Outlaws' Split Weekend; Remain Four Points Out
February 16, 2009 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
North Iowa Outlaws News Release
Mason City (IA) A person trying to desperately lose weight will sometimes try to "skip" a meal, but is there any point in that philosophy if that same person is only going to splurge the next time they eat? Sure missing that lunch keeps the calorie count low but everything is brought back to square one if that same person rationalizes in their head that having a second helping of pasta for dinner is okay. For the North Iowa Outlaws they are left pondering a similar question after splitting a home and home series with the Owatonna Express over the weekend where they may have very well squandered a great opportunity in the NAHL Central Division race.
A chance to gain ground quickly turned into a push after just one day.
The Outlaws earned a 6-2 home win on Friday February 13th and with that victory inched to within two points of the division leading Bismarck Bobcats. However, the Outlaws gave those two points right back in a 6-2 loss at Owatonna on Saturday February 14th to leave the weekend four points out in the race for first place in the Central Division. With the number of games dwindling and with Bismarck holding the first two tiebreakers (overall wins and season series), it's beginning to get to the point of the season where losing any key ground can be as devastating as snacking on that morning donut is to the crash diet.
"There is nothing we can do about Bismarck right now, all we can do is win and hope it works out for us" said Outlaws' head coach Jeff Crouse. "We also can't forget that Alexandria and Owatonna are right behind us and if we go cold and they get hot we aren't out of the woods for guaranteeing second place."
The Outlaws leave this past weekend with a nine-point lead on Alexandria and Owatonna for second place and home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. North Iowa has 14 games remaining against Alexandria, Owatonna and Albert Lea and are a combined 17-2-3 (.841%) in those games. If the Outlaws' keep that pace against those opponents, mathematically that would give them 12 more wins this season.
In the 6-2 win on Friday, Joe Harcharik (Johnston, IA) picked up his first multiple goal game of the season when he netted two, while Travis Peckskamp (Sauk Rapids, MN), Derek Donohue (Manitowoc, WI), Jack Paul (Minnetonka, MN) and Anthony Raiola (Minnetonka, MN) all added two point nights.
The following night, Ryan Peltoma (Brainerd, MN) and John O'Neil (Ramsey, MN) scored but it wasn't enough for the Outlaws who fell behind 4-0 midway through the second period and were never able to get closer than three goals after that. It was a game which featured three fights, and extreme rarity in any game in which Owatonna competes and providing a little solace for the Outlaws was the fact they dominated each of the tilts including a Matt Leer (Edina, MN) fight in which he ended the bout with one sharp left cross.
Owatonna was able to do something few other opponents have been able to the past two months and that is stop the Outlaws' power play cold in its track. North Iowa went 0/12 on the power play, while also allowing a short-handed goal each of the two games.
North Iowa is now 5-1-2 against the Owatonna Express this season and face their possible first-round playoff opponent a total of five more times.
Robertson Cup Preparations Progressing
With the 2009 USA Junior A National Tournament approaching at the end of April, preparations continue to make sure everything is ready in time. Countless businesses have opened their doors and checkbooks for the Outlaws to help make the presentation of this event a reality.
"I can't say enough for what the business community has done to make this happen" said Outlaws' co-owner Mark Motz.
The tournament will determine the Robertson Cup winner, the champion of the North American Hockey League and be played April 28-May 3. Two games will be held each day at 3pm and 7:30pm with the exception of Sunday May 3rd when only one single championship will be played. The tournament will follow a round-robin format with five teams including the North Iowa Outlaws.
The Outlaws will always play the later game, but will be off one day during the tournament.
Special all-tournament passes are on sale now at the Outlaws' offices inside the North Iowa Ice Arena. A tournament pass costs $100 and allows a person into every game. It provides a total savings of $65 off the door price.
Hitting the Road
North Iowa's 6-2 loss at Owatonna on Saturday began a stretch of five straight away from the North Iowa Ice Arena for the Outlaws. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel for the Outlaws who will finish the season with six of their final 10games on home ice.
The remaining four games of this road game stretch will be at Albert Lea and Owatonna where the Outlaws are a combined 6-1-0 this season.
Going for 39!
A stated goal for the Outlaws' is to break the franchise record for wins in a season which is 38 set last season. If the Outlaws are to reach 39 wins, they will have to be victorious in no less than 12 of their final 14 games.
Representing the World
Former Outlaws' Pete Majkozak and Daryl Dee are on their way to Harbin, China for the 2009 World University Games in which they will represent Team USA. Majkozak plays for Iowa State and Dee for Oklahoma.
Outlaws Last Week
Fri. Feb. 13th vs. Owatonna 6-2 Win
Sat. Feb. 14st @ Owatonna 2-6 Loss
Outlaws This Week
Fri. Feb. 20th @ Albert Lea 7:00pm
Sat. Feb. 21st @ Albert Lea 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 16, 2009
- First-Ever Outdoor Game Earns High Marks - NAHL
- Grogan Honored Again - Bismarck Bobcats
- Saad Earns Third Weekly Honor of 2009 - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Wildcats Return Home, Drop Two Versus St. Louis - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Outlaws' Split Weekend; Remain Four Points Out - North Iowa Outlaws
- Machine sweep North Stars - Motor City Metal Jackets
- Machine win in OT thriller, 3-2 - Motor City Metal Jackets
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