Woody on Hockey

Alaska is hockey heaven -- the Alaska Aces are perennial ECHL contenders, the UAA Seawolves play in the nation's premier college league and NHL star Scott Gomez headlines a contingent of pros. Join the conversation about the Aces and Alaska hockey with Doyle Woody, who has covered the game here at all levels for 27 years.

Contact: dwoody@adn.com


Aces vs. Idaho

Matt Stefanishion of the Alaska Aces, left, collides with Ashton Rome of the Idaho Steelheads during second-period action Friday evening October 30, 2009 at Sullivan Arena in Anchorage, Alaska. Idaho claimed a 5-3 win in ECHL action.

Idaho defeats the Aces 5-3 Friday evening October 30, 2009 at Sullivan Arena.

Aces vs. Kings

The Alaska Aces host the Victoria Salmon Kings in their 2009 hockey season opener on Friday October 16, 2009 at the Sullivan Arena.

It's A Small, Small Hockey World (Just Ask Kris Tebbs And Kevin Nastiuk) - 11/20/2009 4:09 pm

On The Matt Robinson Merry-Go-Round: Back To Johnstown - 11/20/2009 3:49 pm

Brett Hemingway Lands With CHL Arizona (Debuted Tonight) - 11/19/2009 7:22 pm

Ex-UAF Blueliner Eckford Makes NHL Debut (Plus, Notes On UAA And UAF Players Who Made NHL) - 11/19/2009 6:55 pm

ECHL Cincy Picks Up Matt Robinson - 11/19/2009 2:43 pm

Former Eagle River Skater Nick Curry Headed To UMass-Lowell - 11/18/2009 8:44 pm

AHL Updates (Stefanishion, Johnson, Crowder, Mat Robinson, Lamoureux) - 11/18/2009 6:43 pm

Former Nanook Blueliner Eckford Called Up To NHL (Plus, Fun Draft Facts & UAA-Aces-Alaska Connections) - 11/18/2009 4:26 pm

On The Good-News, Bad-News Front, We Go Mat Robinson-Matt Robinson - 11/18/2009 3:49 pm

Glencross Returns From Suspension - 11/18/2009 9:38 am

Ovechkin's Return Is The Big News, But Former UAA Center Jay Beagle Is Back In The NHL - 11/17/2009 3:15 pm

Stefanishion Promoted To Peoria - 11/17/2009 9:26 am

Easy, There, Cowbell Crew: Aces On Same Pace As Last Season - 11/16/2009 4:13 pm

Nanooks Fall One Spot To No. 10 - 11/16/2009 11:17 am

Former Nanook Eckford AHL Player Of The Week - 11/16/2009 10:24 am

Former Nanooks Flourishing In AHL (Johnson, Eckford, Penner) - 11/14/2009 6:52 pm

Gutierrez Getting His Game In Gear (ECHL Notes) - 11/14/2009 6:35 pm

UAA On TV: Um, Sometimes - 11/14/2009 5:38 pm

Hey, Cowbell Crew: You're Welcome To Vent Here On The Aces' Run Of Injuries - 11/13/2009 11:07 pm

Aces Release Brett Hemingway - 11/12/2009 3:25 pm

Our Man Justin Bourne Pumps Davis Payne's Tires - 11/12/2009 10:31 am

Our Man Gino Guyer Pays A Visit - 11/12/2009 10:18 am

Stingy Nanooks Move Up Rankings Behind Greenham's Goaltending

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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.


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