In the Corners Podcast

On this edition of the In The Corners Podcast with C.C. Hawkley...Robin Short from The Telegram (St. Johns, N.L., Canada) and new resident analytics guru Mac Moore join the program for the last show of the 2018-19 regular season!

On this edition of the In The Corners Podcast with C.C. Hawkley, Toledo Walleye broadcaster Matt Melzak joins the show to help preview the 2019 Kelly Cup Final! Toledo heads north to face the Newfoundland Growlers in games one and two of the championship series on May 24 & 25.

GETTING SETTLED IN THE GREAT WHITE NORTH / DOUBLE DUTY

Matt discussed with C.C. the quick turnaround from Tulsa to St. John’s, N.L. and the logistics of it all. He also answered questions about the challenges of balancing work with both the Walleye and the AAA baseball Toledo Mud Hens as the hockey postseason rolls on.

GAME SEVEN SUCCESS

Discussion was held about Toledo’s defensive effort in game seven against the Tulsa Oilers, the continued contributions of Walleye rookie forwards David Pope and Zach Gallant, and the overall effort that Toledo had to put in to defeat an Oilers squad with such offensive firepower.

AFFILIATION CHANGE AND A FRANCHISE FOLDING

Sprinkled in with the on-ice talk, C.C. and Matt talked on the seemingly abrupt affiliation change by the Florida Everblades to Nashville after 21 seasons attached to the Carolina Hurricanes organization. The two also chimed in about the Manchster Monarchs team folding in a very sudden and precarious manner.

FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING

C.C. concluded his time with Matt speaking on how this was Mr. Melzak’s first time gracing the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, and his excitement to start the series in Canada’s most eastern province.

FLYING SOLO

After letting Matt go, C.C. finished off the show all by his lonesome, discussing some finer points of the Kelly Cup Final while fielding banter (and insults!) from the Mixlr Chat Line.

The Sin Bin is your one-stop shop for all things regarding postseason minor league hockey! Carrie Roberts (@SinBinADK) and C.C. (@SinBinWalleye) will cover the Newfoundland Growlers and Toledo Walleye heading into the ECHL championship round, while Cameron Turner (@SinBinStars) and Samantha Hoffmann (@SinBinWolves) have both the AHL’s Eastern Conference and Western Conference Finals on lock. Follow our correspondents on Twitter for fully-fledged playoff coverage!

On this edition of the In The Corners Podcast, Matthew Harding takes the wheel of the show (as usual solo host C.C. Hawkley rides shotgun) to discuss the Kelly Cup Conference Finals!

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Matt and C.C. discuss the finer points of Saturday Night Live characters before officially starting the show

COACHING CHANGE IN FORT WAYNE

First up, Komets beat writer Justin Cohn of the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette joins the program to discuss the dismissal of Gary Graham as Fort Wayne’s bench boss

GROWLING FOR YOU

Fresh off a trip from Florida, Newfoundland Growlers play-by-play broadcaster Chris Ballard breaks down the ECHL’s newest team and how they took two games from the Everblades at Hertz Arena

BEST IN THE WEST

Tulsa Oilers broadcaster John Peterson and Toledo Walleye play-by-play man Matt Melzak each discuss how Toledo’s 6-2 and 4-1 victories in games one and two of the Western Conference Final aren’t necessarily the blowouts they may appear to be as the series shifts to Tulsa for game three

FINAL PICKS

Matt and C.C. give their most educated guesses for the 2019 Kelly Cup Final

Tune in next week for the 2019 Kelly Cup Final Preview show, as Harding and Hawkley will ride again before heading into the offseason! Follow @SinBinThunder and @SinBinIdaho on Twitter for updates as to when the next show will air.

On this edition of the In The Corners Podcast, we make ITC into a vehicle for The Sin Bin’s 2019 Kelly Cup Playoffs Preview Show! The Sin Bin’s own John Hafer, Carrie Roberts, and Paige Siewert join C.C. Hawkley as the four Sin Bin correspondents preview the first eight playoff series for the 2019 ECHL postseason!

CENTRAL DIVISION

Our Wheeling correspondent John Hafer (and C.C.) discussed the first two match-ups in what has been fondly dubbed as the “meat grinder” division. The Sin Bin’s Editor-in-Chief Matthew Harding, although absent for the show, chimed in with his picks as well.

#1 Cincinnati vs. #4 Kalamazoo

* Hafer: Cincy in five

* Harding: Cincy in four

* Hawkley: Cincy in four

#2 Toledo vs. #3 Fort Wayne

* Hafer: Toledo in six

* Harding: Toledo in six

* Hawkley: Toledo in seven

NORTH DIVISION

Our own Carrie Roberts joined the show via pre-taped recording to discuss her home market of Glens Falls (Adirondack) and the two divisional semifinal matchups in the North.

#1 Newfoundland vs. #4 Brampton

* Carrie: Newfoundland in five or six

* Harding: Newfoundland in five

* Hawkley: Newfoundland in six

#2 Adirondack vs. #3 Manchester

* Carrie: Adirondack in six or seven

* Harding: Adirondack in six

* Hawkley: Adirondack in seven

To end the show, TSB’s Paige Siewert (Kansas City) joined C.C. to discuss both the South and the Mountain Division series heading into the first round!

SOUTH DIVISION

#1 Florida vs. #4 Jacksonville

* Paige: Florida in five

* Harding: Florida in five

* Hawkley: Florida in six

#2 Orlando vs. #3 South Carolina

* Paige: South Carolina in seven

* Harding: Orlando in six

* Hawkley: Orlando in seven

MOUNTAIN DIVISION

#1 Tulsa vs. #4 Kansas City

* Paige: Kansas City in seven

* Harding: Tulsa in six

* Hawkley: Tulsa in six

#2 Idaho vs. #3 Utah

* Paige: Idaho in six

* Harding: Idaho in seven

* Hawkley: Idaho in six

The next episode of In The Corners with C.C. Hawkley will likely take place on Thursday, April 25 after the first round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs has concluded. Stay tuned for the official time and date after the divisional semifinal round!

On this special April Fool's Day edition of the In The Corners Podcast with C.C. Hawkley...Wheeling Nailers play-by-play vet DJ Abisalih joins the show! Finishing up his eighth regular season with the Nailers, DJ brought his ECHL wisdom and knowledge to the table with just a week away from the ECHL regular season finale on Sunday, April 7!

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DJ and C.C. start off by discussing…

* Pacing yourself as an announcer in the playoffs

* DJ’s food adventures in Virginia Beach (with The Sin Bin’s Sarah Hobday) and Boise

* How minor league hockey franchises succeed in the face of challenges

HOME COOKIN’

Wheeling (DJ)

* The Nailers have to win out and get some help to make the postseason

* The long-standing affiliation with Wilkes Barre-Scranton and Pittsburgh

* Success this season for Zac Lynch, Yushiroh Hirano, and Kevin Spinozzi

* Who will Wheeling go with in net if they make the postseason?

Idaho (C.C.)

* Steelheads dropped two of three games against Rapid City this past week

* Rush left winger Taylor Crunk receives a suspension for his actions on Saturday night

* Trying out a new sub-segment, “C.C. It My Way”, breaking down the series against Rapid and how much Idaho needs Kale Kessy for the postseason

PUCK WORLD

ECHL Divisional Races (11 of 16 teams are in)

* South, North, Central, and Mountain Playoff Pictures

* Who are the dark horses?

* March Madness style, which four seeds could upset a one seed?

Coinciding with April Fool’s Day, some of the funniest names in hockey history

The CWHL announces they will cease operations as of May 1, 2019

CLOSING TIME

DJ elaborates on his early hockey fandom with the AHL’s Portland Pirates, his first announcing opportunity with the Lewiston MAINEiacs alongside current Jacksonville Icemen announcer Alex Reed, following Alex’s lead in Wheeling, and the origin story of “Dining with Deej”

Catch DJ on iHeartRadio and ECHL.TV during the last three Wheeling Nailers regular season games! Be sure to follow him on Twitter (@Deej_HockeyPxP), as well.

PROGRAMMING NOTE: The 2019 ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs Preview Show will be on Monday, April 8 during the normal runtime of  “In The Corners” (6:30pm MT / 7:30pm CT / 8:30pm ET). Join Matthew Harding, John Hafer, Carrie Roberts, Paige Siewert, and C.C. as they break down all eight opening round match-ups in detail. Be sure to tune in!

On this edition of the In The Corners Podcast with C.C. Hawkley...Cincinnati Cyclones play-by-play broadcaster Everett Fitzhugh joins the show! We talk about our home market teams, the divisional races towards the postseason, Everett’s sportscaster influences (Stuart Scott, anyone?), and much more!

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* C.C. celebrates his 25th episode hosting "In The Corners"

* How Everett helped C.C. pre-Sin Bin over a year and a half ago

* The quality of current broadcasters in the ECHL

* What’s up with the seat cushion between Everett and Fort Wayne play-by-play guy Shane Albahrani?

* Also...be sure to vote for who YOU think is deserving of The Sin Bin’s 2019 ECHL End of Season Awards!

HOME COOKIN’

Cincinnati (Everett)

* Why are the Cyclones doing so well under first-year (but veteran) Head Coach Matt Thomas

* Team leadership, both in official (Justin Vaive, Eric Knodel, and Jesse Schultz) and unofficial capacities

* The continued chemistry of 2019 All-Stars Vasili Glotov and Arwin Atwal

* Outstanding play from familiar goaltender Michael Houser

* Who matches up best against Cincy for a first round match-up in the playoffs?

Idaho (C.C.)

* Steelheads on a current four-game winning streak after tough loss in Orlando

* Currently first in the Mountain Division, seeds one through three still wide open

* How AHL-contracted players have worked out the past two years for the Steelies

PUCK WORLD

* Has the Cyclones’ attendance suffered because of FC Cincinnati’s promotion to the MLS?

* The razor-thin margin between teams in the North Division

* The not-so-close race in the South Division (aka Florida and everyone else)

* ECHL announces video replay for all teams in 2019-20

* The four-tier system between the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and SPHL

CLOSING TIME

Everett and C.C. discuss players with personality in hockey, how race plays a factor in the sport (in all facets), how Everett got into hockey growing up in Detroit (and why he became an Edmonton fan), and what ultimately cultivated said love for hockey to place him in the broadcast booth

PROGRAMMING NOTE: In The Corners will have one more regular season episode (Monday, April 1) before starting its postseason coverage (Monday, April 8) with the 2019 Kelly Cup Playoffs Preview Show. Stay tuned for guest announcements!

On this episode of the In The Corners Podcast with C.C. Hawkley...Wichita Thunder broadcaster Jason Mals joins the show! We are heading towards the final few weeks of the 2018-19 ECHL regular season, and the playoff picture is starting to get a little clearer!

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Jason is tired from a side duty, driving from Kansas City to Allen to Wichita…

Former Idaho color commentator John Mulhern IV chimes in to ask about Penn State hockey and their appearance in the Big Ten Championship Game (both John and Jason are PSU alums)...

HOME COOKIN’

Wichita (Jason)

* What will it take for Wichita to make the postseason? (Hint: A lot of help from Kansas City!)

* Why hasn’t the rivalry with KC been as fervent as with Tulsa and Allen?

* Who have been the bright spots for the Thunder this year?

Idaho (C.C.)

* Steelheads have clinched their record-setting 22nd consecutive playoff appearance

* One blowout, one victory against Orlando...and a venue change to accommodate Travis Scott?

* How far can Idaho go if they can get some key players back from the AHL?

CLOSING TIME

Jason talks about his relationship with his daughter taking priority over his broadcasting aspirations, the season calling games for the now-defunct Billings Bulls (NAHL), growing up in Pennsylvania & playing hockey for Penn State’s club team, and the four years spent away from the Thunder organization

Catch all Wichita Thunder games on Mixlr and The Sin Bin app! And follow Jason (@jmals24) and C.C. (@SinBinIdaho) on Twitter for all things Thunder and Steelheads!

PROGRAMMING NOTE: C.C. welcomes Cincinnati Cyclones broadcaster Everett Fitzhugh to the show on Monday, March 25! Join us at 6:30pm MT / 7:30pm CT / 8:30pm ET next week!

On this edition of In The Corners with C.C. Hawkley...Reading Royals broadcaster David Fine joins the show after an eventful #ECHLDeadlineDay!

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Did you miss The Sin Bin’s ECHL Trade Deadline Day Recap Show, or just need a recap of all the deadline deals from last Thursday, March 7? Check out the program HERE, or visit our 2019 Trade Tracker for all deals leading up to the deadline.

Shooting the breeze a bit with David...

* What’s the best Chinese restaurant in Brampton, Ontario, Canada?

* Idaho at Orlando this coming Sunday moved...due to a Travis Scott concert?

* USHL days, getting acquainted with now-Steelheads announcer Collin Schuck

* David names a task people would be surprised he does for the team…

HOME COOKIN’

Reading (David)

* What will it take for last-place Reading (currently nine points back from second-place Adirondack) to clinch a playoff berth?

* Which AHL/NHL contracted guys would the Royals benefit from returning to the squad?

* Unofficial pipeline with AHL Charlotte regarding goaltenders (Callum Booth and Jamie Phillips)?

Idaho (C.C.)

* Steelheads drop two of three against Wichita, earn three of six points

* David recognizes Nolan Gluchowski, Colton Point, and Eric Sweetman from their college days…

* The three guys Idaho needs back from the AHL to make a deep playoff run

PUCK WORLD

* Cincinnati and Florida are the first two teams to clinch playoff spots this year...

* Is Newfoundland for real? What happened to Utah and South Carolina? Was Atlanta’s win streak just riding the hot hand of goalie Sean Bonar?

* Speaking of the Gladiators, very cool to see them honoring the area hockey teams that came before them Friday night…

CLOSING TIME

* David explains his love of Bruce Springsteen and 24-hour diners

* How does Syracuse modify the Carrier Dome from football to basketball?

* Does the men’s hockey program have the potential to go to Division I?

* The amazing story this season of EBUG Nick Niedert and his win against Adirondack in November

Follow David during live Royals broadcasts on Mixlr and on Twitter! Make sure to follow C.C. on social media, as well (@SinBinIdaho).

PROGRAMMING NOTE: In The Corners will stay on Monday nights for the rest of the season, starting with Wichita broadcaster Jason Mals on March 18 and Cincinnati play-by-play man Everett Fitzhugh on March 25. Join us at our regular time: 6:30pm MT / 7:30pm CT / 8:30pm ET!

On this episode of the In The Corners Podcast with C.C. Hawkley...the boss man joins the show for the second time this season, with The Sin Bin’s Editor-in-Chief Matthew Harding!

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So, who’s introducing the show again? C.C. starts things off after a brief pause, and hilarity ensued. It's a NICE podcast, after all. Who knew we’d be talking Psychology 101? And do you want to know the sound of Harding’s brain kicking into gear? Ka-Chunk!

The #ECHLDeadlineDay Show will be taking place on Thursday, March 7 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm CT. Join C.C. and Harding as they welcome Cincinnati Cyclones Head Coach Matt Thomas to the show to help with co-hosting duties! Don't miss it LIVE on The Sin Bin's YouTube Channel!

HOME COOKIN’

Wichita (Matt)

* Harding’s take on the recent Thunder struggles

* Dissecting the recent Gabriel Verpaeslt for Nolan De Jong trade

* Wichita’s chances of making the playoffs this season

* Does Head Coach Malcolm Cameron make it back next season?

Idaho (C.C.)

* Recent article on Idaho adjusting without their AHL-contracted forwards

* Dropping two of three games against Kansas City this past week

* Who does HC Neil Graham go to as postseason goalie 1B: Ryan Faragher or Colton Point?

PUCK WORLD

The ECHL trade deadline approaches…

* What deals have stuck out since January 1 (Check out our ECHL Deal Tracker!)

* Toledo shellacking Fort Wayne on March 2

* Rabbit Trail: Miss Elizabeth and the MACHO MAN RANDY SAVAGE!!!

CLOSING TIME

Harding opens himself to the same personal questions other broadcasters this year have subjected themselves to…

* Joining The Sin Bin four years ago

* Balancing the website, his day job, and married life

* The progress of the site’s SPHL coverage and working relationship this season

* The labor of love that is The Sin Bin (join our Patreon page to support us!)

Follow Matt Harding (@SinBinThunder) and C.C. (@SinBinIdaho) on Twitter for all your Wichita Thunder and Idaho Steelheads news and coverage!

PROGRAMMING NOTE: The podcast schedule for March is set! David Fine (Reading PxP -  March 11), Jason Mals (Wichita PxP - March 18), and Everett Fitzhugh (Cincinnati PxP - March 25) will be joining the show as the ECHL season winds to a close.

On this episode of the In The Corners Podcast with C.C. Hawkley...John Peterson, Vice President of Communications and Play-by-Play Announcer for the Tulsa Oilers, joins the show! After Tulsa visiting the Idaho Steelheads in Boise for three games this past week, there was plenty to chat about on this edition of ITC!

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C.C. asks John about a number of things preceding his appearance on the podcast…

* Driving back from Boise to Tulsa...and getting in just hours before the show!

* Fighting off illness while in Idaho

* Former “Voice of the Steelheads” Will Hoenike stepping in to help in the booth

* Former Steelheads broadcaster Brian McCormack now sharing an affiliation tree with John

HOME COOKIN’

C.C. and John discuss the past week’s three-game set of Tulsa at Idaho, the sneaky good season the Oilers have had this year, and the Steelheads leaning on their depth in the midst of some substantial AHL call-ups

PUCK WORLD

ECHL Divisional Standings

* North: Newfoundland’s curious contract situation heading towards the playoffs

* South: Florida above, Greenville below, Atlanta continues to surge

* Central: Cincy and everybody else in the “Meat Grinder” division

* Mountain: Can Rapid City (or Allen!) earn a postseason spot? Plus, the Americans add Lukas Hafner to their goaltending corps

Canadian Rivalry: Check out this fight (Credit: Michael Lange) between Brampton’s Mike Folkes and Newfoundland’s James Melindy in the tunnel after warm-ups!

NHL Trade Deadline Day: Big names that have moved today (Mark Stone, Wayne Simmonds, Gustav Nyquist, Kevin Hayes) and the days leading up (Matt Duchene, Mats Zuccarello, Ryan Dzingel)

CLOSING TIME

John discusses his late decision to call hockey, working for two NHL clubs, his time in sales positions, his first professional season in the broadcast booth calling the last year of the Evansville Icemen, and his pride in the now-Division I Arizona State men’s hockey team

The next episode on In The Corners will be on Monday, March 4 at 6:30 pm MT / 7:30 pm CT / 8:30 pm ET; guest TBD.

Also, tune in on Thursday, March 7 as The Sin Bin has all your ECHL trade deadline coverage! Join Matthew Harding, C.C. Hawkley, Cincinnati Cyclones Head Coach Matt Thomas, and many more for TSB's annual ECHL Trade Deadline Show from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm ET!