Overall the game wasn't what I'd call a bad loss. Much better effort than Friday. Friday night Shyiak seemed to emphasize a defensive effort particularly at their own blueline. But tonight he let the guys skate and I think they showed him that is the way forward. It's been the way they've played best so far this season, so deciding to clamp down and focus defensively on Friday was probably a mistake.
1st Period:
I thought the Seawolves got outworked and the Gophers did a good job possession-wise in the Seawolves end. The score reflected it but the guys did generate a couple of chances and I think with a couple of bounces it could have certainly been 2-1 instead of 2-0. They definitely didn't get it going forward very much though. Overall they didn't play badly. It occurred to me that they were half a stick and/or half a puck away from making something happen. The difference was one stellar save from Kangas and one odd man rush for the Gophers.
2nd Period:
A much better period. The half a puck/half a stick difference was essentially eliminated. The difference was that when the Seawolves generated chances they weren't getting the puck onto the net. Too many missed shots. Kangas made at least one more good save to deny them in that period as well. All the Seawolves lines though did seem to be a step quicker than they'd been in the 1st. They also won more battles to loose pucks in the period. It was really one of the better periods of hockey they've played so far this season. You can't depend on the scoreline necessarily to tell you how the guys did. That was the case in the 2nd.
3rd Period:
Very comparable overall to the 2nd period. The guys generated chances. Worked the puck deep. Showed up very nicely on the power play as well. Kangas was the difference for the Gophers in much the same way he was in the 2nd. Most importantly I think, the guys never let up in their effort to compete and play hard. Good on them all for that.
Summary:
I think Friday night was for Shyiak to learn a lesson about strategy and how his team can respond if he allow them to. And today contained some good lessons for the players. Shyiak's lesson is to let the guys skate and learn what they need to do to compete. Don't fall back on conservatism in the hopes of keeping it close against what is a more talented team on paper. I also think he may have learned that Bryce is the man. He played well both games and I think was very very good today despite the score and stats. A lot of guys were good today. They just didn't get rewarded.
I think the players learned a lot more about themselves today than they would have on Friday. When they get a chance to watch the game I think they'll like what they see themselves doing. They cycled well in places making the possession game work. They skated well in all three zones and battled more successfully for loose pucks. They certainly have nothing to hang their heads about. Their minds and bodies now have two solid examples of what it takes to compete in the WCHA with the 2nd game against UND and the game today. In that sense it was a valuable mark in the loss column. Good game fellas. Forget Friday night's game and remember today's.
And oh yeah ... Frank Mazzocco is complete fucking dimwit. I'll have something Wednesday but not before then.
36 comments:
Anybody know what the plan is with Mellor? Is he coming next year of 2011? I know Heisenberg has him listed as as 2011 but the BCHL website is saying 2010. Just curious if he was moved up a year. He is looking solid but might benefit from another year in juniors. If 2010 is when he comes, he would be coming in as a 17 year old and turning 18 a couple months in. That is hard to do, but he is looking strong in his first year of the BCHL and it will be interesting to see how he finishes the year.
p.s. Wasn't able to watch the game but glad to hear that Dave let the guys skate. We need to realize that we are going to have to do that if we are going to win in this league. Hopefully that continues and also it would be nice to see Selby, one of the best skaters on the team, playing as well. I still don't understand why he doesn't play.
They better figure out a way to get Mellor here next season. I don't say that because UAA needs his skill but because if they don't he's going to be feeling a lot of pressure to go to the WHL. There are other rookies in that league with a few more points than him but they're all either a full year older or two years older than him. T
he big name rookie is Beau Bennett and he's only got a few more points than Mellor. He's an outstanding prospect. UAF brought Dion Knelsen in as a 17 year old. Hopefully, UAA can work the same thing out with Mellor. He's worth the effort. I'd be surprised if some WHL teams haven't already contacted him.
I've thought about the Mellor situation a lot and considered a post about it but decided it was hopefully the best choice to make less noise about the negative possibilities of him going to the Dub.
We have to hope that his parents are of the go to "college" mindset. If not, I'd say there's a chance he could go elsewhere.
I say convince him that "playing up" against older competition is a better route than a lateral move to the Dub playing against kids in his age range. He clearly has the ability to perform against older competition. So maybe that's a good argument for staff to use to solidify his commitment.
Along the recruit conversation ...
Matt Bailey is doing very very well in his 2nd year in the USHL. Last I looked he was in the top ten scoring. He probably should have gotten consideration for the Canada West Jr. A Challenge team but I'm guessing they wanted to focus on kids in Canadian Jr. A leagues. It's a bit of a slight to him perhaps.
In any case, he'll be a real solid addition next year and I'm excited about him coming.
Correct me if i'm wrong, but I thought I saw selby in the game.
Yeah, you saw Selby, but other than one decent shot on goal, he was a non-factor.
Donald, you're being kind to the boys. I didn't think they played as well as you did.
One probem is yes, we were always one stick or stride behind.
The win over North Dakota was nice, but even that was just 2-1. Scoring goals is the name of the game...that's a talent thing. You can be as defensive as you want, but you've got to put the puck in the net. If you can't do it, you can't win, you can't rise above 9th place.
You are right...Bryce played pretty good, but Kangas was better.
Not only do our goal-scorers need to wbeat the other teams, our goalies need to beat theirs. Hasn't happened consistently.
Yes, it's early, yes, the "youngsters" are learning the system, but we're missing out on points that the Denvers, CCs, Wisconsins and Noth Dakotas all get early in the season. Therefore, it's always a tough climb back up, and when you get to the end of the season, you wish you had some of the points you missed early.
I'm a Wolves fan, but a frustrated one. It's been way too many years without. Even MSU-Mankato gets a sniff of fifth place every now and then.
Let's get home to anchorage and get ready for denver, without there top goalie, we might steal the first game, and who knows from there.
First trip for the freshman, a learning experience.
FAn
Sounds like Donald is happy with his team's "moral victory"!
Funny, there's no points in the WCHA for that.
"...don't always need the scoreline to tell you how the guys did."
So Shyiak "let" the boys skate, eh?
If that's all the better they can do, it's going to be a long season for UAA.
Recruit only 6'4" forwards, and you'll get skated in circles.
That "cycling" stuff can only take you so far, and only works when YOU have the puck.
Good luck UAA. Could be the last season of allowing the last and second to the last-place teams into the playoffs.
Anonymous: Care to elaborate on this comment?:
"Good luck UAA. Could be the last season of allowing the last and second to the last-place teams into the playoffs."
I'm being serious here, is there some bylaw that is coming into place in the WCHA that will prevent 'basement' teams from competing in the playoffs? Not that I'm expecting UAA to finish in the bottom rung this year, but since it is sometimes a theme with UAA, it is a concern...
Thanks.
Donald, you were too kind... I thought we had enough moral victories two years ago. Bottom line is the team has scored only five goals in the last 4 games. That's not nearly enough...
I think it is a mistake to play our three top forwards on the same line. If a team can shut down our top line they can essentially shut down our offence. Lunden and Clark play well together, and have been together for some time, but a second line needs to be geared specifically toward Tommy Grant. After last season it’s obvious he has the potential to score a lot of points but he needs to play with line-mates that are keyed to his game. The beauty of the Grant/Crowder combo last season (and it didn't really matter who their third line-mate was) was that they complemented each other perfectly.
Crowder was able to start the breakout and draw defenders to him while maintaining control of the puck. He could then loft a pass into open ice where Grant could collect it on the fly, blow past a defender or two and get off a wicked shot. Most of the time their magic didn't even require pinpoint passing. Grant has a knack for finding open space on the ice and Crowder would feather the puck into the open knowing Grant would be there or that he could win a race to it if need be. Grant needs to play with guys that can control the puck with poise, make smart passes, and are willing to give up the puck to let him work his magic. This means playing to his strengths so he can score goals. Obviously, we’re not overloaded with Crowder-like forwards but guys like Gellert, Parkinson, and/or Selby could be a good fit.
Grant is the top forward out there. Put Haddad on RW with Parkinson at center and that would be a no.1 line. Put Wiles with Clark and Lunden for the 2nd line.
Care to elaborate on this comment?:
"Good luck UAA. Could be the last season of allowing the last and second to the last-place teams into the playoffs."
I think he's assuming when the WCHA goes to 12 teams, the bottom 2 won't make the playoffs to keep things as they are (5 first round matchups, one play-in game on Thursday, and 3 teams starting Friday.
I think they'll go to 6 first round matchups, two Thursday play-in games, and 2 teams starting on Friday. JMO.
or she
It's all about the $ for the WCHA, they will go to the six first round teams to get the same amount of games (will get rid of the 3rd place game on Sunday)
Since playoff revenue is shared equally amongst all member there is ZERO chance that the league would eliminate 2 playoff series.
Such ill-conceived assertions are typical thinking of so many fans in this league who think it is somehow a professional sports entity.
Shyiak has been out coached for the past 4 seasons and will continue to be out coached.He's has the team playing a 1 dementional game thus UAA will continue to lose
I fail to see where any positives from this past weekends games. I thought we were out of our element. We didn't play good enough to beat anyone in the WCHA. Two goal in two games? 4 goals in the last 4 games? It's going to be a long season.
I don't think I meant to imply that losing is somehow a positive experience. Instead, I tried to focus on some of the positive aspects of the team's play ... especially in a comparative sense.
Let's not forget they were going up against a desperate and talent team that hadn't won a game and was playing in their own rink. It wasn't like the Gophers hadn't won a game because they sucked. They hadn't won because they played two tough teams.
I've supported the Seawolves too long to only be concerned with W's and L's. That isn't to say that I'm not concerned at all with the record. But I try to focus on the positive aspects. I wouldn't have survived doing this for as long as I have if I only measured "my" team by their W's and L's.
There are realities associated with being UAA in the WCHA. One of those is that Minnesota, Wisconsin, UND and DU are ALWAYS going to "out-recruit" us. That means they're ALWAYS going to be starting from a superior base when playing against UAA. Success cannot EVER be gauged ONLY by the W's and L's.
If W's and L's are one's only measuring stick then I'd suggest following another program. None of that means that the Seawolves can't have success in terms of W's and L's. They can. To do so requires excellence, dedication and focus no matter which WCHA program you're talking about ... including UAA.
So I see the only way to maintain enthusiasm and support for the team is to keep the realities in perspective. The Seawolves have a fine group of players who will do their best week in and week out. The coaching staff has no interest in losing ... they want to win. They're making the best strides possible toward that goal. Their efforts are ultimately judged by whether or not they receive new contracts. Not by the fans satisfaction and/or dissatisfaction with the results.
None of the means we can't be observant about the whole program and offer our criticism. I think those things are fair game ... I think the two last comments are mostly genuine and/or quite possibly relevant. But I also think neither of them have necessarily reflect the perspective I'm talking about.
If it were possible to quantify such a thing ... I'd bet anyone here that I want to see W's more than ANY of you. I've been going to games at the Sully (and the campus rink) since 1984. I spend hours and hours every week reading, considering and writing about this team. NOBODY wants to see them win more than me. NOBODY.
Nobody doubts your loyalty Donald. You are the epitome of the ultimate fan. For that you should be lauded. I feel as though I also want UAA to win as much as anybody. But I am much quicker to point a finger at those that aren't performing up to their talent level. I can deal with us being a bit less talented team than the CC's, the DU's the Gophers of the league, but what I hate to see more than anything is a lackluster effort. 20 guys on the same page, every game all season. We don't seem to have that right now. I don't feel as though the season is lost yet, but man, I feel as though we are hanging on a precipice.
Crowder sucked in the second half last year as did grant.
Clark, lunden and grant will all score 15 to 20 goals each this year.
We need some secondary scoring, minnesota and und and other teams have secondary scoring.
The defense is having it tough because backstrom and hunt have just started back, give them some slack.
Denver is without there top goalie this week, we have a chance to fill the net.
Minnesota had to win last weekend, they played the two top teams in the division.
Clark has 3 penalties this year, shyiak benched him, so oppoents too libertys all weekend with him in minnesotat, but he drew four power play opportunties, but his line was the only one that scored.
Grant has not scored since the first game. Yes the seniors must pop 1 or 2 a game, but we need scoring from haddad and parkinson and others. When clark, crowder and lunden were freshman they had to work hard to score. No one gets it handed to them.
We will beat denver at least once this weekend. 10 games till xmas, 3 series at home. Get out and support your team, minnesota lost four straight and there fans still come out.
Quit complaining fans,
Come out and support your team.
Fan
Once crowder new he was off to the ahl at christmas, he tampered off in the second half, tommy grant only had 3 goals in the second half last year.
Tommy need clarkie and lunden to feed him to put up numbers all year.
Just watch the games against denver this weekend, without there top goalie.
Fan
We split with denver during the season last year, and lost by only 1 goal in each playoff game. They have the fire power, but without a strong goalie, they are readly to be beaten.
Will our guys come willing to compete for 60 minutes each nite?
When will UAA get a new hockey arena, geez the Sully is getting so dated.
If you could assemble an all-time UAA dream team to kick major ass, what players would you pick?
My Offensive rocks...
Line1
Paul Crowder,Curtis glencross, Derek Donald
Line 2
Dean Larsen, Kevin Clark, Robb Conn
Line 3
mike peluso, Dennis Sorenson, Paul Williams
Line1
David Vallieres, Curtis Glencross, Brian Kraft
Line2
Dean Larson, Steve Bogeyavic, Vladimir Novak
Line3
Paul Crowder, Tommy Grant, Mike Scott
Line A
McEnaney, Larson, Glencross
Line B
Williams, Donald, Crowder
Line C
Scott, Clark, Vallieres
Line D
Conn, Kraft, Morris
Defense
Peluso, Batters
Meek, Robinson
Bakula, Bethard
Goalies:
Krake, Schill
And that still leaves out some guys that I wouldn't want to leave out ... Shasby, Cygan, Norcross, Stitt, Lawson, Grant, Kean, Knauft, Backstrom, Trboyevich and probably some others I can't think of.
That's a hell of a lineup Donald.
As for a new UAA arena (answering that previous post), I'd say approximately never. It doesn't seem to very high on the University's priority list these days. Which is dumb since UAA's needed a new area for like 10 years. That's how outdated the Sullivan is.
ok, to all of you saying that crowder sucked at christmas, what team were you watching??? if i remember correctly who beat fairbanks with a PPG with under 5 min to play, and the next night sealed the GOV Cup with a goal. And he assisted on one goal in each of the last 4 games. Don't tell me crowder sucked after the break.
jimjamesak: You're right. The University gave their hockey club the shaft when they left out a new hockey arena out of their plan for a new sports complex.
More than anything, I think a new arena would be the best way to address this team's performance woes, IMO. I think having new ice would be the catalyst for attracting better talent, allowing them to win more games, thus making the team more desirable to play for.
I know a new arena is not a small matter, and fund appropriation/rasing would be a major issue, but if UAA is serious about having a hockey team that can compete effectively in D1 hockey, they MUST address the rink issue. I think even a joint agreement to share a new arena with the city would be a step in the right direction.
It is so Alaskan to want things and expect that someone else will pay for it. There is no will in the legislature to pay for an actual arena.
Even if there were appropriations to build it, the money to operate it would not be there. Look at what happened with the new Science Building. We have seriously short term views when it comes to providing funding to anything long term.
We want top notch product for bottom dollar. In the real world if you pay for a Hyundai, you get a Hundai.
Ted: You have very good points, and I don't disagree at all with any of them. I was just pointing out what (in my opinion) needs to be done more than anything else to jump start the Seawolves program. Just think of it as the #1 item on my wish list for the Seawolves, even if it is an unlikely wishlist.
ALso, if the city of Bemidji in Minnesota (pop. 13541) could build a new arena for their soon to be WCHA Hockey team, then I am confident that at some point in the future a new arena may not be out of the question for the Seawolves as well. Like you said, you get what you pay for, but I feel there is a need, and a market for a new, state of the art hockey arena in the Anchorage area, or a complete overhaul of the ancient Sully. If anything, make it an 'Aces' centric argument if the Seawolves cannot muster the support.
uAA need to blast as many shots at denver's rookie goalie this weekend.
1 win would be nice, a sweep would be great.
Clark, lunden and grant practise driving the net all week.
This is our weekend, play tough, and lets get the fans out for the weekend.
FAn
isn't that rookie goaltender a kid from anchorage?
As far as a new arena, if they can afford to build a new Convention Center they can afford to build a new Arena. The city is in fine financial shape, trust me.
Yep, the rookie goalie is highly touted Adam Murray. His save percentage is pretty low, UAA needs to expolit this!!
Lets set a record for shots on goal this weekend boys.
It is nice there goalie is from anchorage, but we need these two wins badly. Remember we have to play as a team, denver has some top end talent.
Fan
Predictions friday
clark 2 goals
grant 1 goal
lunden 3 assists
score 5 to 3 for anchorage
parkinson and baldwin get the other two.
All the best,
FAn
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