Outlaws season ends
Published on April 26, 2007 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
North Iowa Outlaws News Release
Welcome Fans, & Thank You for your support during the 2006-07 season. It was an amazing run to the end, which unfortunately came up a goal short of continuing. This season was filled with highs and lows, but you stood behind the team throughout the year, and in the end, good things happened.
It's hard to judge a season on wins and losses, but rather how the team represented themselves and the city and fans that support it. I think they did a fine job of that. The emails will keep coming during the summer as new news becomes available. I will try and get one out each month to keep you up-to-date and help build the excitement for next season. After all, the players will be arriving in little over three months from now, and the puck drops in four. We look forward to next season, it will be here before we know it.
Proving they Belonged
Comments on the Season - By: Jim Stephens Back in September and October, when the North Iowa Outlaws began the 2006-07 season slow, everyone counted them out. Slowly, but surely, the Outlaws got things rolling, but still couldn't get over the hump and by mid-season, a run at the play-offs still looked slim. As the season continued, and the number of games climbed, so did the Outlaws, going from a team in the cellar to a team in the thick of one of the tightest play- off races in the NAHL. When March came and went, and the 62 game schedule concluded, the Outlaws had finished their triumph march to the post-season. No they weren't league champions, or even second in the division, but the post-season is the post-season, however you get there.
As April rolled around, the Outlaws knew their first round opponent, the regular season champions, Fargo-Moorhead Jets, who held the top spot for most of the season. Heading into the opening game, the skeptics were all saying that the Outlaws didn't have a chance to win and it would be three and out for North Iowa, and things look like they might come true as the Jets took a 2-0 series lead despite all efforts from the Outlaws. However, when the series turned back to Mason City, there was something different in the way they approached Game Three.
North Iowa was a team that excelled late in the season when their backs were against the wall, so they knew they could do it again. It was Tuesday before the opening game when Outlaws forward Mario Mjelleli made a little call to the local paper asking to make a statement. Mjelleli guaranteed a win in Game Three, which seemed to be the fuel the Outlaws needed to go out, play hard, win and get back in the series. After the game, the guarantees continued as Robby Moss, who was stellar in Game Three, echoed Mjelleli's words, promising a Game Five. No one backed up a statement like that since Mark Messier and the New York Rangers did, but Moss went out and made sure his words were true.
Game Four was a battle for every inch, every goal, and went into overtime. Moss was spectacular again, taking over the game with his play between the pipes. In overtime, Moss didn't just come up big, he came up huge numerous times, and when the dust settled after 17:00 of overtime hockey, the Outlaws gathered around Trevor Doden in victory as he snapped the game winning goal passed Austin Lee. At that point, everyone was thinking that the Outlaws might pull off a "Miracle" like upset in Game Five. The journey for the Outlaws to Game Five was a war, but no one expected what was to come in the fifth and deciding game, overtime again. Fargo jumped to an early lead and could have runaway with the game after scoring two goals in the first period, but not if Moss and the rest of the Outlaws had a say in it. Three separate times they came back to tie the game and when the final horn sounded, the Jets had no clue what hit them. Like a heat seeking missile after a F- 16, the Outlaws continued to attack, and just kept coming, but in the end, the miracle was dashed.
In overtime, the Jets got what they needed, a perfect bounce after Moss made two incredible saves. The perfect bounce? A shot off the stick of Moss, off the post and right to Matt Moreland with an empty net for the game winner.
Dejected, the Outlaws sat on the ice, heads down in disappointment, but the way I see it, there's nothing to be ashamed of. For eight month, I saw a group of 25 young men matured together, grew together, and come together to fight for each other. I saw 25 young men defied all odds, all criticisms, and in the end, make their City, Coach, and teammates proud. Emotions were low after the loss, but if you talk to any of the players and ask about what they thought of their teammates, you get the same answer, "these guys are great and I'm proud I got to play along side them." There's a saying, "If you lose, but left it all on the ice, there's nothing to hang your heads about." My message to the members of the Outlaws is just that, "You have nothing to hang your heads about." We are all proud of you, your effort, you accomplishments, and the way you represented your team and city.
To the players who are moving on, Best of luck in your future endeavors, and for the guys who will return next season to dawn the Outlaws logo, remember this year. Remember what you did, and build from what you learned, it can only make next year better. Thanks for making my first season as "The Voice of the North Iowa Outlaws" a memorable one. Memories from the road, practice, and the games. From Jay Clark's goal against Fargo, to the last minute of overtime in Game Five, I will always be reminded of the team that defied all odds and gave everything they had. The team that went to war prepared to die for one another. Thanks again for a great year - Radio
Mcleod to AIC
For two seasons, Steve Mcleod has led the North Iowa Outlaws in points and all of his hard work finally paid off. The second year veteran had been heavily recruited by numerous schools, but made the decision to attend American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts early last week, but kept his decision quiet until after Game two of the playoffs. "I committed on Thursday, but I wanted to stay focused for the playoffs," Mcleod said. "Team success comes before personal success and I didn't want to be distracted from the goal of winning hockey games."
American International College is a member of the Atlantic Hockey Association, competing against teams out east like Army, Air Force, RIT, and Canisius. Mcleod will lace up the skates against his former teammate Jay Clark when AIC and Army face off next season. Coach Boitz will definitely miss his presence next season but feels AIC is getting a top quality kid. "I think they are getting the total package," Boitz said. "They should feel very fortunate to get a player of his caliber. He can play on the power play, kill penalties, and score goals; he's just an all around player."
"AIC has a young program, so I hope to get a chance to play," Mcleod said of the hockey program. "I want to play college hockey, so hopefully things will work out." For Mcleod, hockey wasn't the only factor in his choice for school. "They have a good Doctoral of Physical Therapy program there, which is what I want to do," Mcleod added. "To play hockey and get the education I need to achieve my goals and career made it the obvious choice."
Mcleod holds numerous single season and career records for the Outlaws. Last season he led the team with 55 points, and topped that in his second season, finishing with 62 points. He became the first player in Outlaws history to top the 100 point mark over two seasons, and set about every record imaginable in the process. He holds the All-Time and Single Season records for most points, goals, assist, power play goals and shorthanded goals. He also set a single game high for assist with four helpers in a single game. He led the league in shorthanded goals with eight, while the Outlaws were tied for the league high with 20.
North American Hockey League Stories from April 26, 2007
- Outlaws season ends - North Iowa Outlaws
- Hulberg joins Coaches Locker - Bismarck Bobcats
- RoadRunner Rodriguez To RMU - Topeka Pilots
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.
