Anchorage Daily News

Through the Seawolves' first 10 hockey games this season, the only goal scored by a defenseman was captain Matt Robinson's contribution on opening night.

Last weekend, that lonely little marker finally got some company.

UAA's blueliners scored three of the team's four goals in a series split at North Dakota -- Nils Backstrom, Curtis Leinweber, Kane Lafranchise did the honors -- and defenseman Luka Vidmar bagged three assists.

And to hear coach Dave Shyiak tell it, those boosts from the back end resulted from a conscious effort to get the defensemen incorporated into the offense and make the Seawolves more well-rounded.

"We talked about that -- that in order for us to be effective we had to get some scoring punch from back there,'' Shyiak said. "We'd had good opportunities in the first 10 games from our defense and just didn't put the puck in the back of the net.

"We need to consistently get the (forwards) who are goal scorers to score goals and then if we get some scoring from the defense, our chances to have success are pretty good.''

As UAA prepares to entertain No. 3-ranked Colorado College tonight and Saturday night at Sullivan Arena, Vidmar said scoring from the defense can add another critical dimension to a team that thus far is scoring considerably more than last season.

The Seawolves averaged 2.25 goals per game last season to rank 51st among 59 Division I teams. This season, their average of 2.92 goals per game ranks 22nd among 58 D-I teams (Wayne State shuttered its program after last season).

"If you can score from the defense, it's harder on our opponent,'' Vidmar said. "Our opponent needs to focus on us, not just on the forwards. The best defense is offense.''

Leinweber, a freshman, leads UAA's defensemen in scoring with one goal and four assists for five points in five games. He missed six games early with a groin injury, and sat out on Saturday with an illness, but in his limited time has shown he can energize the offense with his skating and imagination.

Lafranchise and Vidmar, both sophomores, have each contributed four points.

Shyiak said UAA's coaching staff has emphasized to the defensemen that they need to make subtle shifts to find clear shooting lanes and avoid rifling shots into opponents' shin pads. Forwards are instructed to create traffic in front of the goaltender and focus on keeping their sticks free to tip shots from the blue line or pounce on rebounds.

"Our 'D' are moving laterally a little bit better, and we've emphasized to our forwards to get in better position in front of the net,'' Shyiak said.

Continued scoring from defensemen can only enhance a team that already is on pace to trump last season, when UAA finished just 7-21-8 overall and 3-19-6 in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. The Seawolves enter the weekend 6-4-2 overall and 3-3-2 in league.

"The difference from last year is we have a winning mentality,'' Vidmar said. "We know we can score goals, we play good defense, get good goaltending and don't give up many shots.

"We feel good about ourselves.''

Seawolf notes

Shyiak said freshman forward Jade Portwood is questionable for this weekend after tweaking his knee on Saturday at North Dakota. A knee injury earlier this season forced Portwood to miss six games.

The Seawolves have received signed National Letters of Intent from three recruits for next season -- two defensemen from the British Columbia Junior League and a forward from the U.S. Hockey League.

On the way next fall is defenseman Lee Baldwin of his hometown Victoria Grizzlies. He owns 5-16--21 totals in 23 games to rank tied for seventh in scoring among BCHL blueliners. Baldwin, 20, is 6-foot-3, 210 pounds.

Also coming is Wes McLeod, 18, of the Prince George Spruce Kings. The 6-1, 185-pound defenseman from Kamloops, B.C., owns 2-15--17 totals in 24 games.

And forward Matt Bailey, 17, of Winnipeg, plays for the Tri-City Storm of the USHL. He owns 4-8--12 totals in 15 games. The 6-1, 185-pounder also has a team-best plus-2 rating, notable on a team with a minus-27 goal differential in 16 games.

Fans looking for a big discount tonight might want to check out UAA's Green & Gold Fridays promotion. Wear green and gold to the game and get up to four free general admission tickets for kids 12 and under who are accompanied by an adult. Those tickets can be had only at the student desk at Sullivan's northwest (main) entrance beginning one hour before face-off.

Looking to make a fashion statement or get an early holiday gift? Following Saturday night's game, last season's Governor Cup jerseys will be auctioned by the Blueliners Booster Club. Cash, check or credit card will be accepted.

Find Doyle Woody's blog online at adn.com/hockeyblog or call him at 257-4335.

NO. 3 COLORADO COLLEGE TIGERS

7-2-3 Overall / 5-2-1 WCHA

at

UAA SEAWOLVES

6-4-2 Overall / 3-3-2 WCHA

WHEN: Tonight and Saturday night, 7:07.

WHERE: Sullivan Arena (cap. 6,251).

TICKETS: $13.25-$18.50, plus outlet fees.

RADIO: Live AM-550 KTZN.

TV: Tape delay, GCI (cable Channel 1), 10:30 p.m.

TRENDS: Since a season-opening 6-2 win over UConn, the Seawolves have played 11 straight games decided by two goals or less. Eleven of the Tigers' 12 games also have been decided by two goals or less.

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