Brodhag One Goal Away from Franchise Record
Published on March 2, 2009 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
North Iowa Outlaws News Release
Mason City (IA) When the calendar flips over to March, there is a very good probability that any goal a player scores comes with an added importance due to the heightened magnitude of each game. Still, for the North Iowa Outlaws' Brandon Brodhag regardless of when his next two goals come they will always hold a special place in his personal memory bank.
The Brooklyn Park, Minnesota native has 25 goals this season and is one away from matching the one-year old franchise record for goals in a single-season set by Bryant Skarda. Brodhag could match and break the record as early as this weekend when the Outlaws welcome the Alexandria Blizzard to Mason City on Friday and Saturday and go to Albert Lea Sunday night.
Brodhag has 18 goals in 17 games against those two teams.
"What (Brandon) has brought to this team each weekend is a consistent approach and it's paid off with not only all his goals, but the other offensive chances he either sets-ups up or generates" said Outlaws' head coach Jeff Crouse. "Everyone in the league knows how potent he is."
The reigning North American Hockey League Central Division rookie of the year, Brodhag spent last season with the Southern Minnesota Express, scoring 29 goals. However, when that franchise packed and moved to Detroit last spring, Brodhag wished to stay closer to home and Crouse was more than happy to pick him up.
"I knew exactly what he was capable of doing and he has delivered what we signed him up for" added Crouse.
Brodhag is second on the Outlaws with 50 total points (25g, 25a) and is tied for third in the entire NAHL in goals with his 25.
While Brodhag will likely be the first to pass Skarda, it wouldn't be shocking if he has plenty of company before the end of the regular season. Jack Paul (Minnetonka, MN), Alex Carlson (Farmington, MN) and Travis Peckskamp (Sauk Rapids, MN) each has at least 20 goals.
Harcharik Stopped in Place Fourth-year Outlaws' veteran Joe Harcharik (Johnston, IA) failed to gain any ground last weekend in his pursuit of the franchise's all-time career points record. Harcharik has 130 career points, which is 8 points shy of the record with 10 games remaining. If Harcharik ties or breaks the record he would do it in fewer games than Mobley did during his career in Mason City.
Outlaws' Split
The North Iowa Outlaws' split a pair of games at the Owatonna Express last weekend, falling 5-1 on Friday but recovering for a 3-1 victory on Saturday. The split finishes the Outlaws' five-game stretch of road games at 3-2-0 with both losses coming at the Four Seasons Centre in Owatonna.
Without a doubt, the statistic of the weekend was .956%, that was the save percentage for Owatonna goaltender Fredrik Bergman who was amazing. He frustrated the Outlaws on Friday, and was the sole reason the Express had a chance on Saturday.
"Some of the saves he was making really made you want to take a second look and he was stopping some excellent shots from some of our top guys" noted Outlaws' head coach Jeff Crouse. "He was good both nights."
However, the Outlaws were still able to earn a split of the weekend thanks in part to their rookie goaltender Keegan Asmundson (Inver Grove Heights, MN) who made 36 saves and came within 32-seconds of the shutout on Saturday night.
Coming Home
With the final month of the regular season here, the Outlaws' will benefit by playing six of their final 10 games at the North Iowa Ice Arena. The benefit of home ice will likely aid the Outlaws in their final push to not only secure home-ice advantage in the first round of the NAHL Central Division playoffs but also make a play for the division's regular season title.
With 10 games remaining, the Outlaws' have a nine-point lead over Owatonna for second place but trail first place Bismarck by five points.
Realistically, catching Bismarck will be difficult for even if the Outlaws were to go 9-1 down the stretch, they would need the Bobcats to no better than 6-4.
"There is nothing we can do to stop Bismarck right now, but we need to keep playing and picking up wins because there is no guarantee they won't stumble down the stretch and if they give us that opening I want us to be right there to go through" commented Crouse.
Outlaws Last Week
Fri. Feb. 27th @ Owatonna 1-5 Loss
Sat. Feb. 28st @ Owatonna 3-1 Win
Outlaws This Week
Fri. Mar. 6th vs. Alexandria 7:30pm
Sat. Mar. 7th vs. Alexandria 7:30pm
Sun. Mar. 8th @ Albert Lea 7:30pm
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.
North American Hockey League Stories from March 2, 2009
- Gaffney Named NAHL South Division Player Of The Week - Springfield Jr. Blues
- Wenatchee celebrates first sellout with sweep - NAHL
- Phantoms Sweep Weekly League Honors - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Wildcats Split With Alaska - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Brodhag One Goal Away from Franchise Record - North Iowa Outlaws
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
