Saturday, November 22, 2008

Seawolves Fall In OT 4-3

Friday night wins are extra nice because they make a sweep possible. Saturday night the Seawolves often looked more than capable of accomplishing one. The referees managed to keep their whistles from deciding the contest and we saw a hard fought hockey game with lots of rushes both ways. Both teams found ways to possess the puck deep and apply pressure throughout the game. Neither team could find a way to get more than a one goal lead. The Seawolf players should take some solace in the fact that in the big picture they did outplay CC tonight. Bottom line though is that 4-3 shows up as a big fat "L" in the record books. It's a shame.

Same deal as last night at this point. I'll be back to finish this later. Talk amongst yourselves as you please.

Edit@1:43:
I thought the 1st period tonight was good hockey. There was a flow to the game that included all the elements you like to see. There were transition rushes and both goalies were forced to come up big. There were some good hits. Both teams managed good offensive production and both defenses found ways to clear the puck.

I thought the Seawolves owned the 2nd period. CC's only reasonable chances it seemed came on their 2 power plays. The Seawolves are making a statement that they can be a very dominant team when the game is 5-on-5.

The 2 shorthanded goals on the weekend both came in the 3rd period. Crowder from Grant and Grant from Crowder. I doubt that's the last time we hear that scoring line in a shorthanded situation this season. Tommy's game tying 3rd goal was a wicked shot. Bachman barely sniffed it. Maybe I'll have to use the "Tommy Gun" nickname that's been waiting in the wings ... mostly just because it's a cheesy nickname. But if the shoe fits then wear it damnit.

Of course the OT turned out to be a disappointment. I wasn't sitting in my seat biting my nails when it started. I really was confident the team would come out of the weekend with at least three points. They had an early chance but there was this other pretty good hockey team out there who were determined to make a chance of their own. And a pucked squirted right to some no name CC dude who shoved it home. Not an undeserved goal I suppose. They were trying.

So how about that Tommy Grant eh? The guy is having a monster season. Know why? Because he believes. He is playing with tons of confidence. He knows he's got the wheels to get it done now. Last year I'd say he wasn't sure about it. No such thing anymore. 10 goals already? He is the sophomore the team needed to step up. I watch kids closely. I like to think that I can see their potential but I have to say that Tommy's speed game this year has been a bit of a surprise to me. With 3 goals and 2 assists on the weekend don't be surprised if he nabs another player of the week award from the WCHA. I haven't looked at other individual stats around the league but a 5 point weekend is always a contender. Paul Crowder's 2 goals and 2 assists on the weekend was pretty sweet as well. How cool it must be to play on the same line as Paul eh? Any linemate he has just needs to make themselves available and a pass will come.

Great to see Kevin Clark score such a gritty but also pretty goal. He fought his way in front of a CC defender after being boxed out initially, he took the defender on his back while getting his stick squarely down and the brilliant Curtis Leinweber delivered the perfect puck. Clarkie has been working so hard and doing so many good things offensively without finding the twine. His goal tonight was exactly the same kind of hard nosed smart play around the net that he has been making all season.

Who isn't a Curtis Leinweber fan by now? If you not extremely high on him and what he brings to this team then you must not be paying attention. His 6 points in 7 games is impressive since he has been in and out of the lineup with first an injury and then the flu. In a couple of early games I thought Curtis looked a little bit over-pumped up, this weekend he was much more composed. He just has great sense with the puck and always seems to make the right decision with the puck. In one play in the CC zone tonight he broke in from the blueline 3 on 2 and had a clear shot from the near the top of the left circle but he saw what could have been a great opening and slide a pass to the center. It didn't click. Everyone though he should have shot it. David commented on the broadcast that the shot was available. I agree it was but I can't fault Curtis one bit for deciding on the pass. Bachman was stepping up and squared up. Curtis could have made him make a tough save. But only a perfect shot was going to score. If the pass had clicked ... it would have been a goal for sure.

I think at this point in the season Brian Bales must have opened up a lot of eyes around the league. He's a big part of the improved Seawolf attack this season. I really noticed his neutral zone play this weekend. It is a strength. He has an impressively quick first couple of strides that helps to key a counter-attack. When he has possession deep in the offensive end he knows how to find his linemates in an open space. As I'm typing this at 2:15am I have no doubt that "Clank", "Ping", "Doink", "Twang" and "Tink" are prominent noises in Brian's nightmares. Beating the mighty Richard Bachman twice but finding iron instead is surely the stuff of bad dreams.

Nils Backstrom played two excellent hockey games this weekend. I think he has taken a big step forward in maturity. He is ultra-responsible in his own end. This weekend he reminded us that in addition to that improved defensive effort, he can motor the puck up the ice. In Detroit Red Wings-land Nils is a bit of a forgotten 9th round draft pick. If he plays the way he did this weekend with consistency I'd think he'll work his way back up their prospects list. He has been absolutely solid this season.

I'd credit Trevor Hunt with greatly improved maturity this season as well. I'm particularly impressed that Trevor is showing great confidence with the puck on his stick and and knows how to take advantage of an opportunity. I'm not quit ready to peg him with a "Spin-o-rama" Hunt nickname but he really made some nifty offensive moves with the puck this weekend. He should be confident. Keep being confident Trevor. It's working.

Shave Lovdahl, Ken Selby and Jeremy Smith had a monster game as far as I'm concerned. By the way he is playing I think Shane is loving playing up on the wing. He dished out some quality punishment tonight. He reintoduced himself particularly rudely to Eric Walsky. He found himself with scoring chances and came close. Jeremy Smith might have bagged two goals tonight if not for at least one circus save from Bachman. Jeremy you got robbed! I never would have imagined that I'd be writing that about Jeremy Smith. He's a quality story this season. I wondered out loud if he was probably the strongest player on the team. He brung it this weekend. So you all know I really like the game Ken Selby plays when he gets the opportunity. This weekend he showed more of the same. I thought he was on fire tonight. He pulled Pavel Bure out of his ass tonight at one point and pwnd three CC defenders with a great stickhandling display from one side of the rink to the other while behind the net. It was sweet. It drew a penalty. He showed this weekend that he can be a serious threat when he takes the puck wide. He had a SICK rush in the 2nd period and after blowing by the D managed to cut back cleanly to the front of the net for a great scoring chance.

Ok. It's too late to keep dishing out "the love" to everyone. So the fact that I didn't mention someone in no way reflects on the contributions they made. Everybody was pretty much "on" this weekend. It was good to see. The whole team should be proud of the efforts they made and the way they played.

75 comments:

malainse said...

Yeah, no one wants to talk after a loss like that.

Look I have followed the Seawolf Hockey team since at least '86. Something is happening here.

This team is different. It's starting to feel like the early 90's again where yes, we are the underdogs, but we are in every game.

I am angry that I live far away now and can't enjoy it, I am perhaps more upset that the rink isn't sold out.

Listen up Anchorage... this is the beginning of the the team we have been waiting so long for. Get on the damn bandwagon now.

None said...

In deed Prohibitum, best the guys have looked in years... maybe decades.

I still feel like someone kicked me in the throat.

Anonymous said...

I am with you bro. I have been a Seawolf Fan since 1986 ever since traveling to the State of Alaska and knowing that is where I wanted to go to school. I picked UAA over UCLA, USC and Cal-State Northridge!!! (I am from L.A. California) Went to UAA from 1994-1998 and graduated with a B.S. in Technology. Have been to ALOT of Seawolf HOCKEY GAMES! After I was commissioned in the Air Force in 2000, I got stationed at Elmendorf and was able to support my WOLVES for three years!

All that to say this. I am a DIE HARD Seawolf Fan!!! This is a great team, and ANCHORAGE should be supporting these guys like no tomorrow!!!!! I am now in Iraq, but stationed in Louisiana and watch these guys every chance I get on my computer or DirecTV!!! I am very jazzed up about this team, and promote our guys to our troops every chance I get. Donald's blog is awesome, it makes me feel right at home!

malainse said...

If only the Student Ref-o-meter had been there for Friday!

Anonymous said...

What a great hockey game that was tonight, especially after the snoozer/whistle fest last night. Absolutely heartbreaking loss, especially going into an off week! Any questions for Coach Shyiak or for PD Robertson on the coaches show, send them in. dtuttle@jpc.alaska.edu

Happy Holidays

Anonymous said...

I think you gotta wonder on that last Goal lots to wonder eh

Anonymous said...

Good job Seawolves. I think Leinweber should play forward. Put him with either Crowder and Grant, or with Lunden and Clark.

Ogie said...

Yeah, I had my broom in my daughters baby bag and even though I didnt get to hoist it, I cant be upset. The Wolves played exceptional hockey and proved they can hang in with the best in the nation.

Anonymous said...

Don't forget the outstanding play of Jonnie-O. Many people, including myself, have not been strong Olthuis supporters this year, but he has gotten it together. I think the goalie coach is doing wonders for the team!

Nice job Jonnie, and you had some AMAZING saves. The team wouldn't have gotten the two points without you.

Donald Dunlop said...

Moving Leinweber to forward would completely negate one of the biggest strengths he brings to the team. There is much offense to be generated from the blueline in any hockey game. Curtis has exactly the sort of tools you want on the back end. He rocks back there. No change should (I'd even guess would) be considered.

Anonymous said...

I would like to formally proclaim my position as "lead horse" on the Ken Selby bandwagon. I know Ken has other supporters here on this blog - including Donald himself. But I think the kid has serious skill that is being grossly underutilized on the team to this point. Don't get me wrong, I love the line he is on (when he gets to play) with Smith and Lovedahl but I think he is being completely underutilized in a role as a fourth line forward. Ken should be getting PP time and time skating with guys like Lunden, Clark, Bales, Grant, and Crowder. I don't understand the coaching staff's sparing use of a guy that obviously has "mad" stick-handling skills, blazing speed, and crafty playmaking ability like Selby.

Selbs is strong on the puck and can move it along the boards while keeping it away from the defense like no other player on the team. He reminds me of a previous #19 – Jay Beagle who is now playing in the AHL. Ken showed this Saturday night buy single-handedly turning three CC players inside out while searching for an open lane and eventually drawing a penalty. Not to mention his second period rush around the defense, while cutting to the net. Face it; the kid should be playing on one of the top two lines AND on one of the power play units.

This is absolutely no knock to any other player on the team. I like what every player brings to the team, but no other player has suffered from "under-appreciation" more than Selby. Every player should have the opportunity to advance his status on the team by proving himself in game situations. In my mind everyone has had a pretty fair shake at moving up the ladder except Selby. So, as leader of the bandwagon I have to stand up and shout my opinion when I feel like 'da man is getting 'da shaft... Put 'em in coach, he deserves more playing time!

None said...

I concur with Z on Selby. I'd like to know why he is buried on the 4th line... I'm sure Shiyak has a good reason, and I'm curious.

Does anyone know Portwood's status? I know he was banged up from that slash on the knee earlier in the season, but I'm wondering if he's healthy now and scratched for another reason...

Anonymous said...

Portwood didn't take a slash to the knee, the Mercyhurst captain stuck his knee out and that's how he got injured. Jade tweaked his knee again against UND.

I am hoping he doesn't play the next series against Wisconsin unless he is 100%. Let him rest up, the team will be off for a month over Christmas break. Hopefully he'll be back to 100% in January.

As far as Selby, I agree as well, but I don't know who he would replace on the first and second line. Those lines are jelling well. The line that Selby is on is an energy line, and those kids make things happen out there.

It's not a bad thing to play on that line, but I agree he needs to be suited up and not sitting in the stands.

Anonymous said...

The problem is there unfortunately has been one Goal here or one Goal there and to sweep fluky Goals or whatever you want to call it Cant Happen and again unfortunately this has been a common denominator of Johnnys career so far so yes Saturday hurt and is it all bad luck ?

None said...

Oh yeah, anyone know what the official attendance was last night?

Anonymous said...

Three cheers for the team that just can't get no respect. When will the polls and pro teams wake up and see what the Seawolves have going on here?

Anonymous said...

One of the main reasons for no respect is how poorly the team has been handled both on the ice and off the ice over the last 10 years and a few wins here in there helps but it is going to come down to performing on and off the ice in all aspects of the Hockey Program for us to move to the Next level

Anonymous said...

I mean dont get me wrong things are really encouraging but the lack of a crowd is more because of all the mismanagement in the past and peoples negative feelings over issues than the Aces..It cant be minimized but it has to be acknowledged and recognized to continue to move the program forward.. But lets be clear winning doesnt solve everything and the past isnt the past its the reality of many things that have to still improve with the program and the trust with the hockey people of Alaska that things will continue to build such as all the positive's that have happenend this year both on and off the ice...

Anonymous said...

I just checked the WCHA stats, and if I read them correctly, Grant should get WCHA offensive player of the week again. He had three goals and 2 assists. The next closest to that us Crowder and Roy with 2 goals and 2 assists each.

Anon @ 2:05: Hill craping all over his alma mater didn't help any. Shyiak has this team going in the right direction, and he has the respect of the players. Selfish players like Walsky bailing is unfortunate, but it happens to all teams. I'm glad it did, as we might not have players like Grant right now had he stayed here. And I'd rather have Grant over Walsky any day.

Kris said...

ZZZZ, you can take the lead on the Selby thing but can I give you an idea that I was formulating during Saturday's game. I was thinking of a "freeSelby.blogspot.com" kind of thing. The kid is amazing and there is no doubt in my mind that he would be a phenomenal help on a top two line and a PP unit. Even the third line with PP time would be better. He doesn't fit into that fourth line role. I was sitting there watching and thinking how with his speed and shot he reminded me of Gaborik (k might be a slight stretch but you get the idea). I just don't see how you can put a guy like that on the fourth line. As much as Lovdahl and Smith have been doing, checking is not something that Selby is geared for. The kid needs some teammates to fly down the ice with. Think what he could be doing with Crowder! I don't know if you want to take a Wiles or Moir off that line but seriously. It is appealing. I would think that even starting to move him up to a third line in a Moir, Parkinson, Selby line would help. I actually think that with the snap shot that Selby has and Parkinson's liking of the front of the net and Moir's ability to go in the corners that could be a productive third line. As good as we have been playing we need a few more goals and a few more saves in every series. That right now is the difference between splits and sweeps, ties and wins.

I have to say that I am not sure that Johnny's performance was up to par on Sat. Friday he kept the team in the game almost single handedly. I thought the Rau goal was a little soft. I was behind the net and it looked like he had position and everything but it just went five hole. Johnny though more than made up for it with a save on Rau later on. Rau in the same position, the right part of the slot and snaps a one timer that John slides over and gets an elbow on. It was the same shot just better but Johnny was just plain lights out on that one. I also loved the save late in the third when he used his head to keep the puck out.

Donald Dunlop said...

Anon with the "historical mismanagement" issue:
Make up some name and use it so I don't have to interpret every anonymous post with regard to the concerns expressed by anonymous posters eh? Thanks.

If I'm not mistaken you're the same person that has made this argument several times in the past. I appreciate that you want the best for the program but at some point it is up to the people holding whatever grudges they have to let them go. I don't think we could possibly be talking about 2,000 people that Shyiak has pissed off. So maybe you're talking about Cobb? I'd like to know which specific issues that he's mishandled which caused attendance to drop and as you say "caused negative feelings". Cobb didn't force Brush out. Cobb didn't hire Talafous. He did fire him thank god. He hired the shoeshine boy (a mistake) but that water carrier told Cobb it was his "dream job". No big shame on Cobb there. And finally he hired a coach that is honestly progressing the team.

See ... I follow the program closely. And while there is room for specific criticism regarding one particular issue or another there isn't anything of significance in the record. Show it to me and I'll be happy to discuss it. Seems to me it's time to overlook 10 year old grievances.

Anonymous said...

The 5 hole goal scored on Jonnie was a hard one for him because he was being screened by his own player. He flat out didn't see the puck.

Anonymous said...

To many of you are shitting on Walsky. I think you forget he did what to come to UAA , but he also wanted to skate for a coach that was going to utilize and showcase his skills. When a coaching change happens players are not veiwed the same by that different coach and it WILL effect the amount and style of their play. Us fans have been crying out for home grown players for a while now, but when we got a quality group of them brought in by Hill, he bailed. Of that particular group of home town kids only a couple stayed, Waldrop and Lovdahl. The rest (Walsky, Smith, Mollie) left because they were not getting ice time they wanted because that coach didn't scout them, and didn't know what they were scouted to do. Im not knocking Shyiak's choaching it's just the nature of the situation. Look at Lovdahl for example who stayed, scouted as the highest scoring D in the USHL with a national title. He had a decent amount of points and playing time as a freshman when some of the coaches who scouted him were present, but this changed when the new defensive staff came in and now he is not on the power play and a 4th line forward?. Again not knocking the coaches, just giving an example of how that can change a players role and ice time. And I bet that that was not what Lovdahl expected or wants to be showcased as. Think it will affect where he goes next year? of Course it will!
Now if you were working a job (and for these kids this is a job and how they will be paying the bill the years after Uaa) would you sit in a shitty situation that is not leading you to advancement. No you wouldn't. You would bail not because your a "traitor", as some of you like to call Walsky, but because you have a career and a future to think about.

Anonymous said...

The attendance didn't fall to 3,000 overnight and unfortunately its not going to get back to 6,000 overnight either. It is going to take time and exciting hockey games like this weekend to rebuild the fortress...

Anonymous said...

The point is people cant blame the Aces for the issues with the what has happenend with the program. The thing is I agree with you about this year and the direction of the team..The problem is that alot of people have all kinds of different reasons or excuses to not go to the games and it just isnt one thing and nobodys blaming Cobb or Shiak its the point that when your puting the type of product on the ice that is the current team which is good and they are giving away seats its just frustrating that there is no simple fix to put 6000 people in the Arena..

Anonymous said...

Sorry, but Walsky will always be a traitor to many UAA faithful. Coaches come and go, but players should follow through with their COMMITTMENT to a college.

There are plenty of scorers FLOURISHING under Shyiaks system, Walsky would have fit in just fine, but he didn't give it a chance. UAA has more scorers this year than UAA has had in a long time. Five players in double digits and we're not even half way through the season.

Any UAA player who leaves and plays for the COMPETETION, will never get any love or respect at the Sully.

Molle played 3 games and left at the Christmas break. I saw him play in those three games and he was awful. He didn't EARN playing time. And you can't say he would have gotten any more ice time had Hill stayed on.

Anonymous said...

That doesn't negate the fact that Molle had to look out for his interest. And a coach bailing on the player that he scouted with a promise of ice time is at fault not the player. And the player will go where ice time is being offered to ensure a future in the sport. I gaurentee any of you super fans would do the same if you were playing the game. These are good players not "Rudy's" walking on and sitting for their big chance at wearing a UAA jersey.

None said...

Hey Walsky... er, Walsky posing as Anon. You may be right. You, or he if you prefer, may have had to leave "Uaa" but he sure as hell didn't have to go to CC. He chose to go to a division rival, so he gets branded a traitor… because, well, he is a traitor. Period. Of course he has to look out for his best interests, everyone does. He had to go to CC. I have to boo him every time he touches the puck and bash him mercilessly on this blog.

Make the distinction, however, between him (inter-division out-going transfers) and kids that leave Anchorage after high school. I don’t begrudge anyone for wanting to go outside for college. While I would prefer that they stay home and play for the Wolves, if they want to live in beautiful Duluth that’s their prerogative, and I say best of luck when you’re playing anyone but the Wolves. By the same token, as long as Shyiak is filling the ranks with the likes of Grant, Crowder, Lunden and Clark, I think I still speak for all of us, I don’t care if there is any home grown talent on the team. Winning is all that matters; anyone who thinks otherwise hasn’t ever competed for anything, or wasn’t any good at it.

Anonymous said...

Walsky has a blog?

Anonymous said...

As far as players transferring goes, the grass is not always greener. Billy Smith had a very promising freshman year at UAA, but has done nothing at Northern Michigan. He had 4 goals last year and has one assist this year. That team is terrible, and I bet he is very sorry he left Alaska.

Anonymous said...

He's an assistant captain and gets to play more games than he did at uaa. He also had 11 assists with those 4 goals. UAA finished in the basement the last two years he was gone. Good point. oh ya by the way this is billy smith.

Anonymous said...

And how has Northern done the past few years? LOL

Anonymous said...

If this really is Billy Smith, I bet your missing Paul Crowder right about now. Your team's highest scorer has 7 points and 3 goals. Paul Crowder has 18 points in 14 games compared to 7 in 11-12 games. But I'm also sure you feel right at home in Marquette. Let me ask you: do they have a Good Time Charlies in Marquette as well? Bottom line is, Billy Smith would be a 3rd or 4th liner now at UAA with those pathetic, CCHA stats. How was that 5 game losing/7 game winless streak you had against your PeeWee schedule.

Anonymous said...

Smith played almost every game for UAA, and if he's playing more now, he should be - he's a senior!!

At least he doesn't play for a WCHA team, I'll give him points for that.

Donald Dunlop said...

I'll insert myself here. First I don't think I've ever really dogged Smith or Walsky here. My general inclination is to forego as much mention of any player that was a Seawolf and now isn't.

Players leave college hockey teams. It's a fact of life. They do so for a number of reasons. All of which aren't really important. Calling Walsky a "traitor" isn't an accurate description but then again that term has been used to describe local kids that just decided to go somewhere other than UAA. In that sense, it is just another hyperbolic word that should be mostly ignored.

I don't think of Smith or Walsky as traitors. They had their reasons for leaving. Billy is playing with his younger brother this year right? I'm sure that's a cool experience for them. Neither him or Walsky thought they fit in with Shyiak. Best thing in those circumstances is to leave. Brad McCabe felt the same way. Nothing wrong with it.

Aren't we Seawolf fans glad that Brian Bales transferred? Do you think anyone at Bowling Green thinks of him as a traitor?

Ultimately it's John Hill that let Walsky and Smith down by running back to hide under Donnie's skirt. He didn't stay to finish what he started. And anytime you transition to a new staff there are unfortunately sometimes casualties.

They're probably both happy to be where they are and I say good on em. If they'd stayed they probably would have been unhappy. And I'm glad for the team I have don't spend anytime worrying about the team we don't have.

Anonymous said...

anon @ 9:26 PM,

He is a junior buddy. Also, to put a little parity into this Billy Smith argument, Minnesota Duluth crushed Northern Michigan 5-0 in Marquette. UAA beat Duluth 4-3 and tied 1-1. NMU went 0-7 on the PP. UAA hasn't been shut out yet this season (knock on wood).

Anonymous said...

What's your point? How many league games has NMU won this year?

Anonymous said...

guys just to let u know billy smith never played with paul crowder, so we never would know how they would mesh.

Anonymous said...

Billy Smith doesn't have anything better to do than to read the UAA Hockey Fan blog while sitting at NMU?? No offense Donald...

Anonymous said...

Kris - thanks for the FreeSelby blog idea, unfortunately I don't have that kinda time... Maybe we just need "Free Selby" T-shirts or something. As far as what line he should play on, I think he would play well with a playmaker and a grinder, be it Lunden/Clark or Bales/Moir, Parkinson/Bales or even Grant/Crowder.. With the exception of Grant and Crowder the coaching staff has been moving other forwards around trying to find combos that score. Lunden and Bales have both played on the 1st and 3rd lines. My point with all of this is that Selby should be thrown into that mix AND see some PP time because he brings skills that would benefit other playmaking/scoring forwards which would in turn benefit the team... Free Selby...

Anonymous said...

absolutely great weekend for the boys, only a misdirection from the sweep, but they definitely played there hearts out and its great to see them rewarded for there effort, like Shyiak said if thats the #3 team in the nation then were not that far behind, great job boys-go to Madison and woop those baby Badgers, kinda of weird that we lose a spot in the league standings

Anonymous said...

UAA is #19 in the newest USCHO Online National Hockey Poll. Well deserved, but I disagree with CC's #3 ranking. Some idiot still gave them a first place vote. Thin air will do that to you.

GO SEAWOLVES!!!!

Anonymous said...

Where was Kane Lafranchise this weekend? Healthy scratch or out with a bug?
Dan

Anonymous said...

Kane is so solid, I imagine it must have been illness. UAA is #19 in the USCHO poll released today.

Anonymous said...

i just learned a lot, so thanks everybody for voicing your opinion, also were averging a point every league game which if we keep up will be 28 points, which two years ago would be good for 6th and only a point away from a tie for 5th, so great start boys lets keep it up

None said...

DD, I usually agree with your reasoning, but in this case I must respectfully dissent.

If a UAA skater, no matter their home town, transfers to another team in the WCHA that skater is fairly branded a traitor.

If Kevin Love, of UCLA basketball fame, would have transferred to Arizona, he would have been branded a traitor by UCLA fans. If Jake Locker transfers to Oregon, he will be branded a traitor by UW fans. And in our case, anyone who transfers from UAA to an inter-division rival is, in fact, a traitor. It’s really pretty simple. And as I already stated, going outside for school does not make a local kid a traitor. (see Carle and Heisten) It is the act of leaving the Wolves that generates the ire of the fans. And rightfully so.

Anonymous said...

the heisten brothers went to maine not a wcha school buddy.

Anonymous said...

Well said On Wolves, I couldn't agree more!

Walsky said some of the same flowery stuff that Hill said. How he grew up watching the Seawolves and dreamed of playing for them some day. :(

Even when they interviewed Eric on channel 2, he said he loves playing at the Sullivan Arena. But you know what, the team is doing just fine without him.

Donald Dunlop said...

My main point here is that if a kid doesn't want to be a member of the team then having him on the team isn't a good situation for the kid or the team.

Smith and Walsky found situations they're happy in. Woohoo I guess. Not that I care if they're happy. I am happy they aren't on the Seawolves though.

People are interested I suppose because they are local kids. That means nothing to me. I cover "The Seawolves". I don't care if a Seawolf player comes from Timbuktu. He's a Seawolf.

I'll readily admit an affinity for local kids on the Seawolf roster. I always hope UAA gets the best local talent to come here. When they don't it's too bad. But that is the extent to which it interests me. Walsky could score 30 goals with 50 assists and win the Hobey Baker and I won't mention it. Did you see me creaming my pants over Matt Carle?

This is a blog about Seawolves. Let's toot their horns instead of having any sort of discussion (positive or negative) about alleged "traitors". That's how I prefer to utilize my typing.

None said...

Thanks buddy. Did I say anything about the Heisten's going to a WCHA school? Lets see: "going outside for school does not make a local kid a traitor. (see Carle and Heisten)" Hmm.

Do yourself and everyone else a favor, don't ever write on a blog again. Ever.

Anonymous said...

Cmon guys a local player has so much more to offer from all standpoints if they are truly a bonafide WCHA player...They have So many people ,Coaches ,life long friends,they have family,that will all show up and support the program in so many different ways.. They have the ability to spur additional interest in the youth hockey community and most of all when there career is over they can hopefully add to the community rather than taking there free education and going home. I mean its not possible to build a team just yet with Alaskans but it should be a goal to get the best ones...Campbell,Reg, and Coach Shiak are very interested in Alaskans and have several on the Radar... Many of these Elite kids for various reasons want to play outside maybe see the world,play in a Traditional College Atmosphere but its such a big deal when a top Alaskan comes home that lets not lump everybody in one big group as a Seawolf..Right now we have 4 from Anchorage and 1 from Fairbanks and believe me they are setting the stage along with the rest of the Team to bring back a UAA as a top choice amoung an incredibly important talent pool that will always be a huge part of UAAs past,present and future. Its so difficult for Alaskans to make the WCHA and big time Div 1 hockey lets not minimize there importance to the program and the effort that is being made with the Current regime...

Anonymous said...

I for one would love to see more Alaskans on the roster. And I have a special place in my heart for the local kids who play and graduate from UAA. I have no respect those who play for UAA for a year or two, and then leave to play AGAINST UAA.

Anonymous said...

Kane is out with a back injury.

Anonymous said...

geez this team is doing so well, My parents had season tickets for as long as i can remmber UAA was myfirst hockey game. I remmber the 90's and went to school at UAA in 2003-2006, then left the state wish I cold watch the boys every weekend agian see them in madison good luck.

Kris said...

ADN.com has an article about the wolves, and you don't even have to make it to the sports section! I found it on the "front page" of the website. It is about the dubious rankings that Donald doesn't like to comment about, and rightfully so. It is cool that they are getting some good press from the ADN though.

Anonymous said...

Get well Kane!

MeanEgirl said...

Donald: Are minors (18-20) allowed at PJ's?

Donald Dunlop said...

MEg:
No sorry. Just 21+ ... why? Are you bringing jailbait with you?

Anonymous said...

Get well, Jade and Kane.

Anonymous said...

how 'bout that spin move recovery by Leinweber in the neutral zone on Sat night!
Grant's lookin much like the Conn man(ala Rob)!
A cup of badger Crowder coming up.
damn, 11 days away is long time.
Dan

Anonymous said...

what is with the scheduling? Only one series in like 6 weeks? Talk about a momentum killer, no wonder we suck after the holiday break, they forget who their linemates are.

Anonymous said...

UAA has had other seasons when they were off over the holidays, and I always blamed the poor second half of the season to their being rusty.

Then last year the team played in December, but yet it really didn't make much difference, we still had the same result.

I believe this is partly a mental issue, and a nice long break might be nice for the guys. They can look at it as a new season ... and I think there is enough talent and determination on this team that it won't hurt them. I'm sure the guys will be disciplined and will work out while they are away from school.

Donald Dunlop said...

The schedule has changed from a shorter break to a longer break and back a couple of times. I remember advocating that the guys not have a long break and continuity should make for consistency. But it sure didn't work that way for the last three years (and I'm pretty sure those were all 'short break" years).

So, let them have a long break. But bring them back right after Xmas so there can be several days of hard training to get back in game shape and then a full week of practice before the Badger series.

Anonymous said...

They are only allowed a certain number of practices the entire season, so I am sure that they will have to be rationed properly throughout the year, with weeks off and all. Maybe they will have 'Captain's Practices" to suffice if need be.

Anonymous said...

Crowder got a runner up spot on INCH's player of the week

http://insidecollegehockey.com/inch/category/potw/

Anonymous said...

mala in se and on wolves are right something is different with this team, i credit all the seniors, juniors, and sophmores for stepping up, we defintely are finding ways to win games and i still cant believe how good we are-hope we keep it up and XCEL Energy Center here we come

Anonymous said...

Kane is not sick. He is academically ineligible, hopefully onlu until the Wisconsin series in January.

Anonymous said...

Tommy Grant Got WCHA OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK.

Anonymous said...

WAY TO GO TOMMY!!! Tommy Grant for Hobey Baker!!

Anonymous said...

Or Paul Crowder for Hobey as well. Both are doing very well.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Tommy Grant. Keep up the good work.

Anonymous said...

Grant has been a pleasent suprise this year and its very obvious to me now that Pauly and him have some real chemistry on the ice, so of those passes still blow me away(and im talking about the seris in ND

Anonymous said...

The roster for Team West 2008 CJHL Prospects Game was announced today. Wes McLeod was selected to play!

The Prospects Game showcases the best Junior A hockey players in Canada, and players are chosen by the CJHL and NHL Central Scouting.

Congrats Wes!

Anonymous said...

You mention Nils Backstrom being a Detroit draft pick, and I'm kind of curious about how the NHL draft works versus sports like Baseball. I'm pretty sure that in baseball if a player is drafted and doesn't sign, and goes to play college ball, the team loses him as a draft pick and he is eligible to be re-drafted later.

In hockey do NHL teams retain the professional rights of a player forever or something?

Anonymous said...

Yes. They are allowed to keep the player's rights through their collegiate careers and then are able to sign them if they choose. They are also allowed to waive them. Drafting them pretty much means that no other team is allowed to sign them.

Post a Comment