S1:EP5 - Halfway Through the 2025-2026 season: surprises, updates & nuance in the NHL
Release Date: 01/12/2026
Sass & Slapshots
What To Expect In This Episode: How Alan got into MCing for the NHL, NFL, Olympics & Weddings(!?) What announcing for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olmypics was like The most electric moment Alan has experienced at Ball Arena NHL & PWHL standings and injuries, what end-penalties are & more! Follow Our Guest: Become An Official Sass & Slapshots Fan: Follow Us: Contact: Have a hockey question or need clarification? DM us! Looking to collaborate? DM us! We’re not hockey experts, so we may have missed something or...
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What To Expect In This Episode: Top 5 in the NHL, top 3 in the PWHL & injury reports for both leagues Nylander and Stolarz continue the Maple Leafs curse Two "bonus" best moments in the PWHL this season Hockey 101: What is a donnybrook? Mentioned In The Episode: Special Thanks To Our Podcast Sponsor: Become An Official Sass & Slapshots Fan: Follow Us: Contact: Have a hockey question or need clarification? DM us! Looking to collaborate? DM us! We’re not hockey experts, so we may have missed something or...
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What To Expect In This Episode: Top 5 in the NHL, top 3 in the PWHL & injury reports for both leagues The NHL deadline & the additions of Roy, Kulak & Kadri to the Avalanche Buffalo Sabres & their recent (& surprsing) rise to a top 5 team Cale Makar's recent assault on the Cap & MacKinnon's game ejection (which was rescinded by the NHL) Hockey 101: What is concussion protocol Special Thanks To Our Podcast Sponsor: Become An Official Sass & Slapshots Fan: Follow Us: Contact: Have a hockey question or need...
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What To Expect In This Episode: The growth of women's hockey and PWHL expansion Why inclusivity and representation in sports matters The role of sports media and journalism in promoting women's hockey Challenges faced by female athletes and league development & more! Special Thanks To Our Podcast Sponsor: Julia Tocheri: Julia Tocheri’s career launched after university when she joined TSN’s BarDown team, where she created digital content, hosted live events, and provided coverage of the CHL and Memorial Cup for TSN. She also covered PWHL and International...
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What To Expect In This Episode: Donovan's journey from MC of the Mammoth and the Nuggets to the Avs Why Donovan hit the ice and started learning how to play hockey How Covid changed Donovan's life, living the saying "hockey is for everyone" & his favorite part of being part of Avs Faithful Stadium Series recap, goalie fights, Sarah's insane Olympic schedule & more Special Thanks To Our Podcast Sponsor: Follow Our Guest: Become An Official Sass & Slapshots Fan: Follow Us: Contact: Have a hockey question or need...
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What To Expect In This Episode: How Kat became obsessed with hockey & her journey to becoming a credentialed sports reporter What led Kat to an autism diagnosis later in life. Kat's advice if you're looking to break into sports journalism All about Kat’s debut book, Manic Autistic Dream Girl + more! Special Thanks To Our Podcast Sponsor: Kat Whetsone: Kat Whetstone is a writer and mental health advocate. She is the founder of Hockey in Heels, a blog about the Columbus Blue Jackets and NHL as a whole; High Functioning, a blog about her recovery journey, and...
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What To Expect In This Episode: The Heated Rivalry x Empty Netters controversy Ullmark's leave of absence & the importance of mental health advocacy and resources The ins and outs of the PWHL Takeover Tour: Amy Sheer, expansion plans & The Fleet's superiority We announce of sponsorship with Woody Creek Disillers & more! Become An Official Sass & Slapshots Fan: Follow Us: Contact: Have a hockey question or need clarification? DM us! Looking to collaborate? DM us! We’re not hockey experts, so we may have missed something or...
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What To Expect In This Episode: Ryan’s background in sports & how he began covering hockey & boxing Realistic advice on how to break into sports journalism The pros & cons of being a beat reporter for the Colorado Avalanche Playing in the alumni game with Hejduk, trade predictions, Ryan’s take on Hakstol & more! Ryan O'Hara: Ryan O’Hara is an award-winning sportswriter and broadcaster, currently serving as a beat reporter and site editor for The Hockey News, covering the Colorado Avalanche and San Jose Sharks. He is a member of the International...
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What To Expect In This Episode: Blockbuster trades, Stanley Cup predictions, and hockey news at the 41-game mark of the 2025–26 season Navigating fandom when organizations make unfavorable decisions behind the scenes Olympic rosters, snubs, and surprises Trade deadline thoughts and the Colorado Avalanche wagon + more! Mentioned In The Episode: Special Thanks To Our Podcast Sponsor: Become An Official Sass & Slapshots Fan: Follow Us: Contact: Have a hockey question or need clarification? DM us! Looking to collaborate? DM us!...
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What To Expect In This Episode: Who Britta Curl is: Her background, accolades & current position in the PWHL Curl's activity on & offline, sparking outrage from fans Curl's dangerous playing style, her reaction to the backlash she's received & more Mentioned In The Episode: Special Thanks To Our Podcast Sponsor: Become An Official Sass & Slapshots Fan: Follow Us: Contact: Have a hockey question or need clarification? DM us! Looking to collaborate? DM us! We’re not hockey experts, so we may have missed something or...
info_outlineWhat To Expect In This Episode:
- Blockbuster trades, Stanley Cup predictions, and hockey news at the 41-game mark of the 2025–26 season
- Navigating fandom when organizations make unfavorable decisions behind the scenes
- Olympic rosters, snubs, and surprises
- Trade deadline thoughts and the Colorado Avalanche wagon + more!
Mentioned In The Episode:
- The Ducks Fly To The Top, Coach Q & The Avs With Landeskog Back
- Central Division Powerhouse: Is This The NHL’s Most Competitive Thunderdome?
Special Thanks To Our Podcast Sponsor:
Become An Official Sass & Slapshots Fan:
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- Have a hockey question or need clarification? DM us!
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- Stats listed were accurate when we hit “publish.” If they’ve changed since then…well, that’s hockey, baby.
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About:
- Sarah Murphy was born and raised in Kentucky where football and basketball dominated sports. A custom cookie art baker by trade, as soon as she discovered hockey, she put down the icing and picked up her MBA with the goal of starting a career in the sport. The Avalanche became Sarah’s favorite team after attending an away game against the Preds. Soon after, Sarah visited Denver and realized that moving to The Centennial State was her fate. When she isn't watching, writing, or talking about hockey, she's baking, crocheting, or reading. Sarah loves to travel, and plans trips around the Avalanche hockey schedule. She bleeds burgundy and blue! Go Avs!
- Vee Weir lives and breathes Avalanche hockey. As a veteran content creator and marketer, Vee’s work has been featured in Mashable, CNET, Forbes, and more. Vee discovered hockey in 2022 when Colorado won the Stanley Cup. Ever since that fateful day, hockey has been her hyper-fixation and special interest. When she isn’t watching, writing, or talking about hockey, she's curled up under a heated blanket, reading or cuddling with her three dogs.
Special Thanks:
- Corey Tyler - Sound Engineer + Branding
- Joseph Bogumill - Podcast Editor