December 29, 2025 • 35 mins
This week on Between the Benches, David Mooradian and Patrick Moore go off the usual scouting report with a special out-of-division edition of the show. The guys sit down with the voice of the Utica Comets, Joe Benson, to talk AHL hockey from a different perspective, It’s a rare opportunity to explore a franchise the Roadrunners don’t face and one they haven’t met in team history. Step outside the division and join the conversation for this special Between the Benches episode.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
From road Runners Weekly. This is Between the Benches. You're
all access brief. You want the week ahead, We'll look
at the road Runners upcoming opponents, get the inside storing
and here directly from the voices and players that know
them best. With your hosts David Moradi and then Patrick
Moore and this week's special guest, the Voice of the
(00:22):
Utica comments Joe Benson.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Home to another edition of Between the Benches. David Ridy
and joined by Patrick Moore. As I often am, and
we're going to talk to Joe Benson, the Voice of
the Utica comets in just a few minutes.
Speaker 3 (00:35):
I'll let you know what's going on. But then the
interesting thing.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Patrick, you take a casual look at the standings, you say, oh,
Udica there in last place. You know what's the story there? Well,
the story is that they're playing a lot better. They're
an improved team, And anytime you see something really trending
in the right direction, it's interesting to get that perspective
and hear how that's going. So we're gonna hear from
Joe in a few minutes. But another team that might
just be trending in the right direction, Patrick, is your
(00:57):
Tucson Roadrunners. They have their first sweep of the season,
winning both contests against the Calgary Wranglers this week at home,
a convincing victory on Saturday night five to two, and
then a much more dramatic affair last night, a three
to two overtime thriller. But just maybe your initial takeaways
from that series where the Roadrunners get the entire four
points against the Calgary Wranglers.
Speaker 4 (01:19):
You know, David, it was I feel like it was
more just kind of an epiphany moment for the twuson Runners.
They finally got the sweep, and I think they played
really well overall. I think the second game they had
kind of a rough start. They gave of a goal
fifty seven seconds in and they are pretty much down
for the majority of the game, but they came back
with the Max super goal and then Sammy Walker's dramatic
over ten game winners. So I thought that was one
(01:41):
of the best series they played, and definitely they got
the wins, so we already know it was the best
series they played so far. But they've been playing really
good of late, so I think that if they can
kind of carry in beat the rival San Diego goals
and then head into the year up north of the border,
lot can change in a couple of days.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
There's no question about that.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
In their first series, as Patrick bentioned, will be their
first series in twenty twenty six, will be against the
Wranglers once again, a team that they've played quite well
against in their four contests so far. So certainly an
opportunity to start the new year on a positive note.
They've got the San Diego Goals here coming up on Wednesday.
This will just be a one game affair, but an
opportunity to close the year with a winning record, because now, Patrick,
(02:24):
they are twelve and twelve with a couple of overtime losses.
So sitting right there at five hundred, and you think
if you could just grab this one against the Goals.
Say what you will about the twenty twenty five starts
of the twenty five six season, but hey, you'd be
about five hundred and there're certainly worst places to be
than there. Now, let's get into the specifics the road Runners.
The first game, it was an explosive start. They take
(02:45):
a four to nothing lead halfway through, a two nothing
lead after the first period.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
Just as a player, the significance of getting off to
such a fast start.
Speaker 4 (02:53):
Well, I think it's just you're a little bit kind
of shot. You normally don't know what you're going to
get out of a team. If you're playing the team,
like Calorie was pretty high in the standings, you're kind
of thinking that either you're gonna get off their fast off,
they're gonna get a fast off, or to me, a
really slow start trying to kind of feel each other out.
But I think it was important that they got a
really fast start. So I think, in my opinion, it
was great that they got a fast start and it
(03:14):
really kind of like improved the pace of the weekend,
and I dink Gets showed to Calgary that hey, dude,
this is a different tuss On team than you saw
in October. So I think as a former player it
was great to watch. It kind of reminded me of
my old days play hockey. So but I think so
your point, David, I think it was that was the
start they needed to kickstart this winning ways and.
Speaker 3 (03:33):
A very steady start for Matthew.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
Valta in that game saved eighteen of his first nineteen
shots in the opening two periods, so he was a
very very tough blockade there for the Calgary Wranglers, and
Matthew Valota a key reason why the Roadrunners are able
to get that victory. Another guy who you have to mention,
Sam Lipkin scored his first goal of the season and
Scott Peruonovich had at the time his sixteenth assist of
(03:57):
the year, seeing up Lipkin and Paganski and.
Speaker 3 (03:59):
On that f as well. So what do you have
to say Sam Lipkin first goal of the year, Patrick, I.
Speaker 4 (04:04):
Think it's always a fun feeling when you finally get
your first goal of the season. And I think sam
Kin has been kind of in and out of the
lineup for the most of the part of the season.
He's been playing really hard of late, and he's been
getting a lot more games and more ice time. So
I think for a guy like like Lipper, you know,
it's it's always good to see guys like him produce
on a big level. And against the team Mike Kyrie,
(04:24):
who's pretty high up in the standings, multiple guys got
their first goals, David, So, I mean, if you want
to jump right into that one.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
Yeah, I was gonna say Lamaru and Dudo right there
later in the game. I was going to get to
the defenseman in a moment and the Susan defenseman have
been impressive, there's no question about that. But what we
haven't seen is from most of the players. Obviously Perunovic
has been a real facilitator, but we haven't seen a
lot of finish and and not expecting your defenseman to
score a ton of goals. But it has really been
(04:52):
bear from just the goals scoring perspective from the Blue Liners.
And then on Saturday they get one from from due
to and Lamaroo, so really make an impact there and
flipping the script on that, Yeah.
Speaker 4 (05:03):
I think so too. And I think it also gives
a boost to the team. And when you see guys
who normally are more players that don't put a lot
on the score sheet, but they do a lot to
help to kind of give a boost to the team,
I think that shows something that everyone can produce on
this team, and I think it gave a lot of confidence.
And then you had to see the dramatic. The dramatics
at the end of the game with Maverick Lamaru I
(05:25):
think would be kind of another thing too. I mean,
he had a great night on Saturday and getting the
crowd pumped up and kind of egging on the Calgaryranglers
players trying to kind of get into their heads a
little bit. I think it really showed and then also
had a great fight. I think Lamarou was one of
the kind of the hot spots for this for this
team this weekend. So I think it's going to see
what we can do against San Diego and hopefully we
(05:46):
can leave that into the new year.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
And the defenseman kept it rolling. A big goal from
Max Zuber. He had the equalizer in game number two,
just the minute fifty one into the final period there
to make things two to two after a really dynamic
first period, you know, two to one Calgary, but fireworks
certainly going off early once again, a lot of shots
on goal, very active period, and then the second and
(06:09):
the third the Roadrunners certainly controlled the shots on goal
and the ice positioning, but didn't have a lot to
show for it. Zuber obviously ties the game that it
looked like the Wranglers maybe had the upper hand toward
the end of regulation, but it was Sammy Walker who
got it done in overtime. And nice to see Walker
breaking through again because he got off to such a
hot start in the fall. And then as the weather
(06:29):
has cooled off, he's done the same, but he came
through with a big time goal in the three on
three period there in overtime, and two really steady players
on the assist, Scott Pronovich number seventeen and Ben McCartney
his sixteenth assist of the season. McCartney, you can't tell
the story of this year's Tuson Roadrunners without getting in
to the production from Ben McCartney this season. I mean,
he has been really, really steady for the team, and
(06:51):
certainly they're fortunate to have him. Anything I missed there
Patrick recapping those two contests, the Roadrunners taken four points
from the Calgary Wranglers.
Speaker 4 (06:59):
I don't think there's anything really to recap. I feel
like it just they swept. They finally did it. They finally.
I mean, we've been how many times at the start
of the season we were like, I think we're gonna
get to sweep this week, and we're gonna get a sweep,
and then finally it just felt like you never knew
when it was gonna happen. But finally, once we're not
even in the state, we're not even in the state
of Arizona right now, we're all back home for the
holidays and they finally to sweep. So maybe we should
(07:21):
just stay home and see how. But I think we
should also talk about the rally hawk that was in
the building as well. I you know, since I'm not
in the in the building, I was getting text from
James Mackie about the rally hawk. He was mentioning a
lot on the broadcast. I feel like the rally Hawks
should just stay in the building the rest of the
season because they're two and oh when the rally hawk
(07:43):
is in the TCC.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
So are you a superstitious kind of person? Patrick? Am
I picking up something here that I should know.
Speaker 4 (07:49):
I'm I'm very superstitious.
Speaker 3 (07:52):
Attitious here, You're you're a full blown superstitious.
Speaker 4 (07:55):
I well, this is a great Michael Scott said, I'm
a little stitious.
Speaker 3 (07:59):
I think it sounds like you're not a little stitious.
I think I.
Speaker 4 (08:04):
Mean, like in high school, I was with you know,
if I was on a point streak, I listened to
like the same music got THEA But I think that's
just that's that's kind of died off a little bit
since I've stopped playing.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
Hey, it dies off until until you listen to different
music and then all of a sudden, the streak is snapped,
and then there you go.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
That's all there is to it.
Speaker 4 (08:23):
That's why, that's why I'd be very I didn't want
to do it. I didn't want to change it up here.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
I know with my football team, the New York Jets,
who did I don't know if they they played yesterday,
I don't know if they played the sport, but they
were on the field. I couldn't tell any superstitions that
I have because how would I know if they worked?
Speaker 3 (08:39):
I mean, they haven't.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
They haven't done anything ever. So I really don't have
a very positive relationship with superstitions because it seems like
no matter what I do, there's an inevitability over there,
and things don't seem to go my way. Nonetheless, things
are going the road Runners way. They're going to play
a very meaningful contest, it seems to me. Against the
San Diego goals at the TCC on Wednesday, New Year's Eve, We've.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
You've got a lot of fun things going on in
this game, Patrick.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
So I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but
as I understand, there's a taco drop at midnight and
Tucson kind of their own take on New Year's and
there's going to be a little bit of a New
Year's Eve bash going on around the TCC, and then
you can celebrate the new year right there. Six o'clock
game against the Goals. The nice thing about the six
o'clock game, Patrick, you know the nice thing about the
six o'clock game.
Speaker 3 (09:21):
You going to take a stab at it?
Speaker 1 (09:24):
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
I mean it's read in the new year. Maybe the
road is bringing in the new year. But you've got
plenty of time here. The game take about two and
a half hours. Games over at eight thirty, and a
lot of people on New Year's they don't really start
to leave the house until about eight thirty.
Speaker 3 (09:35):
So there you go.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
The game will be over in plenty of time. You
can still celebrate your New Year's as is and go
make it happen and watch that taco drop.
Speaker 5 (09:44):
Now.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
I may have to have a taco because I am
missing the Mexican food scene a little bit since I've
come home here on the on the winter break. So
I'm a little bit jealous there, But I feel good
about the Roadrunners chances to end twenty twenty five on
high note. Yes, the Goals are doing an job this season.
They've found themselves very much in the center of the
Pacific Division standings. They've got thirty three points in twenty
(10:07):
eight games, that's thirteen eight, six and one, and the
Roadrunners twenty eight in twenty eight twenty eight points twenty
eight games. As I mentioned, they're perfectly five hundred this
year twelve.
Speaker 3 (10:17):
Twelve and four.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
But you know, there's not a huge gap there. You're
five points beyond a team with the same amount of
games played. And I think that this is a gettable
opponent and the Roadrunners are going to have to continue
to carry the momentum that they had. But you look statistically,
Calgary and San Diego pretty close, so you think they
could just sweep the Wranglers. Then they've got a shot
here against the goals.
Speaker 4 (10:38):
Yeah, I think so too. I mean, if you look
at the sand I mean you were saying about the standings,
I mean, let's go with the stands right now, two
songs and ninth with twenty eighth, and then bake, Shield
and Henderson are tied with each other for seven and
eighth with thirty one, and Nicols are right there. So
a couple of wins here and there the road Runners
will be either in the eighth or seven or six
position right in standing. So a lot can happen once
(10:59):
we ring in the new year, once the talk drops,
the Roadrunners could be in a playoff spot. But we
have a lot to go. We have a long time
to go.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
Out the season left forty five games left to play.
Speaker 4 (11:09):
I think it would be I think this would be
a great start to this playoff push. And it's have
an up and down season so far, and I think
right beating your rivals and then going up to north
of the border and getting some good points out there.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
So it's really a push.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
If you're in December, I feel like you make a
push in March and April because you could just kind
of push your way through. But this is if you're
pushing for a door. It seems like I'm in Wisconsin.
I'm pushing a door in Washington State like that. I'm
not quite gonna make a lot of headway there, do
you know sun what I'm saying.
Speaker 5 (11:39):
No, I get it.
Speaker 4 (11:40):
I just think for now, just how they've been playing.
Speaker 3 (11:43):
Yeah, I know they're playing better, they're playing better, But
I think push.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
When I think about push, I think it's we're trying
to push our way through here right on the verge.
We still got forty four games left to go, so
it wouldn't really be a push, it would be a
transformation of the season. I mean, if they turn things around,
you can you can still get up at Frankly, I mean,
here's the dichotomy that I see patrick from the road
Runners and the Utah Mammoth. Is the division that they're in, right,
The Mammoth are in the central. They've got thirty nine points.
(12:08):
First place is fifty six I believe, or some ridiculous
number like that. Even to get to third place. The
Minnesota Wild have fifty two. So you're talking about a
massive gap. Here's the difference the Roadrunners.
Speaker 3 (12:19):
You said it.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
They're in ninth place with the points that they have
right now of twenty eight, right, that's ninth place. Second
place is thirty six points. You're talking about eight points.
It may sound like a lot. That's four games, right,
you're effectively four games behind the Ontario Rain that's two
points per game, right, two points per victory, eight points away.
(12:40):
To go from ninth place to second place is nothing.
I mean, that is something that can be made up
when again, Utah. They are so many points just because
the division they're in is so good that it feels
a little bit more out of reach there to make
some headway in the division. Not the case for the
Roadrunners where we were talking about it is kind of
right there in front of them, right. I think that
(13:01):
that there's a chance for them to move up, and
they're in such a competitive division and if they can
turn around, it won't be a push but really just
them claiming where they should be and seizing control. So
I think that that is still a possibility here as
we get ready to go to twenty twenty six.
Speaker 4 (13:15):
Yeah, you're absolutely right, David. Now I want to ask
you here you got any traditions for New Years? I
feel like I really don't.
Speaker 2 (13:21):
It's not actually one of my favorite holidays. You know,
we made a calendar and we it's like we made
it up right, it's a new year, I suppose. I
think your birthday is much more of a new year.
That's I mean, let's think about this realistic and maybe
that's a narcissistic kind of thought because everything should revolve
around and I'm not saying that exactly, but I think
(13:42):
it's a new year when I've gone around the world once, right,
and that would be my.
Speaker 3 (13:45):
Birthday as I see it. So the New Year, it's
freezing cold out. What am I going to do? Okay,
it's we're twenty twenty six. Now, that's that's great.
Speaker 4 (13:54):
I mean, yeah, I just I just want to ask,
you know.
Speaker 3 (13:56):
I mean, I appreciate the questions. That's my take. I'm
not a New Year has never been a big thing
for me. I like the holidays. I like Thanksgiving a lot,
not not a huge deal. How about yourself? You got
any plans?
Speaker 4 (14:10):
Not not much really, I think hanging out with the family.
Speaker 2 (14:13):
Yeah, I'll tell you what I do like about New
Years though, Patrick st I just thought of that is
college football playoff is fantastic.
Speaker 5 (14:19):
That is true.
Speaker 3 (14:20):
I was a stable so I should have I should
have started with that.
Speaker 4 (14:22):
It's on the second, we have a lot. On the second,
we got the Winter Classic, we got the College of
the Playoff games, so there's a lot. I always liked
that New Year's was because of the Rose Bowl, because
I was always hoping for my UCLA Bruins to somehow
sneak into a Rose Ball, which huh, I said, how
did that work out? It's not really working out very well.
They might not even play the rose Ball next year,
(14:43):
so you know, I mean, it's just it's just crazy.
But normally we go over to my uncles, but since uh,
things have changed this year, they want to come over here,
so we might spend some time here and you know,
who knows, maybe watching Roadrunners hockey as well.
Speaker 3 (14:57):
So love it.
Speaker 2 (14:58):
The rose Ball this year is on Jane first, between
Alabama and Indiana, so that'll be an interesting contest. And
we've got an interesting interview lined up coming up next.
It'll be Joe Benton, the voice of the Utica Comets.
We'll hear but he thinks about their season, what he's
seen so far and moving forward. So we'll get Joe's
thoughts coming up next on Between the Benches.
Speaker 1 (15:16):
It's time to go Between the Benches on road Runners Weekly.
Speaker 2 (15:20):
Welcome back to Between the Benches and Tucson road Runners podcast.
David Meridian, Patrick Moore now joined by Joe Benson. Joe
is the voice of the Utica Comets. So Joe, let's
jump right in Utica. It was a slow start, playing
a little bit better as of recently. Just kind of
give us an overview of how the season's going so far,
how the team is playing, and a couple of players
to keep an eye on.
Speaker 5 (15:41):
Yeah, for sure, thanks for having me, guys.
Speaker 6 (15:43):
It was definitely a little bit of a tough start
out of the gate, lost I believe it was seven
in a row, got our first win in early November,
picked up two wins over wilkes Bury and then Belleville.
It was a great to beat Wilkesbury. They were number
one in the in the Eastern Conference, I believe.
Speaker 5 (16:00):
At that time. And then yeah, as of late we
you know, I think.
Speaker 6 (16:05):
Aside from the game yesterday, we played Belleville and lost
seven nothing unfortunately, so that was kind of a tough one.
But aside from that, we've been in pretty much every
game we've played, i'd say, for the for the past
two months, really since since early November, since we snapped
that losing skid to to start the year. We had
we want So we lost seven, one, two, then lost
(16:27):
eight in a row, and even though we lost eight
in a row, we were we were in like pretty
much all those games.
Speaker 5 (16:32):
We you know, there was one game that comes to
my in particular. We were in Springfield.
Speaker 6 (16:36):
I think we hit about maybe seven or eight posts
in the game, lost to nothing. We we took Providence
to overtime the weekend before that, erasing a too gold
deaths in the third period, earning a point. So we
you know, we played some really good teams. We we
hung in there pretty much every game. It felt like
every game was a you know, decided by a goal
or two and then kind of a just one that
(16:57):
got thrown into the schedule actually unfortunately, which was kind
of loded in that seven to nothing lost. But it's
you know, we've been competitive for the most part, even
though our record might not necessarily suggest that, which I
thought everyone would. Everyone thought we were gonna gonna be
competitive this year just looking at our roster on paper.
I mean, we picked up guys like Angus Crookshank who
was with Belleville the past few years. He's been a
(17:20):
great addition, a couple of young kids, Lenni Amenajo, who
was drafted in the second round by New Jersey two
years ago.
Speaker 5 (17:26):
He's currently leading us with fourteen points.
Speaker 6 (17:29):
So it took him a little bit to get going,
but he's really been one of our better players here
this I'd say the last month, month and a half,
it's been exciting to see him grow. Shane la Chance,
he's he's a prospect in the Devil's pipeline as well.
He's a guy that's I think really found his stride
the past ten or twelve games. And so had two
goals for us on Saturday in Toronto, including the game
tying against Toronto rather here at home, including the game
(17:52):
tangle with two point nine seconds left, which I think
was the loudest have heard our building so far this
year in that game time goal to force over time,
you know. Goaltending wise, I think, uh, you know, Nico
Dawes has been solid. I think Jaka Malis had some
had some good games. He's still i think getting adjusted
a little bit to the to the pro game here
in North America, but he's been He's been pretty fun
(18:13):
to watch on on d Seamus Casey, you know, obviously
a very talented player prospect the Devil's pipeline started the
year with an injury. He was down into he was
in New Jersey to start the year and then uh,
he's been with us for for the majority.
Speaker 5 (18:30):
So yeah, it's a you know, it's a it's a
young team.
Speaker 6 (18:33):
We do have a couple of vets Ryan Schmelzer, our
captain Kyle Criscola, who was a signing in late October.
Speaker 5 (18:39):
He's been a nice addition.
Speaker 6 (18:40):
But uh yeah, yes, you know, not a you know,
not not an ideal start, you know, from from looking
at our record right now. But like I said, we
we have been competitive for the most part, and hopefully
we can start off the twenty twenty sixth calendar year
on a on a solid note.
Speaker 3 (18:57):
What do you think, specifically, Joe means for the team
to play better?
Speaker 2 (19:01):
A couple of things you noticed clear areas of improvement
from October to December.
Speaker 5 (19:06):
Yeah, I mean I think we I think we started,
you know, there was an uptick in production. We started
scoring a lot more.
Speaker 6 (19:12):
We were shut out, I think it was four times
in our first ten games, you know, which was tough.
It's obviously tough to win games when you're struggling to
find the back.
Speaker 5 (19:21):
Of the net. But we had a nice stretch there.
Speaker 6 (19:23):
I think it was seven of nine games where we
had scored at least three goals per game. You know,
we were getting production from some of some of our
best guys. We were getting contributions from some of the
guys kind of more role, more role players. I guess
you could say, you know, third and fourth line guys,
defenseman as well. So you know, I think the guys
kind of found their stride, you know, head coach Ryan
(19:45):
Parent found a.
Speaker 5 (19:46):
Couple of line combinations that just seem to be clicking.
Speaker 6 (19:48):
We were getting contributions from the back end, and you know,
I think that uptick and scoring obviously helped us, you know,
find fund some points and wins during that stretch.
Speaker 5 (19:58):
And like coach always says.
Speaker 6 (20:01):
Uh, you know, usually just if you can score three goals,
you put yourself in a good spot to win. And uh,
you know, we were able to find some success during
that stretch where we had an up to king scoring,
which you would you would certainly expect, you know, to
be the case. I think some of our younger guys
really started to find their stride as well. Like I
mentioned Lenny, you know, took him took a little bit
to get adjusted there, but he started to play with
(20:22):
a lot more physicality, a lot more confidence.
Speaker 5 (20:24):
He was holding the puck, you know, a little bit longer,
waiting for you know, good.
Speaker 6 (20:29):
Plays to open up in the offensive zone and you know,
waiting for those right opportunities to come about so I
think guys like that started to just you saw them
adjust and and kind of find that confidence as uh
the first half the year, first quarter, I guess you
know went along and uh, like I said, hopefully we
can keep that, you know, find that again here in
(20:49):
the new calendar year.
Speaker 4 (20:51):
Joe, I want to ask you about Thomas Portolio, who
came to the San Jose Sharks. Uh, has some NHL experience,
been pretty good start the season. What could you maybe
go into a little bit more of his production and
you know, maybe given his veteran experience to some of
the younger guys on the comments.
Speaker 5 (21:07):
Yeah, Yeah, he was definitely a nice, nice pick up
for us. Uh this this season.
Speaker 6 (21:11):
I think he's he's played it. He's put a decent
amount of NHL games. Like you mentioned, he was with
the Sharks organization. I think the majority of those were
spent with the Barracuda, their their NHL affiliate.
Speaker 5 (21:20):
But yeah, I mean he's.
Speaker 6 (21:22):
He's he's got a lot of skill, really good hands,
you know, smart, smart players, got nice vision out there,
get you know, he's played on the played on the
power play, he's had He's played on a few different
lines here this year from really up and down the lineups.
He's I think he started up near the the first line.
He's been playing on the fourth line with a couple
different guys as of as of late. You know, no,
(21:44):
you know, not nothing really to do with you know.
I think the way he's been playing just coach coach
parent looking to test some you know, different line combinations
here or there. But yeah, I think, you know, I
think a guy like that, like you mentioned Patrick, I
think he's you know, with with the experience he has.
I think that's something that some of the younger guys
can consider lean on. Like I said, we have a
lot of young guys on this roster, so Borlo is
(22:05):
definitely one of those guys. And he's I mean, he's
not an old guy by any means. He's actually turning
he's only turning twenty four. And this actually this coming Saturday,
as a matter of fact, when he heads back to
Montreal where he's uh, where he grew up. We're gonna
play Leval this weekend, so that'll be fun for him
to have some family and in tenants for that one.
But yeah, yeah, I mean, I you know, like I said,
I think he's he's smart around the net, good hands,
(22:27):
good on the power play. He uh, he really seems
to have an act for finding those open seams, especially
when we're up a man or two. And yeah, definitely
definitely a guy who can pass upon, pass along that
experience as some of the some of the younger guys
on the team.
Speaker 2 (22:41):
Joe some injuries for New Jersey this year, obviously their
star player going down. I think that was an accident
out to dinner. But nonetheless, how have the injuries for
New Jersey maybe had an impact on Utica? Have you
guys seen any of your roster kind of depleted or
not much relationship there?
Speaker 5 (22:59):
Yeah? Absolutely, I mean we're just getting guys back now,
which is nice.
Speaker 6 (23:03):
But I would say the last the last couple of
weeks and up until this past weekend, we we were
definitely very thin, and we we had some injuries of
our own, Ryan Hound and Mike Hardman, uh kind of
the main ones.
Speaker 5 (23:14):
But yeah, you mentioned you mentioned some of the big
ones up in New Jersey.
Speaker 6 (23:17):
I mean Jack Hughes, he's fortunately back now, came back
last Sunday. Timo Meyer took a leave of absence. Brett
Peschi was out for a little while. Our Cindy Gritsu
because he was a good skilled young player for them.
He was out Hamilton missed a little bit of time
I think earlier this year. But yeah, so we definitely,
I mean, Xavier Parant was called up, Angus Crookshank was
(23:39):
called up, Nathan Legeray Kalin Addison.
Speaker 5 (23:42):
Uh, Colton White's been up with the Devils since I.
Speaker 6 (23:46):
Want he got called up I think in early November,
I want to say, So he's been he's been with
the Devils longer than he's been with us.
Speaker 5 (23:53):
He was with us at the start of the year.
Speaker 6 (23:54):
And uh, it's been great to see him get get
some time in New Jersey, you know, taking the most uh,
you know, making the most of that opportunity and taking
advantage of that. So that's been really cool to see.
Angus crook Shank just came back yesterday. He played eight
games with the Devils. He scored a goal during that stretch,
and it was cool with Colton White, who like I mentioned,
started the year with us, actually assisted on crook Shank's
(24:15):
goal first as a Devil, which was really cool. And
Xavier prom was playing on the same line as crook Shanks,
so they're both back with us now.
Speaker 5 (24:23):
Good to see New Jersey start and get healthier. They've
still been struggling a little bit as of lee.
Speaker 6 (24:28):
They've I think they've lost three in a row at
the time of this recording unfortunately, so if they can
get back back in the wind column here soon. But yeah,
to answer your question, David, they definitely, it definitely affects.
We definitely felt the effects down here with those injuries
and then certainly going down to the EHL, we had
to pull up guys from at Irondack, so they you know,
it kind of it all trickles down from the top
like that. So you know, just just the way it is,
(24:50):
and it's it's as tough as it candy for the
team that's getting guys pulled from their roster. It's it's
great to see those guys get the opportunity to shine
and uh, you know, play at that at that higher level.
Speaker 2 (25:03):
Now, the team has really struggled on the power play
this season, thirteen point four percent on the man advantage
this year. What have you heard from the team on
how they can improve on that some of their points
of emphasis in practice to improve on that number.
Speaker 6 (25:15):
Yeah, I mean I think, yeah, I think it's I know,
the numbers don't look great. I think it's a little
bit deceiving though. I think the power play has actually
been been al right this year. You know, we have
a lot of a lot of skilled guys. Usually there's
just one defenseman out there. Usually it's someone like Seamus
Case here, you know, Ethan Edwards, top Is Valan, guys
that almost play like forwards. So sometimes it feels like
(25:38):
we have five forwards out there, but a lot of skill. Yeah,
I mean, I think just kind of being careful with
the puckout high we've had. We've let up a few
shorty's this year, which you know which happens, but you know,
had a really good game on the power play on Saturday.
Speaker 5 (25:53):
Two power play.
Speaker 6 (25:54):
Goals in that game, including the game time and goal
from a chance late in the game to force the overtime. Yeah,
I think I think just you know, just being more
confident with with shots, having shots with purpose, getting them
on net to produce rebounds.
Speaker 5 (26:06):
Getting more NetFront pressure is always big and a point
of emphasism practices.
Speaker 6 (26:10):
In practice, you always see guys you know, parked out
in front working on tips, deflections, U screening the goaltender.
So I think that's uh, you know, something they work
on on weekly, if not daily, and you know, working
to continue improving that as we go along go down
the stretch.
Speaker 4 (26:25):
Here, Joe, I wanted to ask you about the goaltending
situation Jeremy Bruder and Nico Dawes. They've played a few games.
You're kind of figuring out as the season moves on,
what what can we expect from the goaltending tanem since
due to all the injuries in New Jersey.
Speaker 6 (26:40):
Yeah, Broder, he only played I think one game with
us earlier this year. He's been with that at Rondak
most of this season. But it's it's been Dawes and Malik,
you know for the most part. Dozes, I mean does
is Our is our.
Speaker 1 (26:52):
Clear cut number one.
Speaker 6 (26:53):
He's you know, he's got the experience. It's Malix's first
year here in pro hockey in North America. I think
he's learned a lot from Nico. Niko's a guy with
NHL experience. He's put a little over fifty games in
his career with the Devils. Did play one game earlier
this season when he was called up after Jacob Marsham
went down with an injury that was that was the
(27:14):
only call up that that Dawes had earlier this year,
so he's been with us for the majority of the year.
But you know, definitely definitely a guy that that can
pass on a lot of knowledge and experience to Jako Malik,
who's who's had some solid games. You know, I think
yesterday was probably a game, you know, he want to
have a couple back, but he put an outstanding game
(27:34):
last Saturday in wilkes Bury, our game, our final game
before the holiday break, made thirty one seeds in that game,
looked looked ultra confident.
Speaker 5 (27:42):
He you know, we wanted a shootout in that game.
Speaker 6 (27:45):
He stopped all three Penguin shooters in the shootout in
that one, and heading into yesterday, he had won two
of his last three starts, so I felt like he
was really starting to kind of find an upticking confidence.
He did go down to Ada Rondak for a quick
stretch of games right around the Thanksgiving Hall day, went
oh went one oh and one over over over two
(28:05):
games there.
Speaker 5 (28:06):
So it's good to see him go go down get
some get some playing time.
Speaker 6 (28:08):
Because Nico had been had been really carrying the workload
during that stretch and this over the past.
Speaker 5 (28:15):
Month, we've had more. We've had some weeknight games thrown.
Speaker 6 (28:18):
In the first month month and a half, we had
a lot of just kind of more like a college schedule.
We had just a lot of weekend games, not many
weekday games. So with the with the upticking games, it's
allowed Yaku to come in and and get some more reps,
which has been nice. But yeah, so I think I
think we'll continue to see Nico get the get the
lion's share of the workload here and net down the
stretch for the rest of the season. Well, you know,
(28:40):
Malco will come in here and there, you know, especially
when we have a heavier, heavier schedule. But I think
we'll continue to kind of see what we've what we've
seen so far.
Speaker 1 (28:48):
In that.
Speaker 3 (28:50):
Joe first season. For you with the Utica comments, how
is that going.
Speaker 2 (28:53):
How have you enjoyed the transition from the EHL up
to the AHL.
Speaker 6 (28:57):
Yeah, it's been it's been awesome, ton of fun. Was
super pumped to to uh get.
Speaker 5 (29:02):
The get the job here and and and make the
move up to up to Utica.
Speaker 6 (29:06):
I was in Kansas City and the e c HL,
like you mentioned in the last two years, which was
an awesome experience as well.
Speaker 5 (29:11):
I got I was fortunate we had a very good
team both both seasons I was there.
Speaker 6 (29:16):
You know, can't stay enough good things about the the staff,
the fan base, the players, uh you know, coaching staff,
all the people in the front office. Really good, actually
really good h atmosphere there. You wouldn't you probably wouldn't
expect that from Kansas City. It's not really your stereotypical
hockey town. But had an amazing experience there. A great
place to live, really good sports city. Obviously you got
(29:37):
a couple of big pro teams, but then you know
there there are there is kind of a smaller portion
that's definitely passionate about Mavericks hockey. And then yeah, coming
to Utica has been awesome. I'm from Massachusetts originally, so
you know, my family's still there and it's it's cool
to be a little bit closer to home, which was nice.
You know, really really hungry hockey culture here in Utica.
You can definitely sense it from the people at the games.
(30:00):
You know, whenever the players are making appearances out in
the community. You know, the city really backs and rallies
around the team here. So that's that's been awesome. You know,
the people I work with have been have been amazing here.
It's been a really seamless transition, you know, traveling traveling
with the team has been awesome.
Speaker 5 (30:17):
Getting to kind of getting integrated with.
Speaker 6 (30:19):
All the coaches and players and you know, helping them
out with various things has been a great experience. And
uh yeah, you know, aside from the obviously the obviously
and an idea, will you want your team to to
be winning a lot of games, and you know, it's
it makes a little bit more fun, but it doesn't
really affect it doesn't really affect, you know, my job
aton at the end of the day. I mean, I'm
(30:41):
just super pumped to be here. If they if they win,
they win. If not, it's not a not a big
deal at all. And you know, it's it's it's been
a ton of fun and really enjoying my time here
so far.
Speaker 4 (30:50):
Joe, I wanted to ask you. I was reading a
little bit more into you on your bio and and
it said that you were one of the commentators for
the Corpus Christy Ice Raising and all on my cousins
played in the North American League, not in the Noll South,
so you can go in a little bit into the
experience in the All South Division a little bit.
Speaker 5 (31:07):
Yeah, I was only there for it was a short stint.
Speaker 6 (31:10):
I was only there from like three months, from January
of twenty twenty three till pretty much the end of
that season, so like early mid April.
Speaker 5 (31:19):
Yeah, they had they had they.
Speaker 6 (31:20):
Didn't have a I don't think they had a broadcast
early all seasons, so they kind of had a mid
season opening and uh, you know, I went down there
in January. Yeah, it's definitely definitely different down there. I mehan,
you're playing, you're driving all across Texas. I think our
longest trip was like eleven hours Corpus Christi to Amarillo.
You're going from like the southeast corner to the northwest
corner of the state. So long, long, bust trips. Not
(31:43):
a bad spot to be for the winter. You know,
it's it's warm down there, right on the Gulf. They
got you know, they got beaches and stuff.
Speaker 4 (31:48):
So.
Speaker 5 (31:50):
That was cool. Yeah, the really really nice arena.
Speaker 6 (31:54):
You know, I didn't, I didn't. I only saw some
other arenas in our division. I don't know with some
of the other ones around the League. But I have
to imagine Corpus has one of the better rinks in
the NOLL. So yeah, I mean, solid fan base, a
lot of it seems like a lot of transplants or
snowbirds perhaps from you know, some more northern states that
were down there for the winner.
Speaker 5 (32:13):
So we did that pretty good fans.
Speaker 6 (32:14):
The team struggled a little bit, you know when I
was there, but you know, still had good support, good
fans and actually, funny enough, the coach when I was there,
Sylvan and Kluccia. He's now the head coach of the
Adirondack Thunder, so I got to catch up with him
when Adirondack was here during preseason.
Speaker 5 (32:30):
So kind of cool to see things come full circle.
Speaker 6 (32:32):
But yeah, I mean, you know, much different, you know, smaller,
much smaller front office obviously, you know the no it's
it's juniors.
Speaker 5 (32:40):
It's you know, they're not kind of the same.
Speaker 6 (32:41):
Staff as teams in the EHL and HL certainly so,
but no got along well, you know, got along well
with everyone in the office.
Speaker 5 (32:49):
Great staff it was. It's also a lot different.
Speaker 6 (32:52):
You're you know, you're working with kids like teenagers's the players,
so it's it's a little bit different than being with
adults and people around you age, you know, in the pros,
But yeah, I know it was. It was definitely definitely
cool experience, great opportunity to go down there join That
was my first time joining a team full time, so
it was great to kind of get down their experience
(33:13):
that I get some get some reps and uh and uh,
you know, kind of work my way from there.
Speaker 5 (33:19):
So definitely definitely happy I went down there.
Speaker 2 (33:22):
Sounds like Patrick did his homework on U Joe. Hopefully
that's the extent of it. I don't think we need
much more of a deeper.
Speaker 5 (33:27):
Dive than that.
Speaker 2 (33:28):
Last question for me making the career transition to Utica.
One food staple I know for sure in the region
is the Utica chicken riggies. Have you had the Have
you had the opportunity to try it? And what are
your thoughts if you have?
Speaker 6 (33:41):
Yeah, I've had, I've had the Riggi's a couple different
not a ton, but a couple of different places the
ones i'd say at Uh, there's a restaurant here in
town Taylor and the cook It's called right downtown. It's
a really popular restaurant, really popular post game spot. For
you know, players, fans, staff, whoever. I'd say, I'd say
they have some of the best that I've had here.
(34:02):
It's it's it's funny. It's funny because you know, at
the end of the day, it's it's chicken and pasta.
It's not really anything revolutionary, but it's cool that Utica
has made some of that. Some dishes like that kind
of unique to their to their city. And I would say, David,
I think the Judica Greens actually, I don't know if
you've heard of Judica Greens, but I I would say
I like those actually a little bit more even than
uh than the Riggies.
Speaker 2 (34:23):
My understanding is your body likes the Utica Greens a
little bit better than the Riggies as well.
Speaker 5 (34:31):
Probably probably.
Speaker 6 (34:32):
I mean, I I do like I do like pasta,
and it's uh, it's good to good to carrb up
here and there, depending on what you're trying to do.
But fitness wise, but I yeah, I don't know. I
just I think the first time I had the Utica Greens,
I I just uh, it's it's got the perfect you know,
it's got a little bit of a bite to a
little spice, and yeah, I think I again, I haven't
had them in a ton of ton of restaurants here,
(34:54):
but definitely I gotta definitely something I gotta do, do
a little bit more of. Uh maybe when I get
some more time in the off season. But yeah, no,
it's a cool, cool, really good food scene here in Utica.
Speaker 5 (35:03):
Something that a lot of people might not might not
know speaking.
Speaker 2 (35:06):
Good food scene for sure, Joe. We appreciate the time.
Best of luck the rest of the season. Happy to
hear you're doing well with the Utica comments. Again, very
appreciative for the spot here on the show. We appreciate
you listening to between the benches for David Radying, Patrick Moore,
our producer Michael Goodrichie, thank Joe for joining us.
Speaker 3 (35:22):
We will see you on the next show.
From road Runners Weekly. This is Between the Benches. You're
all access brief. You want the week ahead, We'll look
at the road Runners upcoming opponents, get the inside storing
and here directly from the voices and players that know
them best. With your hosts David Moradi and then Patrick
Moore and this week's special guest, the Voice of the
(00:22):
Utica comments Joe Benson.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Home to another edition of Between the Benches. David Ridy
and joined by Patrick Moore. As I often am, and
we're going to talk to Joe Benson, the Voice of
the Utica comets in just a few minutes.
Speaker 3 (00:35):
I'll let you know what's going on. But then the
interesting thing.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Patrick, you take a casual look at the standings, you say, oh,
Udica there in last place. You know what's the story there? Well,
the story is that they're playing a lot better. They're
an improved team, And anytime you see something really trending
in the right direction, it's interesting to get that perspective
and hear how that's going. So we're gonna hear from
Joe in a few minutes. But another team that might
just be trending in the right direction, Patrick, is your
(00:57):
Tucson Roadrunners. They have their first sweep of the season,
winning both contests against the Calgary Wranglers this week at home,
a convincing victory on Saturday night five to two, and
then a much more dramatic affair last night, a three
to two overtime thriller. But just maybe your initial takeaways
from that series where the Roadrunners get the entire four
points against the Calgary Wranglers.
Speaker 4 (01:19):
You know, David, it was I feel like it was
more just kind of an epiphany moment for the twuson Runners.
They finally got the sweep, and I think they played
really well overall. I think the second game they had
kind of a rough start. They gave of a goal
fifty seven seconds in and they are pretty much down
for the majority of the game, but they came back
with the Max super goal and then Sammy Walker's dramatic
over ten game winners. So I thought that was one
(01:41):
of the best series they played, and definitely they got
the wins, so we already know it was the best
series they played so far. But they've been playing really
good of late, so I think that if they can
kind of carry in beat the rival San Diego goals
and then head into the year up north of the border,
lot can change in a couple of days.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
There's no question about that.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
In their first series, as Patrick bentioned, will be their
first series in twenty twenty six, will be against the
Wranglers once again, a team that they've played quite well
against in their four contests so far. So certainly an
opportunity to start the new year on a positive note.
They've got the San Diego Goals here coming up on Wednesday.
This will just be a one game affair, but an
opportunity to close the year with a winning record, because now, Patrick,
(02:24):
they are twelve and twelve with a couple of overtime losses.
So sitting right there at five hundred, and you think
if you could just grab this one against the Goals.
Say what you will about the twenty twenty five starts
of the twenty five six season, but hey, you'd be
about five hundred and there're certainly worst places to be
than there. Now, let's get into the specifics the road Runners.
The first game, it was an explosive start. They take
(02:45):
a four to nothing lead halfway through, a two nothing
lead after the first period.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
Just as a player, the significance of getting off to
such a fast start.
Speaker 4 (02:53):
Well, I think it's just you're a little bit kind
of shot. You normally don't know what you're going to
get out of a team. If you're playing the team,
like Calorie was pretty high in the standings, you're kind
of thinking that either you're gonna get off their fast off,
they're gonna get a fast off, or to me, a
really slow start trying to kind of feel each other out.
But I think it was important that they got a
really fast start. So I think, in my opinion, it
was great that they got a fast start and it
(03:14):
really kind of like improved the pace of the weekend,
and I dink Gets showed to Calgary that hey, dude,
this is a different tuss On team than you saw
in October. So I think as a former player it
was great to watch. It kind of reminded me of
my old days play hockey. So but I think so
your point, David, I think it was that was the
start they needed to kickstart this winning ways and.
Speaker 3 (03:33):
A very steady start for Matthew.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
Valta in that game saved eighteen of his first nineteen
shots in the opening two periods, so he was a
very very tough blockade there for the Calgary Wranglers, and
Matthew Valota a key reason why the Roadrunners are able
to get that victory. Another guy who you have to mention,
Sam Lipkin scored his first goal of the season and
Scott Peruonovich had at the time his sixteenth assist of
(03:57):
the year, seeing up Lipkin and Paganski and.
Speaker 3 (03:59):
On that f as well. So what do you have
to say Sam Lipkin first goal of the year, Patrick, I.
Speaker 4 (04:04):
Think it's always a fun feeling when you finally get
your first goal of the season. And I think sam
Kin has been kind of in and out of the
lineup for the most of the part of the season.
He's been playing really hard of late, and he's been
getting a lot more games and more ice time. So
I think for a guy like like Lipper, you know,
it's it's always good to see guys like him produce
on a big level. And against the team Mike Kyrie,
(04:24):
who's pretty high up in the standings, multiple guys got
their first goals, David, So, I mean, if you want
to jump right into that one.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
Yeah, I was gonna say Lamaru and Dudo right there
later in the game. I was going to get to
the defenseman in a moment and the Susan defenseman have
been impressive, there's no question about that. But what we
haven't seen is from most of the players. Obviously Perunovic
has been a real facilitator, but we haven't seen a
lot of finish and and not expecting your defenseman to
score a ton of goals. But it has really been
(04:52):
bear from just the goals scoring perspective from the Blue Liners.
And then on Saturday they get one from from due
to and Lamaroo, so really make an impact there and
flipping the script on that, Yeah.
Speaker 4 (05:03):
I think so too. And I think it also gives
a boost to the team. And when you see guys
who normally are more players that don't put a lot
on the score sheet, but they do a lot to
help to kind of give a boost to the team,
I think that shows something that everyone can produce on
this team, and I think it gave a lot of confidence.
And then you had to see the dramatic. The dramatics
at the end of the game with Maverick Lamaru I
(05:25):
think would be kind of another thing too. I mean,
he had a great night on Saturday and getting the
crowd pumped up and kind of egging on the Calgaryranglers
players trying to kind of get into their heads a
little bit. I think it really showed and then also
had a great fight. I think Lamarou was one of
the kind of the hot spots for this for this
team this weekend. So I think it's going to see
what we can do against San Diego and hopefully we
(05:46):
can leave that into the new year.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
And the defenseman kept it rolling. A big goal from
Max Zuber. He had the equalizer in game number two,
just the minute fifty one into the final period there
to make things two to two after a really dynamic
first period, you know, two to one Calgary, but fireworks
certainly going off early once again, a lot of shots
on goal, very active period, and then the second and
(06:09):
the third the Roadrunners certainly controlled the shots on goal
and the ice positioning, but didn't have a lot to
show for it. Zuber obviously ties the game that it
looked like the Wranglers maybe had the upper hand toward
the end of regulation, but it was Sammy Walker who
got it done in overtime. And nice to see Walker
breaking through again because he got off to such a
hot start in the fall. And then as the weather
(06:29):
has cooled off, he's done the same, but he came
through with a big time goal in the three on
three period there in overtime, and two really steady players
on the assist, Scott Pronovich number seventeen and Ben McCartney
his sixteenth assist of the season. McCartney, you can't tell
the story of this year's Tuson Roadrunners without getting in
to the production from Ben McCartney this season. I mean,
he has been really, really steady for the team, and
(06:51):
certainly they're fortunate to have him. Anything I missed there
Patrick recapping those two contests, the Roadrunners taken four points
from the Calgary Wranglers.
Speaker 4 (06:59):
I don't think there's anything really to recap. I feel
like it just they swept. They finally did it. They finally.
I mean, we've been how many times at the start
of the season we were like, I think we're gonna
get to sweep this week, and we're gonna get a sweep,
and then finally it just felt like you never knew
when it was gonna happen. But finally, once we're not
even in the state, we're not even in the state
of Arizona right now, we're all back home for the
holidays and they finally to sweep. So maybe we should
(07:21):
just stay home and see how. But I think we
should also talk about the rally hawk that was in
the building as well. I you know, since I'm not
in the in the building, I was getting text from
James Mackie about the rally hawk. He was mentioning a
lot on the broadcast. I feel like the rally Hawks
should just stay in the building the rest of the
season because they're two and oh when the rally hawk
(07:43):
is in the TCC.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
So are you a superstitious kind of person? Patrick? Am
I picking up something here that I should know.
Speaker 4 (07:49):
I'm I'm very superstitious.
Speaker 3 (07:52):
Attitious here, You're you're a full blown superstitious.
Speaker 4 (07:55):
I well, this is a great Michael Scott said, I'm
a little stitious.
Speaker 3 (07:59):
I think it sounds like you're not a little stitious.
I think I.
Speaker 4 (08:04):
Mean, like in high school, I was with you know,
if I was on a point streak, I listened to
like the same music got THEA But I think that's
just that's that's kind of died off a little bit
since I've stopped playing.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
Hey, it dies off until until you listen to different
music and then all of a sudden, the streak is snapped,
and then there you go.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
That's all there is to it.
Speaker 4 (08:23):
That's why, that's why I'd be very I didn't want
to do it. I didn't want to change it up here.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
I know with my football team, the New York Jets,
who did I don't know if they they played yesterday,
I don't know if they played the sport, but they
were on the field. I couldn't tell any superstitions that
I have because how would I know if they worked?
Speaker 3 (08:39):
I mean, they haven't.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
They haven't done anything ever. So I really don't have
a very positive relationship with superstitions because it seems like
no matter what I do, there's an inevitability over there,
and things don't seem to go my way. Nonetheless, things
are going the road Runners way. They're going to play
a very meaningful contest, it seems to me. Against the
San Diego goals at the TCC on Wednesday, New Year's Eve, We've.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
You've got a lot of fun things going on in
this game, Patrick.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
So I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but
as I understand, there's a taco drop at midnight and
Tucson kind of their own take on New Year's and
there's going to be a little bit of a New
Year's Eve bash going on around the TCC, and then
you can celebrate the new year right there. Six o'clock
game against the Goals. The nice thing about the six
o'clock game, Patrick, you know the nice thing about the
six o'clock game.
Speaker 3 (09:21):
You going to take a stab at it?
Speaker 1 (09:24):
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
I mean it's read in the new year. Maybe the
road is bringing in the new year. But you've got
plenty of time here. The game take about two and
a half hours. Games over at eight thirty, and a
lot of people on New Year's they don't really start
to leave the house until about eight thirty.
Speaker 3 (09:35):
So there you go.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
The game will be over in plenty of time. You
can still celebrate your New Year's as is and go
make it happen and watch that taco drop.
Speaker 5 (09:44):
Now.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
I may have to have a taco because I am
missing the Mexican food scene a little bit since I've
come home here on the on the winter break. So
I'm a little bit jealous there, But I feel good
about the Roadrunners chances to end twenty twenty five on
high note. Yes, the Goals are doing an job this season.
They've found themselves very much in the center of the
Pacific Division standings. They've got thirty three points in twenty
(10:07):
eight games, that's thirteen eight, six and one, and the
Roadrunners twenty eight in twenty eight twenty eight points twenty
eight games. As I mentioned, they're perfectly five hundred this
year twelve.
Speaker 3 (10:17):
Twelve and four.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
But you know, there's not a huge gap there. You're
five points beyond a team with the same amount of
games played. And I think that this is a gettable
opponent and the Roadrunners are going to have to continue
to carry the momentum that they had. But you look statistically,
Calgary and San Diego pretty close, so you think they
could just sweep the Wranglers. Then they've got a shot
here against the goals.
Speaker 4 (10:38):
Yeah, I think so too. I mean, if you look
at the sand I mean you were saying about the standings,
I mean, let's go with the stands right now, two
songs and ninth with twenty eighth, and then bake, Shield
and Henderson are tied with each other for seven and
eighth with thirty one, and Nicols are right there. So
a couple of wins here and there the road Runners
will be either in the eighth or seven or six
position right in standing. So a lot can happen once
(10:59):
we ring in the new year, once the talk drops,
the Roadrunners could be in a playoff spot. But we
have a lot to go. We have a long time
to go.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
Out the season left forty five games left to play.
Speaker 4 (11:09):
I think it would be I think this would be
a great start to this playoff push. And it's have
an up and down season so far, and I think
right beating your rivals and then going up to north
of the border and getting some good points out there.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
So it's really a push.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
If you're in December, I feel like you make a
push in March and April because you could just kind
of push your way through. But this is if you're
pushing for a door. It seems like I'm in Wisconsin.
I'm pushing a door in Washington State like that. I'm
not quite gonna make a lot of headway there, do
you know sun what I'm saying.
Speaker 5 (11:39):
No, I get it.
Speaker 4 (11:40):
I just think for now, just how they've been playing.
Speaker 3 (11:43):
Yeah, I know they're playing better, they're playing better, But
I think push.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
When I think about push, I think it's we're trying
to push our way through here right on the verge.
We still got forty four games left to go, so
it wouldn't really be a push, it would be a
transformation of the season. I mean, if they turn things around,
you can you can still get up at Frankly, I mean,
here's the dichotomy that I see patrick from the road
Runners and the Utah Mammoth. Is the division that they're in, right,
The Mammoth are in the central. They've got thirty nine points.
(12:08):
First place is fifty six I believe, or some ridiculous
number like that. Even to get to third place. The
Minnesota Wild have fifty two. So you're talking about a
massive gap. Here's the difference the Roadrunners.
Speaker 3 (12:19):
You said it.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
They're in ninth place with the points that they have
right now of twenty eight, right, that's ninth place. Second
place is thirty six points. You're talking about eight points.
It may sound like a lot. That's four games, right,
you're effectively four games behind the Ontario Rain that's two
points per game, right, two points per victory, eight points away.
(12:40):
To go from ninth place to second place is nothing.
I mean, that is something that can be made up
when again, Utah. They are so many points just because
the division they're in is so good that it feels
a little bit more out of reach there to make
some headway in the division. Not the case for the
Roadrunners where we were talking about it is kind of
right there in front of them, right. I think that
(13:01):
that there's a chance for them to move up, and
they're in such a competitive division and if they can
turn around, it won't be a push but really just
them claiming where they should be and seizing control. So
I think that that is still a possibility here as
we get ready to go to twenty twenty six.
Speaker 4 (13:15):
Yeah, you're absolutely right, David. Now I want to ask
you here you got any traditions for New Years? I
feel like I really don't.
Speaker 2 (13:21):
It's not actually one of my favorite holidays. You know,
we made a calendar and we it's like we made
it up right, it's a new year, I suppose. I
think your birthday is much more of a new year.
That's I mean, let's think about this realistic and maybe
that's a narcissistic kind of thought because everything should revolve
around and I'm not saying that exactly, but I think
(13:42):
it's a new year when I've gone around the world once, right,
and that would be my.
Speaker 3 (13:45):
Birthday as I see it. So the New Year, it's
freezing cold out. What am I going to do? Okay,
it's we're twenty twenty six. Now, that's that's great.
Speaker 4 (13:54):
I mean, yeah, I just I just want to ask,
you know.
Speaker 3 (13:56):
I mean, I appreciate the questions. That's my take. I'm
not a New Year has never been a big thing
for me. I like the holidays. I like Thanksgiving a lot,
not not a huge deal. How about yourself? You got
any plans?
Speaker 4 (14:10):
Not not much really, I think hanging out with the family.
Speaker 2 (14:13):
Yeah, I'll tell you what I do like about New
Years though, Patrick st I just thought of that is
college football playoff is fantastic.
Speaker 5 (14:19):
That is true.
Speaker 3 (14:20):
I was a stable so I should have I should
have started with that.
Speaker 4 (14:22):
It's on the second, we have a lot. On the second,
we got the Winter Classic, we got the College of
the Playoff games, so there's a lot. I always liked
that New Year's was because of the Rose Bowl, because
I was always hoping for my UCLA Bruins to somehow
sneak into a Rose Ball, which huh, I said, how
did that work out? It's not really working out very well.
They might not even play the rose Ball next year,
(14:43):
so you know, I mean, it's just it's just crazy.
But normally we go over to my uncles, but since uh,
things have changed this year, they want to come over here,
so we might spend some time here and you know,
who knows, maybe watching Roadrunners hockey as well.
Speaker 3 (14:57):
So love it.
Speaker 2 (14:58):
The rose Ball this year is on Jane first, between
Alabama and Indiana, so that'll be an interesting contest. And
we've got an interesting interview lined up coming up next.
It'll be Joe Benton, the voice of the Utica Comets.
We'll hear but he thinks about their season, what he's
seen so far and moving forward. So we'll get Joe's
thoughts coming up next on Between the Benches.
Speaker 1 (15:16):
It's time to go Between the Benches on road Runners Weekly.
Speaker 2 (15:20):
Welcome back to Between the Benches and Tucson road Runners podcast.
David Meridian, Patrick Moore now joined by Joe Benson. Joe
is the voice of the Utica Comets. So Joe, let's
jump right in Utica. It was a slow start, playing
a little bit better as of recently. Just kind of
give us an overview of how the season's going so far,
how the team is playing, and a couple of players
to keep an eye on.
Speaker 5 (15:41):
Yeah, for sure, thanks for having me, guys.
Speaker 6 (15:43):
It was definitely a little bit of a tough start
out of the gate, lost I believe it was seven
in a row, got our first win in early November,
picked up two wins over wilkes Bury and then Belleville.
It was a great to beat Wilkesbury. They were number
one in the in the Eastern Conference, I believe.
Speaker 5 (16:00):
At that time. And then yeah, as of late we
you know, I think.
Speaker 6 (16:05):
Aside from the game yesterday, we played Belleville and lost
seven nothing unfortunately, so that was kind of a tough one.
But aside from that, we've been in pretty much every
game we've played, i'd say, for the for the past
two months, really since since early November, since we snapped
that losing skid to to start the year. We had
we want So we lost seven, one, two, then lost
(16:27):
eight in a row, and even though we lost eight
in a row, we were we were in like pretty
much all those games.
Speaker 5 (16:32):
We you know, there was one game that comes to
my in particular. We were in Springfield.
Speaker 6 (16:36):
I think we hit about maybe seven or eight posts
in the game, lost to nothing. We we took Providence
to overtime the weekend before that, erasing a too gold
deaths in the third period, earning a point. So we
you know, we played some really good teams. We we
hung in there pretty much every game. It felt like
every game was a you know, decided by a goal
or two and then kind of a just one that
(16:57):
got thrown into the schedule actually unfortunately, which was kind
of loded in that seven to nothing lost. But it's
you know, we've been competitive for the most part, even
though our record might not necessarily suggest that, which I
thought everyone would. Everyone thought we were gonna gonna be
competitive this year just looking at our roster on paper.
I mean, we picked up guys like Angus Crookshank who
was with Belleville the past few years. He's been a
(17:20):
great addition, a couple of young kids, Lenni Amenajo, who
was drafted in the second round by New Jersey two
years ago.
Speaker 5 (17:26):
He's currently leading us with fourteen points.
Speaker 6 (17:29):
So it took him a little bit to get going,
but he's really been one of our better players here
this I'd say the last month, month and a half,
it's been exciting to see him grow. Shane la Chance,
he's he's a prospect in the Devil's pipeline as well.
He's a guy that's I think really found his stride
the past ten or twelve games. And so had two
goals for us on Saturday in Toronto, including the game
tying against Toronto rather here at home, including the game
(17:52):
tangle with two point nine seconds left, which I think
was the loudest have heard our building so far this
year in that game time goal to force over time,
you know. Goaltending wise, I think, uh, you know, Nico
Dawes has been solid. I think Jaka Malis had some
had some good games. He's still i think getting adjusted
a little bit to the to the pro game here
in North America, but he's been He's been pretty fun
(18:13):
to watch on on d Seamus Casey, you know, obviously
a very talented player prospect the Devil's pipeline started the
year with an injury. He was down into he was
in New Jersey to start the year and then uh,
he's been with us for for the majority.
Speaker 5 (18:30):
So yeah, it's a you know, it's a it's a
young team.
Speaker 6 (18:33):
We do have a couple of vets Ryan Schmelzer, our
captain Kyle Criscola, who was a signing in late October.
Speaker 5 (18:39):
He's been a nice addition.
Speaker 6 (18:40):
But uh yeah, yes, you know, not a you know,
not not an ideal start, you know, from from looking
at our record right now. But like I said, we
we have been competitive for the most part, and hopefully
we can start off the twenty twenty sixth calendar year
on a on a solid note.
Speaker 3 (18:57):
What do you think, specifically, Joe means for the team
to play better?
Speaker 2 (19:01):
A couple of things you noticed clear areas of improvement
from October to December.
Speaker 5 (19:06):
Yeah, I mean I think we I think we started,
you know, there was an uptick in production. We started
scoring a lot more.
Speaker 6 (19:12):
We were shut out, I think it was four times
in our first ten games, you know, which was tough.
It's obviously tough to win games when you're struggling to
find the back.
Speaker 5 (19:21):
Of the net. But we had a nice stretch there.
Speaker 6 (19:23):
I think it was seven of nine games where we
had scored at least three goals per game. You know,
we were getting production from some of some of our
best guys. We were getting contributions from some of the
guys kind of more role, more role players. I guess
you could say, you know, third and fourth line guys,
defenseman as well. So you know, I think the guys
kind of found their stride, you know, head coach Ryan
(19:45):
Parent found a.
Speaker 5 (19:46):
Couple of line combinations that just seem to be clicking.
Speaker 6 (19:48):
We were getting contributions from the back end, and you know,
I think that uptick and scoring obviously helped us, you know,
find fund some points and wins during that stretch.
Speaker 5 (19:58):
And like coach always says.
Speaker 6 (20:01):
Uh, you know, usually just if you can score three goals,
you put yourself in a good spot to win. And uh,
you know, we were able to find some success during
that stretch where we had an up to king scoring,
which you would you would certainly expect, you know, to
be the case. I think some of our younger guys
really started to find their stride as well. Like I
mentioned Lenny, you know, took him took a little bit
to get adjusted there, but he started to play with
(20:22):
a lot more physicality, a lot more confidence.
Speaker 5 (20:24):
He was holding the puck, you know, a little bit longer,
waiting for you know, good.
Speaker 6 (20:29):
Plays to open up in the offensive zone and you know,
waiting for those right opportunities to come about so I
think guys like that started to just you saw them
adjust and and kind of find that confidence as uh
the first half the year, first quarter, I guess you
know went along and uh, like I said, hopefully we
can keep that, you know, find that again here in
(20:49):
the new calendar year.
Speaker 4 (20:51):
Joe, I want to ask you about Thomas Portolio, who
came to the San Jose Sharks. Uh, has some NHL experience,
been pretty good start the season. What could you maybe
go into a little bit more of his production and
you know, maybe given his veteran experience to some of
the younger guys on the comments.
Speaker 5 (21:07):
Yeah, Yeah, he was definitely a nice, nice pick up
for us. Uh this this season.
Speaker 6 (21:11):
I think he's he's played it. He's put a decent
amount of NHL games. Like you mentioned, he was with
the Sharks organization. I think the majority of those were
spent with the Barracuda, their their NHL affiliate.
Speaker 5 (21:20):
But yeah, I mean he's.
Speaker 6 (21:22):
He's he's got a lot of skill, really good hands,
you know, smart, smart players, got nice vision out there,
get you know, he's played on the played on the
power play, he's had He's played on a few different
lines here this year from really up and down the lineups.
He's I think he started up near the the first line.
He's been playing on the fourth line with a couple
different guys as of as of late. You know, no,
(21:44):
you know, not nothing really to do with you know.
I think the way he's been playing just coach coach
parent looking to test some you know, different line combinations
here or there. But yeah, I think, you know, I
think a guy like that, like you mentioned Patrick, I
think he's you know, with with the experience he has.
I think that's something that some of the younger guys
can consider lean on. Like I said, we have a
lot of young guys on this roster, so Borlo is
(22:05):
definitely one of those guys. And he's I mean, he's
not an old guy by any means. He's actually turning
he's only turning twenty four. And this actually this coming Saturday,
as a matter of fact, when he heads back to
Montreal where he's uh, where he grew up. We're gonna
play Leval this weekend, so that'll be fun for him
to have some family and in tenants for that one.
But yeah, yeah, I mean, I you know, like I said,
I think he's he's smart around the net, good hands,
(22:27):
good on the power play. He uh, he really seems
to have an act for finding those open seams, especially
when we're up a man or two. And yeah, definitely
definitely a guy who can pass upon, pass along that
experience as some of the some of the younger guys
on the team.
Speaker 2 (22:41):
Joe some injuries for New Jersey this year, obviously their
star player going down. I think that was an accident
out to dinner. But nonetheless, how have the injuries for
New Jersey maybe had an impact on Utica? Have you
guys seen any of your roster kind of depleted or
not much relationship there?
Speaker 5 (22:59):
Yeah? Absolutely, I mean we're just getting guys back now,
which is nice.
Speaker 6 (23:03):
But I would say the last the last couple of
weeks and up until this past weekend, we we were
definitely very thin, and we we had some injuries of
our own, Ryan Hound and Mike Hardman, uh kind of
the main ones.
Speaker 5 (23:14):
But yeah, you mentioned you mentioned some of the big
ones up in New Jersey.
Speaker 6 (23:17):
I mean Jack Hughes, he's fortunately back now, came back
last Sunday. Timo Meyer took a leave of absence. Brett
Peschi was out for a little while. Our Cindy Gritsu
because he was a good skilled young player for them.
He was out Hamilton missed a little bit of time
I think earlier this year. But yeah, so we definitely,
I mean, Xavier Parant was called up, Angus Crookshank was
(23:39):
called up, Nathan Legeray Kalin Addison.
Speaker 5 (23:42):
Uh, Colton White's been up with the Devils since I.
Speaker 6 (23:46):
Want he got called up I think in early November,
I want to say, So he's been he's been with
the Devils longer than he's been with us.
Speaker 5 (23:53):
He was with us at the start of the year.
Speaker 6 (23:54):
And uh, it's been great to see him get get
some time in New Jersey, you know, taking the most uh,
you know, making the most of that opportunity and taking
advantage of that. So that's been really cool to see.
Angus crook Shank just came back yesterday. He played eight
games with the Devils. He scored a goal during that stretch,
and it was cool with Colton White, who like I mentioned,
started the year with us, actually assisted on crook Shank's
(24:15):
goal first as a Devil, which was really cool. And
Xavier prom was playing on the same line as crook Shanks,
so they're both back with us now.
Speaker 5 (24:23):
Good to see New Jersey start and get healthier. They've
still been struggling a little bit as of lee.
Speaker 6 (24:28):
They've I think they've lost three in a row at
the time of this recording unfortunately, so if they can
get back back in the wind column here soon. But yeah,
to answer your question, David, they definitely, it definitely affects.
We definitely felt the effects down here with those injuries
and then certainly going down to the EHL, we had
to pull up guys from at Irondack, so they you know,
it kind of it all trickles down from the top
like that. So you know, just just the way it is,
(24:50):
and it's it's as tough as it candy for the
team that's getting guys pulled from their roster. It's it's
great to see those guys get the opportunity to shine
and uh, you know, play at that at that higher level.
Speaker 2 (25:03):
Now, the team has really struggled on the power play
this season, thirteen point four percent on the man advantage
this year. What have you heard from the team on
how they can improve on that some of their points
of emphasis in practice to improve on that number.
Speaker 6 (25:15):
Yeah, I mean I think, yeah, I think it's I know,
the numbers don't look great. I think it's a little
bit deceiving though. I think the power play has actually
been been al right this year. You know, we have
a lot of a lot of skilled guys. Usually there's
just one defenseman out there. Usually it's someone like Seamus
Case here, you know, Ethan Edwards, top Is Valan, guys
that almost play like forwards. So sometimes it feels like
(25:38):
we have five forwards out there, but a lot of skill. Yeah,
I mean, I think just kind of being careful with
the puckout high we've had. We've let up a few
shorty's this year, which you know which happens, but you know,
had a really good game on the power play on Saturday.
Speaker 5 (25:53):
Two power play.
Speaker 6 (25:54):
Goals in that game, including the game time and goal
from a chance late in the game to force the overtime. Yeah,
I think I think just you know, just being more
confident with with shots, having shots with purpose, getting them
on net to produce rebounds.
Speaker 5 (26:06):
Getting more NetFront pressure is always big and a point
of emphasism practices.
Speaker 6 (26:10):
In practice, you always see guys you know, parked out
in front working on tips, deflections, U screening the goaltender.
So I think that's uh, you know, something they work
on on weekly, if not daily, and you know, working
to continue improving that as we go along go down
the stretch.
Speaker 4 (26:25):
Here, Joe, I wanted to ask you about the goaltending
situation Jeremy Bruder and Nico Dawes. They've played a few games.
You're kind of figuring out as the season moves on,
what what can we expect from the goaltending tanem since
due to all the injuries in New Jersey.
Speaker 6 (26:40):
Yeah, Broder, he only played I think one game with
us earlier this year. He's been with that at Rondak
most of this season. But it's it's been Dawes and Malik,
you know for the most part. Dozes, I mean does
is Our is our.
Speaker 1 (26:52):
Clear cut number one.
Speaker 6 (26:53):
He's you know, he's got the experience. It's Malix's first
year here in pro hockey in North America. I think
he's learned a lot from Nico. Niko's a guy with
NHL experience. He's put a little over fifty games in
his career with the Devils. Did play one game earlier
this season when he was called up after Jacob Marsham
went down with an injury that was that was the
(27:14):
only call up that that Dawes had earlier this year,
so he's been with us for the majority of the year.
But you know, definitely definitely a guy that that can
pass on a lot of knowledge and experience to Jako Malik,
who's who's had some solid games. You know, I think
yesterday was probably a game, you know, he want to
have a couple back, but he put an outstanding game
(27:34):
last Saturday in wilkes Bury, our game, our final game
before the holiday break, made thirty one seeds in that game,
looked looked ultra confident.
Speaker 5 (27:42):
He you know, we wanted a shootout in that game.
Speaker 6 (27:45):
He stopped all three Penguin shooters in the shootout in
that one, and heading into yesterday, he had won two
of his last three starts, so I felt like he
was really starting to kind of find an upticking confidence.
He did go down to Ada Rondak for a quick
stretch of games right around the Thanksgiving Hall day, went
oh went one oh and one over over over two
(28:05):
games there.
Speaker 5 (28:06):
So it's good to see him go go down get
some get some playing time.
Speaker 6 (28:08):
Because Nico had been had been really carrying the workload
during that stretch and this over the past.
Speaker 5 (28:15):
Month, we've had more. We've had some weeknight games thrown.
Speaker 6 (28:18):
In the first month month and a half, we had
a lot of just kind of more like a college schedule.
We had just a lot of weekend games, not many
weekday games. So with the with the upticking games, it's
allowed Yaku to come in and and get some more reps,
which has been nice. But yeah, so I think I
think we'll continue to see Nico get the get the
lion's share of the workload here and net down the
stretch for the rest of the season. Well, you know,
(28:40):
Malco will come in here and there, you know, especially
when we have a heavier, heavier schedule. But I think
we'll continue to kind of see what we've what we've
seen so far.
Speaker 1 (28:48):
In that.
Speaker 3 (28:50):
Joe first season. For you with the Utica comments, how
is that going.
Speaker 2 (28:53):
How have you enjoyed the transition from the EHL up
to the AHL.
Speaker 6 (28:57):
Yeah, it's been it's been awesome, ton of fun. Was
super pumped to to uh get.
Speaker 5 (29:02):
The get the job here and and and make the
move up to up to Utica.
Speaker 6 (29:06):
I was in Kansas City and the e c HL,
like you mentioned in the last two years, which was
an awesome experience as well.
Speaker 5 (29:11):
I got I was fortunate we had a very good
team both both seasons I was there.
Speaker 6 (29:16):
You know, can't stay enough good things about the the staff,
the fan base, the players, uh you know, coaching staff,
all the people in the front office. Really good, actually
really good h atmosphere there. You wouldn't you probably wouldn't
expect that from Kansas City. It's not really your stereotypical
hockey town. But had an amazing experience there. A great
place to live, really good sports city. Obviously you got
(29:37):
a couple of big pro teams, but then you know
there there are there is kind of a smaller portion
that's definitely passionate about Mavericks hockey. And then yeah, coming
to Utica has been awesome. I'm from Massachusetts originally, so
you know, my family's still there and it's it's cool
to be a little bit closer to home, which was nice.
You know, really really hungry hockey culture here in Utica.
You can definitely sense it from the people at the games.
(30:00):
You know, whenever the players are making appearances out in
the community. You know, the city really backs and rallies
around the team here. So that's that's been awesome. You know,
the people I work with have been have been amazing here.
It's been a really seamless transition, you know, traveling traveling
with the team has been awesome.
Speaker 5 (30:17):
Getting to kind of getting integrated with.
Speaker 6 (30:19):
All the coaches and players and you know, helping them
out with various things has been a great experience. And
uh yeah, you know, aside from the obviously the obviously
and an idea, will you want your team to to
be winning a lot of games, and you know, it's
it makes a little bit more fun, but it doesn't
really affect it doesn't really affect, you know, my job
aton at the end of the day. I mean, I'm
(30:41):
just super pumped to be here. If they if they win,
they win. If not, it's not a not a big
deal at all. And you know, it's it's it's been
a ton of fun and really enjoying my time here
so far.
Speaker 4 (30:50):
Joe, I wanted to ask you. I was reading a
little bit more into you on your bio and and
it said that you were one of the commentators for
the Corpus Christy Ice Raising and all on my cousins
played in the North American League, not in the Noll South,
so you can go in a little bit into the
experience in the All South Division a little bit.
Speaker 5 (31:07):
Yeah, I was only there for it was a short stint.
Speaker 6 (31:10):
I was only there from like three months, from January
of twenty twenty three till pretty much the end of
that season, so like early mid April.
Speaker 5 (31:19):
Yeah, they had they had they.
Speaker 6 (31:20):
Didn't have a I don't think they had a broadcast
early all seasons, so they kind of had a mid
season opening and uh, you know, I went down there
in January. Yeah, it's definitely definitely different down there. I mehan,
you're playing, you're driving all across Texas. I think our
longest trip was like eleven hours Corpus Christi to Amarillo.
You're going from like the southeast corner to the northwest
corner of the state. So long, long, bust trips. Not
(31:43):
a bad spot to be for the winter. You know,
it's it's warm down there, right on the Gulf. They
got you know, they got beaches and stuff.
Speaker 4 (31:48):
So.
Speaker 5 (31:50):
That was cool. Yeah, the really really nice arena.
Speaker 6 (31:54):
You know, I didn't, I didn't. I only saw some
other arenas in our division. I don't know with some
of the other ones around the League. But I have
to imagine Corpus has one of the better rinks in
the NOLL. So yeah, I mean, solid fan base, a
lot of it seems like a lot of transplants or
snowbirds perhaps from you know, some more northern states that
were down there for the winner.
Speaker 5 (32:13):
So we did that pretty good fans.
Speaker 6 (32:14):
The team struggled a little bit, you know when I
was there, but you know, still had good support, good
fans and actually, funny enough, the coach when I was there,
Sylvan and Kluccia. He's now the head coach of the
Adirondack Thunder, so I got to catch up with him
when Adirondack was here during preseason.
Speaker 5 (32:30):
So kind of cool to see things come full circle.
Speaker 6 (32:32):
But yeah, I mean, you know, much different, you know, smaller,
much smaller front office obviously, you know the no it's
it's juniors.
Speaker 5 (32:40):
It's you know, they're not kind of the same.
Speaker 6 (32:41):
Staff as teams in the EHL and HL certainly so,
but no got along well, you know, got along well
with everyone in the office.
Speaker 5 (32:49):
Great staff it was. It's also a lot different.
Speaker 6 (32:52):
You're you know, you're working with kids like teenagers's the players,
so it's it's a little bit different than being with
adults and people around you age, you know, in the pros,
But yeah, I know it was. It was definitely definitely
cool experience, great opportunity to go down there join That
was my first time joining a team full time, so
it was great to kind of get down their experience
(33:13):
that I get some get some reps and uh and uh,
you know, kind of work my way from there.
Speaker 5 (33:19):
So definitely definitely happy I went down there.
Speaker 2 (33:22):
Sounds like Patrick did his homework on U Joe. Hopefully
that's the extent of it. I don't think we need
much more of a deeper.
Speaker 5 (33:27):
Dive than that.
Speaker 2 (33:28):
Last question for me making the career transition to Utica.
One food staple I know for sure in the region
is the Utica chicken riggies. Have you had the Have
you had the opportunity to try it? And what are
your thoughts if you have?
Speaker 6 (33:41):
Yeah, I've had, I've had the Riggi's a couple different
not a ton, but a couple of different places the
ones i'd say at Uh, there's a restaurant here in
town Taylor and the cook It's called right downtown. It's
a really popular restaurant, really popular post game spot. For
you know, players, fans, staff, whoever. I'd say, I'd say
they have some of the best that I've had here.
(34:02):
It's it's it's funny. It's funny because you know, at
the end of the day, it's it's chicken and pasta.
It's not really anything revolutionary, but it's cool that Utica
has made some of that. Some dishes like that kind
of unique to their to their city. And I would say, David,
I think the Judica Greens actually, I don't know if
you've heard of Judica Greens, but I I would say
I like those actually a little bit more even than
uh than the Riggies.
Speaker 2 (34:23):
My understanding is your body likes the Utica Greens a
little bit better than the Riggies as well.
Speaker 5 (34:31):
Probably probably.
Speaker 6 (34:32):
I mean, I I do like I do like pasta,
and it's uh, it's good to good to carrb up
here and there, depending on what you're trying to do.
But fitness wise, but I yeah, I don't know. I
just I think the first time I had the Utica Greens,
I I just uh, it's it's got the perfect you know,
it's got a little bit of a bite to a
little spice, and yeah, I think I again, I haven't
had them in a ton of ton of restaurants here,
(34:54):
but definitely I gotta definitely something I gotta do, do
a little bit more of. Uh maybe when I get
some more time in the off season. But yeah, no,
it's a cool, cool, really good food scene here in Utica.
Speaker 5 (35:03):
Something that a lot of people might not might not
know speaking.
Speaker 2 (35:06):
Good food scene for sure, Joe. We appreciate the time.
Best of luck the rest of the season. Happy to
hear you're doing well with the Utica comments. Again, very
appreciative for the spot here on the show. We appreciate
you listening to between the benches for David Radying, Patrick Moore,
our producer Michael Goodrichie, thank Joe for joining us.
Speaker 3 (35:22):
We will see you on the next show.
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