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NJ Outlaws Outlaws Stampede to Top of FHL

December 7, 2011 - Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL)
Williamsport Outlaws News Release


WAYNE, NJ - In most instances, expansion teams don't do very well in their inaugural season. It takes time for a group of players to get used to each other. Throw in learning systems from a coach that is unfamiliar to all of them and it is a recipe for slow improvement.

There are always exceptions to the rule however. In the second year Federal Hockey League, the New Jersey Outlaws are just that exception.

The Outlaws have gotten off to a great start, climbing to the top of the FHL standings. The team, which plays out of the Capital One Ice Vault in Wayne, has only lost twice in its first 16 games (13 regulation wins, 1 overtime win, 0 overtime losses, 2 regulation losses) and are currently riding a ten-game winning streak heading into their next contest on Friday in Brooklyn.

Owned by Arizona lawyer Kristin Ann Rooney and coached by veteran bench boss Chris Firriolo, the Outlaws play a fast paced, high-scoring game thanks in large part to the roster that Firriolo put together during the off season. To date, the Outlaws have scored 83 goals - second most in the league - and given up just 40. They have been dominant at the Ice Vault, posting a 7-1-0-1 record at home, and on the road with a 6-0-0-1 mark. The Outlaws have accumulated 480 penalty minutes, proving to all that they will not be pushed around easily.

New Jersey started the season by losing in Danbury, CT to the Whalers but then bounced back to beat them at home. The Outlaws then won their next four games in a row before losing to Danbury once again. They have not lost a game since that loss on November 5th, taking the next ten straight.

Firriolo was able to gather a collection of players who are mostly new to the FHL but not necessarily new to each other. In fact, a large part of the Outlaws' roster at one time called the Southern Professional Hockey League home.

The Outlaws are led by their captain, center Travis Kauffeldt. Kauffeldt, who played several seasons for the Huntsville Havoc in the SPHL, has 19 goals and 16 assists on the season for 35 points to lead the team as well as being good enough for second place in scoring in the FHL. He also has a plus minus rating of plus-18 on the season. Kevin Cooper, who has extensive experience from the CHL as well as the SPHL (Huntsville last season), is the second leading scorer on the Outlaws' roster with 13 goals and 18 assists, good for 31 points on the season with a plus-25 rating.

The forward lines also boast FHL experience. Forward Matthew Puntureri, who was named to the All-FHL team a year ago, has eight goals and 21 assists for 29 points and a plus-16 rating thus far. Center John Goffredo, who put up over 50 points for the New York (now Brooklyn) Aviators last season, has eight goals and 18 points to go along with a plus-11 rating with the Outlaws.

Even the Outlaws defensemen play a high-powered offensive game. Former SPHLers Billy McCreary, nephew of former NHL referee Bill McCreary, and Lawne Snyder each have at least ten points to their credit while putting up double digit plus ratings (plus-17 for Snyder and plus-20 for McCreary).

Outlaws defenseman Billy McCreary leads a veteran blueline corps (PHN photo by Bill Thebert)

Newcomer Nathan Oke, who has played for several teams at the A and AA levels, has put up 15 points and a plus-13 rating in just ten games in New Jersey.

New Jersey has one of the best goaltending tandems in the FHL. Adam Dekker has yet to lose, posting a 7-0-0 record with two shutouts, a 2.14 goals against average and a .930 save percentage. His running mate, former SPHL playoff MVP Dan McWhinney, has been just as good with a 7-2 record to go along with a 2.77 goals against average and a .911 save percentage.

Off the ice, the Outlaws have been busy as well both in the community and on game nights. When they host Danbury at the Ice Vault on December 17th, legendary hockey writer and MSG hockey analyst Stan Fischler will be in attendance to greet fans and sign autographs.

All in all, not too bad for a new team trying to find its way.



Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from December 7, 2011


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.

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