Puck Dynasty Podcast: The Autopsy of the 2016-17 Gopher Men's Hockey Team (Episode 20)

Puck Dynasty is a weekly in-season podcast covering the University of Minnesota men’s hockey team and college hockey. Nathan Wells (SB Nation College Hockey/various outlets), Declan Goff (1500 ESPN/GoMN Sports) and Drew Cove (Minnesota Daily) discuss the latest news, analysis and give their opinions about the Gophers and sport as a whole.

This week Declan, Drew and Nate open the show dissecting the Gophers’ loss to Notre Dame at the opening round of the NCAA Tournament; the first wave of players signing NHL contracts; the impact of next year’s incoming freshman class, plus a ton of Twitter questions!

The guys close the show previewing the Frozen Four and their most-improved Gopher players. Thank you to everyone who listen/subscribed to the Puck Dynasty podcast this season.

Those trying to explain Megabus to Lou Nanne can directly download at 1500 ESPN, Podcast One or subscribe on iTunes.


Follow Nate (@gopherstate), Declan (@dexstweets) and Drew (@drewcove48) on Twitter. If you like what you hear, be sure to give it a five star review on whatever platform you consume podcasts.

Puck Dynasty Podcast: Can the Gophers make the Frozen Four? (Episode 19)

Puck Dynasty is a weekly podcast covering the University of Minnesota men’s hockey team and college hockey. Nathan Wells (SB Nation College Hockey/various outlets), Declan Goff (1500 ESPN/GoMN Sports) and Drew Cove (Minnesota Daily) discuss the latest news, analysis and give their opinions about the Gophers and sport as a whole.

This week NCAA Tournament takes up much of the show. Whether it's the Gophers earning a #1 seed in the Northeast Regional, opponent Notre Dame and the teams that make up the regional, and the rest of the tournament bracket. Last weekend's Big Ten tournament also gets discussed and Nate shares some in-person tales from the final trip to the Joe. 

In the second half of the show Nate, Declan and Drew take a barrage of Twitter questions on what the Gophers need to do to make the Frozen Four.

Those celebrating a decade in Detroit can directly download at 1500 ESPN, Podcast One or subscribe on iTunes.

Follow Nate (@gopherstate), Declan (@dexstweets) and Drew (@drewcove48) on Twitter. If you like what you hear, be sure to give it a five star review on whatever platform you consume podcasts.

Puck Dynasty Podcast: Gophers eyeing a #1 seed at the NCAA Tournament (Episode 18)

Puck Dynasty is a weekly podcast covering the University of Minnesota men’s hockey team and college hockey. Nathan Wells (SB Nation College Hockey/various outlets), Declan Goff (1500 ESPN/GoMN Sports) and Drew Cove (Minnesota Daily) discuss the latest news, analysis and give their opinions about the Gophers and sport as a whole.

This week the crew are split up with Drew calling in to discuss Minnesota's win and tie against Michigan State. They break down the good, the bad and losing Ryan Lindgren to a season-ending leg injury Saturday.

Twitter questions on this weekend's Big Ten tournament in Detroit get answered, along with what Penn State, Ohio State and Wisconsin need to do to get off the bubble to make the NCAA Tournament. Minnesota's quest for a #1 seed ends up getting some air time as well.

Towards the end of the episode Drew and Declan disagree on what is the best Gopher jersey while Nate explains why he enjoys watching Denver and was surprised to see Jake Bischoff not unanimously named an all-Big Ten first team player.

Somewhere in between Tyler Sheehy gets overlooked despite being the Big Ten Player of the Year.

Those going through all 700K NCAA Tournament scenarios can directly download at 1500 ESPN, Podcast One or subscribe on iTunes.

Follow Nate (@gopherstate), Declan (@dexstweets) and Drew (@drewcove48) on Twitter. If you like what you hear, be sure to give it a five star review on whatever platform you consume podcasts.

Show notes:

-For NCAA Tournament possibilities, click here.

-For predicting which teams get into the NCAA Tournament, click here.

Puck Dynasty Podcast: Gophers go for fourth straight Big Ten title (Episode 17)

Puck Dynasty is a weekly podcast covering the University of Minnesota men’s hockey team and college hockey. Nathan Wells (SB Nation College Hockey/various outlets), Declan Goff (1500 ESPN/GoMN Sports) and Drew Cove (Minnesota Daily) discuss the latest news, analysis and give their opinions about the Gophers and sport as a whole.

This week the crew open with Twitter questions on unsung players and those a season away. Last weekend’s Minnesota-Michigan series gets discussed from the perspective of live in Ann Arbor (Nate), TV (Drew) and radio (Declan) followed by a preview of this weekend’s Michigan State series where the Gophers will try to clinch a fourth straight Big Ten title in the final weekend of the regular season. PLUS: The podcast turns its attention to the Minnesota State Boy’s HS Hockey Tournament, the NCAA Tournament bubble and Rem Pitlick’s confidence shooting the puck.

Towards the end Drew shocks Declan and Nate by burying the lede with the best jersey he owns.

Those stumbling across Mike Yeo and Thomas Vanek meeting in an East Metro Champps can directly download at 1500 ESPN, Podcast One or subscribe on iTunes.

Follow Nate (@gopherstate), Declan (@dexstweets) and Drew (@drewcove48) on Twitter. If you like what you hear, be sure to give it a five star review on whatever platform you consume podcasts.

Puck Dynasty Podcast: Vinni Lettieri: A Goalie's Second-Best Friend (Episode 16)

Puck Dynasty is a weekly podcast covering the University of Minnesota men’s hockey team and college hockey. Nathan Wells (SB Nation College Hockey/various outlets), Declan Goff (1500 ESPN/GoMN Sports) and Drew Cove (Minnesota Daily) discuss the latest news, analysis and give their opinions about the Gophers and sport as a whole.

This week Nate and Declan trudge ahead without an under the weather Drew for a packed episode. They open with answering a number of Twitter questions before moving on to discussing Vinni Lettieri's improved senior season and play in Minnesota's series split against the Badgers. Other weekend topics include a lack of puck luck from those not named Lettieri, Wisconsin's defense, the crowd at Mariucci, Eric Schierhorn's play, and Justin Kloos scoring timely goals

In the second half of the show this weekend's series against Michigan is previewed before ending with a look at the Pairwise rankings and where the Gophers may end up playing a NCAA Tournament regional.

Those whose names Nate butchered can directly download at 1500 ESPN, Podcast One or subscribe on iTunes.


Follow Nate (@gopherstate), Declan (@dexstweets) and Drew (@drewcove48) on Twitter. If you like what you hear, be sure to give it a five star review on whatever platform you consume podcasts.

Puck Dynasty Podcast: The Road Runner Line Leads The Way Against Penn State

Puck Dynasty is a weekly podcast covering the University of Minnesota men’s hockey team and college hockey. Nathan Wells (SB Nation College Hockey/various outlets), Declan Goff (1500 ESPN/GoMN Sports) and Drew Cove (Minnesota Daily) discuss the latest news, analysis and give their opinions about the Gophers and sport as a whole.

This week, with Nate back in studio from covering the series in State College (for the second straight week he made the long trek from one end of Chicago Midway to the other), the crew lead off by breaking down the ending to Saturday’s Minnesota-Penn State game from all sides. Other topics include the line of Rem Pitlick-Justin Kloos-Tyler Sheehy getting a new nickname, Eric Schierhorn making 80+ saves on the weekend, whether the Gopher offense can carry the team on its own come NCAA Tournament time, unsung penalty kill heroes and a pair of game misconducts on the weekend coupled with a suspension.

The upcoming Border Battle series with Wisconsin is previewed along with a look at which teams on the Pairwise bubble we are interested in following as the season winds down.

Towards the end of the podcast Twitter questions get answered.

Those looking for Atlantic Hockey unicorns can directly download at 1500 ESPN, Podcast One or subscribe on iTunes.

Follow Nate (@gopherstate), Declan (@dexstweets) and Drew (@drewcove48) on Twitter. If you like what you hear, be sure to give it a five star review on whatever platform you consume podcasts.

Show links and notes:

-Drew’s feature on Leon Bristedt can be read here.

-Nate’s Pioneer Press feature on the penalty kill.

-College Hockey Ranked’s website for Pairwise discussion.

-The Denis Smirnov penalty shot from inside the building.

GOAL PENN STATE: Denis Smirnov converts the penalty shot. Video: pic.twitter.com/gENLifOx6C

— Nate Wells (@gopherstate) February 19, 2017

Puck Dynasty Podcast: Will a split with Penn State be a successful weekend? (Episode 14)

Puck Dynasty is a weekly podcast covering the University of Minnesota men’s hockey team and college hockey. Nathan Wells (SB Nation College Hockey/various outlets), Declan Goff (1500 ESPN/GoMN Sports) and Drew Cove (Minnesota Daily) discuss the latest news, analysis and give their opinions about the Gophers and sport as a whole.

This week Nate joins from New York City via Skype for a road show. The crew discuss Minnesota's split against Ohio State, a school-record power play performance, Josh Healey's hit on Darian Romanko and the point of suspensions being a deterrent, and previewing the Gophers playing Penn State for the second time in three weeks.

Towards the end of the podcast Twitter questions get answered.

Those cursing at the utterance of "Dave Hakstol: Minnesota head coach" can directly download at 1500 ESPN, Podcast One or subscribe on iTunes.



Follow Nate (@gopherstate), Declan (@dexstweets) and Drew (@drewcove48) on Twitter. If you like what you hear, be sure to give it a five star review on whatever platform you consume podcasts.

Here's the Josh Healey hit mentioned.

pic.twitter.com/oDhiSaG2wM RT @gopherstate Josh Healey has been suspended two games for his blindside hit of Darian Romanko on Saturday.

— CJ Fogler (@cjzero) February 13, 2017

Puck Dynasty Podcast: How Many Big Ten Teams Will Make The NCAA Tournament (Episode 13)

Puck Dynasty is a weekly podcast covering the University of Minnesota men’s hockey team and college hockey. Nathan Wells (SB Nation College Hockey/various outlets), Declan Goff (1500 ESPN/GoMN Sports) and Drew Cove (Minnesota Daily) discuss the latest news, analysis and give their opinions about the Gophers and sport as a whole.

This week the crew break the show into three periods. First, Twitter questions are answered ranging from Casey Mittelstadt and the 2017 NHL Draft to rules to Minnesota North Star alums to how many Big Ten teams will make the NCAA Tournament. Then the show transitions into recapping Minnesota’s sweep over Penn State. Somewhere in that stretch dog-related analogies get used. Finally, the Gophers’ upcoming series against Ohio State is previewed.

Drew’s dad and anyone else getting a shout-out can directly download at 1500 ESPN, Podcast One or subscribe on iTunes.

Follow Nate (@gopherstate), Declan (@dexstweets) and Drew (@drewcove48) on Twitter. If you like what you hear, be sure to give it a five star review on whatever platform you consume podcasts.

Show Notes:

-Nate’s Pairwise explainer can be read here.

Puck Dynasty Podcast: What should the Gophers expect from Penn State? (Episode 12)

Puck Dynasty is a weekly podcast covering the University of Minnesota men’s hockey team and college hockey. Nathan Wells (SB Nation College Hockey/various outlets), Declan Goff (1500 ESPN/GoMN Sports) and Drew Cove (Minnesota Daily) discuss the latest news, analysis and give their opinions about the Gophers and sport as a whole.

This week’s episode begins by reviewing the fourth and final North Star College Cup. Minnesota’s lessons in defeat, Minnesota Duluth’s team in victory, Eric Schierhorn’s goaltending, scoring depth and the good, bad and ugly of the weekend tournament get discussed. The crew then looks ahead to Minnesota hosting Penn State at Mariucci Arena on Friday and Saturday and resetting the Big Ten. Four teams are within seven points of the lead with six weekends to go.

Afterwards Twitter questions on Penn State’s shot numbers and Leon Bristedt get answered.

Listeners trying to ice a lineup of six Scott Stevens on the blue line can directly download at 1500 ESPN, Podcast One or subscribe on iTunes

Follow Nate (@gopherstate), Declan (@dexstweets) and Drew (@drewcove48) on Twitter. If you like what you hear, be sure to give it a five star review on whatever platform you consume podcasts.

Puck Dynasty Podcast Episode 10

Puck Dynasty is a weekly podcast covering the University of Minnesota men’s hockey team and college hockey. Nathan Wells (SB Nation College Hockey/various outlets), Declan Goff (1500 ESPN/GoMN Sports) and Drew Cove (Minnesota Daily) discuss the latest news, analysis and give their opinions about the Gophers and sport as a whole.

This week the crew celebrate reaching double digits episodes by traveling to Madison, Wisconsin and covering the Border Battle series at Kohl Center between the Gophers and Badgers. Recorded in Nate’s hotel room after Minnesota’s 5-3 loss to Wisconsin on Saturday, the entire weekend gets discussed. Topics include the Gophers extending its win streak to seven with an overtime victory Friday, fast starts both nights, two similarities and differences between the two games, who from Wisconsin stood out what has changed with the Badgers from the last two seasons, Justin Kloos being loose, how Minnesota’s second line fared without Tommy Novak, Taylor Cammarata, and defensive breakdowns. There is also discussion on the Big Ten and why Ohio State throwing a broom on the ice at Pegula Arena after not sweeping is both the best and worst thing.

In between segments questions on Tyler Nanne and Hockey Day Minnesota memories are answered.

Those saying “yeah” at the start of every answer can directly download at 1500 ESPN, Podcast One or subscribe on iTunes.

Puck Dynasty Podcast Episode 9

Puck Dynasty is a weekly podcast covering the University of Minnesota men’s hockey team and college hockey. Nathan Wells (SB Nation College Hockey/various outlets), Declan Goff (1500 ESPN/GoMN Sports) and Drew Cove (Minnesota Daily) discuss the latest news, analysis and give their opinions about the Gophers and sport as a whole.

On this week’s episode 9 the crew discuss Minnesota extending its winning streak to six games with a weekend sweep of Michigan at Mariucci Arena. They touch on Vinni Lettieri’s penalty shot and hat trick Saturday, the Gopher defense during the past six games, and the significance of sophomore forward Tommy Novak’s season-ending injury, among others.

This weekend’s Border Battle series against Wisconsin in Madison is also previewed.

In between segments, Twitter questions about who replaces Novak, the Big Ten and whether Penn State is truly deserving of being the #1 team in the country get answered.

Second line center applicants can check it out at 1500 ESPN, Podcast One or subscribe on iTunes.