Outlaws Raise $2,000 for Cancer Society
Published on February 2, 2009 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
North Iowa Outlaws News Release
Throughout the course of any season most every Junior A hockey team in the country attempts to raise money for particular charities as a way of giving back to the communities in which they are located. Junior hockey teams have the ability to draw upon their own fan bases for donations to any number of legitimate causes while at the same time educating their supporters about the charity which is being supported. The North Iowa Outlaws haven't been any different over their three-plus year existence with various fundraisers and promotions but last weekend provided the organization an entire weekend to benefit a worthy cause.
In conjunction with the American Cancer Society the Outlaws' hosted their first-ever "Put Cancer on Ice Weekend" during their home games Jan. 30-31 and came away raising nearly$2,000 for the North Iowa chapter of that organization, money which will go in aiding in the eradication of cancer. The majority of the money raised last weekend came from a special stick auction that was held following the Outlaws' 6-5 win over the Springfield Junior Blues on January 30th as the players began the game with purple sticks. Those special sticks were then signed and auctioned after the game netting $1,080 from generous fans.
The remainder of the money was raised through proceeds from a silent auction, bake sale and skate rentals at the team's post-game skate the next night on January 31st.
"It always means something to us when we have a chance to give back because we are in a position to help" noted Outlaws' veteran forward Kurt Weston. "Many of us in the locker room had some laughs about playing with the purple sticks but we all realized the reasoning behind it and appreciate the meaning."
Weston is more than familiar with similar promotions having worn special jerseys last season with Bismarck and playing with pink sticks in Fargo in efforts to raise money for charities.
"The toughest thing about the purple sticks was that the guys had to get used to playing with wood sticks and remembering how to burn their own curve" said Outlaws' assistant coach Garrett Strot. "Actually, they should all be using wood anyway. No parent should spend $180 on a composite stick" he jokingly added.
The American Cancer Society is the latest in a growing list of charities and groups the Outlaws' have worked with this season in an effort to increase the franchise's involvement in the community. Prior to last weekend the team had assisted or hosted smaller fundraisers for groups ranging from the United Way and American Red Cross, to the North Iowa Youth Center.
"The weekend couldn't have gone any better, especially the stick auction which we didn't know entirely what to expect because we've never had one here before" said team spokesperson Scott Montesano. "Linda (Anderegg) and the entire group with the American Cancer Society were extremely easy to work with and were very appreciative of what we put together for them which puts a great cap on the event."
Weekend Sweep
The American Cancer Society fundraiser provided a fantastic backdrop to what turned out to be perfect weekend for the Outlaws who swept a pair of one-goal decisions from Springfield. There was the 6-5 win on Jan. 30th, followed by a 3-2 win on Jan. 31st.
Weston netted a hat trick on Friday and finished the weekend with four goals and an assist for a five-point weekend. Meanwhile, goaltenders Thomas Callaghan and Keegan Asmundson did their part with some memorable saves. Callaghan allowed five goals in his outing on Friday, but the stats don't show how none of the goals he allowed were his fault, nor the eye-popping quality of many of his stops, nor the key clutch saves he made in the third to hold onto the lead.
The same, icy cold-nerve net minding ability, applies to Asmundson on Saturday who made 42 saves, many of which were off high quality Springfield chances.
Callaghan and Asmundson were also part of a penalty killing unit which denied 11 of 12 Springfield power play chances over the weekend.
Outlaws Officially Clinch
The Outlaws' officially clinched a spot in the 2009 Central Division playoffs shortly after 9pm on Saturday when Bismarck finished off a 6-0 win over Albert Lea. Even if Albert Lea had won, the Outlaws' would've still reached their magic number 45 minutes later when they held on against Springfield.
With a playoff spot secure the next step is locking down home ice in the first round of the postseason, but that magic number is still a distant 28 points away.
North American Hockey League Stories from February 2, 2009
- Red-hot Avalanche streaks into February - NAHL
- RoadRunners Conclude Successful Homestand - Topeka Pilots
- Saad Blazes to Second Player of the Week Award of 2009 - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Outlaws Raise $2,000 for Cancer Society - North Iowa Outlaws
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