Squarebanks
New member
How many Purple Cow grads did it take to get our team out of the elevator?
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Alaska Nanooks: 2016-17 Season Thread
- Thread starter mmf
- Start date
How many Purple Cow grads did it take to get our team out of the elevator?
gfmorris
New member
Re: Alaska Nanooks: 2016-17 Season Thread
How many Trinity Lutheran kids got 1hr credit for the upcoming documentary: Trapped in an Elevator: Hockey Bear Saves the Day AGAIN
GFM
How many Trinity Lutheran kids got 1hr credit for the upcoming documentary: Trapped in an Elevator: Hockey Bear Saves the Day AGAIN
GFM
Re: Alaska Nanooks: 2016-17 Season Thread
"It's one of those games where you're not going to get a lot from them, you're going to have to earn everything," Ferguson continued. "We focused a lot on our checking and making sure we stayed on the right side of the puck but we needed to engage a little bit more offensively. There were some spurts there from Munson's line that saw two guys on the puck, they were winning battles and creating scoring chances, but we need a little bit more of that from everyone else."
Pretty much sums it up from what I saw. We weren't firing on all cylinders for the most part. For the most part, one and down in the O zone. Puck movement wasn't great, not crisp. That said, Mankato played well in their D zone. We couldn't sustain any time there. Yes we had a few shifts but not nearly enough. Credit to Mankato.
All that said, tonight's game will have a lot energy. I see the boys stepping up with a higher compete level in all three zones. Will be fun to watch
"It's one of those games where you're not going to get a lot from them, you're going to have to earn everything," Ferguson continued. "We focused a lot on our checking and making sure we stayed on the right side of the puck but we needed to engage a little bit more offensively. There were some spurts there from Munson's line that saw two guys on the puck, they were winning battles and creating scoring chances, but we need a little bit more of that from everyone else."
Pretty much sums it up from what I saw. We weren't firing on all cylinders for the most part. For the most part, one and down in the O zone. Puck movement wasn't great, not crisp. That said, Mankato played well in their D zone. We couldn't sustain any time there. Yes we had a few shifts but not nearly enough. Credit to Mankato.
All that said, tonight's game will have a lot energy. I see the boys stepping up with a higher compete level in all three zones. Will be fun to watch
UAFHockeyFan314
Blogger
The biggest issue for the Nanooks is not getting second chance scoring opportunities. Their goalie has great rebound control, and their defense does the rest. Our offense has to break through that shell and get to those second opportunities.
Ferguson kind of challenged his team last night in my interview "We have a better game in us". There just wasn't a lot of fire to the game last night. And they're gonna have to crank it up to 11 if they want a chance to stay in this thing.
mmf
Nanook Nation
Re: Alaska Nanooks: 2016-17 Season Thread
Under Ferguson we have typically been a pretty good skating club. But what this team lacks and what has not been a hallmark of Ferguson teams is a presence around the net. We only provide token traffic in front of goalies, even on a pp. It is always one of the” talking points” for success, but we seldom follow through on actual game play.
No net presence also means few rebound opportunities. But we don’t exactly try to capitalize on rebound opportunities either. More often than not our guys shoot high glove or stick side (if not missing the net entirely), and the shot is gobbled up. Keep the shots low and work for the rebound. Quit trying to score pretty goals.
The Nooks skated pretty well last night, but there was just something lacking. We need more physical play and scrums in front of the MSU net. That also gives them pause about pressuring out top.
We got this.
Go Nooks!
Under Ferguson we have typically been a pretty good skating club. But what this team lacks and what has not been a hallmark of Ferguson teams is a presence around the net. We only provide token traffic in front of goalies, even on a pp. It is always one of the” talking points” for success, but we seldom follow through on actual game play.
No net presence also means few rebound opportunities. But we don’t exactly try to capitalize on rebound opportunities either. More often than not our guys shoot high glove or stick side (if not missing the net entirely), and the shot is gobbled up. Keep the shots low and work for the rebound. Quit trying to score pretty goals.
The Nooks skated pretty well last night, but there was just something lacking. We need more physical play and scrums in front of the MSU net. That also gives them pause about pressuring out top.
We got this.
Go Nooks!
Squarebanks
New member
We've never been known for offense under this staff. Some years are better than others but I've noticed our offensive prowess depends in large part on our skill players, and this years team doesn't have a whole lot of skill (I mean that in a loving way!). We've won games and been competitive mostly with grit this season, and the nights we haven't had that are the nights we've been whipped, because the skill level isn't there to make it seem less bad.
I think they'll bounce back tonight, hopefully enough for a W. They've been better on Saturdays most of the season.
mmf
Nanook Nation
Re: Alaska Nanooks: 2016-17 Season Thread
Agreed. Even if we are good skating team, the difference between a mid pack team and a higher scoring and consistent top 3 team is higher end skilled finishers. That is not to say that in any given year any WCHA team couldn’t put together a team that can claim top spot. But only a few of the WCHA programs will consistently be at the top (such that it is). Such is the recruiting reality of many of the WCHA schools. We have had a few higher end skill guys (Taranto, Beck, Kunik, Parako, Morley), but even then we never really had net presence. We just don’t do it.
When you don’t have a stud or two it’s called scoring by committee. That’s our game right now, and with a little more effort I think we have a chance tonight. Nothing to lose. Get more shots on goal and go hard for rebounds. Really mix it up in front of Pawloski.
Go Nooks!
Agreed. Even if we are good skating team, the difference between a mid pack team and a higher scoring and consistent top 3 team is higher end skilled finishers. That is not to say that in any given year any WCHA team couldn’t put together a team that can claim top spot. But only a few of the WCHA programs will consistently be at the top (such that it is). Such is the recruiting reality of many of the WCHA schools. We have had a few higher end skill guys (Taranto, Beck, Kunik, Parako, Morley), but even then we never really had net presence. We just don’t do it.
When you don’t have a stud or two it’s called scoring by committee. That’s our game right now, and with a little more effort I think we have a chance tonight. Nothing to lose. Get more shots on goal and go hard for rebounds. Really mix it up in front of Pawloski.
Go Nooks!
UAFHockeyFan314
Blogger
Re: Alaska Nanooks: 2016-17 Season Thread
My initial end of
season takes -
Positives
Exceeded critic's expectations by finishing 6th (11W-13L in WCHA, 12W-20L overall)
Improved from prior year ('15/16 8th place 8W-16L in WCHA, 10W-22L overall)
Very solid nucleus for the next 2 years
Above average team speed
Generally speaking good work ethnic (yes there was flat games but every level of hockey has that even NHL)
Needs improvement
Scoring (more of)
Would like to see bigger forwards (for wall battles and net front presence)
Special Teams especially power play (have to score more with man advantage since 5 on 5 is lacking)
Cut PIMS down significantly
Minimize neutral zone turnovers
The boys should be/will be happy with their season. The future is bright.
Go Nooks
My initial end of
season takes -
Positives
Exceeded critic's expectations by finishing 6th (11W-13L in WCHA, 12W-20L overall)
Improved from prior year ('15/16 8th place 8W-16L in WCHA, 10W-22L overall)
Very solid nucleus for the next 2 years
Above average team speed
Generally speaking good work ethnic (yes there was flat games but every level of hockey has that even NHL)
Needs improvement
Scoring (more of)
Would like to see bigger forwards (for wall battles and net front presence)
Special Teams especially power play (have to score more with man advantage since 5 on 5 is lacking)
Cut PIMS down significantly
Minimize neutral zone turnovers
The boys should be/will be happy with their season. The future is bright.
Go Nooks
Squarebanks
New member
One can argue that the WCHA overall was worse than last year, but the fact this team performed better this season compared to last season, despite being considerably less talented than last years squad, is a testament to our coaches and the importance of team chemistry.
Agree with the rest of your post. If this squad stays together, and can improve on its league-worst GAA, they'll continue to get better in the standings.
mmf
Nanook Nation
Re: Alaska Nanooks: 2016-17 Season Thread
Serratore has to be the odds on favorite for WCHA Coach of the year, but Ferguson probably did a better job than most with what he had. The team had growing pains but also chemistry. With 19 underclassmen, including 12 freshmen, and goaltending that took over half a year to settle in, the Nooks did OK. With an ineligible player back in the lineup, and the few new incoming recruits, I’m already looking forward to next year. Home ice baby!
Go Nooks!
Serratore has to be the odds on favorite for WCHA Coach of the year, but Ferguson probably did a better job than most with what he had. The team had growing pains but also chemistry. With 19 underclassmen, including 12 freshmen, and goaltending that took over half a year to settle in, the Nooks did OK. With an ineligible player back in the lineup, and the few new incoming recruits, I’m already looking forward to next year. Home ice baby!
Go Nooks!
mmf
Nanook Nation
Re: Alaska Nanooks: 2016-17 Season Thread
Is there a site or link that summarizes accumulated minutes a team actually played a man (or two) down? Curious what that looks like for the WCHA without doing it myself through individual game stat pages. We had a few post game scraps with tons of penalty minutes which didn’t mean a thing. But so did other teams.
Is there a site or link that summarizes accumulated minutes a team actually played a man (or two) down? Curious what that looks like for the WCHA without doing it myself through individual game stat pages. We had a few post game scraps with tons of penalty minutes which didn’t mean a thing. But so did other teams.
Squarebanks
New member
We are lucky to have a coaching staff that knows how to get the most out of what they are given, talent-wise. If there's any doubt, look at the difference between us and Anchorage. And UAA has one of the better goalies in the conference.
If we can figure out goaltending from the start next season I think we will contend for home ice. If it's shaky we will be somewhere between 6-8 again.
I've heard word that the Swedish goalie they brought over is supposed to be pretty good.
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Alaska Hockey
Registered User
gfmorris
New member
Re: Alaska Nanooks: 2016-17 Season Thread
LOL. I'm only one man, and that kind of thing is actually more for UAHstatman and not me.
GFM
LOL. I'm only one man, and that kind of thing is actually more for UAHstatman and not me.
GFM
Squarebanks
New member
Re: Alaska Nanooks: 2016-17 Season Thread
Davis Jones snagged an ATO with the Aces. Sounds like one of their main guys is still in the AHL.
Davis Jones snagged an ATO with the Aces. Sounds like one of their main guys is still in the AHL.
Alaska Hockey
Registered User
Re: Alaska Nanooks: 2016-17 Season Thread
Or they played near somebody's hometown and he penciled it out, better to jump ship after team breakfast and have Mom
pick him up than maybe play 8 more games and have to hitchhike back home.
Or they played near somebody's hometown and he penciled it out, better to jump ship after team breakfast and have Mom
pick him up than maybe play 8 more games and have to hitchhike back home.