Halford & Brough in the Morning - The Abby Canucks Are Two Wins Away

Episode Date: June 18, 2025

In hour three, Mike & Jason chat with Abbotsford Canucks commentator Brandon Astle (1:35), as Abby are two wins away from winning their first-ever Calder Cup, plus the boys tell us what they learned (27:00). This podcast is produced by Andy Cole and Greg Balloch. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

And now a steal by Nielsen, he's on a breakaway all of a sudden! Nielsen dekes and he scores! Why not? Backhand, five hole! Stay on your feet, Canucks fans! See, Kodak fans! Kirsten Nielsen! How are you? What a move! 6-1! 803 on a Wednesday. Happy Wednesday everybody, Halford Brough, Sportsnet 650.

Halford Brough of the morning is brought to you by Sands and Associates, BC's first and trusted choice for dead help with over 3,000 five-star reviews. Visit them online at sans-trustee.com. We are now in hour three of the program. That voice you just heard, Brandon Astle, you're about to hear it again. He's going to join us in just a moment here to kick off our three,

the play-by-play voice of the Abbotsford Canucks here on the Haliford and Brough Show on Sportsnet 650. Hour three of this program is brought to you by Campbell and Pound real estate appraisers. Trust the expertise of Campbell and Pound. Visit them on the internet at Campbell-pound.com today. We are coming to you live from the Kintec studio. Kintec footwear and orthotics working together with you in step. Guests on Sportsnet 650 call in on the hotline powered by Power West Industries. Don't get caught in the dark when it matters most. Visit them at Power.ca today they keep the lights on let's go to the power west industries hotline right now Brandon Astle play-by-play voice of the Abbotsford

Canucks joins us here in the Halford and Bref show on Sportsnet 650 morning Brandon how are you? Boy what's going on I'm still I'm not gonna lie I'm still trying to process what happened about 10 and a half hours ago in that third period. That was a really something to say the least. Five goals in the third, the first time it's happened in the Calder Cup finals since 2017. Also a rarity that it got, you know, it happened to the Charlotte team, which hadn't lost a game on the road since April 4th, which is a wild stat to me.

It just goes to show how big a performance this was for Abbotsford last night. Where do you start? I know there was a lot of different takeaways. I know there was a lot of different individual efforts that need to be spotlighted. Archdeep Baines, two goals to assist. Linus Carlson, a goal and three assists.

We could start there, or you know what? You can choose where you wanna start, Brandon. What were some of the big takeaways for you last night? Yeah, I would just say their overall game, like that was Abbotsford Canucks hockey to a T. Um, they had a checklist going into that game. They wanted to get off to a good start first and foremost, because the previous two at Bojangles didn't really go as planned and give credit for coming or give credit to Charlotte for coming out hard on their home ice that Canucks

wanted to do the same and they really dictated the pace of play about five minutes in. Unfortunately, uh, just after the eight minute mark, Charlotte scores kind of Canucks wanted to do the same and they really dictated the pace of play about five minutes in. Unfortunately, just after the eight minute mark, Charlotte scores kind of against the flow of play and you wondered how Abbas would react. They go down one goal into the second period, get the game tire from Sammy Blay, who's been awesome this entire playoff, especially this series. And then their third period was just something to behold.

I mean the Charlotte team is very strong defensively. They got a great goaltender and to put a five spot up and run away with it like they did was awesome. The special teams department, the power play was two for two, the PK was three for three, the defending was awesome. They wanted to limit the number of shots and chances from Charlotte and they did get a lot of shots kind of in garbage time, like the Canucks led the shot count for most of that third period until the end there when the game was pretty much in hand.

So just all in all a great 60 minute effort which is exactly what the doctor ordered and give credit to the fans for really providing some energy. I'm glad you mentioned that. A capacity crowd of 7,052, the second largest turnout ever for an AHL game at the Abbotsford center. Uh, for the listeners that aren't able to get out there, haven't been to the Abbotsford center for that kind of environment, uh, set the scene for us. How great was it? How good was that? Uh,

performance by the fans last night in Abbotsford. Yeah. You know what, uh, how for it, it starts with the pregame, you know, they get the, uh, the hype video on the jumbotron all of a sudden the towels get waving. And the next thing you know, it's just kind of pandemonium, uh, just before the team steps on the ice and they kick up a notch when they start, uh, trickling out of the locker room and, um, it's gotta be a tough place for the opponent to plan. Um, like Charlotte, uh, they had over 8,600 fans in their rink. It's a little bit bigger. And Abbotsford, almost pretty much out of capacity crowd over over

7,050. So it's just been awesome to see the type of fan support that this team is getting. It seems like Canucks nation has really rallied around the Abbotsford Canucks. And I know you hear it all the time in the postgame comments and the players and coaches like Manny Mohocher mentions that every time. He can't say enough about how much support the crowd has given the team and how much energy they give. They're honestly a huge reason as to why they've had the start. They have the last game and then going back to game six against Texas, that was an awesome start out of the gates. So they're a tone setter. It's definitely a weapon.

Carlson, Sassen, Baines. Tell us about that line and especially about my guy, Linus Carlson. I'm calling him my guy now. I love it. I love it. Yeah. He's been awesome this entire season. Those three actually played with each other in March and then Linus got called up after a March 16th game and didn't come back until the end of the season and then Sassen went up as well so they got some history together and really like that make up of the line you got Sassen who has the vision the speed you got Carlson who's got the dog on a bone mentality he's got a great skill set makes plays around the net and then you got Baines who does it all.

And you can just see those three just kind of feeding off each other. They make life difficult in the opponent's end and the corners behind the net, they go low to high, they're always moving their feet. And this team is built on their depth. We've seen it throughout the entire playoff. It's been a different guy stepping up in big occasions, whether it's like the Tara Smith, Blay Lyon, Daniela Klingivich, and Double Overtime a few times.

But last night belonged to the big dogs, Carlson, Sassen, and Baines. They've been the go-to source for offense the entire year. And to see them combine for nine points yesterday, obviously a huge reason as to why they had that 6-1 win. Leckermacky got back into the lineup. Number one, were you surprised by that addition and number two, how'd he do?

No, I wasn't surprised. I figured he'd make an entrance into the series at some point and felt like game three at home could be an opportunity to get him in. Maybe getting some better line matchups, but I was really impressed honestly with what he did. Didn't get on the score sheet, but really made some smart plays,

had some good puck touches. I mentioned a few times on the broadcast making great plays in his own end to start breakouts and obviously sitting out the last five games probably wasn't easy for him and then got thrown into a tough spot in the middle of the Caldecup finals still just 20 years old. I'm sure that was a lot to take, but he took it in stride and really just liked his overall game. And I'm sure he's starting to earn the trust of Manny Malhoutra again and would be pretty surprised that he wasn't in a lineup in game four. And another solid start for Silovs. They still needed him to make what, 28 saves, which is quite a few saves. I mean, the guy was incredible in Charlotte. They got the split in Charlotte and comes back

and doesn't appear to lose anything. No, yeah. And it's just been remarkable to see him stay at this level since game one of the Calder Cup playoffs in late April. Like he's played in 360 minutes more than the next goaltender, who is Kapil Kalkanen, who he's staring down at the other end.

So he has played a lot of hockey, 21 straight starts. His season high was three in the regular season. And so you think like the body might be a bit sore breaking down, but that does not look like it's been the case at all. And you know what, I was telling, uh, sat and Dan on the post game show last night, uh, Manny Malholtzscher just loves how he competes. That's, that's one of his best assets. He's someone that takes his craft very seriously.

And when we were leaving Charlotte on Sunday or Monday morning, the team obviously was coming off a tough overtime loss, jump on the plane and he's sitting next to Justin Pogge, his goal setting coach, reviewing tape, like before everybody sat down. So that just tells you how much, what goes into what he does off the ice. Um,

and just, uh, obviously putting on a spectacular performance night in and night out. And obviously if you're a defensive on the Abbotsford Canucks, when you look back and see number 31 and green, uh, between the pipes, that's gotta be a pretty good feeling to have. We're speaking to Abbotsford Canucks play by play man, Brandon Astle here on the Halford and Brff show on Sportsnet 650 Abbotsford big 6-1 winners over Charlotte in game three of the Calder Cup final

last night. Game four goes Thursday at the Abbotsford Center. It's funny Brandon every time we talk Abbotsford Canucks there's at least one text into the Dunbar Lumber text message in basket about Sammy Blay and the work that he's done now is an interesting character because at 29, he's not really the type of guy that we would focus on because we're looking at the younger prospects that are gonna make the jump to the NHL level.

And he's a journeyman guy that's played over 250 NHL games. He won a Stanley Cup with St. Louis. He's almost the guy that seems like he's kicking the door down to try and get another crack at the NHL because again, every time that there's an Avis for Canucks game, someone mentions the work that this guy puts in. I'm not super familiar with what he's done. I know there's a lot of energy and there's a lot of physicality,

but can you kind of give us a more detailed description of what Sammy Blay has done during this playoff run? He's a man as simple as that. Like he obviously has the skill to put up points. He's got 17 and 20 games, which is near the top of the AHL scoring charts. But he does a lot of his damage when he doesn't have the puck. He's the emotional leader of this team. And he's starting to turn into a bit of a folk here at Hero and Avid's Center.

Like he's getting his name chanted just as much as Sheelhoff is now. And the fans are noticing what he's doing on a night to night basis. And he's not a hundred percent. He's left a game two and game three last night. Uh, something's obviously bothering him, but he comes back and the next shift he lays three big hits. It's almost like he's not feeling anything in his body right now. Adrenaline is just kind of taking over. And when you see 79 and green out there, the other team definitely has

their head on a swivel because he is looking to inflict pain. He wants to get in on the four check. And even when the play is dead after whistles, you'll see him engaging with the opposition. Like he is not going to back down. He's usually starting the chirping. It kind of gets them into the game and it lasts throughout the entire course of the 60 minutes or even in overtime as well.

I mean, just look at the penalty minutes he's put up. He's up to 75 right now. He had 44 all of the regular season. So he's just someone that fans are really taking a liking to someone that probably had some opportunities in the off season to go to Europe, make some more money and kind of go off into the sunset, but he wanted to get back at the NHL and he thought his best way to do that was to sign an AHL deal with the Abbotsford Canucks and he has just been everything as advertised. He's a great leader in that locker room.

I mean, every, anytime you have someone that's won a game seven in the Stanley Cup finals, that is going to be someone that's going to have the year of the rookies in the locker room. And one thing I look at is like this is a guy like I mentioned who won a game seven in the Stanley Cup final. He's got a Stanley Cup ring and when they closed out Texas last week at home, he was like a little kid going around the glass trying to get the fans fired up. Like he is having so much fun right now and just to see what he's doing on a night-to night tonight basis from the physical aspect of putting

out points, he's just been a real treat to watch. I am on stub hub right now, looking at the get in price for an Abbotsford Canucks game. And the cheapest ticket for tomorrow's game is $131. It really is. Can I say it out loud? It's really, oh come on, I'd be on a press pass.

But it really is incredible what's happened here. And I hope all the loyal fans and the season ticket holders for the abs for Canucks and you yourself, I hope you're, I hope you're enjoying this. Did you ever imagine that, uh, you'd be calling games like this, uh, earlier in the season? Well, I was joking to some people a few weeks ago, like I'm the Maple Leaf of broadcasting.

Like I've never made it past the second round in my 18 years of calling games with any team that I've worked for. So this is uncharted territory for me and I am enjoying every minute of it. It's gonna come to an end at the latest a week today so that's kind of sad to think about but just to see the fans support like I mentioned this team deserves it. It's been a grind all year obviously a lot of players going up and making impact in Vancouver. And like, I'm not just saying this,

if they didn't make the playoffs, I would say it would be a successful year development wise. And so the fact that they're in the Calder Cup finals, two wins away from hoisting the trophy over their head, it's been a grind, like I said, like on January 10th, they're below 500. And now they're able to make some history at Abbotsford Centre or on the road if it needs to go to game six or game seven.

They've played the most hockey, 21 games, they've had to play an extra round more than Charlotte and there's just been no excuses this entire way. They're leaving it out all on the ice. They have missed one of their best players, Autuu Rathu. He's played in just six of 21 games and they just had a number of guys step up into the spotlight and just enjoying what we have left and hopefully another loud crowd I'm sure we'll see tomorrow night. Well, Brandon, you're doing a great job. The Abbotsford Canucks are doing a great job.

The fans are doing a great job. So keep it up and enjoy it. Absolutely. Going to look forward to tomorrow and let's see what happens. Maybe they say two more wins. They can close it on home ice fingers crossed. Yeah, that would be awesome. Thanks Brandon.

Appreciate this buddy. Always a pleasure boys. Have a good day. You too. Thanks Brandon Astle Abbotsford Canucks play by play man here on the Halford and Brough show on sports net six 50 by the way, your home with the Canucks Abbotsford Vancouver or otherwise the Haliford and Bref show on Sportsnet 650. By the way, your home with the Canucks, Abbotsford, Vancouver, or otherwise is Sportsnet 650. We got extended Abbey Canucks coverage here on the station.

Beginning on Thursday, Dan and Sat are going to do Canucks Central from Abbotsford hosting pre and post game coverage all right here on Sportsnet 650. Were they out at the Boston Pizza yesterday? They sure were. So back to the drawing board for Boston Pizza. What are they going to do with all the parade supplies? I don't know. They're going to have to get one of those storage units, I guess.

They just put it in the back. You think they'll come back next year with the, like the first year they're like, okay, what if we all band together and support each other and then, okay, that didn't work. I can't believe they came back with it for a second year. And then the second year they were like, we need to plan the parade and if we make this happen, you know, like, what do they do?

They should go full heel turn and only choose for the American teams. That would be amazing. That would be amazing. Can you imagine the reverse Jinx? I don't know who's in charge of marketing at Boston Pizza. I can't imagine the meeting where they're like, first off, I love it. We're going to do the same thing again for a second year.

And also, what if we could get Dan and Sad out there? Would that bring in the crowds? Let's try it. I heard Riccio. I heard Riccio eating wings on the station yesterday, that is good radio. Like on the air as they were talking? I heard them because they were spicy and he was bragging about being able to eat spicy wings and he did not handle it well. Was it episode of Hot Ones? Like what is this?

Those BP wings, they really pack a punch. Do you guys both like spicy hot wings? I don't even that spicy. I'm trying I just had a brain. I just had a brain idea the old brains working overtime Yeah, as opposed to those other idea your brain idea We should do a hot one style show and obviously this really only works for the people watching on stream But everybody should be by now you guys should eat spicy hot wings and they should get progressively spicier throughout the show each segment each segment eat spicy hot wings don't really acknowledge it all that much just eat

them consistent what do we have dogs for if not for to do stuff like we don't have on camera camera thing it has to it's a's a visual well bring it didn't stop satin damn So it is a visual thing you guys should be progressively hotter wings as you interview Yes, and by the end of the show obviously it's just a complete lack of a visual medium didn't stop us last night So why would it stop us now? No, we I don't know I'm saying I mean obviously we're stealing hot ones Pete a lot of people have stolen that it's a great bit That that idea it's great. That's like one of my favorite do the one where they get drunk and talk about history. Yeah, that's a good Especially in the morning morning. Yeah, I want to come back to a job the next day, so let's not do that

Okay, let's do a couple what we learns from our side of the table before we pivot over Okay, I'll start to the humanoid so just a reminder I'll throw it out there. Dunbar Lumbertex line is 650-650. Get your What We Learns in now. Tell us what you learned over the last 24 hours in sports. Get them in and you got a chance to be on the

radio because we're going to do all the humanoids on the other side. Jason will begin now with our What We Learns. Okay. I'm going to read this from espn.com. Depending on which sports book you look at the Florida Panthers, Edmonton Oilers, Carolina Hurricanes, or Colorado Avalanche are next season Stanley Cup favorites.

I saw this. This caught me by surprise. There's a lot of, a lot of sports books now, a lot of places you can gamble. I don't know if anyone. Sports box as you just called it. Yes, I'm glad you got that one. That's in South Africa. I'm going to go down to the sports box.

Have you guys checked out sports box yet? Yeah. And bet on the spring books. That's not a bad idea actually. So there was a quote from a guy that runs ESPN, Bat. Now what company is that from? ESPN, Bat. Now what company is that from? ESPN. Right. And he said, there's a lot more questions

around the Panthers and Oilers than the Avalanche, who are set to return a majority of their roster and have the benefit of a longer off-season. Colorado should also enter next season healthy and fresh, while Florida and Edmonton have accumulated wear and tear from consecutive deep playoff runs. Okay.

I got that. I can get down with that. I don't know where Carolina comes in. Plus 800. Well, I think they're, I think they were a favorite. Plus 900. I think, yeah, that's at ESPN.

Yeah. But I think at one sports book, it doesn't really matter which one it was. Carolina was the favorite. And I guess they just consistently get far, pretty far in the playoffs, but never quite over the hump. So why not? Dallas being up there sure is interesting to me

because Dallas has had a mini breakdown. They crashed out as the kids say after they lost. They didn't have a coach. Well, Dallas and Carolina had similar endings. When's Dallas gonna get a coach? Oh yeah. They need to do that right you need a coach Dallas I feel like everyone's just kind of glossing over that part Jim Mills like ah oh my god I'm so focused on the

firing the arbitration election and by the way 48 hours after the Stanley Cup is handed out That's when the buyout window opens and I, there's not a lot of really interesting buyouts. When the real action happens. Yeah, previous years, I mean, buyouts used to be a big thing here in Vancouver. We cut a Canadian's game in half one time to do a buyout report.

I just, there's not that many that are kicking around right now that are of that much interest. I think TJ Brody might be one that could come to the surface, but I think Pierre Engvall out of The Islanders. But yeah, it's just more a reminder that as soon as the Stanley Cup gets handed out, there's a frenzy of action. It'll be one of my pet peeves for eternity

that the NHL, and I know it's because everyone wants to go on vacation and everyone wants to like, I already get to the cabin. I haven't been to Muskoka in weeks. I know. The cottage. Yeah right the cottage. Use the right term. I know that that's why but after the Stanley Cup is handed out they go arbitration, buyouts, draft, trades, free agency all in a 13 day span. And then on July 2nd, everything stops. Yeah. Well, maybe not this year, because it sounds like Marner's going to drag it out a little bit. Not Aaron Rodgers drag it out, but he's going to take his time.

I wonder if he will. I wonder if he'll just figure it out over the next 13 days. I read a report yesterday where there's a bunch of teams that he's going to grant an interview to. And one of them is gonna be Toronto, which would be hilarious. So, tell me a little bit about this city. What am I in store for? What's gonna happen? Tavares did a very elaborate tour when he hit Free Agency.

I think he did the PJ, like he was bouncing all over the place, he made it in San Jose and he did a couple other ones as well. Yeah, and then he came to Toronto and like met with the, I don't know, CEO of Canadian Tire or something like that. He's like, I'm sold. Yeah. Didn't they bring up a bunch of corporate guys

to the pitch and be like, you can make thousands here. I think they were talking about me, yeah. I think there was talk about him being a brand and then and then he's like There won't be any issues with CRA though, right? Oh, no, no, no, no, no, you're good. You're good. You'll be fine You'll be fine. You'll be don't even bother paying taxes. It'll be fine. Don't worry about it. Take this amulet. It'll solve everything Okay, we got to go to break when we come back. I got a boob. Sorry moocow. Oh, it's a moocow, bro When we come back, I got a boop. Sorry moocow. Oh, it's a moocow, bro We got a Vancouver. Oh, yeah, right the Vancouver Giants It's never too early to get your Vancouver Giants season tickets tickets started under $19

That is a very good deal by the way If you go to Vancouver Giants comm forward slash season tickets, you can find out more you're listening to the Halferton bruff show on sportsnet 650 hey, it's big nazar have your say and join me on the People's Show with big takes and even bigger bets weekdays three to four on Sportsnet 650 or wherever you get your podcasts. Now for my favorite part of the show. What does that say? Talk to the show. What'd I say? Talk to the audience.

Oh, God, this is always dead. It's what we learn time. It's what we learn time. It's what we learn time. On the show. 832 and A1, we're back. We're back. We're back.

We're back. We're back. We're back. We're back. We're back. We're back. We're back. We're back.

We're back. We're back. We're back. We're back. We're back. We're back. We're back. We learn time on the show. 8.32 on a Wednesday. Happy Wednesday everybody. Halford Brough, Sportsnet 650. Halford and Brough in the morning is brought to you by Sands and Associates, BC's first and trusted choice

for debt help. With over 3,000 five star reviews, visit them online at sans-trustee.com. We are in hour three of the program. It is what we learn time. Hour three is brought to you by Campbell and Pound real estate appraisers. Trust the expertise of Campbell and Pound. Visit them on the internet at Campbell-pound.com today. Can I do one more of what we learned? Sure.

I'm just reading an article by Steven Wynow, the Associated Press reporter who we had on, was it this week or? Last week. Last week? Yeah. And he's doing the, uh, the Panthers injuries story. Oh yeah.

And so we'll get to Matthew Kachek in a second. Okay. Um, but Barkov, he was affected by one of his hands was cut open. So he split the palm of his hand open in game one. Maurice said he had the sutures torn out twice till he just glued it together. Sam Reinht returned from a grade two MCL sprain in the Eastern Conference Final. And then there was Matthew Kachuk. In Maurice's words, Kachuk was a mess.

Yeah. He said, that's the medical term. He was a mess. And Maurice said, I was really not hopeful at the start that he would survive the first round. We just didn't think he could do it. And I'm sure if you watched the Stanley Cup being handed out and some of the interviews on the ice

after the game last night, Kachak said, you know, it was not looking good. And there were times where he wanted to, he wanted to give up. He had all sorts of issues, including a hernia. And there were times where he wanted to give up. He had all sorts of issues, including a hernia. What was it, a torn adductor muscle. The adductor, that brings your leg back. Torn right off the bone.

The abductor takes it away. It's like the muscle is abducting your leg. Sure. It's taking away from your body. And then the adductor says, Oh, not so fast. That leg is coming right on back. The famous injury that knocked Dominic Hachik out. Yeah.

In the Olympics. The adductor or the adductor? The adductor. Okay. Now. That's the first time I heard of it. Now, no one had tendonitis. No, not a single case of tendonitis.

Um, but- That's why they won the cup. The most crippling of all the disease. Yeah, that's why they won. Sorry, what was Barkov's injury? He cut his hand. He split his hand open? Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I'm sure he cut it. The palm of his hand. Well, that's why they won, too many blood packs. That's right. They've been doing the... They did it together? Yeah. They cost him, but hey, they won.

Yeah, he's like, we are now blood brothers. His teammates are like, can we not shake hands, please? This is gross, man. He carries around a large knife at all times so he can do blood packs. We're the Wolf Pack, together. All right, give us a mook out on that. So I learned last night that in an absolutely phenomenal night for sports, Stanley Cup final, Calder Cup final, finer, and a gold cup at BC Place.

We have grossly and negligently overlooked an outstanding win for the Toronto Blue Jays last night in truly dramatic fashion. Oh God, is it that time of season where we have to pay attention to the Blue Jays? Toronto trailed 4-3 going into the bottom of the ninth, laddie. Laddie didn't even see it because he was a slow pitch. I guess they hated D back.

Yeah. Who had won five of their last six to claw themselves to one game above 500. Toronto trailed four, three in the bottom of the ninth. There was one out before Bo Bichette came up and hit a solo Jack to make a four four. So you're thinking right on, solo home run does it all himself. In the bottom of the ninth to tie up the game, what drama. Low pitch out of the zone too, dug it out.

Could you only imagine what might follow? Well, Addison Barger came to the plate and decided to do this. Here comes the two two pitch. And Barger gets underneath one. Sends it on a rocket to right field. Off the second deck. The Blue Jays go back to back and belly to belly.

Bow then barger and the Blue Jays win it five four. You have got to be kidding me. I'm not kidding you. Back to back solo jacks in the bottom of the night. What did you say? Belly to belly? Belly to belly. I think they did the bump. to back solo jacks in the bottom of the night. What'd you say, belly to belly? Belly to belly. I think they did the bump. Oh, okay.

And then it was supposed to be a chest bump but they met at the belly. Five, four win for the Jays. They snapped a tree. I think that's the only way we beat it. They didn't even jump. They just bounced bellies right there at home plate. One of them totally like pushed their back out

or whatever. Yeah, tore an adductor doing it, that belly to belly bump. Addison Barger, lot of ties to our neck of the woods, former Vancouver Canadian, all those lad, laddie pointed out, didn't spend a lot of time here. He spent a fair amount in 2022. He also grew up just down the road in Bellevue, Washington.

Now the story with Barger, as I understand it, is that he was homeschooled right from the start. And the Barger family in Bellevue had a baseball diamond in their backyard. And that part of the reason for homeschooling him was so he could play like five hours of baseball a day. The story was that at the age of 10, 10, he decided he wanted to be a pro baseball player. So did I. Aided in part by the fact that he had a baseball diamond in his backyard and he was homeschooled.

I didn't have that. And then he moved down to Florida for high school and then went on his way to becoming, he's having a really good year for the Jays. Yeah, he's picked it up and apparently he had a gym back at home too. Yeah. I don't know if you've seen Addison Barger,

but he's got a lot of upper body strength. Is he yoked? He's a little yoked. Yeah. And he's up to eight homers already on the year. He's having a great season It looks like they might have found something with the outfielder. Okay, give me a moocow on all that Does anybody else have a what we learned no, then we're gonna move right along to the humanoids fire up that damn a switch What we learned humanoid edition brought to you by AJ's pizza on East Broadway AJ says he's gonna bring Stanley Cup to Florida

Do you see that text he sent us last night or to Vancouver? Oh, really? That's his goal. Yeah, it broke He's got ties to Florida now that he's got a restaurant down there. Well, that doesn't mean he's allowed to have the Stanley Cup I don't know Just have random people be like, can I borrow that for a day? It's okay, I'm a restaurant owner. All I know about AJ, I know two things about AJ. He knows pizza and he knows people. He knows people, just all over the place.

So I'm not gonna rule it out. He might be able to get it done. AJ's original signature pies are a must try, like the Detroit inch thick crust, crispy cheese topped with Parmesan and basil. Order online at ajs. AJ's pizza Mac and Langley Just text it in. Oh, no, it's sinking in months of baseball Backstories from Bellevue, Washington. That was a good story

That was a good story Mac rich kid makes good. I don't know. I don't know how wealthy the barger family was I don't see money apparently quite. Mm-hmm. Like I don't see it ever. Have you ever been to Bellevue? Your family was I don't see money apparently quite like I don't see it ever have you ever been to Bellevue like Bellevue is very nicer houses than yours pretty affluent. Yeah, I mean our houses god. They need jiffy every day every day That's an ownership problem though. That's not the house's problem maintenance and upkeep. Yep, that's right Jiffy guys like are you okay, man? Word yeah, are you not a handyman? Are you not paying attention to the numerous leaks around your house? The answer is yes.

All right. Uh, David from Surrey, what we learned, I learned that watching how much a family that Florida are, I hope that Adam Foote will be able to instill a culture that embraces a family that plays for each other. Yeah. Every coach comes in wanting that. And I think, especially with what happened last

season, the Canucks need to do some trust fall exercises or something. Remember when we had Adam Foote on the show? Yeah, he's a people person. No, no, no, but I asked him a question. It was the question he really, really liked. You didn't ask him any questions that he liked, but I asked him a question that he liked.

And I said, you know, in today's age where, um, you know, a lot of people just want to want a lot of the young players just want to stay home sometimes. Oh yeah. I remember. Just hang out and it's less of like, uh, let's go out and, uh, round up the boys and get some drinks in us and, you know, uh, no, it's very, very

disappointing. Um, I guess it's good, but it's, um, and he, and that one really struck him and he was talking about how in Colorado, they would have a barbecue to start the year, every year. And, uh, everyone would get to know each other's families. And he said a few things like, I don't want

any of our young players or really any of our players to eat dinner alone. Yeah. And that suggests that that was happening. I wouldn't be surprised. Yeah. Remember when we had Blake Wheeler on the show a couple of days ago?

Yeah. Was it yesterday? I don't remember. Yeah, I do remember that. Blake Wheeler said about Paul Maurice, he's like, I could tell that he really genuinely cared and wanted to know about my wife, about my kids, about my family.

Yeah. And that stuff might seem, honestly, especially from two guys as jaded as we're really go, you know, Triton cliched and everyone, everyone does it, but it's obvious that everyone doesn't now part of it. Part of it is, and this is a valid like counterpoint is that sometimes coaches don't want to go there because when you have to deliver crappy news or you have to be tough to on a guy,

it's hard when you've developed a personal relationship. Some coaches would say it's almost impossible to do because when you develop that friendship that goes beyond the coach player, yeah, and I almost want to say like employer employee relationship, it can be tough to be like, Hey, how are your wife and kids doing? I hope they like the American league. Like that kind of, you know what I mean? Like it's, I hope they like Charlotte. Yeah.

It's, I mean, there's that famous scene from money ball where he's like, don't get to know him, make it business like, because sometimes you're going to have to cut them off. Right. Yeah. I'm less concerned about at foot's relationship with the players and I'm more concerned about the

players relationships with the players, especially after last season. Sure. But I'm just talking big picture stuff, right? I mean, there is that yes, what were you going to say? Oh, so can I do the next one? Yeah. Are you guys done?

Yeah. Okay. Uh, this is a text in from Mano in Chilliwack. Okay. But we learned Addison Barger's family has a better training facility than the Canucks. Should talk to the Bargers. A build a practice facility literally in my backyard.

Are you guys using that every day? Can we borrow that please? He's clearly got a gym, like come on. A practice facility back there. On sign what we learned, I learned that the state of Florida is the greatest hockey state of all states and provinces in the world. Yep, it is.

So imagine Little Halford is following the 21 team NHL. And he's like, I hope Hartford takes it this year. So we're back 35 years now or whatever. And I- Very elaborate scenario. And I would tell you that in 2020, Tampa Bay would win the cup. And then the next year, Tampa Bay would win again. And then it would be Colorado.

They'd be like, the Rockies are back? And then the year after that, it'd be Vegas. Vegas? And then the two years after that, the Florida Panthers would win the Stanley Cup. So I would be like, are the Oilers still in? Oh yeah, yeah, no, but they lost. And also I would tell you that there hadn't been a Canadian team that won the Stanley

Cup since 1993. I'm going to put this in context for you. How long ago does it feel like Canada won the gold cup? 2000? Yeah, no, 2000. It feels like a long time ago. So it's 25 years. It feels a lot longer than 25 years. It feels a long time ago. Well, Canada last won the cup seven years before that.

It does feel like, I mean, it's ages ago. 0-7 now in the Stanley Cup final, Canadian teams. And there've been a few that got to game seven, including the Oilers last season. Little Halford would have a hard time imagining any of this. We're both old enough to remember both. You'd be like, are there flying cars? Nope, did we get those yet?

No, did we do that? There's a lot of arguing on the internet. That's all we get. What's the internet? Yeah, you'll like parts of the internet. I'm old enough to remember Very specific. Yeah, you know that crazy lady. We just saw in the mall Well, imagine if every single one of her on earth had a platform Every single day of the year she can say whatever she wants whenever she wants we can all You should see who the president is I were the Simpsons predicted I remember actor I remember when Florida and Tampa Bay were awful

franchises yeah I remember when Tampa Bay was propped up on the money of all of the saw movies I don't know what they're up to now, Saw 13, still sawing. And then I remember when, before Vinny Viola, Florida was awful, awful, awful. Yeah. I was convinced they were gonna move. I thought they were gonna go to Quebec City. A rudderless franchise.

Endless players coming in and out, no interest. Thank you building. It was where guys went to retire. And guys wanted to get out of there to salvage their careers. I remember like Stephen Weiss being overjoyed that he finally got to get out of there. Jay Bomeaster. Stephen Weiss, there's a name out there.

Hey, Nathan Horton. Nathan, yeah, Jay Bomeaster and Jay Bomeaster. Finally, finally, I get to go somewhere where hockey matters. Omar with a what we learned. It started with a bang and ended with a fizzle. It was the greatest Stanley Cup final that never was. I'm glad you read this. I am. I was disappointed last night. I mean, I was happy that Edmonton did not get it Stanley Cup. That's great.

I had a press credential for game seven. It fell. I was disappointed. It fell flat after game two. It did. Even the great Oilers come back midway through the series to kind of make you think that they might have a puncher's chance. It was very disappointing. I said, we, you know, all the oilers not only let themselves down in the city of Edmonton, but all of us. Yeah. It last year's Stanley Cup final was better than this year's Stanley Cup final.

Easily. But I think that oilers team was better. But after the first two games, we were all writing the oh my God, we're in the midst of the best Stanley Cup final was better than this year's Stanley Cup final. Easily. But I think that Euler's team was better. But after the first two games, we were all writing the, oh my God, we're in the midst of the best Stanley Cup final ever, and it delivered. Does the Panthers being a downtrodden franchise, and then blossoming into what they are now, give you hope for the Vancouver Canucks? There's always hope.

There's always hope. Yeah, there's always hope. But hope is not a plan. Yeah. Is that wealth simple? I think it is. It's a really annoying commercial thing. Florida went, but here's the thing. But hope is not a plan. Is that wealth simple? I think it is. It's really annoying commercials, yeah. Florida went, but here's the thing.

Florida was bad for two decades and no one really cared. There wasn't like a fan revolt or angst. Everyone was just like, oh, they stink. Now, if they stink to the point where they might have to move, and I remember Jason saying it on a number of occasions, like they're in danger of leaving because the apathy is taken over. Patrick in South Surrey, Texas, and my dad used

to own a restaurant in Florida. Is your dad AJ? And bought season's tickets to the Panthers for $400 for the entire season. There was always talk that all the tickets in Florida, not all of them, but a lot of them were just freebies. Just giving them out.

Yeah. If you want to go, you can go. Well, there was the story. You walk by the arena and they're like, do you want to go? And you're like, yeah, not really. There was the guy from Vancouver who bought season tickets for the Panthers and it was

cheaper with airfare and everything. Yeah. To do the Panthers game. I remember that story. Than to do season tickets here. I do remember that story. I think his name was Jay. There you go.

Scott with what we learned watching Brad Marshawn destroy Edmonton en route to a cup was cathartic. I think I can finally let go of 2011. Can we play the Luongo audio? We had this buried all day. In yesterday, Gene Principe doing Yeoman's work on the ice interviewing everybody and anybody,

got a hold of Roberto Luongo, and at the end of the interview, he did ask and shout out to Gene for representing Vancouver about Roberto Luongo's bromance with Brad Marshawn. Here's what I do. I think we have the question and answer in here. So here's the whole bit of the interview at the very end. Roberto Luongo, two time Stanley Cup champion with Jean Principe.

Vancouver will never stop loving you, but you may have caught them by surprise with your Brad Marchand stuff. What did you think of all that? One time, you know, maybe a villain, but now a friend and someone that you are part of a winning club with. Yeah, of course. I mean, I love Vancouver too. So, you know, Brad, obviously we had our battles back with us 15 years ago.

You know, we have to be able to move on and you know, he's he's a great player obviously and you know I'm an even better teammate. So We're just happy to have him on our team. And obviously we saw what he did on this run Not only on the ice but in the locker room on the bench everywhere. So it was a huge add to our team And then he broke down and sobbed for 20 minutes. We have to show that on camera. Brad Marshawn, friend. Like just hearing those words together.

It is crazy. So Marshawn won Cups 14 years apart, right? He won in 2011 and 2025. Third longest gap in NHL history for a player between cups. Chris Cellios, I didn't even realize this, did it 16 years apart. He won a cup in 1986 and then again in 2002. That's crazy.

And then the other one. Was he a rookie with the Habs? Yeah, I think he must have been. He was, yeah. Although I don't know, Chris Cellios could have broken it 76. He was a ninth year player. He won a cup in 86, he was 41 at the time.

And then the noted doctor himself, He was a ninth year player. Yeah. He won a cup in 86. He was 41 at the time. And then the noted doctor himself, Mark Reckey did it 15 years apart. He won one in 91 and then again in 06. Richelius was a rookie in 83, 84. Right. Oh, okay. He was the third year player in 86. Snoop with what we learned.

Florida might be in the US, but five of the top seven forwards in time on ice for the Panthers were Canadians. Verhage, Reinhart, Bennett, Rodriguez, Marchand. Cups always coming home to Canada. Yeah. I mean, Canada is the best country at hockey. It's close though. Maybe.

It's getting real close. Maybe the Connect should look at that. Like who's, who's really good at hockey? Canada. Well, the Connex have cornered the American market. They've had a lot of Americans over the last few years. You're missing my point though. I'm not missing your point.

And it's like people always say like- America was one overtime shot away from being the best in hockey. Okay, but they weren't. I know. People always say like, oh, well, you want more Canadians because you're xenophobic. I'm like, no, I want more Canadians because as a country, we are quite good at the sport.

This, I mean, yeah. Well, it was also when the Golden Knights won two years ago, it was like exclusively Western Hockey League guys, wasn't it? They had a ton of them, if I remember. Steven North-Sanich, what we learned, I believe that even though it's the gold cup, that six nothing win over Honduras finally closes the door on eight one. Oh, so many years ago, a lot of people in the Dunbar Lumber text line getting closure on things. Uh, yeah, that's nice.

There was a, we want eight chant last night from the voyagers, the traveling. We want eight. We want to give them one. Yeah. They almost had one there for awhile. by the way Canada's next two matches I Don't want it like they set the bar pretty high But actually Honduras is at least in terms of rankings the second most competitive team in the group They've got curse out and El Salvador still and they're below Honduras and the conca cafe and FIFA rankings

so Canada has a chance to Really make a statement in this group if they decide that they want to. Jay, with what we learned, McDavid and Dreissel each played less than 23 minutes in a Stanley Cup Finals elimination game. They were clearly bagged and the Oilers need quality depth. They would have played more if there were power plays.

Yep. Did they have a single power play? Can you imagine, by the way, the conspiracy theories that would be going around if the others were the Canucks and the Canucks fans saw, there were a lot of missed calls. There were a lot of missed calls, a lot of high stakes. But I think you could have made the argument that that series was over on Saturday

after Florida won the NBA. I know, but Canucks fans love a challenge. That's true. When I watch it, bits and pieces of that game last night because I was a BC place There was a real dead man, and I know that they put up shots I know that they did but there was a there was a certain element of dead man walking to the oilers series was over When they lost Hyman, I think I think that was the turning point see I I felt after the first two games that it was up For grabs I know they showed life, but I just I feel I know Florida tilted it in game two games that it was up for grabs. I know they showed life

But I just I feel I know Florida tilted it in game two, but I was like two overtime games It was pretty even I'm like, this is a series and then game three happened and The first instance that you got that it could get out of hand that badly I was like, oh the Panthers got better and better as a better better series went along for now I before the series I all I went out, I thought the others were gonna do it. They didn't, and by the end of it, I was like, wow, I was wrong and really wrong about this series.

But you're rarely wrong, which is good. I'm wrong a lot, man. I embrace it. It's fun to be wrong. We don't fact check around here. It's true. Who knows if we're right or wrong? No one bothers to fact check anything. I thought communism would win in the end. Still might. Okay, we gotta get check around here. That's true. Who knows if we're right or wrong. No one bothers to fact check anything.

I thought communism would win in the end. Still might. Okay, we gotta get out of here. Some people texting you, it's winning right now! Open your eyes! If we fact check stuff, I wouldn't have a job. Oh God, please end the show. Okay, we gotta get out of here for today, but we will be back tomorrow.

Thank you all for listening and thank you all for contributing. And congrats to the Florida Panthers for winning a second consecutive Stanley Cup. For now though, we gotta say goodbye. Signing off, I have been Mike Alford, he's been Jason Brough, he's been Adog and he's been Laddie. This has been the Haliford and Brough Show on Sports Night 650.