Spittin' Chiclets Episode 633: Featuring Ernie Clement, Ryan Miller, & Gary Lawless

Date: March 30, 2026
Hosts: Ryan Whitney, Paul Bissonnette, Rear Admiral, Mike Grinnell
Summary by [Expert Podcast Summarizer]

Overview

Episode 633 of Spittin’ Chiclets covers a wild week in hockey—on and off the ice. The show brings in guests across sports: MLB’s Ernie Clement, U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame goalie Ryan Miller, and Vegas Golden Knights insider Gary Lawless. The boys dig deep into playoff races, wild NHL management moves (including a blockbuster coaching change in Vegas), major college hockey stories, plus a classic, chaotic Sandbagger recap with the Toronto Blue Jays.

The episode is loaded: sandbagger golf chirps, deep-dive hockey analysis, Cubs-Lobster Poutine, organizational philosophy, emotional player stories, and classic Chiclets humor.

Key Segments & Timestamps

• Sandbagger Recap & Ernie Clement Joins (08:28–17:20)
• Locker Room Culture & Chirping (17:30–19:37)
• Major NHL News: Vegas Fires Bruce Cassidy, Hires John Tortorella (24:27–36:37, 142:00–161:41)
• Ryan Miller Interview: Career & Legacy (65:51–139:50)
• Playoff Races & NHL Analysis (38:00–60:00; 162:49+)
• College Hockey/Frozen Four & NCAA Facilities Debate (163:38–171:57)
• Tiger Woods Incident & Athlete Responsibility (181:43–189:23)

Section 1: Sandbagger Recap & Ernie Clement [08:28–17:20]

Theme: A hilarious, brutally competitive recap of the recent Chiclets Sandbagger golf shootout vs. members of the Toronto Blue Jays, with special guest Ernie Clement.

Key Highlights:

• The Jays put up a serious battle, leveraging clubhouse camaraderie and chirping as hard as the NHLers.
  • “The Chiclets guys in the beatdown we gave you get any credit?” Biz asks Ernie.
  • Ernie: “100%! An ass-flipping like that propelled the boys, man. We had to lock in after that.” (08:41)
• Legendary antics: shoeless golf, gummies, and nonstop banter.
  • “You were unreal with the shoes off. I was taking distance away from you…” — Paul
  • “Those socks are still laying on the floor in the clubhouse. Never washed them. Just kind of left them there and they're just sitting there. They're disgusting.” — Ernie (13:44)
• Blue Jays fandom is next-level in Canada, and David Schneider’s devotion to Chiclets is called out as “his dream come true.”
• Nicknames like “cross-eyed Harper” emerge for Lucas, showing how hard the pro baseball dudes buy into the banter.
• Ernie says the locker room chirping is real—“We can handle it. I for one love it, I encourage it.” (11:02)
• The infamous “Pasha putt” — wild, psychedelic fairway shenanigans become instant Sandbagger lore.
  • “That was the most memorable hole in Sandbagger history for me.” — Biz (19:18)

Section 2: Locker Room Culture & Chirping [17:30–19:37]

Theme: What is (and isn’t) acceptable chirping? Why non-athletes just don’t get it.

• The boys highlight the huge divide between pro-athlete banter and corporate culture.
  • “Imagine in your cubicle, nice long shorts, you peasant. HR—you're gone.” (17:34)
• “Friends never compliment you. Ever. If you got a compliment from a friend I'd be like, 'Are you okay? Do you need help?'” (18:05)

Section 3: NHL Megastory – Vegas Golden Knights' Ruthless Move [24:27–36:37 then 142:00–161:41 w/ Gary Lawless]

Theme: Vegas fires Stanley Cup-winning head coach Bruce Cassidy, instantly bringing in John Tortorella with mere games left before playoffs—a nuclear move in NHL coaching terms.

Key Points:

• Rear Admiral frames it: “Bruce Cassidy, fired by the Vegas Golden Knights. The most ruthless organization in sports.” (24:27)
  • This echoes the 2000 Devils’ Fatoric-for-Robinson switch that led to the Cup.
• Hosts agree: Cassidy “a hell of a coach... one of those guys it's hard to play for.”
  • “Just the most cutthroat organization… [they] do not give a fuck.” (28:25)
• Fan base is as spoiled/cutthroat as the club:
  • “You go to the Cup Final year one, then you win… They're just as cutthroat as the organization.” — Biz (28:50)
• Hosts debate whether Torts can bring “rah rah” fire without overwhelming a battered roster.
• Gary Lawless segment: Lawless gives organizational perspective, saying McCrimmon “makes hard decisions… what you sign up for... track record is tremendous.”
  • “This team can’t miss the playoffs. It’s too good. So they brought in John Tortorella... He is passionate, but he's also compassionate. There's no gray area with him, but he's not a bad person.” (151:29–152:24)
  • “Energy. He will breathe energy.” (159:21)
• Also weighs in on Marner: “I like Vegas a lot better with Mitch Marner than without.” (155:16)

Section 4: State of Playoff Races, Team Deep Dives [38:00–60:00; 162:49+]

Theme: Intense, nuanced breakdowns of the playoff picture, key player performances, and surprise surges.

• Boston Bruins: Swayman’s stellar form, Zacha’s development, and skepticism about their Cup credentials.
• St. Louis Blues: “They're 11, two and two in their last 15. It's like they all came together… just working and running over teams right now.”
• Montreal Canadiens: Depth, prospects, and rookie scoring arguments (Demidov/Senake/Schaefer/Kapanen).
• Philadelphia Flyers: The fans’ endless shifting narratives and Wit/Biz roasting them:
  • “I don't own too many fan bases, but I fucking own the Flyers fans. They're my fuckin' lap dog at this point.” — Biz (59:51)
• Nashville, Winnipeg, Utah: Playoff bubble volatility; direct schedule breakdown (44:55).
• Ticket pricing: Contrasting Oilers/Fans price hikes and Sabres $30 playoff tix for season ticket holders: “Saying thank you for supporting us and we're sorry it took so long.” (57:34)

Section 5: Interview – Ryan Miller [65:51–139:50]

Theme: A profound, revealing look at Miller’s journey from youth hockey to Hall of Fame.

Early Years & The Miller Hockey Family

• Miller family’s Michigan State legacy: “Ten of us at Michigan State.” (76:00)
• How he became a goalie: Bargained with his dad to play net, scoring a hat trick and three assists in one game to earn the right (72:48).

Development, Mental Approach, Adapting

• Evolving as a “small” goalie: “Had to use my hands a lot… not a skill you turn on like a light switch.” (78:38)
• Mindset/visualization: “Probably throwing tennis balls off the wall and being real quiet. The most visible thing I do is people see me out with a stick, running through positive affirmations. It looks like I’m talking to myself.” (70:24)
• Thoughts on current goalie workload: “I loved to be in the net… played like 76 games one year. That's never happening again.” (83:27)
• Modern goalie inconsistency: “I wish I knew, man… the skill is just at such a high level now.” (80:26)

Buffalo Sabres & ‘06/’07 Playoff Runs

• Importance of Sabres-Rochester pipeline/community engagement.
• Memories of playing with a stacked squad: “It fit my personality. The connection with Buffalo, you give them something—they give you everything.” (97:30)
• Playing with Lindy Ruff: “He’s learned. Back then the coaches weren't as... playing tummy sticks with the goalies.” (100:08)
• Hilarious trainer stories: Georgie Babcock’s antics, like riding shoulders into the dressing room or putting his hands on fire to read the lineup.

Heartbreak & Memories

• Crushing injuries (game 7 vs. Carolina): Only one D left, McKee almost losing his leg to infection.
• Locker room loose cannons: “Andrew Peters… kept it real loose…” (112:05)
• Lucic hit: “I made eye contact with him. That's why I said okay, not gonna kill me. I guess I was wrong… I regret kind of going back [at him].” (115:59)

Olympic Silver/Personal Peak

• Vancouver 2010: “Kind of threw it back to… hockey's the challenge sport. Olympics was the best hockey I ever played.” (118:32)
• On seeing Team USA win recently: “Got more emotional than I thought… good for them... and a little jealous.” (120:29)
• On pressure/competition: “It helped having Timmy and Quick as backups. If I fucked it up, I had really good guys to come in.” (121:27)
• Vezina year: “That seasonal collective is probably my greatest achievement.” (128:42)

Retirement & Legacy

• Bittersweet Buffalo departure; happiness at a mindful farewell in Anaheim.
• “USA Hall of Fame was more emotional than anything… My family’s right in front of you… Oh my God…” (137:11)
• Final advice: “Sabres are doing great. Just keep doing what you’re doing. Don’t change a thing.” (139:35)

Section 6: College Hockey & Frozen Four (NCAA) [163:38–171:57]

Theme: The NCAA regional system debate, Frozen Four preview, and a salute to teams and players.

• Hosts and Grinnell frustrated with empty regional sites (Albany “an absolute joke”), clamoring for campus sites.
  • “It was legit empty… these kids work their whole life. Can’t end their career like this.” (164:26)
• Team profiles: North Dakota (“built for the playoffs”), Wisconsin (underdog rallying around cancer-battling strength coach), Michigan, Denver—each with passionate fan support.
• Gavin McKenna's future path—big debate on whether he’ll turn pro or return to college.
• Respect for college hockey’s growing clout, and the impact of players staying or leaving.

Section 7: Utah Mammoth – New Hockey Market Grows [48:35–56:09]

Theme: Biz recaps his trip to Utah for an NHL game, praising the market’s energy, culture, and ownership.

• Ryan Smith prioritized affordability and fan engagement: “Refused to sell too many season tickets so everyone can come experience it for the first time.” (53:32)
• “He’s not gouging people… keeping playoff seats cheap so people can get hooked.” (54:14)
• Unique stadium setup with steep lower bowl, panoramic mountain views, and owner’s box with basketball hoop.
• Perspective: “20 out of 10 for the way he rolled this out. Next year, hope you all come for the Winter Classic.” (55:11)

Section 8: Tiger Woods Incident and Athlete Responsibility [181:43–189:23]

Theme: The show wrestles with how to treat Tiger’s latest high-profile vehicle accident—how addiction, pain, fame, and privilege intersect.

• Empathy for Tiger’s rumored opioid addiction (“No matter who you are, you can get addicted…”) alongside tough love:
  • “Tiger, buddy, get a fucking driver. You’re a grown man here…” — Biz (184:41)
• “People don’t feel bad for you… if you’re putting others in danger, that’s when people get pissed and they have the right to be pissed.” — Yandel (188:59)
• The difference between “having a laugh” vs. recognizing it's a serious and sad situation.

Notable Quotes & Moments

Chirping & Sandbagger Culture:

• “I don’t own too many fanbases, but I own Flyers fans. They’re my FUCKING lap dog at this point.” — Biz (59:51)
• “You look like Ernie in extra innings there.” — Biz to Rear Admiral, after getting stung by a bee on the golf course (06:09)

Vegas/Torts Madness:

• “Vegas does not care whose feelings get hurt. They are coming for the Cup.” — Rear Admiral (28:25)
• “He will breathe energy and life into them. ...They need energy, they're going to get energy. That's what Torts does.” — Lawless (151:29)

Ryan Miller on Olympic 2010:

• “I just… threw it back to, like, growing up. Hockey’s the challenge sport. Olympics was the best hockey I ever played.” — Ryan Miller (118:32)
• “Having Tim Thomas and Quick behind me—if I fucked it up there were really good guys to come in. It helped actually.” (121:27)

On Changing the NHL Product:

• “What is hockey’s version of these [quick, clippable] viral moments going to be, boys?” — Biz (179:08)
• “Maybe it’s a shock-value, non-traditional change… but you gotta find something that’s actually improving it, like what ABS has done for baseball.” (179:20)

Final Thoughts

The episode mixes nostalgic stories (a deep and moving Ryan Miller segment), the hilarity and edge of the Sandbagger world, and signature Chiclets pace, wit, and irreverence. The panel’s ability to tackle real topics—addiction, locker room culture, fan irrationality—while cracking each other up remains unmatched in hockey media. The Vegas coaching shock is broken down with seriousness and humor, and the playoff races are given real, accessible explanations.

Recommended for:
Fans who love deep hockey talk, off-topic chaos, behind-the-scenes athlete stories, and anyone curious why the Chiclets crew has such a massive following.

For the full episode, search ‘Spittin’ Chiclets Ep. 633’ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon Music.