Alaska Nanooks, 2011-12 Season Thread - The Long Goodbye.

[Squarebanks]

Re: Alaska Nanooks, 2011-12 Season Thread - The Long Goodbye.

Did the team get out of Fairbanks ahead of the storm?

It appears that the State of Alaska going 0-fer in conference play is getting on all of our respective nerves.

But yes, the storm is in the Bering Sea, a good 500 miles west of Fairbanks (or Anchorage).

 

[Alaska Hockey]

Re: Alaska Nanooks, 2011-12 Season Thread - The Long Goodbye.

Be nice, Alaska Hockey, or someone might notice that you didn't get your degree in English. (You meant "counties," I think.} BadgerAlum, the answer is yes. The storm isn't near us, though.

You are so right my English is bad and I needed more clarity in my response.
Nome to Fairbanks or Anchorage is farther than Madison is to New York City as the crow flies.
So I guess the folks in Madison didn’t board up the windows last August, when over 800 miles away Hurricane Irene hit New York City.

 

[mmf]

Re: Alaska Nanooks, 2011-12 Season Thread - The Long Goodbye.

Great effort by Thompson tonight. But another loss. Unfortunate for those giving it their all. Our defense lacks effort and unfortunately, grit. I can give the underclassmen a pass, but our senior D are weak. And quite frankly I think a lot of it is our systems. I think a change in one or both of our assistant coaches would not be a bad thing. We need new blood.

I was hoping we would win or tie this one so the same comments, which would have been made regardless, wouldn't sound so much like a knee jerk response to a loss.

We need to get Butcher and Odegard back and hope it makes a difference. It probably won't, but it gives us hope. If we continue to "let" teams do anything they want in our end then it will continue to be a long year. Occasionally the opposing forwards let our D guys rub up against them along the boards out of loneliness or something, but when they want, they either go over, around, or through them almost at will.

I never blame the outcome of a game on the refs, but occasionally I'll scratch my head on the calls. My scalp is itching like h*ll tonight. And it's not the first time this year. The only thing I can think of is the same passive approach that instills lack luster effort when you are behind a goal, also inspires refs to not give a **** because you are an also-ran program, not one of the premier programs, and too timid to stand up and complain anyway.

Watch Ferris next week. If they play us like they did last year they challenge everything, always in your face, never let you set up on the pp, and always look like they are playing desperate hockey. They don't have any more talent than we do, just a different coaching philosophy IMHO.

 

[Squarebanks]

Re: Alaska Nanooks, 2011-12 Season Thread - The Long Goodbye.

Great effort by Thompson tonight. But another loss. Unfortunate for those giving it their all. Our defense lacks effort and unfortunately, grit. I can give the underclassmen a pass, but our senior D are weak. And quite frankly I think a lot of it is our systems. I think a change in one or both of our assistant coaches would not be a bad thing. We need new blood.

I was hoping we would win or tie this one so the same comments, which would have been made regardless, wouldn't sound so much like a knee jerk response to a loss.

We need to get Butcher and Odegard back and hope it makes a difference. It probably won't, but it gives us hope. If we continue to "let" teams do anything they want in our end then it will continue to be a long year. Occasionally the opposing forwards let our D guys rub up against them along the boards out of loneliness or something, but when they want, they either go over, around, or through them almost at will.

I never blame the outcome of a game on the refs, but occasionally I'll scratch my head on the calls. My scalp is itching like h*ll tonight. And it's not the first time this year. The only thing I can think of is the same passive approach that instills lack luster effort when you are behind a goal, also inspires refs to not give a **** because you are an also-ran program, not one of the premier programs, and too timid to stand up and complain anyway.

Watch Ferris next week. If they play us like they did last year they challenge everything, always in your face, never let you set up on the pp, and always look like they are playing desperate hockey. They don't have any more talent than we do, just a different coaching philosophy IMHO.

This weekend was just a gut punch. I thought our guys laid it all out there, especially today, and deserved to win. It's doubly frustrating because this is the first weekend all year where we seem to have really clicked. Pucks actually found the back of the net, and Kunyk reminded everybody how he became our leading scorer last year.

Part of our problem, in my estimation, is that our general game plan is to play tight defense, clog the passing/shooting lanes, and get one or two timely goals. Almost like a hockey version of a prevent-offense (no pun intended). Well that works great when your D is up to the task, because you can ride the defense to wins. But when your defense is as porous as it has been most of this season, everything goes to hell and the system breaks down. We allow teams to impose their will in front of the net, something that has never happened under Ferguson until now.

The other issue that hasn't gotten as much notice, but should, is we are taking far more penalties this year.

I thought Steve Thompson had a whale of a game tonight, particularly impressive considering that he's played twice since 2009. He kept the final score from being more like 5-2 or 6-2. Since we are already at the point of playing for pride, I hope Thompson and Cahill get a few more games this season. I admire the heck out of Scott Greenham and would argue that he is probably the best goaltender that our program has ever seen (it's either him or Chad Johnson, but I give Scott the benefit of the doubt as we really only had Chad playing consistently for one year), but since things like the NCAA tourney and home playoff ice are pretty much out of the question now, I'd like to see the other guys get a few reps in preparation for next year without Greenham.

This team hasn't faced much adversity since Ferguson took over in 2008; we've just always been the steady eddy, collecting points every weekend and humming right along. I thought we played with some passion this weekend, and hopefully the team doesn't give up hope just yet. I think if we come out with the same fire against Ferris and Bowling Green in the next two weeks our fortunes will start to change.

 

[mmf]

Re: Alaska Nanooks, 2011-12 Season Thread - The Long Goodbye.

I should have settled down before I made that last post. I can't imagine how frustrated the team and the coaches must feel. It's too easy to forget that all these young men work their butts off on the ice and in the classroom and represent the University well. We have some issues but our fortunes will change. I should know better.

I hope Ferris is looking at our record and having a hard time getting psyched for this series. In addition to the -35 temps, I hope the whole trip is a rude awakening for them. I doubt it will be difficult for the Nooks to get up for this series.

Go Nooks!

 

[Squarebanks]

Re: Alaska Nanooks, 2011-12 Season Thread - The Long Goodbye.

Headed to Fairbanks this morning. Looking forward to some real Alaska weather.

 

[Squarebanks]

Re: Alaska Nanooks, 2011-12 Season Thread - The Long Goodbye.

Standing at the gate at FAI and just watched the Ferris State hockey team arrive, a mere 25 hours before the puck drop.

I hope the jet lag kicks in.

 

[mmf]

Re: Alaska Nanooks, 2011-12 Season Thread - The Long Goodbye.

Standing at the gate at FAI and just watched the Ferris State hockey team arrive, a mere 25 hours before the puck drop...

Are you sure they we're arriving? Maybe they got in last night and figured they had already had enough of -40 and were headed out. Can't blame them.

We're probably the only team in the country where two 1-0 forfeits might actually increase our scoring average.

Go Nooks!

 

[Squarebanks]

Re: Alaska Nanooks, 2011-12 Season Thread - The Long Goodbye.

Nice to get that monkey off our back. Big props to Greenham for a heck of a bounce-back.

Hopefully it carries ever to tonight!

 

[Squarebanks]

Re: Alaska Nanooks, 2011-12 Season Thread - The Long Goodbye.

Yet another hard-luck loss on Saturday against Ferris. In a depressing way I wasn't surprised, not because I don't have faith in our team but because, 2-0 Friday shutout excluded, CCHA play has been nothing but bad luck and bad bounces for us.

Anyway, hopefully the guys got out to Ohio yesterday before the Thanksgiving travel rush really hits. I picked us to sweep Bowling Green, mostly as much out of blind faith as anything else. Realistically we should be able to split out there.

Ordinarily I'm not a fan of the long holiday break that we get stuck with most years (I think this year is five weeks with no games), but this year it can't get here soon enough. If we can just limp through BG and the home series against Michigan the following weekend and scrap away a few points somehow, I think the month off will do our injuries a world of good. One silver lining that Coach Ferguson alluded to in the nice USCHO article by Paula Weston today is that the tough-luck season has accelerated development for a lot of other guys.

So, that said, I'm going to go out on a limb: Assuming we can get reasonably healthy over Christmas break, I wager that we turn in to the CCHA team that nobody else wants to play in the second half of the season. Particularly if we can inch back into home-ice contention and get a home playoff series in Fairbanks, I think we will turn a few heads between January and March. Probably won't be enough to do anything super amazing, but enough to remind people why we've been one of the stoutest teams in the CCHA since late 2008.

Go 'Nooks. I still believe.

 

[Suze]

Re: Alaska Nanooks, 2011-12 Season Thread - The Long Goodbye.

Yet another hard-luck loss on Saturday against Ferris. In a depressing way I wasn't surprised, not because I don't have faith in our team but because, 2-0 Friday shutout excluded, CCHA play has been nothing but bad luck and bad bounces for us.

Anyway, hopefully the guys got out to Ohio yesterday before the Thanksgiving travel rush really hits. I picked us to sweep Bowling Green, mostly as much out of blind faith as anything else. Realistically we should be able to split out there.

Ordinarily I'm not a fan of the long holiday break that we get stuck with most years (I think this year is five weeks with no games), but this year it can't get here soon enough. If we can just limp through BG and the home series against Michigan the following weekend and scrap away a few points somehow, I think the month off will do our injuries a world of good. One silver lining that Coach Ferguson alluded to in the nice USCHO article by Paula Weston today is that the tough-luck season has accelerated development for a lot of other guys.

So, that said, I'm going to go out on a limb: Assuming we can get reasonably healthy over Christmas break, I wager that we turn in to the CCHA team that nobody else wants to play in the second half of the season. Particularly if we can inch back into home-ice contention and get a home playoff series in Fairbanks, I think we will turn a few heads between January and March. Probably won't be enough to do anything super amazing, but enough to remind people why we've been one of the stoutest teams in the CCHA since late 2008.

Go 'Nooks. I still believe.

I feel your pain. UAA has several key guys who need to get healed up as well. Sigh.

 

[UAFHockeyFan314]

Re: Alaska Nanooks, 2011-12 Season Thread - The Long Goodbye.

I posted my full commentary on the blog, but that was some of the best hockey I've seen from the Nooks in some time. The 2-0 win was a tough one against Ferris a week ago, but the guys pulled through. Tonight, they laid everything out there and beat BG like step children. If I can expect this level of play from our team every game, we'll be just fine as the season goes on.

It's also great to see Odie back. His hit on Wallace was classic and got the team going. Hopefully we get Butcher back for the Michigan series and get him back on the ice before the long break.

 

[Squarebanks]

Re: Alaska Nanooks, 2011-12 Season Thread - The Long Goodbye.

I posted my full commentary on the blog, but that was some of the best hockey I've seen from the Nooks in some time. The 2-0 win was a tough one against Ferris a week ago, but the guys pulled through. Tonight, they laid everything out there and beat BG like step children. If I can expect this level of play from our team every game, we'll be just fine as the season goes on.

It's also great to see Odie back. His hit on Wallace was classic and got the team going. Hopefully we get Butcher back for the Michigan series and get him back on the ice before the long break.

They've got the ability to hang with anybody...just haven't gotten the bounces this year, and until the second Notre Dame game hadn't been getting the goaltending. Greenham stole that game against FSU last week; if he gets hot that will be a tremendous help against the more high-powered teams.

If we can squeeze out another W tonight that would be huge.

 

[Squarebanks]

Re: Alaska Nanooks, 2011-12 Season Thread - The Long Goodbye.

Six points, back-to-back shutouts, and three shutouts in four games. Doesn't get much better than that this time of year. Greenham with a 0.75 GAA since getting benched against Notre Dame.

Big weekend for our guys...hopefully this gives us some momentum against Michigan next week. Looking forward to it.

 

[mmf]

Re: Alaska Nanooks, 2011-12 Season Thread - The Long Goodbye.

Important win for the Nooks last night as they hold off Michigan in a 4-3 effort. Kunyk, Quinn and Beck(2) scored for the Nooks, and Treais, Moffie, and Wohlberg for Michigan. I thought Greenham let in fairly soft goal, but also made some very tough saves.

We'll need a stronger effort Saturday if we expect more than a split. We quit being aggressive with the two goal lead and Michigan took it to us for much of the third. A win Saturday night would be a great way to end the first half. With the tough luck start we've had, and the injuries we've endured, finishing up winning five of our last six entering the break would be a real confidence builder. We need time to heal and prepare for a strong second half.

Here are a few shots from the first period.

The Nooks had a number of good opportunities early on but couldn't pull the trigger...

Ronnie was his usual Mr. Hustle and as captain, led the team by example...

Adam Henderson didn't show up on the score card, but kept Hunwick on his toes all night...

Taranto had a solid game, and as usual always attracted a little attention...

Greenham played a solid game, letting in one he probably wished he had back, but making some outstanding saves when called upon...

Although giving up an early goal, the Nooks kept the pressure on much of the first period...

Cody Kunyk popped the water bottle and tied it at one each about midway through the first, with helpers going to Gens and Taranto...

Greenham faced 17 shots in the third and came up big when it counted...

Go Nooks!

 

[mmf]

Re: Alaska Nanooks, 2011-12 Season Thread - The Long Goodbye.

I was kind of hoping we would lose last night. I missed the record cold snap and listened to the BGSU series while out of town. I was prepared to claim that we only win when I'm on a Mexican beach, at sunset, drinking beer... vowing to head back to Puerto Vallarta in support of the Nooks. We all have to be willing to sacrifice. Crap, we won.

 

[aygwm2]

Re: Alaska Nanooks, 2011-12 Season Thread - The Long Goodbye.

Here are a few shots from the first period.

Thanks for the pics. Love to see the Wolverines at number 10 in the CCHA. But, I think the second half of the CCHA season could shape up to be quite a battle between those 10 teams. And I don't want to rule out BGSU from being a spoiler.

 

[Squarebanks]

Re: Alaska Nanooks, 2011-12 Season Thread - The Long Goodbye.

Nice win last night. You can tell that some confidence has built and they're getting into more of a groove. Michigan will bring the house tonight, though.

 

[Squarebanks]

Re: Alaska Nanooks, 2011-12 Season Thread - The Long Goodbye.

Thanks for the pics. Love to see the Wolverines at number 10 in the CCHA. But, I think the second half of the CCHA season could shape up to be quite a battle between those 10 teams. And I don't want to rule out BGSU from being a spoiler.

There's about as much parity as I've ever seen in the CCHA this year.

 

[UAFHockeyFan314]

Re: Alaska Nanooks, 2011-12 Season Thread - The Long Goodbye.

The guys can't get comfortable tonight. They have to keep attacking, keep pushing, and don't even give Michigan a chance to come back. Hunwick really isn't very good, and the guys identified that and took advantage of several chances. If Michigan's D wasn't as good as they are, that game could have been 7-3... I wouldn't mind seeing that score tonight.