Alaska Nanooks 2012-2013: Going Out With a Bang

[Squarebanks]

Re: Alaska Nanooks 2012-2013: Going Out With a Bang

Considering that two of last year’s more highly regarded freshmen never suited up, you might have something there. But I would say that we under-performed across the board, probably more so than any other team in the CCHA.

On average we out-shot opponents (we all know how important that is ) in every period last year and ended up overall with a 1,070 to 935 advantage. But we got out-scored 94 to 84 overall. We consistently lost the 2nd period, even when we seemed to dominate the 1st, and lost a lot of close games and games late in the third. So it appears the coaches also underperformed last year.

We only lost 14% of our “goal scoring machine” to graduation. Our top 4 goals scorers, and the only four in double digits are back: Kunyk(15), Taranto(12), Beck(12), Grandberg(10). We lost about 30% of total point production to graduation, with Finucci and Gens accounting for most of that. We should be better offensively than we have been in a while. Defense will be young. Goaltending is an unknown.

I think we will be a tougher team then early season polls will show. But I say that almost every year. Law of averages are in my favor this year. Can’t wait for the puck to drop.

Go Nooks!

This feels like 2008-09, minus the coaching upheaval. Coming off an under-achieving year with a pretty talented roster, overlooked by pretty much everybody, etc. The pieces are in place for a good bounce-back year, but like I said earlier, we'll have a good idea how good we are (or aren't) after the Brice.

 

[Suze]

Re: Alaska Nanooks 2012-2013: Going Out With a Bang

This feels like 2008-09, minus the coaching upheaval. Coming off an under-achieving year with a pretty talented roster, overlooked by pretty much everybody, etc. The pieces are in place for a good bounce-back year, but like I said earlier, we'll have a good idea how good we are (or aren't) after the Brice.

Probably not. UND is barely dressing enough players to field a team for your tourney.

 

[Squarebanks]

Re: Alaska Nanooks 2012-2013: Going Out With a Bang

Probably not. UND is barely dressing enough players to field a team for your tourney.

I still don't overlook them. Merrimack is no slouch, either. Should be some good games all the way around.

Our first CCHA series after the Brice is at Ferris State (something about being involved in a championship game). Even with a watered down North Dakota, we'll still be tested early on.

 

[mmf]

Re: Alaska Nanooks 2012-2013: Going Out With a Bang

Probably not. UND is barely dressing enough players to field a team for your tourney.

Wow. I’m glad you guys have already penciled in your win against UND. I’m a little worried for the Nooks. I would expect that under the circumstances, the Sioux will be a bit motivated each night to not let their suspended teammates down or compound any embarrassment to the program. But maybe that’s just me…or maybe you just forgot a or two in your post.

Go Nooks!

 

[Schlacker Rat]

Probably not. UND is barely dressing enough players to field a team for your tourney.

The players that ND have suspended are only going to be out when they play the seapuppies. They will be at full strength when the Nooks play them the next night.

 

[Squarebanks]

The players that ND have suspended are only going to be out when they play the seapuppies. They will be at full strength when the Nooks play them the next night.

Not quite correct. Captains were suspended for the UAA game. Four non-captains were suspended for the UAF game.

 

[seawolfpunk]

Not quite correct. Captains were suspended for the UAA game. Four non-captains were suspended for the UAF game.

Actually one captain (Danny "frostbite" Kristo) is not making the trip it sounds like

 

[Suze]

Re: Alaska Nanooks 2012-2013: Going Out With a Bang

Wow. I’m glad you guys have already penciled in your win against UND. I’m a little worried for the Nooks. I would expect that under the circumstances, the Sioux will be a bit motivated each night to not let their suspended teammates down or compound any embarrassment to the program. But maybe that’s just me…or maybe you just forgot a or two in your post.

Go Nooks!

Nope, I'm not counting on any wins. I'm just saying it is going to be hard to judge both of our teams performance BECAUSE UND is not going to be at full strength. If UAA beats them I won't know if it's because they played good or because UND was depleted.

 

[Squarebanks]

Re: Alaska Nanooks 2012-2013: Going Out With a Bang

Blue and Gold Game is tomorrow at the Patty, along with the inaugural Nanook Fan Fest.

Hockey season is finally here.

 

[Squarebanks]

Re: Alaska Nanooks 2012-2013: Going Out With a Bang

Coach Ferguson talking a little bit about the Blue/Gold game and other assorted activities:

 

[Squarebanks]

Re: Alaska Nanooks 2012-2013: Going Out With a Bang

The best thing about the Blue/Gold game is that either way, the 'Nooks win.

Blue beat Gold 2-1; Colton Beck had both tallies for the Blue and freshman/local Alec Hadjukovich (did I spell that right?) had the goal for the Gold.

Steve Thompson and John Keeney took the lions share of the minutes in goal; Thompson allowed two goals on 12 shots and Keeney allowed one on 10 shots. Sean Cahill split time between squads, and to his credit allowed no goals on 17 shots.

I had some other obligations last night so that's the best I can do based on the box score and recap. Anyone who was there that can shed some extra light and/or photos?

It's good to have hockey back.

 

[mmf]

Re: Alaska Nanooks 2012-2013: Going Out With a Bang

Hockey is back in town. Nice showing for the first annual Fan Fest and then the Blue/Gold game. The Patty Rink was packed and the crowd got a chance to check out this year’s team. Intra-squad games are what they are, but the last couple of years the boys seem to work pretty hard at it, while at the same time trying to avoid unnecessary injuries. Blue bested the Gold squad 2-1, like that matters at all.

Everybody gets lots of action, so it was nice to see the mix of new players and returnees all on the ice…

All three goalies got to show their stuff. Thompson started off in net for the Gold (White) squad. This year will a little different for the Nooks as there is probably not a clear #1 goaltender, and I don’t think last night changed anything. It will be a while before that spot settles out, if it ever does…

Cahill started off in goal for the Blue squad, and I believe stopped all 17 shots he faced throughout the game, as a net-minder for both squads. Blue did a little better job on D in front of Cahill, and he had no problem handling this slapper from Youngmun…

Beck scored both goals for the Blue squad. He either has a real nose for the puck, or the Gold D let up after the initial shot, because both of Beck’s tallies were rebound tap ins. Beck first goal off a Kunyk shot made the Gold D squad pay for sloppy D…

…and his second goal off a Yaremchuk shot was sitting there for the taking…and he took it…

The Gold squad continued to put on some pressure in the first half, but was not able to get one past Cahill…

Keeney also saw duty as the Blue’s squad net-minder in the first half as well as in the second half, and stopped about 9 shots throughout the evening.

Half time saw a number of skills competitions, including the fastest skater (Beck), and the hardest shot (Tateson). Both Tateson and Kaiser registered 100mph shots, with Tateson besting Kaiser in a tie breaker. The squads also competed in a shoot-out drill, which is very important for no other reason than winning the Governor’s Cup. Word has it that the Seawolves never ever practice a shootout drill with their goalies and that is the only reason we retained the cup again, and again, and again…

A couple of newcomers broke up the Blue squad’s shut-out bid late in the game when Hajdukovich put one past Keeney off an assist from Parayko. It came out quick and the Gold team got a little anxious when the ref was late in making the call…

The squads even practiced running the goalie, again, for no other reason than the Governor’s Cup.

Go Nooks!

 

[birdman]

Re: Alaska Nanooks 2012-2013: Going Out With a Bang

I'm not sure Air Force will be easy, new goalie and first game could be difficult. Hopefully we will have more than one line that can consistantly score.

Air Force #19 in USCHO poll, they should be a real test for young nanooks and inexperienced goalie.

 

[Squarebanks]

Re: Alaska Nanooks 2012-2013: Going Out With a Bang

Cody Kunyk named to the preseason all-CCHA second team. First team was the Western Michigan and Notre Dame show.

 

[UAA Seawolves Fan]

Re: Alaska Nanooks 2012-2013: Going Out With a Bang

Since I didn't see any info about it here, I wanted to let you guys know about the lack-of-ice situation at Sullivan Arena. A freon leak has created a situation where the entire system is being replaced. Hopefully repairs are completed by next week, however the University is making plans in case that doesn't occur. The current backup plan is to hold the Kendall Classic at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex on the UAA Campus, a facility lacking a significant number of seats. For any of you thinking about making the trip down, maybe keep an eye on the situation.

http://www.adn.com/2012/09/26/2641704/making-ice-a-problem-at-sullivan.html

http://www.adn.com/2012/10/01/2646853/make-it-alaskan-event-canceled.html

 

[Squarebanks]

Re: Alaska Nanooks 2012-2013: Going Out With a Bang

Since I didn't see any info about it here, I wanted to let you guys know about the lack-of-ice situation at Sullivan Arena. A freon leak has created a situation where the entire system is being replaced. Hopefully repairs are completed by next week, however the University is making plans in case that doesn't occur. The current backup plan is to hold the Kendall Classic at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex on the UAA Campus, a facility lacking a significant number of seats. For any of you thinking about making the trip down, maybe keep an eye on the situation.

http://www.adn.com/2012/09/26/2641704/making-ice-a-problem-at-sullivan.html

http://www.adn.com/2012/10/01/2646853/make-it-alaskan-event-canceled.html

I'm not trying to sound like a dick, but last year there couldn't have been more than a few hundred people for both of UAF's Kendall games, especially the Friday game. At least from that angle it probably won't be a huge deal for the Nooks to play at WFSC.

This also begs the question, if the tournament gets moved to the UAA campus, will ticket prices come down to compensate for the lack of seating and other amenities?

 

[Squarebanks]

Re: Alaska Nanooks 2012-2013: Going Out With a Bang

Adam Henderson will wear the C for the 'Nooks this year.

Andy Taranto, Kaare Odegaard, and Colton Beck will wear the A's.

Nice video talking about the selections:

 

[Suze]

Re: Alaska Nanooks 2012-2013: Going Out With a Bang

I'm not trying to sound like a dick, but last year there couldn't have been more than a few hundred people for both of UAF's Kendall games, especially the Friday game. At least from that angle it probably won't be a huge deal for the Nooks to play at WFSC.

This also begs the question, if the tournament gets moved to the UAA campus, will ticket prices come down to compensate for the lack of seating and other amenities?

I doubt it because those with season tickets have already paid full price for their tickets. I may be totally wrong, but that's my hunch.

 

[Alaskana]

Re: Alaska Nanooks 2012-2013: Going Out With a Bang

I'm kind of bummed that Kriskpytoes won't be making the trip to Fairbanks. I would have liked to see UAA face off against a fully charged Sioux
lineup. Nonetheless, if, IF we get a victory it will still be delightful.

 

[Suze]

Re: Alaska Nanooks 2012-2013: Going Out With a Bang

I'm kind of bummed that Kriskpytoes won't be making the trip to Fairbanks. I would have liked to see UAA face off against a fully charged Sioux
lineup. Nonetheless, if, IF we get a victory it will still be delightful.

Kriskpytoes? Too funny. Best post of the thread!