ESPN

The ShowGirl

  (1:16 PM)

Welcome to The Show! Alright ... let's talk college hockey!

Joe Gladziszewski

  (1:24 PM)

Thanks for checking in this afternoon. We're here at Lynah Rink with Cornell sophomore goaltender Dave McKee and he's ready to answer your questions.

Adam (Geneva, NY)

Have you ever been hit with a fish at the Harvard game?

Dave McKee

  (1:25 PM)

I've never been hit with a fish, but there's been a few close calls.

Jason (DC)

You guys get back home this weekend after a while away ... how much of an advantage is the Lynah environment?

Dave McKee

  (1:26 PM)

Playing at Lynah is a big advantage for us because the crowd really gets us into the game. It's always good to be back and playing at home after being away for so long.

Shabby-Rome NY

Coming from Texas, I was wondering how strong the Youth programs are there or did you start somewhere else and move to Texas?

Dave McKee

  (1:28 PM)

I guess since the Stars came in 1993 the popularity of the game has grown a lot. The youth programs have increased. From my junior team, the Texas Tornado, there are about 8 players in Division I. When we started, we had to play most of our games on the road, but now other teams from around the country are starting to respect the quality of hockey in Dallas.

pat (boston, ma)

Do you think Boston College will make the Frozen Four and/or win it all this year? This may not be the best team they have had (winning it all in 2001) but they seem to be able to put up big wins against schools like BU, North Dakota, etc.

Dave McKee

  (1:30 PM)

BC is a good team. We played them in Florida and they threw everything on net to get scoring chances. They'll be a good contender for the Frozen Four.

Sully ((Storrs))

What would you rather have: a shutout in the ECAC title game or a lifetime supply of pizza from The Nines in Ithaca?

Dave McKee

  (1:32 PM)

I'd rather have the shutout in the championship game, even though pizza at The Nines is excellent.

Jason- CT

what are you favorite things to do when your not on the ice?

Dave McKee

  (1:33 PM)

If I'm not at school, I like to hunt. I do a lot of big game hunting. I've been to Africa four times with my family for hunting trips. In the off-season I like to take it easy and re-energize for the next season.

Wil(Boston, MA)

How has starting since freshman year shaped you, and how do you see it shaping you in your future?

Dave McKee

  (1:34 PM)

Starting as a freshman helped me experience-wise, and making a quicker transition because most college goaltenders don't get to start until later in their college careers. It's helped make me a better goalie.

DP Dough (Nashville)

How hard was it following LeNeveu as a freshman last year?

Dave McKee

  (1:36 PM)

It's always hard following a good goalie like David, but I've tried not to think about it and make my own mark and bring what I had to the table. When I came in the team and coaches were really supportive and let me be myself. It helped the transition process.

jwright (st joe)

out of the blue, dave, who's your pick to win the super bowl?

Dave McKee

  (1:37 PM)

I'm going with the Steelers. I like Big Ben and he's going to pull them through.

Kelly (Ithaca)

I once overheard your parents introduce themselves to someone at Lynah and have since seen them at quite a few games. Do they fly up to see you play every home game?

Dave McKee

  (1:38 PM)

My parents haven't missed a home or away game since I've been here. I've been really lucky that they've been able to come to every game.

Josh Arnold (Potsdam, NY)

As a visitor what is the toughest arena to play in and why?

Dave McKee

  (1:39 PM)

Vermont's fans are pretty vicious, and they've got a great team this year.

Timmy D - Cincinnati, Ohio

At what age did you start hockey and what age did you dedicate to goalie.Thanks,Squirt player Timmy D

Dave McKee

  (1:42 PM)

I started playing hockey when I turned 10 years old and I was a goalie right away. I went to see the Dallas Stars play and Andy Moog was the goalie. When I saw that, I knew it was the position I wanted to play.

David (Lakeville, CT)

First, I'm a big Cornell fan and I wish you good luck this weekend at home. What do you think about the competition level of the ECAC this year? With 4 teams in the top 15, the ECAC seems to be stronger than ever. Thanks.

Dave McKee

  (1:44 PM)

I think the ECACHL is getting a lot more respect than it used to. It's obvious with four teams being in the top 15 and a few other teams are on the edge. This is the grind of the season so every game matters and from first to fifth place in the league all of the teams are close on points. Every game matters from here on out.

Glenn Dallas, Texas

David,Are you superstitious? Do you do anything strange before you start a game or to get ready to play?

Dave McKee

  (1:46 PM)

Hi Glenn. Actually, I'm not superstitious at all. I try not to be because if you're in a situation where you can't complete your superstitions, then you think about that and not the game. I don't any distractions blocking my focus before or during the games.

Collin (Franklin, MA)

Who's the guy you least want to see on a breakaway?

Dave McKee

  (1:47 PM)

Matt Moulson! I don't want to say who it is on another team because then it might happen.

Scott (Atlanta)

Dave, how hard was it to stick with hockey in such a football-dominated area?

Dave McKee

  (1:50 PM)

It wasn't that hard because my friends were interested in what I was doing, so I got a lot of support. Probably more than I would've gotten in football, and I wasn't very good at football.

Hunter, Irving, TX

who has a better backhand Hunter Perlmeter or Matt Kilanowski.

Dave McKee

  (1:50 PM)

Hunter, I'll give you that one ... and tell Matt I said Hi.

Joe Gladziszewski

  (1:52 PM)

David's got to get to practice soon, so we'll be taking two more questions.

Travis (Canada)

What other schools did you visit or get recruited by besides Cornell?

Joe Gladziszewski

  (1:53 PM)

There were a lot, but Yale was the other one that I was really considering.

Tom Reynolds: (Fort Meyers, Florida)

Dave, I recently saw you play in the Florida Everblades tournament, and I was wondering what your off season training regime consists of to get the extra edge on other goalies around the country? Thanks, best of luck.

Dave McKee

  (1:55 PM)

Most of the guys on the team stay in Ithaca all summer to work out. The ice gets put in at Lynah in July, and we skate a lot. From April until July, I won't skate at all to let my body rest. The season is a gring, because there are so few games that everyone is important. You can never take it easy.

Cooper from Texas

Do you think you would be where you are today if you didn't get the quality shots day after day by the likes of players such as Brad Cooper during your midget AAA days. Congrats buddy

Dave McKee

  (1:57 PM)

I definitely wouldn't be where I am without you shooting on me all of those days at practice. I attribute 98 percent of my success to that. Take it easy.

Dave McKee

  (1:57 PM)

Thanks for the excellent questions.

Joe Gladziszewski

  (1:58 PM)

Dave's gone to practice, but I'll take a couple of other questions from around the nation.

Paul (Boston, MA)

Who do you think is the best travelling combination in the ECACHL?

Joe Gladziszewski

  (1:59 PM)

I think the two best are playing against each other this weekend. There's no easy game when you're facing the Dartmouth/Vermont pair ... or Cornell/Colgate.

Jonathan(Kansas City,Mo)

Do you think the Golden Gophers have a chance of winning it all again this year?

Joe Gladziszewski

  (2:01 PM)

Of course the Gophers have a chance. There's reason to worry after getting swept by CC, but it's a talented bunch and Don Lucia and his staff ... along with the veteran players on that team ... know how to win a national championship.

Joe Gladziszewski

  (2:02 PM)

We're out of time for this afternoon. Thanks for the questions, and please join us again next Thursday at 1:30 p.m. For more on college hockey ... see our site at www.insidecollegehockey.com