Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Susies Drive Thru

My impression of North Dakota? I think they're a team that looks for and takes every opportunity to put on pressure. No matter the situation. When they're on the power play they can swarm. When they're killing penalties they continually harass the puck. And they've shown an ability to draw on emotion and kick their game into an even higher gear.

I think it means that whatever lineup hits the ice this weekend had better be prepared to respond in kind. They'll need to match North Dakota at every turn. Whether it's defending 3-on-2 chances or moving the puck forward to create a 2-on-1.

On the power play they'll need to get the puck to the net and bang it home. A pretty one-timer would be sweet but dirty goals in close come more frequently. 5-on-5 play has been a strength this season but over the last few weeks I haven't seen quite as much possession as earlier in the year. Granted there is so little 5-on-5 play anymore that such an assessment is not much more than a guess.

I hope that the defensemen can continue to contribute so well in transition. Everybody on the blueline has been making the effort and it's been a big positive overall. But I've got to add here that we've seen a bunch of offsides calls that were avoidable. Some sync is needed there.

The PK and goaltending have been sharp as far as I'm concerned. I'm expecting we'll see Bryce on Friday night. If he plays like he has been playing then Saturday night will probably be his as well. If he falters I've got no doubt after Jonny O's last couple of outings that he can come in and give the team a chance to win. Last weekend I thought the team did a good job keeping their feet moving when they were killing penalties. Same thing this weekend. If they can be aggressive and disruptive (and teammates cover for each other as they have been doing) then they might find themselves with shorthanded chances here and there.

Parents weekend really ought to be some encouragement to any sort of emotional play the team is able to muster. Every Seawolf on the ice should be primed to play their best with mom and dad in the barn. Right?

I've got no insight as to what lineup we're likely to see this weekend. I'm pretty sure there are suspensions outstanding; who they are is the question. "Jeff" noted in the comments section yesterday that Tommy Grant was wearing a no-contact jersey at practice. I suppose that means he's questionable for the weekend. Perhaps since it's parents weekend Coach Shyiak might consider suspending the remaining suspensions for the Duluth series?

I read that Coach got a call from Bruce McLeod regarding his comments to the press after the Saturday night game in Minneapolis. It seems that Bruce felt Dave was walking a fine line and wanted to touch base with him. I'm all about what Shyiak said to the press. It seems to me he was indeed walking a fine line but he did so perfectly. He didn't cross the line and he made his point very clearly. I was just happy that he was saying what he said while I was typing UAA 2 - UofM 2 - Referees 2.

There are still enough points available for UAA to improve itself in the conference standings. Going to one of the top three rinks is a tougher row to hoe than matching up with the 4th or 5th place team. There's 8 points left to be had. No doubt the plan is to start by getting 2 points this Friday night.

38 comments:

Anonymous said...

I thought Shyiak's comments were spot on. If it's going to be like this, why do we even have two referees anyway? Just thins the pool out even more.

Maybe they could call the game from the press box and communicate with the linesmen via the tin can with the string.

Anonymous said...

http://www.goseawolves.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=13400&ATCLID=3672848

nice article there

word ver: sparked-sign?

Anonymous said...

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/23387-Justin-Bournes-Blog-A-lovehate-relationship-with-hockey.html

nice pic of Bourne in Seawolves gear

Anonymous said...

Hey, Nice article by Bourne. Thanks for finding that.

Anonymous said...

I like the tin can idea but maybe they could just install little buttons on all the seats and whenever the home fans think a penalty should be called they could all jam their buttons, like on a game show or something. It would probably be about as accurate and cut down on the payroll from the refs.

Anonymous said...

There was some very interesting Statistics fron the UAA Sports information desk that was released Tuesday for the Upcoming North Dakota Series. Did you realize that UAA is 5-1-2 when Matt Robinson scores a point??? Think that horific call in Minnesota not only gave Them a 5 minute powerplay but took Robbie off the ice thus really putting us in the Hole..I would have shit the bed to if I was Shiak as the REFs totally Doubley Screwed us. How about Bryce...According to the SID he is currently Number 1 ALLTIME in UAA History in GAAs with a 2.82 for his Career. He also is currently 4th in the WCHA in GAAs ahead of NHL DRAFT Picks Chevrie,Bachman,Wesloski,and Kangas and sure had to put himself on NHL Radars with his performance last weekend in Minneapolis.Also according to the SID Crowder is now at 37th alltime in both Points and Goals for the Seawolves and also was the best player on the ice on Saturday Night infront of every NHL Team on the Planet who came to check out Minnesotas 17 NHL draft picks..So great information from the Sports department and for UAA to finish with the best Season in years those Guys must continue to play at VERY,VERY HIGH Levels along with the entire team because when we win its a total Team effort...

Anonymous said...

The Dak Rats are going down…..face down.

Anonymous said...

Jersey Auction right after the game on saturday night and go home with a game worn UAA jersey

Anonymous said...

anon @ February 18, 2009 2:06 PM, thats really great to hear. i didnt really find bourne's new gig(doyle) but it took me a couple of days to remember to talk about it on DD's blog. Bourne's got a future.....either writing or playing again.

Anonymous said...

I agree with seawolvesfan, Bourne definitely has a future in writing if not hockey. Nice to see that he enjoyed his time at UAA so much

Anonymous said...

Bourne sounds like a young Mitch Alblom...Doyle could be writing the obituarys if Bourne moves back to Alaska...Doyle is pretty boring and Lazy these days...Only writes fluff pieces that are not informative or well thought out..Time to pack it in Bro...Bourne is the real Deal..By far the best blog I have read this year...Bourne is funny,insightfull,witty,charming and extremly unabashed about things..I mean really good ...WOW...A must Read...

Anonymous said...

all for BOURNE replacing DOYLE "DICKHEAD" WOODY at ADN shout HELL YEAH!

Anonymous said...

Does Bourne ever write anything about the seawolves.

Fan

Anonymous said...

If you actually read the article he did, but IDK I should check out his wordpress blog

Anonymous said...

Read the article Bourne has about how he met his girlfriend its great writing..funny as shit...Its kinda kool except that shit usually never hapens !!

Anonymous said...

We're flying up to Anchorage in the morning....Good luck Seawolves!!!! ! Looking forward to being at the games this weekend.

Anonymous said...

If the Seawolves put together a solid 3 periods of hockey, they can most certainly pull off a win. Winning at the Ralph isn't easy, and they accomplished that, so they CAN win at home.

Go Wolves!

Anonymous said...

Good luck to the Seawolves this wknd. You can do it..yes you can!!! And, congratulations to Olthius, Backstrom, Christianson and Vidmar on their academic excellence. They are stars off the ice as well as on the ice!!!

Anonymous said...

its different but nice to have people actually agreeing with me.

"If the Seawolves put together a solid 3 periods of hockey, they can most certainly pull off a win. Winning at the Ralph isn't easy, and they accomplished that, so they CAN win at home.

Go Wolves!"

couldnt say it any better

Anonymous said...

Just watched the Coach Shyiak show, and Reg said Robinson is sitting on Friday because of his CFB penalty against the Gophers.

What a bunch of bull. There is no way that was even a legit call, and it's absolutely unfair that it was a DQ and not a misconduct. I'm shocked that the staff didn't appeal that, or if they did I'm shocked that they lost.

matthew said...

it's absolutely unfair that it was a DQ and not a misconduct

Did it get changed to a DQ? According to the box it was just a misconduct...

Anonymous said...

Matthew, I know that the box (and the announcer at the arena) both said it was a misconduct. But last night Reggie Simon said it was a DQ and that he'd be sitting.

But he also said the DQ is "mandatory" with a CFB, which is not correct, a misconduct is but not a DQ. I'm hoping he just made a mistake.

BrettB in STL said...

I think the Fighting Sioux are way too tough to beat on a Friday night, they'll win handidly tonight.. Tomorrow though, for some reason Saturday's are the Sioux's kyptonite. Alaska has their best chance to grab a point from the #1 Sioux.

Anonymous said...

With Robison sitting out and the curfew players still sitting and grant injured. It is going to be another tough weekend. The last couple of weekends have been tough to watch. Unfortunately the rest of the wcha is laughing at our situation.
There is problem no easy answer, only 4 pts left in the wcha standings. I would have sat my curfew players out in the alaska vs fairbanks series.

Fan

Anonymous said...

The last couple of weekends have been tough to watch? Ummm, they got a point on the road in Minnesota, and split with SCSU and #1 Denver on the road. I don't get your pessimism?

If any team is getting laughed at, it's not UAA, it's Tech.

Anonymous said...

We are not getting laughed at.....why would we? The team has shined throughout the recent adversity. If anything, people are casting a little sympathy our way. Yes, it's too bad how things have turned out but the team has pulled together and done the very best they can do given the circumstances. Other teams may have folded and thrown the towel in; our boys are still out there skating with a will to win. GO SEAWOLVES!!!!

Anonymous said...

no team wants to play us in the first round thanks to our style of play

Anonymous said...

From the luncheon today. Robinson is playing tonight- Dave said there was misinformation about the DQ question. Grant is not 100% but is going to play. Good news!! Go wolves!!!

Thanks to your best commented D1 blog Donald!!

Doyle's series preview..............what a bunch of crap- nada about the teams and game.
heh ADN- bring back a Brad Fuldado- remember the Anchorage Times reporter.

Dan

Anonymous said...

Glad Matt is playing, that didn't sound right to me that he'd get a DQ, glad that is cleared up. I had some heartburn over that one.

Anonymous said...

I hope this isn't too much of an idiotic question, but what was the picture of the diner supposed to symbolize?

Anonymous said...

Hopefully whichever Goalie Plays tonight will continue to stand on there Head because we are going to need it against UND.

Donald Dunlop said...

The picture goes with the title.

Anonymous said...

It is to bad they did not push harder to get clarkie's roughing call appealed for the st. cloud series. Best of luck tonite seawolves.

Fan

Anonymous said...

Donnie,

The Sioux will treat you to a show tonight. Pucker up.

Anonymous said...

clarkie, bales and lunden,third line again, only line scoring lately. Change up tomorrow, otherwise a good effort from everyone. Parkinson sitting for curfew issue, our best faceoff man.
good luck tomorrow.

fan

Anonymous said...

Good game UAA. Whole new game tomorrow night!

Anonymous said...

I liked the lines tonight. We played ythe skill guys with the skill guys and that needs to stay that way. Give North Dakota credit they brought there A game tonight...I thought we played Great too. Great Goaltending by both teams and Just a really good entertaning College hockey game that best could be described as Top of the line WCHA hockey. How can more people not want to see that quality of entertainment..No publicity,no commercials by the school just I really have no excuses for the Marketing of the direction of the program. i cant defend anything that is being done its just a goddamm shame more people are not at the sully to watch some of the best college hockey in the nation. Its as broken as broken gets so everybody who was there keep trying to bring people to the arena and pass on the quality of the game tonight...

Anonymous said...

clark, bales and lunden have been the top threat all year, but we keep breaking them up, or put them 3 or 4th line out. Curfew suspensions of players have killed us all year. No one in the wcha will care, they will just say we are a 9th place team.
Shyiak said when kurt asked him why he sits players and chances lines so much, his response was one player does not play well he sits the next game. I thought the coaches job was to teach.
We have a small lineup this year and we can not afford to sit parkinson last nite. He is our best center.

Wish all the seawolves the best tonite. Und only cares about winning, that is why all the lines play together all year.

Fan

Post a Comment