What does UAA need to do this weekend to win? Get off to a fast start. MSU-M has scored only once in the first period of home games so far this season. That statistic provides the opening that the Seawolves need to take advantage of this weekend. High intensity in the defensive end, high intensity in transition and high intensity in the offensive zone. A complete effort in the first period Friday night could set the tone for the whole weekend. It means blocking shots and killing penalties if necessary. It means good breakouts and passing as well as defensemen using any opportunities intelligently. It means making pretty plays when you gain the Maverick zone and finishing finishing finishing. It means forward postioning that puts you in a position to pick up rebounds. It means connecting and not fanning. It means one period of hockey played as close to perfection as the team is capable of playing.
Of course one period out of six this weekend won't be enough. But getting out of the gate quickly and settting a tone of intensity might be the jumpstart the weekend needs. Of course UAA will need to continue it's good penalty killing. They'll need to put the puck in the net when they go up a man. All the same things I say here every week. They'll have to continue to compete hard since the Mavericks have a well-earned reputation for working hard. To accomplish all this the Seawolves will need to play "their" game. They'll need to continue to use their physical game to key opportunities. The Mavericks aren't a small team. They also have good size and strength so UAA will need to find ways to use their speed to advantage as well. When they don't have the puck the Seawolves will need to shut down MSU-M's top two lines (in particular Travis Morin). By all indications UAA should have an advantage in goaltending. Consistency from Nathan Lawson will be important to the effort. If he can repeat last weekends solid performance then the Seawolves could see a weekend with more than just a couple of points.
Of course one period out of six this weekend won't be enough. But getting out of the gate quickly and settting a tone of intensity might be the jumpstart the weekend needs. Of course UAA will need to continue it's good penalty killing. They'll need to put the puck in the net when they go up a man. All the same things I say here every week. They'll have to continue to compete hard since the Mavericks have a well-earned reputation for working hard. To accomplish all this the Seawolves will need to play "their" game. They'll need to continue to use their physical game to key opportunities. The Mavericks aren't a small team. They also have good size and strength so UAA will need to find ways to use their speed to advantage as well. When they don't have the puck the Seawolves will need to shut down MSU-M's top two lines (in particular Travis Morin). By all indications UAA should have an advantage in goaltending. Consistency from Nathan Lawson will be important to the effort. If he can repeat last weekends solid performance then the Seawolves could see a weekend with more than just a couple of points.
4 comments:
Does anyone have any information on Blair Tassone? Is he hurt or is the coach just not playing him? We went down to the Soldotna game and that was the last we have seen him on the ice. Maybe we will see him on the ice this weekend.
Will:
He injured his ankle in the Nye tourny but my understanding is that it is better. I'd just have to assume that Shyiak has been evaluating chemistry as well as freshman plus giving ice time to those players that "earn" it in practice.
Shyiak had good things to say about Blair in the paper after the Nye (Blair had a goal and was noticably an energetic player). So it may just be a matter of Blair "working" his way back into the lineup.
It wouldn't surprise me to see him play this weekend but then again I'm just guessing.
I know the assistant coaches were happy with Tassone's performance in the Nye as well. He played with a lot of energy and was a grinder ... like a Brian Kraft or Eric Tuott.
Hopefully we'll see him this weekend.
Congrats on UAA's win tonight. Scoring first feels good, winning feels even better. I'm happy for the guys!
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