OverDrive - O-Dog on Canada's rough defeat to Czechia, the team's undoing and Matthews' goals record

Episode Date: January 5, 2026

O-Dog, Jeff O'Neill joined OverDrive to discuss the headlines around Canada's defeat to Czechia, the bronze medal game on tap, the downfall for Canada in the tournament, the lack of power translating to wins, Auston Matthews breaking the goals record and more.

The NPHL North and South divisions are on fire. The Blitz are leading the north. The killer bees dominate the south. Now the league's best collide at the All-Star game January 10th in Alveston, Ontario. Tickets available at nphlhockey.ca. The O'Dog, Jeff O'Neill. Congrats, and an absolute pleasure making history with you this season. I have to tell you, Hazy Bee.

It was kind of, as a broadcaster, disappointing that I have to go and do a bronze medal game. But when I think of HBO, it makes me smile, and it's just the cohesiveness in working with you, too, and seeing how a proper operation runs, I'm very proud of that, and it made me smile this morning. And I would just like to say, come playoff time, if that flying, what does he call it, a windbag or a... It's no thing without the ring or something like that, or the floating bag. That's what he calls you a floating bag. That scumbag, floating bag, Luke, if he thinks that we don't start the playoffs with some kind of plus advantage, he's sorely mistaken. Oh, no, no.

The regular season, you don't... Hang on a sec, Jamie. Hang on a sec. If you think it's fair just to start the playoffs, even, we start with a plus two or plus three advantage, and that's just the advantage of winning the regular season. Well, so the president's trophy in the NHL, what did they get? Did they get two extra wins to start? A playoff in the first round?

They start 2-0-0 in the first round. No, they don't. It's even keel. You guys won the regular season quite handily. Okay, so if you and the bag, the floating bag, if you guys win the playoffs, does that mean you win at all? Or like, how is he going to equate that? Well, that's going to be his stance. That'll be Luke's stance.

Here's what I was saying. There is a difference between regular season and the playoffs. We see it all the time The President's trophy team Last year was to Winnipeg Jets They didn't win the Stanley Cup Right? The Florida Panthers Barely, you know, scraped into the playoffs

I wouldn't say scrape in third place And their division, they win the Stanley Cup I think when the chips are down It's an even keel You guys are regular season heroes We'll accept that We'll accept that We'll accept that we are regular season

Goats and that we're going to follow it up with just a spectacular run in the playoffs. I'm not concerned at all. You guys are the Carolina Panthers. You're eight and nine. You shouldn't even be in the playoffs. That's the truth. No.

Forget us. It's you guys. You're right. I don't know how we're in the playoffs, but put it this way. We might be the L.A. Kings, though. Remember when the Kings won their first cup and they got in an eighth place and lived their way in. You would play Daryl in that role. Exactly.

Well, when the chips were down last night, oh, I mean, you were there. Noodles and I have given our kind of take on. at all. What happened? How did you see the outcome? And what do you make of it the next day? You know what, guys? It just came down to the Canadians. I mean, throughout the tournament, I was asked a few times, like, what are they? What are they attached to? And a part of it was scoring goals because they could do that. But I think the undoing of the team was their ability to keep it out of their net. And that costs them big time. And it cost them playing for the gold medal. If you look at elite competition, they gave up four to the fins. They gave up five to the

checks and the round play. And then they gave up a six spot again. So it was like when critical moments, and I'm sure coaches would want them to be able to defend and kind of peak in that area at the most critical times. They just couldn't do it. They couldn't keep the puck out of their net. Whether it was turnovers, defensive play, defensemen just defending in front of the net or just simple mistakes. They just, they couldn't do it at critical times. They made a game of it.

Porter Martone scored a big goal to kind of tie it up. And it was like, okay, let's take our chances in overtime. And they just couldn't get it to overtime. So I thought it was a gold medal winning team, but like I don't believe we need a hockey summit. I think it was Canada's best team.

There was a bunch of high-end players. But let's not take away from the checks. James Duthy's been telling me all year. I think this is the Czech's best chance at a gold medal. and they kind of just played better. They kind of beat Canada at their own game. It's like when they did turn those pucks over, man, those checks can, the quick strike offense,

they can make plays and they can put it in the back of the net. And basically all facets of the game, they were probably better last night, and that's the end of it. I don't think there's anything to feel bad about or start questioning things. There are a bunch of good players. They just couldn't get it done,

and the checks played better. That's where I was going to go. Oh, so you're fine with not having a summit or anything like that. Lots of good players coming out of Canada. But do you feel like some of these other countries have really put a lot of resources and time and money into their programs?

Has the playing field evened out a little bit more, in your opinion, over the last couple years? I think so, Jamie. I mean, the Czechs and, you know, they're playing the Swedes and the finals, and for years it seemed like the Swedes could never get into that gold medal game. And now you're seeing something different this year. I think for Canada to just assume they're going to win the gold medal,

which a lot of, like, for 10 years I've been doing this tournament, it seems like Canada had a really good chance. Obviously, there are some down years, the last two years losing in the quarterfinals. But you look at the American program, they were so good for a couple years, and this year they got bounced in the quarterfinals. So I think it's good to kind of mix it up for the tournament and get some different teams in there, but obviously selfishly doing it for the broadcasting. I would have loved an American Canada matchup,

and I would love an American-Swedish matchup today, but it's not happening. Yeah, it's too bad, and yet that's why you play the games. You know, Chequia was better. That's exactly right. Yeah. You know, 16 of them are playing in the CHL. A bunch of them are first and second-round picks. Like, they got really good players, and they looked like it last night. And, you know, it's too bad.

Canada's got to find a way to get up off the mat. Finland's going to be ready to go. Finland's happy with a bronze. Finland's happy to beat Canada, and it's not going to be easy in a couple of hours. but you know we were talking about the officiating oh and i know it's different on a junior level but i i do think it's it's a good precursor for what's coming in the olympics you know we've talked a lot about it the last year it is not the four nations this will not there will not be hits and fights and scrums doesn't happen they can't wait to blow the whistle

they can't wait and a lot of those were penalties last night like rest of them harry well he did but there was some you know you get cross-checked in front and then all of a sudden you bump into the goal, you're going off for goaltender interference, but you're right, that one there, like he deserved that penalty. He blatantly ran the goaltender over, but you're right with the big hits, you can just see they're looking around, they're like, it's been like that and kind of international

competition where if there's a massive hit, it's like, in a big noise, it's like the rest, like, do I got to call a penalty on that? Because that was just violence, so it's just something to look for for Canada, and it's almost a disadvantage, because every year I do this tournament, and I don't care if I repeat myself, and it's

the same thing, but one of Canada's advantage has always has been obviously there's, Brian, you've talked about it for years, they have the elite talents whether it be Gretzky, Lemieux, Crosby, McDavid, McKinnon, but I think their biggest strength is just kind of overwhelming

the opposition in the offensive zone with physicality. It's like they play the ground and pound game better than anybody, and you add in that elite skill. It's really tough to compete against. And if it's kind of all differently, and you're a little bit tentative to run somebody over, then you've got a different ball game.

You're almost leveling the playing field. So on Saturday night, Matthew sets the record. We all knew it was coming. He's up to 421 goals, which is just remarkable, passing Matt Sundin, and doing it in like 300 plus fewer games than Sundin, which is, again, insane. And he's playing great. And this team, there's more injuries. McCabe's out for a week.

Will he's still out. Tanev, we're not sure when he's going to play again, if at all this year. Stollars, who knows. I know you've been tracking the juniors, but I'm sure you want to give you two cents on Matthews, considering what he's done throughout his career. And I said earlier, I think it's comforting that he did it in a fashion where he looks like he's back.

He's chugging, man. He had a hat-trick the night before. He looks vintage. He's skating. He's shooting. He's playing aggressively. He didn't just limp towards. the record book here, he went and got it throughout his career,

and he's certainly done it the last two weeks. Yeah, and it kind of takes you back to that, the beginning of it. We were all in Ottawa watching him rip home the first four, and for him to continue on at that rate, and throughout the season, guys, I'm sure it's plainly obvious that certain things in the league have started to rise up, whether it be the Florida Panthers or the Edmonton Oilers, Connor McDavid, Brad Marshan,

It's like it's starting to really pick out. And the one thing that was kind of missing from all that was Austin Matthews and is desperately needed for him, especially now with all the injuries, for him to elevate and continue at that pace because without that, I don't know where they are. They desperately need him to continue to score and be a dominant player. If they're going to kind of stick around and get back in this race, it's going to be awfully difficult regardless.

Their schedule in the second half is going to be so tough that if they don't have that guy dialed in on all levels, they're going to have a really difficult time making the playoffs. Yeah, and it changes everything. Like we've talked about it before, that it doesn't matter the sport. If your best player is not playing at the height of his talents or abilities, everything feels off.

Everything feels off. And with this team, all of a sudden, the leaves, they're 4-0 and 2 in the last 6. I don't think it's a coincidence that he's playing the best hockey. He's played in two years. He's a separateer, Brian. He's a separator. It's like he's the advantage, one of the advantages,

for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and you often talk about certain players blending into a game. If he's just average, that team just blends into the standings, and they're going to continue to be where they're at. So he is one of the guys that's most important for him to elevate in the standings, and if he's not, they have no chance. Something to chew on brought you by Boston Pizza, Canada's favorite sports bar this January, at BP, get delicious mouth-watering pasta starting at 1199. Every single day, enjoy the pastas you love at prices you can't miss.

Hustle on your local BP tonight. So we're asking, oh, you can start noodles, you jump in. Yeah. Which of Austin Matthew's feats was the most improbable? Four goals in his debut, the 69 goal season, or the Leafs' all-time goal record? I'm going to go with 69 in the season. That was incredible to watch. And to just to come that close to score in 70 goals, it was just an incredible season to watch.

I'm going to go with 69 goals. Yeah, 69 for me, because. This is weird to say, and you guys have pointed this out, like, the Leafs history book, you know, this is only the fourth 50 goal score, like 420 goals. Like, you know, like it, it, they've been around for 100 years, you know what I mean? You go to other organizations and it's like, yeah, that guy got 700, you know, like here, you knew he was going to get that. It was just a matter of time. The 69 goals is more special for me. because that's an outlier.

Rare, that's in rare air. The other, you know, we just knew he was going to get it. You knew the record. I'll be the contrarian here and say the four-goal debut because it was his first game on the road, Battle of Ontario. The guy scored four goals. Like, it was remarkable. It was still one of the most incredible sporting events I've ever witnessed live,

and I've been lucky to be in a building for a lot of them. You guys have been in buildings for more than I even have. but, you know, Chase in 60, you're right, you know, like Rick Vive held the record of 54 goals for 40 years. Like, Vive did that in 81, 82. Matthews passed them in 21, 22, 40 years. Where you're right, you look at Edmonton, Pittsburgh, Montreal, you know, all these other. Detroit. You know, like, Gordy Howard, what, 800 goals or whatever?

You know, like in Washington, the guys got over 900. Right. You know, and at least some 421. I thought it was weird because you're like it's amazing and like if Matt's you Hayes you said it Matt's didn't play his whole career here the number would be higher if he played his whole career yeah we started his career for sure he would right like you know anyways the point being is I just that one we just knew he was going to blow through it was a matter of when the 69 is the you know that's a special

like outlier unparalleled right there was Gilmore in 92 93 Dougie had 127 points absolutely absurd season most points by a player in an individual season ever in leaf history but the 69 goals and him chasing 70 and he he could have had 80 that year i know that sounds crazy but he had so many opportunities even coming down the stretch um but yeah he's come alive and it's funny how other guys have too you see kuturov now all of a sudden is sniffing around like he's got 25 points in his last 11 games he had five points the other the night. Like it's, it's, and McKinnon's past McDavid again.

Like a week ago, it was like, well, there goes McDavid. He's got, not so fast. Not so fast. Like, it's pretty incredible. All the big boys, they just consistently do it. And for Austin, it's good to see it happen. All right. Well, what's the prep like for bronze?

Like, how does this, how would this be different, the pregame prep and everything compared to if they were playing for gold tonight? Honestly, it's like you got to go and do it. that fun and bronze isn't that cool but it's an opportunity uh it's an opportunity to win the bronze medal whatever the players think of it but it's just the old saying and you guys know it better than anybody like there's always somebody watching if it's an exhibition game in the n hl if it's an exhibition game in the oh hl w hl if it's a gold medal game if it's a pre-tournament game there is always somebody watching to see how you react a certain situation so if you think it's just all i'm

to go out there and kind of half-ass it. It's a big-time mistake. And it's also a big-time mistake doing that broadcasting. So you guys know better than I will put forth my best effort. Of course you will. You will have a brand-new suit on. I guarantee you it'll be rocking. Did you, I don't know, it was at the end of the broadcast here.

McKenna was, he wanted to get off the ice there. Did you see that? Where Scott Salmon's like, you stay out here type of thing. Well, I don't know if you guys saw it, Jamie is, yeah, I think he got 10 in a game. and I think he was like, well, I guess I'm out of here, but then somebody stopped him when he went off the ice and said, I wouldn't know any word. He needs to have a game.

That's the kid you're talking about right there. And I know that's crazy for the presumptive first overall pick, but I did not love his game last night. No, he didn't have his best stuff, Ryan. It was kind of perimeter stuff, and it was the odd saucer pass. But when you're talking about a kid like that, potentially going number one overall, you just expected more. He's obviously made some great plays in this tournament,

but the top guys, the number one guys, they don't have that performance. So he can kind of redeem himself and show something today because he just didn't have his best stuff last night. All right. Well, we'll catch you in a couple hours. We look forward to it. Hopefully Canada can pull something out here. Drive safe out there.

Drive safely. You and Frankie. Guys, the driving, guys, the driving, there's been, my thoughts and prayers are with Darren because he had an incident. He had to fly down here for the Olympic announcement. And when we were going home, Frankie was driving, and he thought Dregs was in the car, and he put it in drive. And poor Dregs was dragged about 100 feet.

I swear. And Frankie was like, I haven't got in the car yet. He's yelling, getting dragged along the car. And Frankie was like, whoa, and he put it in. It was a mess. It was a mess. This guy is a menace. And I want to tell you guys

of one of the most cowardly things I've ever seen in my life. We were coming home the other night in the last like kind of group play and we got off the highway and we realized a car was coming

the wrong way on the ramp directly at us. Really? Yes. And one of the most cowardly things I've ever seen is little Jimmy Duffy was in the back seat and there was three people in the back and he grabbed Megan Redwood and he pushed her in front of himself and said I can't go like this and he used her to shield himself that is so unfortunate to that is the most cowardly thing I've ever witnessed in her car because Megan's a trooper too exactly and he tried to use her as a shield to protect himself and I look back and Frankie he redeemed himself he went around the car and it was like one of those things when it's like something bad's about to happen and you blurt something out and then it's

okay and then you look at him like man that was a tough one that's that's that's not a foxhole guy that's you know what jimmy he's got a book out he's got a new book out you got to take that into consideration remember george costanza women and children he was pushing him out of the way and the house fire that's that's that's jd just taking people out of elbows I literally heard him blurt out he's like

I'm too important I can't go like this and he shielded himself with her all right well say hi to Megan we love Megan and I guess say hi

and happy New Year to JD and the whole crew and we'll catch you later all week all right we'll see you guys there is

the O'Dog Jeff O'Neill very disappointing to start our new year with a story like I'm Dylan play fair and I'm Tyler Smith we're putting

loneliness in the penalty box by talking to some of our favorite athletes about the importance of friendship. This is bromance. Bromance is brought to you by Charm Diamond Centers, proudly Canadian-owned and operator. Charm has been part of your love stories and bromances for over 50 years.

And you can find Bromance on the IHeart Radio Network or wherever you get your podcast.