Raff's Brain #89: Riffin' with Raff feat. Cody Hollen, West Virginia Roller Hockey Legend!

In this nostalgic and entertaining episode of Riffin’ with Raff, Rob Raffety is joined by his childhood friend Cody Hollen (aka Code H) as they reminisce about their shared love of hockey, growing up in Buckhannon, WV, and the memories that shaped their friendship. From watching legendary Penguins games on a satellite dish to playing intense roller hockey matches with friends, they reflect on how a small-town group of kids became obsessed with a sport that wasn’t even easily accessible to them.

They also discuss legendary hockey commentator Mike Lange, their admiration for Sidney Crosby, and make bold predictions about the Four Nations Hockey Challenge and the 2026 Olympics. Plus, Cody shares details about an upcoming gravel bike race, and Rob contemplates whether he should participate. Should he? Call in and let him know!

📞 Call the Raff's Brain Hotline! Pick a topic, make a statement, ask a question! ☎️ 571-408-8058

Episode Outline:

• Intro: Rob Raffety and Cody Hollen reconnect in Buckhannon, WV
• Memories of their third-grade class and building a robot
• Hanging out at Jimbo’s and being disappointed in today’s college crowd
• How they got into hockey despite their town not having an ice rink
• Honoring legendary Penguins commentator Mike Lange and his iconic catchphrases. See HERE and HERE for more! 
• Watching classic Penguins games on Cody’s satellite TV
• Learning the rules of hockey and the struggles of understanding offsides and icing
• Reliving the legendary 1991 “Save” by Frank Pietrangelo
• Playing intense roller hockey at the local skating rink
• The impact of Mario Lemieux and Jaromír Jágr on their hockey obsession
• The excitement of the Penguins’ first Stanley Cup win and celebrating in Pittsburgh
• Predictions for the Four Nations Hockey Challenge and the 2026 Olympics
• Cody’s upcoming participation in the GRUSK: Gravel Race Up Spruce Knob
• Rob’s dilemma: should he join the race or just document it? (Listeners, call in!)
• Reflecting on how lucky they were to experience hockey history as kids
• Closing thoughts: Go America, Go Canada, Go Hockey!

🔑 Tags: hockey, Pittsburgh Penguins, Sidney Crosby, Mario Lemieux, Jaromír Jágr, Mike Lange, roller hockey, Bucha WV, childhood friends, Four Nations Hockey Challenge, Olympic hockey, GRUSK Gravel Race, bike racing, nostalgia, sports memories

🎧 Listen now and relive the glory days of 90s hockey! And don’t forget—call in with your thoughts at 571-408-8058!