Outlaws' Weekly
Published on January 5, 2009 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
North Iowa Outlaws News Release
Mason City (IA) The ringing in of a New Year last week had many yearning for better days ahead and quickly trying to forget the past but for the North Iowa Outlaws more of the same would do them just right.
The Outlaws saw a franchise record eight-game winning streak ended but maintained a franchise-best 10-game unbeaten streak extended in going 2-0-1 last week. Returning from an 11 -day holiday break layoff the Outlaws moved into sole possession of first place in the North American Hockey League's Central Division for the first time this season and also held off a challenge from one of those teams jostling with them for that position.
From the end of November until the end of December, the Outlaws moved from fourth place to first and overcame eight points in the Central Division race.
The week began at home with a 9-3 dismantling of the expansion Albert Lea Thunder on Wednesday December 31st in a game that saw five different team records matched or broken. With the victory, the Outlaws set a new team record for consecutive wins surpassing a seven-game streak the team last season went on. However, the record book was far from being revised and in actuality the winning streak was almost buried by some of the others, namely the individual performance of Alex Carlson (Farmington, MN).
The second-year player set a new team-record with seven points in the game with two goals and five assists. Previously the franchise-high had been five-points most recently done by Bryce Wilcox (Rochester, MN) on December 13th also versus Albert Lea. In addition, Carlson's five assists matched a team record for most in a single game, tying the record also held by Wilcox from that previous game.
The seven-point onslaught is the most in a single-NAHL game since Team USA's Jack Johnson had seven points in a 13-0 March 18, 2005 win over the then Toledo Ice Diggers.
"Whenever he touched the puck, something happened which was fun to watch" said Outlaws' head coach Jeff Crouse. "(Alex) had a great game but let's not forget there were plenty of other guys who stepped up."
Crouse couldn't be any more right in that statement as on any other night, individual performances by Travis Peckskamp (Sauk Rapids, MN) and Brandon Brodhag (Brooklyn Park, MN) would've had the spotlight. Peckskamp notched the Outlaws' second hat trick of the season, and Brodhag picked up four points, including three assists.
The nine-goals matched the franchise record for most in a single-game, tying the nine scored in a Dec. 13th win at Albert Lea, as the Outlaws completed a five-game sweep over the Thunder in a series that started back on Dec. 12th."
"Even though (Albert Lea) is in last place, to beat any team at this level five times is amazing because the level of competition is still very close" added Crouse.
The Outlaws would then open the 2009 calendar year with a pair of home games against the Alexandria Blizzard, a team that has been at or near the top of the division all season. Entering the weekend series having only played a league-low two overtime sessions all season the Outlaws would see that number double and earn their first "walk-off" win of the season in the process.
Comebacks were the order of the day both nights and without them, the Outlaws' would've left the weekend pointless.
"I loved the fight and the belief this team had late in both games. You don't like to have to comeback in any game, but it's great to see we have that ability" noted Crouse.
On Friday January 2nd, the Outlaws trailed by deficits of 2-0 and 3-1, before making it 3-2 heading into the third. Still, the Outlaws trailed by one-goal in the final minute before Ryan Peltoma (Brainerd, MN) scored his first goal of the season with nine seconds left to send the game into overtime.
After a scoreless overtime, Alexandria would win the shootout 3-2, and take the game 4-3 but North Iowa still earned a point for the extra effort.
The next night, both teams traded comebacks with the Outlaws rallying from a 2-1 first intermission deficit to take a 3-2 lead. The Blizzard tied the game heading into the third before Peltoma struck again midway through the third to put the Outlaws' up 4-3. It remained that way until the final minute when Alexandria would force overtime with a goal with 50 seconds left.
In overtime, Outlaws' goaltender Keegan Asmundson (Inver Grove Heights, MN) made numerous saves and also stymied a penalty shot attempt to force the game into yet another shootout. This time, it would be the Outlaws' who prevailed on a Travis Baker (New Brighton, MN) goal in the bottom of the seventh to give North Iowa their first win this season past regulation.
It's a Walk-Off
Prior to the Outlaws' shootout win on Saturday, they had been one of only two NAHL teams to not have a "walk-off " win this season, with a victory in either overtime or a shootout. Albert Lea remains the lone team without a win past regulation.
Extra Shooters
Each of the Outlaws' shootouts against Alexandria last weekend went past the minimum five with Friday's last eight and Saturday's going seven. They were the first shootouts to go past the minimum for the Outlaws since they had a 12-round shootout against Fargo-Moorhead in November 2005.
Three-Headed Monster
The line of Alex Carlson, Travis Peckskamp and Brandon Brodhag has combined for 46 points (20g, 26a) over the last 10-games as the Outlaws are 9-0-1. They've also accounted for three of the game winning goals and eight power play goals during that span.
The line is an amazing +14 during the last 10.
Not to be outdone, Jack Paul has 16pts (3g, 13a) and Joe Harcharik (Johnston, IA) has 12pts (5g, 7a) over the last 10.
After a NAHL Record
Jack Paul extended his franchise-record point streak to 15 games which is the longest in the NAHL this season and is nearing the league's modern record. The league record is 20 consecutive games held by three different players. In each of the last three seasons, one player has reached 20-straight including Alexandria Michael Lickteig last season, Fargo's Chris Connelly in 2006-2007 and Bozeman's Josh Heidinger in 2005-2006.
Clinching a Playoff Spot
With Albert Lea struggling for points, the Outlaws are already nearing a postseason spot with North Iowa's magic number to secure a playoff spot being 19. The Outlaws could conceivably become the first team to "earn" a postseason berth but keep in mind that every team in the four-team West and South Division's are already in the NAHL playoffs.
First Year Scoring
Loaded with a number of skillful veteran forwards on its roster, its actually a defenseman that leads all Outlaws' rookies in scoring. U-MASS recruit Anthony Raiola (Minnetonka, MN0 leads all Junior A rookies with 10 pts (4g, 6a) followed by forwards Matt Leer (Edina, MN) and Rob Johnson (Duluth, MN) who each have 8 pts.
Exhibition On Deck
The Outlaws hit the road this weekend for two games at Bismarck on Friday and Saturday and then stop in Alexandria on Sunday to round out a three-game weekend. However, the trip will begin with an exhibition game in Aberdeen, SD on Thursday night with Bismarck. Locals in Aberdeen are hoping to land a NAHL franchise as soon as next season and are using this game to showcase the market.
Outlaws Last Week
Wed. Dec. 31th vs. Albert Lea 9-3 Win
Fri. Jan. 2nd vs. Alexandria 3-4 SOL
Sat. Jan. 3rd vs. Alexandria 5-4 SOW
Outlaws This Week
Thurs. Jan. 8th @ Bismarck (Aberdeen, SD) exhibition @ 7:00pm
Fri. Jan. 9th @ Bismarck 7:30pm
Sat. Jan. 10th @ Bismarck 7:00pm
Sun. Jan. 11th @ Alexandria 5:00pm
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 January 5, 2009
- Bandits' spirits high after holiday break - NAHL
- Phantoms Open Online Jersey Auction - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Phantoms' Kenney Named Player of the Week - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Wildcats go 1-2 on 2009's first road trip - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- B2CableTV.Com Unveils NAHLTV - NAHL
- 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.
