Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Junior the game is powered by 91 Network. That's 91 and it's a YouTube channel. Head on over to check out video editions of the game and also other podcast content on 91 and the game is also featured on Spaces or through Suit Today and Village Media. The game can be followed on all social media platforms including Tick tock, Facebook, Instagram @the game sports Podcast for your enjoyment and interaction. You can also also check out all audio platforms. Wherever you get your podcast, Spotify, Apple, you name it. And wherever you're listening to right now, don't hesitate to follow, like subscribe, leave a review and as I mentioned, just ensure that you're interacting on all of our platforms. We enjoy that interaction and the odd chirp as well. And we got an as always electrifying edition here on the Game tonight. The agenda is going to feature the first and the return first segment of the new season for Top Shelf and it's gonna be myself and Brennan McCarthy leading that for you. Alex Parr is getting a two week approved vacation. He's moving into a new house so he gets a little bit of a buy, I guess you can say. We're also gonna have Jordan Trudeau stop on and we're also gonna have the in the pocket fellas. Hopefully it is myself, Justin and the regular crew such as EJ as well tonight, but it might just be myself and Justin. Only time will tell. Nonetheless, you got Top Shelf, you got Chuck a puck you got in the pocket all within this hour. Listen, sit down, lock in. It is going to be a time now just to get a little bit here off the start. I want to make sure that you're checking out previous editions of the Game, but myself and Jordan Trudeau did a fantastic interview just a few days ago. They'll be up for your enjoyment by by next week at the absolute latest if not earlier. Ryan Sproul, what a fantastic guest that we had. We got back to our special edition uploads after myself taking a year some off those interview shows and focusing on new shows. So we are going to be getting into more Special edition shows as we get through the year and I'm sitting here today with my new Auston Matthews third all alternate jersey. Yes, it's that time of season. Ready to get hurt again. Now before we get Brandon to come on, I want to do a little bit of a baseball shout out. As you know I'm a Blue Jays fan, which is obviously the Guerrero jersey that you see in the background still relevant despite hockey being around the corner. The Blue Jays are and in the postseason this year and obviously this week as we're recording right now, September 23rd at 7 o' clock they're going to be getting underway with a series against the Boston Red Sox. Big critical series. That AL east is going to be one sexy bunch of matchups to keep an eye out on as the week goes on as the Jays have a little bit of a tougher schedule than the Yankees. Will the Jays come on top and win the the division? Did they get enough of a lead to take it? And throughout the rest of baseball it's going to get very interesting and I think the biggest one that has been the biggest of interest of story outside of the AL is the San Francisco is not. Yes, San Francisco, but I'll get to that in just a minute. The Seattle Mariners and the Houston Astros, what a banger of a matchup souls have been. But Seattle has started and has pulled away after very convincing serious victory over the Houston Astros. Now San Francisco, why I mentioned they are of interest is that they have had the Dodgers number this year. In my opinion this recent series they did lose three out of four. But I feel the Dodgers have been exposed and the Giants have done that. The Padres have done that. The Rockies of all teams have exposed the Dodgers and shown how they are human. I think winning the World Series is going to be very wide open. The Phillies, the Brewers you got and I'm looking at the standings here. You got the Dodgers and Padres there you got the Cubs in the mix and you look at the al, you got the Blue Jays, you got the Tigers, you got the Mariners got Houston in there, you got Cleveland in there. Look, it is very exciting and look that Cleveland Detroit gap got a lot tighter. A lot tighter than American League Central is going to come down to this week. As well as Cleveland's 9 and 1, their last 10, Detroit's 1 and 9. Look they the Blue, the Blue Jays, they had a good lead. It's getting tight. Look, the playoffs cannot be determined right now. We can't even do a playoff preview show. We can't talk about division leaders getting on a buy and knowing who those are. So Connor Henderson will be joining me next week to talk about the playoff preview for next week's show. But who we are in for an absolute treat when it comes to the world of baseball. And I am pumped and I am really pulling of course for the Blue Jays and my soft spot for the Tigers. But I got my eye on the end the nl. I think it's going to be A bit more wide open. And everyone knows that I got a soft spot for the Padres and Brewers too. And I'm hoping that this is the year that we see a Blue Jays, Tigers and the CS and the World Series matchup that features the Blue Jays and one of the brewers, okay, potentially, maybe even the Cubs. Wouldn't that be great? But the Phillies getting in there, wouldn't that be electric? It would be just amazing. So that is going to be the baseball content that I'm going to be diving into and only today. And this man couldn't have timed this perfectly. It's like he knew and trust me, he will second that. We had time, okay? He just came on on this time, so he won't trust me when it comes to time management. My fellas on the show aren't going to give me any credit. Okay? I get on more than I get the credit for, for that. But that is the baseball I'm going to dive into. What a critical week in the world of baseball this week. So excited. But we'll get into the playoff preview next week and we know the Blue Jays are going to be there. How exciting is that? But as I mentioned, we got top shelf. Chuck a puck and in the pocket. They'll be invading. The segment I am going to bring in and introduce. This is the. This is the season opener. This is the puck drop. This is the. This is. This is top shelf, baby. This is. This is the top shelf segment where it's gonna be myself, Brandon McCarthy, the cart. I call him just because of, for fun. It's not a great nickname, but. Brennan, my friend, welcome back. What a pleasure seeing you. God, you look good. Likewise.
[00:05:55] Speaker B: Yeah, you're looking great as well. A little pissed off though. You're cutting into my dual screen time. Jays and, and Leafs preseason hockey coinciding.
Let's make this quick.
[00:06:05] Speaker A: Dable.
Yeah. You know what we got, we got the time. You got 20 minutes at tops is what we have segue for. And I, we didn't talk about really much that we were going to dive into this week, but I think what we're going to stick to the normal agenda that we've been doing. This is our 10th year doing the show, Brandon. This is on January. It'll be a 10 year celebration of the game. And that is, I think there needs to be something that we got to do for that. I have an idea and it's, it's a big loop, but that's not for any viewer listener to know. That's for the family. You got to be in the family some fast. All right.
[00:06:35] Speaker B: Is this. Is this. Is this a text to me privately or with par as well or.
[00:06:40] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, maybe like a little chit chat. You know, maybe with shirts on in the conversation or off? It. It depends. It depends. I got the Matthews new. I got this jersey just a few weeks ago on Facebook, Marketplace. Brand new for $80. I couldn't go wrong. It's literally out of the bag. It came out of the bag. Brand new Matthews jerseys. Listen, I don't know if this person just wasn't a Leaf fan, but thank you very much. Okay. I'll take the credit for having this. I thought I'd wear it today. Now I want to get into what we usually do when the opener of the show. We talk a little bit of reaction, how we felt the summer was, and then we get into early, way too early of predictions. That is, as you know, last year you were there, Stanley cup winner prediction. But we also get into this division winner predictions. And that will be our clip. I'm going to give a spoiler if you're going to see a clip. That's what got you here today. So we'll. We'll get into that in this 20 minutes. But, Brandon, look, firstly, how was your summer? And number two, congratulations on all the things that you have going on. I know you moved. I think you moved to a place going out to Vancouver. You got. You got all the things going on. So I want to know how you're doing. Okay. That's. You got a letter to listeners and viewers who have gotten to know you the past year, get to know you a little bit more, but then also talk about your reaction, how you felt this summer was in the NHL for the off season.
[00:07:50] Speaker B: Yeah, summer was great, Dave. A lot of golf. And obviously the move was. Was huge.
[00:07:55] Speaker A: We're.
[00:07:55] Speaker B: We're settled that we're settled in now in Milton, Ontario. Massive thunderstorm approaching us right now. So hopefully my power holds up. But yeah, it was awesome. I mean, in terms of. In terms of the hockey scene, I guess we haven't spoken since June and I mean, I guess three big things for me, the. The Panthers are just continuing to be a juggernaut.
[00:08:18] Speaker A: Yep.
[00:08:19] Speaker B: Just bringing out the bulldozer full of cash. And here you go, Bennett. Here you go, Marshawn. Here you go, Ekblad. And let's run it back.
[00:08:28] Speaker A: Yep. Yep. And let's go with the same team. The only change was Jeff freaking Petrie and their backup goalie. Yeah. Okay. Like, that's literally the only Two changes. If you don't know if I'm. If you think I'm wrong, fact check. Because I don't need to fact check it, because that's the.
[00:08:43] Speaker B: Yeah, I mean, they.
[00:08:44] Speaker A: They.
[00:08:44] Speaker B: They let Nate Schmidt walk to Utah, I believe.
[00:08:47] Speaker C: Right.
[00:08:48] Speaker A: So.
[00:08:48] Speaker B: So it's like Petri, you want to come play in the sun and, you know, drive a golf cart to work every day with flip flops on the sun.
[00:08:56] Speaker A: Right. Yeah.
[00:08:57] Speaker B: The other big thing, obviously, Marner heading to Sin City Massive. We can get delve into that. And your boy Davo, I'm going to start calling you Davel because you call me Cart for some reason. McDavid.
So McDavid got the nickname from Brandon Hagel during the Four Nations Face off when he just absolutely went guns ablazing to the net. It was against the States in the round robin, I believe, when they had the crazy brawls off the top.
[00:09:21] Speaker A: Love it.
[00:09:21] Speaker B: And then Hegel was in, doing an intermission interview, and he just said, unbelievable goal by Daybell. And everyone was just like, okay, we heard McJesus, we heard, you know, a bunch of nicknames for. For Connor McDavid. But I kind of like Davo. And then I'm like, David McKeg Jr. I think David works for you, too.
[00:09:37] Speaker A: He's got McDavid in the same name as I'm David McCaig. You know, we're a match. It's a match. It's a match. It's a mix of me. Like, if I had. If me and Gretzky combined to make a hockey player, I feel like It'd be Connor McDavid 99.9% Gretzky.1% or 2.01% David. But that's.
[00:09:55] Speaker B: That's also, you know, on. On the note of Davo, that's also, you know, kind of looming over our heads. What is he going to do? And if you're an Oilers fan, it's like, must be some restless sleeps.
[00:10:06] Speaker A: We'll say, look, you know what? And there's a lot. Those are three big points. And. And I want to get into Marner shortly. I want to talk about Connor McDavid first, if that's good with you. And I want to go to Connor for a second because I. We've talked. I've talked. I'm not sure if it was with you or Par or whomever it was about how I think this will play out, because McDavid talked earlier in the off season saying, quote, unquote, I want to make sure of my future. The Team I'm with, you know, is. Is essentially in short, not word for word, but is serious about winning. You just made back to back cup finals and you and you lost them to the same team and arguably you did worse this year than you did the previous year. Okay. And Florida is not any different. And if I'm the Edmonton Oilers, you. You can't think by adding Andrew Mangia Pani and getting rid of Corey Perry, Evander Kane and losing the guys that you did that you got better. If I'm. If I'm the Edmonton Oilers, how are you going to argue to Connor McDavid unless you make a trade for a star and you move prospects and you think about what to do that you think that you've made this team better?
If I'm Connor McDavid who grew up a Leaf fan by the way. Grew up in the, in Toronto. I forget what city outside Toronto. I don't know why I'm drawing a blank. I think it was Markham. But nonetheless he grew up in southern Ontario as a Leaf fan and I know every leaf fans like 298 days and then we're going to see Connor McDavid wearing this jersey and look, I wouldn't be so sure. I hope he would come home, that would be absolutely great. But I think he's going to leave the. I think this is a contract that you wanted to get done before the season started and. And that you didn't. The reason why you didn't is because you did not show Connor McDavid that you are serious enough to continue to be competitive and win despite making two straight cup finals. They're not making the cup finals this year with this team. I don't. I know Connor McDavid is Mc Jesus and he can get you there. So can Dry Seidel. Okay. But at the end of the day, this team didn't make itself better Brennan. They didn't make their self better.
So Connor's quotes, he is sticking to his word because is Edmonton going to be good down the road despite if you get one cup. Now he wants multiple cups. He wants to look at a roster of Toronto that has Nylander, Matthews, these guys locked up. He might want to look at a Florida Panther roster or look at a Tampa Bay Lightning roster where there's committed. Because he wants to win the cup and I don't think Edmonton showed that they're serious to win.
[00:12:27] Speaker B: Well, it sounds like he wants to win in Edmonton, period.
He's never said he wants to win multiple cups and be an Oiler Lifer.
[00:12:38] Speaker C: Right?
[00:12:38] Speaker B: So if. If you're the fans, it's like, okay, we have him for one more year, say he wins a cup with the Oilers. Then it's like, he's gone, he's done. He's done his duty. But he also has the right to say, I'm out of here right after. After this season. It's his choice. But you'd think a deal would be done by now. Unless, you know, management, you know, comes from the top rope before opening night and say, we got our guy. Eight years. I don't think that's going to happen. I think that's a pipe.
[00:13:09] Speaker A: Here's 20 million.
[00:13:10] Speaker B: I think that's a pipe dream. I think he just rides out this year. And then, I mean, I don't. I don't see them going back to the Cup Final. Like, that's a tough.
And look, it's. It's easy to say if he wins it with them, he's definitely gone. If they make the playoffs and get bounced by Vegas, I could still see him leaving. I think he's going to give it everything. Like, you know, the last two seasons, he was like an absolute dog. And they came up short, won the con Smythe in 2024, the first year they went to the final against the Panthers in a losing effort. So I think you'll see him, like, out of the gate, just be an absolute menace.
But if you're McDavid, it's like, you know, he's not, like, he's not a bad guy for. For wanting to. To test the waters. He's. He's. He's at least like, you know, gotten the group to. I shouldn't say gotten. I should carry the group to back to back carried cup runs.
[00:14:10] Speaker C: Right.
[00:14:11] Speaker A: So won the consmite the first time.
[00:14:13] Speaker B: Like I said, as a loser, like, that's. That's very, very 41 points, right?
[00:14:17] Speaker A: Yeah. Yeah. John Sebastian Shigeru is one of the only people that I could. Yeah. That I could think about doing it. Yeah. So.
[00:14:25] Speaker B: I would say to an Oilers fan, enjoy the ride, because I don't think. I don't think enough Leaf fans did that with Marner. And now people are sulking, right? It's like, you didn't. You didn't really enjoy his time here. And now he's gone. And the people that wanted him gone or didn't embrace what sixteen brought to Toronto are like, well, you know, the Leafs are going to be different without Marner.
[00:14:50] Speaker A: I'm like, well, yeah, would they. They added much this look Tree living did cook this off season and this is a great segue and I think we'll talk more. Obviously, McDavid is going to be an invasion of stories throughout the entirety of the year. And you know, even at the Olympics. Look, where is he? It's going to be all year and he knows it's going to be a distraction all year, man. He knows that.
[00:15:10] Speaker B: He.
[00:15:10] Speaker A: He knows what he's getting into. But dude, sign it. And that is a mess.
[00:15:13] Speaker B: And you got it. You got to think too, like a lot of players are like, I didn't want this to be a distraction before the season started. We got it done. I. I want here. So I think it's clear he's gonna move on because he obviously doesn't want this to like linger and be. And be a distraction. It's going to be. But if he really wanted to be here, you know what I'm saying? It would. It would have got done by now. Ink. Ink would have been put to paper.
[00:15:34] Speaker A: Little example. If I'm Connor McDavid and I'm on Toronto and I'm a Leaf fan and I, I say I'm on Toronto and I'm. I need to resign, I'm a Leaf fan, that's where I'd want to play. That's where I want to live because that's what I grew up trading. What do you think I would do? I'd be done. I'd want to be there no matter what. I win or lose. I'm a sucker. My dream would be to don the Maple Leaf for my entire career. That's my. I could never play for another team because that's what I'd like other players do and I'm not in the NHL. I didn't make it there anyways. It's. But if putting myself in McDavid's shoes, that hit the nail on the head right there. If you want to be there.
[00:16:07] Speaker B: And dude. And one last thing, like everyone's like, oh, like he's boys with Dry Seidel, Matthews and Marner were boys. I'm sure they had a chat. And even though Matthews signed for four years in 2023 after his initial like. So I guess his five year deal that he signed in 2019 expired at the end of the 2324 season. So this is the second year of.
[00:16:28] Speaker A: His four year deal, correct? Yes.
[00:16:30] Speaker B: Right. So if like Marner and Matthews were boys just like McDavid and dry subtle were, at the end of the day your buddy's gonna be like, go get your Cash, we can golf in the summer. Like fans think. It's like they have this duty to align with whatever their buddy does. And I'm sure Dry was like, okay, hey, maybe in his mind, secretly, he's like, I'll be The King of McDavid leaves.
[00:16:52] Speaker A: Right?
[00:16:52] Speaker B: And.
[00:16:53] Speaker A: Yep. And then you. More money to build around Dry might be a benefit. Look, look, there's benef. There's blessings that can come out of it and it will be interesting.
[00:17:01] Speaker B: And it's also a shot to the management because he's like, you haven't got me a goalie. The supporting cast is the same as it was since we went to the conference final in 17 and don't sign Carter. They re upped on. I put Coles in today. But like, that's just a footnote.
[00:17:16] Speaker A: So.
Yeah.
[00:17:19] Speaker B: So I don't know how you're really, like, motivated. I think for him, he's like, I am just gonna work my bag off and give this city what I got and then see ya on July 1st.
[00:17:30] Speaker A: Exactly. Mitch Marner. Just a couple minutes for Mitch Marner. Look, Mitch Marner's gone. It's been long and it's. It was the worst kept secret and. And luckily I got tickets as a gift for my birthday to see Mitch Marner's return to Toronto and.
[00:17:45] Speaker B: Hottest ticket in town.
[00:17:46] Speaker A: I know. So pumped that I got that section 107. Pumped for that.
Thank you to my wife and people who contributed to that. It's very nice. We'll have to make a visit when that. Yeah. Come down. But nonetheless, some point, Mitch Marner is gonna flourish in Vegas. I'll miss him. I will. It was a time to move on. Yes and no. It's not a Mitch Marner piece. I feel like we're seeing a new chapter. And I will say the only reason why I say yes and no because I'm actually feeling okay about what Tree Living tried to do this summer. He tried to make additions by fitting it in the cab to change the identity. I thought there would still be more. But about Mitch Marner, two points before we go to our predictions. Then we got Chuck a puck because we're on time. Now we follow time. It's. It's awesome. It's wild. I should have given us more time today. I could have. I just didn't. Question is, will Mitch Marner get booed in his return when I'm there. And number two, how will Mitch Marner do in Vegas this season?
[00:18:39] Speaker B: He will get booed and he's going to absolutely light it up in Vegas. You want me to keep it short and sweet?
[00:18:46] Speaker A: Is that how many points under over 100. Oh, that's a good. Bad. That's tough. Over a hundred is tough.
[00:18:52] Speaker B: I'm gonna.
[00:18:52] Speaker A: It's tough.
[00:18:53] Speaker B: I'm gonna take the under.
Yeah.
[00:18:55] Speaker A: Okay. I think he over 90 or under.
Yeah.
[00:18:58] Speaker B: I think you get like 95. Like he might eclipse 95. 96, 97 in that range. Eclipse 95 but not over 100.
[00:19:05] Speaker A: I'm seeing 98 in my mind. I'll go with 98. So you stayed 95. We'll say 97 around there. 98. I think that's fair. Mitch Marner moves on from Toronto and Mitchelli. Toronto's got a new identity. It's going to be interesting this season. Now let's get into predictions. I want to go to division winners and you can pull up your division, get your divisions ready. I know I'm going to have to as I type things in to get everything all locked and loaded to make sure that I'm all set here because, you know, feel over rusty. I feel like prediction for division winners and then if you want to rank Canadian teams, then your cup finals and winner. Cup finals and winner. I put as two. So there's four points. I'll go first.
Going to start with the Atlantic Division. I'm going to go with being favorites in the Atlantic Division to be.
Well, this is not going to be a surprise. I am giving because I don't think they're going to get the division this year. I think they're going to be further. But I am going to go with the Leafs winning the division this year. I'm going to say that with a. With the battle of Florida is 2 and 3. So division. To the Leafs for the Atlantic. For the Metro. To the Metro. I am going to give it to the Carolina Hurricanes. I think it's got to be this year for them to win it. And the Central Division. I'm going to go with the Dallas Stars. Sorry, Winnipeg will be a close second. I'm going to go with the Dallas Stars for the Pacific Division. I am going to go with the Vegas Golden Knights. Okay, so there's my division. Division's winner for Canadian teams. I'm going to go with Toronto. I'm going to go with Winnipeg. I'm going to go with Edmonton. I'm going to go with Ottawa. I'm going to go with Montreal. And then I'm going to go with Calgary and sorry, Vancouver. Going to be a tough year. I have you last on the Canadian team. Sorry, I'm getting a lot of hate towards the. The Vancouver hate. I just got a gut feeling this year now in the Stanley cup playoffs. What did I promise last year? Brandon, I have not forgotten. For the first time since 2018, I will not be picking the blue and white to win. Maybe that will be a sign of things to come. The finals will be the Vegas Golden Knights and the Florida Panthers.
[00:21:08] Speaker C: Boo.
[00:21:08] Speaker A: Good. All ugly. No one wants it, but that's why it's going to be that way. Okay, and who's going to win it? I'm sorry, but Mr. Licky Boy, Mr. Mouth Guard out of his mouth chewing Jeff Petrie with his sandals. It's going to Paul Maurice with his glasses and he's going to be hopefully bringing it to the Sioux. Sioux native friend of the show, by the way. And lifting the cup for the third time will be the Florida Panthers. Back to, back to back years. It's going to be Florida. And guess who Florida is going to beat in the second round? Right here. That's what it's going to be. And we're going to be here bitching about it. That's. Those are my predictions.
[00:21:44] Speaker B: All right, so division winners, I'll go Florida.
In the Atlantic Metro, I'm going to go. I'm going to say the Devils. I think they get bounced again in the first round, but I could see them just tearing it up in the regular season. Jack Hughes is a stud. Sheldon Keefe manning the bench. I still think he's a good coach. So I'll take the Devils. Might be a bit of a hot take in the West. I'll take Dallas and.
Or, pardon me, sorry. In the Central I'll take Dallas and in the Pacific I'll take Vegas.
[00:22:18] Speaker A: Yeah, no doubt Canadian team rank.
[00:22:20] Speaker B: So I'll just. I'll give you the teams. I don't think they're gonna make it. So I, I don't think. I don't think the Sens make it. I think the Habs will be a lot better. And they squeak in like a wild card spot. I don't think the Sens make it again. I think they take a step back. I don't think the Canucks make it either. I could see and Calgary, the other, the other couple of teams. The other Jabronis. I shouldn't say Jabonis. The other deadbeat teams.
[00:22:40] Speaker A: Brody. Love it.
[00:22:43] Speaker B: Yeah, I, I could see just Vancouver, Calgary and Ottawa not making it.
[00:22:47] Speaker A: Okay, who is the best Canadian team actually though? Let me give you that. Give me that. Is it Toronto Or Winnipegs. I know you're viewing on the two of those teams.
[00:22:55] Speaker B: I think we talking like standings wise or points standings.
[00:23:00] Speaker A: Yeah, stand standings.
[00:23:01] Speaker B: I'll give the slight edge to Winnipeg just with.
[00:23:05] Speaker A: With. Okay. I love that the goalies. No bias here on this show. I want everyone to know that there's no bias for me for five, six, seven, eight, nine. Nine years. It was for the team Stanley cup finals and prediction. Who's winning it?
[00:23:16] Speaker B: Brandon, who's the Dallas Florida and can't argue with you, man. Florida to win it.
[00:23:20] Speaker A: God, that sucks. What a crappy year is gonna be. I feel like. Oh my God. Okay, well, we're on time. Actually just a minute over which is good for top shelf. The debut of top shelf. Brandon, I don't know if you ever got the chance to meet Jordan Trudeau. I know. Jordan Trudeau is now waiting. Brennan, this is Jordan Trudeau. He does our major junior and Sue Graham's coverage. We'll get you guys on together. You know, you guys have some good chats, but nonetheless Brennan, we'll let you go. I want to say thank you, man. Next week you're in Vancouver, you're traveling. So we'll have you on the first week of October. That would be the first week of the season as puck drops. And I'm sure we'll have some reactions and some prep for that because me, you and Par will be back together which would be so exciting.
[00:24:00] Speaker B: Thanks Dave. Jordan, be well.
[00:24:03] Speaker A: Awesome.
[00:24:04] Speaker D: Nice to meet you. Safe travels, Brennan.
[00:24:06] Speaker A: Perfect. See you later, Brennan. Awesome. It's great. And that's help shelf. It's great as we let Brandon go and look, you know what? T.R. it's perfect time. I know we bought in. I try not to beat into your time because we've done that last time my friend. Chuck a puck. It is time to chuck the puck. We went top shelf. Now we're taking that puck intermission and we're. We're chalk or chalk in the puck right now as I sit here in my jersey. You got your jersey. Sorry, I'm sweating.
[00:24:31] Speaker D: I did, I did. Oh yeah. I'm not too bad. I like the new Chuck Bucks this year. I like. They're black this year. They've got a different look.
[00:24:39] Speaker A: That's. I didn't see any. I. I got. I gotta go. I gotta. They're on the road for a few weeks.
[00:24:43] Speaker D: Yeah, they will be back to the mid October.
[00:24:46] Speaker A: I'll be there. But we might have to do a little bit of stuff.
[00:24:49] Speaker D: For sure. We will. We'll have. We'll have to have to get the the mics going and do a little mic'd up.
[00:24:56] Speaker A: I can start teasing because it's gonna be official soon. I'm start teasing. There's gonna be some new staff on the 91n the game sports podcast team. Not as hosts, but people helping with producing and editing and show content. It's official, it's happening. It seems like we're not gonna have one, we're not gonna have two. We're gonna have three people joining this year, it seems like, and there might be a fourth as of today, so buckle up people. Okay? The the Game Sports podcast is gonna have a epic year.
So you are joining at the right time. I'm rolling my sleeves because I'm pumped. True. It's Chuck a puck. Let's talk Chuck a puck. The OHL started their season. I want you to talk about the landscape of the major junior hockey scene right now. Any hot news and then give a little bit of love towards the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. I know we only got you for a select period of time, so the first week went by, so the floor is yours for those two topics. I'm letting you quarterback it.
[00:25:54] Speaker D: All right. So yeah, the league as a whole. I honestly, I didn't have too much time this week to look into most of the other scores and for me, like it's just the first week of the season. Right. So record not really a thing right now but obviously the Windsor Spitfires are up there. They, in their two games they scored 12 goals and they only gave up two. So like we predicted, both of us, they're going to be a force to be reckoned with. Kitchener also up there with two wins and the North Bay Battalion. Some love to our fellow Northerners up there and Sue Declan Galavin on that squad, they're also finished two and oh, on the week they're going to have that, they're going to have a, they're going to actually have a really good team. After bringing in Ryder Cali obviously from the former Greyhounds, first round pick last year and Parker Vaughn from Barry, the next couple of years is going to be looking good for them as well. And the Mike McIver in that, he's, he's a really solid, he's going to be 19 this year. They might make a, they might make a case for the Eastern Conference over there. So yeah, some, some solid performances from those teams there. Obviously for the red and white one and one weekend, I don't think that's what they wanted. They definitely that was tough.
[00:27:10] Speaker A: Like that was just an unexpected loss.
[00:27:13] Speaker D: Yeah, it was a tough game. And the past three games this team has played have all had a theme. They were up three nothing in the first period and all those in all three games ended up losing. Coming back and losing to Saginaw twice. So closing and finishing games is an early improvement that this team is going to have to see.
[00:27:33] Speaker A: And one thing that I noticed this weekend that was hot on my take is Thomas Vanderberg with, with the Ottawa 67s. The rookie forward is a former fifth round pick, 93rd overall. And this is what I've noted for myself. He spent last year playing in the ushl, but he had a hat trick and a second assist in his debut. Listen, could be beginners charm, things, things happen. But look kids off, off to a good start. And guess what? Guess what? That performance earned him Rookie of the Week. Obviously that's.
[00:28:02] Speaker D: And we saw Ryerson Edgar as well, the highly touted first round pick for the Niagara Ice Dogs. He also had a hat trick this weekend as a rookie. So there was an article in the OHL that said there was a lot of firsts this weekend, a lot of first goals, some first wins for some rookie goaltenders. And that's just what we're seeing, right? With all this new young talent coming into the league with the new rules and everything, it's going to make for an interesting year. For sure.
[00:28:29] Speaker A: It is. And one thing that I saw too is a big point and takeaway would be a lot of players for a lot of teams. And you speak of Brady Martin as an example. Players aren't here. Yes, players are training camp. Okay, that, that's the, that's the thing about gel that maybe people from. We have, we have listeners from the United States. And you know, I know next week for the Game Sports podcast, I didn't really talk about the beginning, but it's definitely a, it's one of a more challenging memory week for the Game Sports podcast, which was for Scott Nason of course. And I know there's a lot of American listeners thanks to Scott, obviously made a big contribution to that. But just to give you the, the background, not to Michigan, because everyone knows the Hounds to Michigan, but for people outside in the Detroit area and so on, it's different. And the USHL has a little bit of similarity, but with the, with the ohl, there's teams that have players drafted to the NHL and they don't start the year with the teams. They could, they could, they can be out with them for a week, two weeks. Month. Two months. NHL teams can hold them until they play their 10 games. It depends. Right. So this can affect a lot of teams in the way of their season is. And all of a sudden you get Brady Martin sent back in January.
[00:29:33] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:29:33] Speaker A: And it changes your year. And then it's like, Katie, you keep Brady Martin or do you trade him because next year, you know, he's making Nashville probably.
So it does create some unique opportunities for organization. Oh, wow. He could probably trade this players. No. Because the Hounds this year arguably are a team who made the playoffs last year, are looking to grow this year and be at least a top three team in the conference. I'm sure is the realistic goal for coach John Dean and the team. But this weekend, early problems. And a big part of that is if you have Brady Martin in the lineup, you have some of these guys there. For some teams. Are these issues happening because one player can change the game not be big effectively, but one shift the what if could have the puck gets dumped in this corner instead of this corner. Does it change the transition? There's a lot of alternate universes. If you're like Marvel, you'll like what I'm saying. That caused that. So that's Love Marvel.
Love Marvel. My mouse pad is actually. Is actually.
[00:30:25] Speaker D: Oh, it's Iron Man. It's. Yeah.
[00:30:27] Speaker A: Do this.
[00:30:28] Speaker D: Well, now you need a doom one because he's back as doom. Right. Robert Downey Jr.
[00:30:33] Speaker A: I love that. Sorry. I am so pumped. Okay, we'll see. We're getting it off topic. I'm so pumped. I think it's the ver. I think it's him anyway. Well, no, no.
[00:30:40] Speaker D: Yeah.
It's gonna be interesting, but perfect segue. You kind of alluded to Brady Martin or just players around the league in general not being there for their OHL teams right now. And that's one thing I wanted to mention about the power plays. The power play was over 11 to start the season. Now if you're a Greyhounds fan from last year, you're. You're used to this. Well, you're not used to.
Still makes you probably a little upset. But these are problems we've seen before. Now the first power play line is not there and Travis Hayes just got back on Sunday. But yes, you're Brady Martin. You're Marco Mignon.
[00:31:19] Speaker A: Pour drink.
[00:31:19] Speaker D: Sorry.
Brady Martin. You're Marco Vignosa. As we're talking about the power play.
[00:31:24] Speaker A: What were those picks?
[00:31:26] Speaker D: Yes, that is correct. So the first popular line is not there. But to me not an excuse. Right. Because all the other teams are missing their top players as well. So that's one struggle that has to improve on the season. Bit of a captain obvious, of course. Some positives from the weekend. Tate Vader, correct me if I'm wrong, Hounds fans, but I believe he recorded his first goal on Gardens ice.
One of the best I take Vader. Yeah. And with his. His video is awesome. He kind of does the Force with his stick. So all the Greyhounds, they have like a. They have like a.
[00:32:03] Speaker A: He does a little.
[00:32:04] Speaker D: A little video whenever they get a point that plays on the Jungle Tron. And he does.
[00:32:08] Speaker A: Vader's up here too. Just so everyone knows, if you can see on the third, Darth Vader's hanging.
[00:32:12] Speaker D: Out the Force with this stick.
[00:32:15] Speaker A: So sick.
[00:32:16] Speaker D: Awesome.
[00:32:17] Speaker A: Jacob.
[00:32:19] Speaker D: 2. Two goals on the weekend. He looked very strong. He jumped into the top four along with Evan Solomon and Reed. And I do want to mention give a shout out to a little update about Brady Martin and Marco Mignosa, who are playing in NHL preseason games right now. Martin recorded an assist in his first action with the Predators. They were victorious over the Panthers Sunday night. And Mignosa, he had about 10 minutes of ice time last night in the Lightning's first preseason game. And ironically these two teams play each other tonight and I'm assuming they'll both be in the lineup. So Andrew Gibson also in the lineup for the Predators. So Hounds fans, if you ever want.
[00:32:56] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:32:59] Speaker D: No, there will be none of that, please, thank you.
[00:33:02] Speaker A: Marco is our favorite to win points this year. So. Yeah, no, don't do that, don't do that, do that.
[00:33:07] Speaker C: But if you want to go.
[00:33:09] Speaker D: Hounds fans, Andrew Gibson, Brady Martin looking. Looking promising for the Predator squad.
[00:33:13] Speaker A: And Andrew loves now of course too. Now I want to give a little extra love as we know here for the. Remind listeners here on Chuckle Puck we do to give that extra love to the Sioux Greyhounds because of who we work with on their game attendance. And Jerry, special shout out to the staff of the Greyhounds, including Jerry Litzcom every year at the media passes. These are the two people that you get to see with me at the games.
But sorry, Dane, you didn't get the pass this year, but nonetheless the this week. Can you give a quick preview about this week before we segue into the conclusion of Chuckle Puck? You got the Peterborough Pete's on Thursday, which will be just a couple days from this recording. You got Kingston on Friday, I believe it is. And then you have the Sevens and that hot rookie Vandenberg. I Was talking about you get to see on the 67s on Sunday against in at 3 o'. Clock. So two sevens and a three this weekend on the road preview of what are key takeaways for the Hounds this weekend. Truths. And what are you expecting for this weekend?
[00:34:08] Speaker D: Again, not looking too much at the opponent. And John Dean mentioned this in some of his articles. Right. It's more about us right now and I look at it the same way. As a fan. I don't know the teams yet like too much. Yeah. Obviously the longest road trip of the season. So I think with the squad they got heading there.
[00:34:28] Speaker A: Yeah, this is the longest one. That's.
[00:34:32] Speaker D: I think it's the longest one. Yes, I think but like, yeah, you know, perfect time to have it get the guys together on a bus for a long time, start bonding. But no, I think like I think a two in one weekend with this team is attainable and I think, I think a three in a weekend is attainable with this. With being realistic here. Two in one I think is. It would be a solid weekend, especially with the travel in mind. The Ottawa 67s will. Will get to six. See Brock Chittaroni, local product there, third overall pick, Tawa 67. So that'll be a big game for him, obviously suiting up against his hometown team.
[00:35:10] Speaker A: You get excited for that, let me tell you.
[00:35:13] Speaker D: You get a little, you get a little. A little extra a for that. You want to kind of stick it to your hometown team. Yeah, Brock's a great kid.
Taught him a couple times.
[00:35:22] Speaker A: Best of luck.
[00:35:23] Speaker D: I did, I did. I, I taught him in grade six.
Yeah. And then he was around in grade eight when I was there at Kora. So. But yeah, Peterborough and Kingston both, I think are gonna be near the bottom this year. So you wanna, you wanna get those teams, you want to get those victories on Thursday, Friday and then I think Ottawa will be the toughest matchup on Sunday. But in junior hockey you never know.
[00:35:46] Speaker A: So we'll see how thing that you mentioned is bonding. I can tell you and I don't like referencing I stopped after a couple years, but I will reference with being experienced on going on these trips despite Thunderbirds or Greyhounds or whatever it is, you get to have that bonding experience is nothing different, nothing better than being with the boys on the weekend. And you, you, you play cards on the bus. You played Guess what we played Pokemon on the Game Boy color. The boys brought it up. Tanya, right now you had a little bit of fun and that really helps bring the team together. And do it to do it early. I think that's a massive benefit for not just the hounds. Any team that can have a good road trip early will be nothing but a good bond and can experience. I think it's unfortunate Miosa and and Brady Martin aren't there but these are guys that can just slide into that locker room after and be imperative. Look at Brady Martin's attitude. I know. Hike in the back or laugh. This Brady Martin's that farm boy dude. That guy is that guy's money. Okay. That if I'm the predator's got a joy there. The predator's got a perfect guy that's going to work his ass off for you to get there. Because guess what he did for his first 16 years of his life before he came to the Sue. Worked his ass off. Okay. So like it. It's those guys can sign in easy and just slide. Slide in easy. Sorry. So I like that point. True. So thanks for bringing that up. That is awesome. But these are the three gentlemen as I got Hike waiting to in the pocket as I'm going to bring back one more time this joy. And Hike hasn't seen these yet. The microphones. If you're on video, this is bad audio point. But guess what that means you have to check out the video edition. There's microphones. You're going to see us on on location. As I told true to the B80, not one, not two, three new staff joining the show. It seems like potentially a fourth to do a lot of different content that we're excited to bring you. So T.R. you're going to be in the thick of that man right at the. Right at the gardens. Potentially. Maybe right here beside me in the office. Maybe somewhere else. I don't know, maybe in Hike's office. Look at that office with the background that he has going on there. It's exciting.
Going on background in the. In the world. No, there's no better background than Hike's background. I'm sorry. There just isn't. I'm obsessed. He's a Marvel fan too. To sir. You know truth. So I have to make sure that we have a discussion about Dr. Doom and and Iron man here as I sit here. And if you're on video, you're getting a treat today with all my reactions. So nonetheless, Trudes, I want to say thank you, my friend. Any final thoughts for Chuckle Puck before we sign into in the pocket?
[00:38:10] Speaker D: No. Looking forward for the greyhounds to be coming back in mid October. It's always a bit of a. It's always a bit of a long. I always feel like it's so long if they go out on the road for two weeks, weeks in a row. So. Yeah, but it'll, it'll arrive quickly. Time goes by fast. So. Yeah, looking forward to it and looking forward to hike. Telling us what happened to my packers this week.
[00:38:30] Speaker A: My goodness. Like the Packers. Can I say The packers lost me 350 this weekend. I made a five dollar bet on an obnoxious bet for the Panthers too, to get over to. To win, which was for some reason a favorite for or for the Falcons to win. But nonetheless, I don't think the Falcons are good. They're trash. Obviously proved it. But nonetheless, the packers losing that game lost me out on the five dollar bet. I don't care. I know that's nothing, okay. But I could have won 350, so you know what? Green Bay Fly.
[00:39:00] Speaker C: 78 of bets on the NFL this weekend were lost because of the packers game.
[00:39:06] Speaker A: Wow.
[00:39:06] Speaker D: Yeah. I believe that's a.
[00:39:08] Speaker C: That's a pretty big swing. Like that's a bad beat. That's a bad beat. I don't know what else to say. Defense.
[00:39:15] Speaker A: I agree.
[00:39:15] Speaker C: That was a defensive game.
[00:39:17] Speaker A: I agree. I agree. I'm a Steeler fan. I'm happy. And he's a Colts fan, so he's very happy.
[00:39:22] Speaker C: It's been a long time to be happy.
[00:39:24] Speaker A: All right, so true truth. This has been. Chuck a puck. You're going to see us three here doing Chaka pucks. You know, maybe I'll have to bring Hikon a chocolate very soon, but nonetheless, Trudes, thank you very much, my friend. We'll see you next week for some more weekend reaction.
[00:39:37] Speaker D: No problem. Thanks a lot, Dave.
[00:39:38] Speaker A: Yeah. Hike. What I'm going to do is I'm going to do a quick little, little breather and when we come back, we'll do in the pod.
[00:39:44] Speaker C: Yeah, all good. I've just kind of been lingering in the shadows here. But not really in the shadow.
[00:39:48] Speaker A: Hike. Look, you know what? Like I said, I wanted to take a quick break. You know what? Honestly, I want to take a quick breather. I was just getting so excited these last couple segments. I had to take a breather, I had to have a drink of water and yes, a drink of my game sports podcast. Patented, I'll call it Drink that I have each episode. This has been a thing since I've started the show 10 years ago. I want everyone to know that it's either I had a Shamrock Shake at McDonald's.
[00:40:11] Speaker C: That's one month of the year. That's literally one month of the year.
[00:40:13] Speaker A: That's when we did the show live in the United States in 2016. Wow. If you're a listener, you're probably getting a big throwback now to that Sports Center. We had a very interesting night one night at sports.
[00:40:24] Speaker C: A couple shamrock shakes there too.
[00:40:27] Speaker A: Three and a half hour episode. Please don't ever find that.
[00:40:30] Speaker C: And a couple pictures of shamrock shakes.
[00:40:33] Speaker A: And then since COVID we've been doing this has been the setup and I haven't done a live show since 2021 on location somewhere. That being SportsCenter Bar and Grill. And speaking of that in the pocket we're going to do here, which is a proud partner of. In the pocket is the term that we've decided and like to use. Myself and Frank Liguori of SportsCenter One half of the partners SportsCenter got to make sure there's more than one Sports Center Bar and Grill. Sault Sam Marie, Ontario's best sports bar over five years in a row named Susan Marie's best Wings also multiple years in a row and 10 year partner. I look at that and I smile. Frank, Every year, every August we to give I'll be open with this. Frank and I have a different sponsorship agreement where we contribute locally to the sponsorship towards locally but also that he gives a portion over here and we use it to for to donate to our men's league team or to sports instead of going into our pockets. Because I had the foolish mindset of adding a zero to my check every week for this show as long as the hosts as well Justin, can I he hasn't gotten paid so we do this for the enjoyment.
[00:41:39] Speaker C: I had I added zero every week too but there's never another number in.
[00:41:43] Speaker A: Front of it so and maybe one day, you know, as things changes here for the game, it'll be different. But we appreciate Frank's involvement and we, we reminisce about the past. Both the Sports Center Bar and Grill. We had a lot of fun there.
We definitely had a lot of fun there. But this has been a different chapter, a different time. As I adjust my microphone so I want to give a shout to SportsCenter. We appreciate your involvement every year with us and it's like clockwork every June. Sorry every May, every May, Frank and I chat. I go there for lunch, go there multiple times. You're there all the time Sports center when I go out. But every month, every year it's the same thing. And Frank, I appreciate you so Little extra love and corny love for you, Frank and the team at SportsCenter, but we are in the pocket right now. And what a week it was nonetheless. Announcers talking about booty grabbing on on the Steeler game, which was hilarious to hear, especially as I decided to make my own wings on Sunday. Sports center. Sorry, but I decided to get creative and make my own homemade wings. And they were bomb. I'm not gonna lie to you. I also made a poutine with homemade fries. Okay. As I was enjoying the football this Sunday because I know that this weekend's football is going to be exciting. Except the Monday nighter is going to be an absolute toilet full of no nonsense. Then I hope the Jays play next Monday. I don't actually don't think they do. Now that I think of it top my head. I'm not going to look so I can keep looking at the camera because I know the season ends on Sunday. So that means they probably don't play. Especially if they win the division. They don't play. So I'll probably be not watching no sports. You know what that means? I now have to take extra care of my son because of you. Okay. I'm just kidding. I'm excited to do that. But nonetheless. Ike, thank you, my friend, for joining. How's your week been? Welcome back to another edition of in the Pocket.
[00:43:23] Speaker C: Yeah. Good to be here.
Shocked. I mean, not shocked after playing Tennessee, but the Colts 3 and 0, this is like a real uncharted territory for me for a while. I am waiting for the.
The elastic band to snap. So to say, you know, things just going too good. Last band just going a little further. So we play the Rams this week. Should be a really good game.
[00:43:45] Speaker A: Very.
[00:43:45] Speaker C: We're looking forward to it. It's fun. It's fun to enjoy watching your team play football again. Not just having to be like Rob Lowe wearing the NFL hat every week.
[00:43:54] Speaker A: And you look good. You're wearing it with pride. I sit here this week wearing the new Matthews jersey that I got on Facebook marketplace for $80 new out of the bag. I could tell that person wasn't Elite fan.
[00:44:05] Speaker C: Yeah, it might definitely be real too.
[00:44:08] Speaker A: I don't know. It has the Drew thing on the inside. It's the yellow.
[00:44:12] Speaker C: It's one of those ones. The like the Boston Toronto jersey. Jersey.
[00:44:15] Speaker A: Yeah. And I'm not flipping my shirt off and doing that because you just don't want to see none of this. I don't.
[00:44:20] Speaker C: I don't mind those ones.
[00:44:22] Speaker A: And I also have a full Time job. I don't want them to know that I'm taking my shirt off on video. I didn't assume anything else for free.
Nonetheless, look hike I this week not like not much to I don't want to say there's not much to dive into this week but Najee Harris, former Steeler out for the season. A couple other Achilles Connor out for the A couple former Steelers are down for the count for the rest of the season. But some news this week Ike all.
[00:44:48] Speaker C: You Bosa I believe is out as well ACL for the rest of the year. So that's, that's a rough one. I mean we have some Europe games going into this week starting again so we got some Sunday morning ones. But like big takeaway from last week for me is defense, defense, defense. Like a lot of kicks getting blocked. I don't think we've seen a week like that where probably every second game had a kick block.
[00:45:11] Speaker A: I needed Green Bay to win and I needed the Eagles to block that punt. You know what game I was watching the Eagles. I turned off the Green Bay games. I thought they're going to win. So I when the Eagles blocked that I thought I was winning 350 only to learn to turn to the nonsense that Green Bay decided to throw my loop. I don't care if it was a five dollar bet. You lost me 350 Green Bay. You're in my shit list.
[00:45:31] Speaker C: They didn't lose.
[00:45:32] Speaker A: You.
[00:45:32] Speaker C: You never had it. You lost $5. That's, that's how that, I mean that's.
[00:45:37] Speaker A: Thanks.
[00:45:38] Speaker C: Helpful tips from degenerate gamblers on the game sports show here.
But like yeah, I mean defense, the packers game, same thing like Cleveland. Like I wish EJ Was here to talk about the Browns because they are, they are in every game as long as they have Miles Garrett. I honestly don't think it matters who plays at quarterback. They have I think nine different guys playing running back right now.
[00:46:02] Speaker A: They called me next week.
[00:46:03] Speaker C: Well, like that Judkins had a popped off this week. He had a good game but it was Simpson the week prior and then they still have Jerome Ford. So that's a problem for other teams when you have three running backs that are all hot. You know it's, that's, it's good for the Browns. Interesting for the division. Cincinnati faltering. They don't look like they could compete in high school football, let alone the NFL. Minnesota's defense looked good. Isaiah Rodgers, game of a lifetime on Sunday. One touchdown for sure. Two picks, force fumble. It was all over them. Carson Wentz looked like a seasoned veteran after all the BS I laid on him pregame last week.
Didn't pull it out for me Sunday night. Close, though. I mean, that was not a.
I'm gonna like, give myself a consolation prize here. That was not a great win for Kansas City. That's not a win that you take to the locker room and celebrate, you know, that was. They were not a convincing. The Giants had them on the ropes a little bit scatterable. Played like a man. That was good to see. He flipped.
[00:47:06] Speaker A: That he did in the end zone after, like, he's enough. He's an athlete. That is all them are athletes. But I'm just. That is an athlete. That was impressive. He's.
[00:47:14] Speaker C: He's an animal. I'm interested to see that tornado College.
[00:47:18] Speaker A: I forget where he went to college, but nonetheless.
[00:47:21] Speaker C: And Jackson. Jackson Dart getting to go for the Giants this week. So throwing the keys to the young guys should be interesting to see.
[00:47:29] Speaker A: Best name in football almost.
[00:47:31] Speaker C: And then the Monday nighter. I mean, that's. That's pretty well the. The big one this week. Lions pulling it out. Everyone was on Baltimore in the pregame show last night. I did not understand that for the life of me. I don't know if I'm blinded by being, you know, surrounded by Lions fans here. You talk about a lot of Lions football, but looking at that game on paper, there was no way in my head the Lions were not winning that game. I just.
[00:47:55] Speaker A: I wasn't a believer. I was hoping to be wrong. I said that last week. I said, I hope I'm wrong. It's on the clip. I hope I'm wrong. But I was just. I don't know why. I just have that feeling with Baltimore, Justin. I just have that. It's that team, Henry. It's Jackson. It's the team. It's just didn't look. But then Goff said, excuse me, Amar say, like St. Brown, Montgomery and Gibbs, like. Did you forget, Dave, that you predicted us to win the Super Bowl? That's what I felt like. I was arguing with the Rams because that's how good the foolish pick Derrick.
[00:48:26] Speaker C: Henry, to me seems like he's in his own head right now. You've not seen that guy in the history of him being in the NHL that I can remember. Kind of looking a little NFL. Sorry.
[00:48:36] Speaker A: Yes. Yes.
[00:48:37] Speaker C: I did it.
[00:48:38] Speaker A: You did it.
[00:48:39] Speaker C: I did it.
I'm staring at your damn jersey. You tipped me off. No, I gotta. I gotta blame it on something. Yeah, but you've Never seen him kind of look, I don't want to say fragile because he's gigantic, but he's in his own head, I think. I don't know how else to say that. And Lamar doesn't really have any receivers outside of Mark Andrews.
[00:48:58] Speaker A: He's a stud. Mark Andrew always has been a stud.
He chokes.
[00:49:02] Speaker C: He chokes. Big moments. Playoff Mark Andrews is. No one wants playoff Mark Andrews.
[00:49:08] Speaker A: So true. Yes.
Bang on. Yes.
[00:49:11] Speaker C: So I just. The Ravens, I think are there. They just need something like on offense. Something has to happen there. If you can't get the run game going with Derrick Henry and Lamar's, you don't want your quarterback running the ball all the time. Like this is a long season. I don't know, I don't know what to say there to kind of console Ravens fans, but it still was a.
[00:49:31] Speaker A: Banger of a game.
[00:49:32] Speaker C: It was a great game. I just, I'm trying to pull a positive vote for the Ravens and I just haven't seen it after two. Two weeks.
[00:49:37] Speaker A: You know, what I saw in that game. And you'll be a good point. And as listeners view, we're not just talking about this because it's Lions, as Justin alluded to a few moments ago. Obviously there's been an extra love on this show because of history as we near. You know, it's a big week for the show next week. We've talked about that. It's the. An anniversary for Scott and I'm obviously open to mention that for Scott's passing. There's been a lot of love between Scott, Butch and Sue Michigan about the Lions, but. But we're actually not. This was the game of the week. It was. And if it was a game week, we would talk about it. If it was the Steelers and Colts and that was the game of the week, we would talk about it as equally if it was the Browns and Giants. I just want to emphasize that. But this, what I saw was the golf that I expected, you know, that. That in the zone.
This Lions team was playing that Campbell type football, gambling third down conversions with fun plays that are so Campbell esque. Like, this is the team that I saw on Monday night that I know is going to win the super bowl this year. And I'm saying that as a Steelers fan, I want everyone to know that. Okay. Very big Steelers fan. I'm not. And as I said, Lions sure have a soft spot in my heart. Geez. I'm trying to do it on camera the right way. This way. Hike. Will admit, you know, like we no bias on the show. We don't do that Lions. What I saw this week was something special and the Ravens putting up 30 points and to still lose. To put up over 30 against the Bills and still lose. You talk about Derrick Henry being his head. Sure. Lamar Jackson. I still see that hesitation. I don't see that Lamar Jackson that I feel like I could see. But the Ravens defense is unable despite. I like the Ravens defense. I don't. I don't have him as a number won the league, but I haven't been the top 10 as a defense in the league. This is a team that. To put up 40, allow 38, allow 40. To allow these amount of points in a week despite that is really opening a hole because they're allowing the throwing game is successful. If the running game's not working, then they're going to the throw. Like you had that fake that Brown did and you didn't know the throw was coming. I forget what quarter that is and I don't know if it was. I forget who got beat, but he was beat like. And Brown gets the catch. And I think that was in the fourth quarter, if I remember correctly. If that catch by.
[00:51:50] Speaker C: It was just. They. It was a breakdown. It was a complete breakdown by the end of the game on the Ravens defense. And I don't. I don't know are they. Are they older now?
I thought they had some decent draft picks this year on the secondary end of it, but it just. Nothing seems to be working there in the Ravens defense. As far as fantasy football goes, that used to be a safe pick every year. Now they're costing you a game.
Crazy talk. Yeah. The NFL is. You know, it's weird. It's a weird animal these last couple years.
[00:52:20] Speaker A: Were they minuses this week in Fantasy Story? I didn't do fantasy throwing you on the spot here.
[00:52:26] Speaker C: I cannot confirm minuses depending on how your league is scored, but I know when I had him in my one league and they only got me one point. So yay. This is.
[00:52:35] Speaker A: This is the Lions team that I should. We should be seeing each week week. And I got to give a shout out though, Caleb Williams. You know what? Very good week that is. My. I'm going to give a player of the week honors this week. And it is going not just. It was tough because I had golf on there, I had players on there. The Seahawks offense was on there. But it's New Orleans. I got to give love to Caleb Williams. I think he looked very good this week and I think the Bears got something Special. The Bears are on to something. They're on to something. They put a lot of lot of dependency on Williams. So I'm sure Bears fans are like, oh my goodness. Thank goodness. Too bad the Panthers don't get the experience. The same thing despite last week winning 30 to nothing. Yeah, it's over. The Falcons. Falcons look not to self. Take a seat. Hit sim to next season just with the Dolphins. If you can do that for me and the Bo most boring game of the week for me was the Niners Cardinals 1615.
No, that wasn't a game that I next to the Panthers game was very not enjoyable. But the Thursday nighter. Thank you Dolphins who put up a very good fight. Me and Hike sat here say do they have a slight chance? You know what? We were proven wrong.
[00:53:38] Speaker C: We straight up slandered them.
[00:53:39] Speaker A: Yep. We knew we picked the winner correctly, but I thought it was going to be 50 to 3 to nothing. Like I think I said something obnoxious.
[00:53:46] Speaker C: The Dolphins are in that that situation too where they're just trying to climb up out of a hole and they just can't do it. I mean that's last week they were trying. They, it was a great effort.
[00:53:56] Speaker A: They couldn't do it. Good talk about last week. Let's talk about this week. Hike. Let's get into our picks. So as we get into some forecasts this week, Hike will list off our picks. But as we get into this week, you know there's been a lot of injuries in the world of football. Some running backs are down, bosa's out for the year. A lot of injuries are going to impact. So I think injuries is a big conversation for last week as I'm sure Hike will agree. But Hike, before we get into our picks, the last thing I know, we're crunching for time for any highlights going into week four. Four from week three. That stand out to you? That will be a big, big impact on week four in the NFL season.
[00:54:29] Speaker C: To me, the big one is probably the big from week three to week four. I mean Najee Harris, the running game in San Diego, the rookie there I can't name escapes me. Right. Amari and Hampton hasn't really got going to say, you know, to this point. I mean he'll get there, but now it's all on his shoulders. That's, that's a big one. Chargers were, you know, they're a big team in the afc and losing a running back like Harris doesn't. It hurts.
[00:54:56] Speaker A: It does. And as I sit here, I've had to Adjust my mic a few times because just I want to make sure my hair looks good. I'm being honest with everybody here. Okay. Nonetheless, Ike Pickham this week. Please give us the update and we'll give you our picks this week. Over over a thousand views on YouTube over. You know a lot of success with these picks. I'm hoping, hoping that you've been following Heiko and you know for me I was 11, I was 10 for 11 last week on FanDuel. Thank you. Green Bay. Can't. I can't stop.
[00:55:28] Speaker C: Move on. It's a new week. Drop it.
[00:55:30] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:55:31] Speaker C: Into the standings.
Not much movement. A hikes pick still in first 39 points. The David decision in second 35 points. So creeping up there. Four point spread.
Defending EJ broken wheel 34 points. So getting tight there. Dave Sweat going on. Bet you EJ had the Browns last week and Tyler bringing it up and in fourth place with 31 so he's creeping up as well.
It's tightening up between the gang here.
[00:56:00] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:56:01] Speaker C: Getting into this week's picks for myself.
Seattle over Arizona, Minnesota over Pittsburgh. Monday morning 9:30am Everybody. I think Minnesota is going to win that game over at Ireland. They're going to see Carson Wentz. Think it's Seamus throwing the ball and they're gonna win. Washington over Atlanta, Buffalo over New Orleans. Detroit over Cleveland. Buyer beware on that one maybe. Carolina over New England, Chargers over the Giants, Philly over Tampa and a battle of 30 teams right there. Houston over Tennessee, Colts over the Rams, Jacksonville over San Fran. Baltimore in the over kc Getting them back in the win column. Chicago over the Raiders, Green Bay over Dallas, Mike Parsons bowl there. The jets over the Dolphins and Denver over Cincinnati on the other Monday night game. Breakers. Denver 28, Cincinnati A generous 7. Jets 24. Miami 21 Most points this week. Seattle fewest points this week. Cincinnati.
[00:57:05] Speaker A: Love it. We got some different picks and actually just made a last minute decision. I'm sure I'm gonna regret it but that's fine.
[00:57:09] Speaker C: Changed you can't change so I didn't before.
[00:57:13] Speaker A: As long as I didn't say them. I can change it now. I can't as soon as it goes on I am locked in unfortunately. Seahawks over the Cardinal, Steelers over the Vikings. You know I'll be up at 9:30 watching that game. I got the Commanders over the Falcons easily. Sorry Falcons fans, take a seat. Bills over the Saints in arguably, I dare I say it, a 40 point differential. Lions over the Browns and the Panthers over the Patriots. I'm picking the Panthers this week.
[00:57:42] Speaker C: That one.
[00:57:43] Speaker A: Yeah, I did. The Chargers over the Giants, Eagles over the Buccaneers in a banger of a football game. I'm telling you right now. I know the favorites are the Eagles, but come on now, give love to the Buccaneers. Texans over the the Titans. The hot streak with the Colts stops this week. I got the Rams over the Colts at first I picked the Colts last week and then the over nine years it took to get there and I didn't get there this week. 49ers over the Jags. I got the Chiefs over the over the Raiders. No the Ravens because the Chiefs are at home. That's why I got the Bears over the Raiders, the Packers over the Cowboys. Parsons debut back in Dallas. Very exciting third Dolphins over the Jets, Broncos over the Bengals and two absolute dumpsters of a Monday nighter or it might be good because it's a dumpster. Who knows. I got 2814 Broncos over the Bengals and I got 3835 Dolphins over the Jets. I'm going with a banger of a high scoring game there at the most points this week. Don't forget I said dolphins 38. I'm going buffalo with this week and I'm sorry. New Orleans. New Orleans, take a seat. Hit sim to next season because you are also the least points of the week. This is a make or break week here. This is a make or break week here because I'm trying to make ground but I'm also loving these picks.
[00:59:01] Speaker C: Dangerous move when you start. You start tossing out the risky picks early gamble.
[00:59:06] Speaker A: Call me Campbell. Okay, slow down. Gotta slow down with.
[00:59:10] Speaker C: I mean good one. However.
[00:59:12] Speaker A: However. Fanduel. I mean they're not a sponsor.
Please give me my money back.
[00:59:17] Speaker C: It's $5.
[00:59:19] Speaker A: I know, I know, I know. That's a Tim Hortons coffee in a bagel nowadays. 526actually if I remember correctly give you.
[00:59:25] Speaker C: $5 to shut up about it.
[00:59:28] Speaker A: I love it. I'm sure listeners and viewers are going to too. So we went a few minutes over but that's okay. By the time we get some edits and changes around nonetheless it'll be within the time frame because you know this. This is not. This is pre recorded. We have fun here on the game sports podcast. Justin, this is been another week of in the pocket my friend. Thank you for joining and as always it's a pleasure at.
[00:59:45] Speaker C: No good to be here. Always good to talk football and like I said I'm always in a better mood when the Colts are winning.
[00:59:51] Speaker A: You can't lie with or can't get wrong with three and oh, gotta love it. It's been a, it's been interesting start to the year. I wouldn't take it any other way. Chiefs are on the other side of it, the Ravens, struggling Steelers. On the plus side of it, Colts 3 and oh look, there's a lot of stories to talk about here and it's been very exciting for this season. We're already going into week four, so time is flying. So let's enjoy the season of football because now we're hitting the end of September and around the corner here in Canada is fall. Then then winter is not too far away. It's just saying now next week we will be back. It's going to be slightly, it's going to be a sim. Oh, sorry. I should say slightly different because of maybe people joining different segments, but nonetheless we are going to have a pretty standard edition next week. But we are also getting into hockey season around the corner. So want to say thank you to Brendan for joining for Top Shelf, the first segment of the year. TRS Again, thank you for Chuck a Puck and of course Justin. As always, thank you for in the Pocket, which is partnered with Sports Center Bar and grill located inside Su St. Marie, Ontario where the game is located has been located for the 10 years of our podcast and show. If you know, you know existence, make sure you hit like follow and subscribe and subscribe on all platforms. That's Tik Tok, that's Instagram, that's Facebook, that's Spotify, Apple. I can sit here for days to search us. You'll find us follow like, subscribe, interact, Chirp. We love it as I sit here shaking my camera to end the show. Also subscribe on 91 Network, that is the YouTube channel where you can check video editions of the game and other podcasts. And lastly but not least, the game is is also featured on Spaces which through SU Today and Village Media under the under the hockey and the sports section is where you can find the game but you can also search your space. There's I believe over 50 different spaces if I remember correctly now on Suited A and it's also not even just Saint Marie, it's expanded to more even southern Ontario. So make sure you follow along for that for its enjoyment. Now thank you again to everyone who took the time to join Heikal. Thank you to you my friend. Next week will be a very special week as well as everybody knows why here on the game. But nonetheless until next week I'm here to remind you keep your stick on the ice. Swing your bats, catch your touchdowns, drain your three and shoot your shots. Booyah.
