You're On Your Own, Puckheads (Here's Some Tips)

Posted by adn_aces

Posted: May 8, 2008 - 9:18 pm

The blog is gonna take a hiatus for a week or two, but there's plenty of Alaska-connected stuff still going on in the pucks world, so here's some things to keep an eye on (and links, in blue, for info):

On the NHL level, the only Alaskan left is Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Ty Conklin of Anchorage, who is backing up Marc-Andre Fleury as the Pens take on the surprising Philadelphia Flyers starting Friday in the Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

New York Rangers center Brandon Dubinsky of Anchorage made his debut at the International Ice Hockey Federation's World Championships on Thursday, firing two shots and earning an even-rating in 12:38 of ice time in Team USA's 6-4 victory over Germany in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

At the American Hockey League level, Alaska-connected players are involved in all four best-of-7 division finals currently being played.

The Providence Bruins, captained by center Nate Thompson of Anchorage, trail Portland 3-2 in the Atlantic Division Finals, with Game 6 Friday in Providence.

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, who include former Alaska Aces sniper Chris Minard and forward Tim Wallace of Anchorage, hold a 3-1 lead over the Philadelphia Phantoms entering Game 5 Friday in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Philly includes former UAA Seawolves defenseman Chad Anderson and former UAF Nanooks winger Kyle Greentree.

In the North Division, Syracuse, which features former UAA defenseman Duvie Westcott, leads Toronto 3-1 entering Game 5 Friday in Toronto. Toronto includes former Aces blueliner Patrick Wellar.

And in the West Division, the Chicago Wolves, who include winger Joey Crabb of Anchorage, are tied 2-2 with Rockford entering Game 5 Friday in Chicago.

On the ECHL front, the National Conference finals, which start Monday when Las Vegas entertains Utah, are flush with Alaska connections. Las Vegas features defenseman Jason Krischuk of Anchorage and former UAF Nanooks forwards Curtis Fraser and Kelly Czuy. Utah features three former UAA players -- goaltender Nathan Lawson and wingers Justin Bourne and Justin Johnson. The latter two are also former Aces.

In the Central Hockey League, the Arizona Sundogs, led by former Aces forward Alex Leavitt -- the regular season scoring leader who also leads the playoffs in points with 8-20--28 totals in 16 games -- go for a sweep of the Colorado Eagles in Rocky Mountain territory on Friday.

In the International Hockey League, the Fort Wayne Komets, who include former UAA goaltender Kevin Reiter, staved off elimination Thursday night with a 4-2 win over Port Huron, which leads the series 3-2.

Lastly, congrats to defenseman Kerry Weiland of Palmer. Fresh off her gold medal at the Women's World Championships with Team USA, she'll be among the first group of players in the Women's National Program who will be part of a new residency program in Blaine, Minnesota, beginning in September.

The group will train at the National Sports Center, play in a men's league and also play games against Division I women's team and high school boys teams, all as part of preparation for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

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