Stingy Nanooks Move Up Rankings Behind Greenham's Goaltending
Submitted by adn_aces on November 2, 2009 - 4:53pm.
Check it out -- UAF is one of just three unbeaten Division I men's teams in the country among squads that have played more than two games.
Today, the Nanooks got some rewards for their 5-0-1 record, which they pumped up with a weekend CCHA sweep of visiting Ferris State. UAF won 3-1 Friday and 3-2 Saturday on the strength of sophomore Scott Greenham's goaltending in both games and Ron Meyers' goal with just 15 seconds left in OT in the series finale of UAF's conference-opening series.
The Nanooks moved up to No. 13 in the USCHO/CBS College Sports Poll, up from 16th, and were 14th in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll.
Greenham today was named the CCHA's Goaltender of the Week after stopping 47 of 50 shots against Ferris St. He's 5-0-1 this season, and 8-0-2 in his career. His 1.14 goals-against average ranks second in the nation and his .949 save percentage ranks fifth.
UAF has allowed just seven goals in six games. Its 91.3-percent penalty killing ranks fourth in the nation and its 22.9-percent power-play efficiency is strong. Offensively, 12 different players have scored goals for the Nanooks, who next entertain No. 9-ranked Notre Dame.
Keep in mind -- UAF has yet to play a true road game.
Meanwhile, the Nanooks and Irish won't be the only ranked teams in the state this weekend. UAA entertains Denver, ranked No. 2 in one poll and No. 3 in the other.
Oh, those other two unbeatens among teams with more than two games played -- Bemidji State (5-0-1) of College Hockey America and Nebraska-Omaha (4-0-2) of the CCHA.