Outlaws Move into First Place Tie; On Seven-Game Unbeaten Streak
October 20, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
North Iowa Outlaws News Release
Mason City (IA) At the end of March, the team that was in first place in October will take no consolation in that fact if they aren't first place come the conclusion to the regular season. That said, the joy of following a team from start to finish is experiencing the highs and lows, and everyone wants to have more of those highs, including time spent in first place. So getting into first place as soon as possible during the season is every team's objective and the North Iowa Outlaws have partially achieved that following a weekend sweep.
The Outlaws (7-3-1, 15pts), defeated Bismarck 5-2 on Friday in Mason City and upended Alexandria 6-4 on the road Saturday to run their current unbeaten streak to seven games (6-0-1) and move into a tie with Alexandria for the North American Hockey League's Central Division, lead.
"It's never too early to get into first place" said Outlaws' head coach Jeff Crouse. "We were the regular season champions last season and view first place is something we want to defend and hold onto so the team takes great pride in that."
The seven game unbeaten streak matches the franchise's longest such streak in team history, equaling a seven-game winning streak the team had last November. Though this streak does include a shootout loss to Owatonna on Oct. 10th, it's still impressive for a team that had lost three straight prior to its start.
On Friday, the Outlaws were outshot 47-23 by Bismarck but goaltender Thomas Callaghan (New Westminister, PA) stopped 45 Bismarck chances while Travis Peckskamp (Sauk Rapids, MN) scored twice in the win. Jack Paul (Minnetonka, PA) and Alex Carlson (Farmington, MN) each added two assists in the victory as the Outlaws never trailed in the game at the North Iowa Ice Arena.
In fact, the Outlaws never trailed all weekend, as they followed the Bismarck win, with a 6-4 triumph in Alexandria to move into a first place tie with the Blizzard. Brandon Broadhag (Brooklyn Park, MN) netted the Outlaws first hat trick since Bryant Skarda did it at Southern Minnesota on Nov. 30 of last season, while Joe Harcharik (Johnston, IA) and hometown boy Jon Crouse (Alexandria, MN) each assisted on two goals.
North Iowa let a 3-0 lead evaporate on a second period goal, and two goals in the first three minutes of the third period, but went on to score three of the game's final four goals to win. Derek Donohue (Manitowoc, WI) pumped in the eventual game winner on a short-handed breakaway with 5:04 remaining in the game.
"Alexandria is a good team and to go up there and to win is a great accomplishment for this team" added Jeff Crouse. "The Blizzard has a few impact players back from last season and are going to be tough all season."
The Outlaws are now 6-0-1 against their Central Division rivals, including a perfect 3-0-0 on the road.
Over the last two seasons, North Iowa is 11-1-1 in the month of October.
Dance Team Debut Set
The highly anticipated debut of the new Outlawz Girls dance team will take place at the Outlaws home game this Friday night, Oct. 24th, when Bismarck comes to town at 7:30pm. The dance team will perform during the first intermission, and will be on hand at almost all remaining home games during the 2008-2009 season. Team members hail from around the North Iowa region and range in age from 18-24.
Doc Hockeyday for President
Half joking around, half serious, the North Iowa Outlaws are beginning a write-in presidential campaign for mascot Doc Hockeyday this week, culminating in a rally during Friday's home game. Doc Hockeyday, who this season started his own gang "Outlaws Nation" as a way of banding together to take on the rest of the Central Division, is running on a platform of "All Out Change" as an independent.
"Everyone keeps talking about how they want change in policies and a new feeling out of the White House. Well, what would shake things up more than having a hockey stick wielding bandit running loose in Washington!" said Outlaws' Director of Communications and Doc Hockeyday campaign spokesman Scott Montesano. "Doc Hockeyday knows what this country wants."
Topping Last Season
In only six games with the Outlaws, defenseman Ryan Peltoma (Brainerd, MN) already has six assists equaling his assist total of last season with the USHL's Tri-City Storm.
Outlaws Last Week
Fri. Oct. 17 vs. Bismarck 5-2 Win att. 782
Sat. Oct. 18 @ Alexandria 6-4 Win
Outlaws This Week
Fri. Oct. 24 vs. Bismarck 7:30pm
Sat. Oct. 25 @ Owatonna 7:00pm on KGLO 1300am
The North Iowa Outlaws Hockey Club is in its fourth season as members of the North American Hockey League. The NAHL is the nation's largest Junior A hockey league and is now in its 33nd year of operation. For more information, visit northiowaoutlaws.com or call (641) 424-5468.
Outlaws home games are played at the North Iowa Ice Arena in Mason City, IA. All games will be broadcasted on northiowaoutlaws.com and video broadcast through B/2 Network.
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North American Hockey League Stories from October 20, 2008
- Alaska relishes comforts of home - NAHL
- Brodhag Named NAHL Central Division POW - North Iowa Outlaws
- Phantoms' Clifford Named Player of the Week - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Outlaws Move into First Place Tie; On Seven-Game Unbeaten Streak - North Iowa Outlaws
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