Beginner's Puck - A podcast for hockey fans new and old

It’s a Game Day edition of Beginner’s Puck! Deb and Erika touch on the narratives coming out of this year’s Stanley Cup Final: the good, the bad, the catfish..but especially #Smashville and those fresh faced hockey boys Jake Guentzel and Freddy Gaudreau.

We also chat about the NHL Livestock Auction. Whoops! The NHL COMBINE (easy mixup); important dates heading into the post-season and the Philadelphia Flyer’s new assistant coach. And in a new “What the Puck?” we explain Three Stars.

Finally, Erika shares a fave hockey tidbit: The fist bump line. Okay, so it veers a little bit into a discussion on male intimacy and the culture of toxic masculinity but hockey is weird, okay?

We’re getting down to the wire, kids. Do you think tonight’s game will decide it all? Hit us up on Twitter and let us know what you think!

Twitter: @BeginnersPuck

Stars and Combines

Hosts Erika Ensign and Deborah Stanish.

Smashville: Where the Catfish roam free

NHL Combine. It’s kind of a big deal

What the Puck?

How an advertising gimmick became a beloved NHL tradition)

After a crazy, exhausting, unpredictable playoff run that nearly killed Deb and Erika, the Nashville Predators and Pittsburgh Penguins punched their tickets and are heading to the Stanley Cup finals! (Bandwagon? What Bandwagon? We’ve always been #Smashville fans.)

In a ridiculous “What the Puck” we discuss Cup Superstitions and in this week’s Hockey Tidbit Deb expresses her love for sassy in-game music.

Want to scream about hockey? Hit us up on Twitter or send us an email. Who needs music to be sassy?!

Twitter: @BeginnersPuck

Stanley Cup Finals/Cup Superstitions

Hosts Erika Ensign and Deborah Stanish.

Getzlaf fined for homophobic slur

What the Puck?

History of the Clarence Campbell Bowl

Hockey Tidbit

Alex Marchand, Ottawa Senators amazing DJ

There were a few dark days when Erika was v. sad and Deb broke up with hockey, but we’ve rallied and are back to talk about the heartbreak of Round 2 and the miles that separate the narratives of the Oilers and Capitals.

We also touch on what’s happening the Men’s World Championship, France’s Cinderella story, and how the Flyers’ players can’t stop punching Captain Claude Giroux. And sure, Ben Bishop’s signing with the Dallas Stars is fun, but not as much fun as the convoluted way that Dallas gained a second first round pick. (Hint: Math and Magic.)

In a SUPER RARE “What The Puck” and “#OldHockey” crossover we explain both the use and history of the term “Black Aces”.

Finally, Erika closes out the show with a warm and fuzzy hockey tidbit: the handshake line.

How are you surviving the playoffs, fam? Find us on Twitter and let us know your coping strategies.

Twitter: @BeginnersPuck

Round 3 Black Aces

Hosts Erika Ensign and Deborah Stanish.

Oiler’s filled with optimism!

Radko Gudas KO’s Captain Claude

Ben Bishop is a Star

What the Puck/#OldHockey

What is a Black Ace and how is it used?

Hockey Tidbit

Tracing the History of the Handshake Line

Sure, the playoff run is going strong but what about that Draft Lottery? Deb and Erika give a brief primer on the Draft Lottery and discuss this year’s shocking results. They also note the first ripple in the pond for the expansion draft (aka “Hockey Hunger Games) with the release of the exempt players list.

As a hockey podcast we are, of course, contractually obligated to discuss the Washington Capitals/Pittsburgh Penguin Concussiongate controversy. We might mention a few other playoff series as well.

Finally, in “What the Puck” we explain lines, line matching and the strategy of managing a shift.

Where do you weigh in on the controversy? Who do you think will go first in the Draft? Hit us up on Twitter or email and let us know!

Twitter: @BeginnersPuck

Matching Lines

Hosts Erika Ensign and Deborah Stanish.

Draft Lottery

Draft Lottery Primer

Men’s Worlds

IIHF Men’s World Championship Schedule

What The Puck?

What are Lines?)

Deb and Erika give a eulogy to the dearly departed Round 1 and give our predictions (and hopes) for Round 2. Erika talks about being in the house for the deciding game between the Oilers and Sharks while Deb debates whether a shorter break between series will help or hurt the Caps.

In other hockey news, the Coach-Go-Round continues, the deadline is approaching for the Men’s National Team’s final roster even as tired hockey boy Auston Matthews decides to sit this one out.

On “What The Puck?” we discuss Icing; what it is, why it’s used and how the rule has changed.

Hit us up on Twitter and let us know your Round 2 predictions!

Twitter: @BeginnersPuck

Hosts Erika Ensign and Deborah Stanish.

It’s an overtime record!

What the Puck?

What is Icing?)

Hockey Tidbit

Florida Everblades!

It’s an Over The Top Over Time episode of Beginner’s Puck! Your hosts are in the middle of a hockey playoff fever dream where, despite a slight oil spill, Erika is still riding high on her beloved Edmonton Oiler’s playoff run while Deb finds her allegiance shifting from the Caps to Team Chaos.

The latest announcements from the USA and Men’s National Teams are discussed as well as the latest in the post-season Coach (and GM!) go-round.

And, finally, in “What The Puck?” the ever-changing, wild and baffling “regular season” vs. “playoff season” overtime rules are explained.

Are the bounces going your way, fam? Remember, whatever happens, they’re good hockey boys. And if you have any hockey newbie questions remember, we’re here for you. Drop us a line or a tweet and let us know what you think!

Twitter: @BeginnersPuck

Overtime

Hosts Erika Ensign and Deborah Stanish.

The Blackhawks are swept and Preds fans flip a car

*What the Puck? *

Wikipedia NHL Overtime Entry#NotableNHLplayoffovertimegames)

It’s a super-sized episode for super-sized hockey. Yes, we are entering that golden time known as “The Playoffs”. Erika gives us a peek into what it’s like in the Land of the Orange Crush while Deb decides to whom she will pledge her playoff troth.

Despite everyone’s focus on the blessed 16, the hockey world is still spinning. Heads were rolling on teams that didn’t make the cut, staffing for Worlds is heating up and we discuss the importance of a good announcer.

In “What the Puck?” we talk about The Window: what it is, whose is opening and whose is closing.

And, of course, Deb and Erika review their playoff brackets.

Who do you have taking the Cup? Do you have a favorite radio and/or television announcer? Drop us a comment or tweet and let us know!

Twitter: @BeginnersPuck

Playoffs and Windows

Hosts Erika Ensign and Deborah Stanish.

This week Edmonton is turning orange which leads Erika and Deb down the fruitless - but always amusing - path of which team has the best jersey. The bittersweet joy of watching the new kids skate with the eliminated teams is discussed and there is a bit of a disagreement between your hosts over the NHL’s decision to sit out the 2018 Winter Olympics.

In this week’s “What The Puck?” the weird and wonderful phenomenon known as the “Emergency Back-up Goaltender” (EBUG) is explained.

Finally, in this week’s Hockey Tidbit, Deb thinks the tradition of rookie solo warmup laps is adorable, even if they’re not a surprise.

Do you agree with the NHL’s Olympic decision? Drop us a comment or tweet and let us know!

Twitter: @BeginnersPuck

Olympics and EBUGS

Hosts Erika Ensign and Deborah Stanish.

Edmonton Oilers go Orange

What the Puck?

Emergency Backup Goaltender

Hockey Tidbit

Solo Rookie Laps

This week Erika is riding the high of a clinched playoff spot while Deb is consoling herself with Mitch Marner gifs and wondering who will be her playoff team.

We also discuss the Benn v. Benn narrative, the end of the U.S. Women’s National team’s battle with USA Hockey, jersey controversies and the crazy, convoluted pedigree of NHL teams.

In our new segment #OldHockey (Hockey history no one really needs to know but will impress the heck out of your friends and family. Probably.) we delve into the Original Six, who they are and why anyone cares.

Did your team make the cut? If not, who will be your “Mr. Right Now”? Drop us a comment or tweet and let us know!

Twitter: @BeginnersPuck

OldHockey

Hosts Erika Ensign and Deborah Stanish.

Statistical playoff chances

Old Hockey

Original Six

Hockey Tidbit

Orlando Solar Bears

It’s a great hockey week for Erika, not so much for Deb, as they discuss the run for the playoffs. They then delve into the U.S. Women’s National Team’s decision to boycott the Women’s World Championship’s being held later this month.

In “What the Puck?” Deb and Erika break down the league, conference and divisions of the NHL and why every point counts as teams fight for a Wild Card position.

Note: Deb does not actually think any hockey organizations, or players, actually went into the desert to lick frogs.

How do you feel about the US WNT’s decision? Is your team on the wrong side of the Wild Card race? Let us know what you think!

Twitter: @BeginnersPuck

NHL Standings

Hosts Erika Ensign and Deborah Stanish.

New York Times Article on US WNT Boycott

US WNT Statement via Hillary Knight

Updated response of US WNT to USA Hockey

NHL Standings (Click on headers to change between division/conference/league and wild card)

Colorado Avalanche Penalty Box Adorableness

Podcast Suggestions, a.k.a. TryPod

Hockey Feels