Outlaws struggle against Express
February 7, 2007 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
North Iowa Outlaws News Release
Another tough weekend for the Outlaws against the Express, but there were some good signs on Saturday night. North Iowa goaltender Robby Moss played one of his best games, and seems to be back in the grove. Saturday night's game also saw alot of heart and intensity, which the Outlaws will need down the stretch if they want to make a playoff push.
Coming up, the Outlaws host the Alexandria Blizzard, in a crucial weekend series at home. A pair of wins could bury the Blizzard in the cellar of the Central Division. Despite only picking up one point, North Iowa is still in striking distance for the third playoff spot.
Friday night's game starts at 7:05 pm. Saturday, enjoy a "Hockey Day" in Mason City, with a triple header, Mohawks JV games starts at 2:15 with Varsity slated for 5 pm. The Outlaws take the ice at 8 PM to compete the day. It's also a Skate With the Outlaws Night, after the game.
Outlaws Catch on the Tracks
The "Border Battle" between the Southern Minnesota Express and the North Iowa Outlaws hit the double digit rounds this past weekend, and the Express continue to control the series, however things aren't coming east for Southern Minnesota. Unlike last season, the Outlaws are in just about every game, with three of the last four meetings being decided in overtime.
This past weekend was no different, with the thorn in the Outlaws side, Lars Paulgaard, sticking the Outlaws with their third shutout loss at the hands of the Oslo, Norway native. On Friday night, the Outlaws answered the call, firing back at the Express, but, again, Southern Minnesota snuck away with the two points.
The ghost of Paulgaard was back to haunt the Outlaws in Owatonna as he picked up his third shutout of the season against the Outlaws in a 2-0 Express victory. North Iowa was heavily out shot through two periods, battling back in the third, but Paulgaard was strong enough to preserve the shutout.
The opening period was back and forth with the Express scoring the lone goal of the period. Outlaws goaltender Jay Clark had trouble playing the puck behind the net, which led to a turnover and an Express power-play goal by Scott Kozlak to give the Express a 1-0 lead.
In the second period, the Express continued to out shoot the Outlaws, firing 11 at the North Iowa goal, and Clark stayed strong between the pipes. At the end of the second period, the Express led the shot 23-12, and held the 1-0 lead. In the third, the Outlaws got a few more shots at Paulgaard, but for the third time this season, he left the goose egg on the Outlaws side of the scoreboard as Southern Minnesota held on for a 2-0 win.
On Saturday, the Outlaws battled the Express, jumping out to a 1-0 lead in the second period on a Max Mobley shorthanded goal. For the Outlaws, it was the 14th shorthanded goal of the season, tying them for the lead with Mahoning Valley.
The Express answered in the second period, capitalizing on a shorthanded chance of its own to tie the game, but the Outlaws quickly regained the lead to end the period on top. Brandon Larson scored a power-play goal, parked in front of the net just 40 seconds later. Southern Minnesota answered back to tie the game, and, in overtime, the Express struck gold for the third time this season in overtime to win 3-2. The Outlaws gained one point in the standings and look to pull ahead of the Alexandria Blizzard, hosting them for a pair of games on Friday and Saturday night.
Getting Shorty
Outlaws Tie League Lead for Shorties
North Iowa scored another shorthanded goal last weekend in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Express on Saturday night, tying them for the league lead with Mahoning Valley. Outlaws forward Steve McLeod leads the league with six on the season.
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North American Hockey League Stories from February 7, 2007
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- Outlaws struggle against Express - North Iowa Outlaws
- IceDiggers acquire Justin King - Alpena IceDiggers
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