Every hockey game begins long before the opening faceoff. Before the lights come on, before the cameras roll, and before a single goal is scored, hours of preparation have already taken place behind the scenes. In this episode of Peach State Puck, host Matteen Rad takes listeners inside the world of minor league hockey broadcasting and reveals what it truly takes to bring a live game to fans from start to finish.

After covering the latest news from around Georgia hockey, including offseason player movement, league rule changes, the Athens Rock Lobsters, Savannah Ghost Pirates, and the future Ice Cove development, Matteen shifts the focus to his own preparation as the voice of the Athens Rock Lobsters. He explains how researching every player, building spotting charts, studying game film, tracking transactions, and preparing storylines all become essential parts of telling the story of a hockey game long before the puck ever drops. Listeners also get an inside look at the technology behind a modern broadcast, from score bugs and Stream Decks to live graphics, production workflows, and the unexpected technical challenges that can derail a game at any moment.

The episode also serves as a heartfelt tribute to the people who transformed the Rock Lobsters broadcast into one of the most polished productions in minor league hockey. Matteen shares how producer Stephen Turner helped build the visual identity of the broadcast from the ground up, while Steven Selph streamlined the technical side of the production to create an experience that rivaled broadcasts at much higher levels of the sport. Their passion and creativity became the foundation of a production that grew alongside one of hockey’s newest franchises.

Along the way, Matteen reflects on some of the most memorable moments of his broadcasting career, including unforgettable playoff calls, lessons learned behind the microphone, and the emotional impact of remembering former Rock Lobsters forward Orca Wiesblatt. The episode concludes with a rapid-fire listener Q&A covering broadcasting influences, television versus radio, favorite arenas, difficult broadcast positions, pregame routines, and whether a hometown broadcaster should openly cheer for the home team.

Whether you’re a hockey fan, a sports broadcaster, or simply someone fascinated by the work that happens behind the scenes, this episode offers a rare and personal look at the preparation, teamwork, and passion required to make every hockey broadcast come to life.

00:00 - Welcome Back to Peach State Puck

01:42 - Around Georgia Hockey

08:24 - How a Hockey Broadcast Begins

12:15 - Building the Perfect Spotting Board

15:20 - From Research to Live Broadcast

17:43 - The Team Behind the Broadcast

24:05 - When Live TV Goes Wrong

30:00 - The Moments That Matter Most

32:53 - The Future of the Broadcast

35:04 - Broadcaster Quick Fire Q&A