Re: 2010 Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup: The 'Banks vs. The 'Rage
Ok, enough of battling over funding and basketball. Puck drops in less than 48 hours. Here's my crack analysis and prediction.
Nanooks: 'Nooks have played well since the 5-0 debacle against Miami. In the last 8 games (not counting the BS shootouts in the CCHA, which is an entirely different discussion), we came back twice on NMU on the road in Marquette in an arena that is a notorious black hole for our program (tied the first game and lost the second 3-2, but were down 3-0 at one point), beat and tied #12 Michigan State, beat and tied Ohio State in Columbus, and swept Lake Superior State at home last week, posting 9 goals in doing so last weekend.
After going through a bit of a sophomore slump in January, Scott Greenham has greatly stepped up his play after Coach Ferguson threatened to start freshman Steve Thompson. Last week in particular he stopped 74 of 75 shots en route to CCHA Goalie of the Week. Scottie will need to play lights out this weekend for UAF to have a good chance at bringing the cup back.
The Nanook camp has been almost unusually quiet this week save for a quote from assistant coach Lance West that read something along the lines of "we know what's at stake". I do know what happened in the Governor's Cup last year burned and embarrassed this team, and rightly so.
Seawolves: UAA has had a bit of a February fade (in contrast to last season when they came on strong to finish out). I admittedly don't follow UAA too closely; I think any of my fellow Anchorage residents agree that the mainstream media here (that's you, Woody and ADN) make it almost impossible to follow in-state collegiate athletics. But hey, I sure do think it's great when high school track is on the front page of the sports section.
One thing I'll be interested to see is who starts in net for the Seawolves. Olthius seems to have won the battle with Christianson, but if my memory is correct it was Bryce who shut out UAF last year.
Coach Shyiak has admittedly had some pretty significant success against UAF; in all honesty beating your rival can always atone for quite a few other L's along the way. But it seems like over the last few years he's motivated UAA to get up for this series much more so than our guys have.
Overall: This has all the makings of two potentially great games. UAA is going for the senior sweep, and UAF, well, doesn't want that to happen. 'Nooks seem to have hit their stride this month, and UAA is always a tough out.
For UAA to win, they need to play their game, and play it with nothing to lose. Simple as that.
For UAF to win, we need to play smart and stay out of the penalty box. Specifically, we need to play like we did the night we tied Miami 1-1. Miami, much like UAA, is a team that we match up horribly against (and the next night it showed). But we tied them by playing smart and not letting their mind games work. And on the Saturday game, use the emotion of senior night at what will be a loud and rowdy Carlson Center to our advantage.
Friday night: 2-2 tie
Saturday night: UAF, 4-2.
Mark it down.