The Anchorage Wolverines

[Bure10Beezer34]

Nice job getting to the finals OBG! I can't believe the Canucks didn't give you more problems but you've obviously adjusted your defensive strategy and you have a hot goaltender. Speaking of hot goaltenders...there seems to be a big debate on what you should do about The Barber. I'm all about tinkering sliders in season. I've done that a couple times to make things more challenging but in the playoffs is just scary to me Who's to say you went into the playoffs and he totally took a dump on you and the Wolverines got sent back to Alaska after the first round? It took guts to go with LaBarbera and it paid off! You obviously have a good feel for your team and you felt like he was your best option going into the playoffs. I understand the slight tweek because it is the Stanley Cup Finals and he might really start to feel the pressure. I would just hate to see you second guess yourself if all the sudden he lets in 10 goals in the frst to games of the series. I wouldn't mess with your team's mojo but that's just me giving my two cents...for what it's worth.

Really enjoying your run! You've done an incredible job with your squad!

[Vipers2k9]

I have lost the first game in the play-offs all 4 rounds now but after making the switch up to the offensive and defensive stratagys I wind up winning the next 4 straight. It it cool.

[onlybygrace]

Mystery, Alaska Anyone???


By Stephen Holley
Anchorage Daily News

Well Anchorage, it seems we have some magic among us.

In an ironically coincidental twist of fate, our beloved Wolverines will face the Eastern Conference's New York Rangers in the Stanley Cup Finals. If you remember, you may recall a movie from 1999 called Mystery, Alaska.

Its a charming film that translates the spirit of the game very well with dramatic moments and humourous side stories that I would recommend to anyone who loves hockey.

Those who've seen the film will know its about an Alaskan town named Mystery in which the game of hockey is a religion and a lifestyle to all who live there. The town talks among itself at night about who will star in the 'Saturday Game' where the whole town amasses to watch its rugged young men play a very competitive and impressive game of stick and puck. The average beer leaguer would have a tough time holding their sticks along side of these boys.

Long story short, an article in Sports Ilustrated describing the town birthed an idea to have the Mystery squad take on the New York Rangers. Mystery would lose the game 5-4, but they would still earn the respect and congratulations of not only their friends and family who cheered them passionately, but also of the Rangers themselves.

But this is the Stanley Cup playoffs and not a commercialized publicity stunt. It is also not a film. This is the most difficult trophy to rightfully get your hands on in professional sports, possibly even the world. Sure, Joe fan can surely go to a PR event with his celly and get a pic touching Lord Stanley but that is a shell of the glory, if not a downright blaspheme to Hockey Gods themselves.

I would not touch the Stanley Cup. I don't deserve to.

The Wolverines and Rangers will not be playing a silly match for ratings trying to help saving a so-called struggling sport, their playing for the most beautiful trophy in the world playing the worlds most amazing sport.

Enjoy the hockey Alaska, this is our time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku9Uv...eature=related

[Bure10Beezer34]

LOL LOL LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I haven't even read the whole story yet...all I got to was..."Eastern Conference Champs...New York Rangers" This is unintentional comedy at it's finest...I can't stop laughing!!!! Soooooo awesome!!!

***Ok read the rest of the article. Very...VERY...well done good sir! You really painted an awesome picture of the Stanley Cup and what it means to so many. Go Wolverines!!!!

[onlybygrace]

Rags Take Game One Convincingly

Rangers star forward Marion Gaborik, who amassed 105 regular season points, led the Cinderella Rangers to a 1-0 series lead with a goal and two assists.

By Stephen Holley
Anchorage Daily News

If its quiet around the office tomorrow morning, we'll all know why.

The New York Rangers marched confidently into the Exxon Center in downtown Anchorage last night and handed the Wolverines an embarrassing 5-0 loss.

"Embarrassing," said forward Peter Forsberg, "I can't believe it to be honest. Its definitely a wakeup call and we'll be ready. You won't see us play like that again. We're a proud group playing for a proud city and they deserve better than that."

The game was close through the 1st, with the Wolves holding a 9-6 shot advantage despite the Rags jumping out to a 1-0 lead on a Gaborik goal on a deflection midway through the frame.

It was in the 2nd that the Rangers would push for the win, outshooting the Wolves 12-4 and picking up a pair of goals; two power play goals from Roszival and Higgins. Higgens marker was his 12th of the post season.

By the time the third period rolled around, the Rangers held a 3-0 lead and a 18-13 shot advantage. The Rangers would not spare the Wolverines of the fatal blows, as antagonists Sean Avery and Donald Brashear would score pushing the Rags to an eventual 5-0 victory.

"We aren't cocky. We have too much respect for those guys to think that this has got them down. Remember Game Two of the Calgary Series...they went down in the series 2-0 on a remarkably unlucky play in the last minute of a game...these guys have the charachter...its just one game", said Chris Drury post-game.

Jason Labarbera witnessed his GAA rise from 1.73 to 1.94 as the Cindarella starter has carried the Wolves through most of the postseason.

With a goal and 2 assists tonight, Marion Gaborik leads the NHL in post season scoring with 23 points in 19 games including 16 assists.

With the Wolves down 1-0 in the series after an embarassing home loss, it should be interesting to see the response in Game Two.

5 NYR (1)
0 AKW (0)

Shots
NYR 27
AKW 25

PP
NYR 2/3
AKW 0/5

[dickey1331]

Quote: Originally Posted by onlybygrace

Oh wow, you are from Anchorage...how kick *** is that??? Do you know of any Anchorage message boards so that I might link this to it??? I think Alaskans would enjoy.

Im in the military so Ive only been in Anchorage for a little over a year but Ill see what I can find.

[CalBears]

Just win Game 2 and you're in business. Lose and well...you're just trying to fend off a sweep. Make the Alaskans proud! The Barber needs to play a lot better after a 5 game showing.

[onlybygrace]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bure10Beezer34

Nice job getting to the finals OBG! I can't believe the Canucks didn't give you more problems but you've obviously adjusted your defensive strategy and you have a hot goaltender. Speaking of hot goaltenders...there seems to be a big debate on what you should do about The Barber. I'm all about tinkering sliders in season. I've done that a couple times to make things more challenging but in the playoffs is just scary to me Who's to say you went into the playoffs and he totally took a dump on you and the Wolverines got sent back to Alaska after the first round? It took guts to go with LaBarbera and it paid off! You obviously have a good feel for your team and you felt like he was your best option going into the playoffs. I understand the slight tweek because it is the Stanley Cup Finals and he might really start to feel the pressure. I would just hate to see you second guess yourself if all the sudden he lets in 10 goals in the frst to games of the series. I wouldn't mess with your team's mojo but that's just me giving my two cents...for what it's worth. Really enjoying your run! You've done an incredible job with your squad!

Thanks for all the encouragement. I've decided to lower the Goalie Reaction for the series by one notch...thereby, like you said...sort of simulating the pressure of the Finals.

Quote: Originally Posted by Bure10Beezer34

LOL LOL LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I haven't even read the whole story yet...all I got to was..."Eastern Conference Champs...New York Rangers" This is unintentional comedy at it's finest...I can't stop laughing!!!! Soooooo awesome!!! ***Ok read the rest of the article. Very...VERY...well done good sir! You really painted an awesome picture of the Stanley Cup and what it means to so many. Go Wolverines!!!!

LOL...thanks. Its funny that you were the only one who commented on that. I thought it was some of my best work. Oh well...I guess you sort of said it all though. lol

Thanks again Bure.

Quote: Originally Posted by dickey1331

Im in the military so Ive only been in Anchorage for a little over a year but Ill see what I can find.

Cool. Maybe a lame question...but does it sort of make the dynasty feel more interesting since you are living in the city where it is...uh...made about???

Quote: Originally Posted by CalBears

Just win Game 2 and you're in business. Lose and well...you're just trying to fend off a sweep. Make the Alaskans proud! The Barber needs to play a lot better after a 5 game showing.

Thanks...you'll soon see.

Thanks everyone for reading and commenting. The views on this thing are through the roof lately...I appreciate it.