UAA is just four games into its 28-game Western Collegiate Hockey Association schedule, so the Seawolves have ample opportunity to find their stride after a stumbling start of four straight league losses.
Of course, now they face a team that lately has been knocking opponents off their stride.
After being idle last weekend, UAA tonight opens a two-game league series at defending national champion Minnesota-Duluth, which is ranked No. 10 in one national poll and No. 13 in another.
The Bulldogs are unbeaten in their last six games (4-0-2) and have allowed just nine goals, and bagged two shutouts, in that stretch.
That stingy goals-against total takes on an especially ominous tone when coupled with UAA's struggle to score goals in WCHA games. The Seawolves, the only team in the 12-team league yet to earn a point in the standings, have racked three goals in their four league games, and have been outscored 15-3 in those games.
UAA has lost two WCHA games at Nebraska- Omaha and two WCHA home games to Minnesota, which since has been elevated to No. 1 in both national polls.
So, getting something started on the shores of Lake Superior will require the Seawolves either to get their offense in gear or have one of their goaltenders -- Rob Gunderson and Chris Kamal -- furnish an exceptionally strong performance. The two sophomores have split the team's eight starts.
The last time the Seawolves hit a stretch this bad came early last season, when they lost five straight games and went winless in six straight. That skid included four league games -- 0-3-1, including two losses in Duluth -- but the Seawolves responded by winning four of their next seven games, all in the league.
Find Doyle Woody's blog at adn.com/hockeyblog or call him at 257-4335.
By DOYLE WOODY
Anchorage Daily News