Thoughts on the weekend in Alaska

Even though Union fans would've liked to see their team win both games this weekend, taking one of two games in Alaska is pretty good because the trip to Alaska is a physical and mental test for the players. The trip is by far the farthest road trip any Union team has ever made. Let's just hope the loss to #14 Alaska-Fairbanks doesn't come back to bite the Dutchmen in the PairWise Rankings (PWR) later in the season.

Friday's (well, technically Saturday) game was an evenly matched game, but the Nanooks were able to pull out the victory with a late goal. It must have been very different for Union playing a nationally ranked team just a week after destroying a weak Atlantic Hockey team. It sounds like UAF goalie and tourney MVP Scott Greenham was a brick wall in net, but Keith Kinkaid was strong in net as well. Greenham is a very well respected and highly regarded goaltender. Don't be surprised to see him on one of the All-American teams at the end of the year.

For more details on the game go to Union Athletics.com. You can also go to the Alaska Nanooks Hockey Blog for a different perspective of the game.

The second game of the weekend was a very interesting game as the Dutchmen jumped out to a three goal lead, gave it back, and then was able to shut out the Alaska-Anchorage offense in the third period while being out shot 18-2. It sounds like Kinkaid had a great third period and weekend overall. The usual suspects (Prez, Welsh, Carr, Zajac) scored Union's four goals. While it wasn't the prettiest game for the Dutchmen, a win is a win.

Go to Union Athletics.com and the UAA Hockey Fan Blog for more on the game.

Also, Welsh and Kinkaid were named to the all-tournament team.

While it was interesting to see how the Dutchmen would respond to the long trip to Alaska, it might be even more interesting to see how they react this upcoming weekend against Niagara and RIT. When the team returns to campus they come back to the "real world" where they have to deal with school stuff. It might be hard to adjust again, but hey the Alaska kids have to do it basically every weekend. They better adjust because Saturday's game against RIT is very important for the PWR. Remember, RIT was in the Frozen Four last year.

Also, isn't it amazing that we're talking about the PWR on a Union Hockey blog? It was just a few years ago that Union was the joke of the ECAC.

Video from last night's game... eh, not really

It's been a hectic few days for me in Schenectady which is why I haven't had the time to personally preview or analyze this weekend's games, but the Jeff Weinstein and Ken Schott have kept us all up to date on their respective blogs (thanks guys!). On a side note, I worked the Albany Devils game last night and they won in a shootout for their first win in franchise history.

Even though I didn't see last night's game I do have some live footage from it... eh, not really. It's actually the end of Mystery Alaska, a hockey movie based in Alaska featuring Russell Crowe. For more on the movie click here. I thought I should at least post something during the weekend our team is in Alaska.

Mystery Alaska is one of my favorite hockey movies of all-time behind Mighty Ducks, Mighty Ducks 2, Mighty Ducks 3... eh, maybe not Mighty Ducks 3..., MVP, and MVP 2... eh, definitely not MVP 2, it's actually pretty brutal.

If you haven't seen the movie I highly recommend you go see it... that is if you are "mature" enough.

WARNING: SPOILER ALERT AHEAD

Dutchmen to play in Brice Alaska Goal Rush

The University of Alaska - Anchorage released their 2010-11 schedule today. According to the schedule they will be playing in the Brice Alaska Goal Rush along with Colorado College, Union College, and host University of Alaska - Fairbanks. According to the schedule the Seawolves will be playing the Tigers on Friday, and the Dutchmen on Saturday, October 16. So, it looks like the Dutchmen will be playing the Nanooks on that Friday. You can check out the schedule release on Go Seawolves.com.

This should be a good opportunity for the Dutchmen to play out of conference teams. Last season Alaska - Fairbanks finished one spot behind the Dutchmen in the USCHO.com poll and Colordado College was only a few spots behind them. This tournament, along with the Minnesota tournament is a MAJOR UPGRADE from the tournaments Union played in last season (RPI tournament and UConn tournament). This is a product of last seasons' success and the respect they gained. Sadly, this is just one year too late for Eagle River, Alaska (near Anchorage) native Jason Shaffer who is graduating in June.