First thing is first, hopefully everyone had a great holiday break. I know I did. Sorry for the lapse in coverage, but I needed some time off. The players got to go home over the break as well for the first time since Dallas Ferguson took over as head coach. Players were able to go home for nearly two weeks and rest and take time with family. And also for the first time since I've been close to the program, everyone on the roster is 100% healthy. The extra time off did wonders for the guys as a few minor injuries were able to heal. Dallas revealed that Shawn Hochhausen had been playing with a lower body injury that had prevented him from getting all of his gear on, and had kept him out of practice for nearly three weeks. But he didn't miss a single shift, gutting it out and getting things done.
Friday night is also family night. I hadn't heard this until today after the luncheon, but the powers that be have come together to put a family night package together: $44 gets you 4 tickets, 4 sodas, and 4 hot dogs. $44 wouldn't even get 4 people in the door normally. I'm told that if this is successful, it will come back more often. So bring the families out! I would have gotten this out earlier, but I hadn't heard of it either so the word isn't getting out there as much as I would like. Usually I get told about things like this too, but not this time.
Now as far as Ferris State is concerned, they are a bit fresher this weekend. They played last weekend at Michigan/MSU/MTU's Great Lakes Invitational in Detroit at Joe Louis Arena. The Bulldogs didn't fare too well, getting goose-egged at the hands of Michigan State, and a 2-4 loss against Michigan Tech who some argue are a top 5 team in the country right now.
FSU made C.J. Motte their captain this year. Yes, the same C.J. Motte that lost his damn mind before our very eyes. And he's started every game this season thus far. With all of those minutes, his Bulldogs are 9-9-1 coming into this weekend and with a 1.81 goals against average with a .935 save percentage he's got the numbers to back a successful team. As a team, Ferris State is allowing just under 2 goals per game, where Alaska is allowing 2.7. The difference is in scoring as the Bulldogs have mustered a 2.53 goals for per game average compared to Alaska's 2.83.
But outside of Chad Macdonald and Gerald Mayhew, none of the Bulldogs players have scored more than 4 goals this season. Chad has 8 while Gerald has 6. Getting goal scoring was a point of emphasis for Bob Daniels as he addressed the Coach's luncheon attendees this afternoon. The team has struggled to be consistent offensively.
The worst of it is their special teams. The Bulldogs power play is at 11.2% on the season, 50th out of 59 teams in the country. The Bulldogs get themselves into some penalty trouble though. Even though they're top 10 in penalty kill, they average almost 15 minutes a game in penalties. And with the way the Nanooks power play has been (24% in the last 6 games), the Bulldogs' aggressiveness and tenacity can get themselves into some trouble.
Should be a good series as both teams have a history of playing each other really close. The Nanooks have had some great luck against C.J. Motte in the past as I alluded to earlier. Hopefully he'll get lit up again :)
I have plans after the game Friday night, so I will give a weekend recap after the game Saturday. Hope to see lots of faces in the stands this weekend. Get the family up and out to the games tonight to take advantage of the deal, and enjoy yourselves!
Go 'Nooks!
Friday, January 2, 2015
Thursday, December 11, 2014
A Split on the Road and a Date with the Chargers
The Nanooks played a great game on the road last Friday, earning a 5-4 OT win against arguably the best team in the country in Minnesota State. The 'Nooks didn't have the strongest offensive showing in the world, but they cashed in their chances when it counted. The first was a play by the top line of Perry-Morley-Basara, and Garrick Perry who has been a man possessed in recent games, really wheels hard on a forced turnover by Basara at the blueline and beats his defender on a wrap around and made the pass to Tyler Morley across the crease. The play happened so fast, the puck was in the net so fast if you blinked, their sticks are already in the air in celebration. Undoubtedly my favorite play on the weekend.
The guys kept after it, and even when MSU took the lead in the 3rd period, the Nanooks didn't falter, kept grinding, and simply got it done. Austin Vieth takes over late and crashes the net and cashes in for the last lead goal and the overtime winner. Both coming off chances generated by Tayler Munson, who has been playing on another level the last few games. Friday alone had 3 points on a goal and a pair of assists for the freshman making now 3 goals and 2 assists for the season.
Saturday's game didn't produce the same results...
The game got rolling with both teams getting a bit more physical, and getting Nolan Kaiser to the box early with a double minor for roughing. Then again for interference as the senior defenseman took the brunt of the calls throughout the game with 4 total on the day. Which were the first 4 penalties tallied against Alaska.
But the Nanooks penalty kill unit took the brunt of the loss, allowing 3 of the 5 goals on 5 shorthanded disadvantages. The special teams units have been solid for the Nanooks all season so far. The power play unit struggled early, but the penalty kill was solid with over 95% until a few games ago. Now the power play is surging (27% last 6 games), and the penalty kill is struggling. All of this is coachable, but the Nanooks have to be able to clear the zone and not get trapped.
Special teams were the difference Saturday, but the 'Nooks didn't have the offense to keep firing. They chased goaltender Stephon Williams after allowing 2 goals on 8 shots through 2 periods. I was kind of optimistic going into the 3rd when Cole Huggins came in, especially after the success the Nanooks had against him last season (8 goals on 43 shots on goal in 2 games).
Now this weekend sees the Chargers of Alabama-Huntsville come to town. Their 3-11-2 record thus far doesn't make them the strongest team in the league, but with wins over Ferris State, Lake State, and Air Force makes them a team you don't want to sleep on. They did get swept last weekend by Michigan Tech, and they have allowed 14 goals in their last 3 games but as Ferris State found out, they can generate some offense too.
Honestly I don't expect the Nanooks to have much trouble this weekend, but their starting goaltender, despite a 3-6-1 record, has great numbers with a .931 save percentage and a 2.43 goals against average which bests any of the Nanooks goaltenders' stats. If Guerrero gets hot, he will be UAH's X-factor this weekend and can give them a chance to upset the Nanooks this weekend if the boys in Blue and Gold don't show up to play.
The series this weekend is the last of 2014. After this, the Nanooks don't play again until New Years' weekend when the Ferris State Bulldogs come to town. Saturday has a few festivities going as well, including my personal favorite: The Teddy Bear Toss. For the last 4 years, the the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee made up of Alaska Nanooks athletes have organized the event to benefit families in need and give kids something to look forward to this Christmas.
And make sure your kiddos pack their skates for Saturday, as its skate with the 'Nooks following the game. Expect to see the guys in their Santa hats and signing autographs for the kids. The Face-Off club will also provide cookies and other light refreshments as well.
See you all at the rink this weekend.
Go 'Nooks!
The guys kept after it, and even when MSU took the lead in the 3rd period, the Nanooks didn't falter, kept grinding, and simply got it done. Austin Vieth takes over late and crashes the net and cashes in for the last lead goal and the overtime winner. Both coming off chances generated by Tayler Munson, who has been playing on another level the last few games. Friday alone had 3 points on a goal and a pair of assists for the freshman making now 3 goals and 2 assists for the season.
Saturday's game didn't produce the same results...
The game got rolling with both teams getting a bit more physical, and getting Nolan Kaiser to the box early with a double minor for roughing. Then again for interference as the senior defenseman took the brunt of the calls throughout the game with 4 total on the day. Which were the first 4 penalties tallied against Alaska.
But the Nanooks penalty kill unit took the brunt of the loss, allowing 3 of the 5 goals on 5 shorthanded disadvantages. The special teams units have been solid for the Nanooks all season so far. The power play unit struggled early, but the penalty kill was solid with over 95% until a few games ago. Now the power play is surging (27% last 6 games), and the penalty kill is struggling. All of this is coachable, but the Nanooks have to be able to clear the zone and not get trapped.
Special teams were the difference Saturday, but the 'Nooks didn't have the offense to keep firing. They chased goaltender Stephon Williams after allowing 2 goals on 8 shots through 2 periods. I was kind of optimistic going into the 3rd when Cole Huggins came in, especially after the success the Nanooks had against him last season (8 goals on 43 shots on goal in 2 games).
Now this weekend sees the Chargers of Alabama-Huntsville come to town. Their 3-11-2 record thus far doesn't make them the strongest team in the league, but with wins over Ferris State, Lake State, and Air Force makes them a team you don't want to sleep on. They did get swept last weekend by Michigan Tech, and they have allowed 14 goals in their last 3 games but as Ferris State found out, they can generate some offense too.
Honestly I don't expect the Nanooks to have much trouble this weekend, but their starting goaltender, despite a 3-6-1 record, has great numbers with a .931 save percentage and a 2.43 goals against average which bests any of the Nanooks goaltenders' stats. If Guerrero gets hot, he will be UAH's X-factor this weekend and can give them a chance to upset the Nanooks this weekend if the boys in Blue and Gold don't show up to play.
The series this weekend is the last of 2014. After this, the Nanooks don't play again until New Years' weekend when the Ferris State Bulldogs come to town. Saturday has a few festivities going as well, including my personal favorite: The Teddy Bear Toss. For the last 4 years, the the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee made up of Alaska Nanooks athletes have organized the event to benefit families in need and give kids something to look forward to this Christmas.
And make sure your kiddos pack their skates for Saturday, as its skate with the 'Nooks following the game. Expect to see the guys in their Santa hats and signing autographs for the kids. The Face-Off club will also provide cookies and other light refreshments as well.
See you all at the rink this weekend.
Go 'Nooks!
Friday, December 5, 2014
Gut Check Weekend For the Nanooks in Mankato
It's no doubt that the Nanooks, at 7-7-0, have had their struggles. They looked unbeatable Friday against a strong Northern Michigan team, then left a lot on the table Saturday. Almost identical to the Lake Superior State series on the road the week before. Drop the hammer Friday, then falter on Saturday.
This Nanooks team is much better than they are performing. There is effort in reserve somewhere. And if there is anytime to see a 100% weekend series effort, its this one. Well, its every weekend, but under the circumstances...
The Nanooks hit the road to Mankato, Minnesota to take on who a lot of folks consider the #1 team in the country, in their barn. For emphasis, their only loss at home came to UMD back in mid-October. And they only have 3 losses on the season in total. They've won six in a row and nine of the last ten. The defending WCHA champions have 7 players with 11+ points, and a goaltender from Fairbanks, who is tops in the country in winning percentage among goaltenders (11-1-0, .917).
They're no joke.
For the Nanooks offensively, they've shown that they can score goals. Especially lately. But they need to come together and play some defense. Goaltending has shown some promise, but they have been left out to dry in some cases. But every goaltender plays a bit differently, and the defensemen need to play off of whoever that guy is and make sure that he can read the play. But there hasn't been any consistency in net at all this season, every guy has taken reps thus far. Hard to say for me who's one, two, or three but the team defensively is going to struggle until they can gel with the playing style of whoever is between the pipes.
On another note, Nolan Youngmun has made the trip with the team and is expected to play. This will be his first action since being injured in practice prior to the Bemidji State series. Nolan is a force to be reckoned with on the ice and having his presence should be a big boost for the team.
Both games this weekend will be on Fox 7 in Fairbanks tape delayed. 8:30PM Friday, 7:30PM Saturday.
Go 'Nooks!
This Nanooks team is much better than they are performing. There is effort in reserve somewhere. And if there is anytime to see a 100% weekend series effort, its this one. Well, its every weekend, but under the circumstances...
The Nanooks hit the road to Mankato, Minnesota to take on who a lot of folks consider the #1 team in the country, in their barn. For emphasis, their only loss at home came to UMD back in mid-October. And they only have 3 losses on the season in total. They've won six in a row and nine of the last ten. The defending WCHA champions have 7 players with 11+ points, and a goaltender from Fairbanks, who is tops in the country in winning percentage among goaltenders (11-1-0, .917).
They're no joke.
For the Nanooks offensively, they've shown that they can score goals. Especially lately. But they need to come together and play some defense. Goaltending has shown some promise, but they have been left out to dry in some cases. But every goaltender plays a bit differently, and the defensemen need to play off of whoever that guy is and make sure that he can read the play. But there hasn't been any consistency in net at all this season, every guy has taken reps thus far. Hard to say for me who's one, two, or three but the team defensively is going to struggle until they can gel with the playing style of whoever is between the pipes.
On another note, Nolan Youngmun has made the trip with the team and is expected to play. This will be his first action since being injured in practice prior to the Bemidji State series. Nolan is a force to be reckoned with on the ice and having his presence should be a big boost for the team.
Both games this weekend will be on Fox 7 in Fairbanks tape delayed. 8:30PM Friday, 7:30PM Saturday.
Go 'Nooks!
Saturday, November 29, 2014
Nanooks' Lack of Discipline and Special Teams Sink Chances for a Sweep
NMU scored 4 power play goals on 7 chances, 2 of them majors and the Wildcats skate to a 4-1 final.
Ugly loss, it really is. I could give a laundry list of opinions about why tonight went like it did but in the end, the Nanooks did not get their heads into the game like they did last night. NMU got them off their game and it stayed that way and the Wildcats made them pay. That simple really.
Brandon Morley got tossed early in the second for a check from behind against Reed Seckel. It looked to me initially like they both lost their footing and fell forward into the boards, but Brandon did initiate that contact. Then tack on another major as Alec Hajdukovich leveled Reed Seckel (pretty sure that's not coincidence. He's pretty chirpy.) who started to lose his footing as he got rid of the puck. Unfortunate timing, but officials called it interference, which is essentially code for an unnecessarily rough late or early hit per the emphasis established for this year.
Nanooks got nabbed for a bunch of ticky tacky minor calls throughout the game too, that honestly shouldn't have been called. The officials let most everything go yesterday until Walt Kyle flies off the handle. Then today, the tune changes and it's slighted. Right after Duke's major went up late in the 2nd, Garrick Perry made an awesome center ice play to take the puck into NMU's zone to kill some time off the clock until an NMU player holds and rips the stick out of his hands. Right in front of Keith Sergott, one of tonight's officials who just let it go.
Ugly loss, it really is. I could give a laundry list of opinions about why tonight went like it did but in the end, the Nanooks did not get their heads into the game like they did last night. NMU got them off their game and it stayed that way and the Wildcats made them pay. That simple really.
Brandon Morley got tossed early in the second for a check from behind against Reed Seckel. It looked to me initially like they both lost their footing and fell forward into the boards, but Brandon did initiate that contact. Then tack on another major as Alec Hajdukovich leveled Reed Seckel (pretty sure that's not coincidence. He's pretty chirpy.) who started to lose his footing as he got rid of the puck. Unfortunate timing, but officials called it interference, which is essentially code for an unnecessarily rough late or early hit per the emphasis established for this year.
Nanooks got nabbed for a bunch of ticky tacky minor calls throughout the game too, that honestly shouldn't have been called. The officials let most everything go yesterday until Walt Kyle flies off the handle. Then today, the tune changes and it's slighted. Right after Duke's major went up late in the 2nd, Garrick Perry made an awesome center ice play to take the puck into NMU's zone to kill some time off the clock until an NMU player holds and rips the stick out of his hands. Right in front of Keith Sergott, one of tonight's officials who just let it go.
But either way you look at it, the Nanooks didn't play well enough to take the officiating out of the game and when your special teams unit allows 4 power play goals against, that's a hole that any team is going to have trouble digging out.
Next week the Nanooks are on the road to take on a highly ranked Minnesota State team with a familiar face between the pipes in Lathrop grad Stephon Williams. Will be a tough test for sure.
Got a long travel day ahead to get back to Fairbanks myself. But until next week, Go 'Nooks!
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