What'd I tell ya? When the opposing defense stifles your top lines, its the grinders that get it done. I'm not exactly sure what fire was lit in Chad Gehon's skates lately, but I hope he can keep it going. While neither of the goals are credited to him, but he was responsible for making them happen. Creating turnovers, and finding the open guy, he got it done.
While this isn't credited as a win per se, it was a step in the right direction from last weekend. Tonight, the guys have another 3 points to play for, and getting all of them would mean a tie for 5th with Ferris State. While Ferris does have some games in hand, their last 2 series against Notre Dame and Ohio State could mean some lost points for the Bulldogs.
But alas, it's time for crunch time, and the guys need to put some goals on the board tonight. They had their chances last night, but couldn't find twine. Last night, I thought they did a particularly good job of getting second chances. After the initial shot, they collected the rebound and kept things going, kept the puck moving. I like that, and I'd like to see more of that tonight. If they can do it enough to tire the defense and put Kapalka on his toes, good things will happen.
Speaking of good things, did you hear about Anchorage? Yeah, they still suck. Excited for the Governor's Cup series yet? Get pumped.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Headed to the UP to Take Care of Business
I don't think I need to say that the importance of these last 2 series is high. With 12 points left and 5 points removed from a first round bye (6 for home ice in the 2nd round) and with these last two teams nipping at the heels, the guys need to punch it and drive their way into the playoffs.
Can the Nanooks still make the NCAA tournament? Possibly. While the outlook isn't great, the possibility that a team above us could fall, and depending how the boys in Anchorage finish, and how we do against them, could stamp fate's ticket. But, winning the last 6 games of the regular season is obviously going to be critical.
That said, I wonder what coach Ferguson's strategy will be heading into this series. As Sunday's game against Ferris went on, I noticed Cody Kunyk kind of strayed from his centering position and started attacking the puck more in the offensive zone, which is exactly what led to his 10th goal of the season that night. The question is, was that instinctive, or a guidance from the coach. Petovello has done this through out the season, roaming the offensive zone trying to make a play, but I think the difference here comes down to experience. Kevin has a lot better and making better decisions without the puck than Kunyk has throughout the early part of the season, but that seems to have changed. Cody has made a lot of improvements changing his game, making better positioning decisions in terms of attacking the puck and creating turnovers.
But guys like Kunyk, Petovello, and other top line guys in Granberg, Taranto, and Beck are not going to seal a game for us. It's going to be the guys on the deeper lines and their contributions that are going to play into the outcome. Our top lines can compete with the rest of them, and keep the game even, but it's guys like Gehon, Klassen, Finucci, Meyers, Filzen, Hohl, etc. whose scoring can make the difference.
Look at the Ferris State series back in Grand Rapids, the 4-3 OT win for the Nanooks was made possible by a goal from the 3rd line, as Klassen buried the second goal of the evening from Meyers and Gehon to put the Nanooks up 2-0 at the end of the first period.Without that goal, the game may not have ended in our favor. It may as well have ended as a 3-2 loss in regulation with everything else remaining the same.
If you look at the 4th game against Michigan, the last of the series at Yost, the game might have ended 4-2 if that Gehon-Filzen-Hohl line didn't get that goal on the rush. It's up to these lower line guys to, at the very least, start creating momentum and getting the play going their way, getting the defense on their heels and making them work, wearing them down.
Michigan's D held, give them credit, but we aren't facing a defense like Michigan's for the rest of this regular season. Not even a defense in the top 20 in the nation left on the agenda, so the opportunity for these lines to add some scoring is there. And getting these lines going and getting some goals and getting the strategy in their minds heading into the playoffs could be the key to make a run for it.
The scoring strategy remains the same, generating offense by moving the puck in the offensive zone, and creating some shooting lanes. Obviously you have to shoot the puck to score, but after they take that first shot, regaining possession and getting those second and third chances are where the goals are at. The guys had their chances against Ferris State, but Pat Nagle played a hell of a series, and the guys are going to have to face another good goaltender in Lake State rookie Kevin Kapalka. He's been somewhat inconsistent this season, but he's appeared to have gotten on a bit of a roll as of late.
Throughout the first part of the season, the Lakers struggled, to say the least. Their offense wasn't shut out, but they couldn't slow down the other team from scoring. They allowed 10 goals in a series against Michigan, 6 in a single game against Denver, 8 in a series against Notre Dame, the list goes on. But a series of exhibition games throughout a tour of Ontario in early January seemed to have most importantly tuned their defense, and likely Kapalka's confidence.
Kapalka and his Lakers have gone 3-1-0 in their last 4, including a series sweep of the Northern Michigan Wildcats. All 4 of those games were on the road before returning home this weekend with the Nanooks coming to town.
This trip is also one of those ridiculously long trips that most teams hate about coming to Fairbanks, but in a much different way for our guys. For those that don't know, Sault Ste Marie, MI is very similar to Kansas City in how the border between Kansas and Missouri actually bisects the town. While Kansas City spans two states, Sault Ste Marie spans the border of two countries, right on the border of Michigan and Ontario, separated by a body of water connecting Lake Superior to Lake George and Lake Nicolet. While I'm unaware of the Nanooks' specific travel plans, in years past its often included about 10-12 hours of flights and layovers to get to Green Bay, Wisconsin, followed by a 6 hour bus ride to get up there. While Sault Ste. Marie has an airport, it appears to be the difference of about $750 per ticket to fly right in, versus going the long way through Green Bay.
Can the Nanooks still make the NCAA tournament? Possibly. While the outlook isn't great, the possibility that a team above us could fall, and depending how the boys in Anchorage finish, and how we do against them, could stamp fate's ticket. But, winning the last 6 games of the regular season is obviously going to be critical.
That said, I wonder what coach Ferguson's strategy will be heading into this series. As Sunday's game against Ferris went on, I noticed Cody Kunyk kind of strayed from his centering position and started attacking the puck more in the offensive zone, which is exactly what led to his 10th goal of the season that night. The question is, was that instinctive, or a guidance from the coach. Petovello has done this through out the season, roaming the offensive zone trying to make a play, but I think the difference here comes down to experience. Kevin has a lot better and making better decisions without the puck than Kunyk has throughout the early part of the season, but that seems to have changed. Cody has made a lot of improvements changing his game, making better positioning decisions in terms of attacking the puck and creating turnovers.
But guys like Kunyk, Petovello, and other top line guys in Granberg, Taranto, and Beck are not going to seal a game for us. It's going to be the guys on the deeper lines and their contributions that are going to play into the outcome. Our top lines can compete with the rest of them, and keep the game even, but it's guys like Gehon, Klassen, Finucci, Meyers, Filzen, Hohl, etc. whose scoring can make the difference.
Look at the Ferris State series back in Grand Rapids, the 4-3 OT win for the Nanooks was made possible by a goal from the 3rd line, as Klassen buried the second goal of the evening from Meyers and Gehon to put the Nanooks up 2-0 at the end of the first period.Without that goal, the game may not have ended in our favor. It may as well have ended as a 3-2 loss in regulation with everything else remaining the same.
If you look at the 4th game against Michigan, the last of the series at Yost, the game might have ended 4-2 if that Gehon-Filzen-Hohl line didn't get that goal on the rush. It's up to these lower line guys to, at the very least, start creating momentum and getting the play going their way, getting the defense on their heels and making them work, wearing them down.
Michigan's D held, give them credit, but we aren't facing a defense like Michigan's for the rest of this regular season. Not even a defense in the top 20 in the nation left on the agenda, so the opportunity for these lines to add some scoring is there. And getting these lines going and getting some goals and getting the strategy in their minds heading into the playoffs could be the key to make a run for it.
The scoring strategy remains the same, generating offense by moving the puck in the offensive zone, and creating some shooting lanes. Obviously you have to shoot the puck to score, but after they take that first shot, regaining possession and getting those second and third chances are where the goals are at. The guys had their chances against Ferris State, but Pat Nagle played a hell of a series, and the guys are going to have to face another good goaltender in Lake State rookie Kevin Kapalka. He's been somewhat inconsistent this season, but he's appeared to have gotten on a bit of a roll as of late.
Throughout the first part of the season, the Lakers struggled, to say the least. Their offense wasn't shut out, but they couldn't slow down the other team from scoring. They allowed 10 goals in a series against Michigan, 6 in a single game against Denver, 8 in a series against Notre Dame, the list goes on. But a series of exhibition games throughout a tour of Ontario in early January seemed to have most importantly tuned their defense, and likely Kapalka's confidence.
Kapalka and his Lakers have gone 3-1-0 in their last 4, including a series sweep of the Northern Michigan Wildcats. All 4 of those games were on the road before returning home this weekend with the Nanooks coming to town.
This trip is also one of those ridiculously long trips that most teams hate about coming to Fairbanks, but in a much different way for our guys. For those that don't know, Sault Ste Marie, MI is very similar to Kansas City in how the border between Kansas and Missouri actually bisects the town. While Kansas City spans two states, Sault Ste Marie spans the border of two countries, right on the border of Michigan and Ontario, separated by a body of water connecting Lake Superior to Lake George and Lake Nicolet. While I'm unaware of the Nanooks' specific travel plans, in years past its often included about 10-12 hours of flights and layovers to get to Green Bay, Wisconsin, followed by a 6 hour bus ride to get up there. While Sault Ste. Marie has an airport, it appears to be the difference of about $750 per ticket to fly right in, versus going the long way through Green Bay.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Nanooks Fall 3-2 as Ferris State Completes Sweep on Super Bowl Sunday
The biggest game of the NFL concluded about one hour before the puck dropped at the Carlson Center. As North Pole native Daryn Colledge and the rest of the Green Bay Packers hoisted the Super Bowl trophy that bears the name of the legendary Packers coach Vince Lombardi, the Nanooks were in the locker room preparing for a game of their own.
I will apologize in advance for the brevity of this post, but seeing this series unfold as it did stings a bit (not to mention I have an early morning tomorrow). Ferris State is a good team with one of the best goaltenders in the country, and although the Nanooks tested him at times, they couldn't put one past him when it counted.
Getting some penalties called (call them what you will), the 'Nooks found themselves in a 4 on 4 scenario that turned out they didn't want to be in. 2 bang-bang goals for Ferris State put the 'Nooks down 2-1, which Dustin Sather would equalize with his first of the season to put the Nanooks back in it going into the locker room before the 3rd period.
The game winning goal for Ferris State came on a heartbreaking play. Greenham made a mean save on a point blank save, but the puck came to Mike Fillinger behind the net who took a good shot to bank it in the net off of the inside of Greenham's pad.
With the loss, the Nanooks now firmly sit in 6th place with 12 points remaining on the table. The Nanooks make the long trek to Soo in Michigan's upper peninsula to take on the Lake State Lakers before returning home to close the CCHA regular season with a series against the Michigan State Spartans.
I will apologize in advance for the brevity of this post, but seeing this series unfold as it did stings a bit (not to mention I have an early morning tomorrow). Ferris State is a good team with one of the best goaltenders in the country, and although the Nanooks tested him at times, they couldn't put one past him when it counted.
Getting some penalties called (call them what you will), the 'Nooks found themselves in a 4 on 4 scenario that turned out they didn't want to be in. 2 bang-bang goals for Ferris State put the 'Nooks down 2-1, which Dustin Sather would equalize with his first of the season to put the Nanooks back in it going into the locker room before the 3rd period.
The game winning goal for Ferris State came on a heartbreaking play. Greenham made a mean save on a point blank save, but the puck came to Mike Fillinger behind the net who took a good shot to bank it in the net off of the inside of Greenham's pad.
With the loss, the Nanooks now firmly sit in 6th place with 12 points remaining on the table. The Nanooks make the long trek to Soo in Michigan's upper peninsula to take on the Lake State Lakers before returning home to close the CCHA regular season with a series against the Michigan State Spartans.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
The Bulldogs Bite the 'Nooks 2-1
After stepping off the plane just over 24 before stepping on the ice, Ferris State didn't seem to have any jet lag at all like I thought they would.
The first period got off to a bit of a different start, there was a bit of back and forth action, with some good pace and quality scoring chances. But with about 2:30 remaining, Greenham made a hell of a save on a bit of a breakaway by Eric Alexander, but Fillinger was there behind the net to collect the rebound and got it out front to Travis Oullette who buried his third of the season past Greenham under the glove. While the Nanooks had their chances, especially on two power play chances, they couldn't get any past Nagle as the Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead to the locker room.
The second period, while a number of chances were generated, the Nanooks just couldn't bury any. Nagle really had a sharp game through the first two periods (and the whole game, really). With about 12 minutes left, the Nanooks had some momentum going but couldn't capitalize. Matthew Kirzinger took a pas from linemate Mike Embach, and danced around the Nanook defenders and buried the goal. It really was a good goal. But thats when the emotions started to drain. The life seemed to get sucked out of the team, but one guy noticeably played with some fire and intensity every shift, and he got rewarded.
With time running down in the third, and the Nanook net empty, Jarret Granberg was rewarded for his efforts, and aside from the goal, I thought Jarret really had a great game all around. He played with an intensity that nobody else matched. And he was always looking to make a play. Now I'm not saying the other guys didn't play well, but Jarret definitely caught the eye.
Tomorrow though, the guys are definitely going to have to put some serious pressure on Nagle. Ferris' defense rides on them keeping bodies away from the net and giving Nagle space to work. The 'Nooks disrupted that in the third and eventually got one in. As the game went on, you could tell Nagle was getting tired and getting slower. Keeping him working, and making him move is going to be key tomorrow.
Super Bowl Sunday is upon us, and while my Packers jerseys have emerged from the closet, tomorrow night it's all about Nanook hockey. With this W, Ferris moves to sole possession of 5th with a 2 point advantage over the Nooks in the standings. See you at the game tomorrow.
The first period got off to a bit of a different start, there was a bit of back and forth action, with some good pace and quality scoring chances. But with about 2:30 remaining, Greenham made a hell of a save on a bit of a breakaway by Eric Alexander, but Fillinger was there behind the net to collect the rebound and got it out front to Travis Oullette who buried his third of the season past Greenham under the glove. While the Nanooks had their chances, especially on two power play chances, they couldn't get any past Nagle as the Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead to the locker room.
The second period, while a number of chances were generated, the Nanooks just couldn't bury any. Nagle really had a sharp game through the first two periods (and the whole game, really). With about 12 minutes left, the Nanooks had some momentum going but couldn't capitalize. Matthew Kirzinger took a pas from linemate Mike Embach, and danced around the Nanook defenders and buried the goal. It really was a good goal. But thats when the emotions started to drain. The life seemed to get sucked out of the team, but one guy noticeably played with some fire and intensity every shift, and he got rewarded.
With time running down in the third, and the Nanook net empty, Jarret Granberg was rewarded for his efforts, and aside from the goal, I thought Jarret really had a great game all around. He played with an intensity that nobody else matched. And he was always looking to make a play. Now I'm not saying the other guys didn't play well, but Jarret definitely caught the eye.
Tomorrow though, the guys are definitely going to have to put some serious pressure on Nagle. Ferris' defense rides on them keeping bodies away from the net and giving Nagle space to work. The 'Nooks disrupted that in the third and eventually got one in. As the game went on, you could tell Nagle was getting tired and getting slower. Keeping him working, and making him move is going to be key tomorrow.
Super Bowl Sunday is upon us, and while my Packers jerseys have emerged from the closet, tomorrow night it's all about Nanook hockey. With this W, Ferris moves to sole possession of 5th with a 2 point advantage over the Nooks in the standings. See you at the game tomorrow.
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