This weekend means something....
Even if it doesn't mean conference points, playoff implications, PairWise rankings, or any of that other crap, it means something more than just another series. For seven seniors, this will be their last hoorah as a college athlete. For these seven seniors, this is about taking down the #1 team in the country in front of our own fans.
But the memories our guys choose to create this weekend look to be positive. But how can they not be, now that Justin Woods has completed his treatment? Not only that, but today (2/12) is his birthday! I'm tremendously proud of our community for raising so much for Justin. Nearly $90,000 total between the GoFundMe campaign, and the silent auction during the first set of Governor's Cup games and at the Ice Dogs series. I know it can't be close to covering the costs of his treatment, but I hope it has helped him and his family get through this difficult time.
The Nanooks have already done what no other WCHA team has done, beating the Mavericks in Mankato. Something only four other teams in the country have done on any ice. At 23-5-1, the Mavericks have the best record and the top ranked team in all of college hockey.
I could go on and on about their players, record, offensive and defensive prowess. But that means nothing to me. They're not invincible. They play a sound game, and typically mistake-free. If that can be countered with equal caliber play and motivation, this is going to be a great series. It really comes down to that, nothing more.
On a side note, Fairbanks native Stephon Williams returns home in his junior season stopping pucks for MSU, but has never played a collegiate game on the Carlson Center ice. Nor has he ever beaten the Nanooks. He's been a perennial starter all season long, but Austin Vieth bagged the OT winner on Friday, and he was pulled on Saturday after allowing 2 goals on 8 shots through two periods on Saturday. Last season, Cole Huggins played every second of the series split in Fairbanks between the pipes. Stephon played on the state championship winning Lathrop team with Alec Hajdukovich and Tayler Munson years ago. Tayler had 3 points during that Friday night win earlier this year as well. Maybe they have him figured out? Maybe its about teaching him a lesson that he shouldn't have left.
To our seven seniors--Justin Tateson, Trevor Campbell, Garrick Perry, Sean Cahill, Nolan Youngmun, Jared Larson, and Nolan Kaiser--it's been nothing short of a pleasure watching and getting to know you guys over the past four years. The end of this season won't be the last time I'll be writing your name or mentioning you on the blog, either. This is a big weekend for you guys. For me, it feels like last year was your first year here, but it's already over? Your time here goes fast. I'm proud to see the effort all of you have put in to the program. This weekend is about celebrating you guys, so please enjoy it. And even though you'll take off the home whites for the last time, that Nanook crest lives on with you. You'll always be a Nanook!
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Home Sweep - Nanooks Dispatch Lakers to End Losing Skid
The Nanooks haven't looked good for an entire game for a while. To be honest, they had Michigan Tech on the ropes both nights and let them crawl back in after letting off the gas in the 3rd. Against Anchorage, the Nanooks struggled to score despite controlling the play for the better part of the latter two periods both nights. Obviously that 2nd game against Bowling Green is trying.
Some performances from this weekend that stood out though by some of our players have to be mentioned. Nick Hinz is playing like he's ready to be a starter. He got the nod on Saturday deservingly. Trevor Campbell had a fantastic weekend on both sides of the ice, as did Zach Frye. Frye had a bit of a scare blocking a shot to the stomach Friday night. Certainly didn't look like it felt good, but he was back out there. Didn't miss a shift on Satuday. But after last weekend, I was hoping to see our defensemen step up and they did.
Offensively, outside of the top line Shawn Hochhausen had a great weekend. He had his efforts rewarded with a goal Saturday, but he's been consistently in the lineup because of his offensive tenacity. The guy just keeps going after it and getting it done. Josh Erickson continues to play like the needle on his speedometer is pegged with the throttle wide open every shift. Nobody outhustles him, and its very apparent when he's out there (good or bad). But my player of the weekend has to go to Garrick Perry. He wins battles getting to the dirty areas, disrupting offensive plays, creating breakaways and odd-man advantages, and continues to be a machine.
This weekend though is a tune up series. Stephon Williams and the #1 ranked Minnesota State makes the long trek up here next weekend, which kicks off Hockey Week in Fairbanks. They pasted Anchorage this weekend, in sounding fashion. That is going to be a series to watch with the seniors playing their final series in the Carlson Center for the season.
But this weekend was a bit different. The Nanooks seemed to struggle to score offensively, but they brought it for 120 minutes this weekend. Saturday, the Lakers notched 10 shots to the Nanooks 13, but the 'Nooks started rolling their own version of keep away for the 2nd, outshooting them 20-3.
The offensive generation was there, chances abounded but they didn't end up in the back of the net. Give their goalie credit, but with 44 shots on goal and only 2 hit the back of the net, something is amiss.
Friday Highlights
Saturday Highlights
Coming Soon
Offensively, outside of the top line Shawn Hochhausen had a great weekend. He had his efforts rewarded with a goal Saturday, but he's been consistently in the lineup because of his offensive tenacity. The guy just keeps going after it and getting it done. Josh Erickson continues to play like the needle on his speedometer is pegged with the throttle wide open every shift. Nobody outhustles him, and its very apparent when he's out there (good or bad). But my player of the weekend has to go to Garrick Perry. He wins battles getting to the dirty areas, disrupting offensive plays, creating breakaways and odd-man advantages, and continues to be a machine.
This weekend though is a tune up series. Stephon Williams and the #1 ranked Minnesota State makes the long trek up here next weekend, which kicks off Hockey Week in Fairbanks. They pasted Anchorage this weekend, in sounding fashion. That is going to be a series to watch with the seniors playing their final series in the Carlson Center for the season.
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Seeking Vengeance In Houghton
The Nanooks longest roadie of the year comes after a heartbreaking sweep at the hands of the Seawolves on home ice. It's a tough one to swallow for the players, perhaps just as tough for the fans. For those that know me, I'm also a Packers fan and after that brutal last 3 minutes of Sunday's game against Seattle, that weekend was very painful.
But, as captain Colton Parayko stated during Saturday's post game press conference, you can't look at what's behind you. You have to keep the truck pointed forward and focus on what's in front of you. Pretty wise words for a 21 year old...
But the Nanooks have made it to Houghton, Michigan with the goal of taking down Michigan Tech. At 16-7-1, that's no small task. But with a 9-1-1 record away from the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena, that leaves a 6-5-0 record at home (1-1-0 in neutral site games). That hot 10-0-0 record to start the season was tops in the country for a while until Mankato came to town to change all of that. Sweeping the #1 Huskies at the time seemed impossible with the run they were on. But they had played a long stretch of road games early in the season. Now in a swing of 8 straight home games, the Huskies look to change the tide on home ice.
But the Nanooks have something to say about that. The guys seem refocused and ready to go. Should be a good series. I'm expecting a split.
Unfortunately though, yours truly will not be able to watch the games this weekend. When I get back to Fairbanks on Monday, I will watch the recap games and break it down.
Until then, Go 'Nooks!
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Good News and Bad News
As usual, might as well start with the bad news. The Nanooks lost. Twice. To the Seawolves.
All I can say is "Ugh...". I had another diatribe written, but the only explanation I can give for only scoring 3 goals on some 90 shots on goal for the weekend is their goalie. Mantha stepped up and got it done all weekend. And rightly was named the rookie of the week for the WCHA. Despite the penalty situation Friday, the Nanooks had their fair share of power play chances on Saturday but just didn't execute. The Nanooks offense has been quite steady, but Matt Thomas and the Seawolves had their number this weekend and while the Seawolves weren't defensively amazing by any standards, they held the 'Nooks offense to the outside for most of the night and when the 'Nooks did get pucks inside, they lacked the confidence to make the timely play.
Seemed like the Nanooks were ringing the iron all night long too. I didn't see the official stats on that one, but I unofficially counted 4. Someone else said 5. Either way, those 2 3/8" bars seemed a lot bigger Saturday.
Anyway, on to the good news. As I mentioned Thursday, there was a silent auction benefitting Justin Woods in the rink this weekend. Well over 100 items were donated. Everything from gift certificates and items from local businesses to a size 32 Reebok signed by Shaq. Jerseys from a myriad of NHL clubs and former Nanook players. Framed photos, posters, and over 100 items sold.
Justin also recorded a video that was played in the Carlson Center this weekend reporting that he had just two treatments left and hopefully will be cancer free and back in Fairbanks by the end of February. A phenomenal proclamation. But spending nearly a year in Seattle undergoing expensive treatment has been assumably financially exhausting.
After the weekend was over, $25,650 was raised for Justin and his family to help offset some of his medical expenses. Which brings the total to just shy of $70,000 total since Justin began treatment. And for those of you who weren't able to make it to Fairbanks this weekend, Justin's GoFundMe page is still open accepting donations
As for Justin's Nanooks, they head out for Houghton, Michigan to take on the Michigan Tech team that has also been struggling as of late with just one win in their last 5. Including a 47-save shutout for Joel Rumpel at Wisconsin. But with the Huskies playing their 3rd and 4th games of their 6 game home stand this coming weekend, so expect them to be fresh.
Until then. Go 'Nooks!
All I can say is "Ugh...". I had another diatribe written, but the only explanation I can give for only scoring 3 goals on some 90 shots on goal for the weekend is their goalie. Mantha stepped up and got it done all weekend. And rightly was named the rookie of the week for the WCHA. Despite the penalty situation Friday, the Nanooks had their fair share of power play chances on Saturday but just didn't execute. The Nanooks offense has been quite steady, but Matt Thomas and the Seawolves had their number this weekend and while the Seawolves weren't defensively amazing by any standards, they held the 'Nooks offense to the outside for most of the night and when the 'Nooks did get pucks inside, they lacked the confidence to make the timely play.
Seemed like the Nanooks were ringing the iron all night long too. I didn't see the official stats on that one, but I unofficially counted 4. Someone else said 5. Either way, those 2 3/8" bars seemed a lot bigger Saturday.
Anyway, on to the good news. As I mentioned Thursday, there was a silent auction benefitting Justin Woods in the rink this weekend. Well over 100 items were donated. Everything from gift certificates and items from local businesses to a size 32 Reebok signed by Shaq. Jerseys from a myriad of NHL clubs and former Nanook players. Framed photos, posters, and over 100 items sold.
Justin also recorded a video that was played in the Carlson Center this weekend reporting that he had just two treatments left and hopefully will be cancer free and back in Fairbanks by the end of February. A phenomenal proclamation. But spending nearly a year in Seattle undergoing expensive treatment has been assumably financially exhausting.
After the weekend was over, $25,650 was raised for Justin and his family to help offset some of his medical expenses. Which brings the total to just shy of $70,000 total since Justin began treatment. And for those of you who weren't able to make it to Fairbanks this weekend, Justin's GoFundMe page is still open accepting donations
As for Justin's Nanooks, they head out for Houghton, Michigan to take on the Michigan Tech team that has also been struggling as of late with just one win in their last 5. Including a 47-save shutout for Joel Rumpel at Wisconsin. But with the Huskies playing their 3rd and 4th games of their 6 game home stand this coming weekend, so expect them to be fresh.
Until then. Go 'Nooks!
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