Outlaws Weekly
Published on December 15, 2008 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
North Iowa Outlaws News Release
Mason City (IA) At Minnetonka (Minn.) High School Jack Paul chiseled his name into the record books with a scoring flare he had hoped would carry over to a Junior A career. The all-time leading scorer for his high school, Paul was used to seeing his name on the scoring sheet but in his first year with the North Iowa Outlaws he only accumulated 14 points (6g, 8a) in 40 games. It's a dilemma faced by many rookies, going from dominating to humbling in their rookie Junior A season.
However, now serving as a veteran on a rather young Outlaws team, Paul has gone back to dominating in helping North Iowa win a season-high five in a row, and six of their last seven. Along the way, Paul has gone on a 10-game consecutive point scoring streak, setting a new franchise record by passing former teammate Shea Walters who had an eight-game streak last season. Paul also leads the Outlaws with 29 points (12g, 17a) through 26 games.
His efforts were rewarded by the North American Hockey League following the Outlaws' home sweep of Bismarck earlier this month when he was named the Central Division player of the week on December 8th.
"Jack has been great for us and has been stepping up just like we needed him to do" said Outlaws' head coach Jeff Crouse. "He is becoming an impact player."
Over the last 10 games Paul has at least a goal, or assist, and during this span has scored 14 points (6g, 8a). He has actually recorded a point in 18 of the last 20 games going back through November.
"This shouldn't surprise anyone when they consider his high school career" added Crouse. "However, to do it at the junior level is a great accomplishment."
While Paul has been consistent, he has had plenty of help turning the Outlaws around after a November slump. Brandon Brodhag (Brooklyn Park, MN) recorded 3 points (2g, 1a) in the weekend sweep of Albert Lea, and Alex Carlson (Farmington, MN) became only the second Outlaw ever to record five points in a single game when he had two goals and three assists in Saturday's win at the Thunder.
Joe Harcharik (Johnston, IA) has five points (2g, 3a) in the last five games and Ryan Peltoma (Brainerd, MN) has four assists over the last three games.
Plus, goaltenders Keegan Asmundson (Inver Grove Heights, MN) and Thomas Callaghan (New Westminister, PA) have been solid.
"Paul has been recording points, but he has been joined by many of his teammates who have contributed" noted Crouse.
Weekend Sweep
North Iowa extended their winning streak to a season-high five in a row with their weekend sweep of the Albert Lea Thunder on Friday and Saturday. Playing their first-ever regular season games at the site of their training camp (City Arena), the Outlaws looked at home as they never trailed during the two games and controlled most of the play.
The teams skated through two scoreless periods on Friday before the Outlaws received third period goals from Brodhag, Ryan Bohrer (West St. Paul, MN) and Kurt Weston (Roseau, MN) to win.
Bohrer's goal was his first in Junior A hockey and came in only his third game back from a three month
absence due to injury.
Saturday's game was tied 2-2 after the first period but deteriorated from there as the Outlaws' took advantage of a visibly frustrated Albert Lea team to score three unanswered goals and seven of the next eight to win 9-3. Albert Lea committed 64 minutes worth of penalties resulting in 13 Outlaws' power plays.
North Iowa connected on three of those advantages as eight different skaters scored for the Outlaws in the offensive explosion.
The Outlaws are 3-0-0 against the expansion Thunder and still have three more games against their nearest geographical opponent before the end of the calendar year as they finish a rare stretch of five consecutive games against the same opponent.
Most Goals
The nine goal outburst by the North Iowa Outlaws in their 9-3 victory on December 13th at Albert Lea was the most goals scored in a single-game by the franchise in its three-plus year history. North Iowa had previously scored eight goals two times. The Outlaws scored eight goals in an October 2005 win over Wasilla and eight goals in an October 2007 win over Alexandria with both of those games taking place at the North Iowa Ice Arena.
Eight different Outlaws scored a goal, while a total of 13 skaters recorded at least one point in Saturday's rout of Albert Lea.
Alex Carlson (Farmington, MN) finished with five points (2g, 3a) becoming the first Outlaw since Steve McLeod in March 2007 to get to five points in a single game.
Drive for 100
The Outlaws have won 98 regular season games in team history and will have a chance to reach the century mark this upcoming Saturday, as long as they win on Friday.
Power Play the Key
Of the Outlaws 15 wins this season they've notched a power play goal in 11 of them,making the Outlaws just 4-6-2 when the team doesn't score on the skater advantage.
During this five game winning streak, North Iowa's power play has gone 8/39 (21%), scoring at least once in each of the victories.
The Outlaws have actually scored a power play goal in six straight games (10/41; 24%)
Outlaws Last Week
Fri. Dec. 12th @ Albert Lea 3-2 Win
Sat. Dec. 13th @ Albert Lea 9-3 Win
Outlaws This Week
Fri. Dec. 19th @ Albert Lea 7:00pm
Sat. Dec. 20th vs. Albert Lea 8:00pm
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.
North American Hockey League Stories from December 15, 2008
- RoadRunners sweep through Alaska - NAHL
- Wildcats Split at Home - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- First Ever Bobcats Coach's Show Announced - Bismarck Bobcats
- Outlaws Jersey Retirement Ceremony Planned - North Iowa Outlaws
- Bandits capture three points in weekend trip to Wichita Falls - St. Louis Bandits
- Bandits rally to win a thriller in overtime against Wichita Falls - St. Louis Bandits
- Outlaws Weekly - North Iowa Outlaws
- Machine weekly - Motor City Metal Jackets
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.
