Latest / College Hockey Mouth / Episode 26: Alyssa Nardslico | South Carolina Women's Captain | ACHA Regionals Preview

Transcript

Episode 26: Alyssa Nardslico | South Carolina Women's Captain | ACHA Regionals Preview · College Hockey Mouth

• speaker-0: Welcome back, everybody, to College Hockey Mouth, a College Hockey South podcast. This is episode 26. Freedom Intensifies. Time of this. The United States just won in overtime over Sweden. Danny Bohm, Devin Sarah with you. By golly, you know, I'll I'll just start off by saying it this way you know, Dylan Larkin, Captain America, should be Team USA Captain. Whatever. Austin Matthews is cool. Lucas Raymond. Was the best player for Sweden today. Absolutely all the respect to the Swedes in a hard fought game. But Danny, play Free Bird. It was our day. speaker-1: Exactly. Yeah. Wait, did the USA play today? Did they play a hockey game? 'Cause I just dress like this normally. But no, yeah. It was ⁓ it was a really good day of hockey all around. Trying to get in work around around the hockey games that were being played was really difficult. But ⁓ you know what you know I was thinking about and I gro I dropped it in one of our group chats, but man, it sucks not to have the Russian team in there because man, it was just it would have made it so much better. All those ⁓ just thinking about it, the Kucherovs, the Capri Sovs, Vasilevsky ⁓ Zadorov just knocking dudes around. ⁓ my god, that would have been incredible. But yeah, USA comes out on top, almost lost, just like Canada, which was nuts. Did you see the go ahead goal that that Chechia had? They had six players out on the ice for like fifty seconds. speaker-0: I did. Yeah, Andre Pilat scoring there. Just a weird deal. I don't know how you missed that. Now, granted, you're gonna hear this on Friday, I believe. So, you know, by this time it'll be the women's gold medal game and the semifinals. But yeah, just like an insane day. Like Finland had to come from behind. Final two minutes to win overtime. Canada, the US, like definitely The Olympics have lived up to the hype. I'm so glad the NHL decided to send their players. Unfortunate we've had some injuries. You know, Ericssonek, I think, got a little banked up in the the USA Sweden game. Brutal. But ⁓ Sid. Yeah. I know. Cindy yeah, Cindy Crosby. Not at all. And I'm forgetting the player's name that's ⁓ on the LA Kings that also got hurt for I think it was Switzerland. Just ⁓ yeah, not good to see. speaker-1: No. Fiala, Kevin Fiala, ⁓ yeah and they put him face down on the stretcher. Like, what are you doing? speaker-0: That's just how they do it in Europe, man. You know, you can't you can't judge it. They're they're the experts. But me personally, I'm just happy that we got some great hockey and some more coming. Silliness aside, and ⁓ and and I'll take off my freedom shades here. Gotta protect myself from the speaker-1: I've done my civic duty by I've done my civic patriotic duty by wearing this for two minutes. speaker-0: Yeah, you're burning up. I I don't blame you. Yeah, if you wanna you wanna undress, you know, do your thing over there. But we've got a really just had to do it, didn't you? Well, on this edition of College Hockey Month, we're gonna talk to one of the pioneers and trailblazers in the women's division. She is the captain for the South Carolina women's team and has been a leader for them of their program. Please welcome Junior Captain Alyssa Nard Slickgo. Welcome to the pod. speaker-1: So speaker-2: Thank you for having me. speaker-0: Thank you for coming. Danny organized this thing real well. ⁓ shout out to him for being the South Carolina alum. So you got that connection. But aside from the hockey, just tell us about kind of your upbringing and ⁓ what led you into hockey and all of ⁓ what you do in your playing career now. speaker-2: So I am from New York and obviously it's a big hockey state. I grew up playing hockey. I started playing hockey when was about five years old. So I've been in the world of hockey for a very, very long time. My brother played hockey, so it was just kind of how I was raised, how it was kind of expected to play hockey. But I started playing on an all boys team and then that ended real quick. And then I ⁓ ended up playing for my club team, the Syracuse Valley Eagles, for like ten years. ⁓ we were pretty successful with that team. It was that team was so fun. ⁓ I played high school hockey too, and then now I'm here. It's been a wild ride. speaker-1: Yeah, and I don't want to take us off track here, Devin, but I understand it was your twenty first birthday. Was it l about a week ago? speaker-2: my God. Yeah, it was it was ⁓ on Sunday, so speaker-1: Sunday, okay. And ⁓ I I have an a a couple of inside sources in the team. I'm not gonna re reveal who they are, but you made a a trip out to Nashville for your birthday. speaker-2: I did. I did. How was that? ⁓ my gosh, it was so fun. We ⁓ me and my teammate visited my friend Anna. We visited our friend Morgan who lives in Nashville, who used to be on the team too. So it was really fun. speaker-0: Nashville, yeah, one of my favorite cities. I hope you got the chance to go to Jason Aldean's rooftop bar. That place is so sick. Quite the place to watch hockey too now with the Preds. So, you know, for for growing up, and that's a long time to be with the same program. You said I think Syracuse Valley, like ten seasons, you know, playing for an established program like that, ⁓ what was it like having that team already available? And, you know, as you grew up in high school and and did other sports, like how did that develop you as a person, a player? So speaker-2: The Syracuse like Eagles really wasn't available at the time. We were with my like hometown team called the Room Grizzlies and we just kind of outgrew them. It was just it was like a co-ed team when I was growing up. So like when you were younger, it's kind of okay. But once you get older, like as a girl, you know, you're not like getting into hitting and stuff like that. So my we kind of like made that team from the ground up. We were there was a ⁓ when I started there was a 14U team and a 12U team for AAA hockey girls. And we were kind of the only there was like a boys' team for Syracuse Valley, but we were kind of the only girls that, you know, were were like triple A and we were really getting in there. So that was really cool to have that kind of outlet where I could have, you know, played hockey at a high level. And it was all thanks to, you know, my teammates and their parents and my parents. And it wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for all of us coming together. Our club team was consisted of girls like all over New York. I think We had girls from like Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester. Like there were girls from everywhere. So it was really cool to be able to play with like those girls. And my high school team was also kind of a rap team. So it wasn't just like girls from my high school. It was girls from like high schools in the surrounding areas. So that was cool to be able to like meet a bunch of new girls and play with a bunch of new faces and meet all these people. And I'm very fortunate to grow up where I grew up and, you know, have the hockey outlet that I did. speaker-1: Yeah, and and you weren't just exclusive to hockey though. You played multiple different port sports in high school, right? You played ⁓ field hockey and lacrosse. speaker-2: I did, yeah, I did. I was ⁓ I was I was busy as a ch as a kid. So Yeah. speaker-1: Sounds like it. Yeah, and you were named ⁓ team captain for all three? Yeah, so I mean it must have been just like a natural you weren't team captain for South Carolina the first two years of the program, but it was probably like a a natural transition to get back and have the sea on your jersey, no? speaker-2: I was, yeah. Yeah. I mean, I was assistant captain for the past two years, so I kinda was helping out here and there, but I just I just yeah. I just like ⁓ helping people out whenever I can and just being selfless because I like grew up in a team situation, so I kinda like know what it takes to be a teammate and really be there and I like to think that I'm there for my teammates, so yeah, it's it's fun to be able to be that person to that people can lean on. speaker-0: sure. It's cool to hear about your diversified portfolio and from our research team, you continue to play field hockey at the club level at USC. So tell us about the support your team gets from the organizations that oversee the clubs and how that all kind of translates with what you have to do as a leader for that. speaker-2: Yeah. So since we are like just starting out, we've been established for like three years, but three years really isn't that long of a time if you really think about it. It's still kind of hard to like dip our toes into the water and like really establish ourselves. So we have been trying to, you know, reach out to a bunch of other teams and see like if they want to do stuff together. And everyone is so supportive, also. Like all the other teams are kind of in the same boat. Like we're all just club teams. So we do like to support each other and that is really helpful. And A bunch of the girls on other teams and some of the people on the other sports teams, you know, try and like help us out in any way that they could. And the school is so nice about it too. We don't really get a lot of funding, which is not surprising. I feel like a lot of club teams don't get a lot of funding, but you know, they do really help us with everything that we need. And it's really nice to have that kind of support system to help us through. speaker-1: Yeah, and ⁓ I I I love asking this question, but it it means more to me because I went to Carolina as well. What went into your decision of ⁓ picking South Carolina from you're all the way up there, damn near Canada, and you decide to come to South Carolina. speaker-2: So my well, I originally I had the decision of either like staying up in New York and playing hockey there and going to a D3 school, or I could have came down here and b went to a big like SEC school and had that experience, but not played hockey at that level. And I was really stuck on that for like a really long time. I ha I just really had no idea what to do. And I ultimately ended up coming to South Carolina and like making that decision where I could still play hockey and I'm still getting the experience of The big school and everything that it has to offer. ⁓ and also my brother went to school here. He played hockey here too. That was like a big decision for me. speaker-1: Yeah, and so like you mentioned, they didn't have a a team down here when you decided to make your decision. How hands on were you in that process of getting the team started and going to the school and getting everything, you know, getting the ball rolling with them? speaker-2: So I remember like when I was applying to colleges, my mom sent me like their face the South Carolina Women's Hockey like Facebook post and they were like, We're starting a team. And my mom was like, Holy, like, look at this. Like, this is crazy. I was like, ⁓ my God, that is kind of crazy. And ⁓ I had I didn't really like do any of like the establishing stuff, like with the school and everything, because they were already doing it in like twenty twenty two, which is the year before I came to college. But the ⁓ The fa the co-founder of the team reached out to me and was like, Hey, do you wanna be like a part of the team and like have a say and stuff? And I was like, Sure. Like, why not? I I like love hockey, so why not? So I remember like coming to school and like trying to figure out, you know, practice slots just because that rank is just crazy here. We just there's not a lot of practice slots. So we were trying to figure out like ice times and games and refs and it's ⁓ definitely hard to navigate when you really have like never done it before. You've no idea what you're doing. But I think like when we all worked together we did like reach out to other teams and schedule games and it was a lot, but it was really fun. speaker-0: It's not very ⁓ typical you see that that kind of arrangement, but I mean you guys make it you make it work with all the different resources, all the things you have available. I wanna go back and and not something commonly do, but we do have a note that you won a national tournament with your club team out in California. You know, can you tell us about kind of that experience and what that whole event looked like for you? speaker-2: Yeah, that was that was like a once in a lifetime thing. I you know, I loved those girls so much and those girls are so successful on that team and they've all gone off and done great things. We we were playing together for like ever. That was my Syracuse Valley team and we were all playing together for so long and we we were a triple A the whole time and every single time we got to the state finals, Bishop Kearney beat us every single year. And we were like, All right, this is our last year like We so we dropped down to tier two and we like declared tier two and but we played like a tier one schedule still, so we were still playing like all these good girls and still, you know, getting that practice in and then we ended up winning states and we went undefeated in states, which was so awesome. I actually fun fact, I into a little bit of a fight in the state final championships, but it was it was they were we were winning like so much to so little. speaker-1: Yeah, how'd that go? speaker-2: And this one girl like cross checked my teammate in the back and the game was over. And I was like, wait a minute. So I went over there and I ⁓ said some choice words and told her that that wasn't okay, but that's besides the point. speaker-1: You did what you had to do. See that's that's what a proud Carolina Gamecock does, Devon. speaker-2: Exactly. speaker-0: But there is no backing down. Right. Go ahead. speaker-2: Exactly. But ⁓ then we went to California for nationals, which was crazy in and of itself. We flew across the entire country. ⁓ and it was that was crazy. We're playing in like the Ducks facility and yeah, it was just it was so cool. speaker-0: Yeah. Unreal. Yeah. I've never been out to California that far, but to play at that kind of facility is ⁓ a real eye-opening experience. Like, you know, when you when you do a tournament at like I've been to like the St. Louis Blues facility, that's where Nationals is. It's such an incredible ordeal and the connections you make. You've won a lot of big games. You know, one we saw is is that you guys beat Clemson in the first ever Paul Medal Cup. So I this is just in your DNA. Like tell us about getting to play some of these early rivalry games in your College career and you know, what's what's that experience been like? speaker-2: Yeah, it's it's been really cool just as a team to kind of experience all these cool games and you know, doing stuff for the first time as a team. When we first figured out there's a Clemson team, we were like, ⁓ my god, like this is so cool. Like we cannot wait to play them. It's gonna be so awesome. But the game, the Clemson game, it was at ten PM. So that was something. But you know, what are you gonna do? It's women's hockey in the South. So we overcame that. But that game, it was close. We ⁓ it was close. We almost lost, to be honest, but we we overcame. speaker-1: We're watching. We were watching. speaker-2: Yeah, it was c it was crazy. But we play them again actually this weekend, so hopefully that'll ⁓ we'll see. That'll be the real test for two games. speaker-1: Yeah, I I got you on th this week for a reason. I I knew what was coming up. I've talked to enough Clemson and Florida people and Alabama. It's like, come on guys, let's let's even it out here a little bit. But yeah, I mean that was something that was Devin can attest, something that I've been talking about for a while, and seeing how successful Clemson was and early going, just added another la layer of excitement to it. And the game had stakes, which is awesome and you know, it could potentially be, you know A team you see in the playoffs. speaker-2: Hopefully. Hopefully we'll see them again. I think we're speaker-0: Well, we're excited to see that. You know, one of those things about like a playoff tournament is the unpredictability. But I mean, you guys have been like a mainstay in in your program for so long now. ⁓ I feel like you're up there with like the Alabama and Tampa as far as like status of programs within this women's division. You know, I guess ⁓ some things we w we want to ask a little more on the lighter side was after some research, we found that you like to use a blackstone grill. I guess a quote we had is my Blackstone makes restaurant chefs nervous on USC's website. Can you kind of elaborate your your affection for the Blackstone grill? speaker-2: All right. So basically I I was like shopping with my dad and I found the blackstone that was like a like a travel size one and it was like really cheap. And I was like, how funny would this be if I just like bought a blackstone and I just like started cooking on it? But I don't I brought it to a lot of like team bonding and I my friend Anna, my teammate Anna bought like ⁓ bought us ha chef hats. So I just look like an idiot, like cooking, you know. Like hot dogs and crap on like the black stuff, like for ⁓ my team and stuff, but yeah. speaker-1: Man, that was disappointing. I I was really hoping you were gonna be like, ⁓ yeah, like I'm I'm I'm like a pro and I like chef up for my teammates on we're on the long bus rides and we're I'm just back there chefing it up. speaker-0: Yeah, but what's the meal? speaker-2: a chef. Like I I do ⁓ chef it up on the Blackstone but speaker-0: Well what's the what's the go to meal? We gotta know. What what are you making on the Blackstone that is like your your S tier like five star gourmet ingredient? speaker-2: I would have to say either hot dogs, 'cause literally everyone loves hot dogs, or grilled chicken. I like to keep it simple. I'm a simple person. I'm a straightforward person, so I gotta go with that. speaker-1: Okay, well you mentioned team bonding. I I would be beside myself if I didn't bring this up, but it All Star last year at the skills competition, you had by far the best ⁓ shootout attempt in the like whatever shootout ⁓ competition. Devon, her and all of her teammates lined up in like a offensive line and went out for like like they were gonna run a a pass. But she she took off her hockey jersey and underneath had the a Jadavian clowney jersey on. And I was in the penalty box. I was I was going nuts. And if I swear to God, if they if you didn't get tens across the board, I I was gonna hop over the glass. Like I was like, that is a perfect, perfect score. Like who whose idea was that? ⁓ how you know, were your ex your teammates excited? What went into the that whole thing? speaker-2: All right. I actually had like no idea what I was gonna do. And I knew I wanna do something like funny and also like that involved all of my teammates. So I was like, all right. And I just brought a bunch of crap from home or like a bunch of stuff that I could use. And I brought my jersey and I was sitting in the hotel room and I was like, wait a minute, what if we like did like a football type formation lineup thing and like we snapped the puck and like and it was just we literally practice it once in the locker room. And I was like, all right, guys, like this is what we're doing. Like we're gonna practice it once. And we practiced it once and it was, I won't even lie, it looked so bad in the locker room. Like it was so bad. And we went out on the ice and we were like, all right, we just gotta do it. Like we just have to do it. And it couldn't have worked out any better. Like it couldn't have worked out any better. I'm so I'm so proud of all those girls for doing it because it was so funny. Like it was so good. It was so good. speaker-0: I would be a ten out of ten on the judging category for for talent competition. I think we gotta we gotta introduce it again at play o or all stars in Nashville. awesome. ⁓ hey, you know, I guess can you tell us a bit about like your you know, actually I'll leave this to Danny. Can you tell us about the jerseys, Danny? You had you had a lot of stuff on this. ⁓ speaker-1: Yeah, so hold on. Because I saw the the new jerseys at Columbus and I was so excited because the front has my favorite Carolina logo, which is actually on my shirt here. I came prepared. Tenfold, Devin. Not just the Johnny Goodreads jersey, but Carolina and the script. How involved were you in in that? Because ten out of ten, top marks, th those are fantastic. The white jerseys. speaker-2: Thank you. They are they are really cool. We ⁓ we like knew we needed a new white jersey because our old white jersey wasn't the wasn't the best. So we were like, all right, let's let's, you know, get a new one in there, see what's going on. ⁓ we knew we wanted like the script like across the, you know, the front, but we really didn't know like what we were gonna do. We kind of got a like we got we got a bunch of like mock ups back and we kinda chose from that, but Yeah, they're they're sick. We we're so happy with how they came out and they look so good on the ice. So yeah, they're really cool. speaker-0: I like that too. And you try to make it look a lot on par with like what the ⁓ three team does, what ⁓ two does, and those teams have synonymous brands. I know what you mean by the upgrade. I think you guys had like something that was a little bit like, you know, you got it off like a third party and it had like the the star and the the logo, but this is top notch, one of the best jerseys in in women's hockey. Now as far as like your program, like things that are building, you guys I think were like one of the first teams that were like ranked among the woman. So, you know, what is kind of your guys' trajectory? Like how are things just within building for the future? You know, your your coaching, recruiting, like what are the things that are going into that process? speaker-2: I mean, we're really just trying to build a strong foundation just so we can, you know, get a little bit more footing and get more established. And it is so cool that we've been ranked and, you know, we have been doing good these past couple seasons, but we want to, you know, do better than that. So we've been trying to build a foundation and really just trying to nail it in and like get some girls coming out. We have we did a prospect skate last year, which was Really cool to see a couple of girls went out. Actually, one of our teammates that went to the prospect skate was is a freshman this year on the team. So that's really cool to see. ⁓ reaching out to our email and texting us and doing what they can to, you know, but kind of be recruited and we love that. Like we appreciate that so much. And it's not like a typical, you know, N C double A hockey where you're like getting recruited by the coaches, but we're trying to get get it at that level. You know, it's kinda hard, but speaker-1: Yeah, so there there's a side to club hockey that I've kind of seen it more of it this semester than, you know, kind of semesters past is you know, you've seen a lot of players that are studying abroad and it's like, ⁓ well this player hasn't played for a while. It's like, ⁓ yeah, they're actually in Barcelona or they're this place or that place. You didn't play in the Columbus Classic because you were busy, you you were doing it was some kind of event, right? And you've done PGA events in the past. speaker-2: Yeah, I was at the ⁓ the Ryder Cup in New York. Yeah, I was I was a little upset. I won't lie that we didn't I didn't get to play in that tournament. Just because it's hard to travel like during the regular season to play all these different teams and then when you when we have like the tournaments, that's when we get to play them. So that was a little upsetting, but it's okay. speaker-1: Damn. Yeah, that's cool. Yeah, I I I think I think it worked out. ⁓ are you a big golfer? speaker-2: I d I dabble. I dabble for sure. speaker-1: Okay. I think I'd dabble too. speaker-0: Well what what don't you do? Like we're we've been all over the place. You play like five different sports. You travel th the frickin' PGA events. Like is there something about you that people wouldn't normally know? Like a fun fact? speaker-2: One of my fun facts, actually, this is kind of weird. I put my shin guards on. Like like when I get dressed with like my equipment, I put my shin guards on last. Like I know that's weird, but like I just put them on last. speaker-0: What so like No Yeah, like was it like something like like at first you're just like ⁓ shoot, I'm about to go on the ice, don't have ⁓ or is it comfort? Like where did that start? speaker-1: Get them? speaker-2: So it's like, well, like, you know how people like tuck their tongues underneath their shin guards, obviously. Yeah. So when I do it, I like just like don't put on my shin guards and then I put on my skates and then I would put them on like over my tongue. But then when I started to get dressed, I just like didn't put them on and then I just like put my like chest protector on and stuff and like my elbow pads and then my jersey. And I would sit there just like with my socks rolled up, like with no shin guards on. And everyone would just be like, You look like an idiot. And I'm like, I don't know. It's comfortable. I I don't know what to tell you. speaker-0: That is a first. I I c I don't think I've ever heard that from someone, but I I love that. I that I'm really a fan of this. Well, hey, you know, superstition ⁓ adore. I mean, you've you've done really well for your team. You know, coming up for playoffs, so much of the talk we do on this pod is like who's hot, who's not. You guys are right in the thick of teams that could win this thing. So just how excited are you to get to playoffs and you know, what are some of the things about your team that make you guys in a position to succeed? We are speaker-2: So excited. I think at all of our practices, our practices are eleven PM. So like we're dragging a little, but like towards the end of it, we're all just like, holy, like, we're so close to playoffs. It's gonna be so cool. Like it's gonna be so fun. We're very excited to see where we, you know, line up with the Tampa and Alabama and Clemson and just all of them. We're we're very excited to, you know, not count on any teams obviously, but see where we line up with everyone. I think our biggest strength in terms of like winning. Is kind of the depth and the diversity we have. We ⁓ I think all of our girls are like good in their own specific way. Like all of our girls have skill. So I think that's what you know gives us depth. We can have, you know, our third line out there and we can still play against the number one line on the other team. So I think that's what kind of helps us a lot. Also, Mackenzie, our goalie, she's a brick wall. So it's, you know, she's she's saved our butts so many times, but Yeah, we're just we have a lot of depth and we ⁓ we've gotten closer together as a team in this spring. So it's it's gonna be really fun to see and really fun to see like where we end up in playoffs for sure. speaker-1: Yeah, and so this will be the last one for me, Devin. What is the strangest way, possibly the worst way you've heard someone pronounce your last name? And was it over the PA when you were getting announced for the starting lineup, or was it like first day of school? I've had speaker-2: Two instances. I think the first one, I was literally in like kindergarten and my teacher called me Nardisco. It's a disco it is. But the more recent time, it was playoffs, my first year, my freshman year, which was two years ago. ⁓ we were playing Georgia, and I was like, we won that game, and I was re-watch we like rewatching the film, and the announcer pronounced my name Nardisico, and they said it. I f I forget who it was. I I forget who it was, but I think they said it like ten times in a row and they were just like, Narticico with the pass and I was the other teammates are like, ⁓ my god, like this is so funny. So that's speaker-1: Really small I there. Wait a minute. Wait, is that an L? No, I don't think so. speaker-0: Just Yeah, you know, you say it one way and I'm guilty of this. You say it one way and then you just get stuck on that and it it's you don't even mean to, so maybe I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt, you know. Nard slick go, see I had to think about it for just a second. It's it's unique, but ⁓ but you got it there. Hey, awesome interview. Last thing we'll leave you with is what would you say to a prospective player, somebody that's looking at South Carolina women's hockey joining your program? What is it about you guys that that makes you special and and a great place to to play and go to school? speaker-2: I think it's just like the community we have and what we, you know, kind of bring to the table with how close we are as a team. Some of my best friends I've made from that team and I don't know what I would do without that team. ⁓ I think that's kind of a huge selling point. You know, you're not gonna want to join a team if the girls kind of suck, but ⁓ we just we just have a really good community and our coach we our coach loves us and we love our coach and just also literally today we are out tanning. So like if you really wanna come to South Carolina, like it's great weather. So like that's also another selling point. So speaker-1: Yeah, yeah. speaker-0: As somebody in Florida that always sells. But yeah, yeah, yeah, Danny. speaker-1: And you know, I'm I'll I'll take up for my Carolina people. If you want to know how much they enjoy playing with each other, look at that video of them doing the the football ⁓ thing on ice. Like you can tell how much they just enjoy being with each other and it was a blast. Like it you know, you don't have to take our word for it. You can just you can see it. So yeah, top marks to you. ⁓ you're you're in DHS women's division. I don't know if you know this, but coming into the season, you were the third leading scorer in all time. speaker-2: Wow. I did not know that. That's pretty cool. speaker-1: The most points per game too. I I guess we I guess we were luck we we were lucky to get you on here. ⁓ speaker-2: Well thank you guys for having me. This was a lot of fun. speaker-0: Thank you. And good luck at playoffs. ⁓ hopefully we cross paths and ⁓ you know, just keep bringing the fun. You guys are having a great season. We look forward to ⁓ talking about you in the future. Yeah. speaker-2: Of course, I hope it's to you guys too. Thank you guys so much, I appreciate it. speaker-0: Thanks to Alyssa Nartslico for joining the podcast. A very, very fun personality, and look forward to seeing how Clemson does in the playoffs coming up. Excuse me. speaker-1: Excuse me, excuse me, you just had a Freudian slip of all time and I cannot let this go. You just said we've gotta see how Clemson is gonna do in the playoff, Gav. speaker-0: Did I just say Clemson? Did I just say Clemson? There's no way. Nah, dude. There's that's that's no way. Gavin, help me out, bro. speaker-1: We're gonna see how Clemson does in the playoffs, but Alyssa Narzliko, the proud captain of the South Carolina Gamecocks, the premier university in the state of South Carolina, thank you very speaker-0: Wow, that's that's brutal. Well, I guess I'll just redo that and start from here. Thanks to Elicit Nard Slick. No, man. You just won't let me off the hook, man. speaker-1: Let's get the game recaps, Devin. This is episode twenty six of the podcast. We don't have to speaker-0: This is like a mulligan in golf where like you're gonna give me like two or three and I still can't figure it out. I still can't get off the T right. Well, with that shank, ⁓ we're gonna roll into our game recaps. Last regular season week that has major implications. This was the M3 and ACDC side that determined seeding, and Embry Riddle and Florida Tech were fighting for the three seed behind Jacksonville and Florida. Embry Riddle won the game of the week seven to four and securing the number three seed. Boy, this one was in back and forth, just a wild kind of game. Danny, you had the chance to follow this one along on the social media. And from what I can tell, it seemed like early Florida Tech was gonna get their way things going. They had a power play goal from Santino, Chancio, and then Embry Riddle just took over the rest of the first period. Florida Tech tried to answer in the second, they really couldn't, and you're kind of just seeing the effect of of not having maybe their best player, Braden Curry. Credit though to Embery Riddle, they got it done with the seven to four dub. speaker-1: Yeah, they also didn't have their all time leading scorer, ⁓ Derek Morgia in the lineup, which was obviously very crippling. Yeah, ⁓ it it kind of just looked like Florida Tech ran out of gas towards the end. They were able to tie the game in the third period, but the top talent of Embry Riddle kind of eclipsed that of Florida Tech. You know, ⁓ Nick Bowers, Andy Coleman, these guys have been at the top of the leaderboards for every single offensive ⁓ category and in the division. And ⁓ they took care of business night one to take third place over and then they nailed it down in game two, ⁓ with the sh series shifting up to the Space Coast Iceplex. Okay, Mr. Cool Guy takes his sunglasses off. ⁓ speaker-0: I can't do it anymore. I I can't go the whole podcast. I'm not allowed to have the cool points anymore. I had the fruity and slip of the century, so I mean, I can't look like a jackhammer anymore. But continue. speaker-1: No, I mean that that's about it. And it was ⁓ status quo for Embry Riddle. ⁓ the the top players contributed and pushed them over the top and they're gonna be the three seed facing off against Florida State, and Florida Tech will be facing South Florida in the first round. So we'll have a couple of quarterfinal games that will decide who plays Jacksonville and University of Florida who received buys to the semifinals and would have to be the proverbial favorites. You know, I I I think we we we discussed it at one point that it seemed like it was gonna be Florida State and Florida, like a like a collision course, but Jacksonville with their spring semester, man, it it's hard to see anyone beating them right now. speaker-0: I do think though that six seed Florida State team in my mind is one of the favorites. Like they're a low seed, but they haven't played the most games and you think about how they performed in Savannah. They're just an experienced bunch. They've got older guys. I still wouldn't count them out, and I think that's a tough draw for Embry Riddle. You almost like didn't want to win the game of the week, we were joking. ⁓ because you now you have to face that team. So congrats to Embry Riddle though. Three seed and Florida Tech on a great one. Some other matchups we were watching, Vanderbilt took on Tennessee in a thriller. The Vols won game one six to five, despite the late rally attempt from Vandy. Some notable guys we saw. Liam Baxter goal and two assists for the Commodores. And then in game two, it was a five-four shootout win for Tennessee. Liam Baxter had the hat trick in that one. Chris Free for Tennessee, two goals and two apples. Vandy was fighting for that last spot. Among Miami, Lynn, Kennesaw State in the mix. And I think with this being as close of result, they just about stamped their spot at the playoffs. speaker-1: Well yeah, and you know, we might as well skip ahead to Lynn because I believe the the last spot will come down to either Vanderbilt or Lynn at this point, and it creates a very interesting debate, and I think we're both in agreement on who should or maybe will get the last spot. It's almost a little unfortunate, so we get to have the debate, but Vanderbilt Vanderbilt's close losses against Lynn playing perhaps some of the lower third teams in the division and beating them. ⁓ you Vanderbilt's had close losses against Middle Tennessee, against South Carolina, now to Tennessee. They had a win against Clemson. It was their only win in M3. ⁓ I mean, that that that's a tough stat to have, that you have one win across the entire ACHA Division III. Lynn has way more than that, but they're against teams that are in, you know, the bottom third of the rankings for the entire country. What do you value? It's is it the the quantity or the quality? speaker-0: It's the same argument that Alabama has going for them, where they've played the toughest teams in the conference. Clemson, they had the win against. Middle Tennessee was early on. It seems like every team that's played Middle Tennessee and has kept it somewhat close in a loss, like they did, three goals or more, or three goals or less, excuse me, has gotten benefit of the doubt in the rankings. That's why I believe their win against Clemson put them over the edge. This definitely will because it's by one goal and that shootout technical technically goes down as a tie. And how the ACKA values ties is almost as good as a win when you play a team that's higher ranked than you. And at the moment, Tennessee is firmly in the playoff spot. I think they're somewhere around that six or seven spot. We'll have to look at our updated standings in a moment. But ⁓ yeah, it'd be tough. You know, Lynn, they had a good win against Florida Atlantic in the the battle of Boca, eight to one. I just don't think they have the strength of schedule beating Florida Atlantic and Miami in those ways. So a very interesting point is the next game we have Kennesaw State and South Carolina. Danny, I mean, what the heck? Kennesaw State is five to one and five to two wins over a South Carolina team that we were just debating a week ago before, when they split with Middle Tennessee, could be the best team in the conference out of nowhere. The Owls have now put themselves on the map. speaker-1: Yeah, yeah. They've had one of a few teams that have come out of nowhere. ⁓ you know, the likes of Jacksonville and ACDC in Florida and Division Two that have had tremendous spring semesters and have, you know, ⁓ shifted the opinion on ⁓ what they can do in in the postseason. Where, you know, if if we were to have this conversation in December or November, it would be like, Well, you know, it's probably an achievement just for them to get there. Whereas now it's like I don't know if you want to play these guys. They're gonna give they're gonna be they might be more than just a tough out. They might take down a top team. A five to one and five to two against a top ten South Carolina team, who's now lost three in a row after winning however many in a row to start their program, their program's history. It was a bunch. Three in a row, and they play a tough Clemson team next week or this upcoming weekend before playoffs. So they very well could be looking at Entering playoffs on a four game losing streak, which is not I don't think you want to feel those vibes in the locker room. speaker-0: People would look at this and go, how does this happen? So in game one, Evan Pritchard saved fifty-four of fifty-five shots. So it's not like the Game Cox were without the firepower. We know how good Joey Broshew's system is with that team. You know, this is a a new goaltender that's sort of shown up, quote unquote, out of nowhere, second semester edition, product of the Atlanta Fire AA program. You know, we were talking about for a lot of the tenure, Nikolai Dunn. Who's a really good goaltender in his own right? But the addition of him and a few others has really flipped this program over. I mean, Jonathan Shaw at defense has has given them stuff. Cooper Lundberg, unreal how just a few guys you add in the second semester makes a huge difference. So I feel like that's just bolstered guys like Christian Sousa, who had a really good game too when they finished it five to two. ⁓ a a tally and three assists for James Kravis. You know, Shaw, we just mentioned a goal and two assists, forty-nine of fifty-one. So just kind of a generational weekend for this netminder. Yeah, Kennesaw State right now in a really deep ⁓ three field already. It's gonna be one to watch here in about a week t week's time from Coral Springs. speaker-1: Yeah, and and you consider if it's Vandy that ends up making it, and it it very well could be Lynn. I don't wanna rule out that possibility. Won't don't wanna write them off, but if it's Vandy, you know, we talked about how competitive they've been, but you think about the possibilities of who they could be playing. So they would probably be the twelve seed Vany, right? So they would be playing one of Tampa, South Carolina, Gulf Coast, or Clemson. Clemson, who they just beat six to two, I think it was. We could have upsets all over the map. These these top seeds could go down and before we even get to the quarterfinals. speaker-0: What's important too to note is this isn't confirmed and and you know, but to our knowledge, there is a potential auto bit on the line. It's not confirmed. There's a little bit of of qualifications that have to be met. If you win this conference, there is a chance that you go to nationals. Now, that's not to say that will happen if you're a lower seed, but like there is still everything to play for, regardless of your standing, regardless of the season you've had up to this point. If you're in this field, there's something that could loom. And I think teams should be conscious of that when they go through this. Regardless, I think, man, Kennesaw State, you gotta watch out for these guys. ⁓ huge wins over South Carolina. One of the perennial nationals teams, like I think they're hopefully now all but in still. I I mean this would be a tough one just to knock them completely out of contention after such a good series with Metal Tennessee a week prior. On the woman's side, Alabama took on high point and the Panthers. Got the sweep four to three and nine to four. Some really good performances. Anna Zahorchuk, two apples, Claire Carson with a with a goal here, as well as ⁓ Grisbalski with two. Just a really good high point team that is right now ranked in women's division two. Alabama's firmly in the playoff position, and we're gonna see them in a week's time as well, probably competing for the the championship in that field. speaker-1: Stumbling though, Devin. Stumbling. J just like South Carolina and to an extent if you want to look at, you know, Tampa at Division Two. You know, we got some some powers that are, you know, defending champions that are stumbling towards the playoffs. speaker-0: I almost think though that if you play better teams and you face adversity, it helps you in a way. You kind of figure out some parts that maybe you were confident about and need to go back and and re-hone on. The way we know Alabama is that they have depth and they can score on many different lines and maybe that's just the kind of kick that they need to get ready for a playoff like this. That's the optimistic side. You never want to go into playoffs maybe losing. However, I think high point's a pretty good program and and certainly something to watch for Alabama there as we enter playoffs. ACHA, men's division two. We've got some previews in just a little bit, but all three teams made it into the Southeast regional. Tampa, Florida Atlantic, and the Gators from Gainesville, Florida are all going to Cincinnati, Ohio in this weekend's matchups. We're going to preview those for you in just a bit, but some things To think about, they're all going to face, well, at least two of the three TSCHL teams, a former Nationals matchup with Tampa and Georgia looms. They might be facing one of the scariest teams. I do not want to play this Bulldog team right now. Owls are going to face the conference playoff runner-up from the TSCHL, the Miami Red Hawks, and Florida has a date with the Ohio State Buck Guys, who are having a program year up there in Ohio. But as far as our playoff updates, the women's field is set. Tampa Florida, USF from the south, the Crimson Tide, the Frozen Tide, Alabama, South Carolina, and Clemson. Sorry to listen to earlier. I guess I guess we're running with this Fruityan part of me. Auburn and Georgia from the north wrap up this field. Very, very, very interesting the way that Danny's talking about some teams facing adversity coming in. And then on the M3 side, the picture became a lot more clear that we referred to number one middle Tennessee, still riding high as a super wagon. USF With their all-stars and Grant Dietz, Maxwell Mudge are riding high. South Carolina, bit of a hiccup. We still think that they are a wagon as well. Tampa has been on the cusp of the top 16 that make nationals. They might just need to win their conference now to guarantee a spot into the the field there in St. Louis. Clemson right behind them won't go to nationals regardless of what happens. They, though, are the fifth team right now in the standings. Florida Gulf Coast, lockdown defensive stalwart in the sixth spot. Alabama with Luke Haggett, who we talked to on the last episode at the seventh seed. Embry Riddle, Bob Joyce's squad, right there at number forty eight in the country. Tennessee at the ninth spot. UCF off of a very impressive weekend against M2 Florida Atlantic, which by the way, we kind of skipped over in the ⁓ game recaps, but very, very impressive weekend for them. I I really thought that Joseph Dre, their captain, was a vocal leader. He blocked shots. They're gonna be a tough out, whoever has to face them. In this playoff field, right behind them, Kennesaw State, we just talked to over those huge upsets with South Carolina. And at the moment of this recording, Miami was on the cut line. But when you listen to this, be sure to check the M3 standings at acah hockey.org because you're likely going to see some shifting. Vanderbilt is below the cut line at 13, number sixty-one. That's gonna change. Lin was behind them at seventy-one. Then Florida Atlantic in the fifteenth spot, old miss. Florida Southern and finally Austin P bringing up the rear of M3 College Hockey South. In AC DC, that field is set. Number one seed Florida. Number two, Jacksonville will have buys to the semifinals. Embry Riddle, Florida Tech, USF, and the Florida State Seminoles will all do battle in the quarterfinals, which is day two technically of playoffs. So Friday, you can expect those games in Coral Springs. Now, Danny, let's break down On College Hockey South today, the M2 regional for our three College Hockey South teams. And we've got a laundry list of notes here just to kind of give you some more insight on exactly who these teams are playing. If you haven't been following the ACHA at large, the Southeast region, very competitive. All sixteen teams from this region have to win two games in order to advance to the national tournament in St. Louis, Missouri, Centi Community Ice Center. A new year a new league, a new year, new opportunity. Let's kick it off with Tampa and Georgia. This is the first game of the day. 9 a.m. Eastern on Saturday at the Queen City Sportsplex. Danny, you can attest to all the history. I know you've extensively talked on this podcast, off air, all about the encyclopedia that is Tampa Spartan hockey. Why is Georgia such an intriguing matchup? Number two seed versus number 15 seed. speaker-1: Well, there's a familiarity. This is the first year and however long the it's this is a non-conference game. So it's like if you want to use a college football analogy, it's like Texas playing ⁓ Texas Tech. Maybe not that heated, but you know, these teams have a history. They don't like each other for sure. You know, I know that ⁓ Tampa doesn't really make a lot of friends when they pla when they play teams. But ⁓ I will say this, not having an abundance of knowledge against of the teams that our CHS teams will be playing against. I will just comment on what I think our teams will need I would say our but CHS teams will need to do to be victorious. Tampa's gotta stay out of the box. We've seen them in their game of the weeks or wherever else we're we're following them. It seems to fall apart when, you know, they start taking penalties and you know there's ⁓ there's a parade to the penalty box and guys start getting twos and tens. Matter of fact, ⁓ Alex Moeller, I'm pretty sure will be suspended for this game because of a DQ he had in the final game against FAU. So even more so, they're gonna have to be next man up and, you know, gotta gotta lock in the same way they did at the end of last year because they really hit a another level once it got to the postseason. Cleaner hockey, more five on five, better better defense all around. speaker-0: I think you could say that for just about all three of the college hockey South teams. Florida, Atlantic, and Tampa had a heated series. Two teams that bitterly dislike each other. You just hope people would stay safe and not get shenanigans, but as you mentioned, that's sort of the story there for them. One of their leading scorers, Alex Muller, ⁓ really top three in scoring, but they do have the depth and they are back to relatively a healthy group. Food for thought is that Tampa beat this Georgia team, final day of pool play three to two. This Spartan team also faced them in the College Hockey South Championship game, absolutely dominated, seven to one victory. And the story in that game was Tampa's speed versus Georgia's structured play. Danny Griffin, Cole Velise, familiar names to the Tampa program, big contributors in that tournament. You can probably expect them to be the guys to look for in the same thing here. On Georgia's side of things, they come in as probably the best SEC team next to South Carolina. They finished with the most wins in that new conference in the regular season. They lost to the eventual playoff champions, number nine seed South Carolina, five to three, but they beat them the week prior, seven to three. Some highlights for Georgia's year is that they beat Michigan State at home. They split with USC and they took down the ACCHL champion, Virginia Tech Hokies, who are the 14th seed in this playoff. By all means, they deserve to be in this field. They're led by senior goaltender Isaac Haugen. College Hockey South fans, if you follow this team, know very well. He was the SEC goaltender of the year this season with a 13-5, 2-1 record, 2.86 goals against average, 0.9%. The numbers speak for themselves. They have a brick wall, and that's who Danny Griffin and some others are gonna have to get past in order to win this first round game. They're led by Ryan Bailey, 26 games this year, 39 points, Declan Conway, Truman Haugen, his brother. They have ten seniors on this Georgia team. That sounds a lot like what Tampa is. This is a senior against senior. You have to imagine emotions are going to be high on either side, you know. You said the penalty box, but who are you looking to to get going in this game? speaker-1: One guy that's not on he hasn't had a great season, but man, was he a a spark plug down the stretch for Tampa last year? Nick Fontaine, I think he's on he might be at like half a point a game this year. Hasn't been pretty, but he's he's got incredible speed. He has finished to his game, he just hasn't had it this year. If he can find that, ⁓ man, that creates a a depth problem. ⁓ well, a good depth problem for Tampa and just any team that tries to defend them because they're certainly gonna need it without Molar in the lineup. speaker-0: Also, I think what what is going for Tampa is that they are a playoff built team. They have won their last postseason games, both Kalachocke South and AAU Nationals. Of course, they won the men's division one title in the other league a season ago. So if they are able to win this game, which would be big, they've lost three of their last four coming in against CHS opponents, they would play the second highest remaining seed for then a trip to nationals. We're gonna repeat that to you, but it's just two games. Saturday and Sunday, that's all you need to get the St. Louis and Tampa. Last time they were there, they were a pretty competitive program, but they've got bigger ambitions as a high seed in this tournament. So Tampa versus Georgia to start the day early, 9 a.m. Eastern on Saturday on Flow Hockey. Subscribe now at www.flowhockey.tv. Afterwards, a little bit later in the day, you're gonna have Florida Atlantic as the number four seed taking on number 13, Miami of Ohio, 3 p.m. Eastern. Queen City Sportsplex. So, Florida Atlantic, kind of a weird year in the middle. The second half, they have gotten it going. They have now, at this point, have four straight wins. Farmingdale State, comeback fashion, got the dub in overtime for a split there. Tampa, they won two out of three two weekends ago and finished up against UCF in a really competitive series. But Miami, Ohio might just be an opponent like they have not seen in quite a while. This is the runner-up in the Tri-States Collegiate Hockey League. They lost to number three Ohio six to two. And while that score looks very vast, they were the first team to beat Ohio State in a long time, since basically September. And they did it convincingly, seven to three. This is also the same Miami Ohio team that was a national championship runner up two seasons ago. And last year they lost to that number three Ohio team on the last day of regionals. They have a lot to play for. They've got a lot of veteran guys. Eric Miller is. Has 36 points on the year, mostly assists. John Fratto is also one to watch 13 goals, 11 apples. And Tyler Bell at their blue line is one of the best in their conference. I believe he's first team all TSCHL. That's going to be a thing to watch. The story here, I think you alluded to it, Danny, but the penalty minutes. Miami, Ohio has 313 penalty minutes. Now that still seems like a lot, but when you compare that to 500 plus for Florida Atlantic, that tells the story a bit there. speaker-1: Yeah, it's it's it's not sustainable, especially in in this kind of environment where it's you know, you lose, you go home, which is the case, right? Like we can hold on, break the fourth wall for a second. If they lose on Saturday, you just pack up and go home because you're not advancing, right? Okay, all right. Just wanted to make sure I understood it. All right. Yeah, definitely not conducive to ⁓ this kind of environment. You know, it it's and say you're ⁓ a team that turns the ball over a lot in college basketball and March Madness, like you're you're playing a dangerous game. And this is obviously going to be a really a tough opponent. Almost like these seeds could be flipped. Like it could be number thirteen FAU against number four, Miami, Ohio. It that's neither here nor there. I think FAU can win this game for sure. They're just gonna need the best out of their best players, without a doubt. Broncos had a had a tough spring semester. His numbers aren't as gaudy as they were to end the fall, but he's gonna have to be his best. He's gonna have to be the type of goalie he was and At nationals last year and the top scorers of FAU are gonna have to be the top scores. speaker-0: Yeah, Jackson Neuwendike, since he joined the team four games in, been lining it up. I think he's two behind the lead in the team points, behind Brady Beijer, player of the year candidate. They do have the ability to do this game, but I think they go as far as their top guys go, Leon Biller, Jake Murphy, Neuendyke. They're gonna need their blue line to be really good. Nick Olivario had a physical series against UCF, and their ace is usually Rocco Bruno. And I think College Hockey South fans can have faith. that he is when it comes to playoffs the best goaltender in the conference. He was at AAU M2 last year. I think we're due for a Rocco Bruno prime performance here. Catch this game at 3 PM Eastern on Flow hockey. It's gonna be a great one. And you know if FAU wins, they would be playing the fourth highest seed remaining on day two. And that can go any which way. I mean there's so many good matchups. Virginia Tech, Ohio, Rowan, Penn State. There's just so much unpredictability with this Southeast region. But the final game to preview number twelve, Florida, with number five, Ohio State, to close out day one on Saturday at six PM Eastern. Same venue, Queen City Sportsplex. Now, Florida, one of the teams that coming into the season, I feel like we were talking about Tampa and FAU. And maybe Florida would compete, but they wouldn't be in the spot they are. They not only Fought their way into this regional field, but they did it in convincing fashion. Wins over Boston College, a nine to eight Barn burner. They beat Tampa, Florida, Atlantic. They're winning five straight. And they're led by Sully Schwears, who is on a tear right now. Nine goals in his last four games and points but all but two of this season. Liam Nikwashwa, Michael McCoy, Brian Pine, you name it, they have shown up and and credit to Frank Pasquale for getting these guys ready. speaker-1: Ohio State, Penn State, Florida State. Gators and five. Gators and five, Devin. Let the good times roll for Florida. I mean, we've we've talked about some of the like Tampa and Alabama women's South Carolina ⁓ threes stumbling down the stretch. They're feeling themselves. They're feeling like, hey, we could do this freaking thing. I mean, I would imagine. Beating a lot of good teams, competitive. You know, they're snapping around back there, getting a lot of scoring. ⁓ a lot of their guys have been our stars of the week, putting up gaudy numbers. So I'm sure the belief is really high. ⁓ but you know, they're going against a team that's hasn't lost many games this year. So I'm sure the belief is there in their locker room as well. So hey, they're they're gonna have a a mountain to climb because as a lower seed, if they do win, they're gonna face a pretty dang high seed the next day, which could end up being Tampa, it could end up being Gulf Coast. It could be ⁓ I apologize, who's number three? Is it Ohio? Yeah, so it could be one of those teams. So speaker-0: It is. speaker-1: You know what, Florida, maybe you go in there like, Hey, we're the underdogs, let's just do us, let's let's win this game. Forget about tomorrow, let's win today. speaker-0: And to win on this day, they're gonna have to have their best at their best. Ohio State is having their best record in program history. This is a group that's only made nationals once, all the way back in twenty twenty two. Say all the way back, I mean four years ago, not too much time. But they're in a competitive T SCHO they were upset by Miami Ohio that we alluded to earlier, seven to three in the TSCHL semifinal. That was their first loss since they lost to I think it was Ohio way back at the start of the season. And in the regular season, I mean they've been rolling. Mateo Machino through 20 games this year, has 41 points, 25 goals, 16 apples. Special teams have been his forte though. Four power play goals, and he matches that in short-handed goals. Not the kind of guy you want to see on the penalty KL Florida. It's gonna have to bat down the hatches at their blue line. They're also led up with Matthew Dobrowski, 38 points in 22 games, and their stall work defenseman is Tyler Gaffney, 24 games. 26 points. He is their distributor, their quarterback at the blue line. So in order for Florida to win this, I feel like they have got to play with an east to west game. They have to get this defense moving for the the Buckeyes. And really, if Sully Schwears can have a run like he's having now and he can put up multiple points, it's going to be close at the end and they'll have a chance to get a nail biter through. Now, Danny mentioned they might have to play a really good team. You can only focus on day one. They might be the sneakiest best underdog next to Georgia, no pun intended, you know, being a bulldog or whatever when they play Tampa. And let's certainly hope the college hockey South teams all make it through. But, you know, Danny, and just an honest assessment, who is your favorite to win two games and make it to Nationals? speaker-1: The easiest answer is just to say Tampa. But ⁓ yeah, I mean that's who I would if I had to go to Vegas right now, and I'm not a bet betting man, Devin, I wouldn't bet on this either. But I would have to say Tampa because of their experience. They have a lot of the players from last year's team that ⁓ ran through playoffs and then won the national championship. They know what these kind of games are like, what the atmosphere is like, what it takes to win, and so I have a feeling that they'll be able to snap into gear and cut it out with the unnecessary penalties and the stuff in between whistles and play the right kind of hockey to win a couple of games in Cincinnati. speaker-0: that pick two. I'm gonna go with Florida Atlantic though. And here's why. Florida Atlantic has this ability to turn it on when they are behind. They have won in comeback fashion and games they've needed to Farmingdale State, UCF come to mind. And I just feel like they finally have Christian Coochie going. M3 player of the year last year. He completely adds yeah, Cooch. He adds an X Factor of his own, you know, HS All Star. Where FAU gets in trouble Is their penalties. And if they can find a way to just play a straight up game for game, they can go pound for pound with this Ohio State team that while it has a good top six, I think Florida Atlantic matches that. I would suspect that if they do win, and this is just gonna be like me throwing, you know, just darts out there. I I think they could play a team like Tennessee, saying they can upset a team like Indiana or play Rowan, spend really good down the stretch, was playing number seven Penn State. Remember They're gonna play the fourth highest seed remaining, meaning that they would technically play, you know, the weakest team left. But it's more about the number and the seeding. And that's why it was so important that they got up to the four seed, climbing seven spots in the final rankings. Just a really interesting point there. And yeah, you've got Tampa, I've got Florida Atlantic. You know, let us know ⁓ you know, in the comments or on Instagram or or wherever you listen to this, who your your pick is to make it through. And you know, we know who gets Obviously the Florida Southern Moccusans. No, I'm kidding. I mean, yeah, come on. We can all pick a team. I think we're all rooting for the same thing here. Like it's okay to say that. Yeah, each of them can make it. ⁓ and not to mention we still have playoffs for all three teams, regardless of what happens. That's gonna be a different discussion in next week's playoff preview episode. So good luck to all of the teams and safe travels to the parents, family, supporters if you're heading up to Queen City, Ohio, Cincinnati, Ohio, and watching wherever you are around the country and abroad. While it is about the ⁓ two teams this week, there are some other matchups going on. We finally get a Palmetto Cup with South Carolina ⁓ three and Clemson ⁓ three. No impact on on CHS playoff at all, but it's their first meeting of the season. And you know, Danny, I do believe that it still matters in the rankings in a grand scheme of things. speaker-1: In the grand scheme of things, yeah. ⁓ for playoff positioning, ⁓ because the rank the rankings will already be locked in. also Clemson, important to say Clemson isn't eligible for nationals, but if they just absolutely put the belt to South Carolina, that would really hurt South Carolina's ⁓ chances of making the top sixteen. 'Cause you have imagine it's gonna take a hit. Even though they beat MTSU, which should they should be rewarded for, they also got beat up pretty good in North Atlanta by by those owls, hootie who. But I really look at this and also the South Carolina and Clemson women's game where it's like, man, nothing good can come out of this. Like it's just like a couple of rivals that are gonna beat the hell out of each other and I hope there's no DQs or anything like that that's gonna affect the first round playoff games. But you know, it's exciting 'cause this is another first time ever matchup. First time ever this iteration of South Carolina's gonna play Clemson. And yeah, it it should be a pretty Intense atmosphere at Flight Adventure Park in Irmo. speaker-0: You referred to the women's matchup. We saw a near comeback complete for Clemson in that game of the week. And South Carolina, I mean, Alyssa Nard Slico talked about how tight that room is, and I think that's what really matters when you get to this time of the year. They're gonna be a team to to watch out for whoever plays them in the first and second rounds. But yeah, you you definitely want to see both Palmetto Cups just competitive. It's gonna be what it is. No DQs, nobody having to miss time would be ideal. Yeah, just You know, it's just not worth it, but you know, w we don't it's up to the teams. You know, it is pretty yeah, easy to get ⁓ a game suspension, so speaker-1: Devin sent me ⁓ a picture. It was at some point, I guess it was on Friday night, the the Tampa and FAU series. He sent me just a picture of of the screen and every single player in in in the frame didn't have either glove on or their helmet. It's like, All right, well I'll see ya. You're gone. I I don't know what to say. Like you make the referee's job pretty easy at that point. speaker-0: ⁓ yeah, ⁓ the Lin and FAU game just got totally Donnybrooked at the very, very, very end. We thought we were gonna skate away fine. It was already like twelve thirty in the morning and one player just grabbed another's jersey. I I think there was like a slash in there and then just they all come off the bench, just last, you know, word of the season, say to this guy to that guy, whatever, settle your scores at it was nuts. ⁓ probably not the way that that either team leadership wise wanted to go out with, but ⁓ You know, it's how it goes. I it's what you're gonna get in a rivalry. So expect some good Palmetto Cups there. And the only other w game really to preview is is Georgia woman taking on Florida State. A first meeting in CHS history with these teams. And Georgia, I believe, is getting ready for their tournament in Jacksonville. So they've got something to play for here, it seems, Danny. speaker-1: Yep, yep. ⁓ and they also play a Tampa in the first round of the CHS playoffs. That's gonna be a a mountain to climb. Yeah. That I think that would be the earth shattering upset of of the first round. That would be ⁓ a sixteen seed beating a one seed in March Madness. That would be David versus Goliath. I don't know how many other analogies you want me to use, but I could keep going if you want. I'll save everyone's time here. speaker-0: I'm gonna give Georgia bulletin board material. This is about a ninety nine percent win rate for Tampa. There is a less than one percent chance maybe for Georgia. And I don't mean to say that as like a put down. It's just if you've watched Tampa, you know they are that good. ⁓ hope Georgia can can walk out of this series with a dub and and hopefully it's competitive for for both sides there. ⁓ so for women's games, still stuff to go on, but ⁓ I guess Danny we'll we'll leave it with this. And if you're listening to this on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, the Olympics ha have wrapped up or are gonna be wrapping up. You know, do you have any plans to to go see a watch party for the semifinal and ⁓ if they get there the final or you know, what's kinda your ⁓ your vantage point of the Olympic scene? Well speaker-1: That's gonna that'll still be in the middle of the work day on Friday. I I don't think so. Yeah, it's a little it's a little tough these these Winter Olympics in Europe. I remember ⁓ like one of my teachers put on the ⁓ the Winter Olympics in twenty fourteen when the US was playing. I forget which which game it was, but it wasn't the Russian one with ⁓ TJ Oshi. But yeah, I'll I'll I'll I'll find a way to to keep track of it. ⁓ speaker-0: Yeah, I know. I know. speaker-1: Got it it's been busy and a stressful week, so I don't know. But I'll I'll I'll figure away. ⁓ I'll I'll be wearing Johnny Goodreau once again. Rest in peace. The late great Johnny Goodreau. ⁓ also I wanna wanna mention this this happened a couple weeks ago. I do not know the maybe you do, Devin, the name of the Indiana players. He he there was a an incident at their conference playoffs and there was a tragic thing that happened and ⁓ don't have all the details, but I know it was There was some sort of death in the family and we feel horrible about that. It yeah made us all sick to our stomachs and ⁓ you know, we send our thoughts out to to him. That was just horrible to hear. Hopefully the team has his back and ⁓ you know, he's with his family and ⁓ just best wishes. speaker-0: Yeah, prayers for the family of Jake Rock and ⁓ well, Jake Jake being the son i I believe it was his dad that unfortunately passed away at a T S C HL playoff game between Indiana and Denison and you know our our hearts glad to that and also to the community in Rhode Island for the recent shooting that went on at a high school game. That's just unfathomable how a tragedy like that can occur at at a community event like that. Just not great. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people there in Rhode Island and the Indiana program. It's it's been a good week for, you know, the Olympics and all of these, but at the end of the day, hockey's a family of the community and you never want to see that on all fronts. And ⁓ you know, just our thoughts are with all those involved in in both incidents. So on a positive note, we hope that you all can get ready for playoffs this weekend and you enjoy the MT regionals that are going on in Ohio. If you're watching those elsewhere and safe travels to all the players and coaches and stuff, it's ⁓ it's a big task. It's not without us understanding that it takes a village, you have to have donors. You know, most people are volunteering, just teams are fundraising. Good luck to everybody involved. Should be a fun one to follow. And next week we'll have the official College Hockey South playoff preview breaking down all four divisions for you right here on College Hockey Mouth. So for Denny Bohm. Alyssa, Nard Sliko, our guest. My name is Devin Sarah. Thanks so much for watching episode twenty-six of College Hockey Mouth, a college hockey south series. Talk to you next week.