Long Beach State 2006-2007 Season Preview

49ers Hoping Improved Offense, Solid Defense Can Lead to Championship
Posted: October 19, 2006 4:59AM; Updated: October 26, 2006 11:28AM

A year after announcing their presence to the NCRHA with a solid showing at the National Championships, the Long Beach State 49ers are looking to secure a spot among the nation’s elite. They return the same solid core on defense that allowed the fewest goals in the WCRHL last year and have new additions on offense that should help them compete with the powerhouses in the West.

“We know that in order to compete for a national championship, we have to be dynamic on offense and defense,” said senior defenseman Erik Aho. “I think we are ready to do that this year.”

The 49ers return their leading scorer from last year, Jason Case, who has shown a knack for smart play that usually results with the puck going in the net. Josh Hackworth, who showed explosiveness last year, also returns. So does Grady Helman, a power forward with a heavy shot and a heavier body check. They will see significant contributions from Ryan Burrows, Greg Davis, and Thomas “Tige” Richardson. Burrows and Davis join the team from Yorba Linda, California, continuing a hockey tradition that was started by Yorba Linda natives Erik Aho, Matt Shaw, and Justin Barney. Both Burrows and Davis are speedy skill players that will aid a team that was deficient at speed at points during last season. Richardson comes from San Diego and will provide grit and goals for the front line.

The defensive pairings are the same as last year; Justin Barney and Matt Shaw are in their second year as a defensive pairing and contributed a great deal of offense last year. They look to concentrate more on the defensive side of the puck this year.

“Justin and I felt like we had to score a lot last year, but this year we think we can rely on our offense,” said Matt Shaw, who led the team in goals and penalty minutes last year. “But we will still jump into the play when we see a good opportunity.”

The 49ers have the luxury of two top defensive pairings. Erik Aho and Conrad Conterno are in their 3rd year together and have formed a cohesiveness that is rare in college roller hockey.

The 49ers received their biggest boost last year in net with the addition of Jeff Aoki, who returns this year. Also returning is Zac Northcraft in the role of back-up. The 49ers have added a goaltender as well; Eduardo Juarez joins the team from San Cristobal de Las Casas, Mexico.

“I think Jeff was a huge part of our success last year, “said Northcraft. “The game he played against Neumann College last year at Nationals was one of the best games I’ve ever seen.” In 9 games where he usually went up against the top teams in the WCRHL, Aoki posted a 3.78 GAA and a .840 save percentage.

When Jeff needs a rest, the 49ers plan on using Northcraft and Juarez without dropping off in production; when Northcraft played last year, the 49ers only gave up an average of 14 shots per game.

“We needed to, otherwise we would have lost,” joked Justin Barney. “No, we feel comfortable going with any of our three goalies and still getting a win.”

The 49ers will need to have all three aspects of play running at a high level to compete in a top-heavy division. UC San Diego capitalized on a disappointing second half by the 49ers with strong play of their own last year to grab the regular season championship, while Nevada utilized mid-season acquisitions to win the WCRHL Regional Championship Tournament.

“We know that we showed flashes of what we could do last year,” said Northcraft. “This year, we know we can show a whole lot more.

http://www.wcrhl.com/article.php?article_id=51134