2011-2012 Senior Tribute

It's that time of year again when after this weekend we fans won't get to see some of our favorite players in Seawolves Green and Gold on their home ice ever again.  It's always somewhat bittersweet to write these senior tributes because there's never a time when I didn't wish the NCAA had five years of eligibility in it's rulebook.

This year's graduating senior class is Brad Gorham, Curtis Leinweber, Jade Portwood and Dusan Sidor.  Finishing 4 years of schooling combined with playing this level of hockey is an accomplishment to be hailed.  These four young men represent the pinnacle of what being a successful NCAA student-athlete is all about.

2011-2012 Senior Class

Jade Portwood, Brad Gorham and Curtis Leinweber comprise this year's Senior Class.  Though fewest in numbers amongst all four classes; these three guys are certain to contribute more than their proportional share to success this season.  Each brings a comparitively unique set of skills and experience from the others.  The common attribute they share is leadership both off the ice and on.

Mankato "Dominates" Seawolves And Loses 4 - 0

A good drinking game tonight while watching the game would have been to take a shot everytime the Mankato TV announcing crew referenced how MSU was "dominating" the Seawolves.  If it wasn't for my Dad getting pissed off about such references it would have been funny; and of course we both would have ended up drunk as monkeys.

Seawolves 4 - UAF 1

The Seawolves tonight came out with the fire and emotion that is necessary to win a game against their biggest rival.  For the first 20 minutes of this game they were super sharp.  They executed pinpoint passing and scored three beautiful goals to leave no doubt as to which team would come out with the W.

Seven Seconds Determine Outcome

No doubt Brad Gorham would trade his first goal in a Seawolves uniform for a win tonight.  But after he tallied just 25 seconds into the game, the team was unable to find the twine again.  Couple that with a meltdown of sorts in the third period and at least the misery of riding home on an airplane after a loss was pretty short.

How Sweep It Is ... Seawolves 2 - CC 1

Two important things happened tonight.  The most important is that the squad got an extremely meaningful 2 points that helped solidify themselves above the group of teams below them in the conference standings.  UAA's 14 points also puts them just 2 points below three team currently tied for 5th place (CC, Minnesota, Wisconsin).

Seawolves Travel to Bemidji

The Seawolves hit the road this morning on their way to Bemidji.  I'm curious if they get off the plane in Minneapolis and jump right onto a bus for the 225 mile trip to Bemidji.  Or if maybe they stay in Minneapolis find some ice to skate on; then overnight there before heading up to Bemidji on Thursday. I'd tend to think 5+ hours on a plane then 5+ hours on a bus combined with all the departure and arrival nonsense would be a bit much. 

The 2010-2011 UAA Seawolves Junior Class

Jade Portwood, Curtis Leinweber and Brad Gorham are the three junior class members on the  2010-2011 Seawolves roster.  As upperclassmen, these three now have leadership responsibilities which weren't a concern for them last season.  They must each demonstrate to their underclassmen teammates commitment and responsible play as an example.  It's important that each of these three juniors also provide scoring.  How much?  How about saying each of them ought to have their best career numbers in terms of scoring.

Regg Simon Departs and Some Other Stuff

I guess it's as good a time as any to make another summer post.  The only real news is (as you're probably already aware) that today Regg Simon has taken the head coaching spot at Des Moines in the USHL. A job which was recently vacated by Mike Guentzel who is off to Omaha to feed on Dean Blais' hind-teat while Dean awaits the demise of Don Lucia as his ticket out of Nebraska.

Best of luck to Regg.  Returning to the Jr. A head coaching ranks is probably a good career move for him.  If he can build success there over a few years then he could start to be considered for next level head coaching jobs at some point.