VCB Hockey Podcast - Ep 1: Analytics with Drance & best bang for your buck groceries

Have you ever heard the saying “try everything once”?

It’s a stupid saying because if we lived that way we’d all try mescaline, adultery, stealing, and a bunch of other idiotic things. But I guess “try some things” is boring.

Still, I wanted to try something. Podcasting. I figured if an episode doesn’t go well, it’s not as bad as screwing up an episode of adultery.

So here it is – my first kick at the can. Jocelyn Aspa of CanucksHockeyBlog.com rode shotgun.

If you like podcasts with bad transitions between segments (these never crossed my mind ahead of time for some reason), somewhat tinny phone interviews (who knew you had to be a sound engineer to do this?), and a complete lack of a half-decent ending – this podcast is for you.

In this episode, we took Twitter suggestions on the best bang for your buck at the grocery store, we talked to Thomas Drance of the Score and CanucksArmy.com (at the 12:30 mark), and we took your submissions for our #IARSLU (I am right so listen up!) segment.

If you want the straight hockey goods, skip to the Thom segment. We got into how much better the Canucks would be with Luongo followed by a great background explanation on how fancy stats guys determine which teams have good “possession numbers”.

We also talked about how much control Toronto’s new analytics department has over Maple Leafs operations, gave numbers-based NHL standings predictions for the second half of the season, and talked in depth about the Canucks’ underlying numbers.

Nerdy? Extremely. But there’s some damn good information in there.

Please give us feedback. Yes, even you “You suck and know nothing about hockey!” guy. All press is good press. (another dumb saying)

I am already planning more episodes, btw. Hopefully we’ll keep getting better.

https://soundcloud.com/httn/vancity-buzz-hockey-podcast-january-15-2015