This morning, the "number one college hockey radio show in the nation" delivers an emotional powerhouse of an episode that bridges the gap between legendary history and the future of the sport. The guys—Crazy Eddie, Coach Wills, Doc Phil, and "The Wise One"—celebrate a wild night of nine overtime games across college hockey, but the real magic happens when they welcome a true American icon to the studio.
The episode features two world-class guests: Western Michigan University Head Coach Pat Ferschweiler, who discusses his coaching philosophy of preparation and joy, and David Christian, a gold medal winner from the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" Olympic team. From the vibrations of the crowd in Lake Placid to the upcoming Olympic journey of Brock Nelson in Milan, this episode is a masterclass in the pride of the USA sweater and the lifelong bond of teammates.
Key Moments
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The Return of a Miracle In a surprise appearance that leaves "Crazy Eddie" in tears, David Christian joins the show to reflect on the 1980 Olympic victory. David discusses the "chills" he still feels hearing Al Michaels' legendary call and describes the unique genius of Herb Brooks in managing a locker room of distinct individuals.
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Pat Ferschweiler’s Plan for Success Western Michigan’s head coach, Pat Ferschweiler, shares the lessons he learned from mentors like Andy Murray and Jeff Blashill. His "fountain of youth" philosophy is simple: practice should be fun, and every pre-game meeting should start with a clear plan on exactly how the team is going to win.
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The Position Switch that Changed History David Christian recounts the moment Herb Brooks moved him from forward to defense just six weeks before the 1980 Olympics. Without any prior discussion, David saw his name listed as a defenseman on a lineup sheet and simply "went out and played" to help the team.
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The "Legs Feed the Wolf" Mentality David Christian breaks down the grueling conditioning drills under Brooks, explaining how the coach made "punishment" skating fun by convincing the players they could reach a level of greatness they never thought possible.
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A Nine-Overtime Night The crew analyzes a historic night of parity in college hockey, including Michigan’s thrilling overtime win over Michigan State and Duluth’s hard-fought victory over UND. They debate whether a "bye week" helps or hurts a team's intensity.
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Olympic Pedigree: From Cortina to Milan The guys trace the Christian family’s Olympic lineage, from Gordon "Guinea" Christian’s silver in 1956 to Bill and Roger Christian's gold in 1960, and now Brock Nelson’s upcoming quest for gold in Italy.
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Scoring on Tretiak? Coach Wills shares a humorous story about scoring on legendary Soviet goalie Vladislav Tretiak during a hockey school shooting drill, while David Christian jokes about what would have happened if the Soviets hadn't pulled Tretiak during the "Miracle" game.
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Shoutouts to the Next Generation The guys wrap up with a look at the Squirt International tournament in Fargo, offering tips to young "Squirties" on driving to the "greasy areas" of the net to make big plays.