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Chasing MacNaughton
Chasing MacNaughton
Author: Chasing MacNaughton
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The Chasing MacNaughton Podcast is hosted by Tim Braun and various other contributors. We’ll discuss what’s happening with the Huskies, the CCHA and major stories throughout College Hockey. Typically the podcast will be a conversation of multiple topics plus interviews with former players, future players, opposing coaches, beat writers and others from around the CCHA.
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Season 8 Episode 3 of the Chasing MacNaughton Podast: The Tom Leppä Effect. Host Tim Braun is joined by Rob Gilreath and Nathan Cima, covering Michigan Tech's stunning season-opening sweep of Minnesota and previewing the upcoming St. Cloud series. Ice issues & postponementFriday night's game was postponed due to ice problems which caused the ice to be unplayable. A Zamboni gouged the ice (likely caused by a faulty heat exchanger softening the surface) which also took out part of the trapezoid line. It was the first game ever canceled at the Mac. The guys discussed the poor communication to fans watching at home on the broadcast, the impact on traveling Gopher fans who couldn't stay for Sunday's reschedule, and the overnight Zamboni crew's herculean effort to get the ice ready. Michigan Tech sweeps MinnesotaThe Huskies swept the Gophers in dominant fashion, looking like a mid-season team rather than a squad playing its first games. The guys talked about Tech’s relentless play and punch-for-punch hockey with actual zone entries instead of dump-and-chase. They also discussed how Tech pressured relentlessly after turnovers in the offensive zone. Tom Leppä shutdown line: Bill Muckalt matched Tom Leppä's line against Minnesota's top Cullen/Ziemer line and won decisively with Leppä's line scoring four goals while holding Minnesota's stars scoreless. Newcomers: The guys talked about Lucas Brenton looking like a pro defenseman, Giovanni Morneau bringing much-needed offensive depth down the middle, Conner Roulette growing into the pace after a slow first period, and Luke Shipley impressing with his defensive activation. Other topics from the series the guys covered included:· Matthew Van Blaricom’s breakout Saturday (2 goals, primary assist) from the fourth-line.· Michigan Tech’s special teams play. They talked specifically about the strong penalty kill on the weekend and the Sunday power play goal was a beautiful tic-tac-toe sequence (Roulette → Reinhardt → Trembecki).· Carson Birnie’s boarding major. A textbook boarding hit, with Tech killing nearly all five minutes before Minnesota scored with 11 seconds remaining. CCHA conference check-inThe conference had a strong weekend overall, going 2-1 against NCHC opponents (Bemidji beat St. Cloud State in OT, Northern Michigan beat Miami Ohio). St. Cloud series previewMichigan Tech heads to St. Cloud State, now coached by Nick Oliver (former SCSU player, ex-Wisconsin assistant). The guys talked about their expectations that the game will be a slower, heavier one with St. Cloud trying to avoid a run-and-gun game with Tech. They talked about how St. Cloud took lots of penalties in their opening weekend, suggesting Tech could see power play opportunities. The key question is whether Tech can avoid a letdown after the emotional high of sweeping Minnesota. Predictions: Rob and Tim both call a sweep; Nathan says at least a split (win one).
Season 8 Episode 2 of the Chasing MacNaughton Podcast kicks off with Tim Braun, Rob Gilreath and Nathan Cima previewing Michigan Tech's season-opening series against the Minnesota Golden Gophers, which is Minnesota's first trip to Houghton in roughly 14 years. Both teams enter the season ranked in the top 20, and the guys breaks down what to expect from a Gophers squad led by a new coaching staff and potentially missing key players like Terrence Smith and LJ Mooney. They also examine former Husky Evan Murr's transition to Minnesota's blue line. The bulk of the episode is a deep roster dive. Tim and Nathan walk through every line combination possibility, highlighting a top nine of forwards (Max Koskipirtti, Isaac Gordon, Connor Roulette, Giovanni Morneau, Teydon Trembecki, Noah Reinhardt, Elias Jansson, Tristan Delisle and Carson Latimer) that could be thrown "in a blender" and still produce. On defense, they project Lucas Brenton, Tyler Miller, Reid Andresen, Luke Shipley, Kalem Parker and Luca Fasciano as the top six, with Shipley and Andreessen expected to quarterback two power play units. They also discuss the goaltending situation and which freshmen might see early ice time. The conversation shifts to roster turnover, where Tech returns nearly everyone of consequence, with the only losses being Stiven Sardarian, Jack Anderson and Joe Prouty from last year's core. This makes Tech one of the most experienced teams in college hockey. They also address coaching staff changes, with Tim wondering how the younger staff around head coach Bill Muckalt will push back in year two. After a brief detour into football frustrations (Packers, Bears) and soccer tangents (Manchester City's financial charges, Minnesota United's struggles), the crew delivers their weekend predictions: Rob and Nathan both call a split, while Tim plays the homer and takes the Tech sweep. They close with a lookahead to the following weekend's series at St. Cloud, which doubles as Colin Murphy's Hall of Fame weekend.
In Season 8, Episode 1 of the Chasing McNaughton Podcast, host Tim Braun and co-host Nathan Cima break down the CCHA preseason landscape, with a heavy focus on Michigan Tech's roster turnover and conference-wide predictions.Michigan Tech's losses: The departure of Jack Anderson leaves a hole at center, and the guys debate who fills his role—including Giovanni Morneau, Tristan Delisle or Tom Leppa—and how the forward lines shake out with Matthew Van Blaricom, Hoah Reinhart and others. Preseason All-Conference debate: The guys argue over the CCHA's preseason all-conference selections, questioning how a largely unproven transfer from Boston College (Will Skahan) earned a defenseman nod over returning standouts like Breck McKinley (Bowling Green), Hayden Hennon (Augustana), Owen Baumgartner (Augustana) and Hudson Thornton (Bemidji State). The guys thought Max Koskipirtti would be the clear favorite for defensive forward. Preseason poll controversy: Minnesota State received more first-place media votes than Michigan Tech despite significant roster losses (Evan Murr, Mason Wheeler, Alex Tracy), sparking discussion about voter fatigue and whether the Huskies are the rightful frontrunners. League-wide preview: The guys did a team-by-team breakdown of the CCHA bottom half, which included discussion on Northern Michigan's goaltending concerns and portal losses, Ferris State's reliance on Nathan Leek, Lake State's major roster overhaul, and Bemidji State's talent-versus-mess question. Tech's new defense: The guys talk about the new defensemen in Tech’s lineup including freshmen Austin Moline (a Philadelphia Flyers draft pick) and Morgan Brady, and former USports skater Lucas Brenton. The guys gave their analysis of how these players will fit alongside returners Luke Shipley, Tyler Miller and Reid Andresen. Goaltending: Owen Bartoszkiewicz is the clear starter but hasn't proven elite. The guys debate whether he's truly the best goalie in the conference and discuss getting backup Joey Costanzo meaningful reps against lower-tier opponents. Special teams projections: Nathan walks through both power play units in detail, keyed around Connor Roulette and Giovanni Morneau on the half walls, with extensive discussion of handedness, positioning, and how Isaac Gordon's production could determine whether Tech wins the McNaughton.
Season 7 Episode 28 of the Chasing MacNaughton Podcast from Tech Hockey Guide, "Time to Digest" with Tim Braun, Nathan Cima, and Nathaniel Brose who has been covering Michigan Tech under the Yooper Scoop banner this season for Tech Hockey GuideMitch’s Misfits Amazon wishlist is still having items added as we figure it out but you can take a look by clicking here and a reminder, if you rate the Podcast 5-stars, we’ll read your review on the podcast and thanks to all our sponsors, Arcadia Insurance Group,Livonia Technical Services,PsychoBobTB andFiebke Dental in Rhinelander, Wisconsin.Follow us on twitter at ChasingMacPod and you can submit questions through our email address, [email protected]. Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Please rate and review which will help us reach more people, and tell your friends. Please check out Jonathan Zamaites series previews every Friday. Also, keep an eye out for new recruiting articles on Tuesdays. Thanks to The Thank You Notes for all the bumpers in today’s episode. If you like what you hear, check them out at thethankyounotes.bandcamp.comFor additional information and more episode liner notes, check out our episode overview on Tech Hockey Guide. To make sure we can afford all our fancy equipment we purchased for the podcast and the THG website in general, please check out our patreon page and consider joining. Patrons at our Black Level or above receive an authentic MTU jersey patch and access to extra podcast content including extended versions of our other episodes.
Season 7 Episode 27 of the Chasing MacNaughton Podcast from Tech Hockey Guide, "At the Club" with Tim Braun, Nathan Cima, and Nathaniel Brose who has been covering Michigan Tech under the Yooper Scoop banner this season for Tech Hockey GuideMitch’s Misfits Amazon wishlist is still having items added as we figure it out but you can take a look by clicking here and a reminder, if you rate the Podcast 5-stars, we’ll read your review on the podcast and thanks to all our sponsors, Arcadia Insurance Group,Livonia Technical Services,PsychoBobTB andFiebke Dental in Rhinelander, Wisconsin.Follow us on twitter at ChasingMacPod and you can submit questions through our email address, [email protected]. Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Please rate and review which will help us reach more people, and tell your friends. Please check out Jonathan Zamaites series previews every Friday. Also, keep an eye out for new recruiting articles on Tuesdays. Thanks to The Thank You Notes for all the bumpers in today’s episode. If you like what you hear, check them out at thethankyounotes.bandcamp.comFor additional information and more episode liner notes, check out our episode overview on Tech Hockey Guide. To make sure we can afford all our fancy equipment we purchased for the podcast and the THG website in general, please check out our patreon page and consider joining. Patrons at our Black Level or above receive an authentic MTU jersey patch and access to extra podcast content including extended versions of our other episodes. This week’s extended version was over 87 minutes.



