Pressure, Pucks, and Paganini Unscripted

In this episode of Unscripted with Ryan, Ryan sits down with Franklin Pierce hockey standout Mario “Pags” Paganini — one of the nation’s top shooters entering his sophomore season. From a hat trick in the home opener to national recognition, Mario’s fast start put him on the map. But when the goals slow down and the team hits adversity, how does a shooter respond?Ryan and Mario talk about pressure, confidence, and the mental side of scoring, along with growing up in Harrison, New York, his journey from Iona Prep and the San Diego Sabers to Pierce, and what it’s like carrying expectations as a sophomore. They also dive into team struggles, locker-room leadership, and life off the ice — including how the two first met.Honest, reflective, and completely unscripted, this episode pulls back the curtain on what it really means to be a scorer.Thanks for listening! Unscripted with Ryan brings you authentic stories from campus and beyond — covering sports, friendships, leadership, and the moments that shape us. New episodes air live Wednesdays at 4 PM on The Talon and are available on all podcast platforms.