PNCLL Week 5
Submitted by walax on Tue, 2006-04-18 15:58.
Features
THE PNCLL WEEKLY BEAT April 10 - April 16, 2006
by Douglas Muffinigan
SCOREBOARD
|
PNCLL-B
|
|
|
13-Apr
|
PLU 13, UPS 10
|
|
15-Apr
|
WWU 9, Whitman 8
Montana 25, CWU 3
Willamette 5, L&C 4
|
|
16-Apr
|
Montana 22, Albertson 5
|
POWER RANKINGS
|
PNCLL-B Overall W/L |
|
|
Montana
|
11-1
|
|
WWU
|
8-4
|
|
Southern Oregon
|
7-2
|
|
Pacific Lutheran
|
8-6
|
|
Linfield
|
5-3
|
|
Whitman
|
5-3
|
|
Western Oregon
|
4-9
|
|
Puget Sound
|
2-6
|
|
Central Washington
|
2-6
|
|
Albertson
|
2-6
|
|
Willamette
|
1-8
|
|
Lewis and Clark
|
0-8
|
*To view the most current and complete Computer Rankings, visit LaxPower
RECAPS
PNCLL-B
**The UPS-PLU game was a lot closer than one would expect based on the recent scores each team has been putting up. None-the-less, UPS gave it their all and kept the game pretty close. Having explosive first and third quarters, UPS put in four goals in each. If they could have kept up that intensity for the second and fourth quarters, the outcome of the game would have been different. Although UPS is anything but a refined team, their run and gun style makes unpredictable. As seen here, this can be quite the x-factor as UPS almost knocks off PLU despite the fact that the Lutes have been putting up phenomenal numbers on offense lately. PLU was able to hold on for the 13-10 win.
**Western Washington played an important game against Whitman today and both teams understood the significance of such a game. Both teams fought ‘til the end, but it was Western Washington that stole the show in overtime. After having a great second quarter to close out the half, Western Washington came out on their heels in the third. Not scoring a single goal, this team had a major lapse. Western’s offense put two goals in the fourth to send the game into overtime while Noah Symington kept his defense on their toes on the other side of the field. In OT, Western put the finale in, and took the W, 9-8.
**Montana played CWU and the Grizzlies looked again like… the Montana Grizzlies. “Looking like the Griz” is quite the complement around the PNCLL-B. Showing no mercy, the bullies made themselves feel better by picking on the weaker team. Montana racked up 25 goals, and let in only 3, the game was a blowout.
**Montana also played Albertson this weekend, and that game wasn’t much closer. Destroying the opposition by putting in 9 goals in the first quarter, this game was over shortly after the first face-off. Trying valiantly, the Yotes did manage to get off 36 shots on goal. Not an east feat against the Grizz. Both of Montana’s goalies had great games with 80+% save averages. The Grizzlies won this one 22-5. Montana is looking great with one last game left going into the playoffs.
**The Grittiest Game of the Year award has been given to the game played between Willamette University and Lewis and Clark. Both teams didn’t have a single win going into this game. If these players don’t have anything else, they have heart. It was a battle, and a brilliant one. Willamette took it in the end 5-4 and ended a 30 game losing streak that had been ongoing since 2003. Congrats to the Bearcats on their long awaited victory.
PLAYOFF PICTURE
PNCLL-B
The playoff picture is set and ready. Good luck to all the teams that are in. Top 2 teams, Montana and WWU get a by to the second round. 3-6 play an extra game to decide the semi-final match-ups:
1. Montana (8-0)
2. WWU (7-1)
3. SOU (6-2) wins tie break with PLU in head to head.
4. PLU (6-2)
5. Linfield (5-3) wins tie break with Whitman in head to head.
6. Whitman (5-3)
2. WWU (7-1)
3. SOU (6-2) wins tie break with PLU in head to head.
4. PLU (6-2)
5. Linfield (5-3) wins tie break with Whitman in head to head.
6. Whitman (5-3)
Top 10 League Leaders
PNCLL-B
Name Team P/G
|
1.
|
Hart, Cody
|
Jr
|
Albertson
|
7.29
|
|
2.
|
Ault, Zander
|
So
|
Montana
|
5.64
|
|
3.
|
Tkachuk, Nicholas
|
Fr
|
PLU
|
5.38
|
|
4.
|
Whitehead, Jamison
|
Jr
|
S Oregon
|
5.33
|
|
5.
|
Butterwegge, Joshua
|
Jr
|
W Oregon
|
5.29
|
|
6.
|
Hushagen, Aaron
|
Sr
|
PLU
|
5.08
|
|
7.
|
Olsen, Kristofer
|
Sr
|
PLU
|
4.54
|
|
8.
|
Healy, John
|
So
|
W. Washington
|
4.50
|
|
9.
|
Hall, Townsend
|
So
|
Montana
|
4.45
|
|
10.
|
Schuit, Jake
|
So
|
W. Washington
|
4.00
|
TOP PERFORMERS
ZANDER AULT, SO, Attack, MONTANA…Putting up 11 points in a game is an impressive feat whichever way you look at it. This season high performance was the most impressive one of the week, possibly even the year. His three goals and eight assists added to the six goals he had scored just he previous day. This combo with Townsend and Ault is going to drive opposing coaches crazy. These two sophomores will be playing together for years to come, and some team needs to find an answer if they have and hope of beating the Grizzlies.
NOAH SYMINGTON, FR, Keeper, WWU… 15 saves, 65% save average, Overtime win to put his team past the first round of playoffs, ‘nuff said.
GAMES TO WATCH
4/22 Washington @ Gonzaga… Playoff implications are huge. Each and every goal could be the deciding factor between who gets to go to playoffs between these two teams, or BSU. On top of that, great ongoing rivalry between the Bulldogs and Huskies.
4/22 Oregon State @ Oregon… Great civil war here. Both of these teams are 5-0. This game could determine who has to match up with a potential #3 seeded Clan. Look for both teams to come out gunning hard.
