0:05
The Gopher Puck Live Podcast is the GPL Podcast, sponsored by Vintage Minnesota Hockey, your exclusive source for throwback Minnesota jerseys.
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Visit vintagemnhockey.com.
0:19
Now, here's Hammy, Vego and your host, Jupiter.
0:40
Good evening, and welcome back to The GPL Podcast, episode number 129.
0:49
Well, last week, we took the week out, because, well, I had to move, and I had so much to do, so we just kinda had to take it off.
0:54
So we kinda have a lot to cover this week, and boy.
0:59
Veegs, sweep of the BADgers, and four points against OSU.
1:05
I would say things are looking a little better.
1:07
What are your thoughts on the team right now?
1:12
Yeah, as Don Lucia likes to call them, segments.
1:15
These last four games, they're 3-0 and 1, which is pretty darn good considering what they were up against, trying to get home ice, trying to secure their position in the pairwise, and just kinda pressure cooker they're in right now with the seniors gripping their sticks pretty tight, and a goalie battle going on.
1:35
So, pretty good performances for them all around.
1:38
I think the most important thing is they're still playing really well defensively, and then when they do have lapses, Robson's there to cover up the mistakes.
1:47
Hey, I mean, Lucia's said for years and years, split on the road sweep at home.
1:54
Haven't quite done that this year, but the BADger sweep was a pretty good sweep, and actually the offense kinda woke up finally, at least for that series.
2:04
Yeah, I was kinda a little surprised by that, especially that second game.
2:08
It kinda reminded me of a few years ago, when we totally bitch slapped them that one time, what was it, like nine to two or whatever it was.
2:15
It kinda had, you know, it was a little reminiscing a little bit about that game when I was watching that Saturday.
2:22
So it was definitely a little bit of a surprise in terms of the offensive output and just the way that they throbbed all the BADgers, considering Wisconsin's definitely been, you know, they've been a little better team this year.
2:33
So, but it was great to see.
2:36
I mean, yeah, it was like to be, I mean, we always talked about it when Wisconsin sucked.
2:40
It was like, you really didn't take as much joy and beaten the hell out of them.
2:44
Cause it was like, well, they suck.
2:46
So it's not like you're really showing anything.
2:48
But now that they're a little bit, you know, more improved and have a little bit better talent on the team and you smoke them, it has a little bit of a nicer feel to it.
2:57
So that was great.
2:58
And because even though the Ohio State Series was a very defensive series, one positive, I said, that did come out from the BADger Series was that Brischdett finally scored a goal and Pitlick kind of got back at scoring goals again.
3:15
Yeah, they were kind of messing with the lines a little bit to try to get those two going.
3:20
And I think they were pretty effective moves.
3:23
And I think putting anybody with Casey Middlestad will get their offensive game going.
3:28
It maybe makes the game a little bit easier for Leon Brischdett.
3:31
Of course, he had the flu bug that finally hit him.
3:35
It kept him out of the Ohio State Series.
3:37
But I think if they can put him with Middlestad, Leon's got a good shot.
3:42
He can shoot the puck.
3:43
He's just been kind of snake bit this year.
3:45
So if they can get some scoring from him, he's 100 points score over his career.
3:51
So that's pretty consistent over four years.
3:53
He's just struggled this year to find the back of that.
3:57
And then, Hammeh, it's obviously good that Pitlick kind of got going again as well against the BADgers.
4:03
Yeah, I mean, obviously he really can shoot the puck.
4:06
I think we've talked about it many times that when he's shooting the puck a lot, usually good things happen.
4:11
So it was nice to see him kind of get on track.
4:14
And for me, like we talked about a little bit earlier, is just defensively, you know, the fact that they've basically allowed two goals or less for, I think, I don't mean, six out of seven, something along those lines.
4:27
So I mean, it's definitely been a very improved effort defensively.
4:31
And obviously, goaltending plays a big part of that.
4:34
Well, let's speak in of goaltending.
4:36
V, it's been Robson for quite a while now.
4:39
Is Sheerhorn going to get back in there or is it kind of a wait and see if Robson kind of falters first?
4:46
Well, I think the only way Eric gets back in the net is if Robson has a tough game.
4:51
Lucia said today, he's talked with Sheerhorn quite a bit about the goalie situation.
4:56
And Eric understands that, you know, when Matt's playing this well, there isn't really room to give the net to somebody else.
5:04
And he said that as long as Matt's playing well, he's going to be the guy going forward.
5:08
And he's just looked really solid.
5:10
He's looked quiet.
5:11
He's looked calm.
5:13
He talked about today that he envisions himself almost like a QB in the pocket.
5:18
Even when there's a lot of pressure around him, he's just got to step up and be calm.
5:23
And he does that.
5:24
His rebound control has been phenomenal.
5:28
And he's, you know, he's a bigger goalie, so he can get away with being really quiet.
5:32
And that's something we haven't seen in Minnesota for a while.
5:36
It just makes me, it makes me laugh.
5:38
Because wasn't it like the second or third game that he was playing somebody, I don't know who it was on GPL, or maybe there was more than one person there like, well, he's not the answer.
5:49
I'm like, the guy's like two games into his college career and they're already throwing the towel on him.
5:54
So it's nice to see him, you know, playing really well.
5:57
And I think it's kind of hilarious.
5:59
Well, I would agree.
6:01
You know, that's kind of the direction that we had a question.
6:04
You know, John Kandels is wondering, you know, will Robson get both games this weekend?
6:08
And from what you say, Vegs, it looks like he probably will as long as he plays well Friday night against Penn State.
6:15
Yeah, as long as he plays well, you know, Shearhorn was playing pretty well and, you know, he gets into a game and, you know, loses a couple of rebounds, gets a lot of pressure.
6:23
You know, that can happen to a goalie.
6:26
And they start overplaying the puck.
6:29
But Robson's a pretty cool cucumber.
6:31
You know, he's real comfortable talking to the media.
6:33
He seems to have a real good attitude.
6:35
He's a competitive guy.
6:37
He's played a lot of hockey.
6:39
You know, he took Penticton all the way to the BCHL Finals, a lot of game sevens.
6:45
So he's got a lot of experience.
6:47
He's, you know, an older guy.
6:49
So as long as he plays well, he'll keep the pipes.
6:54
That was some beautiful music, whoever that was.
6:56
Sorry, that was my Netflix.
6:59
I tripped my thoughts on, so.
7:00
No, it's all good.
7:02
And remember, if you have a question, if you're listening live, you know, you can either do it through the Mixler chat window.
7:07
I'll see the question or just via the Twitter, just use the hashtag GPL Podcast and we'll try to, we'll try to answer it for you.
7:15
We've got Reed Rothchild.
7:18
He wants to know, what are your guys' opinion on how number six is handled or how number six has been handled?
7:25
Kind of he's saying, you know, is this a desperation move by Don?
7:29
How has Phillips kind of turned out there, Hammeh?
7:34
Well, I mean, I think it's pretty, I've said this on one of our earlier podcasts, I think it's pretty tough position to put a guy in, halfway through the season.
7:44
He hasn't really kind of been brought up with the team, kind of in the dry land and the captain's practices and all that kind of stuff.
7:53
It's pretty difficult to put a guy in there and expect him to thrive.
7:56
I mean, I think he's got a bright future ahead of him, but I just think he's been put kind of in a tough spot.
8:02
And so I, like I said in a few podcasts ago, I just feel like you kind of have to do him a break for this half of the season and hopefully he comes in next fall and just has a good start to the year.
8:14
Because I just think it's a tough position to put him in.
8:19
Vegas, I think I would agree.
8:20
They just, Phillips, they kind of wanted to bring him in earlier this year.
8:23
He couldn't quite get in and now there is kind of a lot of pressure for him to be the man back there but he's only been playing for about a month and a half or two here.
8:33
So and then he's been in and out.
8:36
So what can we expect from him really?
8:40
Well, I think they were hoping that he could come in and maybe be a seventh defenseman and contribute on the power play.
8:46
You know, be a threat up top to shoot, you know, maybe move the puck a little bit quicker.
8:51
And I think the way that Gophers are playing this season, they just don't have room to develop a guy into that situation.
8:59
You know, especially when they go on the road, you know, and they need to have defensemen they can count on that can play in the defensive zone.
9:05
And I think that's a big ask for anybody coming in as a freshman, much less coming in halfway through the season, is to get up to speed with how to play defense in college hockey.
9:15
You know, because he's a young player.
9:17
You know, he's only 19.
9:18
So I think they would prefer, you know, having some older guys come in who've got a little bit more experience, a little bit more size.
9:27
And it's a tough spot.
9:28
Again, it was kind of a no-lose situation for both of them, because they feel he'll probably be gone in three and a half years anyway.
9:37
So there's a chance to at least give it a shot.
9:41
You know, and I think it's also a matter of this team, they are who they are, you know.
9:45
I mean, they're not going to be the razzle-dazzle type, but, you know, from a defensive standpoint, you kind of have to go with, you know, whatever fits your team's talents.
9:55
And I think that the fact of playing a little bit more defensive oriented and they're, you know, they got a good goalie who's on his game right now that, you know, maybe relying on a guy, especially a young guy to kind of contribute a lot offensively, maybe it's just not the right fit for where this team is at right now.
10:14
Interesting.
10:14
Well, we'll just have to wait and see.
10:15
And like, I think we'll get more out of him next season, kind of like what you guys said.
10:19
So we'll just have to wait and see.
10:22
So we get the sweep of the BADgers, then Hammy, then we come back home and do quite the defensive struggle, a 2-1 victory over Ohio State and then a 1-1 tie where Ohio State ends up winning in the shootout.
10:34
Any thoughts on the Ohio State series?
10:38
Well, I mean, it's kind of interesting because it seems like whenever we play them, it's one of those up and down the rink and it's kind of crazy a little bit here or there.
10:46
And so to see it be a low scoring series, that was for me a little surprised and I kind of expected it, especially coming off that Wisconsin series.
10:55
I thought it may be a little bit more of a high scoring series.
10:59
But fortunately, like we talked about, we have a goalie who's playing some really good hockey.
11:05
And I think that this team is kind of maybe finding its identity in some respects.
11:10
And so maybe that's a good thing kind of coming down the stretch here.
11:13
And hopefully, that will kind of lead them on to some good things when they get into the playoffs.
11:18
And another thing that you kind of touched on, Veegs, is the team defense is playing a lot better right now.
11:25
You know, they've given up five goals in the last four games and one goal each night against Ohio State.
11:31
So that's got to be a positive.
11:33
And offense, we just need to hope comes around.
11:36
Yeah, part of me was thinking as this team is getting there, their mindset of we need to be a really tight defensive team.
11:44
It almost allows them to play a game like they did against Wisconsin, you know, where they take advantage of another team's mistakes.
11:52
It's almost kind of like that Notre Dame style that we've seen in the last couple years is where they play so good defensively that they put all their effort into the counter and counterattacking.
12:02
You know, you see that in soccer a lot, where teams score off defense.
12:06
And that's almost the mindset this team has right now.
12:09
And maybe it can free them up to score some goals here down the stretch.
12:14
But I think they've looked really good.
12:16
I was kind of surprised to see the Gates Novak Sheehy line do such a good job checking Leszczynski line this weekend.
12:24
You know, that's a line that's given the Gophers plenty of problems in the past.
12:28
And those guys played on the right side of the puck all weekend and did a great job against them.
12:32
And I think they were plus two on the weekend.
12:36
So, boys, any other thoughts on the last two series since we didn't have our podcast last week?
12:40
I know, Hammeh, you're a little short, maybe a little short on time tonight.
12:43
So I just want to make sure you get in all your thoughts.
12:46
Oh, I think I got them all out pretty much.
12:49
I just thought it was really great to see them, you know, like I said, kind of go into Wisconsin and beat a rival a couple of times and pretty thoroughly beat them on the second game.
12:57
So that was great to see.
12:59
And just being able to rise to the occasion against a team that's ahead of it in the standings with Ohio State, that was nice to see as well.
13:07
All right, well, before we move on, we need to listen to our sponsor.
13:12
vintagemnhockey.com is a proud sponsor of The GPL Podcast.
13:17
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13:20
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13:30
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13:35
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13:44
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13:45
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13:47
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13:51
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13:58
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14:05
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14:13
All right.
14:14
Well, while we are away, and actually not while we're away, a little bit before of the last series, these Skate with the Gophers happened.
14:21
And one thing that I noticed from you and a couple other people is that Skate with the Gophers was a little bit different on how they handled it this year.
14:28
And some people were not very happy.
14:33
Yeah.
14:34
You know, they broke it up over a long period of time.
14:36
I think they had different groups of skaters on the ice, different groups of players signing autographs.
14:43
And I think the idea and the intention was to kind of allow the people on the ice to get more interaction with the players and the people who are getting autographs, you know, to have a shorter wait to get signatures.
14:56
So I understand that some people are upset that they didn't feel like they either got enough time on the ice or get access to enough players.
15:04
But for I brought my five year old and three year old and they thought it was great.
15:09
You know, they got to interact with all the players who are on the ice, you know, it was quick and easy getting through the lines to see the players.
15:18
My daughter enjoyed getting the cheerleader autographs more than the players.
15:24
So I mean, I guess it's all your perspective on how they do things.
15:28
You know, after every Saturday game, they do sign autographs in the concourse.
15:33
So if someone's looking to fill up their poster with everybody's signature, that's a way to do it.
15:37
But you know, different perspectives from different people, I guess.
15:42
I guess some people were just upset that maybe not all the players were there or something like that.
15:48
They were spread out.
15:49
You know, it's a long day for the players if they're going to be out there for four or five hours.
15:54
So, you know, they spread it out a little bit.
15:57
Okay.
15:57
Well, you know, I just I remember people talking about it and I knew you were there.
16:00
So I thought I'd get your perspective on it.
16:02
And I saw some of your pictures of your kids and it looks like they did have a great time.
16:07
So, yep, I was joking with some people that Tyler and Annie and Brandon McManus get passes because they're they're so nice to the kids that that day.
16:18
So we won't talk about those turnovers too much.
16:25
Yeah, there was a couple this past weekend that weren't that great and didn't turn out great.
16:30
So what can you do?
16:33
Well, right now, guys, the team is up to fourth place in the Big Ten.
16:39
I believe, you know, points wise, they can tie Ohio State for second place if Ohio State happens to get swept this weekend.
16:47
But I believe they lose the tiebreaker there.
16:50
So playoff seedings, I believe the highest they can get is third.
16:54
Is that correct, Veegs?
16:56
That's correct.
16:57
They could go third to sixth this weekend.
16:59
I confirmed with the Big Ten, Ohio State has second locked up, Notre Dame obviously first and Michigan State seventh.
17:07
So a lot can still happen this weekend.
17:10
We know that Notre Dame is going to get the buy, Ohio State is going to have second locked up.
17:15
And now it's all what happened.
17:17
It's basically what Minnesota and Wisconsin decide to do this weekend and Penn State because everyone else is kind of stuck.
17:23
Michigan, their season is done.
17:26
They've already played their 24 games, so they just kind of have to sit and wait.
17:29
And if Minnesota gets one game this weekend, then they'll have kind of third place locked up.
17:37
So either way, a lot can happen this weekend, huh, Hammeh?
17:43
Yeah.
17:43
I mean, it's going to be interesting.
17:45
I was like you were talking about, I was kind of doing the math before the podcast, trying to figure out what's the highest I can go.
17:51
I was like, how's Michigan have 24 games already?
17:53
But I didn't really think about some of the unbalanced stuff and how that might all add up.
17:57
But anyway, it's good.
18:01
All things considered that, I mean, obviously this is not exactly the result we expected at the beginning of the year.
18:05
We certainly expected them to be probably more up closer to where Notre Dame is right now than we expected them kind of be in the middle of the conference.
18:13
So that's a little disappointing in that sense.
18:15
But I guess now it's all about kind of trying to peak for the off, you know, for the proposed season, I should say, and then in trying to get your best hockey when the games matter the most.
18:25
Well, one thing I do find interesting about this unbalanced schedule of weeks is that let's say that Michigan did win the conference this year.
18:35
And it was this season and they don't play the last weekend.
18:38
They wouldn't play the next weekend.
18:41
That could be kind of troublesome if you have two full weeks off.
18:47
Well, luckily for them, they did schedule Arizona State.
18:50
So that while that does seem like a bye week, they will be on the ice skating.
18:54
It's just they're not in the Big Ten play.
18:57
But on the other side, you know, if you have a team that were to, you know, just get the bye and lose that game, you know, that's only one game in three weeks, too.
19:07
So the way this shakes out is it could be a tough, you know, mental grind to get to the NCAA tournament and if you ended up in that situation where you just play one game in three weeks.
19:19
So this week, Minnesota heads to Penn State for the final regular season series against the Nittany Lions.
19:27
Veegs, what can we expect out of Penn State?
19:30
Shots, shots, shots, shots, shots.
19:34
And fake shots according to their stats group.
19:37
Yeah, I mean, the shot attempts are pretty much accurate.
19:40
It's just the shots on goal.
19:41
The goalies get credited with more saves and they get credited with more shots.
19:45
But Penn State's a pretty talented team.
19:48
They don't sit back and trap.
19:50
They're going to come out and attack and try to put pucks on net and traffic in the blue paint.
19:56
Sturz is a heck of a player, a lot of good effort.
19:59
And Smirnoff, the Russian player, is a good scorer for them.
20:04
I don't think they have as much depth on defense as they had last year, which hurts them a little bit.
20:09
They don't get in transition quite as easily.
20:12
But they are dangerous, and they'll test Robson, who hasn't seen a lot of traffic in front of him the last couple of weeks.
20:19
I think that's going to change this weekend in front of a pretty rabid fan base.
20:24
Hammey, what are you looking forward to this weekend against Penn State?
20:27
Like Vegoe is saying, they do play a more up-tempo style of game.
20:31
I like that type of style.
20:33
What do you think?
20:35
Yeah, I mean, you know, they were the team that I kind of was hoping that would be really very good early in the Big Ten conference development.
20:46
And they've certainly lived up to that to a certain degree.
20:49
They weren't as great this year, of course, but they've been better than I think a lot of people expected them to be early in their college D1 career or whatever you want to call it, history.
21:01
So, it's going to be great to see the Gophers on the road.
21:03
I think they played pretty well when they've gone on the road there.
21:07
And I think if they can play defensively like they have been, kind of get a lead, it looks like to me, I mean, I haven't watched a lot of Penn State games this year, but certainly it doesn't look like they've had particularly good goaltending.
21:21
So I think that that kind of plays to our advantage if we can get some goals and play our solid defense.
21:26
So hopefully, they'll get at a minimum of split so we can get some home ice and make sure that we're getting some advantage in that first playoff round.
21:37
And the interesting part is, Veegs, is that we could sweep Penn State this weekend and Penn State would come right back to Mariucci for the playoff.
21:48
Yep, sure thing.
21:49
Anything could happen in the standings.
21:54
You know, Penn State is a dangerous team to play in a one-off situation, but I think in a three-game series, that's a match up Minnesota would like.
22:02
As Hamden was talking about, Peyton Jones hasn't been as good this year as he was last year.
22:07
He's had a couple of nights where he's given up four or five goals.
22:11
And Minnesota played very well last time they went out against Penn State.
22:14
So I think it's a good match up for Minnesota.
22:17
And if you get them back on the Olympic ice, I think that helps even more.
22:22
So what are we thinking this weekend, guys?
22:24
I mean, it is a great crowd, Veegs, but they are a little bit down this year.
22:30
But I'm expecting a fun series.
22:34
I'm expecting a fun series, but I just don't think Minnesota is going to give up a lot of goals.
22:39
I think they're playing so well defensively right now.
22:42
I think they're playing so disciplined with the puck, it's going to be hard for Penn State to get anything going.
22:48
I think six points for Minnesota is what's going to happen.
22:52
Well, I like the sound of that.
22:54
Hammeh, you think six points, you think the Gophers can get the sweep this weekend?
22:58
Come on, let's hear some positivity.
23:00
Yeah, I don't think I'm going to go to that level.
23:03
I think that I do expect them to come out of it with at least one win.
23:07
Hopefully, they'll kind of lock it up on the first game, so they're not sweating it out in that second game, and have the pressure on.
23:13
But it'll be nice if they can somehow win those two games and kind of push ahead of Michigan, to kind of get that third spot.
23:20
So that would be nice, but I'm not really expecting that on the road.
23:25
Now, one interesting thing that we've heard, obviously, with some of the playoff TV, that first weekend doesn't sound like it's going to be on TV, but one interesting thing I did hear from Buckeye Cross this past weekend is it sounds like ESPN might be covering some of the Big Ten hockey tournament.
23:41
Did you hear anything this weekend, Veegs?
23:43
When you were at Mariucci?
23:45
I haven't heard anything about ESPN covering the Big Ten tournament.
23:49
Because Buckeye Cross did say that.
23:51
Keep your eye out for TV for the first round of Minnesota's hosting.
23:54
Well, there you go.
23:55
And we're hoping that something happens, because I remember Buckeye Cross did say something on Saturday night's game that they were going to be covering some games at the tournament.
24:06
I'm guessing one of the weekend games, something like that.
24:09
He didn't really be specific, but he did mention that they were going to be televising some Big Ten tournaments.
24:14
So be on the lookout for that, people, because it's not just Big Ten Network, because obviously we know that Big Ten Network is busy with basketball these next couple of weeks, aren't they?
24:26
Yeah, but at least for the first round, Big Ten Network is taken up by that.
24:30
So if the Gophers get on TV for that, it won't be on Big Ten.
24:34
Yes.
24:35
Well, I can hope so.
24:38
Well, guys, I mean, do we have anything else really to cover right now?
24:43
I did get the fiscal year 17 revenue numbers for Men's Hockey.
24:48
We can see from that that ticket revenue has fallen from its peak of about 7 million to about 4.7.
24:57
So that's from the start of the Big Ten when they hit 7, and then this year is about 4.7.
25:03
So you can see that the ticket numbers are starting to dip a little bit.
25:07
That number doesn't include this season where we've seen them sell 8,000, 9,000 to a lot of games this year.
25:16
So I think we'll see that go down even more.
25:18
And we saw Big Mistake asking a question earlier this evening.
25:21
He wants to know your opinion around the early season ticket renewal program and giveaways.
25:26
What do you think of that, Veegs?
25:28
Well, I think the giveaways are a good idea.
25:30
You know, it's a way to reward people for signing up early.
25:34
I think it's also kind of a sneaky way for Minnesota to gauge the health of its season ticket base right now by seeing how many people are going to renew.
25:44
You know, I did mention in my athletic piece that I published a few weeks ago that Don Lucia is on the last year of his contract.
25:51
And I heard from Mark Coyle that Big Ten titles are nice, but he wants to see postseason success.
25:58
I think he'd also like to see more season ticket holders.
26:02
So that's a that's a big decision coming right now to the hockey program and the athletic department.
26:07
And as you say that, I can hear Don Lucia in the background complaining.
26:14
That's okay.
26:15
All the things that people like to talk about Gopher Hockey, not really Don Lucia's fault, but sometimes there's got to be something that has to happen.
26:23
Yeah, well, we'll see.
26:25
Yeah, we'll see.
26:26
Well, you know, seeing that we hear some of the terrorism in the background, we need to keep you in good standings with your wife, Veegs.
26:33
And we know that Hammy's got to go to the airport anyway, so let's just wrap this up.
26:37
Veegs, do you have anything coming up on The Athletic in the next couple of weeks?
26:41
Coming up pretty soon is an article on early departures.
26:45
I'm going to take a look back at early departures since the new CBA was signed.
26:50
And then I got some good quotes from Scott Bell, Don Lucia, Tyler Sheehy, kind of talking about what players think about college and professional hockey.
27:01
So hopefully people enjoy it on The Athletic.
27:04
And what about the media availability today?
27:08
What are we going to hear there?
27:09
Don Lucia talked a little bit about his power play, which has been up and down, the goalie situation, what they need to do against Penn State.
27:18
We'll hear from Matt Robson, talking about his philosophy in that and battling with Eric Sheehorn.
27:25
And then Brent Gates, looking forward to what the crowd will be like in Hockey Valley this weekend and what the team needs to do down the stretch.
27:35
All right, Hammeh, do you have any final thoughts?
27:39
No, just hoping that they kind of keep up with their current performance in recent weeks and just really keeping my fingers crossed that maybe they're peeking at the right time.
27:48
We all know that, especially when you get in the NCAAs, if you get a hot goalie, all you need is a few weeks of that kind of play and you might find yourself surprised.
27:58
So hopefully, we're seeing some good things heading down the stretch.
28:03
I would agree with that.
28:04
Hopefully they're starting to peak right now.
28:06
Remember, you can always follow Hammeh and Hammeh Hockey on Twitter.
28:09
You can follow Vego at eVego on Twitter and him on The Athletic.
28:15
We'll be back next week to recap the Penn State Series and preview the Big Ten Tournament.
28:21
We'll see if Minnesota can secure that home ice.
28:24
Until then, thanks for listening.
28:52
His work for Penticton in the playoff last year, is that something you can draw on?
28:55
Yeah, I think that he's been through it.
28:57
I know that at the end of the last year in Penticton, he had to win three straight games just to qualify, because they were in one and done at that point in time, and they won those tight, low-scoring games, and that's basically where we're at right now.
29:11
We touched on two weeks of our playoffs began, so we got another weekend that's just as important.
29:17
How have him and Eric really been pushing off the opportunity?
29:19
Yeah, I mean, it's been good.
29:20
I mean, Eric's a big-time team player.
29:22
I've told him I still think he's going to play a role here, and he's going to work to be ready, but right now with the way Matt's playing, that he's going to be the guy playing.
29:32
Everybody healthy this week?
29:33
Yep, everybody's healthy.
29:35
We had to Monday, we had a couple of guys with the flu, but I think today, knock on wood, the last two days we have had everybody, first time in a long time.
29:44
Novak's feeling good, coming off his injury, the hand injury they had?
29:49
Yeah, that was a long time ago, so that happened early January, so we're six weeks past that, so he's fine.
29:56
Since goal-tending, what's been the key to recent run?
29:59
Defending, I mean, not giving up many goals.
30:01
I think that's, you look at the last half a dozen, eight games, we know they've got the four on us the one night, but other than that, we've been giving up one or two, and hopefully we can get to three, and giving us a chance to win.
30:16
But the guys have dug in pretty well, and we've played good teams, and it's only going to make us better.
30:21
We've put ourselves back in a good position, but obviously a lot at stake this weekend.
30:25
But forget about the standings and all, it's just still continuing to play the right way, and looking at the big picture, that the details and the process to winning.
30:34
Penn State style of offense, is that something you're...
30:36
Well, they're going to shoot from everywhere.
30:37
Our goaltenders are aware of that.
30:39
They've got to be ready for the bad angle shots.
30:40
Our D got to clean out the net front, and that's going to be really important that they take care of that blue paint.
30:46
Do you see progress coming in the power play?
30:49
No, but we scored three two weeks ago, and I'm just kidding, but the reality is that we only had three chances and we had six or eight shots on goal.
30:58
We just got it.
30:58
We get chances.
30:59
We just have to score.
31:02
Matt, these last seven games consecutive, what's the run been like for you so far?
31:06
It's been fun.
31:07
Obviously, sitting at the first half is, it was a bit of a battle coming into school, but I knew what was going to happen, so I had to keep my head up, come to work every day, and I knew I'd get my chance, and obviously, I'm having fun doing it.
31:19
How have you seen your role really evolve since you mentioned sitting out and now being the guy for the last seven games?
31:25
I don't think it's really changed at all.
31:28
Whoever is going to play is going to play, and the coaches have confidence.
31:31
Whoever is going to be in the crease is going to give us a good chance to win the game.
31:36
That's really my mindset going in, just make the next save, and hopefully our guys can pot a few and come away with a couple of points.
31:42
You guys are in playoff mode now.
31:44
What do you draw from, you've been addicted last year in the playoffs, to the plays this way?
31:48
Definitely a lot to draw from.
31:49
We kind of had a story of a playoff last year, three straight game sevens, overtime win in the championship, really just staying even keel.
31:58
There's going to be ebbs and flows, ups and downs, all that sort of stuff, and you kind of just got to keep moving forward and keep marching through the playoffs, and hopefully we can go on a run here.
32:07
Coaches have described your style as kind of a quiet goaltender.
32:10
Is that something you've been working on, this season, or has that always been a trait of yours?
32:15
I like to think it's always been kind of a trait of mine.
32:17
I like to use a comparison like a quarterback in the pocket, kind of when pressure is closing in, being able to stay calm and deliver a pass.
32:25
I kind of think doing the same thing, instead of throwing the ball and catching a puck.
32:29
Yeah, staying calm is definitely a big part of my game.
32:34
I just like quiet feet, quiet hands, and let the puck hit you basically is all it is.
32:39
What's been the response from the sheer amount of time you've got here?
32:42
You know, he's a great guy, a great teammate.
32:44
We're very close.
32:47
There's competition every day in practice and that's the way it should be.
32:50
What do you expect to see against Penn State?
32:51
What kind of games are you looking forward to this week?
32:53
Just a lot of shots, honestly.
32:54
They shoot the puck from everywhere and they've been putting up a lot of numbers on a lot of goalies this year.
32:58
So I'm looking forward to the challenge.
33:01
Exciting last week before playoffs and I think we're heating up at the right time.
33:07
Do you expect Penn State to come up this weekend and we'll look at the games you're expecting to see against them?
33:12
It's getting down to the end of the year and every team is really trying to play the same way.
33:16
It's playoff hockey and they like to play up and down the ice.
33:19
They like to play offensive.
33:20
They don't run any traps or anything like that.
33:22
So we're expecting a fast-paced physical game and being back on a smaller sheet, everything's going to happen quicker.
33:31
Is that enough place to play out there, Penn State?
33:33
Yeah, they have a good fan base.
33:35
Their students are pretty rowdy.
33:36
So the environment's always a little hostile.
33:40
But we all really enjoy going out there and having some good competition and playing fun hockey.
33:47
How's the player, Goaltender, really just giving you guys a lot of confidence in the last seven games since he started?
33:51
Yeah, he's been really good.
33:52
He's been unbelievable.
33:53
And he's making big saves at key times.
33:55
And he's playing solid.
33:59
I mean, he hasn't had many mistakes.
34:01
And like I said, when we need a big save, he's come up with one.
34:04
So it's huge.
34:05
Does it help that we're going on a smaller sheet this weekend as we head into playoffs?
34:10
Yeah, you know, obviously, playoffs are pretty much, I think, all going to be played on a smaller sheet.
34:15
And, you know, the style of play just changes a little bit where a four check becomes really important.
34:21
And you get a little less room off the rush and less open ice.
34:26
So I think it's a good little tune up going in and playing some hockey on a smaller sheet and just figuring out how we need to play going into playoffs.
34:34
What can the forwards do to help out the defensively?
34:38
You know, just always coming back to the middle of the ice, making sure we're picking guys up and, you know, their forwards in the slot, we need to come back and get under their sticks, not give any easy ice in front of Robson.
34:48
You know, we need to help out Robson just as much as our D do.
34:52
Anything in particular you're looking to see from your team in these last couple of games, anything you guys want to get out of it, besides obviously you might, but what are you looking for, to see your flight for, or anything from your team in particular?
35:03
Yeah, I mean, we know obviously what's at stake as far as home ice.
35:08
So that's number one.
35:08
You know, we got to get a win going out there, but we feel like we've been playing good hockey, and, you know, we want to continue that going into playoffs.
35:15
We don't want to, you know, we've been moving forward.
35:18
We don't want to take a step back here.
35:19
So, you know, we're still not where we want to be.
35:22
You know, we have high expectations for our team, and these two games are a good test for us, and, like I said, we just want to keep it rolling.
35:30
With this 6-1 and 1-1 that the team's on right now, are there a couple of aspects that you can see that the team's improved upon that's made it so successful?
35:37
Well, our team defense and our goal-tending's been great.
35:41
You know, they've all been pretty low-scoring games, I think, other than that 7-1 game against Wisconsin.
35:49
So, I think we're just learning how to buy in and, you know, finish off games, whether it's in the third period, maybe up a goal or even down one.
35:57
So, I think as far as just our whole team coming together and really knowing what everyone needs to do in their own role, I think everyone's been buying in.
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