2023-24 NCAA Hockey

[SW_Mustang]

Your bucket list sounds great. I've been to Alaska a couple of times already and I saw the Ice Dogs play when I was in Fairbanks but I didn't think of getting a puck. It's brutally cold there, but this SoCal boy survived, so it should be fairly easy for a Minnesota boy like you. I also went to Ketchikan, but it was in the summer and I don't think they have a hockey arena...at least I did'nt see one. I saw a lot of bears though. People pay a lot of money to have tour guides take them to see grizzly bears in the wild. I was told by a local to just go to the dump and I can see them for free, so I did and they were there chowing down. There's a hill nearby where you can watch the bears without them noticing.

I've been to some other minor league hockey games during my travels where I didn't get pucks either: the Steelheads in Boise, Idaho - the Wildcats in Wichita Falls, Texas (that team has since gone defunct) and the Coachella Valley Firebirds in Palm Desert, CA. So I guess you could say that I only buy pucks from teams that I'm a fan of. I think it was on Halloween night in 2014 that I saw the game in Fairbanks and the snow outside was already pretty deep. From there I took a tour up the infamous Dalton Highway seen on Ice Road Truckers to see the Northern Lights in Coldfoot, Alaska (which is waaay up north above the Arctic Circle). We could see them that night, but not real good because of cloud cover. But it was good enough to make them out so the tour guide made sure that we all got official certificates from the state of Alaska which was nice. But I'd rather have a great picture. Oh well, maybe it will happen when I go to Anchorage next year? Let's Go Seawolves!

I wouldn't mind making it up to Alaska some day! Fairbanks moved to Marshall temporarily during the pandemic because of travel restrictions. It's a much smaller barn, but they basically sold out every game. The town loved having them and they loved being there - so when it was time to move back to Fairbanks, they arranged for one series a year to be played in their "other" home.

I'd love to see some minor pro hockey. We don't have any in Minnesota - there's a team in South Dakota in Rapid City, one in Des Moines and one in Kansas City. Kinda long drives on all of them - but some day I'll go.

I'll post a picture of Los Alamos when I get a chance, but the rink predates the Manhattan Project. It's crazy to think they've had hockey there for that long. In fact they bought one of the first Zambonis ever made which is now in a museum in Minnesota. Absolutely gorgeous scenery.

[crixus]

Nice! I actually despise winter so being a hockey tourist gives me something to do instead of just sitting at home for six months. My goal is to see as many high school and above arenas as I can. Unfortunately I won't see many this year because of car issues - so hopefully next year.

#1 on my bucket list is to see a game in Los Alamos, New Mexico - though it's not an arena, just an ODR. Ideally I'd go if the Ice Wolves play there again, but that might have been a one-off ordeal. I'll probably add the Watertown Shamrocks this year, and if I go to Weiner Dog night in Sioux Falls I'll get a puck for them too.


I added a Fairbanks Ice Dogs puck last week. I stopped at their game on my way to Mankato. Kinda cool that an Alaskan team calls Marshall home for one weekend a year.

Your bucket list sounds great. I've been to Alaska a couple of times already and I saw the Ice Dogs play when I was in Fairbanks but I didn't think of getting a puck. It's brutally cold there, but this SoCal boy survived, so it should be fairly easy for a Minnesota boy like you. I also went to Ketchikan, but it was in the summer and I don't think they have a hockey arena...at least I did'nt see one. I saw a lot of bears though. People pay a lot of money to have tour guides take them to see grizzly bears in the wild. I was told by a local to just go to the dump and I can see them for free, so I did and they were there chowing down. There's a hill nearby where you can watch the bears without them noticing.

I've been to some other minor league hockey games during my travels where I didn't get pucks either: the Steelheads in Boise, Idaho - the Wildcats in Wichita Falls, Texas (that team has since gone defunct) and the Coachella Valley Firebirds in Palm Desert, CA. So I guess you could say that I only buy pucks from teams that I'm a fan of. I think it was on Halloween night in 2014 that I saw the game in Fairbanks and the snow outside was already pretty deep. From there I took a tour up the infamous Dalton Highway seen on Ice Road Truckers to see the Northern Lights in Coldfoot, Alaska (which is waaay up north above the Arctic Circle). We could see them that night, but not real good because of cloud cover. But it was good enough to make them out so the tour guide made sure that we all got official certificates from the state of Alaska which was nice. But I'd rather have a great picture. Oh well, maybe it will happen when I go to Anchorage next year? Let's Go Seawolves!

[SW_Mustang]

The only hockey pucks I have are a Ontario Reign (LA Kings AHL team) puck from their inaugural game. And one from the San Jose Sharks (my favorite NHL team). I'm $aving to make the trip to Anchorage to go sight seeing by train to Seward and back, hiking and to take in a Seawolves game. I hope to buy a UAA puck then.

Nice! I actually despise winter so being a hockey tourist gives me something to do instead of just sitting at home for six months. My goal is to see as many high school and above arenas as I can. Unfortunately I won't see many this year because of car issues - so hopefully next year.

#1 on my bucket list is to see a game in Los Alamos, New Mexico - though it's not an arena, just an ODR. Ideally I'd go if the Ice Wolves play there again, but that might have been a one-off ordeal. I'll probably add the Watertown Shamrocks this year, and if I go to Weiner Dog night in Sioux Falls I'll get a puck for them too.


I added a Fairbanks Ice Dogs puck last week. I stopped at their game on my way to Mankato. Kinda cool that an Alaskan team calls Marshall home for one weekend a year.

[SW_Mustang]

Ebay has this one for St. Cloud, but I wouldn't pay that for one. UGH!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/18349435517...Bk9SR-KNlJz4ZA

Ha, I saw that. Not to mention that thing is ugly. C'mon NCHC! The design on the front of that thing looks like St. Cloud's football team - non existent. Commissioner's choice, perhaps?

I suppose I could just email athletic departments. It's what I'm going to have to do for the USHL teams (hopefully Omaha hasn't hired their email guy as HC yet). Offer to buy one outright or make a donation to the school.

[crixus]

Friday night final - Augustana beat the UAA Seawolves 3-2 in overtime. UAA doesn't play again until Dec. 28 & 29 when they face Dartmouth in New Hampshire.

[crixus]

The only hockey pucks I have are a Ontario Reign (LA Kings AHL team) puck from their inaugural game. And one from the San Jose Sharks (my favorite NHL team). I'm $aving to make the trip to Anchorage to go sight seeing by train to Seward and back, hiking and to take in a Seawolves game. I hope to buy a UAA puck then.

[Millsy]

I've got this large empty shelf at work that I am planning on displaying hockey pucks on - one for every team I've seen play at home between junior, college, and pro. Also will give me something to chase as I add new teams.

The two tricky ones I'll need is Augustana and St. Cloud - anyone know how I can go about getting these? I'll check Augie's store next time I'm at Midco, but I don't believe they sell them. Would like official game pucks that feature a team logo, if possible - or as close to it as I can get.

Not a huge fan of publicly displaying some of these logos in the vicinity of my space lol - but I gotta get as close to 100% as I can.

Also it's kinda funny - but it's much easier getting an Augustana Vikings puck from the Canadian school than it is to get one from 45 miles down the road.

Hockey Puck - Vikings | University of Alberta Bookstore

Ebay has this one for St. Cloud, but I wouldn't pay that for one. UGH!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/18349435517...Bk9SR-KNlJz4ZA

[SW_Mustang]

I've got this large empty shelf at work that I am planning on displaying hockey pucks on - one for every team I've seen play at home between junior, college, and pro. Also will give me something to chase as I add new teams.

The two tricky ones I'll need is Augustana and St. Cloud - anyone know how I can go about getting these? I'll check Augie's store next time I'm at Midco, but I don't believe they sell them. Would like official game pucks that feature a team logo, if possible - or as close to it as I can get.

Not a huge fan of publicly displaying some of these logos in the vicinity of my space lol - but I gotta get as close to 100% as I can.

Also it's kinda funny - but it's much easier getting an Augustana Vikings puck from the Canadian school than it is to get one from 45 miles down the road.

Hockey Puck - Vikings | University of Alberta Bookstore

[crixus]

Alaska Anchorage tied Augustana 2-2 in overtime tonight in Anchorage. They'll go at it again tomorrow. Go Seawolves!

[Millsy]

Lake Superior State beat Alaska Anchorage 4-2 to finish out the weekend series. The Lakers goalie (Applebee) played much better than he did yesterday, which is unfortunate for us Seawolves fans.

I wasn't listening to the game, but I have heard it was announced during one of BSU's games this weekend that Bemidji State will be making the trip to Anchorage next year.

[crixus]

Lake Superior State beat Alaska Anchorage 4-2 to finish out the weekend series. The Lakers goalie (Applebee) played much better than he did yesterday, which is unfortunate for us Seawolves fans.

[crixus]

Alaska Anchorgage tied Lake Superior State, 4-4. They had a shootout afterwards that the Seawolves won, but it was all for practice apparantly because it doesn't count in the books because UAA is an Independent team and Lake Superior State is in a conference. Seems like a dumb rule to me but that's how it works. So it goes in the books as a tie. These two teams go at it again tomorrow. Go Seawolves!

[Millsy]

Bemidji State 3, Gophers 1! Beavers fell to the Gophers 5-3 (ENG) on Thursday.

[crixus]

Alaska-Anchorage got revenge tonight with a 6-1 romp over Alaska-Fairbanks in game two of the Alaska Governor's Cup. The series is tied at one game each and will resume in January 2025. Go Seawolves!

[crixus]

Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks beat my Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves 3-2 (OT) in game one of the Alaska Governor's Cup. It's a six game series that continues throughout the season. Game two is tomorrow night in Anchorage. Go Seawolves!