Outlaws update
Published on March 14, 2007 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
North Iowa Outlaws News Release
Success is gained by the amount you put in, and this past weekend, the North Iowa Outlaws gave everything they had and got rewarded. North Iowa stomped the Bismarck Bobcats, sweeping the weekend and the season series. Now attentions turn to the Fairbanks Ice Dogs, who visit the North Iowa Ice Arena for a three game series. Fairbanks, 4th in the South Division, swept the Outlaws earlier this season in Fairbanks, but now with the playoffs on the line for North Iowa, the games should be different. The Ice Dogs are all but locked into the 4th spot, with slim chances of moving up in their division. On the other hand, North Iowa has everything to gain with a pair of victories. The three games will put them on game up on Sprigfield who enters the weekend ahead of the Outlaws.
Thursday night is poster night, the first 200 fans will receive a Outlaws Team Poster. Saturday is St. Patrick's Day, come wear your green and celebrate the night with the Outlaws. North Iowa will wear special jersey's that will be auctioned off, and come early for Happy Hour with Green Beer from 6-7 pm.
Series Sweep move North Iowa Closer to Playoffs
The North Iowa Outlaws headed to Bismarck needing to win, with playoff implications growing bigger with every passing weekend. Needing a pair of wins to stay in striking distance, the Outlaws came out flying with new players stepping up to the challenge. North Iowa gained four points in the standings, sitting right behind the Springfield Jr. Blues for the final playoff spot.
The Outlaws ran up against the hottest team in the Central Division on Friday night, opening a two game set on the road in Bismarck. The Bobcats, victorious in their last four meetings, all against first place Fargo- Moorhead, have had trouble with the Outlaws in the prior six meetings of the season. North Iowa entered the night undefeated against the Bobcats and they ended it that way. A two goal effort from Steve McLeod, assisted by a power-play goal from Mario Mjelleli, toppled the Bobcats 3-1. North Iowa cashed in on its first power-play attempt of the night with Mjelleli taking a pass from Tyler Romasco and putting it passed Tim Krystosek to put the Outlaws up 1-0. In the second, McLeod added his seventh shorthanded goal of the season, when he Krystosek to put North Iowa up 2-0 after two periods.
With a little over seven minutes remaining in the third, Bismarck's Colin Hoey cashed in on the Bobcats' best scoring chance of the night, beating Jay Clark on a breakaway to pull the Cats within one, but when it came crunch time, North Iowa's Steve Mcleod was as smooth as ice. Coming out of a Bismarck timeout, McLeod and Wallgren connected off a faceoff with McLeod scoring an empty net goal from center ice to seal the victory. Clark picked up the victory, stopping 39 of 40 shots on goal as North Iowa improved to 7-0 against Bismarck with a chance for a series sweep heading into Saturday's game.
The Outlaws entered the final game of their eight game series with the Bobcats with a perfect record through their first seven meetings, determined to finish it off. In a much better game then the night before, the Outlaws had to play their hearts out and they did, leaving everything on the ice in a 6-3 victory.
A scoreless first period gave way to a scoring barrage in the second period. The Outlaws and Bobcats exchanged goals with North Iowa striking first when Bryant Skarda redirected a centering pass from Max Mobley to make it 1-0 but Bismarck responded to tie the game. Minutes later, the Outlaws answered with Mjelleli taking a great pass from Romasco to go in all alone on Clark Oliver and put North Iowa up 2-1. Again, the Bobcats responded to tie the game, but North Iowa fired right back as Skarda and Mobley connected again just six seconds later with Skarda picking up his second goal of the game to give North Iowa a 3-2 lead heading to the third.
In the third, both teams had chances but it wasn't until late when McLeod put the game on ice. McLeod stepped across the blue line and let a wrist shot fly, tricking Oliver and giving the Outlaws the 4-2 lead. Ross Ring-Jarvi added an empty-net goal to make it 5- 2 but Bismarck quickly responded to make it 5-3, but it wasn't enough. Bismarck desperation took its toll as the Bobcats defense was tired and couldn't outrun Mobley to a loose puck. Mobley's speed helped the Outlaws seal a wild finish with a 6-3 victory after his empty-net goal.
The Outlaws finished the season series undefeated against Bismarck, and more importantly, pulled back within striking distance of the Bobcats in the standings. North Iowa will continue its playoff push on Thursday night when they open a three-game series with Fairbanks at the North Iowa Ice Arena.
Lucky of the Irish
The Outlaws return home this weekend to take on the Fairbanks Ice Dogs in a three game series. The Outlaws start the series on Thursday night, at 7:05 pm. Friday's game also starts at 7:05 pm and the Saturday night contest will start at the same time. Saturday night come early and enjoy GREEN BEER for just a BUCK as the Outlaws celebrate St. Patricks Day. Happy Hour starts at 6-7 pm in the Outlaws Saloon. North Iowa will wear special St. Patrick's Themed Jersey's, sponsored by the Holiday Inn in Mason City. After the game the jersey's will be auctioned off in a live auction. Come celebrate St. Patty's Day with the Outlaws.
CENTRAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Alexandria goaltender Dustin Carlson backstopped the Blizzard to three wins in Alaska last week, turning aside 74 of 75 shots. On Thursday, the 20-year-old made 27 saves in a 6-1 victory. The next night, the Forest Lake, Minn., native stopped all 21 shots as Alexandria blanked the Avalanche, 1-0. Carlson recorded his second shutout in as many nights on Saturday, making 26 saves in the Blizzard's 2-0 triumph. HONORABLE MENTION: Fargo-Moorhead forward Matt Moreland; Mahoning Valley forward Mike Fillinger; North Iowa forward Mario Mjelleli and goaltender Jay Clark; Southern Minnesota forward Jamie Ruff; Springfield forward Ryan Kretzer; St. Louis goaltender Pat Nagle; Texas forward Stephane Da Costa
Outlaws at the Mall The North Iowa Outlaws will be at the Mall on Sunday night, March 18th from 5-6 pm, signing autographs in the center court. There will be prizes given away, tickets and merchandise for sale. Come get your team poster signs by the team on Sunday Night.
Outlaws to Pump Gas for Charity The North Iowa Outlaws are teaming up with the Holiday Inn and Kum & Go Gas Station located on 4th St. & Pierce, to raise money for Give Kids The World. The Outlaws will be out at the Kum & Go from 3-7 pm on Monday March 19th, pumping gas and washing windows to for tips to be donated to the charity. In addition, the Kum & Go will donate a portion of the gas sales on the day to the charity. Come fill your car and help out a great cause.
North American Hockey League Stories from March 14, 2007
- Eric Roman commits to Wayne State - Alpena IceDiggers
- Outlaws update - North Iowa Outlaws
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.
