Monday, November 17, 2008

What "Needs" To Happen? A Sweep ...

Allow me to properly set some expectations for action here on the blog this week. There won't be much if any. Colorado College doesn't have a rabid fanbase of mostly vapid Internet chest-thumpers. You see ... there is stuff to do in Colorado Springs versus say a place like um ... Grand Forks. It's only 60 miles away from a real city so when the residents get out of one of the billions of fundamentalist churches, they can go live it up in Denver. I could bash the town and it's inhabitants all day without any concern that someone is going to show up and threaten to beat me up. I know because I did my best hatchet job on the joint last year before the UAA/CC playoff series. Only 3 people showed up to tell me what an asshole I was. But Adam Wodon at College Hockey News seemed to like it (or at least it cracked him up anyway). It also spurred a lifetime acheivement award for me.

This week only two words come to mind when thinking about this series: Seawolves sweep. Take care to note here that I'm not predicting that the Seawolves will sweep. Instead, those two words come to mind because it is what needs to happen. Why does it need to happen? Because the Seawolves are 2-3-2 in their last 7 games. Because the Seawolves are equidistant between 1st place and 10th place (5 points each way) tied with two other teams for 5th. And those two teams (UND and Mankato) are playing the 9th and 10th place teams (UMD and MTU) this weekend.

Once again the words "most important series of the season" are valid. It's been a while since the Seawolves swept Si Si. I remember the series but can't say exactly when it was because ... um ... like I said ... it's been a while. Last year Si Si beat the Seawolves six frigging times. But thankfully, this is a whole new year. This week the players definitely shouldn't think about the past at all. Of course, that isn't really possible is it? Our brains are wired with memory so that we can learn from past mistakes. However, nothing that already happened really matters. I know ... I know. I say that shit all the time.

But the focus has to be on the task at hand. And the task at hand is to earn as many WCHA points as possible THIS weekend. Failure is not an option. A sweep is not only necessary; it is crucial. Players can't go out half-assed on Friday thinking that it's ok because they'll come back and play better on Saturday. Friday night should be played like the season depends on it. Every Seawolf needs to believe that a failure to get all the available points this weekend creates a tougher road for the rest of the season. Because it does.

Yes. When coaches and players say they have to take things one game at a time they are right. You can't think about Saturday (or two weeks ahead) when you're playing on Friday. You have to focus on the task at hand. So all my ranting here about the need to sweep this weekend is perhaps misguided. But damnit. It really really needs to happen. Me, you, the team, the staff and anyone else familiar with this year's Seawolf team knows their potential. This weekend is all about living up to that potential by sweeping the #3 ranked Si Si team.

Freshmen need to play over their heads. Sophomores need to contibute mightily. Juniors need to bang it home. Seniors need to lead the way. Goaltenders need to be walls. Coaches need to motivate. And fans need to SHOW UP!

So every regular Seawolf fan needs to spend this week finding as many people as they can and get them to come to the games this weekend. There's no stupid holiday to keep people away with other social obligations. There's no shopping that can't wait for post Thanksgiving sales. Hockey fans in this city have NO excuse for not showing up this weekend. Don't go to the stupid Alaska Avalanche game at the Subway Center on Friday ... there's not enough seats there anyway. There's no good movies out that you can't wait to see on a Saturday matinee. Get 10 people to come. Get 20 people to come. Run around your office all week, talk up the team and twist arms to get people to come. Do whatever you have to do. If you're a rich alumnus then buy a shitload of tickets and give them to your friends and/or minions. If you're a middle class working guy then round up 4 kids to take with you ... they get in FREE if you wear Green and Gold on Friday. The team deserves better support and a bigger home-ice advantage.

Even the Anchorage Daily News is doing it's bit in a way with this nugget today. They didn't have to print that. It isn't really particularly newsworthy. Why did they do it? I think because they understand that sometimes it is their job to promote a community asset. Good on them. Now let's all do our part too, eh? BRING PEOPLE damnit ... even if they're clueless knobs who'd rather be at some artsy-fartsy dance recital. No Palins though ... ok? Unless you just want to bug me.

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

Also a big Rumor that there will be a band this weekend so people are trying to bring back the atmosphere at the SULLY so hey, baby steps brother....

Anonymous said...

If every fan brought a friend the joint would be standing room only - how fun would that be?

Anonymous said...

What band? That would be too sweet! Finally I'll feel like I'm at a REAL hockey game in Alaska!!!!

Donald Dunlop said...

The Seawolves had a band at Sully for many many years. But then when the games became "the cool" place to be (yes ... I know it's hard to believe that the place used to sell out regularly) they tossed the band.

Personally, I always thought the band they had was a bit small and not the most polished. So whatever they do now I hope they learn the lessons from the past.

Placement, placement, placement is the key I'd think but honestly I don't know where I'd put them if it was up to me.

I guess I just hope it comes off well.

Anonymous said...

The band I remember really sucked, sorry but it's the truth.

Anonymous said...

As a kid I remember a band from near by hometown town- The Falls. The band was called the DIRTY DOZEN and it was an honor to be selected for that band. They had an ATTITUDE, they were fun and damn good! It doesn't take a big band.
Lets go WOLVES and knock cc on their ASS.
Dan

Anonymous said...

The main thing is this is a start so I wouldnt expect the Minnesota MARCHING BAND....The main thing is to get some energy going and start to build on it...Start to build some feel of a College Atmosphere..I wouldnt be to quick to grade a band so hopefully this is a continuation of the play of the team to build a program back up that was almost completly wrecked both on the ice and off the ice...

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I agree, don't expect anything too great, but still having a band there will be an improvement on the retard they have d.j.in' the game.

My god can we please have a better goal song than "that's the way uh huh uh huh I like it" , <--kill me already!!!!

Anonymous said...

and our new P.A. guy should take a deep breath before the game so he can live up to Lyle Woods' standard

Anonymous said...

as for the "SWEEP" if it does happen it would be the best weekend for our program in a long time, as for that nugget-how much do you wanna bet that Doyle Woody came up with the idea behind that, what's wrong with me? not only do i know a ND fan, i know Evan Trupp's little brother Hayden, i also know a guy who wants to play at ND...what's wrong with me?

Anonymous said...

I like the new P.A. better, one thing to change though is stop saying "here is your SCORE LINE". It sounds like he's reading it out of a newspaper and it's a total buzzkill. Just say "SCORING FOR THE SEAWOLVES....." like most cool P.A. guys.

Anonymous said...

if I was back in Anchorage, I would play with the band. I play trumpet and would be proud to play for my Seawolves. I wish we had a cool fight song. baby steps though. I am still hoping for plans for Phase II hockey arena come out soon. I really hoping the new hockey arena goes on campus like the new basketball arena. Time will tell, but I am not patient! Should be home Dec 7 from Iraq.

Wolfman

Anonymous said...

There will be no new hockey arena anytime soon, Cobb blew it big time.

Donald Dunlop said...

anon@2:00;
You don't have a clue what you're talking about.

There are two layers of management above Cobb at the University, a state legislature and a Governor who ALL had more responsibility.

Please come back and argue with me.

Anonymous said...

It sounds like the Majority of UAA fans want the Band thing. Hopefully they will be good. Where's the 19,000 students that attend that College. Nobody there likes to watch Hockey?? Horrific Student attendance. Cmon Students lets see some life at the games this weekend

Anonymous said...

I agree with the Donald its great to see the adn and especially Doyle Woody given the Seawolfs props this season and being positive from the get go. A great picture on the cover of the sports today along with some constant love seems to be making a big difference as last Saturday it seemed like we had the loudest and best crowd of the season and the sincere effort from the ADN guys is definitely helping.

Anonymous said...

Get the word out about the Green and Gold Fridays! I had 20 copies made today (printed out from the website) and putting them up in store windows, bulletin boards, etc.

You wouldn't believe the incredible positive reactions I had - people were like "you have to be kidding? I can take my kids under 12 for FREE?" The Aces can't compete with that kind of a deal, and people want a bargain.

Donald Dunlop said...

Suze,
I mentioned it the last post and I'll put a reminder in the next one. Good on you for doing what you did! You are THE #1 Seawolves fan!!!

Anonymous said...

Also a big reminder for the Alumni game SATURDAY at 3 30 before the Seawolves Game...Some of the absolute HAS BEENS to play are Dean Larson, Dean Trboyevich,Brian Kraft, Chris King, Jim Mayes...And one washed up player after another... Coach Simon is expected to lace em up also..So if any body wants a great laugh and a great excuse to hurl something at your favorite ex DOG then we wii see you there...

Anonymous said...

GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS, and as for the band, i remember them and they sucked, hope they can bring some excitment and college atomsphere to the Sully, and anon November 18, 2008 12:59 PM, how do you like the P.A. guy? to me Lyle Woods is the voice of the Seawolves at the Sully and still is, sounds like the new guy is nervous(cuz he wants to live up to Lyle) a couple of mistakes is gonna happen but hes messed up a lot

Anonymous said...

Well, just when i mention the arena, it looks an article came out on the northern light about it. It looks like (if I interpret it correctly) it looks like the arena is going to be a hockey/basketball arena in the SAME arena!!! It will be phase 1 and phase II with, Phase 1 first then Phase II being the retrofit on existing arena for hockey...can someone read the article and see if I am interpreting it correctly? http://media.www.thenorthernlight.org/media/storage/paper960/news/2008/11/18/News/A.New.Sports.Complex.For.Uaa.Requires.Hurdling-3550660.shtml

Wolfman

Donald Dunlop said...

Wolfman,
I'd agree with your interpretation. Phase I would be the most recent plans we've seen and I'd assume somewhere around 3,000 seats. Then Phase II would have to be a massive retrofit to the existing Wells Fargo Center.

I'm not sure how you get to a decent number of seats though even if you absolutely GUT the interior of the existing building. One way or another to make it viable for Hockey and The Shootout I'd imagine you'd have to move walls and/or raise the roof.

Basically it seems like the idea is to move everything but Hockey to the new place and then put Hockey into the Wells Fargo but allow flexibility to hold The Shootout there. An interesting idea at the very least but seems like (to me) it would be full of construction challenges if we'd hope to see at minimum the same number of seats we have at the Sully.

Donald Dunlop said...

Here is a link to the article ...

Anonymous said...

Actually, I think it is Phase I to build the arena for basketball around 3,500 seats and then PHASE II, would be the RETROFIT of the NEW ARENA....I.E., increase the seating capacity for Hockey and shootout in the NEW building!!! The WFSC would remain a rec building. I am going to email cobb and see what he has to say. (re-read the article too). I just checked the new updated version of the masterplan, and it doesn't show the WFSC as retrofitted for hockey/shootout. So, i will email cobb. Not sure how i feel about this.

Anonymous said...

DD i know your probably gonna say that these stats from last season dont mean anything but i do:we have basically the same team from last season and the seasons have started very similar(quick note the goals have UAA first-then oppotent)

Anonymous said...

PROGRESS REPORT:so far
LAST SEASON: 4-5-3(1-1-1)
THIS YEAR: 6-4-2(3-3-2)
Already as many league wins as last year, Only four more points to tie last year's total
ATTENDANCE had sucked: HIGH: 4,851/3,719
LOW:3,260/3,132
MISSED PLAYERS?: this time last season DayChief had already his only GW, and GT goals
GOALS AGAINST: LAST: 35(23)
THIS: 32(21)
GOALS SCORED: LAST YEAR: 32(14)
THIS YEAR: 35(18)...see a coindence?
This season looks marginally easier: Upcoimng Seris
CC: 4-16, we simply got spanked in 4 reg. season, however in the postseason we were only a goal away from forcing a sunday game in CC's barn
UW: 5-6 in 2 games, we lost:1-2, tied 4-4(we get upperhand in the 2nd seris between us this year cuz we face them and only them in one month
MSU: 5-11(4 Games) in the 2nd seris at the Alltell, we lost 1-3, and 2-4(so close yet so far)
MT(4): combined-10-7, last season we spanked them and outscored them 6-2, and have taken 6 of 8 points
DU, UD?: 8-17 in 4 games, altough we did lose close ones:3-4, 2-4, 1-3, so some puck luck last year and we couldve took 3 of 4 against them
SCSU (4): 9-14, also very close games[3-5, 4-4 in St.Cloud ] 1-3, 1-2, enough said
UM(4): 7-11, 1-2-1 against them last year, and no to mention we handed Minnesoda there first ever loss in the playoffs at the Marucci
ND: goaltending is the difference between us: lost last year 1-3 X2 against Lamoreaux(should b in the "A") this year we rough up the freshman Walski 3-2, but with Eidsness in goal we had only 1 pass by him in 1 1-/3 games roughly
UAF: though already improved from last year, we wopped those frozen cubs 15-10 to win the 2nd stragiht Cup for us, intresting fact, we scored just under 20% of our seasons goal against them
MD: 5-4, took 3 of 4 points against them this season, combined 13-10, 6 of 8 points for us
And lastly no im not taking over for Doyle.........wait i know i could do a better job, so mayb i want to take over but i made this comment as a sign that were so close, sometimes it scares me just how close we get, but we need to go over the hump and i hope it happens this season,
AND LASTLY: does this sound familiar: 5 more seris at the Sully, play at: Alltell, Magness, and the DECC

Anonymous said...

all those facts i used i didnt check so i probably messed up once or 20 times, and i had a lot of free time so...

Donald Dunlop said...

It isn't that those facts don't mean something. They mean lots of things. But they don't have a bearing on the outcome of games we play this year.

They are interesting and useful to look at and provide a basis for discussions. But they don't have a bearing on the outcome of game we play this year.

That's all I mean when I say the past doesn't influence the future.

Anonymous said...

hey DD correct me if im wrong but today is friday and you havent posted a scouting report of CC, whats up with that?

Donald Dunlop said...

I was busy when I otherwise would have been writing and when I wasn't busy anymore I was lazy.

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