Showing posts with label University of Alaska Anchorage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label University of Alaska Anchorage. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Game Notes for UND versus UAA 10/26-10/27

Seal of the University of North Dakota
Seal of the University of North Dakota (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The University of North Dakota begins WCHA play this weekend when they take on the University of Alaska Anchorage in a two game series at Ralph Englestad Arena on October 26 and 27.

Friday, #4 USCHO and USA Today poll – North Dakota (1-1-0, 0-0-0 WCHA) versus Alaska Anchorage (2-1-1, 0-0-0 WCHA)

Game times: 7:37 pm CT on Friday, 7:07 pm CT on Saturday.

Radio:  UND 96.1 (KQHT-FM) – The Fox.

Webcast and Audio:  UNDSPORTS.COM

Television: Midco Sports Net, FCS Central both nights.

Series History: UND leads the All-Time series against UAA: 45-17-4. UND has had success against UAA as of late as UND has won five in a row against UAA and has a record of 11-2-1 the last 14 games. UND beat UAA 5-0 last Friday in the first game of the Brice Goal Rush Tourney.

Players to Watch:

North Dakota: Forwards: Connor Gaarder (0g-2a—2pts), Corbin Knight (0-g0—0pts), Carter Rowney (0g-0a—0pts), Roco Grimaldi (1g-1a—2pts), Mark MacMillan (2g-0a—2pts). Defense: Jordan Schmaltz (1g1a—2pts) Dillon Simpson (0g-1a—1pts), Andrew MacWilliam (0g-1a—1pts), Derek Forbort (0g-0a—0pts). Goaltender: Clarke Saunders 1-1, 1.01 GAA, .962 save Percentage.  

Alaska Anchorage: Forwards: Matt Bailey (1g-3a—4pts), Scott Allen (3g-1—4pts), Alex Gellert (2g-1a—3pts) Defense: Blake Leaske (0g-1a—1pts), Quinn Sproule (1g0a—1pts), Derek Docken (1g0a—1pts). Goaltenders: Chris Kamal 1-1-0, 2.40 GAA, .907 save percentage, Rob Gunderson 1-0-1, 2.90 GAA .877 save percentage.

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Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Nine Men out, UND heads north to Alaska


Originally posted at the Hockey Writers - Combine...

I mentioned last Friday night after the exhibition game against US National Development Under 18 team that UND was going to face some self-created adversity, during their first weekend series of the 2012-13 season.

In their game against the UAA Seawolves, UND will play with bare bones lineup of 16 skaters – that’s two less than the number allowed by the rules when they take the ice in their first game.

Last season, UND played most of the last month of the 2011-12 campaign with 17 players or less due to injuries, so this really isn't anything new for the team from North Dakota.

Also, this will not be used as an excuse by the North Dakota coaching staff.

UND will be without senior forward Danny Kristo (19g-26a—45pts), who is suspended for the first two games of the season, due to an infraction of team rules.

Kristo will not make the trip with the team to Fairbanks, Alaska and he will not be back until the first home series of the season the following weekend against the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves, on October 26 and 27 at Ralph Englestad Arena.

Also missing from the lineup, for “at least” the next two weeks is sophomore forward Michael Parks (12g-10a—22pts), who suffered an undisclosed lower body injury in the exhibition game against the University of Manitoba Bison.

Head coach Dave Hakstol was asked about the status of sophomore forward Michael Parks.

“Probably, I am guessing a few weeks for Michael Parks,” Hakstol said. “That is about as close I can come to narrowing it down. It certainly won’t be with the next one to two weeks, but I hope with the next few weeks we will be able to get him on the ice. It will all depend on how his rehab progresses and how he reacts.”

UND will also miss sophomore forward Brendan O’Donnell (5g-1a—6pts) , senior defenseman Andrew MacWilliam (2g-5a—7pts), senior forward Carter Rowney (18g-15—33pts) and senior forward Corbin Knight (16g-24a—40pts) who will all serve a one game suspension during first game against the University of Alaska Anchorage at the Brice Alaska Goal Rush tourney for a violation of team rules.

With Knight, Kirsto, Rowney and Parks absent for the first game of the season because of suspensions and the injury  – based on last season numbers – UND will be missing some high end talent that scored 140 points last season – that doesn’t take a mathematical guru to figure out that’s a lot of offensive fire power missing from the UND line.

On the following night of the Brice Alaska Goal Rush tourney, sophomore forwards Connor Gaarder (4g-6a—10pts), Stephane Pattyn (4g-3a—7pts) and sophomore defenseman Andrew Panzarella (0g-4a—4pts) will all sit out due to an infraction of team rules...

This is the list of UND hockey players that will miss the game for UND against Anchorage Alaska.

1.       Danny Kristo – Suspension
2.       Corbin Knight – Suspension
3.       Andrew MacWilliam – Suspension
4.       Carter Rowney – Suspension
5.       Brendan O'Donnell – Suspension
6.       Michael Parks – Injury

This is the list of UND hockey players that will miss the game for UND against Alaska game

1.       Danny Kristo – Suspension
2.       Connor Gaarder– Suspension
3.       Andrew Panzarella– Suspension
4.       Stephane Pattyn– Suspension
5.       Michael Parks – Injury

Thursday, June 14, 2012

UAH not in WCHA plans?

Western Collegiate Hockey Association logo
If you read the press release from the WCHA that I received today, It would appear that WCHA is going ahead with a nine team league and it would appear that aren't interested in adding another team such as UAH, or at least during the first season.  
2013-14 WCHA Men’s Membership Concludes Productive Meetings in Detroit
MADISON, Wis. – The nine member teams that will make up the men’s Western Collegiate Hockey Association beginning in 2013-14 concluded a series of positive and productive meetings in Detroit this week and continue to move forward on a number of key issues.

“This is certainly an exciting time for the newly-integrated WCHA,” said Minnesota State University, Mankato President Richard Davenport, who is the chair of the league’s President’s Council. “Our meetings this week were spirited and full of camaraderie, and we are all looking forward to the 2013-14 season. Across the board we are 100% committed to putting a highly competitive product on the ice in the WCHA, to compete for championships, to give our student-athletes the best possible experience and to provide our fans with a great game-day experience. The WCHA brand is strong, historic and full of rich tradition and we will carry on that tremendous tradition and also build upon it.”

Among the many topics covered in the meetings,
    •    the membership discussed and approved a 28-game league schedule for 2013-14
    •    the membership discussed and approved a nine-team post-season tournament format
    •    the membership discussed and updated the league’s by-laws
    •    the membership discussed and continues to explore several potential venues for the annual WCHA Final Five playoff championship.

“We have accomplished a great deal and feel tremendously upbeat about where we are at as we look ahead to the 2013-14 season,” said WCHA Commissioner Bruce M. McLeod. “We have had very productive meetings with the coaches, athletic directors and presidents all present and we are united in moving forward to ensure the continued success of the WCHA and its member teams. We are also engaged in on-going discussions with various venues for our flagship event – the WCHA Final Five – and hope to finalize those championship plans as soon as possible.”

The league agreed on a change in governance that will have the Presidents Council act as the Board of Directors and the Athletic Directors serve as the Management Council. The President’s Council also created a Steering Committee to coordinate and handle major issues going forward. The Steering Committee consists of Minnesota State President Richard Davenport, Ferris State President Dave Eisler, Michigan Tech Athletic Director Suzanne Sanregret and Bowling Green State Athletic Director Greg Christopher.

Other topics of discussion at the meetings included expansion and identifying potential future member teams and future public relations and marketing initiatives to coincide with the 2013-14 campaign.

Founded in 1951 and home to a collegiate record 37 national championship teams, the men’s WCHA beginning in 2013-14 will consist of the University of Alaska Anchorage, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Bemidji State University, Bowling Green State University, Ferris State University, Lake Superior State University, Michigan Technological University, Minnesota State University, Mankato, and Northern Michigan University.

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Tuesday, January 24, 2012

DU get some some good news... Brittain & Ryder back

English: Denver Pioneers logo.Image via WikipediaIt appears that the Denver Pioneers have gotten some good news as two of their key players have returned from injury. It will be interesting to see how well Sam Brittain plays.
Mike Chambers, Denver Post --- Two of the University of Denver's most important defenders are close to returning to a depleted lineup. Pioneers coach George Gwozdecky said sophomore goalie Sam Brittain and senior defenseman John Ryder were cleared to practice Monday and are probable for this weekend's two-game series at Alaska-Anchorage.

Brittain, who took over as the program's No. 1 goalie as a freshman last season, has missed the entire season after undergoing major knee surgery June 17. Ryder, DU's fiercest hitter, suffered a fractured knee cap in November and has missed the past 13 games.
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Sunday, August 07, 2011

WCHA commissioner has a busy couple of weeks

Western Collegiate Hockey Association logoImage via WikipediaWCHA fans do you feel confident when you read that Bruce McLeod is going to Fairbanks, Alaska to talk to the Fairbanks administration? If my team was going to be in the WCHA after the 2013-2014 season, I would be concerned.
Mick Hatton; SC Times --- McLeod was in Chicago on Tuesday and met with Central Collegiate Hockey Association officials. On Monday, McLeod leaves to meet with officials at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks.

McLeod would not characterize the talks he had with the CCHA as about a possible merger between the two conferences.

“We had a good discussion with the CCHA, agreed to some common ground and talked about some things that could be on the table when we get the whole group together to meet in the future,” McLeod said. “I wouldn’t read too much into the meeting one way or another. It was good and positive and we have a lot of hurdles to overcome.

“It always gets back to do we worry about ourselves and get back to eight (WCHA) members or do we think of the greater good of college hockey? I think more than anything, we’re just trying to keep as nimble as we can possibly be. Gradually, we’ll get ourselves to making a decision.”

McLeod is heading to Alaska after being asked to visit the CCHA school by a committee of athletic directors of the five WCHA schools (St. Cloud State, Alaska-Anchorage, Bemidji State, Michigan Tech and Minnesota State-Mankato) that plan to remain in the conference in 2013-14. St. Cloud State is being represented on that committee by Gino Gasparini, who is a special adviser to St. Cloud State President Earl H. Potter III for athletics. That committee is being headed by Michigan Tech.

Alaska-Anchorage, obviously, has an interest in having Alaska-Fairbanks in the same conference.

“I haven’t been up there for a long time ... and I’m going to get a sense of the program commitment. They’ve been fairly aggressive up there,” McLeod said of being in contact with the WCHA. “I can understand why it’s best for those two (Alaska) schools, but I’m not sure I’m convinced it’s the best for everybody.

“They need to convince me why it’s best for the
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Wednesday, July 13, 2011

The WCHA response...

This is a map of the United States showing whi...Image via WikipediaBetter late than never eh? I have been very disappointed in the WCHA's response to the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. This is the WCHA's official response.
MADISON, Wis. – The Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) today issued the following statement from Commissioner Bruce M. McLeod in response to the announcement that five current men's league member teams will depart following the 2012-13 season to form a new hockey conference that will begin play in 2013-14. Those teams are Colorado College, Denver, Minnesota Duluth, Nebraska Omaha and North Dakota.

"Obviously it's a tough day for the WCHA and a sad one for me personally," said McLeod, "and it's one that is not easy to put into perspective. We wish everyone well, but make no mistake, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association is not going away. The league will proudly mark it's 60th season this fall and we will continue to operate as a full-fledged Association and continue to do business the way we always have – in a first-class and forward-thinking manner.

"The history of the WCHA includes numerous eras of expansion and contraction but what has remained constant has been our success – both on and off the ice. Our remaining member institutions – Alaska Anchorage, Bemidji State, Michigan Tech, Minnesota State and St. Cloud State – are absolutely committed to both Division 1 hockey and the WCHA and as an Association we will continue – as we always have – to provide a first-class product. We remain firm in our belief both that the game of college hockey is the best there is and that the WCHA will always be at the forefront of doing what is in the best interests of our sport. We look forward to promoting and enhancing the student-athlete experience, building on positive relationships with our local communities and fans, exciting rivalries and battling for championships.

"As regards to our future," said McLeod, "the WCHA has a short-term plan that we will implement immediately. In the long-term, we will continue to formulate a strategic approach that will ensure the well-being of this Association and it's member teams for the long run. As a group, we remain committed and we are 100% confident our future remains bright."

The WCHA, home to a record 37 national championships teams since it's founding in 1951, will continue to operate as a 12-team conference for the upcoming 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons. Current members consist of University of Alaska Anchorage, Bemidji State University, Colorado College, University of Denver, Michigan Technological University, University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota State University, University of Nebraska Omaha, University of North Dakota, St. Cloud State University and University of Wisconsin.

Earlier this year (March 21) the Big Ten announced the formation of a new Div. 1 men's hockey conference that will begin play in 2013-14 and include current WCHA-members Minnesota and Wisconsin.

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