UNH's Faber elevates game in key moments January 15, 2008 By Mike Scandura Special to USAHockey.com Is there any question why University of New Hampshire junior forward Sam Faber (Mt. Sinai, N.Y.) is a Patty Kazmaier Award candidate? Not in the eyes of coach Brian McCloskey, whose Wildcats began the week undefeated in Hockey East (10-0-0) and 19-3-0 overall. One of his reasons is Faber, a member of the 2007 U.S. Under-22 National team, puts up points when they count the most. "We played Harvard (on Dec. 14) and Sam scored two huge goals (one on a short-handed breakaway)," McCloskey said of UNH's 4-1 victory over the then-undefeated Crimson, who had started the season with 11 wins in a row before running into a roadblock versus the Wildcats. "The goals were momentum killers for Harvard. It took the wind out of their sails. "That's the kind of talent Sam possesses. It can change the complexion of the game." Faber is changing the complexion of games into an art form, considering she leads the nation with eight game-winning goals. Through 22 games, Faber has 31 points (15 goals, 16 assists) and a plus-25 rating. The Wildcats have played a schedule that has included teams ranked at one time or another in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll like Wisconsin (UNH beat the then-No. 1 Badgers in back-to-back games), Harvard, St. Lawrence, Boston College and Mercyhurst (twice). "One thing that's overlooked a lot is how a schedule can play into your numbers," said McCloskey. "I don't know if we've ever played a tougher schedule than we have this year. Sam's not putting up good numbers. She's putting up outstanding numbers." After posting 51 points (22 goals, 29 assists) in 27 games as a freshman (replete with a mind-boggling plus-46 rating), Faber "slumped" as a sophomore and "only" notched 46 points (17 goals, 29 assists) in 33 games to go with a plus-32 rating. "Sometimes when players have a great freshman year, it's almost impossible to follow that up the second year," said McCloskey. "She might have been pressing too hard. It also happens to teams. Sometimes it's hard to live up to your own expectations." True, perhaps, but how many coaches would like to have a player who put up sophomore numbers like Faber? But there's more to her play this year than offensive numbers. "I think Sam certainly is a much more consistent performer than she was as a freshman," said McCloskey of a player who participated in the 2006 and 2007 U.S. National Women's Festivals. "She still has the tell-tale signs of an outstanding player - a game-breaker. But she's become much better defensively and much more consistent shift to shift than she was as a rookie." That's one reason why UNH is third in the nation in scoring defense (1.27 goals-per game). But for some players, even like those the caliber of Faber, learning to play at both ends of the ice doesn't necessarily happen overnight. "It's a big adjustment when anybody comes in from high school or prep school hockey," said McCloskey. "They've been focused on playing with the puck and not paying attention to the other side of the game. It's a challenge for everybody. "Sometimes the players who are the most skilled coming from high school are the most challenged. They haven't had to pay attention to defense. They're still going to put up points in college. But in college, you're going to be accountable. "If you're scoring two," continued McCloskey," and giving up three, it's not an acceptable tradeoff." Faber also makes "acceptable" contributions on UNH's special teams (the Wildcats rank second in the nation on the power play at 27.4 percent and third nationally on the penalty kill at 92.4 percent). "Sam's also one of our best penalty killers because she's a very intelligent player," said McCloskey. "There are a lot of penalty killers who are great offensive players. Sam's a very dangerous player whether we're one up or one down." Given Faber's performance, is there any question why UNH is "up" this season? Story courtesy of Red Line Editorial, Inc.

ice hockey in nevada

The Nevada Heat Girls Hockey Organization is a non-affiliated, 501(c)3 Non-profit hockey program that is geared to the growth of hockey for girls and young women, as a sport, while promoting a positive and enjoyable environment for kids and parents. The Nevada Heat Girls Hockey Organizations' goal is to increase the participation in girls ice hockey in the Las Vegas Valley and surrounding areas. The organization is dedicated to both hosting and traveling to other areas to play other developmental and beginning travel girls hockey teams throughout the USA Hockey Pacific District and other areas. The organization currently plays and practices at the developmental level within the house league programs at both the Las Vegas Ice Center and the Las Vegas Ice Cats program at the SOBE Arena, participates in the girls only clinics at the LVIC and has girls only practices at both the LVIC and the SOBE arena. The Las Vegas Ice Center located just east of the intersection of Fort Apache Blvd. & Flamingo Rd. at 9295 West Flamingo Road Las Vegas, Nevada 89147. The phone number for the LVIC is (702) 320-7777. www.lasvegasice.com The SOBE Arena is located on the north side of the Fiesta Rancho Casino at the corner of Lake Mead and Rancho. Their address is 2400 N. Rancho Drive North Las Vegas, NV 89130. The main phone numbers are (702) 631-7000 or (888) 899-7770. The skate school phone number is (702) 638-3785. www.fiestarancholasvegas.com/entertainment/ice/ For more information on playing girls hockey here in Las Vegas and Southern Nevada, please send us an email to info@nevadagirlshockey.com or fill out the contact form and we will be happy to get you our information.

Sportsmanship - Teamwork - Strength - Character - Discipline - Dedication

First ever NY Rangers girls clinic run by Alana Blahoski

blueangels in new issue of myicemagazine

blueangels in new issue of myicemagazine

blueangels ice hockey team previewed in latest issue of ice hockey magazine for women ,myicemagazine Thank you to charlie and yvonne solis

blueangels girls ice hockey coach's Blog: 12u -14u blueangels looking for players

Alana Blahoski clinic at woodbridge community center, woodbridge , new jersey A very good turnout with skating skills including edges, turns, jumps , puck skills , skating with puck on breakaways, moving puck while on turns , one on one drills ,game concepts ending with two sticks given away by our sponsor BlakBak Hockey All the players where very happy with new skills being taught and the attention given to each player by Alana Blahoski Thank You to WolfPack youth hockey orgnization for help with organization of clinic ,our sponsor BlakBak and for all the patience and outstanding teaching by Alana Blahoski and to the parents for a great turnout, coach

Friday, May 15, 2009

12u -14u blueangels looking for players

Any girls looking to play ice hockey out of new jersey , Blueangels girls ice hockey team will be playing at woodbridge community center at 600 main st woodbridge ,new jersey we would like to field two teams 12u and 14u with 14u being select tournament team any players interested we will have a camp in september run by Alana Blahoski former us Olympic Coach and old medalist leave info at email : iceman_11553@yahoo.com , thank you, coach

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Olympic Gold Medalist Meets Ithaca Shooting Stars

by Mary M. Grainger

Friday, 28 September 2007

On Sunday, September 23, and the friends and family of the late Bob Marcoux sponsored a clinic for the Ithaca Shooting Stars featuring USA Olympic Ice Hockey Player and Coach and 1998 Gold Medalist Alana Blahoski. Marcoux Day is in memory of one of Tompkins Girls Hockey Association (TGHA)'s biggest supporters and fans from 1979-1987. Alana Blahoski (center) with Karen and Lauren Cole Marcoux was a dedicated and proud hockey parent who truly loved being a part of the girls' hockey organization in Ithaca. He believed strongly in the values that TGHA teaches and the importance of athletics in the development of young girls. Mr. Marcoux died on December 30, 2004. His family and friends, in conjunction with the TGHA, honor his memory by providing this exciting "Bob Marcoux Day" program to help kick off the 2007-2008 Ithaca Shooting Stars' hockey season. Eighteen girls hockey players from age 10 through 16 met with Alana off ice and on ice. They learned about her experiences as an Olympic athlete (1998 Gold Medal team) and coach (2006 US National Team), and as a D1 NCAA student athlete, and as a sportscaster. She shared the story of how she started skating at age 6 in Minnesota as a way to spend time with her hockey-playing brothers and coach father. When it was announced that women's ice hockey was being added for the first time in the Olympics, she was making the decision to go to college to play hockey and softball at Providence College. (Left to right) Rachel Brock, Alana Blahoski, Sara and Emily Eisenhut Lessons she shared were about adversity, support, appreciation and commitment. Blahoski faced adversity when she didn't make the 2002 Olympic team with her peers from the 1998 team. It was a big disappointment but one that she had to take responsibility for herself. She thanked Coach Ben Smith and then went about finding a way to go to Salt Lake City on her own. She applied to work with NBC Sports and was assigned to be a 'spotter' watching games from the stands and alerting the producer and announcer from that vantage point. When Smith invited her to try out for 2006, she declined and he offered her the position of assistant coach for the team that medaled in Torino. This work and her experience as a power skating instructor lead to her current employment at the Chelsea Piers rink in New York City, and her assignments as a sportcaster. Blahoski spoke about the support of friends, family and teammates. It would be impossible to face adversity or good times without support. She adds that it is important to show appreciation of the opportunities you have in the sport by giving 100% to your team and teammates. Hockey players show commitment at whatever level they are playing. It is not a sport that is taken up casually. There are increasing opportunities for young women today. There are also more distractions of the culture and society that can get in the way of taking advantage of opportunities. When asked about the experience of winning a Gold Medal, Blahoski said she was caught in the moment with her teammates. She said it was pure joy and the culmination of mental and physical preparation, and is the most amazing moment of her life.