Outlaws' on Four-Game Winning Streak

Published on February 9, 2009 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
North Iowa Outlaws News Release


Mason City (IA) The widest smile of the weekend throughout all of North Iowa likely belonged to Outlaws' head coach Jeff Crouse whose lips stretched from Dubuque to Sioux City as he watched his team's weekend sweep over Alexandria and Albert Lea Saturday and Sunday. With the grin of a newborn's father and the prideful glow of a bride's dad Crouse witnessed his Outlaws put forth one of those weekends any team wishes they could bottle up and save for the future.

"The guys were on the bench saying 'Wow this is fun' and I kept telling them that if they just keep working harder and harder it'll only get better" said a happy Crouse as he recapped the weekend. "They were able to see and feel firsthand what they can do at their best."

The Outlaws outscored Alexandria and Albert Lea 13-3, never trailed, and led for all but 19 of the weekend's 120 minutes. Both goaltenders earned victories and a combination of 13 players recorded at least one point. Plus, it wasn't a one player show as the 13-goals were tailed by 10 different scorers

North Iowa wasn't able to gain any ground on Central Division leading Bismarck, remaining two points behind the Bobcats, but were able to increase their lead over third place Alexandria to 10 points as the Outlaws' look to accomplish the next step and that being securing home ice through at least the first round of the playoffs.

"Not every weekend will go as smoothly as this past one, but that was right up there with the best ones we will have all season" added Crouse whose team has now won four in a row and eight of their last nine.

On Saturday, at the North Iowa Ice Arena, the Outlaws smoked the Alexandria Blizzard 7-2, using a four goal third period to break open what had been a 3-1 game after two periods. However, the final score was more indicative of how dominant the Outlaws were as they held a 39-18 advantage in shots. Eight different players recorded multiple-points nights led by Kurt Weston (Roseau, MN) and Joe Harcharik (Johnston, IA) who both tossed in a goal and two assists.

Then on Sunday, in Albert Lea, the Outlaws moved to 8-0 against the expansion Thunder with a 6-1 victory. Whereas on Saturday seven different scorers provided all the goals, on Sunday it was six different skaters who lit the lamp. Travis Baker (New Brighton, MN) and John O'Neil (Ramsey, MN) each had a goal and two assists to lead the Outlaws. Meanwhile Rob Johnston (Duluth, MN), Alex Carlson (Farmington, MN), Joe Harren (Warroad, MN), Kurt Weston (Roseau, MN) and Anthony Raiola (Minnetonka, MN) all had multi-point nights as well.

"What separates teams like Topeka, St. Louis and Mahoning Valley from the rest of the league is that they have three lines and so many players that can score and that is something I see us developing right now" noted Crouse. "We have three lines that are really producing right now and that fourth one is coming along and they don't ever allow any goals which are just as important."

Another Newbie

The Outlaws' are now left with just one open roster spot after making another acquisition late last week. Forward Dan Durham (Chicago, IL) played his first game with the Outlaws' on Saturday recording an assist in the team's victory. The 20-yr old comes from the Fargo Force of the USHL where he had 2g, 5a in 20 games. Over three seasons in the USHL with Chicago, Ohio and Fargo Durham had 10g, 20a in 128 games.

Durham is committed to play Division I hockey at Air Force.

Wrapping Up a Successful Home stand

North Iowa concluded a season-long five-game home stand with their 7-2 win over Alexandria on Saturday night to finish the stretch 4-1-0. A season after home ice dominance led them to a regular season divisional crown, the Outlaws' are again defending their home ice with a 13-4-3 record in Mason City. North Iowa is 10-1-1 over their last 12 home games going back to November.

Jack Paul (Minnetonka, MN) has 33 points (12g, 21a) and Alex Carlson (Farmington, MN) has 30 points (13g, 17a) on home ice this season.

As a team, the Outlaws are a plus 98 at home.

When Scoring on Power Play

The Outlaws' have scored at least once on the power play in 25 of their 42 games this season and are 21-4-0 in those games. North Iowa is just 3-9-3 when not scoring on the power play.

North Iowa's 18.4% power play is ranked third in the NAHL after being below 10% and ranked as low as 18th in late November.

Attendance Bump

The Outlaws are on pace for the best season attendance wise in the team's four-year history. After drawing 1,007 fans to their home game on Saturday, the Outlaws have now had 17,357 fans come through the turnstiles over 20 home dates for an average of 868 per game. So far the Outlaws' have had nine crowds top 1,000.

The Outlaws' averaged 861 fans per game last season, 836 in 2006-2007 and just 749 during the 2005-2006 campaign.

The Outlaws have drawn 87,750 fans all-time with playoffs included.

Outlaws Last Week

Sat. Feb. 7th vs. Alexandria 7-2 Win

Sun. Feb. 8th @ Albert Lea 6-1 Win

Outlaws This Week

Fri. Feb. 13th vs. Owatonna 8:00pm

Sat. Feb. 14st @ Owatonna 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.

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North American Hockey League Stories from February 9, 2009


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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