.
Speaker 1:So six in total, which is definitely one of the lower ones they had. One of the lower penalty totals they've had this season. So that was definitely something impressive to see, and hopefully that's something they can carry on through the rest of the season and hopefully this weekend too. You mentioned it a little bit, Jack. I think the big story going into the game was Caden Lindstrom being out, and that was something that we didn't find out until the game.
Speaker 1:Obviously, suffered that groin injury. In the during practice, I believe he's not supposed to play this series as well. So he's gonna be out for a little bit, but we were very interested to see how that second line was gonna play with a new center, especially with it, you know, being Caden Lindstrom, someone who's as talented as him at a very important position like center for that forward line. But Tiernan and Shouty just came right in, and it really felt like they did not miss a beat at all. I mean, they were really I I thought that line especially did a really good job of keeping offensive momentum and were just for checking like absolutely crazy.
Speaker 1:I mean, there were just a lot of shifts in there where they did a really good job of keeping the puck in their attack zone. And I felt like they were really the momentum builders of this team. And while they didn't really score a goal on that line
Speaker 3:Mhmm.
Speaker 1:I felt like it was a very critical line for both of those games this series.
Speaker 2:Yeah. I'm I mean, it was almost hard to notice. Kane Lindstrom, obviously, you know, he has great speed, so it's hard to notice when he's gone, of course. But, he the the Michigan State, every single line, it seems like they just suffocated. The they're opposing Notre Dame line, and they looked they looked very strong, obviously, shouty.
Speaker 2:He's had a great performance with weeks leading into this. He scored obviously that OT winner against Penn State that was electric. But, yeah, it's cool to see that the guys step up. Obviously, I'm sure Nightingale preaches that that next guy up mentality, and, yeah, they were able to do that just fine.
Speaker 3:Yeah. Another thing I like to note too is that both Ternan, or both excuse me. Not both Ternan. Both Shouty brothers were able to play with each other on the ice a lot.
Speaker 1:Oh, yeah.
Speaker 3:Yeah. And against Notre Dame. So that was cool to see too because that had that hasn't happened much this season where they both been on the ice at the same time. So it turned into elevation to that first line. It's been really or second line.
Speaker 3:Excuse me. It's been real that was really cool to see both of them play. They both played good, it looked like they had it, obviously. They have chemistry because they're of course, they're, you know, brothers and they're related, but it was cool to see that kind of unfold too because that really hasn't happened much.
Speaker 1:Both of are just so good offensively too. Like, I I mean, Tiernan obviously, because he plays that center position.
Speaker 3:Mean Travis too though.
Speaker 1:Travis too specifically though. I mean, that was more of my point I was trying to go to is that he is a really great offensive defenseman. Like, is that guy on, yeah, I believe the third line where he has looked at a little bit more for the offensive, you know, responsibility, excuse me, of that blue line that he's on. And he has, you know, been phenomenal. He is a great passer of the puck and also just a really great defender too.
Speaker 1:He kinda just does everything, and he is, again, your third line defenseman most nights too. And this guy would probably be a first liner, I feel like, at most other places.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Well, that's how it is for most Michigan State athletes. Feel like of course, talking about hockey, not football right now. But but, yeah, a lot of these guys could be starting anywhere else. I mean, it was cool to see, might I add, Dolan Gilbert get out.
Speaker 1:Oh, yes. Yeah.
Speaker 2:Yes. It's cool that Augustine put him in. I was hoping I don't think he didn't face a shot, right, in the first game, I think.
Speaker 3:We wanted him to. We were rooting for hardcore.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Hoping the Michigan State defense just kinda, like, let one slip.
Speaker 1:I was gonna say they I I really thought they came close. There was just, you know, not enough time, I feel like, for Gilbert to really face a shot. But, you know, there was a there was a little rush opportunity there that I thought, hey, maybe he'd see one. But, yeah, like you said, the defense just played too good near the end there to to let him see one. But, yeah.
Speaker 1:No. That was such a great moment. Dolan Gilbert, you know, has been a really you know, it's been a long time Spartan here. Hasn't seen a lot of action obviously because he has to be behind Augustine. He was behind the pass grow last year.
Speaker 1:And now he, you know, as Jack mentioned, is the backup to the backup and really has been throughout his career. So it was really cool for him to get that moment and especially, you know, in South Bend where he's from, right in front of his family most likely who were there. It was just an amazing moment and just, you know, really good on Nightingale, I feel like, to give him that moment and give him that opportunity and, you know, a chance to show out in front of your family. And I I I thought that was probably the best one of the best moments of the night was getting to see Dolan Gilbert get some opportunities because, you know, unfortunately, he's not gonna be getting a lot this year even if, you know, Augustine goes out to play world juniors or Olympics this winter, it'll probably be Stroll who's gonna be in net. So I thought that was a great move by Nightingale to do that.
Speaker 2:Yeah. And he's a senior as well, so it's kinda tough to see. But, yeah, it was cool that Augustine or Augustine had Nightingale do that.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Definitely. We're gonna move on to the second game now. MSU ended up winning this one three two one. Just again, another dominant performance from the Spartans.
Speaker 1:Martone scored again. Anthony Romani had an absolutely beautiful pass right there to Ryker Lee to open up the game. I mean, again, it just goes back to the point where I just felt like they were trying things that they just, you know, usually would not do, but, man, they were they were awesome right now. They were awesome in this in this game. And I thought, like, it it was it was impressive to watch, and just the talent level on this team is so impressive to watch week in and week out.
Speaker 1:And the thing with me right now is how good this team is defensively. I mean, you look at the last four four games they have played. They have only given up four goals, I believe, now in the last four games. I believe it's three, actually.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 3:And the interesting thing to note is, like, against Penn State, they only gave up they gave up more goals in the series against Notre Dame than they did against Penn State. Yeah.
Speaker 2:They find to
Speaker 3:be very interesting too.
Speaker 1:Yeah. No. It it has been just such a defensive clinic from this team. It really feels like Nightingale right now has the defense and the guys that he wants. And I especially wanna highlight Colin Ralph and Sean Barton Hill on their defense because I think those two are just the I like to call them erasers, basically.
Speaker 1:They just anytime there's a rush opportunity and offensive possession for their for the opposite team, Ralph and Barnhill do such a good job of just eliminating a player out of that rush opportunity to make it an even opportunity for them or just take away the opportunity as a whole. To me, I think I said this to you after our broadcast that it's a business decision anytime you have to try to skate around those guys just because of how big they are and how hard they are going to hit you. Yeah. If you come into their offensive zone, that to me is the most impressive part about this team is how well those two are able to play defense and just how well they are able to completely take players out of plays just by their sheer strength, like,
Speaker 2:that they have. What I appreciate that they do is, especially against, like, teams like Penn State where they have a lot of good talent
Speaker 3:Mhmm.
Speaker 2:They play the player, not the puck. A lot of times, like, if you're, you know, if you're locked in on the puck, you know, skaters are be able get around you. These guys are just like, alright. Come here.
Speaker 3:Do what you're saying. And
Speaker 2:then they just, like, launch them into the boards, you know, and, I like the physicality and I love and I appreciate it. And, you know, it when teams like Notre Dame are watching film on these guys, they're gonna be like, oh, well, I don't really want it. Know? Exactly. Like you said, Oscar, he's making a business decision.
Speaker 2:So, it's, they have more of an impact than you guys may think out there.
Speaker 3:Yeah. The amount of hits that Colin Ralph has on the boards on, like, a nightly basis. Like, I'll just look out there and it's like, got a big hit by Ralph again. It's like feel like I say that so often. But it's true.
Speaker 3:Like, you know, he showed in that New Hampshire series, like, was just throwing people around left and right. And against Notre Dame, had a couple of nice hits right in front of us. So yeah. No. Ralph's a beast, but Barnhill being six six.
Speaker 3:I mean, that's just like that's so tall. I mean, I guess, like I mean, I just think about, like, you know, just going out there and, you know, facing any defender, let alone somebody that's six foot six. But, yeah, Barnhill and Ralph, they've both done well, they're both gonna do well for their respective squads once they leave MSU.
Speaker 1:And Barnhill should really be, you know, out there working with Izzo right now more than anything. In the in the low post trying to get his hook shot, but he's out there on skates just absolutely erasing people. And, you know, you have to when you have to go down there time and time again and face those guys, at some point, I feel like it's gotta be hard to just continue to want to do that Mhmm. And just continually put yourself in that situation. So I credit to credit to the hockey players who are able to go against those guys on weekends, you know, choosing to have that decision.
Speaker 1:But I I gotta admit, it's probably gotta be a hard one to make, you know, consistently in those sixty minutes of hockey. Obviously, I think the MVP of this series, big ten first star of the week, a second straight star of the week for this guy, Trey Augustine, 52 of 54 today or this weekend. Yeah. Point nine six two save percentage. I believe that should bump up his save percentage now to about 9.5 on the season.
Speaker 1:He was at 9.4 before this game, including a shutout on the number three team in the country. Just in phenomenal two week stretch right here from Trey Augustine. A little bit of a shaky start to start the year. Obviously, had those four goals against New Hampshire then got the shutout. Obviously, had a great series against BU.
Speaker 1:That last game was a little bit shaky from him as well, but they were able to come out with the sweep. But this stretch of hockey that he has had over his last five games since that since that Northern Michigan series has been phenomenal. And it really shows why he was the favorite to win the Richter and was the favorite to probably be the best goaltender in the entire country right now. Four goals in the last five games. The save percentage is ridiculous.
Speaker 1:He has, I believe, two shutouts in that span right now. I I mean, what what can you say about this guy that hasn't already been said? I know there's so much talent, especially in the big 10 with goalie, but I I just feel like this two week stretch specifically has really widened the gap between him and every other goalie in the country. And I I think he is now just, you know, really running away with the Richter and in in a in a fashion that I thought was gonna be very hard for him to do looking at, you know, a lot of the other goalies around the country who have been playing really well right now too.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Well, it seems like, honestly, Augustine had a little good puck luck as well, and he's earned it. But Notre Dame, I heard them hit post or crossbar a couple times, so that certainly helped out a lot. But, no, I mean, you you mentioned it. Two goals in the last 54 shots.
Speaker 2:That's pretty good. I would say, one his season average now moves. These are both number one in the country. 1.32 goals wide average, and then nine four eight safe percentage. So, I mean, he's, in my eyes, he's the clear favorite.
Speaker 2:And as long as he keeps playing at, you know, not even at this level,
Speaker 3:you know, just maybe even if it
Speaker 2:a little worse, he's, he's gonna win this award.
Speaker 3:Yeah. It was interesting to note, like, in the first series against New Hampshire, the first game he lets up three goals and they lose, and everybody's like, oh, is he gonna be, like, a problem this year? Is he not gonna be as good as he usually am? I was like, okay. Everybody just calm down here.
Speaker 3:Well, he's silence all the doubters.
Speaker 1:Oh, yeah.
Speaker 3:As of late, Trey's phenomenal. Like you said, he's around the way with this, and he really does you know, this team's defense is really good. You know, and against Penn State I wanna say the second game is when they won five nothing. I'm not mistaken. Right?
Speaker 3:So, yeah, in that in that second game, you know, Trey Trey played good. Don't get me wrong. But, like, the Spartan defense is also so good too. So that's a credit to, like, Trey being their last line of defense. You know, I always come on and talk about the goalie being the last line of defense.
Speaker 3:Michigan State's defense has been so great as you mentioned earlier. So Trey hasn't really been under the pressure that he's, you know, sometimes used to.
Speaker 1:Mhmm.
Speaker 3:But, when he has, you been under the pressure, he's delivered and he's answered, and he's really been really been so good for this team. And he's so fun to watch too because, know, it gives you that it gives not only does it give everybody else something fun to watch, but it gives the team reassurance that they, hey, if we mess up, at least we have Trey there to hopefully not stop, he probably will.
Speaker 2:They killed a four on three. Right?
Speaker 3:Believe so. Yeah. Yes.
Speaker 1:That that that's a moment at that Notre Dame game too. That minute, I really thought, you know, that is a I have to have it right there for Notre Dame too. Yeah. Especially, like you said, they were able to do nothing on five on five. We talked about it during the pregame.
Speaker 1:The extra odd man opportunities were really going to be where they made their bread and butter, and especially at a four v three. I mean, you had so much space on the ice. You really have to convert in those moments. But Mhmm. Augustine, like you guys said, had was just absolutely phenomenal, and he has just a absolute wall.
Speaker 1:I feel like even if the defense was not as good as it is this season, he could probably make he could probably bring this team to the frozen four on his own if it if it really came down to it, honestly.
Speaker 2:I wouldn't disagree with that.
Speaker 1:Not me either. Like, he he has just been phenomenal. He he is that guy. It's gonna be so interesting to see how the Red Wings handle this guy and Kosa together. Obviously, Kosa is the really big prospect in the AHL right now for Grand Rapids, really the guy everyone's waiting on right now in the Red Wings farm system.
Speaker 1:But obviously, this guy Trey is playing lights out and
Speaker 3:They should just trade him to Edmonton.
Speaker 1:I was gonna say, we just talked about this before the show. One of these guys gotta end up going to Edmonton at some point or something because, oh, boy, is the goaltender situation there just just a little bit a little bit hairy. Dude. Little bit hairy, but yeah, no. As we mentioned, Augustine, again, big ten first star of the week with his phenomenal performance of the week.
Speaker 1:I believe it was Martone who had third star of the week this week, if I'm not mistaken. So, again, two Spartans winning stars of the week once again this week. Last week, obviously, it was Augustine and Strammel who won it, but now this week are Martone and Augustine. So we have another top 10 matchup this weekend here in East Lansing. What is new for
Speaker 2:Can I just add something real quick?
Speaker 1:Go right ahead.
Speaker 2:I believe Augustine picked up his fiftieth career win as well, which is very
Speaker 1:That would probably be correct.
Speaker 3:Yeah. Yeah. That that that'd be star worthy.
Speaker 1:Yeah. That would be very good. Would definitely be very star worthy. Yeah. Just Augustine, decorated decorated goaltender, collegiate goaltender.
Speaker 1:We'll probably go down as one of the best here at MSU, and that's hard to do with some of the storied goaltenders that they have had here in the green and white. But as we mentioned, another top 10 opponent this weekend that Michigan State will take on the seven eight Wisconsin team. Wisconsin had a series last weekend against Ohio State. Was a split series against the buckeyes. Lost that first game five to one.
Speaker 1:Very ugly game from Wisconsin, but were able to rally back in a six five overtime win. OSU, a respectable opponent, gave Penn State a lot of fits as well. So it's hard winning in the big 10 as we mentioned, man. All of these teams are really good. Even, you know, one of the bottom teams like Notre Dame can really give you fits.
Speaker 1:We saw that last weekend with MSU, but, you know, these are two of the best defensive teams in the country right now when we look at it going against each other. No. Michigan State right now, obviously, top three in goals allowed per game, I believe. They have made it all the way to, yes, two now after that series against Notre Dame. But Wisconsin is right there too around the fifteen, sixteen mark, 2.4 goals against a game.
Speaker 1:And one of those reasons has really been the goaltender play from the badgers. I mean, you know, two years ago when they were really good under that first year from Mike Hengstings, it was really Kyle McClellan who was carrying a lot of the load from this team. And now Daniel Hauser has been a really surprising addition for Wisconsin and just another young big ten goaltender who has really come on to the scene so far to start the season.
Speaker 2:Yeah. These guys are growing on trees apparently. They're just they're just
Speaker 3:It's just like every team we talk about in the big ten.
Speaker 1:They had some young yeah. Young freshman goaltender who just comes and has a nine two save percentage to start the season.
Speaker 2:Of course, he does. But, something I wanna point out to you guys is was I was doing a little little research here. Wisconsin loves playing number one teams.
Speaker 3:Oh, yeah.
Speaker 2:When they're ranked in the top 10, they're nine two and two against number one teams.
Speaker 3:Really?
Speaker 2:Which includes eight o and two in their last 10. So that's very impressive from Wisconsin. I was thinking about it on the way here. I think that this series is gonna be split. I think at some point, Michigan State has to give.
Speaker 2:Right? You were not gonna win out for the rest of the year. Right? And I think they so they split against Michigan. Right?
Speaker 2:And then they split against Ohio State just now, and I think that they're gonna come in here and split. Obviously, I would hope that Michigan State would win both these games, but they have to give at some point. And Wisconsin's been sneaky good this year. I believe they're third in big 10 standings right now. Right?
Speaker 1:Believe so. So
Speaker 2:they could I think the badgers are gonna surprise some people this weekend.
Speaker 3:Yeah. I'm gonna get statistical just because I find that to be very interesting. Last year, Wisconsin was in the bottom half of the conference in pretty much every stat
Speaker 1:except for
Speaker 3:their penalty kill, which was first place. And goals, goals per game, power play goals, shots on goal, all of it, they were six in the conference, which is something interesting to note. This year in goals, goals per game, power play goals, penalty kill, shots, and shots on game and shots percentage, they're all second in the conference. Their power play is first in the conference and first in the country at 33%, and their face off percentage face off win percentage, I should say, 57.1% is first in the entire country as well. So a complete flip from last season.
Speaker 3:Mhmm. You know, last year, Wisconsin was kind of a walkover opponent for a lot of people. They lost to Lindenwood early. Everybody kinda they followed the standings. Everybody was like, okay.
Speaker 3:This is gonna be a walkover team. This year, not so much. And like you said, sneaky good has been great, and the the statistical improvement from last season to this season has been really something special to watch for Wisconsin. And, you know, the goaltending has been great. Danny Hauser has been great in that for Wisconsin.
Speaker 3:Mhmm. You know, the second game against Ohio State wasn't his best night, a six five outing. But prior to that, he was played really, really well. And that 2.14 average go goals goals a lot of game is really, really something special.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Like you mentioned, the offense has, I think, really been the biggest improvement for Wisconsin this year. Mike Hastings, he's a really big defensive guy. Came came from Saint Cloud State about three year two years ago now, I wanna say. It was our sophomore year.
Speaker 1:That was his first year here at Wisconsin, and that was, again, the really great year he had. And, you know, a little bit of a disappointing season like you mentioned last year just didn't quite have the offensive talent that they really wanted to, but they have it this year. I mean, Gavin Morrissey has been phenomenal so far moving the puck around for when Wisconsin. Christian Fitzgerald has been a phenomenal scorer for them. Eight goals so far this season.
Speaker 1:They have a really, really good top line, like you mentioned, that is finally getting the points consistently for them that they were very much missing last season. And this is a a very, very dangerous Wisconsin team. Like you guys said, I think they could realistically split with this team. I mean, like you mentioned, having the number one power play in the country right now, especially in the big 10 with a Michigan power play that was absolutely deadly to start the season is no, you know, no no short task at all from this team. So it's really impressive how well they've been able to do on the power play.
Speaker 1:But also to mention, like I said, the defense is one of the things that this team prides itself on. It has been, you know, Mike Hastings bread and butter to have that great defensive team that just does not allow you to get anything on net, and they're doing that again this year. And so it's gonna be, like you said, a very interesting series. You know, when Wisconsin has been in this situation before, like Gabe mentioned, they love facing number one teams, but they also love going on the road right now this season and upsetting, you know, top three teams. They had that big upset win against Michigan after a after a bad loss in that first game.
Speaker 1:They came back and won six to one. Obviously, as we mentioned, the last series they had against Ohio State, they lost that first game five one, but then we're able to win that second game six five. It feels like this is two teams who really are great at making adjustments in that second game. And so I think that is the game to be looking at when we talk about which one Wisconsin I think could take is is Mike Hastings gonna be able to make the adjustments that are needed after that first game to compete against Michigan State, or is Nightingale gonna be able to keep up with that game two adjustments that he has and continue this game two streak that he has where he just doesn't seem to lose the second game of the series.
Speaker 2:Well, yeah, I think that this first one's gonna be a tough game to win for Wisconsin. I think 08:30 in Mone Ice Arena Yeah. Against the number one team in the nation, that's always a tough one to win. You mentioned how Wisconsin was very good on the face off. Correct?
Speaker 2:Charlie Strammel, he's been very good on the face off. I believe he was five seven o, well, almost a 60% win rate against Notre Dame, and obviously, he was a Badger for two years. Right? Mhmm. So I'm excited to watch him play.
Speaker 2:I think tonight we might get a little revenge, a little, grit in his eye. But yeah, it's gonna be a fun one tonight obviously, but then tomorrow night, I I think Adam Nightingale is not gonna lose Saturday night because, you know, we know how good he is night too. But yeah, it's gonna be fun one to watch guys.
Speaker 3:Yeah. I don't know if we're going to predictions. Yeah. But I'm actually gonna switch it up. I think tonight Michigan State's gonna win, and I think tomorrow Wisconsin's actually gonna win.
Speaker 3:I think that's that's kinda my what what I think is gonna happen just because their second half adjustments this year have really been something special to watch. Yeah. And Michigan State hasn't really had to make any second half or second game adjustments. Excuse me. Because they haven't ever lost the first game this season except for against New Hampshire.
Speaker 3:So Yeah. Like, I think that Wisconsin's used to that so far this year, losing that first game figure out, okay, what do we do wrong? Whatever. Michigan State's just like, oh, well, we're doing everything right, you might as just continue to do that. And if they win again, think Wisconsin's really gonna be like, let's just go get these guys.
Speaker 3:So the second game will be like you said, interesting to watch because it's two good second game teams, but, that power play for Wisconsin is deadly. And we talked about before the Penn State series how we can't let Penn State get on the power play because they're gonna be deadly. Well, our penalty kill was what? Eleven eleven for 11. Right?
Speaker 3:Was it something like that? Okay. Yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah. It is I believe we've only allowed two power play goals against top three teams.
Speaker 3:So and, you know, so their power play comes in. They're significantly better power play than Penn State was. A first in the country is no joke. But we said that the last series about how a team coming in here with a good power play, we're gonna have to compete and, you know, really not get in the penalty box and really keep it five on five. Well, I guess our penalty kill played outstanding against Penn State.
Speaker 3:So I guess, you know, that isn't really much of a worry at this point. But, yeah, I think that just something to watch, like, play a little bit, you know, calmer, still play with your your your head and your shoulders because that power play is deadly, and Christian Fitzgerald has just been unbelievable when it comes to playing short handed.
Speaker 1:Oh, yeah. Definitely. Gonna be interesting to watch, see if MSU can continue their ability of staying out of the box, which they did really well last weekend, or will it be some of more of the same old that we've seen and a lot of penalties, but a penalty kill really carrying this team and shutting down this, again, lethal Wisconsin Badgers power play. I wanna get into a little bit more keys and expectations for this series for this weekend. What you guys think is going to be the most important thing for MSU to do this weekend?
Speaker 1:I know we you touched on it a little bit, staying out of the box. What else do you guys think is going to be a very key facet into them beating the Badgers this weekend?
Speaker 2:Well, the last meetup, if I'm or matchup, if I'm not mistaken, was in Wrigley Field, and MSU won four to three in overtime. Mhmm. And I don't know if you guys are familiar with who scored that goal, but it was Danny Russell within twenty four seconds remaining. And obviously, him and I have had a love hate relationship. But with that being said, I think that Danny Russell and that top line are gonna continue to have to play well.
Speaker 2:Like you said, Lindstrom is out, so Xiaoyi's gonna have to continue stepping up in that center role. But yeah. I mean, I think that they can't lose their identity, what they've played with so far this year and what Abbed Nightingale has taught. Playing sorry. Is it with emotion or emotional?
Speaker 2:With playing with emotion. That's right. That was his quote. And staying out of the box, they did a good job at that against Notre Dame. And we're gonna learn a lot from this first night, and then we're gonna see the adjustments that Nightingale makes tonight too.
Speaker 2:But I think that the guys are gonna come out and fire it up back home. Number one team in the nation, 08:30 on Friday night.
Speaker 3:Mhmm. Yeah. I'd say if your team is, like Michigan State this year, has, you know, found themselves on the penalty kill quite often is, you know, continuing to, you know, play well on the penalty kill, continue to play short handed. Because this Wisconsin team know not only are they good on the power play, but they're good at getting themselves in a position to be on the power play as well. So And if you're Michigan State, just keeping that penalty kill defense locked in, making sure that Wisconsin doesn't get any opportunity short handed like you did against Penn State is gonna be really important too.
Speaker 3:And just, you know, take this as this is your biggest game of the season. So right now. Yeah. You already beat Penn State. You beat Notre Dame.
Speaker 3:Pass that. You pass the Penn State test. You beat the top three opponent at home. Then you pass the first road test, the big 10 season. And now here here comes Wisconsin, a very hot team right now and a hot offensive team.
Speaker 3:So, you know, it's kinda just focus on slowing this team down and really hammer the defensive, you know, keys to the game home if you're coach Nightingale because defense is gonna be extremely important tonight because this Wisconsin offense is something that, know we thought the Penn State offense was good. This Wisconsin offense is probably just as if not better than that team, and so that's gonna be something to watch too as well.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Definitely. I think your point on defense is really important here. I think this is going to be a very grinded out defensive battle between these two teams. I don't see a lot of scoring happening.
Speaker 1:I feel like both of these games will probably be won, like, three two, three one, and then that third goal is gonna come by an empty net. So realistically, like, it's going to be a a two one, you know, three two, like, two two game, you know, game winning goal possibly. But I I I really think, like I said, it's gonna be a grind it out, you know, ugly, lots of hitting, lots of face offs, just type of, you know, hockey that is is, you know, the type of play that MSU likes to be at and the type of, you know, style that Mike Hastings likes to play too. This is going to be a very tough series for MSU. And I think, like you said, probably their toughest test of the year just because of how physical this Wisconsin team is on defense.
Speaker 1:I think if they can they can match the physicality on defense, if they can not give up mistakes, and just stay sound as they are on the blue line, I think they're gonna be able to come out with a victory this weekend. I trust them. I trust their blue line a little bit more over Sonsons, and I think Augustine just has a slight advantage over Hauser right now. This is Hauser's, you know, not first real experience being in a big game like this. Obviously, he had the series at Michigan that was tough playing at Yost, but this is by and large the number one team in the country.
Speaker 1:And, you know, all due respect to Michigan, but this is kind of a whole different beast it feels like going into Munn Ice Arena and facing the unanimous number one overall team for the last three weeks, I wanna say. They've gotten all 50 votes. So it's, it's it's gonna be a test for Hauser. It's going to be something that he hasn't really experienced before. So I think this is, again, something that you can take advantage of is the lack of experience from this guy.
Speaker 1:And I think if they are able to do that, if they're able to stay sound defensively, and if that top line can perform and keep up with this top line of Wisconsin, I like their chances this weekend.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Like you mentioned, I think they've received a 150 straight first place votes, which is pretty incredible. Yeah. You mentioned that top line, Oscar. Puerto Martin, he's he's obviously a very good player, but he's also very balanced too.
Speaker 2:Know he's had 14 points and half of them were goals, half of them were assists. So kinda cool to see. And the the episode that's never gonna see the light of day, the first one we recorded, I was like, oh, he could, know, he could be up there in the leaderboard with points in the nation. I'm glad that that that did not see the light of day because he's, like, tied thirtieth right now. Charlie Serrano has, like, 20 right now.
Speaker 1:I was gonna say people are scoring in bunches right now, it feels like. Like, Martone would Martone, obviously, in the top 30. He should be up there, but there are just some players who are scoring at an absurd rate.
Speaker 2:The lead is 23 right now. Actually, Minnesota Duluth has the top two right now with 23.
Speaker 1:The Plant brothers, I believe.
Speaker 2:Right? Yep.
Speaker 3:It's interesting though, Gabe, like like you mentioned the balance of Martone. That extends to the whole team too. And I think that the reason this team is so good and there can be teams that kinda lower in the standings and then the rankings, but have guys that have 25, 26, 30 points already this season. But I think the reason this team is so good is because, like, it seems like Michigan State wins you know, let's say they went five one, five two, then they went a four three game. It's like each goal scored by somebody different or it's one guy has two and then there's three other guys that score separately too.
Speaker 3:So, like, this balance of this team is really, really something special. And kinda to denote your thing, Gabe, I kinda wanna before we move on to some other college happenings, since we aren't broadcasting this weekend, unfortunately, the Comrex will be in the in the center tonight and then tomorrow. Tomorrow. So I kinda wanna do a hot stick for for tonight's game because we're recording on the same day. We are broadcasting a podcast nonetheless, but we're still on the same day talking about our favorite hockey team.
Speaker 3:So I'll give a little update for the standings just because I keep track of it, and I think it's so great. Oscar and I are tied with three points right now. I've chosen Matt Basgul, Matt Basgul, Charlie Stremel, and Shane Vansagi. Basgul got me three points in the second game. Oscar's gone with Martone, Lee Romani, and Shouty Romani.
Speaker 3:Got him three points in that game against Penn State. And then for Gabe, he's chosen Danny Russell all four all four games that we've broadcasted so far. And the last game against Notre Dame, Danny Russell had two assists. So Gabe is now on the board. So it's three three two.
Speaker 3:Oscar and I are tied, and Gabe is in second place. So, Gabe, are you gonna go with Danny Russell again tonight get your point?
Speaker 2:If you had to guess who I'm going with here, what would you say?
Speaker 3:I I'd probably go with Russell.
Speaker 1:If I a betting man. Yeah.
Speaker 3:If I
Speaker 1:were a betting man.
Speaker 2:Listen, guys. I think we know at this point what needs to happen. In order for me to switch up, Danny Russell has to score a goal. Alright. And he he did it.
Speaker 1:You're not you're not happy with the assist. You want the you want the goal. I want the you want draw.
Speaker 3:You want the try. Let's go.
Speaker 2:Guys, I can't I can't tell you how many times we've been either games we have broadcast or we haven't and I'm still watching them. Man, he has had so many opportunities. Like like against Penn State, those short he had I mean, what? He probably had two or three shorthand opportunities in one game.
Speaker 3:I just remember looking over at you, and you were like, oh my god. Just score, man. Like
Speaker 2:And I think it was late. It was the first game against Penn State. It was either late in the third or in overtime. He had a breakaway, I grabbed Oscar's arm. I'm like,
Speaker 1:oh my god. He was do it. I thought he had do it.
Speaker 2:And then nope. It's just man. And, know, the Penn State goaltenders played pretty well that I think they both played. Right? Mhmm.
Speaker 2:And so they both played. Yeah. Well, I guess night two wasn't this. That was great. But but, yeah.
Speaker 2:No. Danny Russel has been so infuriating to watch, but that's okay because he's gonna score tonight.
Speaker 3:I like it. Oscar?
Speaker 1:Alright. You know, I Gabe talked about this a little bit before. There is a former Wisconsin Badger on our team, had a tough, you know, first couple years at Wisconsin was a number of a first round pick going into his time there. Just didn't quite live up to those expectations. He decides to transfer, comes here, joins Adam Nightingale staff, and has blossomed now into arguably one of the best centers in all of college hockey.
Speaker 1:I am, of course, talking about Charlie Strammel. He has scored in both series. He has played against Wisconsin. Last year, he had two one he had two points in the first game against them and then another two points, and I believe the third game he played against them. Excuse me.
Speaker 1:He had two points in the second game he played against them, and then two points in the third game he had against them. I think he's gonna he likes to come out really aggressive against this team. Obviously, being his former place of, you know, college hockey, I think he's gonna come out with that same mentality again. Give me Charlie Schramel to have the hot stick against his former school Hey. Wisconsin benchers.
Speaker 3:I like it. So the first two games, went with the captain, Matt Basgold. In the first game, I was a little disappointed in his play. But the second game, he got me a goal, and it ended up being actually, you know, one of the crucial goals against New Hampshire. And and since then, Matt's really kinda been on a little bit of a since the Boston series, Matt's kinda just really, you know, kinda I don't wanna say a slump because his team's playing great.
Speaker 3:But in terms of scoring, Matt Bazgow hasn't really done much for Michigan State to put him behind the goaltenders that they face. But tonight, I think Matt Basgow is gonna do that or at least get me an assist or two to keep me towards the top of this inning. So I'm gonna go with the captain Matt Basgow. And Oscar, I'll send it back to you for some other shenanigans we're gonna talk about for the rest of this
Speaker 1:podcast, my like you mentioned, Basgol not scoring quite yet, but has been phenomenal passing so far this season. Six assists already on the season is, you know, playing with that second line a lot. So he has been phenomenal to start the year leading this team. Now we're gonna go into some other happenings in college hockey. First, I wanna talk about some of the ways you can catch this Wisconsin game.
Speaker 1:Our very own Jack Volwinkle will be on BTN plus covering the game in Monice Arena. Unfortunate, again, we couldn't do it on our own station. But yet again, you can hear his voice on BTN plus live on television. He'll be doing both games again tonight. First game at 08:30 tomorrow at 06:30.
Speaker 1:You can catch Gabe's recaps of the series on the impact89fm.org website. He'll have it, I believe, on Sunday or after Saturday's game, he'll have a recap of the series talking about what went what went on and what transpired and
Speaker 3:Are you going to both games by chance?
Speaker 2:I have to port out the basketball game tonight.
Speaker 3:That's right. You are portopping tonight.
Speaker 2:Think I
Speaker 1:think Don't watch the highlights. You could.
Speaker 2:I know. I have a credential. I'm thinking about going over.
Speaker 1:I was gonna say, after after the basketball game, you got about thirty minutes to get
Speaker 3:walking off the sky.
Speaker 2:Wisconsin gets up like five to one, I might have passed, but
Speaker 1:I don't think that that's gonna happen. There you go. But yeah, we have a lot of content coming out. Obviously, not for this station not on the live radio waves here, but on the website and, of course, on BTN plus. So you can catch them both there this weekend for this huge top 10 series against Wisconsin.
Speaker 1:Now let's go into other happenings in college hockey. We had some huge series go on around the country, including a big one going on in the big 10. We, of course, talking about Michigan and Penn State. Penn State coming off that tough tough series last weekend, obviously, against MSU in which they got swept, and it was a ugly first game for the Nittany Lions. Went down three one really early in that game and just could not get out.
Speaker 1:They lost seven one to the wolverines. Just, just a, you know, a dominant performance right here from Michigan. Started with a shorthanded goal by Josh Ernessy. Again, something that Penn State has really struggled with is that power play defense, and it comes to bite them in the butt once again in the start of this game, and it was all wolverines from there. Obviously, we have talked at length about how well this Michigan offense has been playing.
Speaker 1:It's one of the best in the country. Obviously, we mentioned one of the best power plays in the country right behind Wisconsin. And Penn State was able to come back when the second game, however, luckily, not fall to I believe it would have been two and four in the big 10 had they lost that second game. And, guys, I gotta ask. I mean, granted, I thought I really thought the wheels were falling off for this team after that first game.
Speaker 1:I mean, one to seven, you're looking at three straight losses against, you know, two of the top teams in the big ten in a year in which you thought you are really going to compete for that high level. And right now, it really just feels like they are that third team in the Big Ten. Arguably, you could argue probably that fourth team in the Big Ten right now with how Wisconsin has been playing. It's just been, you know, not the season we really hoped for for Penn State so far. And especially, I feel like Gavin McKenna too has just not you he's obviously been putting up the points, but I believe his plus minus is minus right now.
Speaker 1:Believe he's at around a negative one, I believe. And so I just I wanna get some of your guys' thoughts on what might be going on with this team and, you know, can they can they really, you know, improve, or is this what we're gonna sort of have to expect from them this year is that they're just gonna be, you know, in the midst of a tough big 10. Well, I don't know if
Speaker 2:you guys familiar with Rutgers basketball last last year, but they had two they had two star players. Yep. And then they they couldn't win games because they really had Top to rely on
Speaker 1:three picks.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey. Right? So that this Penn State team kinda feels like that. They have a couple big names, but when you get start getting to that second, third, and fourth line, they they really lack the depth, honestly, and we saw that against Michigan.
Speaker 3:We absolutely did. That's a good point.
Speaker 2:Yeah. And I don't know if you guys saw these these uniforms that they wore against Michigan, but it was a it was an ugly loss and they looked ugly while doing it. They have like they got these like weird stripes going and like khaki pants.
Speaker 1:Oh, god.
Speaker 2:So it was a it was a rough watch for and obviously, it was cool to see them bounce back, but it was a it's rough to lose seven one at home for sure when you're supposed to be going into that contest and, like, with months prior being the national championship favorite.
Speaker 3:Yeah. Yeah. I just kinda switched gears and talk about Michigan a little bit. We talked about balance in this Michigan State team. They scored seven goals in that first game.
Speaker 3:Yeah. Seven different players scored a goal. I mean, like, just like it wasn't like it was like two two one one one. It was all across the board. Seven players got a goal in that game, and balance has just been you know, Horikoff, Urnessy, all those guys.
Speaker 3:Hughes, another girl, Hughes. Look at that name. That that course was always another. Shifski, McKenney, they've all played so good for Michigan this year and really have caused Jack Evankovich to not really have to worry about much because, you know, they just are blowing everybody out of the water in terms of goal scoring this year. Michigan just is dominating the conference in terms of that statistical category.
Speaker 3:And for Penn State, you know, it wasn't like, you know, we we came in this season, Nick, and their offense was gonna be high powered too, and it is. You know? That second game, they really stepped up, and and and it's tough to go down into a three one hole. You kinda don't really know how to climb out of that. But you're right about McKenna.
Speaker 3:He had no no no he had no points in the first game. One point, I think, in the second game.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Gotten assists.
Speaker 3:Yeah. Gotten assists. His plus minus in the first game was minus four, so it's worst on the team. And, yeah, he's just really hasn't, like, stepped up to, like because everybody thought, okay. Gavin McKenna's gonna lead this team.
Speaker 3:And, of course, he's, you know, a freshman, but he's also experienced in other leagues of hockey. So it was like he's gonna come in from the CHL. He's gonna be one of the players for this team to watch, and he just really hasn't, you know, shown up to the expectations that people and pressure can do that to you. Story. But as of right now, Penn State's really you know, if it wasn't for that second game victory, their wheels would have really been falling off.
Speaker 1:Yeah. It it it was very lucky that they got that second game victory. The thing with McKenna for me is just I don't think he's fully bought in on the defensive side of the ice. I mean, if you watch him you watch him play, he is, you know, very obviously, you know, the talent is there, the goal scoring is there, the playmaking is there. It's just on the defensive side, and this has sort of been the a lot of the knock I've seen on him recently.
Speaker 1:The just you question a lot of his effort on that side sometimes, and, you know, that is a tough thing to do because, obviously, you don't really wanna say a player is not trying, but sometimes it just really looks like he's not really he's just sticking in first gear, not really accelerating as much on the defensive end. It's just, you know, sort of lackadaisically going along on that end. And I think that's just really been the difference for him so far is that he's just not there defensively yet in terms of where he needs to be in comparison to some of these other CHL guys that we've seen come in, as, you know, highly ranked prospects. Mean, I you talk about Porter Martone.
Speaker 3:Yep.
Speaker 1:He has been phenomenal on both sides. Definition of defense. I mean, the guy just is everywhere, it feels like, this Michigan State team. And even Caden Lindstrom too, who is missing time obviously, but, you know, hasn't scored a lot. But he's still giving it his all, it feels like, on the defensive end of the side.
Speaker 1:And especially, like you like I said, for a guy who is used to scoring a lot like Kaden and is not scoring as much, it's, you know, impressive, I feel like, to see him still stick on that defensive side and still give it a lot. For someone like McKenna who is scoring a lot and does have as much as he does on the offensive side, it is very questioning to see that he's not giving it his all as much on the defensive end.
Speaker 2:Yeah. I think that's fair to say. I don't think McKenna had a very good series against Michigan State. I don't know if you guys disagree with that, but I
Speaker 1:think No.
Speaker 2:I don't. Yeah. He he did score right, but it was, like, off a skate.
Speaker 1:It was it was little fraudulent. I was gonna say it was interesting that it gave him the goal. I was assuming they gave him the assist Yeah. On that goal. I I
Speaker 3:think it was was Serrano that was that originally we thought thought got
Speaker 1:I believe it was Lava
Speaker 2:who ended up getting
Speaker 1:That's right. Was Lava. We thought he got the deflection off Yeah. That puck, but ended up going up again.
Speaker 3:You're right. He has not played to the to the standard in that series at all, really.
Speaker 2:Yeah. I mean, Puerto Martone, he makes I think he makes everyone he's like and we're gonna get into the Thanksgiving mood here. He's like gravy. He makes he makes everyone, every meal around him just that much better. Right?
Speaker 2:Yeah. I mean, defensively, offensively, it feels like well, of course, that that that first line and I think Strammel and Martone is one of the best duos in the nation right now. But he you know, Martone kinda has that, like, dog mentality. He's like the gravy of that of the team when he's out there, and I just don't see that of Gavin McKenna.
Speaker 1:Yeah. It's, it's not there yet. Again, a long series to go, and obviously, you know, missing a huge talent piece in Aiden Fink right now who will be coming back after Christmas. So we'll see if they're able to bounce back. They are, I believe, play Minnesota this weekend, and I believe they have a month off, I wanna say, in December.
Speaker 1:I don't think they play a whole game in December or
Speaker 2:in has the chance to do the funniest.
Speaker 1:Oh my god. Could you imagine?
Speaker 2:That would be funny.
Speaker 1:Put them in a tailspin. If they if they get swept in this series and have to wait a month before playing hockey. Oh my god.
Speaker 3:Well, Minnesota's coming off a loss against Long Island University. So I don't I
Speaker 1:don't know.
Speaker 3:I mean, they lost six to two at home against the Sharks.
Speaker 1:Poor Golden Gophers, man. Oh my god.
Speaker 3:Just a Hats off to LIU though. You know what? They're like a program that came came about the last year or something. Did.
Speaker 1:Oh, yeah.
Speaker 3:Two two universities combined to make one, the Long Island sharks, and now they're going on the road and beating big 10 opponents that were supposed to be ranked inside the top
Speaker 1:of game. They they almost beat Penn State up there, like, a couple weeks ago. Yeah. They are. They're they're doing their thing around here at, you know, LIU.
Speaker 1:But, yes, obviously, we will see Michigan in a couple of weeks when we have that huge series against them on the fifth and sixth. They play Ohio State this weekend in a huge rivalry, obviously. The weekend before the game, obviously, gonna be fun to see if some of that boils over, from the, you know, weekend they have before on the football game and see if some of them get too excited about that. But we're gonna move on here to another series that we had happen. Another big one that happened over this, over the weekend.
Speaker 1:There was a one game series against BU and Quinnipiac, and BU just continues to struggle, it feels like, this season. Just lost badly to Quinnipiac. It was not very close throughout the game. Just a a struggle really for BU. Lost six to two in this one.
Speaker 1:Quinnipiac was all over them to start the game. Three unanswered goals to start in the first period. Boston finally were able to get a shorthanded goal, but then Quinnipiac quickly responded with two power play goals right after that. This has been an interesting stretch for BU going since last season. Obviously, they were able to make it all the way to the national championship game, was one game away from winning it all, but it still really felt like it wasn't the BU that we were really used to seeing.
Speaker 1:They weren't as dominant, especially defensively. It felt like they really struggled a lot throughout the season. And now it kinda felt like they were, you know, lucky to be able to make it that far in the tournament. I thought at least. I think they just got a really good draw, but this season, it's, you know, really sort of been the same problem it felt like from last year, just not really able to get it together defensively.
Speaker 1:And now what we're seeing too is they're not able to score as consistently as what we were able to usually see out of, you know, BU.
Speaker 2:I mean, they've had some goaltending issues, right, as well? I mean
Speaker 1:Last year yeah. I mean, Yegorov came, I think, pretty late into the season. He didn't play as many games as he has so far this year. But this is yeah. This was the year he was supposed to be their guy, and Yeah.
Speaker 1:He has not played to that expectation at all
Speaker 2:so far. Yeah. I don't know how many of these were empty netters, but they lit up six against Quinnipiac and then eight eight goals against Maine Yeah. On November 1.
Speaker 1:Great. Maine's a great team.
Speaker 2:Yeah. No. And I understand.
Speaker 1:Eight goals is yeah. It it is a lot.
Speaker 2:And, you know, obviously, they had to play Michigan State twice, and I think Yukon is a great program. They're probably the best team in the East right now. Probably. So they've had some tough opponents on their schedule, but even when they play unranked teams like Merrimack, know, three two overtime and then five four, I mean, are close games that probably shouldn't be as close if they're supposed to be the dominant program that they are. And I think that their ranking when Michigan State win to Boston earlier this year is gonna help out Michigan State make their victories look a little bit better than probably they were against this Boston team.
Speaker 3:Yeah. It really was interesting to see Boston's kinda collapse after we we swapped them at home when we go on
Speaker 1:the road
Speaker 3:against the number one team. They are not, by any means, the number one team in the country at all. So that so that really makes that road trip. Oh, winning on the road is tough and winning in that environment is tough. Don't get me wrong, but it's, know, that's significant.
Speaker 3:Like you said, will the number one ranking will help, you know, because we have a number one ranked victory, But then in terms of just the team itself, really like for like yourself, you can't really how do I wanna word this? As the team, you can't really be like, oh, we've gone on the road and beat number one team. Like, you have to still have the mindset of like, hey, they were ranked that, but they are not that.
Speaker 1:They are not bad. They're clear.
Speaker 3:I I'd take Wisconsin. I'd take Penn State. I'd take Michigan. I'd take shoot. I probably would take Notre Dame to split with that team.
Speaker 3:I I really don't think I'm sorry. Like, I really don't think that they're playing that good. Oh, Minnesota. I don't know. Four golden gophers.
Speaker 3:But anyway, that's beside the point. I I think that, yeah, Boston's really struggled, and Quinnipiac is only, like, I think two or three years removed from a national championship appearance, if I'm mistaken.
Speaker 1:Two years removed from winning it all.
Speaker 3:Winning it all. Yeah. So so they're a good program. Fifth in the the country right now is is are the Bobcats. But, yeah, it should be interesting to see how the hockey shakes out because those we talked about at the beginning of the season, those perennial powers like Boston College, like Boston University, like, you know, different teams like that.
Speaker 3:They aren't necessarily playing to the caliber. So it's cool to see, like, Northeastern be ranked in the top 12 and Quinnipiac back on top. So those are also interesting things too. That's why, like, the parody in college hockey, everything's so wide open, and this hockey is a prime example of that.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Definitely. And the the thing I wanna point out with BU too, it's not like they, you know, don't have the talent No. No. That they usually do.
Speaker 1:I mean, this team is still
Speaker 3:Yeah. We talked about the draft picks before we went out there. It was like, how many combined?
Speaker 1:15 NHL draft picks on this team still. I mean, you talk about how many first rounders they have. I mean, Sasha Bomedien is one of them. They have two Sasha's who are, you know, first rounders. Sasha Boisvert, Cole Eiserman.
Speaker 1:Like, they are they have talent. Mikhail Yageroff is a second round pick, from New Jersey. Like, he is supposed to be, you know, one of the better players for this team. And so it's just interesting to see that the talent is not really working together as well as, you know, you thought it was going to be coming into the year, and it's just feels like another struggle season right now for BU. And as you mentioned, the the Hockey East this year is just wide open for anyone's taking right now, and it'll probably be one.
Speaker 1:But like you said, probably not one of those perennial powerhouses that we usually see coming out of the Hockey East. It's gonna be exciting to see who can come out of that and, you know, sort of be the dominant team in the Hockey East. And that's what I wanna talk about here right now too is we thought we had possibly a dominant team in the Hockey East sort of separating themselves from the pack, and then they just go out and get swept by Yukon. And I'm, of course, talking about Northeastern who has been was I mean, up to this point, up to this weekend, before this series against Yukon, was probably the best defensive team in all of college hockey. I mean, they were second or first, I believe, in goals allowed a game.
Speaker 1:They were just absolutely clamping people up in terms of allowing goals on net, but UConn just comes in and just absolutely dominates them. Four goals in both games by the Huskies. It's the most they have let up since the game against Harvard. It it was just it was it was emphatic from UConn, and this is a I feel like a sneaky good UConn team. Their record doesn't say, I feel like, doesn't reflect how good this team actually is.
Speaker 1:They have some really solid wins. It's just they haven't really been able to put it together consistently quite yet.
Speaker 2:Yeah. They're playing obviously in probably one of, if not the most difficult hockey conference right now. So any win that they get obviously has some credit to it. But I think another thing too is, like, they don't really have any star players. I'm looking at their points eight eight eight, seven seven seven seven on their leaderboard, so they're really consistent all the way through.
Speaker 2:Somebody gotta add Taber Heeslip. I believe that's how you say his name. His plus minus is seven. Wow. Yeah.
Speaker 2:Seven on the year. That is talk about guy talk about a gravy player right there. Sorry, Porter Martone. Move over. This guy makes everyone around him better.
Speaker 2:So, yeah, I mean, Yukon is such a fun program to watch, and it's gonna be I think I think they're probably my favorite. Obviously, Northeastern, you can't overreact, but I think UConn is gonna win the East this year.
Speaker 1:That'll be that'll be interesting to see. I I'm I am so confused by this Hockey East this this year. I mean, as we mentioned, it's just an absolute disaster in terms of standings right now. As you mentioned, Connecticut is right now at top. Yep.
Speaker 1:BC has come back
Speaker 3:after a
Speaker 1:tough out of conference. They have now come back and are second in that conference. Maine is three. Yep. Merrimack at four Yeah.
Speaker 1:Is something I think no one expected going into this year. Obviously, ahead of Northeastern Providence, BU, and Massachusetts, and, of course, the team we lost to New Hampshire. We're not gonna talk about where they're ranking.
Speaker 3:I was like, it was at the back of that series, were like, hey. Like, these guys could totally compete in this conference or whatever whatever. It's just
Speaker 2:like, alright.
Speaker 3:Well, whatever. We all lose.
Speaker 1:It was first game of the year. It was first game of the season. Yeah. That's all I'm chalking it up to now. Mhmm.
Speaker 1:It was a bad it was a bad day to be a top three
Speaker 3:team. Yep. We'd we'd sweep them if we played them this weekend.
Speaker 2:Yep. I
Speaker 1:I say that. Alright. Well, that is gonna do it for us here on Behind the Mask. When we come back next weekend, we'll talk about this huge series they have against Wisconsin. We'll recap it and look at the next Thanksgiving series that they'll have on the Wednesday and Friday around Thanksgiving against the Toothpaste University Toothpaste University.
Speaker 1:Raiders. The Colgate Raiders. Going to be a fun one there at Munn Ice Arena. But thank you all so much for listening. We will see you guys next weekend.
Speaker 1:This has been Behind the Mask. I'm Oscar Henderson alongside my cohost Jack Volwinkel and Gabe Sousa. We hope you have a great day. I can't wait to see what the results are from tonight. Again, 08:30 at Munn Ice Arena.
Speaker 1:You can catch Jack Volwinkle on BTN Plus and Gabe Seuss's recap on the impact89fm.org website. Thank you all so much for listening. Have an amazing day.