I literally could not start writing this until there was no time on the clock. The outcome was in question until the very last second. The game tonight seemed virtually the same to me at just about any random point you'd pick between the start and the 53rd minute. Both teams played very tightly in their own end and both teams tried to use their transition game to generate chances. It seemed like every 2nd time up the ice resulted in a quality scoring chance for each team.
There were good individual moments from more than a couple of players on each team. Sweet passes and "nifty moves" were pretty abundant. There were no breakaways though nor were there any 2 on 1's that I can remember. No matter what part of the game you choose to look at you'd see two teams forcing turnovers and challenging for the puck.
But with about 7 minutes left in the 3rd period the intensity of the physical ramped up steadily as both teams pressed harder for scores (and they both had multiple good chances). Somewhere around the 5 minute mark I noticed Paul Crowder in a couple of physical battles and thought to myself that he was pissed off and would score a goal. He unleashed the angriest slap shot of his career on the power play for the game winner. It was a rocket. And you know what? A rocket was about the only thing that was going to get past Johnson tonight.
Not to take anything away from Bryce Christianson who had another stellar outing. Both teams poured 31 shots onto the opposing goalies and that was in a game where there were dozens of blocked shots. It wouldn't surprise me if the scoring chances were 50% of the shots. Though both teams played good defense ... this was the least defensive 1-0 win I think I've ever seen. Really good hockey game by both teams with superior goaltending on both ends.
There were good individual moments from more than a couple of players on each team. Sweet passes and "nifty moves" were pretty abundant. There were no breakaways though nor were there any 2 on 1's that I can remember. No matter what part of the game you choose to look at you'd see two teams forcing turnovers and challenging for the puck.
But with about 7 minutes left in the 3rd period the intensity of the physical ramped up steadily as both teams pressed harder for scores (and they both had multiple good chances). Somewhere around the 5 minute mark I noticed Paul Crowder in a couple of physical battles and thought to myself that he was pissed off and would score a goal. He unleashed the angriest slap shot of his career on the power play for the game winner. It was a rocket. And you know what? A rocket was about the only thing that was going to get past Johnson tonight.
Not to take anything away from Bryce Christianson who had another stellar outing. Both teams poured 31 shots onto the opposing goalies and that was in a game where there were dozens of blocked shots. It wouldn't surprise me if the scoring chances were 50% of the shots. Though both teams played good defense ... this was the least defensive 1-0 win I think I've ever seen. Really good hockey game by both teams with superior goaltending on both ends.
18 comments:
I think Bales will be choked when he sees the replay of his missed scoring chance. Beautiful back door pass by Lafranchise. Nice try though. Great goal by Crowder. Great job on special teams. Although it was a close score the Seawolves certainly outplayed them.
Talk about an edge of your seater! That was a thrilling game. They need to keep it up though because tomorrow is another game and if they don't win it nullifies the effort from last night.
Good game by the Wolves! But we need to put more pucks in the net! The UAF camera crew sure did get trigger happy switching from camera to camera, trying to get the best possible shot. Well news flash, the best shots come from one steady camera! And the UAF fans sure are fugly! How long does it take the Carlson Center crew to change a sheet of plexi glass?! And to the UAF commentators, learn how to turn off your mics when you're on a break! Bad broadcast overall, but glad to watch the Wolves get the W in the end. I expect to see some rock em and sock em hockey Saturdays game! Good luck Seawolves! Hope the Nookies flight back home tomorrow night is a long one! Because we'll have the Cup once more!
I was at the game tonight and I do have to say that they have some great spirit up here. Let's hope we can show our boys the same tomorrow night at the Sully. Congrats to the team on a great win!!
I was up in Fairbanks at their tournament in October and a piece of plexiglass broke then too.If you can believe it, it took even longer that night to get it changed. I'm saying they go to Lowe's to get the new sheet; otherwise why else does it take so long??????
They also need to improve getting vehicles moving after the game. We waited a whole freakin' 28 minutes before we got out of the Carlson parking lot onto University. If that game were at the Sully, 28 minutes would have given me enough time to stop for a latte, drive home and turn on the TV for a recap of the game.
Great game...however, why do coaches in college hockey (and American juniors) keep teaching their kids to turn towards the boards to draw a major? This is going to end up with someone getting hurt, or a player moving on to the pros and getting his head crammed down his neck. That call is to protect players from injury, not an opportunity to take advantage of Walsh....pull your goddamn head out
Face it Fairbanks is the most ass-backwards city in the state. Can you say Appalachia? The run a second class operation with their high school quality production and broadcasters. The do play decent hockey, but there is little redeeming qualities about throwing up 9 bagels in a year.
Some of the ua_ forwards were league scoring leaders during their junior careers, you would think they'd open up their game a bit... I don't think I've ever seen our D turn the puck over as many times as tonight. Glad we got the win and the shut-out in the end. Great game by Bryce...
The TV broadcast was comedy. I especially like the repeated camera shots through the cloudy, scratched-up plexiglass... I also never knew that Ehhhh... Ehhhh... Ehhhh... was a descriptive term.
Go wolves...
And to think he is like on the Board of Regents for the University system here in Alaska. And a UAf grad at that.
Way to go Green and Gold!!!! Enjoy your victory.
UAA forwards need to learn how to score more goals.
Comment uaa forwards need to score more goals, why is clarkie playing third line, when he sets up crowder every game on the power play.
IF we need to score goals put clark with crowder, or grant or his partner lunden.
Special teams have been better, goaltending is great with bryce, open up the game tonite, uaf has nothing up front.
Fan
I saw the UAA flag waiving! I am glad someone bought it to take to the game. I bought one for my house here in Louisiana. Suze, was that you?
Wolfman,
There were three flags last weekend (one of them was Suze and her husband) at the Sully and the kid that was holding the UAA flag you saw in FBX came up and got Suze's email addy so he could order one.
You started a trend!
There's an article on former Seawolf Luke Beaverson at letsplayhockey.com.
Yeah....the UAA flag in Fairbanks was very cool. The UAA contingency was small but noticeable, especially when the flag was waving. BTW a picture of their fans made the FRONT page of the Newsminer this morning! Take notice of that ADN -
yeah maybe in my next life that could happen. Good luck tonight guys. We'll all be there supporting you!!
That is awesome!!! Here is that link again incase anyone wants to buy a flag for next year...
http://www.collegeflagsandbanners.com/university_of_alaska_flag_18962_prd1.html
GO SEAWOLVES!
Fan at 5:25 a.m. Clark is not producing. Too bad because he is getting the ice time and the opportunities.
Donald, where were you tonight?
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