@ Alaska-Anchorage (2/15-2/16

[mbenecke]

BG returns to the ice for a conference series with the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves. Thursday night's game begins at 11:07pm EST, while Friday's puckdrop is also scheduled for 11:07pm EST. This is a weekend where we MUST get all 6 points in order to keep pace with the top of the conference, and considering the opponent, anything less would be a major letdown.

Anchorage is 2-24-4 on the season. They are dead-last in the PairWise rankings (60/60), and they have the least wins in the country by 3 whole games. This is a team we must defeat. BG needs to continue to be consistent enough for an entire weekend and get a sweep against a clearly inferior team.

Goaltender match-up:

Save Percentage:

Ryan Bednard - .918 (1st WCHA)
Olivier Mantha (UAA) - .900 (10th WCHA)
Eric Dop - .894 (12th WCHA)

Goals Allowed Average:

Ryan Bednard - 2.05 (2nd WCHA)
Olivier Mantha (UAA) - 3.51 (14th WCHA)
Eric Dop - 2.75 (5th WCHA)

Gotta get these wins. Leave your comments and predictions below. Go Falcons!

[mbenecke]

I think we win 5-1, 4-2. We need a sweep.

[Class of 61]

So ... is there a score yet ? It's 12:10 on Sat. Morning here.

[mbenecke]

It's tied 1-1 after 2. I don't know what it is, but we just look so uncomfortable on international-sized ice.

[mbenecke]

FINAL: BG 5, UAA 2.

Glad to escape with a win and 3 points. I hope we can carry the momentum into tomorrow night.

[pdt1081]

It's tied 1-1 after 2. I don't know what it is, but we just look so uncomfortable on international-sized ice.

My wish for Ice Arena expansion is an Olympic sheet out back and expanding the"multi purpose" sheet to being a full sheet. The ice size was a big factor in the performance at Northern. I'm not sure where the closest Olympic sheet currently is, but it's probably cost prohibitive to rent for practices before going to these schools that play games on them.

[gmartin]

So ... is there a score yet ? It's 12:10 on Sat. Morning here.

Sat morning. Sh$t, I know I slept good last night but wow I slept for a whole day. Well I guess I don't need to work today since it's Saturday.

[pdt1081]

So ... is there a score yet ? It's 12:10 on Sat. Morning here.

Sat morning. Sh$t, I know I slept good last night but wow I slept for a whole day. Well I guess I don't need to work today since it's Saturday.

I thought he wanted to play "Where in the World is Class of 61"

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

It's tied 1-1 after 2. I don't know what it is, but we just look so uncomfortable on international-sized ice.

I noticed the same thing. Couldn't tell if it was the camera angle, the larger ice, or what, but the entire game seemed slower. Same at Northern.

[BGFan]

So ... is there a score yet ? It's 12:10 on Sat. Morning here.

Sat morning. Sh$t, I know I slept good last night but wow I slept for a whole day. Well I guess I don't need to work today since it's Saturday.

Every morning is Saturday morning when you're retired.

[mbenecke]

I was not aware of this, but 4 of the 10 WCHA schools have international sized ice. Anchorage, Fairbanks, Northern Michigan, and Minnesota State all play their home games on bigger ice.

I've never understood why there isn't a standard rink size that everyone must follow. You don't see colleges having different sized football fields, so why is hockey different?

I think the Olympic ice is nice, but it seems like an unfair advantage for teams that play their home games there.

[jpfalcon09]

I was not aware of this, but 4 of the 10 WCHA schools have international sized ice. Anchorage, Fairbanks, Northern Michigan, and Minnesota State all play their home games on bigger ice.

I've never understood why there isn't a standard rink size that everyone must follow. You don't see colleges having different sized football fields, so why is hockey different?

I think the Olympic ice is nice, but it seems like an unfair advantage for teams that play their home games there.

There are three predominant ice surface sizes in NCAA hockey.

NHL - 200x85
IIHF/Olympic hybrid - 200x90 or variation of that (Harvard plays on a 204x87 sheet)
IIHF/Olympic - 200x100

I prefer the NHL sized rinks myself, and I know in 2015 there was a proposal made to the NCAA to standardize rink sizes, but its cost prohibitive to do so. I think you'll see a lot of new construction be of NHL size to include more seating and to provide a better experience for collegiate athletes who wish to play professionally. I've played on both sizes and I think it's actually easier to defend on Olympic ice since you can take the slot away easier and things happen somewhat slower.

Here's a nice write up about it: http://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/ ... going-away" target="_blank

[pdt1081]

I was not aware of this, but 4 of the 10 WCHA schools have international sized ice. Anchorage, Fairbanks, Northern Michigan, and Minnesota State all play their home games on bigger ice.

I've never understood why there isn't a standard rink size that everyone must follow. You don't see colleges having different sized football fields, so why is hockey different?

I think the Olympic ice is nice, but it seems like an unfair advantage for teams that play their home games there.

Minnesota State is not Olympic size. It's just a little smaller.

[jpfalcon09]

I was not aware of this, but 4 of the 10 WCHA schools have international sized ice. Anchorage, Fairbanks, Northern Michigan, and Minnesota State all play their home games on bigger ice.

I've never understood why there isn't a standard rink size that everyone must follow. You don't see colleges having different sized football fields, so why is hockey different?

I think the Olympic ice is nice, but it seems like an unfair advantage for teams that play their home games there.

Minnesota State is not Olympic size. It's just a little smaller.

Minnesota State has an Olympic hybrid sized surface, 200x90.

[gmartin]

A tie tonight and Bowling Green will wrap up at least the #3 seed for the WCHA tournament. BG needs 1 point to secure the #3 seed.