Outlaws update
Published on October 24, 2007 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
North Iowa Outlaws News Release
The North Iowa Outlaws are still perfect at home this season. After a weekend off, Friday's game didn't start out to great, but things changed in a hurry and North Iowa took both games on the weekend for their third straight sweep weekend and sixth victory in a row.
There is a lot to talk about this week, with the Outlaws out in the community for Halloween, Exciting events coming up, and Milestones reached, so lets get to it.
North Iowa Outlaws Hockey: Nothin' But a Good Time!
Boitz Grabs 100th Win
MASON CITY - North Iowa coach Dave Boitz picked up his 100th career regular-season junior hockey victory as the Outlaws skated past the Springfield Jr. Blues by a score of 4-2 at the North Iowa Ice Arena on Friday. "It was a big win for us," Boitz said. "It's the first time we have stepped on the ice against a division foe and Springfield's a great hockey team."
Springfield jumped out to a 2-0 lead just 6 minutes, 36 seconds into the contest, but it was all North Iowa from there as the Outlaws scored four unanswered goals. "We didn't play good defense at the start, but I thought we did a nice job of responding," Boitz said.
Jack Paul put the Outlaws on the board 12:48 into the first before Alex Carlson tied the score at 2-2 with a goal 2:29 into the second. Matt Morin got the game- winning goal, scoring on a power play with 2:34 to go in the second while Shea Walters added an insurance goal 1:10 later. Robby Moss picked up the win in net, stopping 30 shots. The Outlaws (7-1-1), who moved back into a tie for first place in the Central Division standings thanks to a Bismarck victory over Fargo-Moorhead, face off against the Jr. Blues (6-5-1) again tonight at 7:30. "It's nice to be back at the top of the pack," Boitz said. "We know Springfield's going to come out (tonight) ready to play, there's no question about that."
Outlaws to Help with Lime Creek Halloween Hike
The Cerro Gordo County Conservation Board and Lime Creek Nature Center Foundation are sponsoring their twenty-first annual Halloween Hike on Thursday, October 25 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the Lime Creek Nature Center. The theme is Nature's Webs! Groups of hikers will be led through the trails of Lime Creek on a 40-minute hike, encountering various creatures with messages about nature's webs. The North Iowa Outlaws will be there to lead some of the groups, and assist in the event. The hike will not be scary, but will be a fun and educational experience for the whole family. A majority of the hike will be held on the hard-surface Easy Access Trail, but the final segment will occur on a trail inaccessible to wheelchairs and strollers. Refreshments will be served following the hike.
Children up to 10 years old are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes and are welcome to participate in a costume contest that will be held in conjunction with the hike. Prizes will be awarded for the winners. Reservations are required. Members of the Lime Creek Nature Center can make reservations starting Monday, October 15, at 8 a.m. Non-member registrations will be taken starting Tuesday, October 16, at 8 a.m. Call 423-5309 to make reservations or for more information.
Chance to Win Pumpkins Carved by the Outlaws on Saturday
Outlaws Fans, Here is your chance to win a rare work of art, carved by the Outlaws themselves. Tuesday night, the team carved pumpkins with you could win at the game on Saturday when the Outlaws play the Alexandria Blizzard at 7:30 pm.
North Iowa Outlaws Hockey: Nothin' But a Good Time!
Pair of Come From Behind Wins Finish Off the Jr. Blues
After an explosive start, the Springfield Jr. Blues left the arena singing the same song, the blues after North Iowa came roaring back to win and earn Coach Dave Boitz his 100th win the NAHL. After falling behind 2-0, North Iowa scored four unanswered goals to win and remain unbeaten at the North Iowa Ice Arena. Springfield stormed out of the gate to take a 2-0 lead six minutes into the game. North Iowa cut the lead in half six minutes later on a goal from Jack Paul, but the Outlaws still trailed at the end of the opening period. In the second, things changed in a hurry as North Iowa stormed out of the locker room and scored 2:29 into the period with Alex Carlson scoring his first goal in his junior hockey career. Carlson took an odd angle shot from behind the net the deflected off the goaltender and into the net to tie the game. Later in the second, Matt Morin picked up what would be the eventual game winning goal, scoring on the power play to give the Outlaws the lead with three minutes to play in the period. Just over a minute later, the Outlaws struck again with a goal from Shea Walters, when they turned the game over to Robby Moss in net, whose strong play sealed the game. Moss stopped 30 of 32 shots in the victory while Krystian Dziubinski also had a strong game, picking up two assist in the game. North Iowa remains unbeaten at home this season, improving to 7-1-1 overall, 5-0 at the North Iowa Ice Arena.
Later in the second, Matt Morin picked up what would be the eventual game winning goal, scoring on the power play to give the Outlaws the lead with three minutes to play in the period. Just over a minute later, the Outlaws struck again with a goal from Shea Walters, when they turned the game over to Robby Moss in net, whose strong play sealed the game. Moss stopped 30 of 32 shots in the victory while Krystian Dziubinski also had a strong game, picking up two assist in the game. North Iowa remains unbeaten at home this season, improving to 7-1-1 overall, 5-0 at the North Iowa Ice Arena.
Saturday night the Outlaws were once again led by their exceptional forward they picked up in the off season. In the first round of the NAHL Draft, Boitz selected Shea Walters, a forward from Hibbing, MN, and the pick has paid off in a big way. When the season started, Walters has come up big in the scoring category, scoring 16 points in 10 games, but what is more impressive is his current streak, that extended to 8 games on Saturday when he put up two goals in the Outlaws 4-3 victory as North Iowa swept the Springfield Jr. Blues to remain unbeaten at home this season.
For the second straight night the Outlaws found themselves behind as Springfield jumped on the board early and led after the first period, but like Friday night, it wasn't long before the Outlaws struck and tied the game. Walters scored his first of the night to tie the game but the Jr. Blues answered back to retake the lead only seconds later. Midway through the period, Walters sniped again, this time with the man advantage that set off three straight power play goals for the Outlaws. 25 seconds after tying the game, Skarda scored the second power play goal of the night to give North Iowa the lead, which they wouldn't relinquish, and with seconds left in the period, Harcharik scored to a third power play goal which would prove to be the game winner in the end. Springfield gave a good fight in the end, but North Iowa prevailed to win 4-3 and remain unbeaten at home. Joe Harcharik finished the night with the game winning goal and two assist, while Brooks DeZellar was the playmaker, adding an assist on all three of the Outlaws power play goals. Moss, despite giving up an early goal, rebounded for the second straight night to pull things together and pick up his seventh win of the season. North Iowa remains unbeaten at home entering a home and home series with the Alexandria Blizzard next weekend. Friday's game opens the series in Alexandria before North Iowa returns home on Saturday's match-up at the North Iowa Ice Arena.
Outlaws Forward on a Streak, Now at 8 Games
NIO - Shea Walters: North Iowa's Shea Walters is one game shy of tying the league's longest goal scoring streak for the 07-08 season. The Hibbing, MN native has scored a goal in the last four games, 6 over the stretch. In addition, his points streak continues to climb and currently is the longest active streak at 8 games. Walters has 11 points over the six game stretch with 8 goals and 8 assists.
North American Hockey League Stories from October 24, 2007
- 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.
