Historic Run Needed to Save Outlaws' Postseason
April 6, 2009 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
North Iowa Outlaws News Release
Mason City (IA) The North Iowa Outlaws put together six winning streaks of at least three games during the regular season and will need to start another one on Tuesday if they plan on making a run deep into the North American Hockey League playoffs. For the third consecutive season the Outlaws have fallen into an 0-2 hole in their best-of-five Central Division semi-final series and will need to win three straight in order to advance passed this round for the first time in team history.
Unfortunately, history is not on North Iowa's side as no NAHL team has ever recovered from the deficit faced by the Outlaws, and only twice have teams even been able to force the series to five games after dropping the first two. Still, everyone grows up dreaming of a chance to make history and to be a trailblazer and for the Outlaws here is a chance for them. Sure, coming back from the brink of elimination in a Junior A hockey playoff series isn't quite at the level of Lewis and Clark's exploration to the west, but it would still be a moment that opens everyone's eyes to the possibility.
"We put ourselves in this situation and it's up to us to get out of it" said Outlaws' assistant coach Garrett Strot. "There were some things we did right last weekend but we just didn't do enough of them and Owatonna took advantage and stole a pair on the road which is inexcusable for us."
After going 19-4-4 at the North Iowa Ice Arena during the regular season, the Outlaws dropped games one and two on home ice last Friday and Saturday to get into the unenviable position they are in. North Iowa never led any of the two nights and of the 137 minutes played by the two teams, spent a total of 74 of those minutes playing catch up.
Owatonna scored five power play goals, continuing a trend from the regular season's 13 meetings in which they had a 17% effectiveness with the skater advantage against North Iowa. Chris Darnell scored three goals, including the game winner both nights, and had numerous other scoring chances all weekend. He was helped by Chris Bournazos who had four assists.
North Iowa's rookie line of Ryan Bohrer (St. Paul, MN), Matt Leer (Edina, MN) and Travis Baker (New Brighton, MN) was one of the few bright spots for the Outlaws. That line combined for seven points and was a +2 on the weekend.
"They stepped up as the fourth line and provided a boost and gave us a chance both games" added Strot. "Our veterans had a rough weekend, but they are all competitors and they don't stay in slumps for long. If the rookies play this same way this week, coupled with the veterans, will be 100%."
This is the second straight season the Outlaws lost the first two games of a first round series on home ice. In 2007, the Outlaws dropped the first two at Fargo before winning games three and four in Mason City to force Game five where they eventually lost in overtime.
It was in 2007 that the Outlaws became the first NAHL team in the post-merger era of 2004 to advance a series to the decisive fifth game after losing the first two. The only other team to accomplish that was the 2008 Southern Minnesota Express who eventually lost their fifth game to Alexandria.
Scoring First
Even though the Outlaws have rallied four times in the third period this season against Owatonna, in each instance they've gone on to lose in either overtime or a shootout. In fact, Owatonna is one of three NAHL teams with the Outlaws and Wenatchee being the others, who haven't lost a game all season when leading after two periods.
So the key for the Outlaws is scoring first and maintaining a lead. Of the 15 games the teams have now played against one another, the team that has scored first has won 13.
The Cullen Way
Some coaches are just made for the postseason for it's in the playoffs that coaches earn the creation of bronzed statues in honor of them. In Owatonna, artists may as well start getting the sketches for Pat Cullen's likeness ready as the one-time North Iowa Huskies' player/assistant coach is one win away from going five-for-five in divisional playoff series in his NAHL coaching career. Cullen is now 15-4 in the playoffs dating back to his two seasons with the former Southern Minnesota Express in 2005-2006 and 2006-2007.
The Longest Game
North Iowa's double overtime loss on Friday, a game that lasted just shy of 77 minutes is the longest game in Outlaws' history. The previous game that lasted the longest was North Iowa's 2-1 overtime win in Game Four of the 2007 first round series against Fargo which took 76 minutes to complete.
Due for a Walk-Off
The Outlaws overtime loss in game one continued a frustrating trend for the Outlaws who are just 12-23 after regulation in franchise history. This includes a 1-3 record in overtime in the playoffs with the Outlaws dropping their last three decisions going back to Game five versus Fargo in 2007.
Need a Road Win
North Iowa is 0-4, with two overtime losses, in playoff road games.
Outlaws vs. Owatonna Central Division Semi-Final Series
Fri. Apr. 3rd vs. Owatonna 6-7 2OTL (Game 1)
Sat. Apr. 4th vs. Owatonna 1-4 Loss (Game 2)
Tues. Apr. 7th @ Owatonna (Played in Faribault) 7:00pm (Game 3)
Sat. Apr. 11th @ Owatonna (Played in Faribault) 7:30pm (Game 4)
* Mon. Apr. 13th vs. Owatonna 7:30pm
*If Necessary
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 April 6, 2009
- U.S. National Under-18 Team Defeats Sweden - U.S. National Team
- Thunder Tender Players - Albert Lea Thunder
- Nielsen and Lundholm Commit for 2009-10 - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Wildcats come home down 0-2 - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Auction Items To Help Injured Player - NAHL
- Historic Run Needed to Save Outlaws' Postseason - North Iowa Outlaws
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