Outlaws' Season Ends...Sort of
April 13, 2009 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
North Iowa Outlaws News Release
Mason City (IA) Being allowed to compete in the USA Junior A Hockey National Tournament, not because your team qualified but merely due to the fact the franchise is hosting the event is akin to a number of things. Some would say it's like taking your cousin to the prom, or making the Little League team just because your dad is the coach. Make whatever condescending analogy there is, the North Iowa Outlaws must now find the silver lining in the situation because it is the one facing them.
For the third consecutive season, the Outlaws failed to advance past the first round of the North American Hockey League Central Division first round, losing three games to one in their Best-of-Five series with the Owatonna Express. However, while most teams who are bounced out of the postseason in the first round pack up their lockers and go home, the Outlaws find themselves in a sports purgatory. As hosts of the 2009 USA Junior A National Tournament (i.e. the Robertson Cup), the Outlaws have known for over a year that they are automatically qualified to participate in the tournament.
"It's definitely an odd feeling to be knocked out of the playoffs but still have a chance to win it all. It's not a surprise to us that we are in the tournament and since day one it's been our goal to win the championship on home ice, an opportunity that doesn't come around often" said Outlaws' head coach Jeff Crouse. "We have no need to feel guilty that we still get to play because our fans and staff have more than earned the right to see this team play."
The Outlaws will return to action on Tuesday April 28th at 7:30pm when they take on the winner of the NAHL West Division in the start of round-robin play which will culminate with the championship game on Sunday May 3rd at 2pm.
When the Outlaws return to game action, they will have had a layoff of 16 days. Previously the Outlaws longest layoff had been 10 days between Dec. 20th and Dec. 31st. During this impromptu vacation period, the Outlaws are allowing players a few days off before refocusing for the tournament.
"It would serve us no good if I kept the players in town for two weeks, so those who live close enough are home for a few days and then when they return, we'll practice with the same intensity we have all season" added Crouse.
Unfortunately, prior history isn't on the Outlaws' side when it comes to competing and doing well at the Robertson Cup despite home ice advantage. Since 2003, there have been three teams who have hosted the tournament and competed in it despite not winning their division and neither one put up much of a fight.
The 2005 Bismarck Bobcats lost all four games they played after not even making the playoffs and being idle for over a month. In 2005, the Mahoning Valley Phantoms lost in the first round of the North Division playoffs and after three weeks off went 0-3 at nationals. Then in 2006, the Fairbanks Ice Dogs were swept in their opening round playoff series and followed that up three weeks later with a 0-4 showing on home ice at nationals.
That is a staggering record of 0-11 for the teams that have been in the tournament simply because they were hosting it. The only two teams to win the Robertson Cup on home ice since 2003 have been the 2004 Texas Tornado and the 2008 St. Louis Bandits and in both instances they won their respective division's playoff series.
"We know the odds will be against us but I just don't see any quit in these guys and considering we've lost our last four home playoff games over the last two seasons our veteran guys want to win at home" noted Crouse.
What the Outlaws will have going for them is the synergy of competing for the national championship 20 years after the former North Iowa Huskies steamrolled through the 1989 tournament in Chicago, IL. It's the only other time a Mason City based Junior A team has competed at the national tournament and the Outlaws will be making announcements over the next few days concerning plans to celebrate the occasions.
Still No Miracle Rallies
With the Wichita Falls Wildcats' loss in Game Five of their South Division first round series to Topeka, their remains no NAHL team that has ever rallied from an 0-2 hole in a best-of-five series. Wichita Falls became just the third team to force a decisive fifth game after dropping the first two games, but despite taking a 2-0 first period lead in the final game, couldn't hold it.
The 2007 North Iowa Outlaws and 2008 Southern Minnesota Express are the other teams to nearly pull off the rally.
Underdogs
The Owatonna Express were the only lower seed to win a first round NAHL playoff series this season as all the other series were won by the higher seed. One series ended in a sweep, two went the full five games and the rest were decided in four games.
Outlaws vs. Owatonna Central Division Semi-Final Series
Fri. Apr. 3rd vs. Owatonna 6-7 2OTL (Game 1)
Sat. Apr. 4th vs. Owatonna 1-4 Loss (Game 2)
Tues. Apr. 7th @ Owatonna (Played in Faribault) 2-1 OTW (Game 3)
Sat. Apr. 11th @ Owatonna (Played in Faribault) 1-2 Loss (Game 4)
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 April 13, 2009
- Central Division Finals Preview - Bismarck Bobcats
- Phantoms' Second Round Schedule Set - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Wildcats' miracle comeback falls short - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Outlaws' Season Ends...Sort of - North Iowa Outlaws
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