Go Nanooks!
| Two Nanook Goalies Named CCHA POWS Oct 17, 2005, 23:06 | Email this article e |
Rogers has been named the CCHA Goaltender of the Week and Johnson is the CCHA Rookie of the Week.
“It’s a clear indication, first of all, that we had team success and a very good weekend,” said UAF Head Coach Tavis MacMillan, “but more importantly it lets us as a team know that we have two obviously very capable goaltenders.”
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| CCHA Goaltender of the Week - Sophomore goalie Wylie Rogers |
Following an outstanding rookie campaign that ended on a high note at the CCHA Super Six Championships, when he was recognized to the Super Six All-Tournament Team, Rogers was focused on carrying the momentum from Joe Louis Arena into Mariucci Arena.
“It wasn’t a lot different then the Super Six games,” said Rogers. “We had to be prepared and play like it was our last game. The crowd was so loud and there was great energy and it felt the same as when we were playing at the Joe and that’s why we were successful.”
Rogers, the 2004-05 squads’ most valuable player, had proved himself the number one goalie last season, playing in 31 games, posting three shut-outs to tie Todd Henderson’s single-season record from 1990-91, and being named to the CCHA All-Rookie Team as well.
MacMillan knows that Rogers dedication last season and over the summer are going to continue to pay dividends for him on the ice this season.
“Wylie’s very confident based on how he finished last year and his training over the summer. It’s not only that but he’s a different goaltender. He’s physically stronger and technically he’s better.”
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| CCHA Rookie of the Week - Freshman goalie Chad Johnson |
“Coach called me over during the pre-game skate and told me that I got the start. I didn’t have time to get really nervous. I was just a little bit, but excited too.”
Despite only seeing two shots in the second period of Nanook's exhibition game against the University of Windsor last week, Johnson made several key saves, including a point blank save in the second period by UM's P.J. Atherton and another late in the overtime session to preserve the tie.
“It was awesome how it happened,” said Johnson. “Their player came out of the penalty box and one of our d-men (defensemen) had switched off the ice, so he had a breakaway. I followed his moves, slid over with him and put my pads down and felt it hit.”
MacMillan acknowledged the level of Johnson’s performance but realizes the transition from junior hockey to the college game doesn’t happen in one game.
“It would be premature to put too much pressure on Chad,” said MacMillan. “He’s only played one college hockey game and he’s still obviously got a lot of room to grow, but he was very comparable to (Minnesota’s goalie) Frazee, and he’s a second round NHL draft pick from New Jersey. He’s a very good goaltender.”
“To get Chad that experience in front of 10,000 fans on the road, it was obviously important not only for him but for our program.”
“I’m definitely encouraged because as well as the both of them played there’s still a lot of room for them to grow.”
In addition to Rogers and Johnson, the Nanooks other freshman netminder Brandon Cross (Kamloops, BC/Merritt-BCHL) adds to the depth in goal.
“We feel as comfortable with our goaltending at UAF right now as we ever have,” added MacMillan. “One through three we’re as deep as we’ve ever been.”
The Nanooks return to action next weekend as the team travels to Anchorage to take on the Seawolves for two games as the 2005-06 Governor's Cup Series gets underway. The first game of the series is slated for Saturday, Oct. 22 at 7:05 p.m. at Sullivan Arena.
Wylie Rogers is my nephew so I am partial to the University of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks Hockey Team! Go Nanooks!
2 comments:
Thanks for posting this Kath! I didn't know. Now we can go see them play this weekend. I mostly hate hockey after being married to a hockey jock, but it's different watching Wylie, reminds me of how I always felt watching our brother Jimmy excel at baseball. Invigorating!
Oh cool, Nik! I'll be listening to it on KUSA on the internet. I'll try and make to a play-off game in March. Looks like they just might make the play-offs this year. Have fun at the game!
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