North Iowa Outlaws update
Published on January 10, 2007 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
North Iowa Outlaws News Release
Welcome Back Hockey Fans, and I apologize for the layoff of Weekly Updates. With the Holiday Break and a few busy weeks after returning to Mason City, I am back to continue the Weekly Reports, enjoying our trip to Alaska.
The Outlaws are in the frozen north for tens days, currently on the drive between Fairbanks and Anchorage. They will play the Alaska Avalanche later the week in Wasilla before returning to Mason City on Sunday.
Fairbanks has been cold, with highs reaching around - 22 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes the weather in Mason City seem pretty nice right about now. The team only sees the sun for a few hours a day, and it never makes it above the horizon. All in all, it's been a good trip off the ice, lots of fun and some good pictures for sure. Look for photos from the trip on the website later this week.
North Iowa Cools Off in Alaska
Traveling north in January isn't the best time. Not only have the Outlaws battled the Fairbanks Ice Dogs, but also the negative temperatures that go with it. All things aside, the Outlaws first weekend in Alaska didn't start good.
Friday night was a night for the newest member for both teams shined, but is was Fairbanks' Kenny Reiter took the spotlight in his debut with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs, stopping 42 of 43 shots as the Ice Dogs defeated the Outlaws 4-1. Tyler Romasco scored the lone goal for the Outlaws in his debut with North Iowa after joining the team in a trade with the Bismarck Bobcats that sent Casey Dion to North Dakota. The Ice Dogs jumped all over North Iowa in the opening few minutes of the game, taking a 2-0 lead in the first 12 minutes of play. Fairbanks' Travis Hamway knocked home a power-play goal, and Jonas Hoog added to it minutes later. In the second, Kyle Schmidt scored a pair of goals with the first coming four minutes in. Trailing 3-0, Romasco scored on the power play to make it 3-1, but the Ice Dogs scored with under a minute to play in the second period as Schmidt picked up his second goal of the game.
In the third period, the Outlaws had some chances, but Reiter was strong between the pipes stopping 42 of 43 shots he faced. North Iowa out shot the Ice Dogs 15-6 in the third period but couldn't find the back of the net.
Saturday night, the Outlaws came out with the effort coach Dave Boitz was looking for, but it wasn't enough as the Ice Dogs had an answer for everything the Outlaws threw at them. Fairbanks responded after every North Iowa goal and added two in the third period to down North Iowa, 5-3.
Jon Crouse put the Outlaws on top in the first period, letting a wrist shot fly through traffic that found the back of the net for his first goal of the season, but Fairbanks answered right back and took a 2-1 lead at the end of the first period. In the second, Crouse picked up his second point of the season with a great pass through the middle of the ice on the stick of Matt Morin, who scored on the breakaway to tie the game. A minute later, Max Mobley gave North Iowa the lead hammering home his own rebound on the power play to give the Outlaws a 3-2 advantage. Fairbanks battled back and tied the game at three to end the second period.
In the third, the Ice Dogs picked up two goals in 45 seconds to take a 5-3 lead, which was too much for the Outlaws to overcome. North Iowa had some chances with a power play late, but Reiter came up big for the Ice Dogs and recorded his second consecutive win.
Sunday night started real bad for the Outlaws, but it almost ended in dramatic fashion as North Iowa tried to mount a late rally started with a near line brawl. The game finished with Fairbanks pulling out the victory but it was a game that had a little of everything. From fights to goal, big hits to an exciting final few minutes, the Outlaws and Ice Dogs gave a lifeless game a burst of energy in the third period.
Fairbanks opened the game with a pair of goals in the opening minutes, converting on two power plays, including a 5-on-3 to take a 2-0 lead. North Iowa's power play got their first chance minutes later and Jack Power wasted no time finding the back of the net. Six seconds into the man advantage, Erick Galt let a shot fly from the point that was redirected by Mike Wallgren right to the stick of Powers.
Fairbanks answered at the 12:02 mark with their third power-play goal, but again North Iowa's power play responded. Steve McLeod led the rush and drew the defense, put the breaks on a found Trevor Doden trailing the play. Doden cut in and let a shot fly that beat Matt Beggs to pull the Outlaws within one at the end of the first. In the second, Fairbanks scored four times to blow the game wide open, but in third period, the Outlaws responded, showing signs of life and sending a message to Fairbanks.
Trailing 7-2 at the start of the period, the Outlaws came out with a renewed life. Joe Harcharik scored a power-play goal, 12 seconds into the man advantage to make the score 7-3. Later in the period, Ross Ring- Jarvi put a big hit on former Outlaws Alex McRae, which he didn't take too lightly. McRae went after Ring-Jarvi with a cross check to the back of the head, which set off a brawl on the ice. Daryl Dee and Nick Haddad scrapped, and while the officials broke that fight up, Brandon Larson and Matt Carlson dropped the gloves
When all was broken up, the Outlaws came away with a 4-on-4, followed by a three-minute power play. Matt Morin gave the Outlaws hope, blasting a slap shot that nearly took the glove off of Beggs to make it 7-4. Minutes later, when the power was winding down, Morin scored again and all of the sudden, the Outlaws were in the hockey game. It wasn't until the final minute when the Outlaws, on the power play again, pulled Jay Clark for the extra attacked and Schmidt scored to put the Ice Dogs up, 8-5.
Clark Commits to NCAA D-I Goaltender Set to Play at West Point
For the first time in franchise history, a member of the North Iowa Outlaws will dress to play NCAA Division I hockey. Goaltender Jay Clark committed on Wednesday night to play for the US Army Military Academy at West Point for the 2007-08 school year. Clark, a two year veteran for the Outlaws, will depart at the end of the season and before touching the ice in West Point, have to tackle the vagarious workouts of Basic Training. "From what I have heard, all the athletes seem to handle it," Clark said. "It will tough but I will get by."
Army has been after Clark for most of the season, but after talking with them Tuesday and visiting the campus, the decision was easy. "It had a lot of everything I was looking for," Jay added about the prestige of the school. They've got a D-I hockey program, and this is as good as a school academically as I could've hoped for. I'm getting the best of everything."
Coming in, Clark will have to battle for a starting job with a returning Junior, but Jays says he's up for the challenge. "The first year is going to be tough to get playing time, their starter is pretty good," Clark added. "It's going to be a challenge and I'm just going to give my all everyday. I'm excited to take the next step in my career."
Clark boosts a 3-2-2 record in seven appearances this season with a goals against average of 2.99%. For Coach Dave Boitz and the Outlaws organization, the first ever commitment couldn't have gone to a better person. "Jay is a great kid and we can't be happier for him," Boitz added. "He's a deserving and extremely hardworking individual and we know he will do great.
The Army Black Knights play in the Atlantic Hockey Conference. All commitments are verbal agreements until the signing period in April.
Giebe Returns for World Juniors
Germany's Run Comes Up Short
For North Iowa Defenseman Chris Giebe, the chance to go represent his country against the World's best was an excellent experience. Giebe represented Germany in the World Junior Championships in Sweden. On the blue line, the 6'4 defenseman scored a goal and ended the tournament with an even plus- minus rating. Giebe's goal came in the 2-1 overtime victory against power house Team USA in the opening game.
Continuing the upsets, the German's down Slovakia in the second game of the tournament and played tough in a 3-1 loss to Canada. In the end, they were knocked out of pool play after losing to Sweden and missed the Quarterfinals by a goal. For Germany, who was a long shot to make the Quarterfinals, the pool play was a great ride.
In the regulation rounds, the spirits of the German squad was down and Belarus and Switzerland knocked off the Cinderella story, sending them back to the bottom pool in the U-20 division. Giebe returned to the Outlaws in Alaska and played his first game back on Sunday. He says his experience was one he will never forget. Watch for more on his experience around the rink. Pictures and his jersey will hang on the wall at the North Iowa Ice Arena upon return to Mason City.
North American Hockey League Stories from January 10, 2007
- U.S. Nat'l Under-17 Team Travels to Marquette for Weekend Series with NAHL's Rangers - U.S. National Team
- North Iowa Outlaws update - North Iowa Outlaws
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