I'm just making a pit stop here at home before a little post game libation. I'll be back later to recap the most poorly officiated game I've seen in a long long long time.
I'm home in time to catch the 3rd period on the re-telecast of the game. Wow, what a game is the first thing that comes to mind. I liked the way the Seawolves started and thought they played CC even until le tigre got their first at 11:08 of the first on a nice transition rush between Eric Walsky and Chad Rau. The rest of the 1st period belonged to CC.
Three penalties in a row to begin the 2nd period gave CC a substantial advantage in chances through the first 11 minutes or so but UAA showed an ability here and there that they could challenge and ultimately Paul Crowder's goal off a pretty feed from Tommy Grant proved that true. 3 more penalties against UAA was another challenge but as it had been earlier the Seawolf penalty killers were up to the task.
The Seawolves came out in the 3rd and were clearly not going to be denied. Craig Parkinson buried a Tyler Moir rebound on a rush at 2:59 for a 2-1 lead and everyone in the arena knew what was going to be the next event for the boxscore. Yup ... another CC power play. The ref waited a whole 13 seconds to call Ken Selby for a bullshit interference call. So 14 seconds later Paul Crowder busted in with Tommy Grant on a shorthanded chance and buried the puck for a 3-1 lead. If I may revert to 80's speak for a moment, it was so like an "in your face ref" moment. The refs continued to insert themselves whenever possible until Eric Walsky finally scored a power play goal to cut the lead to one at 9:58. The Seawolves empty netter was a well deserved serving of whipped cream on top the the pie. Tommy Grant made no mistake firing it in from the blueline after a hard earned clearance.
I thought the chances came almost alternately all night long for both teams. It was a fast paced game that the coaches probably hated. I can't imagine that there is a faster player in Divsion I than Billy Sweat. That kid split the UAA defense more than once to break into the clear. Jonny O was sharp on EVERY break though. All four of the Seawolves lines contributed quality minutes tonight. UAA absolutely OWNED the 3rd period. Even when they were shorthanded they put together better chances than CC.
There isn't a single person in Seawolf-land that didn't think the refereeing was a flat out joke. Shyiak said it was comedic to them on the bench. I can't blame the referees. I know that sounds odd. But the fault doesn't lie with them. There is a reason that Craig Welker and Karl Olm are referees ... because somebody hired them. The idiot that hired these two morons deserves all the blame. I know to non-Seawolf fans that this sort of referee bashing is looked at as whining. Whatever. It was flat out the worst display of refereeing I can remember seeing.
Trust me ... I fully understand the perception others have for this sort of criticism. "Oh lookie ... the UAA fans are whining about the refereeing blah blah blah ..." Tonight though it is done with full justification. It isn't just that UAA was whistled for 13 penalties and CC only 6. It was when and how the penalties were called. CC had two LONG 5-on-3 chances. UAA got dicked. Easily half the calls against the Seawolves were bullshit. Somone ought to look into which referees are making the calls too. This dolt Welker called at least 10 of the 13 calls against UAA. What the fuck Craig? You hate coming to Anchorage so much that you go out of your way to fuck us over? If you think I say this sort of thing often here you're wrong. The referees can be thanked for getting the crowd into the game I suppose.
Now about the crowd. 3105 people made as much noise at times tonight as 3105 hockey fans ever have. Good on everyone there. Good on ya for coming. But that's where my kudos end. It was an absolute SHIT turnout for a team that is playing as competitively as the Seawolves. For the rest of the season every single person above that 3105 that shows up to see the Seawolves win a game flat out DOESNT DESERVE to be watching these guys. As far as I'm concerned the so-called hockey fans in this town can stay the hell away. Keep going to your precious ECHL games instead of UAA. You're the idiots missing better hockey by doing so.
I'm home in time to catch the 3rd period on the re-telecast of the game. Wow, what a game is the first thing that comes to mind. I liked the way the Seawolves started and thought they played CC even until le tigre got their first at 11:08 of the first on a nice transition rush between Eric Walsky and Chad Rau. The rest of the 1st period belonged to CC.
Three penalties in a row to begin the 2nd period gave CC a substantial advantage in chances through the first 11 minutes or so but UAA showed an ability here and there that they could challenge and ultimately Paul Crowder's goal off a pretty feed from Tommy Grant proved that true. 3 more penalties against UAA was another challenge but as it had been earlier the Seawolf penalty killers were up to the task.
The Seawolves came out in the 3rd and were clearly not going to be denied. Craig Parkinson buried a Tyler Moir rebound on a rush at 2:59 for a 2-1 lead and everyone in the arena knew what was going to be the next event for the boxscore. Yup ... another CC power play. The ref waited a whole 13 seconds to call Ken Selby for a bullshit interference call. So 14 seconds later Paul Crowder busted in with Tommy Grant on a shorthanded chance and buried the puck for a 3-1 lead. If I may revert to 80's speak for a moment, it was so like an "in your face ref" moment. The refs continued to insert themselves whenever possible until Eric Walsky finally scored a power play goal to cut the lead to one at 9:58. The Seawolves empty netter was a well deserved serving of whipped cream on top the the pie. Tommy Grant made no mistake firing it in from the blueline after a hard earned clearance.
I thought the chances came almost alternately all night long for both teams. It was a fast paced game that the coaches probably hated. I can't imagine that there is a faster player in Divsion I than Billy Sweat. That kid split the UAA defense more than once to break into the clear. Jonny O was sharp on EVERY break though. All four of the Seawolves lines contributed quality minutes tonight. UAA absolutely OWNED the 3rd period. Even when they were shorthanded they put together better chances than CC.
There isn't a single person in Seawolf-land that didn't think the refereeing was a flat out joke. Shyiak said it was comedic to them on the bench. I can't blame the referees. I know that sounds odd. But the fault doesn't lie with them. There is a reason that Craig Welker and Karl Olm are referees ... because somebody hired them. The idiot that hired these two morons deserves all the blame. I know to non-Seawolf fans that this sort of referee bashing is looked at as whining. Whatever. It was flat out the worst display of refereeing I can remember seeing.
Trust me ... I fully understand the perception others have for this sort of criticism. "Oh lookie ... the UAA fans are whining about the refereeing blah blah blah ..." Tonight though it is done with full justification. It isn't just that UAA was whistled for 13 penalties and CC only 6. It was when and how the penalties were called. CC had two LONG 5-on-3 chances. UAA got dicked. Easily half the calls against the Seawolves were bullshit. Somone ought to look into which referees are making the calls too. This dolt Welker called at least 10 of the 13 calls against UAA. What the fuck Craig? You hate coming to Anchorage so much that you go out of your way to fuck us over? If you think I say this sort of thing often here you're wrong. The referees can be thanked for getting the crowd into the game I suppose.
Now about the crowd. 3105 people made as much noise at times tonight as 3105 hockey fans ever have. Good on everyone there. Good on ya for coming. But that's where my kudos end. It was an absolute SHIT turnout for a team that is playing as competitively as the Seawolves. For the rest of the season every single person above that 3105 that shows up to see the Seawolves win a game flat out DOESNT DESERVE to be watching these guys. As far as I'm concerned the so-called hockey fans in this town can stay the hell away. Keep going to your precious ECHL games instead of UAA. You're the idiots missing better hockey by doing so.
51 comments:
That is an understatement. Welker should not be allowed to ref college hockey. Fans, send a complaint about Welker to Shephard, here is his email:
g.shepherd@mailstation.com
Maybe when he checks his Monday email he'll be flooded with 50 complaints about Welker. What a joke.
Oh God... it was just such a beautiful third period. Total Seawolves domination, despite the refs best efforts to hand cc the game. I mean for crying out loud! Hooking on Bales, I'm watching online so I have a pretty close up view, worst officiating so far this year. The officials from Super Bowl XL think these refs were lousy. Hopefully Dr. Cobb will heed my advice and inform the WCHA that these clowns will no longer be coming to Anchorage. True, that trader Walsky got a 4 on 3 goal, but other than that, beautiful play by the Wolves.
It was kind of funny when the refs were forced to call a penalty (on Gannon for jumping on Parkinson’s back while he was shooting) or face a full scale riot in the Sully. A few great saves by Jonny O (and definitely a few—or more—fortunate bounces) were the icing and Grant picking up his second point of the night on the empty net was the cherry.
Finally, and most important, Coach Shyiak’s frosted lettuce was looking sharp, and a professionally trimmed goatee to boot.
Welker the Wanker. Awful officiating. Just awful. Good job Seawolves in spite of that debacle.
WOW! I can't say anything more than that in regards to the officiating. They must have promoted those guys from mini-mites just before the game...BRUTAL!
The Bales call was terrible, the Lovdahl call was as well (CC should have been in the box too).
What about the dive when Lunden took his penalty? The ref was watching the entire thing, and it sure took him a long time to make up his mind, he didn't call it until the Tiger player took a dive. I think they figured, hey this Welker has it in for UAA, so lets take advantage.
And then add in all the penalties they DIDN'T call on CC, and that is just not acceptable.
I had to do my best to not use any expletives on the air with some of those calls! I think Kurt was very frustrated too...he hides it a lot better than I was able to!
IM BRINGING MY BROOM SAT. TO BEAT THE REFS OVER THE HEAD AND SWEEP THE TIGERS UNDER THE NATIONAL RANKINGS POLL
ADN got a story up by 10:40 pm on the website...
The seem to be trying a lot harder this year.
hey nookskiller,
do not bring your broom out until 2 minute mark of the 3rd period and we have a 3 goal lead.
Personally, I didn't think we could do any worse than to have Shephard here to ref a game. Apparently I was wrong... VERY VERY WRONG. What a complete farce but at least the refs certainly got the fans whipped up...
Congrats to the Seawolf penalty kill. They were stellar. Johnny O came up big too.
posted this over at the ADN site, on their blurb about the boys big win.
"Great game. Terrible officiating, but great game. It was great to see the Wolves smack that little punk Walsky. And anytime the ADN wants to stop running puff pieces on him... that would be great. The guy abandoned the home town Wolves, now, hopefully, he'll get his comeuppance. If you people writing for this fishwrap want to write puff pieces about NCAA hockey transfers, how bout writing about Bales; he came BACK to the home town Wolves after realizing that leaving was a mistake. That said, can we get some front page love? UAA just beat the #3 team in the nation, handily at that, come on ADN, wave the Seawolves flag."
We should start drowning their blogs in similar propaganda, maybe getting some front page spots on the Sunday paper would help fill the Sully... just a though
I think the ADN has been doing a more commendable job this season than we've seen in the past. I think there's a bit of an odd obtuse symmetry between them and me. In other words, I try to fill the gaps that they miss.
Doyle (and any "real" sportswriter) is going to give you a quality accounting of the game that you won't find here (because frankly that sort of shit is boring to write). But I'll give you one persons honest perceptions which is something they don't do.
But let's not have any collective effort to crap on them. I support everyone's freedom to go over there and share your thoughts as well as doing so here. Personally, I don't have any gripes with Doyle's coverage.
I am glad to see that UAA overcame their challenge with so many penalties, it is something that I have constantly pointed out, if we can stay out of the box, as seen tonight, we can hang and beat any team in NCAA hockey.
Glad to hear that Johnny O was solid in the pipes. I have always wondered how things were going to eventually work out with splitting time between goalies, but since the system is working between Friday and Saturday night, might as well keep going with it.
I am 90% sure that Bachman will start in goal for CC, but O'Connell might since he is an ANC boy and the CC offense didn't perform like they normally do.
The boys got next weekend off, so hopefully they leave everything out on the ice. Look forward to listening the game tomorrow.
Fuck Shiak might br right.. Im loving the johhny and Bryce show...IM sorry he actually is playing it right. Both of those two have been super solid..I mean Christianson is ahead of Bachman in GAA and Johnny is just MR unbelievable person/teamate and all around perfect college citizen athlete...Really its time to start getting excited over this team...JOHNNY has gotten no love this year but I cant imagine anything that could happen to a better person.... Bryce might make the National Hockey League but Johnny is going to make the National League in LIFE....
Good win Seawolves...I am waving my Seawolf Flag in support of you here in Iraq.
GO SEAWOLVES!
Wolfman
Congrats to UAA!! What an exciting season this is turning out to be for you guys. Each weekend, I'm getting more and more nervous about Michigan Tech's trip to UAA. I'd like to at least leave the state of Alaska with two points since it's a spendy trip and I'm taking a lot of time off from work. :P
But anyway, being as that Anchorage is definitely my #2 team, I hope the Seawolves keep it for a couple of months... until right before Tech comes for a visit, that is.
Go get 'em tonight, Seawolves!
(Donald, you still owe me $20 and are fully expected to pay up when I come. :))
Nice job UAA, Anon @320A has a point Johnny O has gotten no love and deserves it, splitting series seems to agree with him in helping step up his game. Bryce tonight and maybe some more points. Could not make the game and have been forced to watch the telecast at night so you cannot see the calls the refs make but sounded pretty horse shit. Oh well we survived to play for a sweep. Donald, UAA has a long road to hoe to get fans in the seats, not arguing with you by any means but they don't even seem to be able to attract the "bandwagon" types. The "entertainment" package is in need of an overhaul. Suze said it before I think quoting her daughter, it's boring and you are putting people to sleep with your 70's hits you play for music, ROCK THE FUCKING JOINT AND TURN IT UP LOUD!!! I DONT GIVE A SHIT WHAT THE PERSON NEXT TO ME IS SAYING LETS FUCKING ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!! That's what it was like in the day baby, loud and good music period. Oh yeah get a wet section so some younger adults can come in a cop a buzz and get their groove into it. For fuck sakes it's not boys and girls club hockey.
UAA does have a beer section, and when the music is TOO loud (like the Aces games) fans complain. I've been a fan for 20 years and I don't ever remember the music being that loud in the good old days.
As far as the ADN goes, Doyle has been pretty decent this year, and he has gone out of his way to print the Green & Gold Friday promo at the end of his pre game articles. Something that channel 2 refused to do. So I say thanks Doyle!
Does anyone actually post on here sober? Other than Suze?
Maybe the rest of the Seawolves fans were at home with explosive diarrhea.
Word verifcation: butch
First, I have been one of those who have not been kind to Johnny's play. The last couple weekends, with exception of last Friday's last two minutes (which I don't remember how much team and how much Johnny it was but still got the win anyways) has been outstanding. He won the game for the team tonight. I have never really seen Johnny win games for the team but he absolutely did tonight. Him and a few opportunistic players. If it wasn't for Johnny in the first two periods we would have been toast. If you read the blurb on CHN it has a quote by Coach Owens about how it should have been over after the first 28 minutes. We were still in the game because of Johnny on the spot and some good PK. That is what good goal keeping does for you that we have not had with the exception of some of Bryce's games. Way to go Johnny!
Doyle and the ADN have done a good job this year. I do believe they ran a piece on Bales at the beginning of the year, so whoever was bringing that up might look into that. The fact is that people in today's economy are sheep and want gimmicks not quality. We also have to face the fact that the Aces have quality, not NHL quality but are a very strong team in their league and you really can't ask them to be anymore. They also obviously have gimmicks and the resources to gimmick people in. I would actually prefer a smaller arena with diehard Wolves fans than a large one with a bunch of gimmick lovers. Of course the gimmick lovers also bring money to the program so maybe they need to be there.
One more thing, the boys better come out hard tonight because Bachman almost assuredly will be in net and CC will do everything to finish chances and make a statement. There were a lot of chances for CC last night that just did not quite go in or bounced a little far. Look out. Hold steady and stay in the game. Then take the game. Take advantage of each opportunity because you don't know if you will get another against Bachman.
Oh yeah and I am not sure which was worse the reffing or the flopping by the Tigers. Did you see the one CC player pull Crowder's (I think) stick up to his chest so that he could hooking called? What a dufus. I really think that for the most part CC did play a much more disciplined game but not to the exorbitant way the refs called the game.
Donald do you have any information on why Sidor was the backup goalie last night and not Bryce?
So how will the refs call the game tonight? Will it be a repeat of last nights game or will they let the guys play the game? My guess we will see more of the same. The refs may as well have had CC jerseys on.
lets get UAA college students in the seats...Is UAA the only college in the country that doesn't have a college atmosphere fan base??? I mean even my Commander has a "San Jose State" flag!!!! Where the heck is San jose state?????? You with me?
GO SEAWOLVES!!!!!
Good luck tonight Seawolves. Come out and play the game of your lives! And hopefully the fans will come out and support our boys. The fan base is pathetic and embarassing. With a season like this, we should have a full house every game.
An answer for will:
We were told that Bryce was out with the flu during last nights game. Unsure if he was getting over it or had just become sick.
The fan excitement of last night will go a long ways in building attendance. Enthusiasm is contagious!
Bryce was extremly sick...Coaches sent him home. doubtfull he will play tonight
I love reading the blog after Donald has been drinking!!!
Go Seawolves...
DD, I wasn't suggesting that we go to the ADN website and "crap on them." I was merely suggesting that we make a concerted effort to voice our praise of the Wolves in effort to drive the news to the front page of the Sunday fishwrap. If I came off as AND bashing I apologize. (Though I will say without reservation that Doyle absolutely must grow his permed mullet back if he wants to be taken seriously as a hockey writer) But yeah, re-reading my late night post I suppose the tone is terse...
If the ADN did run a piece on Bales I obviously missed it... However, that wasn't really the point; it was more of a commentary on their decision to run a glowing tribute to a player that is coming to play the Wolves (one that transferred away from UAA at that). I know he's a home town kid, but lets hold off on the praise until his college career is over, eh.
And personally, while I know that its frustrating that Anchorage is filled with fair weather fans, I don’t care who comes or how the Sully gets filled… as long as they’re cheering the right way. I mean honestly, someone needs to get a fleet of buses over to the dorms, load up those inebriated undergrads two-to-a-seat and make circular trips to the Sully all night. (That was a main reason that I would miss a game in my undergrad days, no sober drivers) But the most important thing is fillin’ our barn and giving the boys a real home ice advantage; god knows we’re not going to get it from the refs.
At the risk of sounding redundant, the sad state of refereeing at all levels from junior to NHL is a result of two things: Firstly the two-referee system, the brain-child of that NY lawyer, Gary B, a man who loves the NBA so much he thought hockey should have two refs too. Hockey somehow survived with one man setting a tone and flow for a hundred years. But no, Gary was going to make the game better. Two refs take personality and flow out of the game as two whistles battle for control. Read: my whistle is bigger than yours. The game is too fast today for one man? Please. Sorry, Gary, the move will not make hockey a game loved by the Southern US. More scoring? The game was fine thank-you very much. Secondly, the off-ice officials and directors over manage the oe-ice types. (How much fun is it waiting for NHL refs to wait for some video geek in Toronto to decide if it’s a goal or not?) Let one man call his game as time and place dictate and the game will be better. This ain’t basketball, and yes there will be contact. Let the boys play and put the damn whistle away.
do you think if the new hockey arena is where the new basketball arena is going to go, (providence and Elmore Dr.) the arena will have more attendance?
I agree with donald on the aces vs. seawolves thing. Born and raised in Minnesota, and everyone in the hockey states down there knows who UAA is, someone says anything about the Aces and it's like Aces who?, ECHL what? What is that? The Aces win a lot, but in a make believe league that people know as much about at the Anchorage dart league. Not only do hockey fans in Anchorage need to start going to the games TONIGHT!, but also UAA fans should start hitting alaskaair.com and nwa.com for their Final Five trip.
"as the Anchorage dart league" not "at"
Anonymous said: "We were told that Bryce was out with the flu during last nights game. Unsure if he was getting over it or had just become sick."
Well, I guess that's one person that missed the game due to explosive diarrhea. I'm a great hockey mind.
Quote of the night, coach says...
"we're more dangerous short handed, so what the heck!"
Love it!
Gator Girl
You know, UAA had three or four glorious short handed chances. Tommy Grant should have had one for sure!
I have been saying for a long time now that CC is over rated. They have split their last three weekends now, and this is definitely a beatable team. I hope UAA plays the entire game with the entensity that they played in the 3rd period last night, if so they can sweep.
Coach Ownes was quoted as saying his team missed on a lot of scoring chances, but so did UAA.
MEg:
Darlin ... you'll get so much more than just 20 bucks.
OnWolves:
Me saying "crap all over" was just my flowery way of summarizing. No offense.
RWD:
Fixate on bowels much?
Anon@811:
I firmly believe that in an alleged "hockey" town that people should be turning out to see the best "hockey". At tonight's UAA game you'll see about a dozen future AHL'rs and 3 to 4 future NHL'rs. Go to an Aces games and you'll see 4 or 5 future AHL'rs and maybe 1 future NHLer. That's the case on ANY night that two WCHA teams are playing.
The level of hockey in the WCHA is higher than the ECHL. So like I said ... if the alleged "hockey" fans in this town don't get that and are more interested in swilling beer and watching fights then by all means they should enjoy the Aces games and stay the hell away from the UAA games.
Rather ironic that O’Connell gets paid back for the shut-out which came in the Friday game almost a year ago when UAA out shot CC 28-16 and owned most everything but the points.
WhiteBeard
I say we start bussing in the homeless to fill seats. I see how hard they sell the Furniture Stores with those signs at the corner of Lake Otis and Tudor, or Nothern Lights and C. We could arm them with Dog salmon to throw after the first Seawolf goal. They'll love the Credance Clearwater TJ plays, and if we put them in the yellow seats behind the team boxes, at least the replay of the games on GCI will look sold out!
Homeless street inebriates or Aces fans? Sounds like a difficult choice but it isn't. Homeless street inebriates win!
Hell prisoners are starting to sound attractive compared to Aces fans...
I'm sure Doyle loves the handjobs people, but i bet the critics make him smile even more. I just wish the Daily would keep using that old photo of him with that bitchin' "in your Face" 80's Mullet.
From Theresa Spisak at UUSCHO.com
• For a laugh (sorry, Seawolf fans), head over to the Seawolves’ athletics Web site, find the “Inside Athletics” tab and scroll down to “Traditions.” Then, listen to the Seawolf song. Don’t blame me if it gets in your head, as it’s incredibly cheesy and yet incredibly catchy
Anon@527:
Good. Stay there. Did I say any players were crap? Nope. I said there are more future AHL'rs and NHL'rs on the ice at a WCHA game than at any ECHL game.
The fucking Aces wouldn't even exist if not for the Seawolves.
Don't pretend it's me that keeps you away. You stay away because your a typical Anchorage bandwagon sports fan that only comes out to support a winner.
More than just $20? Sounds hot.
Man, my blog is so dry. I'm happy to get like 5 comments on any one entry. I'm gonna have to take some pointers from you, Donald. Maybe I'll start talking some crap about the Ojibewa Eagles or something. That should get some people going... or at least Eric Kattelus's dad.
I was Seawolf season ticket holder #52.
And if I'm a "lowlife" doesn't that mean that I technically "have a life" already?
The Aces won't be around forever. The Seawolves will be.
If the Aces falter for a couple of years the attendance at the Sully will drop and the ownership will find themselves in the same unfortunate position as they were when the team was for sale on Ebay.
An ECHL franchise unfortunately nearly always has a tenuous existence.
I love the use of the word Fucktard. It shows that you have such limited command of the language that you have made up a word with two negative undertones that mean nothing when placed together. You're like a stuttering little kid who just got cut down, saying the first thing that comes to your mind. Why not call him a Nutsuck or Titdick both equally as vicious in your limited vocabulary i'm sure.
The Aces are a good team today, let's see what happens to the fans and the team during thin times. Only time will prove your arguments.
where were the fans? almost the season low
whoa, lay of the red bulls...wait dont cuz your kinda funny in this sugar state, the competion is lacking against the ACES cuz we have had good coaches who know how to limit and destroy opposing teams, also everybody who plays minors is trying to get called up, (so teams arent necessarily teams) unless your a veteran and know the big show is just not gonna happen, also lay of the CAPS, u remind me of me, when i overlooked my old comments i was embrassed to see it in caps, it looks funny and is hard to read, and as DD as said it apperars as though your yelling at everybody
Seawolvesfan:
I am yelling. Somewhat joking in a way too. I will still go to the games if I don't have to pay. They are pretty exciting, and yes, their coaching is stellar. McCambridge learned from Davis Payne, who is now coaching in the AHL for Peoria. I just agree with Donald in the sense that they are only supported because of the uneducated, blue collar clientele that they market too. For example: The Military, the IBEW, Rusty's Towing, Chilkoot Charlies, AAA Fence, Crown Royal, shall I continue? Everything has a sponser attached to it: Penalty boxes, power plays, penalty kills, fog horns, players. What gives?
I know its a professional team and the objective is to maximize profit, but it gets pretty obnoxious seeing the PAA (Lester) trying to fit all those sponser's names in before the puck drops.
I personally thought it was bush league to have the sponsors on the players jerseys. I don't think I've seen that with any other ECHL team. But then, none of them were on ebay either.
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