uaa @ UAF March 4 & 5 … Why? …Because it really is never too early.

[Squarebanks]

Yup, you had a good crowd ... for once this season.

Twice, actually. Thank you very much. And it was still bigger than anything you got at the Sully.

 

[Squarebanks]

Just because I haven't "been" to other barns does not mean I have not watched a TON of college hockey on the internet and cable TV. I have never seen a crowd act that way when players were being introduced, so loud that you couldn't even hear their names being announced.

An opposing rivalry team got jeered during introductions? I hope their feelings weren't hurt.

Walk it off and be happy you're going to be at what is effectively a playoff game tomorrow for the right to move on.

 

[Jimjamesak]

Re: uaa @ UAF March 4 & 5 … Why? …Because it really is never too early.

Re: uaa @ UAF March 4 & 5 … Why? …Because it really is never too early.

What's sad is Suze is recycling the same tired stuff. "Cheaters!" "Your crowd is disrespectful!" etc. We have zero legs to stand on at this point when it comes to trash talk.

I don't know where the low point for this program is but we're getting close to it.

Part of me doesn't want them to win tomorrow either. Just *ing end this misery. Not like we deserve to be in the playoffs anyway...

 

[UAFIceAngel]

Just because I haven't "been" to other barns does not mean I have not watched a TON of college hockey on the internet and cable TV. I have never seen a crowd act that way when players were being introduced, so loud that you couldn't even hear their names being announced.

I was at a Minnesota game when they were playing UAA in Minnesota. The students there saw a fan wearing an Alaska Grown sweater, he wasn't even cheering for any team and the Minny students stood up and started chanting "*****hole! *****hole!" while pointing to him.

 

[UAFHockeyFan314]

100% correct.

I've personally been to Western Michigan, Notre Dame, Michigan, Minnesota, Miami, and sadly Ferris State. All to watch the Nanooks play.

The 'Nooks had a good crowd tonight. But it's G-rated Childs play compared to almost any of those barns. Especially Yost and Lawson.

 

[AKSWF]

What's sad is Suze is recycling the same tired stuff. "Cheaters!" "Your crowd is disrespectful!" etc. We have zero legs to stand on at this point when it comes to trash talk.

I don't know where the low point for this program is but we're getting close to it.

Part of me doesn't want them to win tomorrow either. Just *ing end this misery. Not like we deserve to be in the playoffs anyway...

Yep gonna go full negative here. We do not deserve to play in the playoffs. Fairbanks does.

Took us 20+ straight years of losing to get a winning season (2 games over .500 BTW), it might take another 20, assuming we survive the budget cuts.

During the pregame interviews, again Matt Thomas iterated that the press and fans build up this series more than they need too. This weekend is just as important as when we faced UAH & Michigan Tech.

I'm assuming that alludes to a marginal effort last night, and then going balls out tonight. Do I care if we win, idk my couple of drinks are long consumed.

 

[AKSWF]

I was at a Minnesota game when they were playing UAA in Minnesota. The students there saw a fan wearing an Alaska Grown sweater, he wasn't even cheering for any team and the Minny students stood up and started chanting "*****hole! *****hole!" while pointing to him.

I actually agree with you IceAngel. I can see that happening easily, especially after sending those **** rodents packing in their own barn. No pigs are not flying, but it did snow in Anchorage. Like two inches that'll probably melt before Sunday, but still.

 

[Jimjamesak]

During the pregame interviews, again Matt Thomas iterated that the press and fans build up this series more than they need too. This weekend is just as important as when we faced UAH & Michigan Tech.

I'm assuming that alludes to a marginal effort tonight, and then going balls out tonight. Do I care if we win, idk my couple of drinks are long consumed.

If that's a true statement then he should not be the coach and leader of this program. That's a "you need to turn in your resignation letter" type of statement. Absolutely unacceptable. How in the hell are we supposed to build our program if we can't even care about our rivalry?

I agree, I really don't care if we win tomorrow. We get to go get our *es handed to us by Mankato? Whoopdee *ing doo. Meanwhile we're now 7 years without a Governor's Cup, eternity without a home playoff series, and a serious doubt as to whether the program will even exist in two years.

 

[Squarebanks]

and a serious doubt as to whether the program will even exist in two years.

Yesterday, Senate finance put $25 million back in the UA budget and got rid of the intent language on research and athletics.

Fight's not over yet but it was a big step in the right direction. Also hearing some rumors that some strong people are being recruited to run against Tammie Wilson this fall. Most, if not all, other Fairbanks-area legislators are not happy with her.

Senate finishes up UA budget

http://www.newsminer.com/news/local_news/senate-finishes-up-ua-budget/article_c0d2f8d6-e2af-11e5-ba2c-2fc02f065a08.html

(Nothing from ADN, naturally)

 

[Jimjamesak]

Yesterday, Senate finance put $25 million back in the UA budget and got rid of the intent language on research and athletics.

Fight's not over yet but it was a big step in the right direction. Also hearing some rumors that some strong people are being recruited to run against Tammie Wilson this fall. Most, if not all, other Fairbanks-area legislators are not happy with her.

Senate finishes up UA budget

http://www.newsminer.com/news/local_news/senate-finishes-up-ua-budget/article_c0d2f8d6-e2af-11e5-ba2c-2fc02f065a08.html

(Nothing from ADN, naturally)

To be honest, while that helps a bit, every loss makes it that much harder to justify to people within the university and the community that the program should continue to run.

The people at the university sees money being cut from their programs while money is being spent on hockey for... what exactly? And now apparently the program doesn't even care about beating UAF?

The community at large doesn't care about the program. They're losers, they're going to lose, they lost again? Typical. I've even heard it referred to as "state paid welfare for Canadian kids" by a coworker.

Every loss just piles on the "why are we spending this money?" questions. As the economy goes south and so does the win-loss record, it gets harder to answer that.

 

[AKSWF]

Re: uaa @ UAF March 4 & 5 … Why? …Because it really is never too early.

Re: uaa @ UAF March 4 & 5 … Why? …Because it really is never too early.

If that's a true statement then he should not be the coach and leader of this program. That's a "you need to turn in your resignation letter" type of statement. Absolutely unacceptable. How in the hell are we supposed to build our program if we can't even care about our rivalry?

This was not word for word, but **** close.

 

[mmf]

Re: uaa @ UAF March 4 & 5 … Why? …Because it really is never too early.

Re: uaa @ UAF March 4 & 5 … Why? …Because it really is never too early.

<a href="https://mmf.smugmug.com/Alaska-Nanook-Hockey/201516-Hockey-Season/n-3B6CTS/i-F3cJLkM/A"><img src="https://mmf.smugmug.com/photos/i-F3cJLkM/0/L/i-F3cJLkM-L.jpg" alt=""></a>

Good job boys. The Cup is behind you now. Finish strong and take the last playoff spot.

P.S. If you are unable to make a clean crisp pass to a transitioning forward, and instead have to chip the puck up along the boards, in the name of all things sacred to the hockey gods, make sure you clear the zone.

Go Nooks!

 

[Seawolf Fan]

Re: uaa @ UAF March 4 & 5 … Why? …Because it really is never too early.

Re: uaa @ UAF March 4 & 5 … Why? …Because it really is never too early.

The negativity of some "fans".
WOW!
It's a great day to be a Seawolf!

 

[mmf]

Re: uaa @ UAF March 4 & 5 … Why? …Because it really is never too early.

Re: uaa @ UAF March 4 & 5 … Why? …Because it really is never too early.

I hope the Nooks put the game away early tonight, but if it goes according to form and is another close one, we might see UAA pull their goalie in OT.

 

[Jimjamesak]

The negativity of some "fans".
WOW!
It's a great day to be a Seawolf!

Don't "question my fandom." Just because I don't think everything is roses and sunshine doesn't make me any less of a fan.

Look at that graphic: 7 years. Yeah really great day to be a Seawolf and watch UAF parade around the Governor's Cup FOR THE SEVENTH YEAR IN A ROW!

Great *ing day indeed. It's embarrassing is what it is.

 

[Squarebanks]

I hope the Nooks put the game away early tonight, but if it goes according to form and is another close one, we might see UAA pull their goalie in OT.

I hope our guys weren't too happy after last night. This has all the makings of a mental letdown game if they aren't careful.

 

[mmf]

Re: uaa @ UAF March 4 & 5 … Why? …Because it really is never too early.

Re: uaa @ UAF March 4 & 5 … Why? …Because it really is never too early.

I hope our guys weren't too happy after last night. This has all the makings of a mental letdown game if they aren't careful.

Agreed. I’m hoping it relieves a bit of pressure and they are just a bit looser. My biggest concern is that late in the game they start playing not to lose. We don’t do well when we get back on our heels and stop being aggressive.

 

[Jimjamesak]

Re: uaa @ UAF March 4 & 5 … Why? …Because it really is never too early.

Re: uaa @ UAF March 4 & 5 … Why? …Because it really is never too early.

Honest question for you UAF guys, mmf, Squarebanks: If the situation was reversed, how would you guys feel?

 

[Squarebanks]

Honest question for you UAF guys, mmf, Squarebanks: If the situation was reversed, how would you guys feel?

Frankly, I don't know why UAA can't seem to figure out hockey. You have a bigger resource and population base, and more money for athletics than UAF does. UAA spends the most money on athletics of any school in the WCHA besides Bowling Green (who is D1 across the board) and your athletic budget is twice of UAF's.

If both these programs were consistently strong media and fan interest would be a lot better. I remember, as I'm sure we all do, that the Governor's Cup used to be a really big deal around the state. Now it's barely a blip on the radar. The media coverage is a joke...the two largest media outlets in Anchorage and Fairbanks both go out of their way to avoid covering the rival team during the season, which is really bizarre when you look at other states around the country. UAF has around 5,000 known alumni in Anchorage/Mat-Su, and the only way to keep up with the Nanooks in print is through Facebook and reading newsminer.com. To me that is absolutely pathetic on the part of ADN and it's the main reason I stopped subscribing. I'm sure any UAA alumni in Fairbanks would feel the same way.

Back to your question more directly, if I'm a Seawolf fan I would be seriously questioning the ROI on Matt Thomas right now. You guys are paying him big bucks (the compensation difference between him and Dallas Ferguson, who to date does a lot more with a lot less, is comical) and he's had one good season with Shyiak's players. I think next year is do or die for him at UAA. By next season his first recruiting class will be juniors, and I think you'll have a good idea what the future holds, good or bad.

I love beating UAA. But I'd rather beat a strong UAA than a cellar dweller. It's way better for college hockey in Alaska that way.

 

[mmf]

Re: uaa @ UAF March 4 & 5 … Why? …Because it really is never too early.

Re: uaa @ UAF March 4 & 5 … Why? …Because it really is never too early.

Honest question for you UAF guys, mmf, Squarebanks: If the situation was reversed, how would you guys feel?

Honest answer. My comment is more about emotional investment. Been there/done that to some degree. I have conscientiously tried to be better at supporting the program but not be too emotionally invested in on ice success. Regardless of results, these “kids” bust their butts in the weight room, in practice, in the classroom, on the ice, and wish even more so than the fans that the results were better. As fans we have to remember that. If our programs survive the budget crisis, UAA will put together a string of rivalry game victories. Hang in there. Remember you are talking to Nanook fans, pros at handling multi-sport disappointing seasons. This post will self destruct in….