February 10, 2026 • 54 mins
The PodKaz for Feb. 20, 2026, has hosts Nicole Haase and Todd Milewski looking back on a series split between No. 1 Wisconsin and No. 2 Ohio State last weekend in Madison. The Buckeyes looked great at the start but the Badgers rebounded like they have so well over the last few seasons.
The race for the ECAC Hockey championship is coming down to the final weekend of the regular season. The top six teams are separated by 6½ points, with first-place Princeton leading Yale by two points. The Tigers missed a chance to stretch their lead by losing to Harvard on Saturday.
Holy Cross had a rough week in Hockey East, losing to Boston College and New Hampshire to extend its winless skid to four games. Northeastern and UConn needed overtime to get past Vermont and Providence, respectively.
The NEWHA chase tightened up with Saint Anselm losing in overtime twice at Long Island, leaving the door open for Franklin Pierce and Assumption to close in.
We also look at the Olympics, where the U.S. and Canada are set to meet in preliminary-round play Tuesday.
And we finish up with a glance at some of the important clashes ahead in NCAA women's hockey, including meetings between No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Minnesota and the ECAC Hockey slate.
The PodKaz is a production of USCHO.com. Have a question for us? Reach out to Nicole (@NicoleHaase) or Todd (@ToddMilewski) on social media or email todd.milewski@uscho.com.
The race for the ECAC Hockey championship is coming down to the final weekend of the regular season. The top six teams are separated by 6½ points, with first-place Princeton leading Yale by two points. The Tigers missed a chance to stretch their lead by losing to Harvard on Saturday.
Holy Cross had a rough week in Hockey East, losing to Boston College and New Hampshire to extend its winless skid to four games. Northeastern and UConn needed overtime to get past Vermont and Providence, respectively.
The NEWHA chase tightened up with Saint Anselm losing in overtime twice at Long Island, leaving the door open for Franklin Pierce and Assumption to close in.
We also look at the Olympics, where the U.S. and Canada are set to meet in preliminary-round play Tuesday.
And we finish up with a glance at some of the important clashes ahead in NCAA women's hockey, including meetings between No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Minnesota and the ECAC Hockey slate.
The PodKaz is a production of USCHO.com. Have a question for us? Reach out to Nicole (@NicoleHaase) or Todd (@ToddMilewski) on social media or email todd.milewski@uscho.com.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Usc cho dot com. Hi, and welcome to another edition
of the podcast. Todd Molusky and Nicole Hase here with
you with special guests Ripley. As requested by popular demand,
Ripley is making another appearance on this week's show that
(00:26):
Nicoley want to introduce Ripley with for those of us
or for those of our listeners, sure don't be able to.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
Hear him throughout. I have a basket hound. His name's Ripley.
He on mondays. I am home alone and he is
right here in my lap. So he will be part
of the recording whether we like it or not. So
apologize for the dog noises, but it's better than giving
him free ring because I think he'll be even louder
right to that. So he does not know if he's
(00:53):
not your problem too.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
Okay, we've got fair We've got a lot to talk
about today. We've got Olympics getting towards the quarterfinal round
and the end of the pool play. We've got the
end of a regular season coming up in ECAC hockey.
(01:16):
We've got number two playing number three this week. But
let's rewind a little bit last week with number one
playing number two. That being number one Wisconsin number two
Ohio State in their second series of the season, this
one in Madison. Wio State jumped right out and really
looked very good from the beginning of the Saturday afternoon
(01:37):
contest ended up with a four to one win in
that one Hayley mcleoden goal looked really solid, thirty saves,
Jordan Petrie with a goal and two assists. A strong
start for Ohio State, but Wisconsin, as they have done
for the last couple of seasons, bounces back after losing
or tying. They get a four to one win on
Sunday in a game that was a lot closer than that.
(01:58):
Couple of power play goals near the end for the Badgers,
Lacey Eden put the team on her back really for
Wisconsin a goal and to assist Ryas Stewart, the freshman,
makes twenty saves there. So it's a split of that
series in Madison, which leaves everything right where it was.
Wisconsin's number one. Well, I say it's number two, and
both the rankings and the NPI and Wisconsin leads Ohio
(02:19):
say it by two points going to the last two
weekends of the WCCHA regular season. So I'm curious to
call what your I guess what you learned maybe about
these two teams from the weekend if anything. I mean,
we've seen them a lot against each other, so there
isn't a lot new, but there were a lot of
people in new positions.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
I mean after Friday, I thought, wow, I I'm not sure,
and I had all kinds of notes and was prepared,
and then functionally we had you know, we had a
split and it was four along both directions. It was like, well,
that was a lot of work to end up in
the same spot. But I mean, I said last week,
I thought Ohio has handled the transition missing their Olympians better.
(03:00):
I mean that felt like maybe ten minutes of their
first game against Minnesota Duluth, did they falter a little
or you know, not even falter, just need you know,
had that that shaky needing to figure out where they
where everything fits. And and I thought that was really
obvious coming out on Friday against Wisconsin. They just they
put a lot of pressure on the Badgers, and I
(03:21):
thought the Badger's sort of youth and experience was really
put on display and tested and maybe exploited a little.
They you know, the way that Ohio State takes away
time and space. They did that. They do that always,
that's that's sort of part of what they do. But
I felt like what happened is maybe the players that
are used to being on the second and third line
(03:42):
don't get it quite that much, and so Wisconsin was
making just bad plays with with the puck, right, just
kind of throwing the puck around. They were not called
cooling collected in any way, shape or for but you
could just kind of see them miss uh like KK
Harvey at the point to kind of you know, sort
of slow things down and reset and look for new
(04:06):
lanes and things like that. So yeah, I felt like
Ohio State looked great on Friday. I mean, it's not
like it looked bad on Saturday. I just think Wisconsin
came back out and sort of reset themselves and looked
a little stronger. They also, like you said Lacey Eden,
I mean it kind of felt like she was trying
to win it herself on Friday as well, and then
she kind of effectively tried to do that and it
(04:27):
was more successful on Saturday. I think it was about
momentum for both, right, Like Ohio State scored first on
Saturday and just really had that confidence and push, and
then Wisconsin' scored first on Saturday, and it felt like
a Sunday. I'm sorry, it was Saturday Sunday. I'm probably
staying Friday, Saturday, Saturday Sunday. So in the second game,
I felt like scoring that first goal just really kind
(04:51):
of like settled the Badgers and helped them sort of
figure out where they needed to be. But overall, I
think I've been impressed with Wisconsin's response whenever things have
not gone well as you said, their their ties or
their losses, they'd come back and really established themselves in
that second game of the series. So yeah, I don't
(05:13):
know what stood out to you.
Speaker 1 (05:18):
It was I guess surprised a little bit that Wisconsin
maybe was surprised or caught off guard at the start
of Saturday afternoons game, because, like we said, they've played
so many big stakes games against each other in the
last few seasons that even if you know the high
high end players are gone from both teams, there should
(05:40):
be a pretty good knowledge of what these games mean.
And it was just a while to say that executed
better in really the entirety of the first game of
the series, and that was I think a credit to
their albeit limited depth. I mean, these were two teams
playing that on the line chart had nine four wards
(06:00):
and well Ohio State had five d Wisconsin had six,
but really Wisconsin was kind of rotating through five on
the D. But it was it looked like a lot
of the Ohio State players looked pretty comfortable. The ones
that maybe are seeing more ice time, they seemed like
(06:21):
they were just like playing another game. It was just
there out there. They were forcing the game to be
played the style they wanted to. They were aggressive, and
that got them the results. Because we've seen before where Wisconsin,
and it's often it's been against the who of state,
where Wisconsin doesn't necessarily respond well always to teams that
(06:45):
are right in their face and have a strong for
check and don't let allow for easy exits from the
defensive zone. Obviously, like you're saying, KK Harvey changes a
lot of that dynamic because she's kind of able to
do a lot of that herself. But it does change
it when you're asking players who maybe aren't as comfortable
(07:07):
in that to do more than they've usually done. And
so I think we saw that develop in the second game,
where Wisconsin started to understand that it needs to make
simpler plays to get out of the zone, not try
and stick handle their way into what essentially was two
players along the wall. And then things did open up
(07:28):
for them a little bit. But like I said before,
it was a two to one game late and it
was it felt like it was really on a knife edge. Therefore,
Wisconsin got a powerplay five on three, scored on the
five on three, then like twenty some seconds later scored
on the five on four to make it four to one,
and that felt like it was it just kind of
put things away for the Badgers in the second game.
(07:50):
But I mean, I'm sitting there thinking, no, this is
not the last time we're seeing these two teams play
this season. It could be in the WHA championship game,
it could be in an NCAA championship game. We'll wait
and see how that shakes out. But I just get
that feeling that, you know, we talked about how the
NPI flipped after Saturday's game to Ohio State and laid
and flipped back one more game between these two if
(08:12):
it's if it's for the w c h A Championship,
might flip one and two or or solidify Wisconsin as one.
We'll see when we get there, but there's there's gonna
be a lot on the line whenever that game, next
game does sick play.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
Yeah, two things I want to point out. One, I
would say that Ohio State functionally played and this is
what Ohio State does, like I they they're what the
key was on Friday, is there sort of less experienced
or second third line players laid the game that Ohio
State wanted to play like, they were more effective at
continuing to be the team they've played thing, if that
(08:46):
makes sense. And I thought that was sort of like
that big difference, whereas that I think there was just
so much more adjustment needed for Wisconsin, and I felt
like maybe maybe exposed some players as like not maybe
not as able to handle some with the finesse. And also,
like you said, just like understanding that you have to
you can't just skate through people. Yeah, it was it
(09:08):
was a learning opportunity. The other thing I'd like to
show up, I think probably for both teams, but particularly
for Ohio State is they've been skating down a number
of players for like weeks, even before their olympians left.
So the fitness on that which is something you know
that they have. Both teams have really well, but like,
at no point did you feel that Ohio State was
playing with especially half a roster. They're playing with like
(09:33):
less than what fift twenty eighteen, less than eighteen, It
doesn't matter. The point is they're they're right in three lines.
You're not noticing any difference. They came back with just
as much in this on the second day. There was
no If you didn't know, you wouldn't know that they were,
you know, short shifting and putting in a lot more
time than they normally do. And I think that's a
(09:54):
credit to them and the work that they put in
to start the year that they were able to handle that.
I mean, I didn't think it was significantly different from Wisconsin,
but when you play that four check, when you are
constantly putting that pressure on like they are putting mild
on on that ice, and there was no it was
just clear that Ohio State was prepared to do that.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
Okay, let's move on to Ecac where it's the beautiful
mess that it has been all season. In the standings.
As we enter the last weekend, Princeton is holding on
to a two point lead over Yale, which is holding
on to a two point lead over Quidnimpac, which is
holding on to a two point lead over Brown, which
is tied with Clarkson, which who are both half a
(10:36):
point ahead of Cornell. So that is six teams the
top half of Ecia Yockey separated by six and a
half points going into the last two games of the season.
So now it's it's you know, Cornell is out of
the race for first. They don't have enough points to
make up. But I mean five teams theoretically, I guess
I shouldn't say it because I haven't done the who plays.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
Who they play each other communications.
Speaker 1 (10:58):
Of who could a cup six points. It's so there's
some some movement that can't quite happen there because of
just the number of points that are involved, but or
the games involving those points. So but we'll get into
that the schedule of it when we we wrap things
up in our third segments tonight. But Yale bat Clarkson
(11:20):
five to four on Friday, had to hold on to
that one. And speaking of holding on, there were five
to one after two. Clarkson's claws its way back with
three goals in the third, but Samson Fry makes twenty
four saves for Yale to give give them the Bulldogs
that win there. Quinn't Pack only got a tie against
Harvard one to one on Friday. Harvard won the shootout,
(11:43):
so quinn't Pack only comes away with a point there.
No surprise here was Angeley Toughye making thirty sicks for
Harvard plus three in the shootout. We need rowing the
goal the names we've come to expect here in the
second half of the season for the Crimson and then
to kind of confused things a little bit more, Harvard
then goes out and beats Princeton three to two on Saturday. Lucia, Lucia,
(12:07):
I forget how to pronounce that four or nine left,
she scores the goal ahead goals with tough a thirty
eight saves, nine save percentage, right, like, pretty incredible there. Yeah,
and she's really only taken you know, the starting role
in the second and half of the season for you know,
for most of the games anyway. So incredible stuff going
(12:30):
on there. But I mean this is there is no
more surprises here where every way we go into this
and we kind of see who's that. There's someone going up,
there's someone going down. Clarkson right now is lost three
straight after winning six straight before that. So this is
the way it has been all season. No one should
be surprised that it's going into the last weekend with.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
No I think maybe the surprise for me is Brown
being in that top six, and now I wouldn't even
see surprise. They've played well, it has not been necessarily consistent,
much like the rest of the league. So yeah, I agree.
I went and looked at standings this morning and was like,
wait a second, Uh, that is not a team we
had been like when we're talking about all of us
jumping and moving around, it's not a team we had
(13:14):
uh play into it. But they had a great weekend
as well, and so yeah, it's all up for grabs.
It's gonna be a lot of fun. Love that. Love
that even it doesn't matter who ends up in those
top six teams, because I don't think anybody is safe
in their tournament. TKOS is going to have a ride
through the ECAC tournament. So it's it's honestly, it makes
(13:39):
for great hockey. It makes things so entertaining. I you know,
sometimes it's frustrating. I think some of these teams are
better than some of these results that they're getting. But
if you are a team that's going to you know,
make a run at a title, make a run at
the Frozen Four, you have to you know, you have
to win the games that are put in front of you.
And there are no opportunities for for Bobbles, you know.
(14:02):
So it's separating you know, those teams out and showing
sort of who has what it takes at this point
in the season, like you have to be starting to
peak in the next week or two and and not
you know, be over that before we reached mid March.
So yeah, I have no idea. I mean we've said
(14:26):
it all year, like I don't. I don't have any
idea who to predict for who is going to take
this title. So that's fun, but also just like crazy
that that at some point, like a team like Brown
could come in and make make waves in the first,
second or third spot here when they weren't in the
conversation to do that at least two three weeks ago.
Speaker 1 (14:52):
Yeah, jadagain La figured in all four goals Brown scored
in the Saturday for one win over Senior Day, good
for her two goals to assists and that's awesome. Yeah,
so Brown and Clarkson tied for fourth at thirty eight points,
and that's the cutoff, of course for the first round.
By the way, SEC does it, top four get a
(15:13):
buy and then five through eight hosts nine or twelve
in the first round. Then the winners play the four
teams that got buys in the next round. So there's
a lot going on there. And yeah, it's a lot
of excitement for the last weekend of the regular season.
And that's I feel like that's just the start of it,
(15:38):
because yeah, when we get the playoffs in the ac ACS,
could be you know, throw everything out, let's let him go.
And I don't know if the seeding is gonna matter
a whole lot there. I do want to get into
a couple of games from Hockey East that are may
(15:59):
not matter for the conference championship. That's you know, Northeastern's
got that.
Speaker 2 (16:04):
I actually they secured this last week.
Speaker 1 (16:06):
I haven't even looked yet. I think they may have, yes,
But Holy Cross lost a pair of games last week.
Boston College won an overtime four to three on Friday,
and New Hampshire then won three to two on Saturday.
BC was down three to one in the third of
that Friday game before making a comeback and then winning
(16:29):
an overtime, and then Holy Cross losing again on Saturday
makes them winless in their last four. Three straight losses.
Not the kind of road to the finish line of
the radio season they're looking for. It's all gonna have
to happen in the playoffs for the Crusaders, we know that,
but this is not the road I'm sure they wanted
(16:51):
to have given.
Speaker 2 (16:52):
It feels like a tripping your way to the finish line.
Speaker 1 (16:56):
Right.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
They've they've had such a great season and really are
shown what they're capable of. And I don't know if
this is inexperience thing. It is a long season and
if you're not used to playing games that matter when
it comes to February, like maybe there's just a haven't
been there before a bit about it, and it's it
is a long season and it is exhausting. And if
(17:21):
you you have to have that in mind in September,
right in terms of of like the long game and
how you prepare and how you reserve energy and the
ability to be really at your best at this time
of the season. And that's a team that hasn't had
to think about that, and I wonder if that's what's
coming into play here because they have had so many
(17:45):
really good wins and it was it was a little
surprising to see the outcomes the last two weekends from them.
Speaker 1 (17:55):
So in Hockey East last week to a higher ranked
teams had to work overtime for some some wins. On Friday,
Yukon needed ot to beat Providence two to one, and
then on Saturday, Northeastern beat Vermont three to two in
the extra session after for tie that one late. There's uh,
(18:17):
I love the fact that, you know, teams that maybe
haven't had great seasons are still pushing the higher ranked teams.
As we get towards the you know, in the middle
of February here where it's things are really going to
start to matter. It leads to that, you know, you
don't know for sure what's gonna happen in the playoffs
because when you get into the one game roulins like
(18:40):
hockeysas all the way through, then it really does you know, uh,
you know, any any game can tip in a in
the last couple of minutes and you're going to overtime,
and then you know, one shot wins it. So I
think there's a lot to be interested in when we
look at the playoffs there. We got a couple of
weeks left still, but should be fun to watch. The
(19:01):
Hockey East.
Speaker 2 (19:02):
I feel that conference too has been like particularly good.
Every time I go and do recaps, there's always goals
in the final minute of a period, like there's just
there's they're high on the drama and I think, you know,
the momentum and the confidence and sort of those intangible
really important for for all the teams, both the ones
that are ahead or the higher ranked ones to keep
(19:24):
their momentum going. But also you know, for someone like
Kromon who took Northeastern into overtime and come back and
things like that, that's the sort of stuff that they
can build on and can really sort of like power
them through an upset in the tournament, you know. So
that's the I think that's the the stuff that's going
to really come into play when we come into the
Hockey East for them. And like you said, when it's
(19:46):
one and done and there's a million variables, it's not
as simple as like how how you protect the fuck
or how you shoot it. So I think it's gonna
be super interesting.
Speaker 1 (19:54):
As well, or we get to our break. I just
want to mention things are increasingly interesting and new haf
which has Saint Anselm leading at forty nine points with
Franklin Pierce one back at forty eight, but Assumption now
in the picture there four points back of st Anselm
at forty five points. It's all coming about because Assumption
(20:18):
got six points against Saint Michael's, Franklin Pierce got five
against stone Hill and a home and home series, but
st ansel lost twice in overtime at Long Island only
at two points. So there that the machine keeps working
there of turning out the interest in how this is
going to finish up and who's going to get the
(20:39):
home you know, the home ice there to.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
Yes, if I remember correctly, Anselm plays both frank Sand
Assumption their final two weekends. Yeah, so the drums only started.
Speaker 1 (20:53):
Yeah a lot, brother, right exactly. There's a race for
third pla really in Atlantic hockey, it's you know, the
first place is Penn State wrapped up. Second place is
gonna be mercious, but then it's rit a point ahead
of Syracuse, which is a morning ahead of Lyndon would
so a lot to be playing for there as well. Okay,
(21:16):
there's a lot playing out in mild right now and
it's gonna be exciting to watch. Over the next few days,
we are going to get into the upcoming US Canada
game and what we've seen so far when we come
back on the podcast. Welcome back to the podcast. Todd
(21:38):
Nicole here to talk about the Olympics tournament which started
last Thursday. For well, most of the teams, Finland with
a neurovirus outbreak, had to be quarantined for a little
while and their game against Canada stuffered there and is
now being played this Thursday, so extending the the preliminary
(22:01):
round by a couple of days. So we won't know
for sure what the order of things will be until
then in Group A, but we do have a big
game Tuesday morning or sorry, Tuesday early afternoon at US time,
with the US and Canada getting their round robin game
going after both have gone through their opening games with
(22:25):
undefeated records. Have has anything stood out to you about
either of these North American teams the call of in
terms of maybe anything different than you expected going in
knowing the rosters and knowing how you know. Competition has
shaped up. I think the.
Speaker 2 (22:45):
US power play is still struggling a little. I think
am click particularly apparently if Alex Carpenter is doing things.
But I think there are like things that you can
see there that like the threads of it, but it
hasn't come to get other and I feel like it
needs to for them going forward in the tournament. Uh rebelesque,
(23:06):
he's doing a little more line changing than maybe I
thought that he would. I think I'm not sure. I like,
I like, maybe I'm being nipiky, But it seems weird
to me to put Meghan Keller and Layla Edwards together
and then k K Harvey and Haley Win together. To me,
that's like sort of doing like and like and like
and like. If that makes sense, I mean not exactly,
(23:26):
but you're sort of talking like two big long reaches
in Kellor and and Layla, and I think probably them
they're looking for sort of goals for a distance, and
then with KK and Haley, you're got like sort of
more active can like maybe sneak up into the offense
a little more. So it feels like it would make
sense to to sort of mix those two pairs. Oh,
(23:48):
that might be interesting moving forward. I feel like Layla's
played really well. She hasn't had some of the hesitancy
and some of the the nonchalants that maybe we've seen
at times. She looks more secure in making the right
decisions as opposed to sort of I feel like she's
just not been very offensive because she's been defaulting to
do well on defense. And I do get that, but
(24:10):
they need her to be offensive. She's got a couple
of assists now, and I feel like she just looks
more confident and secure in the role.
Speaker 1 (24:23):
He's getting a lot of minutes too. We expected that
for KK Harvey because I think usc is what we've
all seen in her that you know, just can control
a game when she has the puck and sometimes even
when she doesn't. But I think Leilah Edwards had the
the most minutes in the game on Monday against Switzerland
(24:47):
for the US, if I'm remembering that right, a five
to nothing win for the US. And so I still
go back to a year and some change ago talking
to Robleski about, you know, how much the change to
defense Boy's going to require out of Laila Edwards and
(25:10):
how much they were committed to it, because it's still
felt at that point. This is you know, back in
maybe it was late twenty twenty four, we're talking about it,
and it's like, really, I mean, one of the best
forwards in college and you're throwing that's where she best
fits it in that picture. It was still a question
at that point. He said, Look, we don't know where
(25:31):
it's going to go, and we're willing to change it
up until the last minute, but we need to see
this through because we see that she has potential there
and has some commitment to it too as well.
Speaker 2 (25:41):
It's so funny because I have felt like this this
wasn't going to change. Everybody has complained about the layla
as a defense experiment and been like, oh, put her
back up front, and like I have, I don't know
about the timing compared to what you're saying, and I
have long felt like that is such a pointless like
this is not changing. He is committed to this, uh,
and this is what's happening. So it's very funny, Like
(26:03):
I both am still I mean, I think you and
I have talked about this. I feel like there are
a number of forwards that I really that I would
place Layla ahead of in terms of if we were
just ranking, and so it feels very weird to me
to have pulled her out of that. And also there
may be a couple of other players that I would
have moved to defense instead. It was interesting on the
broadcast today, A J. Melesco said, uh, Layla is the
(26:25):
one that asked to move to defense, And I was like,
it's not the story we've heard before, but now you
never know, but yeah, I.
Speaker 1 (26:34):
It's part of the story. Yeah, I don't know if
that's the full version, but that was how.
Speaker 2 (26:42):
It was interesting that you, like you, you know, he
said to you that it felt it was sort of movable,
because it has felt that like he'd sort of dug
his he like, this is the decision we made, and
like she's not going back to forward, so and I
felt like it has felt like if so her options
there be a defender, don't be on the team, and
so as we can imagine the decision we would all make.
(27:05):
But yeah, I just maybe that I wonder if the
minute thing was in terms of, hey, this is quote
unquote supposed to be the easiest game, right, like Switzerland
is the fifteen in the group and so just trying
to continue to put her in a position where she
could be comfortable. And and I know one of his
big things is about being sort of predictable for everybody
else on the team, so like they know what you're
(27:26):
gonna do, and you know what they're gonna do, and
so giving her more minutes just like ensures that she
is doing the things she's supposed to do, like without
thinking twice about them. But yeah, just overall, I thought,
I thought she has looked good. I thought the collegians
overwhel overall have looked really good. There's a power play
unit in the second game that was all collegians plus
h Taylor Heisei, which I thought was like there is
(27:49):
I don't think for him there is any thought to
sort of youth or who is a ro er, who
is a collegian there that's a that's a free thing.
And I think every one of the collegians is is
like well trusted to do well in their position, which
is cool to see.
Speaker 1 (28:06):
I thought the Abby Murphy Taylor heize connection has been
really good in some stretches where they just find a
way and are able to hit each other with passes
really well. That don't look like they're necessarily open, but
they find each other and that's that's been good to
see for the US. I mean, obviously Hillary Knight's doing
what Hillary Knight does. We've now seen all three goalies play.
(28:29):
Avian McNaughton got a minute and a half at the
end of Monday game, and that's probably what you'll get
for the tournament that you're gonna get to going to Phillips.
Aaron Frankel one of the two of them being the
go to goalie for the US, but.
Speaker 2 (28:47):
Even got the dressed.
Speaker 1 (28:48):
So the fact that.
Speaker 2 (28:51):
It's important, I think it sort of proves that they
see her as the future and you want to, you know,
have her have this experience so that she would she
is someone you're counting on, say in four years, that
that she's it's not all brand new, but still, like
you said, usually the third goalie doesn't even get in,
so I thought it was both interesting that they even
dressed her as the backup and then put her in
(29:12):
so exciting moment for her. I think it was just
cool and she you know, she immediately made a big
save and everybody was cheering, so that was nice. Also,
right before she went out, when Phillips was you know,
kind of got hit and she was rotating her hand
on the bench. So we can hope that that is
a low key thing and just something she recovers from,
(29:33):
but definitely something to keep an eye out for. And
then also I think we should mention Murray fleep. Clayan
got hit, took a hit from Carlton Kova in the
game against Tchekiya. She initially went off, came back on,
and then went off again and then did not come
back out after I think the second intermission. So yeah,
(29:55):
that's a we don't have an update beyond that, but
she was favoring on I believe for right lege.
Speaker 1 (30:00):
She sort of got.
Speaker 2 (30:01):
Twisted around and what looked like head contact that did
not get reviewed for head contact and CULTI had two
of those in that game. But yeah, that's a that's
a big asterisk in something Canada will be looking out for.
It wouldn't surprise me if they, like, if anything is
going on, if she sits for the game tomorrow, because
ultimately it doesn't really matter, So if there's there's sort.
Speaker 1 (30:21):
Of any.
Speaker 2 (30:24):
Concern or need for recovery, I would imagine they will
hold her until especially because of that that late game
they're not going to have and possibly back to back
going into the quarterfinals.
Speaker 1 (30:35):
Right right, that does change things. So that game against
Finland that was postponed has been rescheduled for Thursday, and
then the quarterfinals are Friday, both semi finals Monday, and
the Metal Games week from Thursday. So yeah, that that
timing is is challenging, could be challenging for both Canada
(30:57):
and Finland. As an aside, what is Finland done to
violate the rules of karma and women's hockey in the
last couple of months where the UA team team gets
relegated kind of out of nowhere and now they get
hit with neuro virus when they get the Milan or
I don't know if it was when they got the Milan,
but early in their stay in Milan and.
Speaker 2 (31:20):
It's just like way with one player for two days
and one was like literally everybody yeah yeah.
Speaker 1 (31:31):
So the rough rough goal of it there for Finland
in the last couple of months on the women's hockey side,
So they the game Tuesday, decides who wins Pool A
and then you know, the the loser gets the second seed,
and by all accounts, I don't think there's much unless
(31:52):
that Canada Finland game goes a way that we're not
necessarily expecting.
Speaker 2 (31:58):
It.
Speaker 1 (31:59):
It doesn't, like you're saying, doesn't mean a whole lot
in the end, because the group winner plays the third
team from Group B, and the second place finisher faces
the second place team from will be so.
Speaker 2 (32:13):
Right now will be either Germany right.
Speaker 1 (32:15):
Now, that would be Italy or Germany. As the stands,
Japan could still move in, but they would require a
regulation win, and what we're saying a Germany loss Germany
regulation loss in the last day of pool play.
Speaker 2 (32:33):
Right, Italy probably made the surprise for people so far
in that they are sort of well in the conversation,
in doing well in Group B, I mean, I think
there is no doubt that Sweden is a few steps
ahead of everybody else in Group B. They're the team
most excited about switching this group set up for the
next Olympics. France is officially eliminated. I thought France played okay.
(32:58):
I think at times they played really tim but I
also think that France came into this as a like,
we took second place in qualification and we're even supposed
to be here and we host in twenty thirty, so
let's get everything we can out of this as a
learning experience. So yeah, I h it'll be interesting to
see tomorrow. Like you said, I mean, I don't see
(33:19):
Japan upsetting Sweden, so it looks like we would be
it would be Germany is the third seed, right, Italy
is the two seed, and Sweden is the one seed.
Speaker 1 (33:30):
The other yeah right as of now, right, see, a
lot to be decided before we talk to you next,
but by next week's podcast we will have all that
decided and semifinals zone, so we'll be looking ahead to
gold medal game bronze medal game to be played a
(33:54):
week from Thursday in Milan. It's it's I felt like
it's been some pretty compelling games so far. I mean,
not necessarily, there haven't been a lot of you know,
between the US and Canada and their opponent's close games,
but a lot of the other games have been you know,
going down to the wire. I was, I forget which
game was watching this morning. It was it was the
(34:14):
Japan Italy game that was end up three to two
on Monday morning, and and in favor of Italy, and
it was you know, Japan had some chances towards the
end just you know, couldn't get get them to go.
But that's a kind of indicative in that in that
Group B that there's you know, those are teams that
are kind of scrapping to get get to the quarterfinals
(34:35):
and and just be part of that that.
Speaker 2 (34:39):
Yeah, and I think we'll probably have to shout out
to Switzerland, right like there are two last two games
against US in Canada ended up a little more lopsided
than then maybe was fair to them because it was
Sastia Mauer in against Canada and it was Andrea black
Brandly against USA today. But their defense has been spectacular.
It's it's it's a little hard to watch, I said,
I was seeing because people are like, oh, Sweden, I'm sorry,
(35:02):
Switzerland's goaltending and it's like, man, we have seen this before.
They are very good with great goaltending. They're very good
on defense, and they struggle to convert that to offense.
And the big thing is that this is a team
that has had last Alder Ellena Mueller leading them and
that has been the case for what's three four Olympics now,
(35:22):
and there hasn't been anybody else to step up for
them and there's only so much you can do when
you have the only two people who can you know,
have the salmina and have the vision and can go
on rushes and recover if they turn it over and
things like that, and that's the that's the missing piece
for Switzerland. But they have I mean, they had Canada
(35:46):
one oh going into the third period, they had US
two oh going into the third period. Today. Their goaltending
continues to play outstanding. I mean, Andrea Brandley was reportedly
the one player at Switzerland that had neumal virus, so
the fact that she played today and and played lights
out again. But I feel like there's a lot to
learn if you're someone that's going to face US or Canada,
(36:07):
from the way that they the gap management, the way
that they kept them to the outsides, some of the
sort of angling. And it wasn't a coincidence that the
US's goals early came when they finally got to the net,
because they weren't. They weren't getting to the net front
for a lot of it. And I think some of
(36:28):
that was frustrating for both them and in Canada. And
I think importantly too, is Switzerland did have way more
shots today. They had as much shot and as many
shots in the first period as they have the whole
game against Canada. But it's both like heartening and fun
to watch and you get excited for them, but also
I feel like we have seen this song and dance
from them before, and I know that there's frustration on
(36:49):
their end in terms of like Larstelder and I'll need
to mean Neweller can't do it all and they have
yet to raise the level of development that the other
forwards are playing at that level. Though, I think Avon
a Way has really made a name for herself internationally
at this tournament. She's someone that stood out to me
eighteens in twenty twenty four and she's twenty now and
(37:12):
committed to Northeastern for next year, so she is someone
I think will be really fun and interesting to watch
the development of between now and the nest Olympics for them,
but just kind of highlights what you know, like why
Lara Selder left and went back to try and row
things that get home in Switzerland, Like the development just
isn't We're not getting more top to your talent. And
(37:35):
that's not to see that there's not good players on
the team, but there there's a difference between the good
players and the Lara Selder's Lena Muellers of the universe.
So I think shout out to them because I think
they've they've handled themselves really well, but and I think
they've impressed a lot of people. I thought Saskia got
lots of attention from people watching that Canada game. But
(37:57):
I don't think that there is an opportunity for them
to take that next step at this point, and that's
hard and frustrating.
Speaker 1 (38:03):
I think a right good stuff there on the Olympics.
We're going to talk about NCAA hockey again when we
come back from our last break. Last week we had
number one against number two. This week we've got number
two against number three, so another intriguing matchup happening there
in the WHA. Plus all of those exciting permutations for
ECAC hockey's finish. We're going to talk about that and
(38:25):
more when we come back. Stay with us on the podcast.
Welcome back to the podcast. Todd Nicole here to wrap
things up for this week with a look at first
everything that can happen in ECAC hockey. Well, I don't
know if we can go through everything that can happen
(38:46):
in the ACAC. But we know there are six games
happening Friday, six games happening Saturday, and then that's the
end of the regular season. We'll know what the playoffs
are going to look like. These teams host series this
week Princeton, Quinnipiac, Clarkson Union, RPI, and Saint Lawrence. Obviously
we're gonna be looking at Princeton being the team that
(39:08):
is currently in first place as having a chance to
wrap that up hosting Yale on Friday and Brown on Saturday.
So not exactly a what you would call an easy finish,
if there is such a thing in the ac AC
at all. And then Quinnipiac, I'm looking at this again
(39:33):
here then gets is a Brown. Wait, I wish I
would have had this a little bit differently. Yeah, and then.
Speaker 2 (39:45):
For travel partners situations.
Speaker 1 (39:50):
So those two series right there could be, uh, have
a lot going on in them. So if you're gonna
pay attention to just a couple of games, the would
probably be ones to keep an eye on.
Speaker 2 (40:02):
Quite love that the scheduling. That scheduling put us in
that situation. Appreciate it that the top four teams are
all playing each other yeah, Princeton sort of in the
driver's seat right, like they have the two point lead
in their at home, but it's it's it's certainly not
going to be easy. And I think for you know,
(40:23):
teams like Brown and they're they're looking to you know,
play spoiler and put themselves in a bigger, better position. So,
uh yeah, I don't know. I don't know what to
think though, I don't have any great prependosticating sources here,
but I yeah, I think, you know, I Princeton probably
has the slide advantage just getting to be at home
(40:45):
and having that lead.
Speaker 1 (40:50):
There's also uh Clarkson hosting Colgate and then hosting Cornell,
so so many things can be moving around in that
picture there. Cornell is Coldel and Clarkson right in there
with Brown for the for the first round. By so
(41:12):
a lot going on around ECAC this weekend. Make sure
you're checking in with our scoreboards on us EHO dot
com for the live results happening there and following the standings.
All that will be updated and of course the NPI
will be updated as it goes along. A lot of
things left to be decided there, a lot to be
(41:33):
decided in the WHA still too Wisconsin only with a
two point lead over Ohio State five points up on
Minnesota number two Ohio State number three Minnesota this week
Friday and Saturday in Columbus. This is a series that
got heated the time first time they met this season,
(41:55):
and that still shows in their penalty totals for or
averages for the season, both being in the top of
the country there. So I'm thinking back on that a
little bit over the weekend when someone was asking about
penalty minutes, I was like, Yeah, these these are the numbers,
(42:15):
but they're they're thrown off by having pretty much everyone
in the ice tossed at the end of one of
those games in Minneapolis or the this season. I don't
know how much that means anything as they're getting now
down to the penultimate week of the regular season in
the w c h A, but it does kind of
illustrate that there's there's not gonna be any ground given
(42:39):
by either one of these teams, even in a game
that might start to get out of hand. Numbers wise,
you know, goals wise, there's there's a lot to be proven.
And I think that's that's what we're gonna see in
in yeah, I would.
Speaker 2 (42:54):
See to throw maybe a little wrench in this as well,
is that Minnesota is now on the verse of being
passed in the NPI by Penn State. It's less than
half a point separating them. So you know, Ohio State's
played for UH points to win the w c h A,
but Minnesota, I mean that it's just a different situation
(43:15):
to be in the four five, you know, game versus
the being the three seeds. So and in Penn State
is just in the position that they're like, they're not
they're not moving or losing much having already clinched their
their conference. So yeah, and they're not gonna lose point
you know, like the NBI is built that they can't
lose points for playing teams out of the rankings and
(43:38):
things like that. So I think there is maybe even
more on the line. There's gonna be. You know, there's
there's no love lost between those two teams, probably more
so even I think there's probably more I think like
grudging or respect between Wisconsin and Ohio State, and I
feel like there's a little more bad blood between Minnesota
and Ohio State. But yeah, there's so there's a lot
(43:59):
of pride on the line, especially after the way that
that last series ended. But Minnesota really is in a
more precarious position looking towards their own postseason and that
adds I think an extra wrinkle to it as well.
Speaker 1 (44:14):
Yes, it certainly does. So that's going to be something
to really pay attention to this week. And can Ohio
State do to Minnesota what they did do Wisconsin and
coming out and establishing the tone and playing their style
right away in their own this time in their own
building and not letting Minnesota get get established. That's going
(44:36):
to be another thing to watch for this week. A
lot to watch for this week as we're looking around
the country. But I want to make sure we get
you had mentioned the new ha finish of the season earlier,
Just making sure I get this right. It is Saint
(44:57):
Anselm and Assumption this week playing a home home series.
So Saint Anselme uh getting wait? I had the Stanley
sere Now I don't where did they go? Let me
find it again? Find out which page. Sant Anselm up
by a point over Franklin Pierce and then sant Anselm
(45:17):
is up by four points of Assumption, So big changes
could happen this weekend. Uh, and we are here for
all of the chaos happening over the last two weeks
of their regular season, because that is sant ansel.
Speaker 2 (45:31):
Frank and Franklin Pearce has you know one in twenty
seven Saint Michael's this weekend, so they're they're in a
position to earn their complete points in what I would
think is an easier manners in Saint anselm An assumption
playing each other.
Speaker 1 (45:48):
Yes, I but I I am. I am not piking
anything for granted anymore in I've been down that road times.
Speaker 2 (45:57):
So there's that, I will say, assumption and pretty sure
assumptions games are free to watch, and I'll have those
links over at Victory Press. But the game ad assumption
for sure will be for free. So that's something to
look out for if you want to pay attention there.
But yeah, I love that the three teams a then
it's all so close and like arguably if they all
(46:17):
beat up on each other like Stonehill is looking, look
was pretty good to move up as well, not take
the lead, but they could put themselves up in second
place too, So yeah, it's I mean, I just think
it's fun. No offense to Penn State. But it's boring
that they've had the wrapped up for so the age.
It's like me in and then they draw out their
(46:38):
their tournament for so long. So it's fun that all
of this is coming down to the last weekend week
or two, depending on what's going on with per conference.
I just it's it's compelling and it makes for a
fun close to the season.
Speaker 1 (46:55):
The regular season, yep, that I think hockey finish is
this week as well. Delaware is already done with conference games.
They are locked into the seventh seed in the playoffs.
Penn State is locked in the number one seed, Mercy
Here is going to be number two. Then it gets
(47:17):
a little, uh, a little trickier with those last four
teams in the middle there r T Syracuse Lindenwood Robert Morris.
Rit has to go to Penn State this week. Syracuse
is at Mercyhurst, Lynnwood at Robert Morris. So Syracuse has
a chance is at one point behind r T two. Uh,
(47:38):
if they can get something out of a series at
Mercy Hurst, even if you know, a couple overtime results,
they have a chance to leap frog Rit fourth third
place in the conference. And you know, every every seed matters.
(47:58):
I think in in that conference when we're dealing with
a I believe the first round the opening round is
and correct me if I'm wrong here, but it's the
uh seventh seed against the sixth seed winner to play
the third seed. He's later, right, and that happening at
the third seed. So there's some some interesting things happening
(48:21):
in Atlantic hockey this season.
Speaker 2 (48:23):
Yes, seventeen. Well, we like a very unusual bracket over
here in hockey. Uh yeah, I think it's cool. I
think it's cool though that, Like, I mean, linden Wood
has sort of been a perpetual bottom of the conference team.
So you know, linden would point is the only one
of those teams in the middle there that's playing someone
rated below them. So like, if they can take care
of business this weekend, they put themselves in a really
(48:45):
great position. And so I think it's just good to see,
even in this conference that's sort of been decided in
the Penn State has sort of ruled over pretty well
over the last couple of years, we're seeing growth in
some of these programs and seeing them take ups forward,
and I think that's just really important for them to
can you continue to recruit and grow and get better.
Speaker 1 (49:06):
You have to.
Speaker 2 (49:07):
You have to be producing results to get people to
want to come there, you know. So I think it's
it's a good step forward, and you're we're looking at
these teams that are all kind of around five hundred
in conference play, which is doing pretty well.
Speaker 1 (49:23):
Right a game on Sunday, I wanted to mention Boston
College at number five Northeastern again at in in quotation
marks there because that game is happening at Bentley Arena
on Sunday, Northeastern seven to oho to one in its
last eight games, plays at Boston University on Friday. I
(49:46):
think Northeastern, the more it can you know, continue that
run going into the playoffs, the better it's chances are
looking you know, in in you know, solidifying that number
five of in the NPI and no, it seems like
a long shot, but maybe there's a chance that there's
(50:07):
a stumble by someone ahead in the top four and
a chance to move into that spot. But for sure,
to avoid that first round game. Saying in the number
five spot in the Empire is big for Northeastern and
they can't really afford you know, very.
Speaker 2 (50:23):
Many but they haven't had much and again that's the
team we weren't talking about at the beginning of the year.
Is someone a to win their confidence or B to
earn like a top top seed in the in the
end seed.
Speaker 1 (50:40):
Ye went away from a frozen four.
Speaker 2 (50:42):
So I think, right, yeah, I think everything they've been
doing has just been They've done such a great job
of sort of taking that momentum and rolling and building
on what they've already had, and when they have stumbled,
they've they've responded well, and they've continued to do really
great in conference, which is important. And I think, yeah,
(51:03):
I just that's a team that I see, I think
should be scary for for other for everyone else, just
because of what they've built from the beginning. And while
we've seen, like we talked about the chaos of the
ECAC teams, you know, sort of shuffling and moving and
losing points, like there's season has been pretty steadily chugging
along and just doing what they need to do and
taking care of business, and that is that puts them
(51:26):
in a pretty good position to face whatever adversity comes
comes next, right, And I just like they're a team
that because of what they've built, game after game after
game like would make me choose them in most sort
of toss ups, right, because I think they've they've pulled
out the wins. They're very good at coming from behind
her scoring those late goals that put them in a
(51:48):
good position. They're very good in overtime, and they have
a very good goaltender. So they are primed to do
do some teams dirty as we head into the postseason.
And yeah, I think the fact that they haven't really stumbled,
that they haven't really viewed from this course, and that
like even when nobody else was talking about them, they
(52:08):
believed in what they were doing and have just gone
out and sort of quietly proved it all season long
says a lot about them. And then I think makes
them one of the scarier teams heading towards towards March.
Speaker 1 (52:21):
And I'll continue to say it for the last two months,
not having a home ice, you know, even even for
not for games, but for where you're going for practice,
not being on campus, not doing the you know, the
short walk or the short drive to your locker room.
Having that to change that has been a lot and
(52:42):
I'm sure it will be over the next full season.
Speaker 2 (52:46):
Some of the good spot when we come to postseason
pretty well, travel places and play in weird spots and
be you know, three buildings away the ice. It's interesting.
The Bedley part is interesting is I think this is
their first games they've played at other people's ice, but
it's been ice that they're used to. But Bentley doesn't
have a women's team, right, Look, they don't have a
(53:07):
they're so I'm curious how familiar least they don't have
a d one.
Speaker 1 (53:12):
I know that I know the Northeastern men have played
at Bentley Arena, so that this is something they've used
as a school before, but I don't know, yeah that
the women's team.
Speaker 2 (53:21):
I mean, I know I've been there before team obviously.
I just uh, yeah, that's just an interesting, uh sort
of wrinkle to this too in terms of like play
Wally b there, that's that's not new to them, but
this this is a whole new situation. So yeah, that
puts an extra sort of asterisk on what they've been
able to accomplish this year.
Speaker 1 (53:42):
I think, yeah, absolutely, Okay, that's been a lot to
cover here this week. As we get in the middle
part of February and then continuing on after that, it'll
be I feel like a lot more, but with the
Olympics going on too, it's just, uh, there is a
lot of really interesting stuff happening, and we we appreciate
(54:03):
everyone coming along for the ride with us, and we
will make sure to try and keep our ears to
the ground for all of the important information that's happening
around in ce double A women's hockey. So, unless Nicole,
you have.
Speaker 2 (54:16):
Anything else, it's going to be really busy until we finished,
and then it will be busy in postseason, but not
quite as overwhelming as what we're doing right now. Very exciting,
lots of fun.
Speaker 1 (54:30):
But yes, So check everything out on us e h
O dot com and Victory Press with Nicole's great stuff there,
and make sure to join us again here next week
for another edition of the podcast. I'm Todd, that's Nicole,
Thanks for joking.
Usc cho dot com. Hi, and welcome to another edition
of the podcast. Todd Molusky and Nicole Hase here with
you with special guests Ripley. As requested by popular demand,
Ripley is making another appearance on this week's show that
(00:26):
Nicoley want to introduce Ripley with for those of us
or for those of our listeners, sure don't be able to.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
Hear him throughout. I have a basket hound. His name's Ripley.
He on mondays. I am home alone and he is
right here in my lap. So he will be part
of the recording whether we like it or not. So
apologize for the dog noises, but it's better than giving
him free ring because I think he'll be even louder
right to that. So he does not know if he's
(00:53):
not your problem too.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
Okay, we've got fair We've got a lot to talk
about today. We've got Olympics getting towards the quarterfinal round
and the end of the pool play. We've got the
end of a regular season coming up in ECAC hockey.
(01:16):
We've got number two playing number three this week. But
let's rewind a little bit last week with number one
playing number two. That being number one Wisconsin number two
Ohio State in their second series of the season, this
one in Madison. Wio State jumped right out and really
looked very good from the beginning of the Saturday afternoon
(01:37):
contest ended up with a four to one win in
that one Hayley mcleoden goal looked really solid, thirty saves,
Jordan Petrie with a goal and two assists. A strong
start for Ohio State, but Wisconsin, as they have done
for the last couple of seasons, bounces back after losing
or tying. They get a four to one win on
Sunday in a game that was a lot closer than that.
(01:58):
Couple of power play goals near the end for the Badgers,
Lacey Eden put the team on her back really for
Wisconsin a goal and to assist Ryas Stewart, the freshman,
makes twenty saves there. So it's a split of that
series in Madison, which leaves everything right where it was.
Wisconsin's number one. Well, I say it's number two, and
both the rankings and the NPI and Wisconsin leads Ohio
(02:19):
say it by two points going to the last two
weekends of the WCCHA regular season. So I'm curious to
call what your I guess what you learned maybe about
these two teams from the weekend if anything. I mean,
we've seen them a lot against each other, so there
isn't a lot new, but there were a lot of
people in new positions.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
I mean after Friday, I thought, wow, I I'm not sure,
and I had all kinds of notes and was prepared,
and then functionally we had you know, we had a
split and it was four along both directions. It was like, well,
that was a lot of work to end up in
the same spot. But I mean, I said last week,
I thought Ohio has handled the transition missing their Olympians better.
(03:00):
I mean that felt like maybe ten minutes of their
first game against Minnesota Duluth, did they falter a little
or you know, not even falter, just need you know,
had that that shaky needing to figure out where they
where everything fits. And and I thought that was really
obvious coming out on Friday against Wisconsin. They just they
put a lot of pressure on the Badgers, and I
(03:21):
thought the Badger's sort of youth and experience was really
put on display and tested and maybe exploited a little.
They you know, the way that Ohio State takes away
time and space. They did that. They do that always,
that's that's sort of part of what they do. But
I felt like what happened is maybe the players that
are used to being on the second and third line
(03:42):
don't get it quite that much, and so Wisconsin was
making just bad plays with with the puck, right, just
kind of throwing the puck around. They were not called
cooling collected in any way, shape or for but you
could just kind of see them miss uh like KK
Harvey at the point to kind of you know, sort
of slow things down and reset and look for new
(04:06):
lanes and things like that. So yeah, I felt like
Ohio State looked great on Friday. I mean, it's not
like it looked bad on Saturday. I just think Wisconsin
came back out and sort of reset themselves and looked
a little stronger. They also, like you said Lacey Eden,
I mean it kind of felt like she was trying
to win it herself on Friday as well, and then
she kind of effectively tried to do that and it
(04:27):
was more successful on Saturday. I think it was about
momentum for both, right, Like Ohio State scored first on
Saturday and just really had that confidence and push, and
then Wisconsin' scored first on Saturday, and it felt like
a Sunday. I'm sorry, it was Saturday Sunday. I'm probably
staying Friday, Saturday, Saturday Sunday. So in the second game,
I felt like scoring that first goal just really kind
(04:51):
of like settled the Badgers and helped them sort of
figure out where they needed to be. But overall, I
think I've been impressed with Wisconsin's response whenever things have
not gone well as you said, their their ties or
their losses, they'd come back and really established themselves in
that second game of the series. So yeah, I don't
(05:13):
know what stood out to you.
Speaker 1 (05:18):
It was I guess surprised a little bit that Wisconsin
maybe was surprised or caught off guard at the start
of Saturday afternoons game, because, like we said, they've played
so many big stakes games against each other in the
last few seasons that even if you know the high
high end players are gone from both teams, there should
(05:40):
be a pretty good knowledge of what these games mean.
And it was just a while to say that executed
better in really the entirety of the first game of
the series, and that was I think a credit to
their albeit limited depth. I mean, these were two teams
playing that on the line chart had nine four wards
(06:00):
and well Ohio State had five d Wisconsin had six,
but really Wisconsin was kind of rotating through five on
the D. But it was it looked like a lot
of the Ohio State players looked pretty comfortable. The ones
that maybe are seeing more ice time, they seemed like
(06:21):
they were just like playing another game. It was just
there out there. They were forcing the game to be
played the style they wanted to. They were aggressive, and
that got them the results. Because we've seen before where Wisconsin,
and it's often it's been against the who of state,
where Wisconsin doesn't necessarily respond well always to teams that
(06:45):
are right in their face and have a strong for
check and don't let allow for easy exits from the
defensive zone. Obviously, like you're saying, KK Harvey changes a
lot of that dynamic because she's kind of able to
do a lot of that herself. But it does change
it when you're asking players who maybe aren't as comfortable
(07:07):
in that to do more than they've usually done. And
so I think we saw that develop in the second game,
where Wisconsin started to understand that it needs to make
simpler plays to get out of the zone, not try
and stick handle their way into what essentially was two
players along the wall. And then things did open up
(07:28):
for them a little bit. But like I said before,
it was a two to one game late and it
was it felt like it was really on a knife edge. Therefore,
Wisconsin got a powerplay five on three, scored on the
five on three, then like twenty some seconds later scored
on the five on four to make it four to one,
and that felt like it was it just kind of
put things away for the Badgers in the second game.
(07:50):
But I mean, I'm sitting there thinking, no, this is
not the last time we're seeing these two teams play
this season. It could be in the WHA championship game,
it could be in an NCAA championship game. We'll wait
and see how that shakes out. But I just get
that feeling that, you know, we talked about how the
NPI flipped after Saturday's game to Ohio State and laid
and flipped back one more game between these two if
(08:12):
it's if it's for the w c h A Championship,
might flip one and two or or solidify Wisconsin as one.
We'll see when we get there, but there's there's gonna
be a lot on the line whenever that game, next
game does sick play.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
Yeah, two things I want to point out. One, I
would say that Ohio State functionally played and this is
what Ohio State does, like I they they're what the
key was on Friday, is there sort of less experienced
or second third line players laid the game that Ohio
State wanted to play like, they were more effective at
continuing to be the team they've played thing, if that
(08:46):
makes sense. And I thought that was sort of like
that big difference, whereas that I think there was just
so much more adjustment needed for Wisconsin, and I felt
like maybe maybe exposed some players as like not maybe
not as able to handle some with the finesse. And also,
like you said, just like understanding that you have to
you can't just skate through people. Yeah, it was it
(09:08):
was a learning opportunity. The other thing I'd like to
show up, I think probably for both teams, but particularly
for Ohio State is they've been skating down a number
of players for like weeks, even before their olympians left.
So the fitness on that which is something you know
that they have. Both teams have really well, but like,
at no point did you feel that Ohio State was
playing with especially half a roster. They're playing with like
(09:33):
less than what fift twenty eighteen, less than eighteen, It
doesn't matter. The point is they're they're right in three lines.
You're not noticing any difference. They came back with just
as much in this on the second day. There was
no If you didn't know, you wouldn't know that they were,
you know, short shifting and putting in a lot more
time than they normally do. And I think that's a
(09:54):
credit to them and the work that they put in
to start the year that they were able to handle that.
I mean, I didn't think it was significantly different from Wisconsin,
but when you play that four check, when you are
constantly putting that pressure on like they are putting mild
on on that ice, and there was no it was
just clear that Ohio State was prepared to do that.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
Okay, let's move on to Ecac where it's the beautiful
mess that it has been all season. In the standings.
As we enter the last weekend, Princeton is holding on
to a two point lead over Yale, which is holding
on to a two point lead over Quidnimpac, which is
holding on to a two point lead over Brown, which
is tied with Clarkson, which who are both half a
(10:36):
point ahead of Cornell. So that is six teams the
top half of Ecia Yockey separated by six and a
half points going into the last two games of the season.
So now it's it's you know, Cornell is out of
the race for first. They don't have enough points to
make up. But I mean five teams theoretically, I guess
I shouldn't say it because I haven't done the who plays.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
Who they play each other communications.
Speaker 1 (10:58):
Of who could a cup six points. It's so there's
some some movement that can't quite happen there because of
just the number of points that are involved, but or
the games involving those points. So but we'll get into
that the schedule of it when we we wrap things
up in our third segments tonight. But Yale bat Clarkson
(11:20):
five to four on Friday, had to hold on to
that one. And speaking of holding on, there were five
to one after two. Clarkson's claws its way back with
three goals in the third, but Samson Fry makes twenty
four saves for Yale to give give them the Bulldogs
that win there. Quinn't Pack only got a tie against
Harvard one to one on Friday. Harvard won the shootout,
(11:43):
so quinn't Pack only comes away with a point there.
No surprise here was Angeley Toughye making thirty sicks for
Harvard plus three in the shootout. We need rowing the
goal the names we've come to expect here in the
second half of the season for the Crimson and then
to kind of confused things a little bit more, Harvard
then goes out and beats Princeton three to two on Saturday. Lucia, Lucia,
(12:07):
I forget how to pronounce that four or nine left,
she scores the goal ahead goals with tough a thirty
eight saves, nine save percentage, right, like, pretty incredible there. Yeah,
and she's really only taken you know, the starting role
in the second and half of the season for you know,
for most of the games anyway. So incredible stuff going
(12:30):
on there. But I mean this is there is no
more surprises here where every way we go into this
and we kind of see who's that. There's someone going up,
there's someone going down. Clarkson right now is lost three
straight after winning six straight before that. So this is
the way it has been all season. No one should
be surprised that it's going into the last weekend with.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
No I think maybe the surprise for me is Brown
being in that top six, and now I wouldn't even
see surprise. They've played well, it has not been necessarily consistent,
much like the rest of the league. So yeah, I agree.
I went and looked at standings this morning and was like,
wait a second, Uh, that is not a team we
had been like when we're talking about all of us
jumping and moving around, it's not a team we had
(13:14):
uh play into it. But they had a great weekend
as well, and so yeah, it's all up for grabs.
It's gonna be a lot of fun. Love that. Love
that even it doesn't matter who ends up in those
top six teams, because I don't think anybody is safe
in their tournament. TKOS is going to have a ride
through the ECAC tournament. So it's it's honestly, it makes
(13:39):
for great hockey. It makes things so entertaining. I you know,
sometimes it's frustrating. I think some of these teams are
better than some of these results that they're getting. But
if you are a team that's going to you know,
make a run at a title, make a run at
the Frozen Four, you have to you know, you have
to win the games that are put in front of you.
And there are no opportunities for for Bobbles, you know.
(14:02):
So it's separating you know, those teams out and showing
sort of who has what it takes at this point
in the season, like you have to be starting to
peak in the next week or two and and not
you know, be over that before we reached mid March.
So yeah, I have no idea. I mean we've said
(14:26):
it all year, like I don't. I don't have any
idea who to predict for who is going to take
this title. So that's fun, but also just like crazy
that that at some point, like a team like Brown
could come in and make make waves in the first,
second or third spot here when they weren't in the
conversation to do that at least two three weeks ago.
Speaker 1 (14:52):
Yeah, jadagain La figured in all four goals Brown scored
in the Saturday for one win over Senior Day, good
for her two goals to assists and that's awesome. Yeah,
so Brown and Clarkson tied for fourth at thirty eight points,
and that's the cutoff, of course for the first round.
By the way, SEC does it, top four get a
(15:13):
buy and then five through eight hosts nine or twelve
in the first round. Then the winners play the four
teams that got buys in the next round. So there's
a lot going on there. And yeah, it's a lot
of excitement for the last weekend of the regular season.
And that's I feel like that's just the start of it,
(15:38):
because yeah, when we get the playoffs in the ac ACS,
could be you know, throw everything out, let's let him go.
And I don't know if the seeding is gonna matter
a whole lot there. I do want to get into
a couple of games from Hockey East that are may
(15:59):
not matter for the conference championship. That's you know, Northeastern's
got that.
Speaker 2 (16:04):
I actually they secured this last week.
Speaker 1 (16:06):
I haven't even looked yet. I think they may have, yes,
But Holy Cross lost a pair of games last week.
Boston College won an overtime four to three on Friday,
and New Hampshire then won three to two on Saturday.
BC was down three to one in the third of
that Friday game before making a comeback and then winning
(16:29):
an overtime, and then Holy Cross losing again on Saturday
makes them winless in their last four. Three straight losses.
Not the kind of road to the finish line of
the radio season they're looking for. It's all gonna have
to happen in the playoffs for the Crusaders, we know that,
but this is not the road I'm sure they wanted
(16:51):
to have given.
Speaker 2 (16:52):
It feels like a tripping your way to the finish line.
Speaker 1 (16:56):
Right.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
They've they've had such a great season and really are
shown what they're capable of. And I don't know if
this is inexperience thing. It is a long season and
if you're not used to playing games that matter when
it comes to February, like maybe there's just a haven't
been there before a bit about it, and it's it
is a long season and it is exhausting. And if
(17:21):
you you have to have that in mind in September,
right in terms of of like the long game and
how you prepare and how you reserve energy and the
ability to be really at your best at this time
of the season. And that's a team that hasn't had
to think about that, and I wonder if that's what's
coming into play here because they have had so many
(17:45):
really good wins and it was it was a little
surprising to see the outcomes the last two weekends from them.
Speaker 1 (17:55):
So in Hockey East last week to a higher ranked
teams had to work overtime for some some wins. On Friday,
Yukon needed ot to beat Providence two to one, and
then on Saturday, Northeastern beat Vermont three to two in
the extra session after for tie that one late. There's uh,
(18:17):
I love the fact that, you know, teams that maybe
haven't had great seasons are still pushing the higher ranked teams.
As we get towards the you know, in the middle
of February here where it's things are really going to
start to matter. It leads to that, you know, you
don't know for sure what's gonna happen in the playoffs
because when you get into the one game roulins like
(18:40):
hockeysas all the way through, then it really does you know, uh,
you know, any any game can tip in a in
the last couple of minutes and you're going to overtime,
and then you know, one shot wins it. So I
think there's a lot to be interested in when we
look at the playoffs there. We got a couple of
weeks left still, but should be fun to watch. The
(19:01):
Hockey East.
Speaker 2 (19:02):
I feel that conference too has been like particularly good.
Every time I go and do recaps, there's always goals
in the final minute of a period, like there's just
there's they're high on the drama and I think, you know,
the momentum and the confidence and sort of those intangible
really important for for all the teams, both the ones
that are ahead or the higher ranked ones to keep
(19:24):
their momentum going. But also you know, for someone like
Kromon who took Northeastern into overtime and come back and
things like that, that's the sort of stuff that they
can build on and can really sort of like power
them through an upset in the tournament, you know. So
that's the I think that's the the stuff that's going
to really come into play when we come into the
Hockey East for them. And like you said, when it's
(19:46):
one and done and there's a million variables, it's not
as simple as like how how you protect the fuck
or how you shoot it. So I think it's gonna
be super interesting.
Speaker 1 (19:54):
As well, or we get to our break. I just
want to mention things are increasingly interesting and new haf
which has Saint Anselm leading at forty nine points with
Franklin Pierce one back at forty eight, but Assumption now
in the picture there four points back of st Anselm
at forty five points. It's all coming about because Assumption
(20:18):
got six points against Saint Michael's, Franklin Pierce got five
against stone Hill and a home and home series, but
st ansel lost twice in overtime at Long Island only
at two points. So there that the machine keeps working
there of turning out the interest in how this is
going to finish up and who's going to get the
(20:39):
home you know, the home ice there to.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
Yes, if I remember correctly, Anselm plays both frank Sand
Assumption their final two weekends. Yeah, so the drums only started.
Speaker 1 (20:53):
Yeah a lot, brother, right exactly. There's a race for
third pla really in Atlantic hockey, it's you know, the
first place is Penn State wrapped up. Second place is
gonna be mercious, but then it's rit a point ahead
of Syracuse, which is a morning ahead of Lyndon would
so a lot to be playing for there as well. Okay,
(21:16):
there's a lot playing out in mild right now and
it's gonna be exciting to watch. Over the next few days,
we are going to get into the upcoming US Canada
game and what we've seen so far when we come
back on the podcast. Welcome back to the podcast. Todd
(21:38):
Nicole here to talk about the Olympics tournament which started
last Thursday. For well, most of the teams, Finland with
a neurovirus outbreak, had to be quarantined for a little
while and their game against Canada stuffered there and is
now being played this Thursday, so extending the the preliminary
(22:01):
round by a couple of days. So we won't know
for sure what the order of things will be until
then in Group A, but we do have a big
game Tuesday morning or sorry, Tuesday early afternoon at US time,
with the US and Canada getting their round robin game
going after both have gone through their opening games with
(22:25):
undefeated records. Have has anything stood out to you about
either of these North American teams the call of in
terms of maybe anything different than you expected going in
knowing the rosters and knowing how you know. Competition has
shaped up. I think the.
Speaker 2 (22:45):
US power play is still struggling a little. I think
am click particularly apparently if Alex Carpenter is doing things.
But I think there are like things that you can
see there that like the threads of it, but it
hasn't come to get other and I feel like it
needs to for them going forward in the tournament. Uh rebelesque,
(23:06):
he's doing a little more line changing than maybe I
thought that he would. I think I'm not sure. I like,
I like, maybe I'm being nipiky, But it seems weird
to me to put Meghan Keller and Layla Edwards together
and then k K Harvey and Haley Win together. To me,
that's like sort of doing like and like and like
and like. If that makes sense, I mean not exactly,
(23:26):
but you're sort of talking like two big long reaches
in Kellor and and Layla, and I think probably them
they're looking for sort of goals for a distance, and
then with KK and Haley, you're got like sort of
more active can like maybe sneak up into the offense
a little more. So it feels like it would make
sense to to sort of mix those two pairs. Oh,
(23:48):
that might be interesting moving forward. I feel like Layla's
played really well. She hasn't had some of the hesitancy
and some of the the nonchalants that maybe we've seen
at times. She looks more secure in making the right
decisions as opposed to sort of I feel like she's
just not been very offensive because she's been defaulting to
do well on defense. And I do get that, but
(24:10):
they need her to be offensive. She's got a couple
of assists now, and I feel like she just looks
more confident and secure in the role.
Speaker 1 (24:23):
He's getting a lot of minutes too. We expected that
for KK Harvey because I think usc is what we've
all seen in her that you know, just can control
a game when she has the puck and sometimes even
when she doesn't. But I think Leilah Edwards had the
the most minutes in the game on Monday against Switzerland
(24:47):
for the US, if I'm remembering that right, a five
to nothing win for the US. And so I still
go back to a year and some change ago talking
to Robleski about, you know, how much the change to
defense Boy's going to require out of Laila Edwards and
(25:10):
how much they were committed to it, because it's still
felt at that point. This is you know, back in
maybe it was late twenty twenty four, we're talking about it,
and it's like, really, I mean, one of the best
forwards in college and you're throwing that's where she best
fits it in that picture. It was still a question
at that point. He said, Look, we don't know where
(25:31):
it's going to go, and we're willing to change it
up until the last minute, but we need to see
this through because we see that she has potential there
and has some commitment to it too as well.
Speaker 2 (25:41):
It's so funny because I have felt like this this
wasn't going to change. Everybody has complained about the layla
as a defense experiment and been like, oh, put her
back up front, and like I have, I don't know
about the timing compared to what you're saying, and I
have long felt like that is such a pointless like
this is not changing. He is committed to this, uh,
and this is what's happening. So it's very funny, Like
(26:03):
I both am still I mean, I think you and
I have talked about this. I feel like there are
a number of forwards that I really that I would
place Layla ahead of in terms of if we were
just ranking, and so it feels very weird to me
to have pulled her out of that. And also there
may be a couple of other players that I would
have moved to defense instead. It was interesting on the
broadcast today, A J. Melesco said, uh, Layla is the
(26:25):
one that asked to move to defense, And I was like,
it's not the story we've heard before, but now you
never know, but yeah, I.
Speaker 1 (26:34):
It's part of the story. Yeah, I don't know if
that's the full version, but that was how.
Speaker 2 (26:42):
It was interesting that you, like you, you know, he
said to you that it felt it was sort of movable,
because it has felt that like he'd sort of dug
his he like, this is the decision we made, and
like she's not going back to forward, so and I
felt like it has felt like if so her options
there be a defender, don't be on the team, and
so as we can imagine the decision we would all make.
(27:05):
But yeah, I just maybe that I wonder if the
minute thing was in terms of, hey, this is quote
unquote supposed to be the easiest game, right, like Switzerland
is the fifteen in the group and so just trying
to continue to put her in a position where she
could be comfortable. And and I know one of his
big things is about being sort of predictable for everybody
else on the team, so like they know what you're
(27:26):
gonna do, and you know what they're gonna do, and
so giving her more minutes just like ensures that she
is doing the things she's supposed to do, like without
thinking twice about them. But yeah, just overall, I thought,
I thought she has looked good. I thought the collegians
overwhel overall have looked really good. There's a power play
unit in the second game that was all collegians plus
h Taylor Heisei, which I thought was like there is
(27:49):
I don't think for him there is any thought to
sort of youth or who is a ro er, who
is a collegian there that's a that's a free thing.
And I think every one of the collegians is is
like well trusted to do well in their position, which
is cool to see.
Speaker 1 (28:06):
I thought the Abby Murphy Taylor heize connection has been
really good in some stretches where they just find a
way and are able to hit each other with passes
really well. That don't look like they're necessarily open, but
they find each other and that's that's been good to
see for the US. I mean, obviously Hillary Knight's doing
what Hillary Knight does. We've now seen all three goalies play.
(28:29):
Avian McNaughton got a minute and a half at the
end of Monday game, and that's probably what you'll get
for the tournament that you're gonna get to going to Phillips.
Aaron Frankel one of the two of them being the
go to goalie for the US, but.
Speaker 2 (28:47):
Even got the dressed.
Speaker 1 (28:48):
So the fact that.
Speaker 2 (28:51):
It's important, I think it sort of proves that they
see her as the future and you want to, you know,
have her have this experience so that she would she
is someone you're counting on, say in four years, that
that she's it's not all brand new, but still, like
you said, usually the third goalie doesn't even get in,
so I thought it was both interesting that they even
dressed her as the backup and then put her in
(29:12):
so exciting moment for her. I think it was just
cool and she you know, she immediately made a big
save and everybody was cheering, so that was nice. Also,
right before she went out, when Phillips was you know,
kind of got hit and she was rotating her hand
on the bench. So we can hope that that is
a low key thing and just something she recovers from,
(29:33):
but definitely something to keep an eye out for. And
then also I think we should mention Murray fleep. Clayan
got hit, took a hit from Carlton Kova in the
game against Tchekiya. She initially went off, came back on,
and then went off again and then did not come
back out after I think the second intermission. So yeah,
(29:55):
that's a we don't have an update beyond that, but
she was favoring on I believe for right lege.
Speaker 1 (30:00):
She sort of got.
Speaker 2 (30:01):
Twisted around and what looked like head contact that did
not get reviewed for head contact and CULTI had two
of those in that game. But yeah, that's a that's
a big asterisk in something Canada will be looking out for.
It wouldn't surprise me if they, like, if anything is
going on, if she sits for the game tomorrow, because
ultimately it doesn't really matter, So if there's there's sort.
Speaker 1 (30:21):
Of any.
Speaker 2 (30:24):
Concern or need for recovery, I would imagine they will
hold her until especially because of that that late game
they're not going to have and possibly back to back
going into the quarterfinals.
Speaker 1 (30:35):
Right right, that does change things. So that game against
Finland that was postponed has been rescheduled for Thursday, and
then the quarterfinals are Friday, both semi finals Monday, and
the Metal Games week from Thursday. So yeah, that that
timing is is challenging, could be challenging for both Canada
(30:57):
and Finland. As an aside, what is Finland done to
violate the rules of karma and women's hockey in the
last couple of months where the UA team team gets
relegated kind of out of nowhere and now they get
hit with neuro virus when they get the Milan or
I don't know if it was when they got the Milan,
but early in their stay in Milan and.
Speaker 2 (31:20):
It's just like way with one player for two days
and one was like literally everybody yeah yeah.
Speaker 1 (31:31):
So the rough rough goal of it there for Finland
in the last couple of months on the women's hockey side,
So they the game Tuesday, decides who wins Pool A
and then you know, the the loser gets the second seed,
and by all accounts, I don't think there's much unless
(31:52):
that Canada Finland game goes a way that we're not
necessarily expecting.
Speaker 2 (31:58):
It.
Speaker 1 (31:59):
It doesn't, like you're saying, doesn't mean a whole lot
in the end, because the group winner plays the third
team from Group B, and the second place finisher faces
the second place team from will be so.
Speaker 2 (32:13):
Right now will be either Germany right.
Speaker 1 (32:15):
Now, that would be Italy or Germany. As the stands,
Japan could still move in, but they would require a
regulation win, and what we're saying a Germany loss Germany
regulation loss in the last day of pool play.
Speaker 2 (32:33):
Right, Italy probably made the surprise for people so far
in that they are sort of well in the conversation,
in doing well in Group B, I mean, I think
there is no doubt that Sweden is a few steps
ahead of everybody else in Group B. They're the team
most excited about switching this group set up for the
next Olympics. France is officially eliminated. I thought France played okay.
(32:58):
I think at times they played really tim but I
also think that France came into this as a like,
we took second place in qualification and we're even supposed
to be here and we host in twenty thirty, so
let's get everything we can out of this as a
learning experience. So yeah, I h it'll be interesting to
see tomorrow. Like you said, I mean, I don't see
(33:19):
Japan upsetting Sweden, so it looks like we would be
it would be Germany is the third seed, right, Italy
is the two seed, and Sweden is the one seed.
Speaker 1 (33:30):
The other yeah right as of now, right, see, a
lot to be decided before we talk to you next,
but by next week's podcast we will have all that
decided and semifinals zone, so we'll be looking ahead to
gold medal game bronze medal game to be played a
(33:54):
week from Thursday in Milan. It's it's I felt like
it's been some pretty compelling games so far. I mean,
not necessarily, there haven't been a lot of you know,
between the US and Canada and their opponent's close games,
but a lot of the other games have been you know,
going down to the wire. I was, I forget which
game was watching this morning. It was it was the
(34:14):
Japan Italy game that was end up three to two
on Monday morning, and and in favor of Italy, and
it was you know, Japan had some chances towards the
end just you know, couldn't get get them to go.
But that's a kind of indicative in that in that
Group B that there's you know, those are teams that
are kind of scrapping to get get to the quarterfinals
(34:35):
and and just be part of that that.
Speaker 2 (34:39):
Yeah, and I think we'll probably have to shout out
to Switzerland, right like there are two last two games
against US in Canada ended up a little more lopsided
than then maybe was fair to them because it was
Sastia Mauer in against Canada and it was Andrea black
Brandly against USA today. But their defense has been spectacular.
It's it's it's a little hard to watch, I said,
I was seeing because people are like, oh, Sweden, I'm sorry,
(35:02):
Switzerland's goaltending and it's like, man, we have seen this before.
They are very good with great goaltending. They're very good
on defense, and they struggle to convert that to offense.
And the big thing is that this is a team
that has had last Alder Ellena Mueller leading them and
that has been the case for what's three four Olympics now,
(35:22):
and there hasn't been anybody else to step up for
them and there's only so much you can do when
you have the only two people who can you know,
have the salmina and have the vision and can go
on rushes and recover if they turn it over and
things like that, and that's the that's the missing piece
for Switzerland. But they have I mean, they had Canada
(35:46):
one oh going into the third period, they had US
two oh going into the third period. Today. Their goaltending
continues to play outstanding. I mean, Andrea Brandley was reportedly
the one player at Switzerland that had neumal virus, so
the fact that she played today and and played lights
out again. But I feel like there's a lot to
learn if you're someone that's going to face US or Canada,
(36:07):
from the way that they the gap management, the way
that they kept them to the outsides, some of the
sort of angling. And it wasn't a coincidence that the
US's goals early came when they finally got to the net,
because they weren't. They weren't getting to the net front
for a lot of it. And I think some of
(36:28):
that was frustrating for both them and in Canada. And
I think importantly too, is Switzerland did have way more
shots today. They had as much shot and as many
shots in the first period as they have the whole
game against Canada. But it's both like heartening and fun
to watch and you get excited for them, but also
I feel like we have seen this song and dance
from them before, and I know that there's frustration on
(36:49):
their end in terms of like Larstelder and I'll need
to mean Neweller can't do it all and they have
yet to raise the level of development that the other
forwards are playing at that level. Though, I think Avon
a Way has really made a name for herself internationally
at this tournament. She's someone that stood out to me
eighteens in twenty twenty four and she's twenty now and
(37:12):
committed to Northeastern for next year, so she is someone
I think will be really fun and interesting to watch
the development of between now and the nest Olympics for them,
but just kind of highlights what you know, like why
Lara Selder left and went back to try and row
things that get home in Switzerland, Like the development just
isn't We're not getting more top to your talent. And
(37:35):
that's not to see that there's not good players on
the team, but there there's a difference between the good
players and the Lara Selder's Lena Muellers of the universe.
So I think shout out to them because I think
they've they've handled themselves really well, but and I think
they've impressed a lot of people. I thought Saskia got
lots of attention from people watching that Canada game. But
(37:57):
I don't think that there is an opportunity for them
to take that next step at this point, and that's
hard and frustrating.
Speaker 1 (38:03):
I think a right good stuff there on the Olympics.
We're going to talk about NCAA hockey again when we
come back from our last break. Last week we had
number one against number two. This week we've got number
two against number three, so another intriguing matchup happening there
in the WHA. Plus all of those exciting permutations for
ECAC hockey's finish. We're going to talk about that and
(38:25):
more when we come back. Stay with us on the podcast.
Welcome back to the podcast. Todd Nicole here to wrap
things up for this week with a look at first
everything that can happen in ECAC hockey. Well, I don't
know if we can go through everything that can happen
(38:46):
in the ACAC. But we know there are six games
happening Friday, six games happening Saturday, and then that's the
end of the regular season. We'll know what the playoffs
are going to look like. These teams host series this
week Princeton, Quinnipiac, Clarkson Union, RPI, and Saint Lawrence. Obviously
we're gonna be looking at Princeton being the team that
(39:08):
is currently in first place as having a chance to
wrap that up hosting Yale on Friday and Brown on Saturday.
So not exactly a what you would call an easy finish,
if there is such a thing in the ac AC
at all. And then Quinnipiac, I'm looking at this again
(39:33):
here then gets is a Brown. Wait, I wish I
would have had this a little bit differently. Yeah, and then.
Speaker 2 (39:45):
For travel partners situations.
Speaker 1 (39:50):
So those two series right there could be, uh, have
a lot going on in them. So if you're gonna
pay attention to just a couple of games, the would
probably be ones to keep an eye on.
Speaker 2 (40:02):
Quite love that the scheduling. That scheduling put us in
that situation. Appreciate it that the top four teams are
all playing each other yeah, Princeton sort of in the
driver's seat right, like they have the two point lead
in their at home, but it's it's it's certainly not
going to be easy. And I think for you know,
(40:23):
teams like Brown and they're they're looking to you know,
play spoiler and put themselves in a bigger, better position. So,
uh yeah, I don't know. I don't know what to
think though, I don't have any great prependosticating sources here,
but I yeah, I think, you know, I Princeton probably
has the slide advantage just getting to be at home
(40:45):
and having that lead.
Speaker 1 (40:50):
There's also uh Clarkson hosting Colgate and then hosting Cornell,
so so many things can be moving around in that
picture there. Cornell is Coldel and Clarkson right in there
with Brown for the for the first round. By so
(41:12):
a lot going on around ECAC this weekend. Make sure
you're checking in with our scoreboards on us EHO dot
com for the live results happening there and following the standings.
All that will be updated and of course the NPI
will be updated as it goes along. A lot of
things left to be decided there, a lot to be
(41:33):
decided in the WHA still too Wisconsin only with a
two point lead over Ohio State five points up on
Minnesota number two Ohio State number three Minnesota this week
Friday and Saturday in Columbus. This is a series that
got heated the time first time they met this season,
(41:55):
and that still shows in their penalty totals for or
averages for the season, both being in the top of
the country there. So I'm thinking back on that a
little bit over the weekend when someone was asking about
penalty minutes, I was like, Yeah, these these are the numbers,
(42:15):
but they're they're thrown off by having pretty much everyone
in the ice tossed at the end of one of
those games in Minneapolis or the this season. I don't
know how much that means anything as they're getting now
down to the penultimate week of the regular season in
the w c h A, but it does kind of
illustrate that there's there's not gonna be any ground given
(42:39):
by either one of these teams, even in a game
that might start to get out of hand. Numbers wise,
you know, goals wise, there's there's a lot to be proven.
And I think that's that's what we're gonna see in
in yeah, I would.
Speaker 2 (42:54):
See to throw maybe a little wrench in this as well,
is that Minnesota is now on the verse of being
passed in the NPI by Penn State. It's less than
half a point separating them. So you know, Ohio State's
played for UH points to win the w c h A,
but Minnesota, I mean that it's just a different situation
(43:15):
to be in the four five, you know, game versus
the being the three seeds. So and in Penn State
is just in the position that they're like, they're not
they're not moving or losing much having already clinched their
their conference. So yeah, and they're not gonna lose point
you know, like the NBI is built that they can't
lose points for playing teams out of the rankings and
(43:38):
things like that. So I think there is maybe even
more on the line. There's gonna be. You know, there's
there's no love lost between those two teams, probably more
so even I think there's probably more I think like
grudging or respect between Wisconsin and Ohio State, and I
feel like there's a little more bad blood between Minnesota
and Ohio State. But yeah, there's so there's a lot
(43:59):
of pride on the line, especially after the way that
that last series ended. But Minnesota really is in a
more precarious position looking towards their own postseason and that
adds I think an extra wrinkle to it as well.
Speaker 1 (44:14):
Yes, it certainly does. So that's going to be something
to really pay attention to this week. And can Ohio
State do to Minnesota what they did do Wisconsin and
coming out and establishing the tone and playing their style
right away in their own this time in their own
building and not letting Minnesota get get established. That's going
(44:36):
to be another thing to watch for this week. A
lot to watch for this week as we're looking around
the country. But I want to make sure we get
you had mentioned the new ha finish of the season earlier,
Just making sure I get this right. It is Saint
(44:57):
Anselm and Assumption this week playing a home home series.
So Saint Anselme uh getting wait? I had the Stanley
sere Now I don't where did they go? Let me
find it again? Find out which page. Sant Anselm up
by a point over Franklin Pierce and then sant Anselm
(45:17):
is up by four points of Assumption, So big changes
could happen this weekend. Uh, and we are here for
all of the chaos happening over the last two weeks
of their regular season, because that is sant ansel.
Speaker 2 (45:31):
Frank and Franklin Pearce has you know one in twenty
seven Saint Michael's this weekend, so they're they're in a
position to earn their complete points in what I would
think is an easier manners in Saint anselm An assumption
playing each other.
Speaker 1 (45:48):
Yes, I but I I am. I am not piking
anything for granted anymore in I've been down that road times.
Speaker 2 (45:57):
So there's that, I will say, assumption and pretty sure
assumptions games are free to watch, and I'll have those
links over at Victory Press. But the game ad assumption
for sure will be for free. So that's something to
look out for if you want to pay attention there.
But yeah, I love that the three teams a then
it's all so close and like arguably if they all
(46:17):
beat up on each other like Stonehill is looking, look
was pretty good to move up as well, not take
the lead, but they could put themselves up in second
place too, So yeah, it's I mean, I just think
it's fun. No offense to Penn State. But it's boring
that they've had the wrapped up for so the age.
It's like me in and then they draw out their
(46:38):
their tournament for so long. So it's fun that all
of this is coming down to the last weekend week
or two, depending on what's going on with per conference.
I just it's it's compelling and it makes for a
fun close to the season.
Speaker 1 (46:55):
The regular season, yep, that I think hockey finish is
this week as well. Delaware is already done with conference games.
They are locked into the seventh seed in the playoffs.
Penn State is locked in the number one seed, Mercy
Here is going to be number two. Then it gets
(47:17):
a little, uh, a little trickier with those last four
teams in the middle there r T Syracuse Lindenwood Robert Morris.
Rit has to go to Penn State this week. Syracuse
is at Mercyhurst, Lynnwood at Robert Morris. So Syracuse has
a chance is at one point behind r T two. Uh,
(47:38):
if they can get something out of a series at
Mercy Hurst, even if you know, a couple overtime results,
they have a chance to leap frog Rit fourth third
place in the conference. And you know, every every seed matters.
(47:58):
I think in in that conference when we're dealing with
a I believe the first round the opening round is
and correct me if I'm wrong here, but it's the
uh seventh seed against the sixth seed winner to play
the third seed. He's later, right, and that happening at
the third seed. So there's some some interesting things happening
(48:21):
in Atlantic hockey this season.
Speaker 2 (48:23):
Yes, seventeen. Well, we like a very unusual bracket over
here in hockey. Uh yeah, I think it's cool. I
think it's cool though that, Like, I mean, linden Wood
has sort of been a perpetual bottom of the conference team.
So you know, linden would point is the only one
of those teams in the middle there that's playing someone
rated below them. So like, if they can take care
of business this weekend, they put themselves in a really
(48:45):
great position. And so I think it's just good to see,
even in this conference that's sort of been decided in
the Penn State has sort of ruled over pretty well
over the last couple of years, we're seeing growth in
some of these programs and seeing them take ups forward,
and I think that's just really important for them to
can you continue to recruit and grow and get better.
Speaker 1 (49:06):
You have to.
Speaker 2 (49:07):
You have to be producing results to get people to
want to come there, you know. So I think it's
it's a good step forward, and you're we're looking at
these teams that are all kind of around five hundred
in conference play, which is doing pretty well.
Speaker 1 (49:23):
Right a game on Sunday, I wanted to mention Boston
College at number five Northeastern again at in in quotation
marks there because that game is happening at Bentley Arena
on Sunday, Northeastern seven to oho to one in its
last eight games, plays at Boston University on Friday. I
(49:46):
think Northeastern, the more it can you know, continue that
run going into the playoffs, the better it's chances are
looking you know, in in you know, solidifying that number
five of in the NPI and no, it seems like
a long shot, but maybe there's a chance that there's
(50:07):
a stumble by someone ahead in the top four and
a chance to move into that spot. But for sure,
to avoid that first round game. Saying in the number
five spot in the Empire is big for Northeastern and
they can't really afford you know, very.
Speaker 2 (50:23):
Many but they haven't had much and again that's the
team we weren't talking about at the beginning of the year.
Is someone a to win their confidence or B to
earn like a top top seed in the in the
end seed.
Speaker 1 (50:40):
Ye went away from a frozen four.
Speaker 2 (50:42):
So I think, right, yeah, I think everything they've been
doing has just been They've done such a great job
of sort of taking that momentum and rolling and building
on what they've already had, and when they have stumbled,
they've they've responded well, and they've continued to do really
great in conference, which is important. And I think, yeah,
(51:03):
I just that's a team that I see, I think
should be scary for for other for everyone else, just
because of what they've built from the beginning. And while
we've seen, like we talked about the chaos of the
ECAC teams, you know, sort of shuffling and moving and
losing points, like there's season has been pretty steadily chugging
along and just doing what they need to do and
taking care of business, and that is that puts them
(51:26):
in a pretty good position to face whatever adversity comes
comes next, right, And I just like they're a team
that because of what they've built, game after game after
game like would make me choose them in most sort
of toss ups, right, because I think they've they've pulled
out the wins. They're very good at coming from behind
her scoring those late goals that put them in a
(51:48):
good position. They're very good in overtime, and they have
a very good goaltender. So they are primed to do
do some teams dirty as we head into the postseason.
And yeah, I think the fact that they haven't really stumbled,
that they haven't really viewed from this course, and that
like even when nobody else was talking about them, they
(52:08):
believed in what they were doing and have just gone
out and sort of quietly proved it all season long
says a lot about them. And then I think makes
them one of the scarier teams heading towards towards March.
Speaker 1 (52:21):
And I'll continue to say it for the last two months,
not having a home ice, you know, even even for
not for games, but for where you're going for practice,
not being on campus, not doing the you know, the
short walk or the short drive to your locker room.
Having that to change that has been a lot and
(52:42):
I'm sure it will be over the next full season.
Speaker 2 (52:46):
Some of the good spot when we come to postseason
pretty well, travel places and play in weird spots and
be you know, three buildings away the ice. It's interesting.
The Bedley part is interesting is I think this is
their first games they've played at other people's ice, but
it's been ice that they're used to. But Bentley doesn't
have a women's team, right, Look, they don't have a
(53:07):
they're so I'm curious how familiar least they don't have
a d one.
Speaker 1 (53:12):
I know that I know the Northeastern men have played
at Bentley Arena, so that this is something they've used
as a school before, but I don't know, yeah that
the women's team.
Speaker 2 (53:21):
I mean, I know I've been there before team obviously.
I just uh, yeah, that's just an interesting, uh sort
of wrinkle to this too in terms of like play
Wally b there, that's that's not new to them, but
this this is a whole new situation. So yeah, that
puts an extra sort of asterisk on what they've been
able to accomplish this year.
Speaker 1 (53:42):
I think, yeah, absolutely, Okay, that's been a lot to
cover here this week. As we get in the middle
part of February and then continuing on after that, it'll
be I feel like a lot more, but with the
Olympics going on too, it's just, uh, there is a
lot of really interesting stuff happening, and we we appreciate
(54:03):
everyone coming along for the ride with us, and we
will make sure to try and keep our ears to
the ground for all of the important information that's happening
around in ce double A women's hockey. So, unless Nicole,
you have.
Speaker 2 (54:16):
Anything else, it's going to be really busy until we finished,
and then it will be busy in postseason, but not
quite as overwhelming as what we're doing right now. Very exciting,
lots of fun.
Speaker 1 (54:30):
But yes, So check everything out on us e h
O dot com and Victory Press with Nicole's great stuff there,
and make sure to join us again here next week
for another edition of the podcast. I'm Todd, that's Nicole,
Thanks for joking.
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