Report Card Segment is coming!

Hello friends,

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and/or Hanukkah. Now that the holiday is over it is time to get back to hockey.

Coming up this weekend I will be doing a "report card" feature- Mike McMahon and I will sit down and "grade" the Warriors through the first half of the season- "midterm grades" if you will. We'll look at each area of the team and Mike will give you his expert opinion on where the Warriors rank in each category.

I am also going to attempt to do the feature with my color analyst, Mike Machnik at some point this weekend as well. It will be fun to compare their answers. Both segments will appear here on the blog. You won't want to miss it!

Incidentally, if you'd like to check out the live broadcasts from Dartmouth this weekend, simply go to www.merrimackathletics.com and it is there that you will find the link to our live broadcasts. The live audio stream link can be found at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/merrimack-warriors-college-hockey . We will also be on 1400 AM locally and their feed is at www.megaboston.com (choose 1400 from the pulldown menu at the top).

This is the most exciting time of the year in college hockey- the second half and the stretch run. I hope you can be with us.

Happy New Year everyone!

Mark Dennehy Pre-Game Interview 12-17-11

Here is my pre-game chat with Merrimack head coach Mark Dennehy, prior to the Warriors 3-1 loss to Union on 12-17. Click the link below to listen:

http://www.archive.org/details/MarkDennehyPre-gameInterview12-17-11

Music and why it is the biggest thing in my life

Music. Many of us have different feelings and associations about what it is. People love music, they relax to it, they use it to get through the day. For me, music serves so many important functions. It keeps me sane. Not only do I enjoy music for many of the same reasons that other people do, but it is directly proportional to my being happy. Let me explain why.

I am prone to negative thinking. It is a terrible habit and one I am always plagued by. Do you know how you can tell you're thinking negatively? By your mood. It's as simple as that- if you feel lousy, you're thinking to yourself harmfully. Time and time again I have proven this to myself. By the same token, if you feel great, you are thinking great things. Sounds simple doesn't it? Yet fixing the problem is a lot tougher than describing it. Here is the key to it all- the human brain can only focus on ONE THING AT A TIME. This cannot be disproven. And this is where music comes in.

When I sing and play my guitar, I cannot be in a bad mood. I can only focus on one thing at a time, and if I am singing lyrics or strumming those chords, I cannot focus on being in a bad mood. Music also changes your brain waves- it has a calming effect. Nect time you are having trouble sleeping, lay down with a pair of headphones and listen to some calming music. You will be asleep in no time. It works EVERY TIME for me.

I wish I could bring my acoustic with me wherever I go, but that is just not possible. The next best thing is the iPod. I have to allow music to fill my life at every turn. My father gave me my love of music and that is a gift I will never be able to repay.

One of my greatest dreams in life is to be able to gather in a darkened pub with great friends and just play music and laugh until 4 in the morning. That's my nirvana. Music and laughter...... imagine how awesome that would make you feel.

In the meantime, I'll continue to play and sing. When I feel blue and crabby, I'll reach for the one thing that I know will make me feel better-my guitar. Jimmy Buffett said it best when he wrote a song entitled " Tonight I Just Need My Guitar." That's all I need too. And if I'm successful at other things along the way, so be it. But you can bet that the success will be traced back to the singing and playing.

Keep the rafters ringing.

Mark Dennehy Pre-Game Interview 12-10-11

Here is my pre-game conversation with Merrimack head coach Mark Dennehy prior to the 1-1 tie at Colgate on 12-10-11.

Click here to listen to the interview:

http://www.archive.org/details/MarkDennehyPre-gameInterview12-10-11

Mark Dennehy Pre-Game Interview 12-3-11

I had a chance as I always do to sit down with Merrimack head coach Mark Dennehy prior to Merrimack's 6-1 loss to Providence. To hear coach's thoughts, click on the link below:

http://www.archive.org/details/MarkDennehyPre-gameInterview12-3-11

Mark Dennehy Pre-Game Interview 12-2-11

My pre-game chat with Merrimack head coach Mark Dennehy prior to the Warriors 2-1 OT loss at Providence on 12-2-11. To listen to the interview simply click on the link below:

http://www.archive.org/details/MarkDennehyPre-gameInterview12-2-11

Broadcasters Corner With Mike Logan

Here is my latest Broadcaster's Corner segment with Providence College broadcaster Mike Logan. Mike and I sat down for our chat prior to the Warriors 2-1 OT loss at Schneider Arena on December 2. To listen to out interview, please click on the link below:

http://www.archive.org/details/BroadcastersCornerWithMikeLogan12-2-11

Pre-Game Interview with Curtis Carr 11-23-11

I had a chance to sit down with Merrimack assistant coach Curtis Carr prior to the Wariors 6-0 win over Alabama-Huntsville on November 23. To listen to the interview please click on the link below:

http://www.archive.org/details/CurtisCarrPre-gameInterview11-23-11

Here is the latest round of audio- I had a chance to speak with Merrimack head coach Mark Dennehy prioor to the Warriors 3-2 OT win at BU on 11-11.... here is what the coach had to say. Click below to hear our interview:

http://www.archive.org/details/MarkDennehyPre-gameInterview11-11-11

Mark Dennehy Pre-Game Interview 11-4-11

My pre-game chat with Merrimack head coach Mark Dennehy prior to the Warriors 1-1 tie with Northeastern. Click the link below to listen:

http://www.archive.org/details/MarkDennehyPre-gameInterview11-4-11

Glenn Stewart Pre-Game Interview 11-5-11

Here is my chat with Merrimack associate head coach Glenn Stewart prior to the Warriors 3-2 OT win at Northeastern, 11-5-11.

Click on the link below to access our chat:

http://www.archive.org/details/GlennStewartPre-gameInterview11-5-11

Broadcasters Corner with Vermont's Alastair Ingram

Here is the third edition of the Broadcasters Corner with UVM broadcaster Alastair Ingram.

Click here to listen:

http://www.archive.org/details/BroadcastersCornerWithAlastairIngram

Coach Dennehy Pre-Game Interview, 10-29-11

Pre-game chat with Merrimack head coach Mark Dennehy, prior to the Warriors game from Vermont, 10-29-11.

Click here to listen:

http://www.archive.org/details/MarkDennehyPre-gameInterview10-29-11

Coach Dennehy Pre-Game Interview 10-28-11

Pre-game interview with Merrimack coach Mark Dennehy from Vermont, 10-28-11.

Click here to listen:

http://www.archive.org/details/MarkDennehyPre-gameInterview10-28-11

Mark Dennehy Pre-game Interview 10-22-11 (UConn)

My pregame chat with Merrimack head coach Mark Dennehy prior to the Warriors 5-0 win over UConn on October 22.

Click the link below to listen.

http://www.archive.org/details/MarkDennehyPre-gameVs.Uconn10-22-11

Mark Dennehy Pre-Game Interview 10-21-11

My pre-game visit with Merrimack head coach Mark Dennehy, prior to the Warriors 4-1 victory over Northeastern on October 21.

http://www.archive.org/details/MarkDennehyPre-gameInterview10-21-11

Nancy Murrapese-Burrell Pre-Game Interview 10-21-11

A chat with Boston Globe hockey writer Nancy Murrapese-Burrell of the Boston Globe, prior to Merrimack's 4-1 victory over Northeastern on October 21, 2011.

Click below to hear our interview.

http://www.archive.org/details/NancyMurrapese-burrellPre-gameInterview10-21-11

Broadcasters Corner with Rob Rudnick

Merrimack hosted Northeastern on Friday night, October 21. It was my distinct pleasure to chat with the longtime voice of the Northeastern Huskies, Rob Rudnick, before the game in the latest edition of the Broadcasters Corner. To hear our chat, please click on the link below.

http://www.archive.org/details/BroadcastersCornerWithRobRudnick10-21-11

Audio From October 15

Merrimack hosted Army last week and Army did not have any broadcasters traveling with the team, so I don't have any broadcasters audio from the game. But, as always, I had a chance to speak with Merrimack coach Mark Dennehy and here are his thoughts prior to the contest.

To access the interview, please visit the link below.

http://www.archive.org/details/MarkDennehyPre-gameInterview10-15-11

Enjoy!

Mark Dennehy Pre-Game Interview 10-7-11

Here is my pre-game chat with Warrior Head Coach Mark Dennehy, prior to our 2-1 victory in Maine on 10-7-11. Click on the link below to access our chat.

http://www.archive.org/details/MarkDennehyPre-gameInterview10-7-11

Hope you enjoy the chat!

Broadcasters Corner Edition 1- Dan Hannigan

Hello friends,

As promised, here is the first installment of my Broadcasters Corner segment for 2011-12. Each week, prior to the week's game (s), I will sit down and chat with a broadcaster from the opposing team and discuss hockey. This past Friday night, October 7, I was in Orono, Maine, where I had a chance to visit with Dan Hannigan, the outstanding play by play voice of the Maine Black Bears men's hockey team. To listen to our chat, simply click on the link below.

http://www.archive.org/details/BroadcastersCornerWithDanHannigan

Hope you enjoy the chat!

Whetting your hockey appetite

Hello everyone,

I hope you are enjoying your summer.

Although baseball season is in full swing, college hockey was on my mind yesterday (August 1) as I ventured up to Merrimack College to check in with Brad Davis, our SID, and Dean O'Keefe, our assistant AD and director of marketing. I had a chance to sit down as well with my color analyst on Merrimack hockey broadcasts, and we had a chance to discuss Merrimack hockey and college hockey in general. I'm not rushing the end of summer by any means (still a month of baseball left), but I feel a genuine sense of excitement as we head closer to the start of a new Merrimack hockey season.

I hope this interview whets your appetite for the hockey season. I will be beginning a new feature on this blog during the upcoming season... a broadcaster's corner, where I talk with the broadcasters of the other teams covering Hockey East prior to each Merrimack game, so stay tuned for that!

To access my interview with Mike, simply click this link:

http://www.archive.org/details/MikeMachnikPre-seasonInterviewMerrimackHockey2011-12

Thanks and enjoy the rest of your summer.

My second book is now on the market!

Hello all!

My second book, CALLING THE SHOTS, is now on sale and available for purchase! Please visit my website, www.johnrleahy.com for details on how to purchase a copy!

And now something really important to talk about

On this Memorial Day weekend, I'd like to give thanks and praise to all the American heroes who have given their life to secure the freedoms we all enjoy. It is a debt that we will never be able to repay. My particular thoughts this weekend gravitate down to Cary, North Carolina, where my Uncle Mick, a former lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps, and who passed away last October, lived.

Uncle Mick was the prominent military figure in my life... he was the embodiment of the Marines, through and through. Those who never served (like myself) will never truly understand and appreciate the enormous sacrifices that he and other military personnel gave.

Thanks to all our military today and every day!

Closing Sequence Part 2

Here is the second part of the closing sequence against Maine to take us to the Garden.

http://www.archive.org/details/ClosingSequencePart2

On our way to the Garden

Here is the closing moments of our victory for Merrimack over Maine. It represented MC's first trip to Causeway Street since 1998, and my first trip there ever as a broadcaster.

http://www.archive.org/details/ClosingSequenceMaine3-12-11

Coach Dennehy Pre-Game Interview- Notre Dame

Here is the pre-game interview I had with Merrimack head coach Mark Dennehy prior to our 4-3 loss to Notre Dame in the NCAA playoffs on 3-25-11.

http://www.archive.org/details/MarkDennehyPre-gameInterview3-25-11

Highlights from the season past

I am experimenting with adding audio clips to the blog, so I thought I would start with a clip of Merrimack's Carter Madsen scoring a goal against Maine in the 2010-11 playoffs. Hope you enjoy it!


http://www.archive.org/details/CarterMadsenGoalVs.Maine3-12-11

It sure has been a while

Hi friends,

I read today that the worst thing you can do with a blog is let it go stagnant. Unfortunately that is exactly what I have been doing. So just a few thoughts to get caught up.

After a long winter of not having any employment prospects lined up, I managed to get a few things going for myself this summer. I agreed to be the PA voice of the Worcester Tornadoes of the Can-Am League. This will be new for me- I have never done PA on a consistent basis of course- but I'm willing to give it a try. It will be a one year deal for me. I plan on being back full time behind a play by play microphone in 2012.

To that end, my good friend Ken Cail, who did the play by play for the Nashua Pride when I was with the Spirit, offered me a chance to do 31 games of play by play for the Lowell Spinners this summer. I can't tell you how thrilled I am to help Ken out. I've always dreamed of the chance to do affilated baseball, and this opportunity will give me that chance. The schedule of games I'll be doing is posted on my homepage, which is www.johnrleahy.com. I am eager to make new friends and possibly reconnect with some old ones.

I also have my second book coming soon- Calling the Shots, a small autobiography and a look back at some of the places I've worked in the business. I was dismayed the book will only be 104 pages in total with some very small chapters- you can never tell how long a book will be when you are writing the manuscript- but I will release more editions once my career advances.

By the way, I need to give a shoutout to my dear friend from Hockey East, Brock Hines, the award winning color analyst for UMass hockey. He gave me the idea for the title. Brock, I promise you will get one of the first copies. It will take you about an hour or two to read it!

Anyway, that's it for now. I will get this blog humming hopefully on a daily basis. Thanks to one and all!

BC DEFEATS BU IN OT, 3-2

After getting a power play in OT, Boston College converts at 3:17 on the power play to defeat Boston University 3-2 in the second semi-final game at the TD Garden. Tommy Cross scores the game winning goal to cement the win for the Eagles, assisted by Brian Dumoulin and Jimmy Hayes. BC will now face Northeastern at 8:00 next Monday for the Beanpot championship. BU and Harvard will meet in the consolation game at 5:00.

Good night from the TD Garden.

BC on the PP in OT

BC on the power play in OT, as BU defenseman Ryan Ruikka picks up a cross checking penalty.

BU-BC HEADING TO OT AT THE GARDEN

A tremendous third period, in which BC tied the game on a Jimmy Hayes goal, ends regulation tied at 2-2. Shots on goal after three periods have BC leading 35-34. The winner of this game will play Northeastern in the Beanpot finals next Monday night.

BC TIES BU IN THE THIRD

BC has tied BU in the third period 2-2 on a goal by Jimmy Hayes, assisted by Philip Samuelsson and Pat Mullane at 4:56 of the third period. BU going on the power play.

BU LEADS BC 2-1 THROUGH 2 AT THE GARDEN

BU holds a 2-1 lead over BC at the Garden through two.... Megan and Trivino for the Terriers, and Samuelsson for the Eagles. BC is outshooting BU 27-19 through 40 minutes.

BU JUMPS AHEAD 2-1 IN THE SECOND

Alex Trivino, a New York Islander draft choice, scores at 2:17 of the second period, assisted by Ryan Ruikka and Ross Gaudet to give the Terriers a 2-1 lead.

BC-BU SUMMARY THROUGH 1

1, BC, Samuelsson 4 (Arnold, Wey) 14:37.
2, BU, Megan (Noonan, Clendening) 15:15.

BC with a 13-11 edge in shots , both teams 0/1 on the power play.

BC AND BU TIED 1-1 AFTER 1 AT THE GARDEN

BC and BU played an action packed first period at the TD Garden in the second semifinal game of the Beanpot. The teams are tied 1-1 after one period. BC with a 13-11 shot advantage through one period.

BC-BU TIED AT 1-1 IN THE FIRST, 3:41 LEFT

Boston College, who has already beaten Boston University three consecutive times this season, take a 1-0 lead at 14:37 of the first period on a goal by Philip Samuelsson goal, his fourth, from Patrick Wey and Bill Arnold. BU would quickly answer with the tying goal just 38 seconds later from Wade Megan, his sixth, from Garrett Noonan and Adam Clendening AT 15:15. BU with a 10-9 edge in shots with 3:00 left in the first period.

BC AND BU SCORELESS

6:10 remaining in the first period. John Muse (BC) and Kieran Millan (BU) get the start in net. Shots are 9-8 BU.

NU DEFEATS HARVARD, 4-0

Northeastern defeats Harvard 4-0 in Game one of the Beanpot. Harvard outshoots NU 13-7 in the third period, and 41-31 for the game. Chris Rawlings posts the shutout with 41 saves for the Huskies, who improves to 9-11-6 on the season. Harvard drops to 4-18-0 on the season.

BU-BC up next.

THIRD PERIOD UNDERWAY

Third period of Harvard/NU underway from the Garden.

Harvard makes a change in goal..... Kyle Richter replaces Ryan Carroll in goal for the Crimson. Let's see if this sparks Harvard.

NU is 5-2-0 on the season when leading after two periods.

NU 4 HARVARD 0 AFTER 2

NU outshoots Harvard 14-11 in the second period, Harvard holds a 28-24 edge for the game.

First period recap:
NU- McLaughlin 8 (Quailer, Ellement) 10:48.


Second period recap:

NU- McLaughlin 9 (Dongara) 1:47. 2-0 NU
NU- Silva 6 (MacLeoud, McNeely) 10:53. 3-0 NU
NU- Reid 5 ( MacLeoud, Bitetto) 16:19. PPG 4-0 NU

PP- Harvard 0-3, Northeastern 1-3.

NU POWER PLAY GOAL

Northeastern's power play clicks on a 5-0n 3. Brodie Reid, the Huskies outstanding rookie, was set up along the midpoint of the near circle in the Harvard zone, and he one-timed a snipe past Ryan Carroll to stake the Huskies to a 4-0 lead. Harvard took some undisciplined penalties and NU made them pay. Reid is just one of the outstanding rookies on this Northeastern team. Wade MacLeoud and Anthony Bitetto draw the assists.

BTW, NESN has Red Sox PBP voice Don Orsillo covering the Beanpot alongside Bruins TV analyst Andy Brickley.

NU TAKING CONTROL

Northeastern has opened things up here in the second period. Mike McLaughlin potted his second goal of the game at 1:47 on a shot that Ryan Carroll made the initial save on, but the puck bounced in the air and behind him for a 2-0 NU lead. The Huskies would increase the advantage to 3-0 on a Steve Silva goal, his sixth, from Wade MacLeoud and Tyler McNeely. With 6:50 to go here in the second period, NU is up 3-0 with Harvard holding a 22-20 shot advantage.

NU UP 1-0 AFTER 1

Shots 17-10 Harvard after one. Back in a bit.

HARVARD UP 13-7 IN SHOTS

Great goaltending by NU's Chris Rawlings, he is a legitimate goaltender, now with 16 saves, updating. Still 1-0 NU last minute of play in the period.

WELCOME FROM THE 2010 BEANPOT

Hello friends, time to get this blog back up and cooking.

Welcome inside the 9th floor of the Garden where I'll keep you up to date on this year's Beanpot.

Game 1 features Harvard and Northeastern at 5:00 followed by BU-BC at 8:00 PM.

Starting goaltenders are senior Ryan Carroll for Harvard and sophomore Chris Rawlings.

Teams are feeling each other out early, there were very few scoring opportunities in the first 9 minutes.

Game 1 features Harvard and Northeastern. Northeastern has just jumped out to a 1-0 lead at 10:48 on a goal by Mike McLaughlin, an even strength goal., assisted by Steve Qualier and Drew Ellement.