Wednesday, January 30, 2008

OU Hockey Show Archived

Today's show posted here

Adam Thomas and Jonah Rogowski from Davenport joined us and Colin Ronayne from Oakland joined us as well

OU Hockey Show 5-6pm Today 88.3FM WXOU-Listen Live Online to

The OU Hockey Show is on Wednesday from 5-6pm on WXOU and www.wxou.org to listen live online message us at wxoudj or call us at 248-370-4274

Jonah Rogowski from the Davenport Panthers will join us to preview OU-DU
Colin Ronayne will join us from Oakland
We will recap the weekend vs Buffalo
Colin Ronayne from Oakland will join us
We will preview the OU-DU game
Discuss Jim Moran and props to the defense
Discuss the 3rd and 4th liners playing well.
Andrew Stewart will be discussed
Hanner is always Hanner
Should OU Stay away from physical play this weekend meaning don't go for the hit first?

Monday, January 28, 2008

OU Hockey Show Wednesday

The OU Hockey Show is on Wednesday from 5-6pm on WXOU

Jonah Rogowski from the Davenport Panthers will join us to preview OU-DU
We will recap the weekend vs Buffalo
We will preview the OU-DU game
Discuss Jim Moran and props to the defense
Discuss the 3rd and 4th liners playing well.
Andrew Stewart will be discussed
Hanner is always Hanner
Should OU Stay away from physical play this weekend meaning don't go for the hit first?
Maybe a few OU guest????


Stewart comes through for Grizzlies


Andrew Hansen came in and once again got the job done on Friday in a 5-2 win over Buffalo at the ONYX. As he always does and always will its just expected now. As we discussed on the show Wednesday you kind of had to play Hansen Friday.

The debate was what about Saturday? We thought if all went well with Hansen you may have to play him again on Saturday but a loss meant in our eyes that Collin Chase would have to go on Saturday considering what a loss to Buffalo would have done. Our thinking was, and not to knock Buffalo but if you needed to play Chase to beat Buffalo then there are some issues we have not yet discussed.

What about Andrew Stewart? He should be able to come in and get a win against Buffalo but what was the confidence level in Stewie? He has struggled at times this season and again a loss against Buffalo would have killed this team in either of the games no matter who played. As a group we thought that was a risk you could not take this weekend. Did we have a lack of confidence in Stewie? Yes! Were we wrong? Yes!

We all know he deserved another shot but none of us were willing to say it. He got it and did well earning the 1st star of the game he only stopped 17 shots but OU needed everyone of those saves. Oakland needed an empty net goal from Steve Piccoli to seal a 2-0 win. Stewart's biggest mistake of the game was covering the puck late in the game, with Oakland up 1-0 which gave Buffalo an empty net and the faceoff in the OU zone and a shot to tie the game. Stewie told me after the game that he did that from the coaching of former DIII Coach and curent GM Shaun Zeldes who he says told him to cover the puck all the time no matter where you are.

The keys for the weekend were done well play Hansen and Stewart and get the wins, while letting Collin Chase continue to get some well deserved rest. This is a trend that will be key for Oakland letting Chase get all the rest he can before Nationals so they don't burn him out but at the same time keeping him sharp. Hansen and Stewart will have to continue to be ready when they get the call.

Stewart and the coaching staff proved us wrong and put a much needed boost of confidence into Stewart. As many of you know I have always been in the Stewart camp this was the first time I had doubts about playing him, which is why Hogan once again knows best.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

In Reality Opinion Means Nothing

After thoughts from today's OU Hockey Show. We went over some concerns addressed in an e-mail I got. I just want to add to that as time is tight in a 1 hr show:

First off we said on the show the issues brought up were not brought up by us actually never even crossed my mind. In fact it doesn't matter where they came from but they ended up in our hands and we discussed them like we would anything.

Honestly our opinion (the broadcasters) means zero and Nothing at all. It doesn't matter if we agree/disagree. We don't control any aspect of anything really meaning we have no control over the issues raised. So today was a discussion of the issues brought up.

We have been wrong about a lot of stuff and right about a lot of stuff as well. The coaches and players don't care one bit about what we think. If we have thought about something 99% of the time and most likely 100% of the time they have already thought about it. In the end the show and the broadcast mean nothing really. Does it help anything I doubt it. We know our place. We have a ton of respect for all the players and everyone involved in the program.

It's fun to do what we do and we like doing and are grateful we can.

We also had a good debate about the goalies today and the improved play of some of our defenders.

Hopefully our thoughts about this weekend are correct from the show which is in the archive. 8:40 at the ONYX is puck drop

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Icecats net 1-1 weekend

Brian Kimball has a write up of last weeks OU-AZ Hockey Games in the Daily Wildcat Read Here

Buffalo @ #12 Oakland Friday and Saturday

First off on Wednesday be sure to check out Brittany Ochtinsky's article on OU Hockey in the Oakland Post available on Campus.

Also Friday and Saturday we will have our pre-game at 8:20pm for Oakland University Hockey u can get to the games by going to oaklandhockey.org or wxousports.com

Monday, January 21, 2008

Saturday Game Thoughts

I have a little time here:

Saturday was exactly what Oakland needed. Looking back I kind of threw it all out there before the game by writing This Post One of our radio station guys told me you know this team so I shouldn't worry about throwing something like that out especially after what I thought was the worst loss I have ever seen here (3 years total)

On those same lines another radio station guy (I don't know if they want me to say who) told me "You know this team so don't be shocked if they lose this weekend" That is interesting and true at the same time. They shouldn't lose but you play the games for a reason we can say or write those things as we don't have to be in a mental state to play if the players or coaches think that we encounter a situation like Friday. I realize Buffalo can come in here and steal a game. They have nothing to lose so they will be playing loose it would mean the world to them to upset OU those are the most dangerous teams.

Anyway back to Saturday, real nice to see Cody Austin get a goal he almost has a second but hit the post. Same with Ronayne (he should be on Wednesday's show) you can really see the impact these guys are having. Brent Cooper once again stepped up when the team needed a big win. It was a big win considering the situation.

Colin Chase after all he has done has earned the right to have an off night and that is all Friday was. Hansen came in on Saturday and simply got the job done. That is why he is so key as a backup you have confidence that he can get the win. Will we see him or Andrew Stewart this weekend? We will find out.

Jim Moran as I said in the broadcast has been solid for Oakland overall lately. I know we have been tough on him and Capa this year. Speaking of Dennis Capa he rebounded nicely after a rough night (and who didn't have that Friday) for the minutes he got before he was tossed Saturday. Haugh was good on Saturday just couldn't find the back of the net. I think he will this weekend you can kind of feel it coming.

They have to build on this win I think they will.

We will talk more Wednesday about everything.

OU Hockey Show Wednesday 5-6pm

The OU Hockey Show is Wednesday from 5-6pm on 88.3FM WXOU.

This Week we will recap the games in Arizona.
Cody Austin and Colin Ronayne get their 1st goals for Oakland.
Andy Hansen with the shutout Saturday.
Preview Buffalo.
Keys to taking two from Buffalo- they have lost 6 in a row and won just 5 games all year
What is your biggest concern with the Grizzlies going down the stretch?
What is the biggest strength?

Cody Austin Goal

Barely got it...Its hard to broadcast and video at the same time!

Colin Ronayne

The guys wanted this one up he most its Ronayne's fight on Saturday Night. I have started work on the Game Notes this week and Prep for Wednesday's Hockey Show. I don't know if I will have time to post a recap of my thoughts for Saturday just may have to wait for the Show.

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Bird Man Scores for OU

5-0 Final OU

Austin and Ronayne score their 1st as Grizzlies. Hansen with the shutout (45 Saves) He didnt have that many but its what was recorded.

I told you they would come out better. This was our Grizzly team tonight

Saturday, January 19, 2008

About to Start

Were about to Start a fan just asked me what an empty net goal is. I have had some odd questions on this trip about hockey

Going on ESPN Radio

I'm going on ESPN Radio 1490 The Fan here in Tuscon in the 1st intermission of todays Game. We are at the Rink as well..guys are ready to play.

Saturday Morning

A couple of questions thrown my way include is this team really in danger?

As I said it is in danger and not yet buried. BUT does anyone actually think this team our Grizzlies, are just gonna stand by and let the season get away from them? No. It's not going to happen. We all know when this team has a big game against a top 10 team they come to play and they prove they belong. They always rebound when it matters the most. Most recently last Saturday. Like I said if these things keep happening then it will eventually end it but I don't and can't see this happening again.

The history of this team is they play the best in the best games and just when you want to count them out they some way and some how come together.

You use last night as a learning and teaching experience and move on.

They are much better then a #12 ranked team, they will be fine. We haven't reached for the panic button yet and we touched it about 20 times last season.

I think tonight will prove what I'm trying to say.

One thing that is weird is that I always get the "Your to hard on Oakland" from the OU side and then the other side's people that are listening say "Can you be more of a homer for OU..I guess they can't do any wrong in your eyes" Just makes me laugh.

Post-Game Thoughts

What went wrong? I don't know. Lack of Effort? Lack of Focus? Where they prepared to play? No clue. I won't single out anyone for anything. Yes, some played much worse then others. I'm not sure anyone deep down inside can explain what really happened out on the ice tonight. It was brutal From the top all the way down. I have said this all year that this team is overall a better one then last year. It is hard to say that now after a tough loss but its one of those things. I won't back away from that statement when these guys play the way we all know they can play they can beat anyone.

Tomorrow should be better. I think. I was wrong about today...big time. Robbie Nowinski killed us 5 goals tonight for him. They didn't have an answer. The Power Play was brutal overall. I believe OU had 3 straight 5 on 3 chances late in the game they didn't score, it did em in one could say but no so fast. The game was over long before that after the Nowinski SH breakaway goal it ended right there. OU led at one point 2-1. They controlled the start of the third for the 1st minute only to have AZ march down and score.

I was asked several times after the game if it looked as bad from up high where the broadcast location is compared to the ice level and it was. Like I told one of the OU coaches it looked like we grabbed a bunch of guys, asked if they wanted to play and flew to Arizona to play.

I don't know if Arizona was that good like Matt Alvarez who did color today said, and not taking anything away from Arizona but Oakland was just bad. We all know it to. I have never ever seen them play this bad and look this lost, including all of the Davenport losses. I still fell the same way about Arizona as I did coming in there was nothing to impressive that we haven't seen before or haven't faced.

We discussed it in the broadcast but did the Grizzlies season end tonight? If they think that then it did. We will find out. I won't say it 100% has but this loss kills them. They must win tomorrow and win rather large. I won't say its over but it is pretty close if these things keep happening. It is not an excuse to say who was not here and what not either.

Now lets look at the big picture and get a positive attitude.. that's the new me thinking, normally I would of went on a rant calling out players individually but thats not productive. Yes, OU had a shot in the third Orlando scored two goals that appeared to be meaning less at the time but OU went on those Powerplays and did nothing. OU did score to make it 6-5 but it was waived off on a Royanye Penalty. So after playing so poorely they had Arizona on their heels and the needed an empty netter. This is one of those games where despite how bad OU played they had a shot at the end but in reality when you look back and realize how bad it was, like I said it was a 7-1 or 7-2 loss.

Nick Boddy the netminder got a 10 minute misconduct, Coach Schaeffler said in the second intermission that its a rule that the goalie has to serve it to hold him accountable. He was nothing to special that we haven't encountered before.

As for Coaching..and as I said on the Broadcast I didn't agree with pulling Hansen when they did the 3rd straight 5 on 3 just expired it was 5 on 4. The PP was clearly fading down in terms of doing anything. I would have waited til the 5 on 4 expired or OU got a goal. Not that it made or broke the game in anyway but it ended any chance of a comeback. There was still enough time to do it later knowing how clutch OU has been in the end of some games. My thinking is why go to 6 on 4 when 5 on 3 didn't work for as long as they had them? I haven't had any issues with Coaching this season at all but several things were off or odd today in that end. I had thoughts at times in the broadcast to myself that were : Why is out there right now? Why are they not doing this or that? ect....

Hopefully tomorrow is better. I hate losses just as much as anyone it really puts a damper on a trip.

I think everyone is asking did that really happen tonight?

more pictures














Pictures from the Rink





7-4 Final AZ wins

I will have more later the game was really a 7-2 game or 7-1 not 7-4 AZ scored an empty netter but the game in reality was decided well before then.

I am watching a video clip of when it started to go wrong and it when OU is on the PP Kranker gives it to Cooper who cant lift his stick as the AZ defenders collapse in on him so he gets it back to Capa near the blueline, Capa fans on the pass he was trying to move to his left to Todd Orlando and obbie Nowinski stole the puck and beat Hanner on a breakaway. Nothing Hansen can do really on it. OU couldn't rebound after that

As in the game notes this week: "Forward Robbie Nowinski leads Arizona with 19 goals and 12 assists for 31 points" He had 5 Goals tonight although 1 may be changed. How does that happen?

Friday, January 18, 2008

4-2 Arizona after 2

Arizona adds another one....OU fans are coming up to me that made the trip and they are not happy with the teams play so far

At the rink

Were at the Rink....The Pre-Game Show will get underway in a bit..Brent Cooper is scheduled to join us (subject to change)

There are 2 people here early in the stands next to me and a arena staff member is very angry and she said she wants the tickets of those people checked...

Oakland falls 1 Spot

Rankings are out today Oakland falls to #12 as suspected, while tonights opponent Arizona moves up to #24.

Complete List is now up

OU Hockey Show hits the Road


"The OU Hockey Show" on February 13 will head to Plymouth before the Plymouth Whalers against the Sarnia Sting at the Compuware Sports Arena. We are scheduled to be on from 4-6pm I will have more info on how/where as we get closer. Actually this will be a real good game to see Steve Stamkos as he is rated as the #1 skater to be drafted this summer at the NHL Draft.

The show will still do our usual OU Hockey stuff as well!

When WXOU Hosts Appear on Sports Stations.....

One of our co-host Amber Dietz from WXOU Live (2:30-5pm Wednesday's) got a chance to be on a segment calle "Skirts on Sports" on Sports Radio 1130 WDFN, on "It Is What It Is" with Sean Baligian, his produces Brad Fortier stopped by OU and then WXOU this past Tuesday and here is a Amber Dietz on the show Brad put it up on Podcast at the WDFN Website it is pretty funny and typical Amber.

Amber also takes photos for Oakland University Hockey for the Oakland post so you may have seen her around the rink!

View From The Hotel Room

Took two pictures this morning from the view outside my Hotel room Window:


Last thing for the night

I do have a new Camera that can take still photos and videos. I hope to get some at the game and hopefully upload them that may not happen until we get back I have the stuff with me to upload it but you never know if time will allow it here.

At The Hotel

The short blog entires are from my cell phone this is in the hotel at my computer!

First of all its pretty sweet to ave tagged along thanks to the guys and AZ hockey for helping make that possible, We don't say it much on the air cause we have a job to do but we are very grateful for what this team does for us as a whole. We understand our role and why we are here so we do step back into the background and let the guys do what they normally do as if were not here.

Plane ride was fine no issues at all.

I guess it will be between 26 to 31 degrees tonight and around 60 tomorrow.

We went to dinner and have arrived at the hotel. its about 10:30pm out here and the 10pm news on ABC Channel 9 KGUN just aired a preview of the games this weekend. AZ coach Leo G. was on talking about the importance of this weekend for Arizona. (like we said on the hockey show if this was at the ONYX would there even be a ques of the outcome?) We shall see. I wont do the shoulf of could of would of game. Goalie Andrew Stewart doesn't like when we play that game...for good reason two

For some reason I have a good feeling about this weekend for OU, I cant pin point it on any one thing but I do. I believe were going to get some goals and production this weekend from guys who we don't normally see it from in terms of goals/points maybe Leja? Micks? Capa?

We went to the Rink left our gear the rink was ok but not jaw dropping at all...we will see when the people are in it tomorrow and the atmosphere gets going back to dropping our stuff at the rink....or the players did and went to dinner I went to Olive Garden with 10 others on the roster. I believe the guys are ready to play. Don't get me wrong OU has to come home with 2 wins and good ones at that no if's and's or but's about it.

I must say..at least in my case my Hotel room is real nice maybe the nicest I have stayed in on an OU Hockey Road trip....I guess ask me tomorrow to confirm this after a night of rest.

The Icecats are a big deal out here. It seems every knows who they are and they are on ESPN Radio and Local TV covers em from what I have seem so far. that came as a shock to a few of the OU guys who were in Metro Airport around noon this afternoon before the bulk of the group arrived.

I would like to go over who is here and who is not for OU but its better if I don't I guess I dont think OU would mine but just a guess on my part. However OU will be a different team then normal but that means more chances for guys to step it up. Arizona does have some injury issues as I posted last night but we shall see at game time if those guys can go.

Finally our Feb 13 OU Hockey Show looks like its heading on the road...more on that later

I have received numerous emails thanking about the blog thanks for that..no time to respond individually plane ride tired me out!!!!!!!!!

Rankings come out tomorrow as well, I think and have a felling OU will drop to 12 or stay pat. but that is not fair when you consider that they are 8-2 in the last 10 games don't they deserve some credit for that? To bad I don't get a vote I would credit em for sure.

Also as I write this I have to remember its 1:13 back home I was trying to get in touch with our color analyst...or one of them Justin Cousineau but I know he has Windsor Spitfires duties this weekend in the Ontario Hockey League

Thursday, January 17, 2008

we have arrived

We are in the tuscon airport and have arrived

in Dallas

We have arrived in Dallas were on a train like think to our gate to depart to tuscon

at the airport

Pretty light traffic here at the airport we leave in 2 hrs or so Colin roanaye was mistaken by brad doescher on the phone for Cody Austin I guess he wanted to go on the air next time we will get him on.

Kangas and Kampe


On his radio show heard right here on WXOU Tuesday's 2-3pm Men's Head Basketball Coach Greg Kampe said Erik Kangas should not most likely have played against ORU as hes around 50%. I interviewed Kangas for Feb 08' edition of"The Grizzlies Den" TV Show on OUTV after practice earlier Wednesday morning in the media room and Kangas said he is fine when I asked him how his shoulder is doing and I asked him how his shoulder injury impacts his shooting and he said it has not impacted his shooting.

My personal thoughts I think it is impacting his game, we noticed it in Toledo and you can tell some of his shots are off and he doesn't miss some of the shots that he is missing. Props to Kangas for not using it as an excuse but I will and rightfully so hes such a special player for this team who has earned that right.

Finally I interviewed Stradt, and him and Kangas notice and are very grateful for the student section this year. Its been excellent.

Kangas Photo: ougrizzlies.com

-Corey Hagood Reporting

Getting to Talk up OU in Arizona


I will be going on ESPN Radio 1490 "The Fan" either Friday or Saturday to discuss Oakland University Hockey. In terms of broadcast Arizona Hockey has two Kamp Radio and ESPN Radio. I believe they both do home games. So far in the discussions of how things will work they have been very helpful to us so far, which is good. Looking forward to the atmosphere they say it gets pretty wild at the TCC for games.

This will be an interesting weekend not a knock on Arizona but they haven't really played anyone they lost 4-1 to Michigan State and beat em in OT out in Arizona. the beat Stony Brook 4-2 and that was the only loss Stony Brook has in the first 8 games that they played. But if the Grizzlies think this way they will be in trouble and caught off guard but I doubt that would happen...

I think the first 10 minutes on Friday will tell us how this weekend will go. Maybe this is not accurate but OU may have to weather the storm early on Friday. If Oakland plays the way we know they can and should then this should be no problem. Nick Boddy will be key in net for AZ he has made 105 saves over the past 4 games that averages to about 26 a game. He had a 36 save night and a 28 save night against St. Louis last weekend

Brian Kimball has a nice article in "The Daily Wildcat" that addresses that Arizona may shorthanded this weekend Read Here

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

University of Arizona Hockey's Matt Alvarez joins us today

Matt Alvarez from the University of Arizona Kamp Radio team will join us at 5pm. Also the stream went back down for the hockey show sorry for that you can listen on 88.3FM

Monday, January 14, 2008

OU Hockey Show Wednesday 5-6pm Live Stream Back

The OU Hockey Show is Wednesday from 5-6pm on 88.3FM WXOU and Streaming online Live once again at www.wxou.org

Call us at 248-370-4274 or message us on aim at WXOUDJ

Topics:

Should the scoring issues before Saturday be cause for long term concern or blip on the radar?

We will recap the Weekend vs Stony Brook

Tim Michaels returned from injury we discuss his performance

Chase has been outstanding we will discuss

Dennis Capa had a good defensive game Saturday we discuss

Corey Insulted the Stony Brook Ast. Coach at the ONYX by telling him OU played down to them in the OT loss is that a correct statement?

We discuss Austin--Ronayne after week 2

We Will preview the Games @ Arizona

We ask the question has Arizona ever played anyone good this year? Yet they are 13-7 and one look at their schedule makes us wonder?

Where does OU fit in so far at Nationals?

If we have time what teams concern you the most and which ones are frauds?

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Saturday OU Basketball & Hockey

Saturday at 11:40AM Men's Basketball vs Oral Roberts with Corey Hagood and Brad Doescher and Adam Roberts ON WXOU 88.3FM & Summit League TV

Saturday 2:10pm Women's Basketball vs Oral Roberts with Corey Hagood and Brad Doescher and Adam Roberts on WXOU 88.3FM and Summit TV

Saturday 8:20pm OU Hockey vs Stony Brook 8:20pm with Corey Hagood and Kyle Horner and Brad Doescher on WXOU Sports

Men's Basketball 7pm Tonight WXOU and SUMMIT TV


Tonight on 88.3FM WXOU at 7pm and on SUMMIT TV is OU Basketball as Oakland host Centenary at the O'Rena. Centenary College comes into the game at 7-8 overall and 1-2 in the Summit League while OU comes into the game at 8-7 overall and 3-1 in the Summit league.


















Photo From www.ougrizzlies.com

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Hockey Show 5-6pm Today no internet Stream

Hockey show is from 5-6pm but there is no internet stream

"Due to an issue beyond our control, our webstream is currently out of service. We are working hard to get it back online.

In the meantime, you can still listen to us in the Rochester and north area on 88.3 FM.

Sorry for any inconvenience...stay tuned to WXOU.org for updates."

This does not impact this weekends hockey games check oaklandhockey.org for live link connection

Thursday, January 03, 2008

Mike Vellucci Named Sports Newsmaker of the Year


"It’s no secret that the Plymouth Whalers are a perennial powerhouse.

Most of that is due to the leadership of Mike Vellucci who serves as the president and general manager of the Whalers and Compuware Arena and, until recently, head coach of the Whalers.

Nothing can top the year Vellucci and his Whalers had in 2007. The team won the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) championship and the league awarded Vellucci the Matt Leyden trophy for Coach of the Year—he was the first American coach to ever earn the honor."

Read More Here From Jeff Novak of Journal Newspapers

Coach Kampe Autograph Session Tuesday



Coach Kampe Signing Session

Date / Time: Tuesday, January 8, 2008, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Location: Oakland Center Fireside Lounge

Come by the Fireside Lounge in the Oakland Center to meet Men’s Basketball Coach Greg Kampe and men’s basketball team players. This is your chance to get your very own signed Kampe bobble head and team posters signed by the players."

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Women's Basketball wins 99-19 wow

The OU Women's Basketball team beat Rochester College in a game heard on WXOU moments ago 99-19. Oakland went on a 42-0 run and Rochester College had 42 turnovers wow