Outlaws Drop Two of Three in Playoff Dress Rehearsal
Published on March 17, 2009 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
North Iowa Outlaws News Release
Mason City (IA) Whether it's in math class in grade school, in the middle of taking swimming lessons as a youth or even forced upon us during business seminars the notion that practice makes perfect is drilled into us all. Sure the first time we bake a cake it may taste delicious, but that flavor only inches closer to perfection on each subsequent try. In theatrical productions, in the days leading up to the opener the actors engage in numerous dress rehearsals allowing them a feel for what the evening will be like so that by the time the big night arrives nothing is completely foreign to any of them.
The North Iowa Outlaws are hoping that in the long run, their own version of a dress rehearsal they had this weekend, proves to be more of a positive then a negative influence to their own postseason success next month. The Outlaws dropped two of three games this past weekend to the Owatonna Express in what was likely a preview of a North American Hockey League first round playoff series next month.
Owatonna escaped Mason City with a 7-6 overtime victory on Friday March 13th. The Outlaws then rallied back for a 4-2 win on March 14th again in Mason City, before Owatonna controlled from start to finish in a 6-2 decision in Faribault, Minnesota.
"The weekend turned out to be like a playoff series considering how intense each game was" said Outlaws' head coach Jeff Crouse. "We had some positive moments and some negative moments and saw some things we need to shore up before we play (Owatonna) in an actual playoff series."
The first game was undoubtedly the most thrilling with the teams combining for 13 goals, eight of which were scored in the second period. Owatonna eventually extended out a 6-3 lead midway through the second period before the Outlaws rallied to make it 6-5 heading into the third when all of sudden the frequent scoring was stopped cold. Whereas before goals had come in bunches, they were as infrequent as a 90-degree day in January. However, the Outlaws were eventually able to tie the game on Alex Carlson's (Farmington, MN) second goal of the night with only: 31seconds remaining, forcing overtime.
Nonetheless, Owatonna's Dan Cecka scored off a loose puck in front of the Outlaws' cage just one minute into overtime giving the Express the victory.
"That was a great game for the fans to watch with a little bit of everything, but truthfully no coach is happy when they allow seven goals in a game" noted Outlaws' assistant coach Garrett Strot. "We were very happy to come back from three down to tie the game and that can only help put a little doubt in Owatonna's mind that we have that ability."
The Outlaws would then rally for a 4-2 win the next night, after Owatonna had taken a 2-1 lead early in the second period. Kurt Weston (Roseau, MN) deflected a pass between his legs and into the goal with less than a minute remaining in the second period to give the Outlaws a 3-2 lead.
However, the weekend ended with a thud as Owatonna jumped out to a 2-0 lead early in the first period on March 15th and while the Outlaws cut the lead to 2-1 and then 3-2, they never were able to finish the comeback this time, dropping the 6-2 decision.
"The Sunday's game was very disappointing and by no means the way we wanted to end the season series with (Owatonna), but we'll get another chance in some games that mean much more coming up very soon" added Crouse.
The weekend's series ended the season series between the teams with the Outlaws' going 7-3-3 versus Owatonna. However, without the benefit of gaining anything for losses passed regulation in the playoffs that translates to 7-6 in actually wins and losses this season. Owatonna won four of the last six meetings.
Though not mathematically official, the likelihood of the Outlaws and Owatonna meeting in the first round of the playoffs should become a lock this upcoming weekend. The Outlaws are currently in second place and can't finish any lower than that seed, though they trail first place Bismarck by six points with four games to play in the Central Division.
Meanwhile, Owatonna is in third place, eight points clear of fourth place Alexandria, giving the Express a magic number of just two to lock themselves into third place.
Harcharik within Reach
With his two points on Sunday against Owatonna, fourth-year veteran forward Joe Harcharik (Johnston, IA) inches closer to former Outlaws Max Mobley for most points in a career. Harcharik has 135 points which is three points shy of tying the franchise record. Though he has technically been a part of more seasons with the Outlaws, Harcharik will have still played in fewer games come the end of this regular season.
Defense Wins Championships
North Iowa is just 3-2-1 in the month of March and have allowed 3.7 goals per game. The Outlaws allowed 2.4 goals per game when they won six of eight games in February and they allowed 2.8 per game during a 6-3-1 record in January.
When the Outlaws went 7-0 in December, the goaltending allowed an average of 2.3 goals per game.
However, when the Outlaws had their worst month in November going only 3-5-1, they allowed 3.3 goals per game.
When it Counts
Jack Paul (Minnetonka, MN) and Alex Carlson (Farmington, MN) lead the Outlaws with five game winning goals each.
Attendance Record
With two home games left, the Outlaws are 1,154 fans away from passing last season's attendance mark. The Outlaws need to average 577 fans over their last two games to break the record.
Outlaws Last Week
Fri. Mar. 13th vs. Owatonna 6-7 OTL
Sat. Mar. 14th vs. Owatonna 4-2 Win
Sun. Mar. 15th @ Owatonna (Faribault) 2-6 Loss
Outlaws This Week
Fri. Mar. 20th @ Alexandria 7:00pm
Sat. Mar. 21st @ Alexandria 7:00pm
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 17, 2009
- Stars' Radke headed to LSSU - Traverse City North Stars
- Bartus Shines in Phantoms 4-1 St. Patrick's Day Triumph - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- U.S. Nat'l U17 Team Falls to Mahoning Valley, 4-1 - U.S. National Team
- U.S. Nat'l U18 Team Downs Motor City, 8-3 - U.S. National Team
- Outlaws Drop Two of Three in Playoff Dress Rehearsal - North Iowa Outlaws
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