On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran interviews WKBW-TV Channel 7 Buffalo sportscaster Matthew Bove on a variety of topics.

A native of Western New York, Bove talks about growing up just north of Buffalo, why he became a Boston Red Sox fan as a kid and tells a story of how he nearly went to UConn instead of Buffalo State for college before a panic attack just a few weeks prior changed his course of action.

They discuss Bove getting a job at WKBW and starting as an editor and photographer before working his way to a news reporter position and ultimately a spot as a sportscaster and reporter.

Matt speaks of some media influences, including his widely popular Channel 7 colleague Joe Buscaglia.  He also has thoughts on the turbulence that’s went on in the Buffalo sports media over the past year as well as the effectiveness of social media and some solid advice for youngsters who may want to break into the sports media business.

Of course, they talk plenty of Buffalo Sabres hockey and Matt provides his insight on Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart, Rasmus Dahlin and others before declaring there’s no reason the Sabres can’t be a playoff contender this season.

The interview wraps with Moran putting Bove through his traditional Mini-Lighting Round, where Matt discloses several of his favorite things, the one Twitter handle he’d follow if only allowed one, and keeps it a family affair with the dinner guest final question.

You can follow Matt on Twitter at @Matt_Bove and check out his work online at wkbw.com.

Immediately after that Moran is joined by his buddy Joe (@buffalowins) for another “Run-In With Joe” segment. They’re discussing how much of the Buffalo Bills early failures are due to trusting the process versus flat-out poor personnel decision making, while also having takes on Maroon 5 being named the primary Super Bowl halftime entertainment, Game of Thrones winning another Emmy for Best Drama Series and WWE’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view last Sunday.  Joe ends with his “finisher”, a beef with many Buffalo Bills beat reporters.

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Follow Patrick Moran on Twitter @patmorantweets and “like” the Moran-Alytics Facebook page.