Latest / College Hockey Mouth / Episode 19: Mid-Season Recap

Transcript

Episode 19: Mid-Season Recap · College Hockey Mouth

• speaker-0: Welcome everybody to College Hockey Mouth episode 19. Happy holidays to all of you out there. We took a little time off to visit our families and enjoy some festivities. So all smiles back in the studio with Gavin Coker, Danny Bone, Devin Serra. Fellas, how was your holiday break to say over these past few couple days? speaker-1: You know what, Gavin, I'm gonna let you go because I I have a little bit speaker-2: I'm gonna I'm gonna keep this short and sweet. ⁓ holidays were good, you know, hung out with family, just stayed home. Switched it up. Normally I feel like we have ham for Christmas. This year we did a brisket, like a beef brisket. So that was a little but I think that's the move from now on. Ham is now like overrated for Christmas. Go beef brisket. And then I think the worst part about the holidays was no hockey, you know. You have NFL doing Netflix and NBA doing their thing, but like no hockey. That was kind of upset. But then you get World Juniors right after, so But yeah, holidays were good. I'm just I'm excited to be back on the pot. Yeah. speaker-1: ⁓ bowl season is fun for college football. ⁓ anyways, so yeah, really fun ⁓ holiday. ⁓ you know, spend it with family. But you know what? We're we're almost twenty episodes deep in the podcast, which is crazy to think about. But I feel like we haven't really said anything on this podcast that's like too inflammatory or controversial. Outside of like some of my college football takes are can be ⁓ a little outlandish, but I don't think the average person listening to this give gives a rat's ass like my about my opinions on college football. But I I have something ready that might ⁓ stir some people up. But I don't care because I stand firmly behind this. And I think people that might be offended by this, if they were to take the time and review what I'm about to say, I think I could steer them the other side. All right. So if we were gonna rank all 50 states from best to worst, I don't know who would be number one. But I know who number fifty would be, and it's with a bullet, and it's probably with a considerable gap between forty nine and fifty. Coming in fifty is the state of Virginia, and I have no doubt about that whatsoever. Number one, they've ruined the college football playoff. And I'm not I'm not even gonna talk ⁓ like JMU, it wasn't their fault. ⁓ this is gonna be a season they remember forever, and they just got caught up in like a a flawed playoff system. And they ended up getting stomped by Oregon. But really it was Virginia. If Virginia just wins their their conference championship against a seven and five Duke team, then we don't have this issue. We we end up seeing Virginia get stomped by Oregon. Then it's just like, ⁓ you know what? It's the University of Virginia. But instead it's this this small ass university in wherever Virginia, who no one cares about, by the way. Who cares about Virginia? But yeah. So anyway, that's not even the point I'm trying to make here, boys. You guys can sit back because I have Plenty to get off my chest, all right? So I'm I'm from the Atlanta area, but I spend my Christmases in Baltimore. Okay. That's where I'm originally from. So typically driving is is a lot cheaper than flying up there, and especially during the holidays. So we drive from Atlanta all the way up to Baltimore. Okay. So imagine what that drive looks like. We do about 60% of it through the state of Virginia. All right. And pretty much the entire time, I think it's 100% of the drive through Virginia, is on I One. The I stands for interstate, which means there are people traveling on it that might be trying to get from one state to another. And this is holiday traffic, okay? Some people might be trying to go from state to state, but I don't know if it it defies the laws of of of nature in the state of Virginia, but they cannot add a third lane to I-81. Okay. It's just it's impossible. Ninety-eight percent of I-81 that goes from the northern tip of Tennessee to to whatever, the kind of like the northwest corner of Maryland. It's all two lanes, all right. All two lane frickin' interstate. Okay. So and it's the holiday time. So there's a bunch of eighteen wheelers and I think they might be trucking some seriously important cargo. And there's a lot of them out there. And some of them think they're like Dominic Toretto and their eighteen wheeler is faster than the one in front of them. So they try to get from the right lane to left lane. That's another thing. These people in Virginia, they have no concept of what the fast lane is supposed to be. They think if they're driving fast enough, which is I guess like five miles an hour over the speed limit, they should be in the fast lane, which is just not the case. Okay. And then another thing. I'm getting there, boys. All right. I'm heated up. I need to get this out. So it was a convoy. My brother and sister were in one car ahead of us. They were like thirty miles ahead, thirty minutes ahead. They get s they get stopped in traffic in like the Richmond area. They're like twenty miles ahead. And I get the text like, ⁓ we got stuck in some traffic, whatever. So I go to look at the our ETA and it adds an hour and thirty minutes on to it. I'm like, What what? What how how did it get an hour and thirty minutes? And then I start seeing brake lights in front of us. This is what happens when you only have two lanes on an interstate. Okay, that's heavily, heavily traveled. There's a there's a ton of cars on it. It's it's the holiday time. And some some people might say, Well, Danny, that's just holiday traffic. No, no, no, no, no, no, no. I've made this trip a bunch of times from Maryland to Atlanta and vice versa during June, during the summer months, at other various points. It always bogs down in Virginia because of the two lanes on I eighty one. All right. And so a an accident in Richmond can start backing up traffic thirty miles ahead, or down the road, up the road, however you want to say it. It's a hold debacle. I don't know. I if I were somehow elected the governor of Virginia, there's two things I would do. All right. I would add a third lane onto I eighty one. I there there really isn't any reason to unless, you know, the it it like a butterfly effect, it would unalterably change the course of history. The first US settlement was was in Virginia, but we can't figure out how to add a third lane to an interstate, a major interstate. Anyways, I'm I'm going on a little bit. speaker-0: Yeah, I I did not realize this would be Danny's holiday soapbox and traffic much less. So so I take it you would rather have coal in your stocking and your socks too tight than be stuck in IED traffic again. speaker-1: It's I eighty one specifically. My my second recommendation, if I were the governor of Virginia, mayor of Virginia, whatever it is, I don't know. I wouldn't actually do this. I'm just saying because I'm I'm heated up. Misdemeanor offenses, you don't have to pay a fine. Just travel from the southernmost point of Virginia is at the northernmost point on I eighty one and that that's enough of a punishment. My head was ringing going to Maryland and coming back from Maryland. That place is a nightmare. I hate Virginia. I hate all of you in that state. I never want to go back, but I will be back, I'm sure, because I have to go back up to Maryland at some point. I love my family up there. I love the state of Maryland, but Virginia, you suck. I never want to be inside of you ever again. speaker-0: Well, I ⁓ take it your Christmas miracle will be finding a way to avoid Virginia in the future. Hey, I don't mind it. Liberty University's there, Virginia Tech, certain coach from Penn State's there now. I don't mind it. Virginia's for lovers. And shout out Charlottesville, Virginia. I've been to that city. It's pretty fun. You know there are bad drivers in Virginia. The mountains specifically. So I guess I'll I guess I'll spill my beans. ⁓ I had a pretty solid Christmas, not as bad a traffic as you. speaker-1: Yeah. speaker-0: couple ⁓ hour drive over to Tampa from Fort Lauderdale. Got to see my dad, my grandparents, and visited my cousins. It's kind of cool to go up and down the west coast of Florida. I feel like I get that vacation vibe whenever I'm over there. You know how you visit a place and the place you visit is sort of like more fresh and feels like it's got a different vibe than the city you've been in. That was the kind of like escape I got. And in all honesty, played golf for the weekend, part of like my Christmas gift. Absolutely got big dogged by this family. These three from Austin, Texas, just this dad had sub clubs. He was using like like first time out clubs, didn't even have his own. And he shot an eighty three on a course that's course on par is about seventy two. That's pretty damn good. So this guy made me look like a small boy and I ⁓ yeah, I sandbagged you. ⁓ he sandbagged me hard, yeah. That's what it sounds like. speaker-1: So speaker-0: I hit the water probably like eleven times. I went through my whole sleeve of golf balls. I love the game though. It was good to get away from it all for a little while and enjoy some family time. So happy to get some of that time in. And by the time you hear this, it'll be before or actually probably after New Year's. So, you know, twenty twenty six on just on the horizon. And we'll get to some of those resolutions ⁓ a little later on. But talking about the twenty twenty five season and Really, the year, we're gonna talk about some of the best moments of twenty twenty five and some of the things we've gotten to up to this point. And you know, on this pod, I think our listeners have become accustomed to hearing some of the analysis and the in-depth points. The standings, though, we're just finally getting to shape out and see who's the haves and have nots of the conference. And this episode, we're gonna go division by division and break down where everybody's at, what we're probably looking at in two months' time with the playoff. Guys, we are literally less than sixty days, I believe, away from college hockey south playoffs. So things are happening quick. And by the time, you know, we get through all of this, I'm sure some of these teams are gonna be figuring out their spots and finalizing their rosters. Starting out, let's get to the women's division that has been so impressive. We added four new teams this year, and part of the highlights of this group were standout performances from Clemson, new rivals to the Alabama and Tampa dominance. And looking at this current standing playoff picture, guys, it's pretty much what you'd expect with teams like Clemson and Alabama. Tampa, of course, leads the way. And then we've got some wild cards starting to come up the ring with Georgia and Auburn. You know, what stands out to you guys that we've seen from the women's division so far this year? speaker-1: have to say it's the just the the new teams and new players that have that have stepped up this year. And it's it's only the third season of the women's division. So it's not like, you know, there's too many constants so far, even though Tampa has established itself as, you know, probably the juggernaut. ⁓ you know, we look at like the if we want to look at the stats of like the the leaders, just about every category you want to think of in terms of scoring, it's a player it's a first year player. So if you want to look at points, the top five, four of the top five, but the top four weren't a part of CHS last year. You want to look at goals, all five of the top five weren't in CHS last year. And then you look in the the playoff teams right now as we stand, and Clemson was a part of CHS last year, Florida, how impressive have they been. So that that's what that's what stood out to me so far. speaker-2: Yeah, and Danny mentioned it. Just the new teams coming in and finding instant success. I know Clemson's a big target for the Tampa, the Alabama. They're waiting for those matchups. You know, we've seen Clemson walking over teams. And so it'll be interesting to see when they get to Bama, when they get to Tampa, does that continue? And then Florida showing up without some of their stars in winning games. You know, we mentioned it at the end of November they were at without Arissa Bonilla and sorry, dogs. ⁓ Anyways, one they got they got some dogs on that team. But you know, they're two new squads and they've just looked really good. And I'm I'm interested to see while we didn't maybe see like Clemson and Tampa in the first round, you know they're on a collision course at some point for the playoffs. So it's exciting to see these teams build on the success they've had in the regular season and see what they do in their first year in the playoffs. speaker-1: They got some dogs on that team. speaker-0: One of my favorite interviews we did so far with Nina Molina, she mentioned that coming in as a senior and starting this program out and looking like one of the greatest players already to come through the entire conference, getting them out to a great start in their first year, Florida, Florida State, Kennesaw State joined them as new teams and their development has been everything that you want to see. And, you know, part of our shout-outs, I guess you would, of this year has been the Leadership staff, Savannah Prefontaine. Seems like it's been full sail. I don't know if she'd say it's smooth sailing all the time. They have done a terrific job highlighting the best that this conference has to offer. And speaking of the best, you guys mentioned some of those points. Nina Molina leads the way. Chloe Valente, thirty-six points. Cassidy Cross from Auburn with thirty-one. Alyssa Lorino from Clemson with twenty-seven. And Molly Braga for Tampa with twenty-six. You know what's interesting? Only one Tampa player is on here. Yet they have one of the biggest goal differentials of all the teams. I mean, their roster has been stacked from head to toe. Do you guys think at this point you picked Tampa to be the runaway favorite in the conference? speaker-1: would imagine but just considering you know it it just seems like they they seem to be on a different level from the other teams out they they played who is right now the second overall seed in the women's division Alabama now it was Alabama's second game of the season so maybe you give them some flack there ⁓ give them a little bit of grace but Tampa completely outclassed them. I mean that would that was like two different categories of teams. But if you want to look we we should take a second to look at these quarterfinal matchups or What the first round would look like because what happens is it's the top three from each division, and then there's two wild cards. But then once we get to the playoffs, it's seeded one through eight, regardless of which division. So Tampa would end up playing South Florida in the first round, which would be the one eight matchup. And that is not an easy one eight matchup at all, considering like the the sheer talent that South Florida has in their forward group. Like if we were to give out a like a most outstanding player across every single division, like across all divisions, considering like Dietz and Chunchikov and, you know, Braden Curry, I think Chloe Valente might be at the very top of that list for candidates right now. So that has to scare the hell out of you if you're Tampa. I mean, not that they're they're gonna be the overwhelming favorite no matter who they play. But man, that's not an easy first round matchup. speaker-0: Now, fellas, we had our first ever ranked women's team in ACHA, South Carolina, cracked the Southeast Division, just ahead of High Point University, and pretty awesome to see. I know South Carolina fans, including yourself, Danny, really are impressed by what they've done so far. Six two and ⁓ to start one five and one in division play, and currently the number four seed. They would take on Georgia at the start of the conference tournament. And before we got going with this episode, a lot of these matchups we haven't seen yet. These teams have not played each other. So that's gotta be something on your mind as you enter the second half of this year. speaker-1: Absolutely. Alabama and Florida, which is a classic SEC rivalry, they haven't played yet at the ⁓ women's hockey ranks. Clemson and Auburn, Parak Tigers, they they haven't played yet. ⁓ yeah, and and South Carolina, Georgia, but a classic SEC rivalry again in Tampa and South Florida. I mean, you know, it's battle of the bay. What can you say? Right, Gavin? The big Tampa guy. speaker-2: Yeah, I mean there's nothing bigger than these two schools, obviously different like NCAA divisions, so they don't cross, but I know how it is even just going to Florida Southern and seeing how it is when Tampa comes to town. So I can't imagine what it's like in that building at the rink when those two teams face off. I'm I'm sure there's hatred. I can't imagine what the fan environment's like there. speaker-1: saw something on Instagram. It was just like a graphic. I I I wish I would have ⁓ had this ready. ⁓ but it was like the list of and it's completely arbitrary, like best college towns in the US and like number four or five was was Tampa. And instead of using the South Florida logo, because they would use like you know Austin, Texas and they would have the Longhorn next to it, instead of using the South Florida logo, they used the University of Tampa logo, which I thought was interesting. And I'm sure South Florida people weren't too happy about speaker-2: that well what ⁓ what i will say about that is is when i think of tampa i know like us f has gained some prominence with football but ut constantly shows up in their athletics while they are division two again they win baseball the every year they're they're competing in baseball their hockey team obviously club hockey is college hockey they get a lot of acknowledgment so the city really embraces that school and USF while it's slowly building into that Tampa you think of Tampa and I have to think of the Spartans. There's just no way you can sit here and be like, ⁓ Tampa and only think of USS. speaker-1: Also, Tampa isn't really South Florida, is it? It feels like it's pretty North Florida to me. speaker-2: We'll call it Southwest is what we'll call it. It's I don't know, it's a little bit above Southwest. It's like central West Florida. speaker-1: I think Devon is in South Florida. I don't I don't I don't think Tampa is speaker-0: I'm gonna step in and just yeah, you guys it's n it's not South Florida. I think the University of South Florida is misleading to some to people that don't know the state and aren't from Florida, Broward County is South Florida. That's definitely the truth of it. And you guys can just be called West Florida. I think that's that's fine. You know, the West Coast, hey, they call it the best coast. ⁓ speaker-1: Or not not so South Florida. speaker-2: I don't mind that either. speaker-0: You know what? I I'll keep my opinions to myself. speaker-2: I'm just saying you came up here for vacation, they didn't go down there, so you came up here for Christmas. I saw you at Armature Works. speaker-0: I go to the people. See the people are on the west coast. That's where all the Michigan people are. speaker-1: What would you want why would you want to see Michigan people though? The the point of this podcast isn't to hold in your opinions. You're supposed to let the opinions fly. Did you hear me ramble on like a like a insane asylum patient for five minutes about Virginia earlier? speaker-0: No, because I don't think it's gonna make the final cut. However, that's up to Gavin producer Gavin's jurisdiction. I'm ⁓ I'm not a hater, but I I don't, you know, think of myself as a traffic connoisseur. It is what it is, you know, life is these things. And in South Florida, life is chaos. It's Grand Theft Auto and you cannot complain about it or you're just gonna be stuck forever in that speaker-1: Not a hater, allegedly, but and this is a good transition because now that we're done with the women's division, we've sufficiently talked about and we can go back to it if if something comes up. Let's go on to division two, where Devin is a hater of our our proud third in the country ranked Tampa Spartans, who he says should not be ranked third overall. And you know what? What stays in the group chat should stay in the group chat, but this time I'm gonna I'm gonna throw it here out on the table. Devin said they should be ranked eighth in the country. And you know what? It basically is an arbitrary poll. It's like the A P poll in in football. It doesn't really mean anything because it's done on a regional basis in Division Two. But come on, you gotta give the the Spartans a little bit more credit than that, Devin. It's a Sparty party out here in Division Two. speaker-0: Well, that's a good point to make. At the middle stanza of everything in the season, ACHA wise, ⁓ two released these national ranks that include all four of the regions. And when you look at it from top down, Lindenwood, clear cut favorite, reigning national champions, Florida Gulf Coast, they're in the semifinal for the last five years. Tampa there is at three. They are above some teams in the central region and the west that I would argue are Borderline M1 teams, St. Thomas, Niagara, Oklahoma State, who right now is beating teams by an average score, average goal differential of eight. I think those teams trump Tampa a little bit. Just because they had a tougher time with teams like Farmingdale that are at ten. And if you want to play the region, they are just in front of Ohio that's at number nine. So that's why I gave that reasoning. But they are number two. I guess in the conference and nationally they're in the top five. So it in the southeast region. It's a my new point. It's a good hey, bulletin bore material. And look, I don't think Tampa would be offended by saying that they're not the best of the best yet, because really we have not seen their best hockey yet. Would you agree? speaker-1: I totally agree that we haven't seen their best hockey yet. By the way, you mentioned Niagara, and I'm not a hundred percent certain of this, but I'm pretty sure this is the same Niagara team that didn't make it out of full play in AAU nationals, D one nationals last year. Okay. They ended up losing to Georgia. All right. That that's the Niagara team and they're good. So two years ago, I think they were the number one overall seed. They ended up losing to South Carolina when Carolina won the national championship. So it's a it's a good program. But on the level of Tampa, on the level of our teams down here in the southeast, the other southeastern teams like South Carolina and and Georgia, I don't think so. I don't think so. But bring Niagara down here. Let let's see how they do. Nothing against Niagara. You know, you guys it it's not Niagara, Virginia, it's Niagara, New York. speaker-2: I'm gonna bring my opinion into this because we're talking a lot about rankings and numbers, but we we say it every time. I mean and Dane just mentioned it. You can go to nationals and lose and pool play. Like it it doesn't matter what number you've got on the thing. I don't care if Tampa's eight, fifteen, like as long as they're in regionals, they're gonna show up. They gotta stay out of the penalty box. We mentioned it. That's been the the thing that's hurt them every single game so far. But if they stop doing that, that's a disciplined, well oiled machine. And that's the team that won nationals last year. So I don't care about a number. I don't care if you're three nationally. I don't care if you're eight in the region, like whatever. They're gonna go out and play hockey and it's about winning games. It's not about a number on a page. So speaker-0: Guys, when we look at this ⁓ two division and and its standings, we mentioned the last episode if you were with us that we weren't gonna go too much into depth about the records which have not changed. We'll stand it at this. Tampa's number two in the southeast, FAU at thirteen in the southeast, Florida has been the team that's dropped there goes my light, just like my light dropped twice now, number sixteen in the nation. And when you guys see Florida dropping, I would hesitate to say it's just because of teams. playing more games than them. ⁓ they stand at eight, six, ⁓ and one, two, four, ⁓ in division. How much do you think it's critical that they get these final wins over Tampa and FAU, who they'll only play one more time at the end of the year? Or you're looking at somebody else on their schedule that could impact them? speaker-1: Well they're g they're gonna have opportunities down the road against other teams in the southeast region, which as you know, we've mentioned that the ⁓ as my co host of good n well let there be light. This has been an issue in a previous podcast where the lights just seem to go out on Devin. I hope the lights don't go out on us. Nevertheless speaker-0: Reoccurring. So earlier I looked like I was in the burning pile of the sun. And now I seem to be shining from the heavens to my right. Probably not. It's more like a blown out figurine. ⁓ yet hey, I'll let I'll say it like this. Do you think that Florida Atlantic has the edge over all these teams? They are number one in the conference right now. speaker-1: It's basically just because of the sheer number of games they played. I mean, they've played eight games over ⁓ their other conference foes where Tampa has played five and Florida has played seven. Okay. So but they do have a better record than Florida and it's a better head to head record as well. So that I think that point is it's definitely fair to make that FAU's had a stronger fall than in Florida. But Tampa, no. I mean Tampa's only played five conference games. That's just the way it is. And At the end of the day, the conference playoffs, which could be the end of the road for some of these teams season wise, if they don't ⁓ get it done at regionals, which will come before our conference playoffs, that's something we could talk about later on. ⁓ if they don't get it done at regionals, you know, that's that's gonna be the crown jewel of their season. All all three of those teams are gonna qualify. I it's just a matter of, you know, ⁓ you know, who plays who when. speaker-0: When you look at the leading goal scorers, Brady Bazier, 21 points this year, they're kind of in a traffic jam here. The top five in scoring is separated by three points, and all three teams are represented. Brady Bazier and Leon Biller for the Owls, Danny Griffin, the captain for Tampa with Alex Moeller, and Brian Pine. Florida has had some young players step up in big waves for them, Liam Licashwa with a couple of points. He's got 12 assists, Jack Fortescue, those guys from the point down. I feel like of all the teams that can score, Tampa and then Florida have some real potency there that I don't think we expect coming into the season. And you know, you look around ⁓ two rankings to see other teams that could catch Florida and knock them out of the top teams that would qualify. They're one spot ahead of high point. They've got some of these T S C H L teams wrapped in a bind. ⁓ you're looking at University of Michigan, Maryland, still down there is Dayton and Right now, you know, I speaker-1: All all very southeastern schools by the way. speaker-0: Way all Southeastern schools. I mean, how much does it matter pride wise for these guys to outmatch the northernmost conference in the southeast region? speaker-1: My goodness, these these guys that are producing are all underclassmen. So the guys that show up on the leaderboard, ⁓ who who we mentioned, Pine, Fordeskew and Licashwa, freshmen, freshmen, and sophomore. How impressive is that when you consider the other guys that show up on here that are all upperclassmen? And Danny Griffin, by the way, who has 20 points and twelve goals, my God, 12 goals as a defenseman. Incredibly, incredibly impressive. I would have to consider him. the front runner for the ⁓ V P of Division Two, ⁓ considering that he is a defenseman. But yeah, shout out to Florida. They got some young talent. Let's see if they can ⁓ if they use that fall experience and start to ⁓ play some some of their best hockey because they're gonna need speaker-0: And I speaker-2: I'll say it after watching those FAU series against Florida and we talked about it. FAU won those games, but I didn't think Florida at any point was out of those. Their offense was rolling, they've had opportunities, and Puck Luck just didn't go their way in a couple of those games. I mean, obviously FAU did take the series and they're a really complete disciplined team. I mean, you've got Rocco Bruno two time goaltender of the year, that guy's gonna compete for you every night. So Florida has the opportunity in the next two years, one debate even better. with these guys and I'm j I'm just interested to see these lines can get their offense really rolling and if they can get the production to coast them up the rankings. speaker-0: If you're a Florida fan, you're looking at that bubble of the teams that make regionals and they're holding on for dear life against some TSCHL teams. They've got opportunities though. A final point we make about ⁓ two is that Florida Atlantic with Jackson Neuwendike has been on a tear. He has played six less games than his other teammates. And the transfer from former NCAA Kenitius is tied fourth in the conference at ten goals behind Griffin, Sea Wagon, and Brady Beijer. I think you're looking at between FAU and Tampa in that scoring scoring race. Overall though, pretty packed in like a sardine can, this two division. And boy, it's gonna come down to the wire when we get to February. And hold your breath, because all these teams might could play each other for a spot at nationals. Switching gears to ⁓ three guys, the most prolific division, chaos even, with two teams that really stand out on the board, and I think our listeners just could wash their ears out with the two sides, the the team in blue, the team in green. that make up the scoring stats, but let's look at the standings first before we get to some of those standouts. Middle Tennessee would be the first round by right now, 16-2 and ⁓ They're the number one team in the country. They have been since the very start of the year. How impressive is in your mind, guys, with four teams ranked in that top sixteen to represent the rest of the ACH. speaker-1: Super, super impressive. We would have five teams, five teams in the top sixteen that would go to nationals. But Clemson is not eligible this year, unfortunately. So they're while they are still having a good season and they are thought of highly by the computers and the rankings, they won't be able to capitalize on that. But considering middle Tennessee State really handled them at the beginning of the season, ⁓ yeah, super impressive. But one thing you worry about is them peaking too early because this is th it the semester break is a significant one. There's a lot of time between the last games of the semester and then the start in January. You hope that if if you're a MTSU person affiliated with the team or a fan that they weren't peaking too early, they weren't playing their best hockey too early and that they can't find it again. You know, because it's great to be ranked first, you know, in in the months of November, October and December, but it doesn't really mean much if you can't win in March or February. speaker-2: interesting for MTSU coming out of the break too because they kind of go into non CHS play. They're gonna go face Indiana and Liberty AAU. So they'll get out of CHS and then they'll come back and they'll play two sh two series against CHS teams. So they'll kinda get outside and maybe we'll see if that affects the rankings at all. I know they're really proud of that number one overall ranking, but does Indiana come into Tennessee and force an upset and maybe drop the rankings a little bit. I mean, even if you take that loss, I don't think MTSU's too worried about it 'cause they know w the program. They've gotten the guys, they've gotten that locker room. And they've been they've proven that they're the team to beat. So I don't see this break being too much on them, especially if the guys are keeping the legs warm over the break. speaker-0: You know, let's talk about some of the bubble spots within our playoff. Top twelve teams go when it's based on national rank. I said a little bit ago we had a log jam in the points for ⁓ two. This is the real log jam with the standings. We have five teams ranked within twenty spots of each other. Now that sounds like a lot. We've already seen though the ⁓ three rankings get completely flipped. We had Miami, who was a Top fifteen, top sixteen team all year dropped to fifty. They are right now outside of the playoff picture. And it goes from twelve to one like this. Kennesaw State, Tennessee, Vanderbilt. How about the Commodores? Who we really don't get ho show a lot of love on this show, unfortunately. They deserve it. They climbed up to thirty-six. Embry Riddle, the story of the year, and some of these upsets they've had in M3. UCF, Alabama, Florida Golf Coast, the first team in the top twenty-five, behind Clemson at ten, Tampa at eight. South Carolina at four, South Florida at three, and middle Tennessee at one. And so guys, the question for you obviously, how does this playoff bubble change as we get near the end of the month? Or do you have another point you're thinking about? speaker-2: One thing to say. You brought up Vanderbilt and we're gonna talk about that because I'm not understanding and this is where I'll side with Danny, these rankings make no sense. How are you ⁓ and four and you're ranked thirty-six? Now I get they played and I looked at this before I brought this up, so 'cause I was questioning it when I looked at the rankings. I get playing MTSU twice and then being close games, but you can't be ⁓ and four and in the top fifty. Just it doesn't make sense. I get strength of schedule because you look at that and I get it. But you've gotta play more games to be like, why are we not having a minimum games requirement? You haven't you haven't done anything all semester. We've got teams that have played ten, twelve games and you're sitting at four and you're in the top fifty. I mean, to me that just doesn't make any sense. speaker-1: So just to correct you, they have played more than four. They are three, eight, two and one. So they've played let's see, quick math, thirteen, fourteen. They played fourteen games. ⁓ and they they've won three of those. ⁓ but yes, they're ⁓ three and one in the conference. They had the overtime loss to South Carolina and then they lost twice in regulation to MTSU and then one in regulation to South Carolina. Both of which you were in the top four in the country, and both of those were very, very competitive, I must say. So to to look at it from that standpoint, I can understand ⁓ a little bit of what you're saying. How much can you value losses at the end of the day? What you should be looking at more so are the victories. But you know, this will get weeded out. There's still ⁓ a lot of time between now and the end of the season, but I think it's a reasonable concern to bring up, no doubt. I think my thing, my point that I'd like to if you guys want to break down into some bold predictions for the second half of the season. And I consider so Alabama had a a a rough start to the season. All right. I don't think anyone would argue that. I don't think any I don't think Alabama would argue that. They had they switched coaches, they had some losses, but really none of those were too staggeringly one sided. ⁓ I think there was like a six to one or six two loss to MTSU, but most of those games against MTSU were relatively tight. And they started to they started to turn it on late. You know, they've got some wins over KSU and they got one in ⁓ Fort Myers against Florida Gulf Coast, which is a significant one. They put up a ton of goals against a team that doesn't give up many goals. I believe Alabama will take down one of those top four seeds. I think they're they're they're gonna be one of the Cinderella teams that from our little experience down there in Coral Springs for the playoffs. We we had Florida last year at the division three ranks. I think Alabama's gonna be the team that's gonna go on a a little bit of a run. I don't know if it's to the semifinals, I don't know if it's in the championship game. I think I think they're gonna be the speaker-0: Team. speaker-2: I I honestly have to agree after you started talking about I looked up their schedule. They've got South Carolina four times before playoffs. So, you know, that series could go either way. I mean, both of them are good teams. Obviously, South Carolina, great team last year, continued that. Got a little rocky this year, obviously. But we say rocky, but you go undefeated one year, you kind of expect to come into the next year, maybe face some adversity, take a couple losses. So Alabama. could go in and win all four of those games. I mean, they've played a tough MTSU squad, so I could see them going in and then they close it out with Clemson and that'll be a a real matchup to see kind of where they are right before you hit playoffs. speaker-0: The same thing written down about Alabama. We've seen Finn Forster step up in to a bigger role. He's averaging over a point per game. Their power play has been clicking too. Leo Kator, great on their special teams, has a lot of points in that regard. So the Crimson title, we thought we're down and out. We mentioned I think it was an O and eight start close to it. They are back in the conversation. You know, for teams that listen, it shows how quick things can change because with a couple of wins over Kennesaw State. And then a great performance against Florida Golf Coast, who's a top twenty-five team, you're right back in the mix of things. And that bodes well. And speaking of another team that, you know, is on the bubble, that I think can fight their way in, and need to say the pun landed off the tongue. Lynn University, guys, they're gonna play Miami and Emory Riddle, who they're fighting with to make it in there. I mean, I'm not gonna say that it's gonna flip anytime soon. Tennessee, Kennesaw State, these guys are under a blanket, so You're looking at those four squads to make it into a top twelve field that's already stacked as it is. speaker-1: Well, you know what? I I put my my neck out there. I I picked Alabama to go on a Cinderella run. You guys kinda just kinda just piggybacked on on what I saw prediction of of of yourself. speaker-0: Here's my bold convention, all right? Embry Riddle, they are somehow only just number nine. It feels like they should be much higher. I think that's the team. And I know, you know, we we love our our guys over there. They've got some great defensive play. Shout out Bob. They are a terrific defensive team. And I think they've upset many times in the early part of the year. Their schedule does not get too much easier themselves, considering that. They already played pretty much their toughest opponents in Florida, obviously the Miami series. UCF is a competitive squad. I think Lynn, who I just mentioned, is gonna be an interesting one to get in the bubble. And they get to play all at home nearly the rest of the way. Every series they've got left. So mine's Embry Riddle. What about you, Gavin? speaker-2: You know, I was gonna say Emory Riddle, but I can't say that. But I think if Miami turns it around and we mentioned they can be a hot team. They beat Tampa earlier this year. So I think you you find that rhythm and Miami gets the guys going and stays hot, makes a push, knocks into the playoffs, and maybe makes a run. I don't know. It's it's all about getting hot at the right time. Miami has the Tachuk brothers on their side, you know, with the podcast they wanna Bring a NCAA program there. So we'll see. Maybe that was enough motivation. Maybe Jachuk will be on the bench at some of the games for them if they make the playoffs. But we'll see if that happens. speaker-0: Can you elaborate a little more for this generation? 'Cause we had a generational we had a generational talking point that Matt Kachuk and Brady Kachuk brought up about that team. Danny, I think you were ready to jump into this too. speaker-1: Invitation. speaker-2: You know, I'm not a I'm not a huge Matthew Tachuk fan just because as a Bolts fan, you know, I can't stand the guy. But I do love their podcast. I love them talking about the game, but even bringing the highlights to club hockey and college hockey and talking about Miami's program and them having a clip of them on their podcast talking about how they want to grow the game in Miami and bring Miami a potentially a NCAA program. I know we've talked about some of these SEC schools eventually doing that and making the move. And who knows how far out we are from that, but with the NHL players backing this, I can't imagine it being that much further off the horizon. speaker-1: To to Matthew, who lives in the South Florida area, ⁓ and has a I believe he's he's about healthy he might be on track to play in the winter classic against the Rangers. He has an open invitation to come check out the playoffs, which won't be too far from home. ⁓ our our playoffs, the CHS playoffs, I think I know a guy who can get you a ticket, okay? And if any family members you want to bring. If you know, if you wanna bring your dad or whatever. No, but yeah, that would that that was cool to see. ⁓ yeah. College hockey in the South, man, let's do it. Let's keep ⁓ let's keep growing this thing. speaker-0: The coolest part is they used that national championship photo from their M3 title a couple of years ago. And it's not far fetched to say that might be a reality, guys. So come back to this moment if the NCAA aspirations really start to get serious. And final point we make about ⁓ three, looking at some of those potential first rounds, I would love to see Alabama versus Vanderbilt. Some of these middle ones mixing it up, UCF, Embry Riddle. A scrappy two sides. And I don't want to give too much love to these two sides because they're almost on Chinchikal violence, as you coined Danny, themselves, which means essentially you're barred from being talked about elaborately. The points all go to MTSU and USF players. Grant Dietz leads the nation right now with fifty-six points, thirty-three goals. It's staggering that he's done this in less than twenty-five games. Yeah. speaker-1: he's he's he's pretty unbelievable. speaker-0: Yeah. Are you laughing because I feed you up to talk about the same guy that we mention every single week on this pod? Did I do that to you? speaker-1: No, no, I I tabulate when I was tabulating these these stats and looking at the leaderboard, I I was ⁓ I like to color code these things. And it it you know, I it's it's very ⁓ satisfying to me when I get to use a bunch of different colors, but I was using just the same two colors. It was MTSU and South Florida Dohame, a Palmer Siciliano, Chunchikov, those guys. But a cameo from Gavin's Lord and Savior, Will Marshall, who will be the captain of the CHS Europe All Stars, by the way, shout out. speaker-2: You know, he wa he was an ⁓ V P a couple of years ago for a reason, so but yeah, I was looking at it too. It's the only read on there. So Hey. speaker-0: We gotta say, you're the real MVP for collecting all this. For that those that don't know, Danny spent I don't even know how many hours collecting every stat point from points to games to save percentages for all of those. And since you did your research and I hadn't got to in it yet, the goaltending in this division, pretty stout. BJ Ricardi for Florida Gulf Coast, point nine twenty save percentage. And despite not being up there in ⁓ goals well he is yeah, he's the number one. Who in your mind is the number one goaltender in that group? speaker-1: Well, it sure lo and by the way, I I need to throw this in there. I am not solely responsible for the point ⁓ tabulating and ⁓ collecting. I I had some help ⁓ from Gavin and ⁓ some other CHS interns. However, the goaltending stats, yes, were completely and and a hundred percent my doing. ⁓ yes, I'm and I and I'm very proud of that. But yeah, ⁓ EJ Ricardy just seems to be the the stud of the list, ⁓ but not too far behind are the middle Tennessee goalies. ⁓ I think a dark horse on this list is definitely Drew Dur Durdov. See y if you look at the save percentage list, he's down there in fourth with a nine ⁓ three, which isn't too sparkling, but it's just simply because South Carolina doesn't doesn't give up many shots. If you watch them play, they're definitely a ⁓ shot suppression and box you out type of team. They're not gonna give up many chances. So If you see him with a lower save percentage, it's not because he's not a more apt explanation is that he's not getting the quantity that these other goalies are. So that's the point I wanted to make. speaker-0: Big. Well, when you look at some ⁓ duos that make it up, I think we talk about Grant Williams and Aiden Kopeck who has a moment that I want to bring up later in the show. In the wild, wild west of College Hockey South, what is your guys' favorite parts of the ACDC division and some teams that have risen to the top, like Florida State? speaker-2: I'm gonna say one thing 'cause we were talking in ⁓ in a section that just got cut out, but about Florida Tech and not seeing Braden Curry for a while. And it just blows my mind that he's still second in points, first in goals, and he probably hasn't played in over two months. Because we know he broke his shoulder, dislocated his shoulder, whatever, and has been out for a while. So he he's st and he's second and assists. So he's still leading almost in most of these categories. And probably up for a while was unopposed for a while, cause he just lit up the stat sheet at the beginning and then got hurt. speaker-1: Yeah, and it and it really seems like I think the ACDC I think those guys are playing with soccer nets or maybe the the goalies are using like the oldties or seventies pads where it's basically just like it look they look like they're wearing catcher's gear. ⁓ I don't know. It was funny, we we we hyped up the AC D C games for the battle at the beach. We were like goals, goals, goals, expect goals and then we went and called it and They were like defensive showdowns and th it was like two to two going to the third period. But ⁓ yeah, these these ⁓ these save percentages are a little shoddy. Not not too too sparkling, ⁓ especially when you hold them out to the other divisions. But you know what? I guess all that really matters at the end of the day are W's and Florida leads the way right now. ⁓ them and Florida State, I would imagine, are the two teams to beat. Yeah. And they they seem like they're on a collision course to whenever they play each other in the playoffs, it's gonna be a heavyweight fight for that ⁓ that division. speaker-0: One of my favorite parts about Cod Shock East South this year is the emergence of Jacksonville as a first year program. Their impressive start with wins over Florida Atlantic. They have been competitive in nearly every series they've played. They're right now sitting in a five seed. You know, what is it about those teams? Those these these young, up and coming like the St. Leo's. What has been your guys' thought when you see some of these guys start to Make names for themselves and be more of a notable presence within the talks of the conference. speaker-1: It's super, super I don't know if uplifting is the word I would use, but yeah, that's the one that comes to mind right now. ⁓ I'm also a little bit slow. So yeah, I'll use the word uplifting. ⁓ it's cool to see these guys come in and and compete. ⁓ 'cause you know, it it seems like it's often the case that teams join and in their first year they struggle a little bit. You know, they're not able to exactly the team they'd they'd want to. But man, Jacksonville, like you said, they've come in and they've they've competed and super happy to see. ⁓ them have success. ⁓ you know, we root for all of our teams to do well. But it'll be interesting, you know, seeing them because it looks like our field to six there in the AC DC are probably just about set. You know, there could be some some shuffling, but it it seems unlikely and it seems like, you know, Jacksonville will be one of those teams in the playoffs. And ⁓ that'll be exciting to see them for sure. speaker-0: You know, Michael Gugliot is one of my favorite players to watch just overall, because this guy is such a gamer. I think he plays like four or five different sports at Jacksville alone, started as a baseball guy, and he's led a Jacksville program that's been on the news and just really like started to win games and do them emphatically. And Gavin, I know you don't get to see much of this conference, but you did get to see Florida Southern get a win over on A C D C team about a month ago. ⁓ what stands out in your mind? speaker-2: Yeah, Jacksonville's a well coached team, obviously, and they play a really complete game at both ends of the ice. Connor Rose, great goalie for them in his first season with them. You can't talk about Jacksonville without talking about the Pellini brothers as well. They are leaders on the ice, on the bench, you know, they're always trying to keep the team in the game. So it was fun to watch them when they came to Lakeland to face off against Florida Southern. That was a fun series. speaker-0: I still wanna go and watch an ECHL game with the Jacksville Iceman, but more importantly, I want to get Derek Vlodemeyer on this podcast. I think we're gonna get make it happen before it's all said and done. And, you know, for other teams to look out for, you know, I Emory Riddle, they've played a lot of ⁓ three and even an ⁓ two team in Florida and and really had their work cut out for them. ⁓ they're really sitting good. Seven, eight, ⁓ and one, they're five and six in division play, and you know We look at those four teams, I think Florida Tech, Florida State, Florida Ember Riddle, you can throw Jacksville in the mix. That'll be interesting to talk about when we get to playoff time. And, you know, as a reminder, it's gonna be six teams that go. And right now it's those five we mentioned and then South Florida, who are in, but needing to stay honest with Miami, Eastern Kentucky, and Saint Leo all on their heels. So, you know, guys, we've said a lot of numbers out there. We've thrown out everything. Let's get to a more fun topic. I think They're all fun. This one though, I like moments. And I think we've had a couple early in the season. We're gonna have even more. What are some of your guys' favorite moments from this young twenty five, twenty-six campaign? speaker-1: I did not have anything prepared for this. So I'm I'm thinking right now off the off the dome. And this is something I mentioned on the podcast, favorite moments from this year. They're both I would say two of them are national anthem related. So battle at the beach, first game, Florida Tech against FAU on the beach division. You know, the FAU folks over there, Christina and Staffeleris, you know, they they're trying their hardest, but first game of tournament, you know, stuff often goes wrong. And they want to play the national anthem and nothing. Nothing happened. And there was nothing. ⁓ no music, complete silence, and everyone's just has their hand on their heart, just in complete silence, looking around the room. And then the boys on the bench for Florida Atlantic started singing the national anthem. And ⁓ that that carried it all the way through. They went to the very end. ⁓ Florida Tech was not pleased. They did not join in and they didn't look very happy about it. ⁓ but that was cool. And then Vets Cup tournament. There was a scrum between Tennessee and Alabama, and you know, the boys are getting taken to the box, and lo and behold, one of our own who's in charge of music, Morgan Morgan Brooks, starts playing the Canadian national anthem. Apropos of absolutely nothing, right? Like it there were there was a a Donnie Brook that just about took place on the ice, and he starts playing ⁓ Canada. And that's again, I was on commentary, and I've got headphones on. You could probably you can hear. In the silence how utterly befuddled I was at what ⁓ I think I'm hearing. Like this is the Canadian national anthem. That's what I've got off the speaker-0: Yeah. speaker-2: I'm a I'm a fan of upsets and new winners and so one of mine was Emory Riddle taking down FAU at Battle of the Beach. I don't think that was a game that most people expected. FAU was trying to go for the three peat, solidify themselves and Emory Riddle came in and and this is why in the playoffs I can see this being a team that goes deep 'cause they're disciplined. They played hard defense and it didn't matter who was in net, they were finding ways to score and they were finding gritty goals too. And that was one of my favorite and then honestly, I'll go back to first tournament of the year. Starting off the season with the Columbus Classic, Tampa versus Alabama, a big rivalry that has been built up in CHS over the past three years. And so that was I mean, it was a it was an early game early in the season, but that was one of my favorite moments. Just also being there to witness two of those teams play each other in a really hard fight. speaker-0: Yeah. And you know, Embry Riddle, they went to ⁓ Florida Atlantic and impressed me. You know, I I I'm a big supporter of underdog stories and if they end up going on a run, guys, they're gonna be the story of the year from where they were the last five years when the bottom half of this conference as it began and now they're one of the more talks of the town around the league. That that'd be one of my favorites, just seeing them play. You know what also For me was the middle Tennessee goaltender this year, a great friend of the pod, one of the nicest people you'll ever meet around this part of the country. Aidan Kopak got the win in net against Lynn University and then proposed to his girlfriend on the ice. Surprise of the year. I think I look back on that post and he had like a hundred and thirty comments, like hundreds of shares, thousands of people liked it. Just ⁓ the perfect person that you want to see ⁓ have that moment. And I I th I don't think I've ever seen a proposal on the ice like that. Not from a player. So I that's my moment of the year so far. speaker-1: Yeah. ⁓ it it was he I think he did give up a few goals. When we had ⁓ Lyndon Palmer on the podcast, that was one of the things he brought up. One of the one of the things he brought up was ⁓ you know, I I think if he gave up two or ⁓ a couple more goals, he couldn't have done it that night. He would have had to postpone it postpone the proposal for for another night because man, he he got shelled a little bit. But ⁓ yeah, congratulations to the to the Copex. And I we're getting to the end of our sheet here, but I have one other thing I want. Another question I want to propose to you all. I'll do my own proposal. One of the the more fun topics to talk about always. We were talking about it before the the podcast started about the Lightning and their uniforms. We always get new uniform uniforms around the conference. What were your favorite new uniform set you saw from any of the teams around the conference? I I didn't tell you guys about this before, so you don't have any time pre to prepare. but off the top of your head. speaker-2: I'm gonna go ahead and say this. And I talked about it earlier this year when we talked about Battle at the Beach. This could be an unpopular opinion, but Emery Riddle's Battle at the Beach with the Jets and the Palm Trees perfectly tied into the identity of the school. I love the colors, and the colors fit too. Like I see Emery Riddle as they play in my school's conference and NCAA all the time. And I think that tops any of the jerseys that the NCAA is putting out. Like they they brought that, and I wish I saw that. From their NCAA basketball teams. Like, but I'm glad hockey came out and did something creative and built a jersey like that. That's my favorite jersey. speaker-0: Middle Tennessee's Vets Day Veterans Cup sweater. I mean that thing is gonna be in sweater of the year competition nationwide. You put a Bronco on the front with the patriotic colors. I think that's like the perfect them them and Ole Miss. I love a good patriotic sweater. That's my new jersey of the year so far. speaker-2: Shout out Morgan who I just learned made that jersey. 'Cause I didn't know you worked for Rivero, so shout out to Morgan. speaker-1: Devin, I I thought the the middle Tennessee jerseys, they reminded me of a ⁓ a bomb pop. If you guys know what those are, the little red, white, and blue popsicles. And I brought that up with with Brooks, who designed the uniform. And he said, funny enough, the initial sketch he made and sent over to MTSU was labeled bomb pop, or something to that effect. So that was exactly the inspiration he had. I've got ⁓ the runner-up is gonna be FAU's Battle at the Beach ones. Because it almost feels like it's cheating to do a powder blue uniform. But you know what? It worked. Because powder blue always looks good. I mean, just no matter who wears it, it just it's just money. I've never seen FAU wear it in any other sport, but you know what? It looks good, so who cares? But my answer, and there's a little bit of bias behind it, I'm gonna say South Carolina women's, they came out with a white sweater this year. They've got the Carolina on the front with the state, and it says Carolina and script. By the way, I look completely different all of a sudden. that the recording might recording might look a little bit different. But yeah, that's my ⁓ new uniform of the year. What a fun episode this has been. Twenty twenty five fall. We've done nineteen episodes now of College Hockey Mouth. Wow, what what a ride, guys. I think it's time for me to leave the country. speaker-0: You know, I'm just proud of the fact that we've made it this far without one going insane and also getting kicked off the airwaves, considering not everything we say makes it to live air. Now, I'll say this. I'm grateful to have you guys doing the pod. This has been a fun experience to meet as many people as I have personally. I hope people forgive the fact that we highlight some teams more than others because they are just always in the stat combination. But I am really looking forward to playoff time to meet some of those schools that we haven't seen a whole lot. The Vanderbilts, we mentioned a couple of times in this episode, the Kennesaw State guys, I'm always a fan of watching that team. And we've got the European All-Stars coming up. So I'll say this. What is your guys' New Year's resolution as we put a cap on episode nineteen and twenty twenty five? speaker-2: I'll I'll say this. I'm not a I'm not a big New Year's resolution guy, but 'cause I I believe that you hold ⁓ for a week or two and then they're out the window. And I and I'm a product of that. So I guess every year I just tell myself, let's just be better than we were last year. So I'll I'll just say that's that's very broad and but like I try to hold myself to that. As long as I'm not in the same position next year that I was this year, then we're okay. We're doing something. speaker-1: One thing I've been trying to do, and I haven't done it successfully yet, is I wanna start reading more and like books, not just like random crap on the internet. So that that's something I'm gonna try and do. ⁓ I'm gonna try and ⁓ stay off the screen screens as as much, get that screen time down, even though, you know, with my job here and everything, it's virtually impossible. ⁓ but in my free time, wanna read more. How about you, Devin? speaker-0: ⁓ well hey, speaking of reading, I just bought Off Ice by Doc Emmerich, the biography he made a few years ago. So I'm excited to read that. That's gonna be my first one of twenty twenty-six. I want to get back on the ice. My New Year's resolution is to get some ⁓ vapor flylights if I can afford ⁓ and then get back playing. It's been a few years since I've played real hockey in a competitive. environment, not just the pond. So if I can get back on skates and get doing it again, that would be my ideal start to twenty twenty six. But I I'm more so looking forward to helping give our media an opportunity to cover the conference more as we get into February because the people that are gonna be part of that conference tournament, ⁓ I think are gonna get a once in a college certainly experience with it. And it's just been So fun to meet all these people so far and see some great players and show off a league that has gotten a lot of attention and thank all of you for giving us. This year, by the way, we reached ten thousand subscribers. Gavin, you didn't mention this last episode, but you you gave me Slack when we went off air. What is the accolade that we reached on this pot? Do you remember? speaker-2: If I remember correctly, it's over a thousand listens, but I could I could be wrong. It's it's definitely probably higher than that now. I think it was twelve hundred. But let me pull it up real quick and we'll we'll get the it's speaker-1: It's somewhere between a thousand and one million. speaker-2: So to date, this is December twenty ninth, we're at one thousand three hundred and twenty seven exactly. Listens to the speaker-0: All thirteen hundred of you. That's not people, but hey, our loyal listeners. speaker-1: It's eleven thousand followers, by the way. speaker-0: We are at eleven thousand. There we go. What that shows the page has been exponentially growing. We reached ten K this year and that was awesome. Who knows? Maybe you get to twenty K before the end of twenty twenty six. That's a good resolution, right? The next time you hear from us, it'll be either during or post European trip. Danny Baum is traveling. Safe travels to you, my friend. Go college hockey south. Represent this conference well. You've already said it, but ⁓ make sure you Get some better food out there than what happened to the guys last year. Don't get ripped off out there in Europe. speaker-1: I guess so. ⁓ I will do my best. It's I don't think it's on the itinerary to get ripped off, but I will s certainly try to avoid it as much as possible. speaker-0: possible. Thank you all for listening to this edition of College Hockey Mouth episode 19, the mid-season recap. Here and see you in 2026, everyone. Happy New Year. Safe travels wherever you're going. Have fun. Not too much. Or if you do have too much, get somewhere to go safe. And we'll see you guys in the next episode. Thanks for listening. This has been College Hockey Mouth, a College Hockey South podcast.