Outlaws Weekly
Published on December 8, 2008 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
North Iowa Outlaws News Release
Mason City (IA) The North Iowa Outlaws are on their third, three-game winning streak of the season following a weekend sweep at home of the Bismarck Bobcats. After struggling throughout most of November the Outlaws have won four of their last five to move into third place in the North American Hockey League's Central Division and to within smelling distance of first place.
"We weren't playing terribly during that stretch of losses but it just wasn't coming together. Now we are getting a few bounces to go our way and when that is mixed in with hard effort and limited mistakes any team will win more than they lose" said Outlaws' head coach Jeff Crouse.
The weekend featured a 4-1 dominating win to open the weekend and ended with a dramatic 4-3 come-from-behind victory on Saturday. Offensively, Jack Paul (Minnetonka, MN) had a great weekend scoring 5pts (2 goals) including the game winning goal late in the third period on Saturday to finish the comeback.
Meanwhile, rookie goaltender Keegan Asmundson (Inver Grove Heights, MN) continued his emergence winning both games with a save percentage of .934% and just like the rest of the Outlaws, is also on a personal three-game winning streak having manned the net for each of the team's recent victories.
"Jack is the all time leading scorer at Minnetonka High School so his recent surge is definitely in his character" said Crouse. "Then the play of Keegan is what is helping it come together. As a rookie, the hardest thing is to find a rhythm when you haven't been playing but Keegan is getting into a groove quickly."
North Iowa led wire-to-wire on Friday in a game the Outlaws controlled from the start, but Saturday's game was much different providing a highlight point for the season. Before the third largest crowd in franchise history of 1,298, North Iowa fell behind 2-0 early in the first period.
A goal late in the first period brought the Outlaws to within 2-1 heading into the break, but Bismarck controlled the first half of the second period eventually making it 3-1. Bismarck seemed to have control of the game at that point with a two-goal lead, a defense that has been excellent all season and the North Iowa Ice Arena quiet.
However, a five-minute checking from behind penalty on the Bobcat's John Avino gave the Outlaws hope and A.J. Knapp (Red Wing, MN) made his first goal of the season a big one with a slapper from the high slot with 58 seconds left in the period to take advantage of the situation.
Joe Harren (Warroad, MN) tied the game early in the third before Paul's game winner with just 2:51 left.
After dislodging Bismarck's Jordan Singer with the puck in front of the Bismarck net, Paul was stationed alone, five feet from the goal with his back facing the goalie. Everyone paused for a moment, expecting a hooking call, but the referee never whistled anything and Paul spun around and beat Bismarck's goaltender Matt Grogan who was late to react as he too expected a penalty.
The comeback is just the second this season for the Outlaws' when trailing after one, and their first when trailing after two periods.
Joe Harcharik (Johnston, IA) had a goal and assist, and Ryan Peltoma (Brainerd, MN) had two assists.
Teddy Bear Goal
Harcharik's first period goal on Saturday began a cascade of stuffed animals onto the ice as part of the Outlaws' annual Air the Bear Teddy Bear Toss promotion. All of the stuffed animals have since been given to the local chapter of the United Way and are being distributed to various charities the United Way works with.
Approximately 100 stuffed animals were collected on Saturday.
Welcome Back Bohrer
It was a triumphant return to the ice for the Outlaws' Ryan Bohrer (West St. Paul, MN) who came back from a more than two month absence to record an assist in his first game back on Friday night. Bohrer, a rookie forward, had played in the Outlaws first two games but was injured early in the third game at the NAHL Showcase against Topeka and had been out ever since.
Playing without Two
North Iowa finished their weekend sweep of Bismarck on Saturday without the services of veteran forwards Travis Peckskamp (Sauk Rapids, MN) and Alex Carlson (Farmington, MN) who had to serve the beginning of a two-game suspension from the NAHL. Peckskamp and Carlson were both charged with fighting in the final five minutes of Friday's game, a rule that carried a mandatory two-game suspension.
Both players will be out of the line-up on Friday when the Outlaws are at Albert Lea.
Taking Advantage of Albert Lea
The expansion Albert Lea Thunder has been ripe for the picking and most Central Division teams have feasted on them like a holiday ham. With one exception, Central Division teams have ripped points away from Albert Lea with ease, with that one exception being the Outlaws.
North Iowa has played Albert Lea just once, earning a win on October 11th. Meanwhile, Owatonna has played them six times (earning 12 points), Bismarck has played them six times (earning 10 points) and Alexandria has played them five times (earning eight points).
The Outlaws will get their opportunity soon, playing Albert Lea five consecutive times from December 12-December 31.
Outlaws Last Week
Fri. Dec. 5th vs. Bismarck 4-1 Win
Sat. Dec. 6th vs. Bismarck 4-3 Win
Outlaws This Week
Fri. Dec. 12th @ Albert Lea 7:30pm
Sat. Dec. 13th @ Albert Lea 7:30pm
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.
North American Hockey League Stories from December 8, 2008
- North Iowa rings in December right - North Iowa Outlaws
- Another Sweep in Springfield - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Paul Named NAHL Central Division POW - North Iowa Outlaws
- Jordan George Named NAHL South Player of the Week - Topeka Pilots
- Outlaws Weekly - 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.
