Saturday, November 18, 2006

UAA Sweeps UND: 4-2

The UAA Seawolves have already seemed on the cusp of good things this season. First two weeks ago against Wisconsin the Seawolves couldn't quite turn the corner losing in OT on Friday but coming back on Saturday for the win. Then last weekend on the road they win an ugly game on Friday but fall short the next night. Learning from those two recent experiences the team didn't look tonight like it could be denied. The Sioux managed to change the pace of the game from last nights skatefest and the first period tonight was a typical WCHA "tight to the vest" hockey game. With both teams playing good defensively giving up only 8 shots apiece. The first third of the 2nd period was all UND with some long stretches of puck control in the UAA end. The Seawolves had only managed 1 shot when Nick Lowe found himself suddenly with the puck at the blueline. He promptly skated in and buried the shot high. Nick had zero points last year. He scored a beaut. Ya gotta be glad for him as he has ... lets just say ... been "snakebitten" on breakaways during his career. The goal managed to change the momentum enough that the rest of the period wasn't dominated by the Sioux. They scored the next 2 goals; the PP goal was a thing of beauty as the UND players lasered 4 passes back and forth across the ice for a Tic-Tic-Tac-TOE of a goal. It was however the only PP goal the Seawolves allowed in 5 chances on the night making the Sioux 1-10 overall on the weekend. Some valiant but otherwise mistaken Sioux fans behind the bench promptly started in with a sieve sieve sieve chant but spent the rest of the game on their butts as UAA scored the next three goals to seal the deal.

Another good team win all around. Nathan Lawson was SUPERIOR in the net in the third period. He faced made 8 saves in the final 90 seconds and each and every one of them was a game saver. He absolutely was not going to let anything past. He was a wall. Yes Justin ... we saw that you "have a little Captain in you" with that pose after the PP goal. Go ahead and pose ... are you turning into a sniper? I heard a number of other fans commenting about how effective Kevin Clark was tonight and he certainly is beginning to show what kinds of impact he can make. Kevin had more than a few scrapes tonight with Joe "Gaffney" Finley so I'd expect he'll have some bruises. I think the biggest disappointment for some fans is that Kevin doesn't do something spectacular with the puck every time he has it. Well ... just imagine how much he'll be doing with the puck by the end of the year(see that little behind the back pass that Backstrom almost buried?). He is to be congratulated for his virtually penalty free weekend (the one he took was no big deal ... just a stick in the wrong place) with a couple of goals to his credit as well. Jay Beagle is such a leader on the ice. I can't say enough about how impactful his play is. He's "the shit" on the PK. And his offensive contributions are evident on just about every shift he takes. I liked the Beagle, Lunden, Clark line tonight. Coach Shyiak has been changing things around a bit and I think those guys had some good chemistry. Crowder, Bourne and Waldrop looks to me to be a real good combination as well. Crowders puck control, Bourne's shot and Waldrops speed and nose for the puck could make them all a good fit for each other. I think Charlie Kronschnabel was "the shit" all weekend. He is a helluva leader with both his play on the ice and his attitude. I think his teammates really respond well to him. He didn't stop hitting all night and he's winning more than his share of draws (usually against the other teams top guys). Chris Tarkir played on a line with Charlie and Nick Lowe and had a good weekend I thought. He was more visible and impactful this weekend. Cartwright, Tuton and Corrin also added valuable shifts all weekend to contribute. Like I said. It was definitely a weekend when you look at every player and see them doing positive things.

And lest I forget ... How good have we played defensively? If you remove the 9-0 abberation UAA has given up 2.6 goals per game in the other 10 games. Everyone on the blueline did their jobs well this weekend. Every one of them contributed positively on an offensive play. Chad Anderson had the two nicest rushes and snuck a goal under Grieco's skates. His offensive contributions are growing each weekend. Mat Robinson played great tonight. Over and above his usual stellar"ness". He's getting an opportunity in Shyiak and Blair's system to live up to his potential which I think we'll see bloom as the year goes on. He skates and handles the puck so well and has great vision. And Nils Backstrom? He really has a good presence on the ice. He always has his head up. He can dispossess a forward from just about any angle. There were few (if any) situations this weekend where I saw a Sioux player outskate a UAA defensemen. Our blueliners can all wheel. Every guy on the ice this weekend for UAA shares credit for this sweep.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

youo know i think all seniors juniors were "the shit" this weekend. They all deserve to enjoy this weekend. The team has a lot of hart and it comes from the leadership of the upper classmen.

Anonymous said...

I wonder where "anonymous is these days? I doubt he'd have much to say after this weekend of SEAWOLVE DOMINATION!!!!!

Anonymous said...

a little edit, we lost in OT on Friday and Won on Sat. during the invasion of the Red Army, This was the best weekend i think that i have seen of UAA hockey!!!! They rocked the socks of those racist native american haters!!! Shyiak is doing amazing things with this team. We have a week to celebrate, and Thanksgiving, gots lots to be thankful for, then back to work the next weekend another home sweep hopefully. The boys need to keep their head up and not overlook our next opponent, which i think is Duluth a team with talent but not showing it this year.

By the way the BROOM came out tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Donald Dunlop said...

Thanks for the heads up on the mistake. I've edited it.

And yeah there's nothing but good news after a weekend like that. I think Lawson is a good candidate for DPOW. The scoring this weekend came from a wide variety of guys.

Since it's a week off I'll be writing a couple of WCHA-related things later in the week. I think a couple of things might surprise people 1/4 of the way through the season.

Anonymous said...

Surprise which people? You mean like all those naysayers who projected us as bottom feeders. Do bottom feeders sweep the top dogs? Besides the fact that our win total is equal that of all last year. But I am assuming you are talking about surprising us about WCHA stuff, but I had to add that in there since people keep putting us at the bottom, USCHO weekly even predicted a UND sweep HAHAAHAHAAA!!! sorry winning can be like drug if your not acustomed to it.

Eric J. Burton said...

They rocked the socks of those racist native american haters!!!

What class... Now if you could get some fans to show up for the game, the place looked as if it was very empty and good hockey to watch, I don't understand that at all.

Anonymous said...

The rink was really not as empty as it seemed. The camera only show about 1/4 of the arena. Sadly, that's the 1/4 that isn't very populated. Those seats are more expensive, and not really worth the extra money since you don't have a clear view of the WHOLE rink. Surprisingly, a majority of fans sit higher than rinkside.

I think the camera is a bit decieving, also.

I would say there were 3500+ people there. But the arena sits 6000+ which makes it look very unpopulated. But, if the arena were smaller, the numbers would appear larger. Comprehend? Good.

Eric J. Burton said...

That seems fair enough, I would think you guys would be filling the arena since your having a pretty good season.

Anonymous said...

I forgot the official attendance, but it was more on Saturday, close to 4000. The Aces aren't drawing many more than that and they are the defencing Kelly Cup champs.

Anonymous said...

GREAT WEEKEND!

But, where was Tassone? Injured? Or healthy scratch?

Hopefully we'll see him next time, I thought he started the season out well.

Donald Dunlop said...

Goon:
When you guys are called the "Zephyrs" then that sort of thing won't happen. It isn't like the Sioux don't have a massive contingent of rubes and crowers from hence similar commentary is a regularity. After winning only 6 games last year and matching that total already this year we are to be forgiven for any overly enthusiastic commentary.

Anonymous said...

3,828 ppl witch to be honost is pretty good for UAA. The town is fickel and they have to be proven the season will be good and I think we will see more people at the UMD serise people will come as the programe under Dave gets better and better.

Anonymous said...

Your wrap-up is a good read Donald. If the ADN needs someone to cover UAA hockey you would be a good choice. We sure won't miss Woody's coverage in fact it is good he moved over to the Aces. We will see how long it takes before he starts all the negative coverage for them. I'm not familiar with Andrew Hinkleman but he seems to be doing a good job with his coverage and no complaints on what he writes. You can't say enough on how well the guys pulled together this weekend and played their hearts out. You can see the chemistry in this team and even if Shyiak mixes up the lines they seem to play well together. I'm with several others and would like to see Tassone back and hopefully it is just an injury that is keeping him from playing. Look forward to you WCHA related articles. I need to ask, what's up with the short when it's almost zero outside?

Donald Dunlop said...

I wear shorts year 'round. Been that way for a long long time. It's mostly a response to having worn the shirt/tie business uniform (monkey suit) for so many years. Whenever I got home from work the first thing I wanted to do was put some short pants on. I just never liked long pants. Could be an arrested development thing or it could be just that I'm comfortable.

As for the "cold" ... I find I'm no colder (or even less cold) than most people. Whenever someone comments I just tell them I'm in permanent denial about winter.

Anonymous said...

"This was the best weekend i think that i have seen of UAA hockey!!!! "

The 1994 sweep in Minnesota was by far the best.

Anonymous said...

justafan, hopefully we'll see Tassone play in the Duluth series.

Donald, my hard drive crashed and I lost all my email contacts, please send me an email.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Donald, if UND would hurry up and change their name to a more politically correct mascot then this sort of thing would not come from my finger tips. I mean how many people on any UND team are native american let alone Sioux, and fighting Sioux that just makes them sound violent, which they probably aren't anymore (although my foreman this summer was an actual Sioux and his stories were quiet violent, like beating somebody with his own screen door, but not representational of all Sioux i am sure). So that is why i propose that UND change its name to the Purple Penguins or the Zephyrs as Donald thinks it should be.

Donald Dunlop said...

I'm wondering if Tassone is just busy with studying and schoolwork? I think he is a Biological Sciences major .... third year of that crap would mean a lot of labs I'd think.

Anonymous said...

Nope, Tassone did sustain an injury that took a bit longer to heal up. That same type of injury happened to Cygan years ago and he was out for weeks. Hopefully we will see Blair back for the December 1 game.

Donald, post the info about the Green and Gold promo for Dec. 1 - if you are 12 and under and wear green and gold you get in for free. If you are over 12 and wear green and gold you also get in for free. Friday night only.

Anonymous said...

How many players on UAA's team are Seawolves? NCAA is coming after you next. Even though there is no such thing as Seawolves, they have feelings too.

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