Saturday night was much the same as Friday night. The Seawolves dominated 5-on-5. No let me correct that, they pwnd. The Mavericks were occasionally able to apply some pressure in the UAA end but that was only about one shift out of five or six or on the PP. Someone stopped me after the 2nd period tonight and said,"Can you please tell me how you outplay someone by that much and not be winning". I didn't have an answer.
We all saw a mix of things both nights. Overall, I thought the level of play from the Seawolves was pretty high on the weekend ... let's say B+. More often than not passes connected and chances developed. They were responsible and quick enough in their own end to negate potential scoring chances. The transition game was good. But we also saw critical mistakes.
The only even strength goal the Mavericks managed on the weekend was due to a rare but costly dual-mistake when Brian Bales tried a blind behind the back clearance from his zone that landed right on a Maverick stick then during the ensuing pressure, Luka Vidmar assumed he had help behind him and from behind his net cleared a puck to a wating Maverick in the corner instead. Not to focus on that one incident when both of those guys did numerous other good things both nights. As I said last night, I can't finger anyone for substandard play.
Now what I don't want to talk about. Goaltending. Without Zacharias in net the Mavericks don't leave Anchorage with 3 points. If you combine Jonny O and Bryce's performance they don't match Zacharias over the weekend. I constructed that sentence carefully. I did so because I don't intend anything negative about their performance. That said, I think I'd say that Christianson has the definite upperhand in any discussion of earning the #1 spot. Bryce is unbeaten. And while there are reasons beyond his performance that contribute to that fact, it is what it is. He hasn't lost. Bottom line.
This weekend has a bit of last year in it from my perspective. It was a definite coulda. It was for sure a shoulda. One point? It's not nothing I guess; but ... ya know? It's not enough.
I had a plan for a post tomorrow that I'm abandoning in favor of a hockey related post. So instead of Electric/Plasma Universe theories, I'll provide my impressions of each Seawolf player's performance so far this year.
We all saw a mix of things both nights. Overall, I thought the level of play from the Seawolves was pretty high on the weekend ... let's say B+. More often than not passes connected and chances developed. They were responsible and quick enough in their own end to negate potential scoring chances. The transition game was good. But we also saw critical mistakes.
The only even strength goal the Mavericks managed on the weekend was due to a rare but costly dual-mistake when Brian Bales tried a blind behind the back clearance from his zone that landed right on a Maverick stick then during the ensuing pressure, Luka Vidmar assumed he had help behind him and from behind his net cleared a puck to a wating Maverick in the corner instead. Not to focus on that one incident when both of those guys did numerous other good things both nights. As I said last night, I can't finger anyone for substandard play.
Now what I don't want to talk about. Goaltending. Without Zacharias in net the Mavericks don't leave Anchorage with 3 points. If you combine Jonny O and Bryce's performance they don't match Zacharias over the weekend. I constructed that sentence carefully. I did so because I don't intend anything negative about their performance. That said, I think I'd say that Christianson has the definite upperhand in any discussion of earning the #1 spot. Bryce is unbeaten. And while there are reasons beyond his performance that contribute to that fact, it is what it is. He hasn't lost. Bottom line.
This weekend has a bit of last year in it from my perspective. It was a definite coulda. It was for sure a shoulda. One point? It's not nothing I guess; but ... ya know? It's not enough.
I had a plan for a post tomorrow that I'm abandoning in favor of a hockey related post. So instead of Electric/Plasma Universe theories, I'll provide my impressions of each Seawolf player's performance so far this year.
16 comments:
I think you can sum up the series by saying Zacharias earned 3 points this weekend. End of story... Not that either of our goalies played poorly but an uncontrolled rebound here and a semi-softy there and you end up with 1 point for a very well played series. The second period tonight was the best I've seen the Seawolves dominate another team in a long time. It was great to see but unfortunately we didn't come away with 2 points.
Congrats to the boys for two well played games. I think the Mav's know they were dominated tonight...
The Mavericks can be very - very happy with getting one point on Saturday night. Curtis Leinweber is a joy to watch. We are so close - so close - so close to be able to do something really big.
The whole team has been a joy to watch. There are players who are consistently playing well. They are playing their position, winning battles, keeping it simple - just doing their jobs well. Good to see.
I agree that Bryce seems to be the stronger goalie so far, but I was thinking this morning that Bryce really didn't have to make any phenomenal saves last night. Jonnie O made 2 on Friday.
The one goal Bryce gave up was very soft and could have resulted in a win for the Seawolves. Just to put things in perspective.
When you have one Goalie stealin games and who hasnt lost Really thats the bottom line. No question Bryce should have had the second Goal the Mavericks scored last night but its hard to win in the WCHA scoring two goals a game so it comes back to scoring goals and UAA is not going to win alot of games scoring two goals a game in this league
I'm not sure it was Bryce's fault on that second goal. Players out of position created that. We do need to score goals though.
It's early in the season and the team is playing well enough to win every game, and that is what you want at this stage. Down the stretch we're going to want two goaltenders who can step in as circumstances dictate. From what I see the team needs some fine tuning--nothing major. Top two lines look great. The D can skate. If the coach can get a third line combination to chip in the odd goal, the Saewolves should be able to compete on any given night. Look for Parkinson to centre freshman Portwood and Moir to maybe fit that bill. They should be able to handle themselves just fine down low.
Try putting Selby with a couple others that can move the puck like Moir and Parkinson...
I agree. Selby needs and deserves to be out there more. He has the speed and he did have some chances yesterday. Too bad he did not get any points. I guess others worked just as hard with no points either. Just the way the game goes sometimes. But Selby should absolutely play more.
Just wanted to let everyone know that UAA is the first team to hold Mankato to 2 goals in a game. Impressive stat to help Christianson in his starting goalie bid. Bryce needs to start on Friday night in Grand Forks. If he does well, stick with him. Jonny O and Bryce have not played on Saturday and Friday nights respectively in the WCHA games yet. Bryce has given up 4 goals in 3 games while Olthius has given up 12 against Duluth, Tech, and Mankato. Take away the first period against Mercyhurst from his stats and Bryce's GAA goes down to 1.45 and his save percentage increases to .924. UAA proved this weekend that they can outplay the best teams in the country. We ran into a superb goalie in Zacharias who is one of the best in the business. He will be either stonewalling or saving the Aces next year in the ECHL. He is undrafted by the way. Everything looked good this weekend except for some blind passes that turned ugly. You give a WCHA team an inch, and they take a mile. Anyways, I wonder why Dusan Sidor and Jonny O were dressed on Saturday. Anybody got the answer to that?
From what I've seen the Seawolves have dressed all three goalies at every home game. I have no sense if they've taken Sidor with them on the road.
I was thinking the same thing this afternoon. Start Bryce on Friday night, and if he has another good game, let him start on Saturday night as well.
Umm they always and it is common practice to dress three goalies at home and take two on the road. Maybe I am wrong but that is the way I always remember it being done in all of college hockey.
I agree Kris. Didn't Rosie always dress for the home games?
BTW, I spoke with his mom on Saturday night, and he injured his back. If you are reading this blog, our thoughts are with you Mike!
Just saw the stats for the CROWDER who is currently tied for sixth in league and BALES and GRANT tied for seventh also to BRYCE for FIRST overall in goals against and second to BACHMAN in save pct its nice to see the boys as league leaders in the WCHA congratulations
i know its only the beginning of the season but i saw a great team beating in the little things and only get 1 point, i saw a lot of things that excite me as a fan make's we want 2 believe we host a playoff weekend in the, i believe we could've swept the MAVS if we could've had some puck luck-we were literally a spilt second away from at least 4 goals, i realize that not every shot's not gonna go in-espically with ZACH in net but i saw a lot of positives this weekend, hate 2 say this but we outplayed the MAVS and what was our outcome? hopefully the boys learn from this and bouce back up and finish this year above .500 (we stayed out of the penalty box for once)
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