Outlaws Weekly
Published on January 19, 2009 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
North Iowa Outlaws News Release
Mason City (IA) Sometimes a person given an opportunity and with something to prove, can be an even stronger asset than having anyone else whose been dubbed a "star". The North Iowa Outlaws put that theory to test in their only game last weekend and came away with one of their more memorable victories of the season.
Despite not having five key players, including two veteran defenseman and their top three scorers, due to the North American Hockey League Top Prospect Tournament, the Outlaws defeated a full-strength Owatonna Express team 4-1 on the road on Saturday. Even without nearly 50% of the team's scoring punch, the Outlaws found numerous offensive chances and goaltender Keegan Asmundson (Inver Grove Heights, MN) was spectacular in net to save a defense that scrambled a bit in the first without two major components.
"Our entire roster has seen plenty of ice time so it wasn't as though the team we put on the ice in Owatonna was a B-rate squad" said Outlaws assistant coach Garrett Strot, who served as the team's head coach that night with Jeff Crouse on his way to the Top Prospect event. "I know there were a few fans in Owatonna assuming it would be easy but the truth of the matter is, we have a deep team and these guys rose to the occasion when presented to them."
Owatonna scored in the game's opening ten minutes, but the Outlaws controlled the remainder of the game to snap the Express' five-game winning streak while maintaining sole possession of first place in the ultra-tight Central Division.
"The guys went out and had some fun in Owatonna and earned two points and it was huge" noted Strot. "However, and I know it's coach speak, but its just one game and there are still two months left. Owatonna will still be in this race for at least a few more weeks if not all the way to the end."
Crucial Homestand
The Outlaws victory in Owatonna ended a stretch of four-straight on the road in which North Iowa went 2-2-0, all against the three other teams in the division they are fending off in the race for first. Now the Outlaws come back to the North Iowa Ice Arena to begin a five-game homestand on Saturday, but it's a stretch of games that, while crucial, aren't make or break. At least, not at the moment.
The Outlaws face a wide array, starting with the NAHL's worst team in Albert Lea, to their rivals the Bismarck Bobcats, to South Division foe Springfield, back to Alexandria.
Its crucial in that this in a later season homestand, and points a team never wants to leave on the table. However, its not make or break because of the time of the season.
"To call this a must win homestand is definitely an overstatement" said assistant coach Garrett Strot. "There are some games in here, such as Bismarck and Alex we really need to win, and actually the Albert Lea game is one in which there is pressure to win, but this homestand will not win the division for us."
The Outlaws are a combined 7-3-1 at home against Albert Lea, Bismarck and Alexandria while they haven't faced Springfield at home.
Awesome Asmundson
Rookie goaltender Keegan Asmundson (Inver Grove Heights, MN) is making himself at home in the crease and at the same time, earning more and more playing time. Asmundson has been in net for the Outlaws last two victories and over the rookies last six complete game starts is 6-0-0 with a 1.83 GAA and 95% save percentage.
"(Keegan) has been amazing and he is definitely developing into a top flight goaltender who is going to be getting interest (from Division I colleges)" said Strot. "He is young, only '90 birth year, so he has another year to develop and over that time more and more schools will be getting interested."
Keegan comes from a family with a sports lineage as his father Garrett was an accomplished semi-pro and indoor football player at the turn of the century. In fact, his father was inducted into the minor league football hall of fame a couple years back.
Tight Division
With just six points separating first from fourth, the Central Division is the tightest race in the entire North American Hockey League. There is actually a six point difference in the North but the fourth place team has played six more times than the team in first. Its a 23 point separation in the West and a whopping 38 point difference in the South.
Outlaws Last Week
Sat. Jan. 17th @ Owatonna 4-1 Win
Outlaws This Week
Sat. Jan. 24th vs. Albert Lea 7:30pm
Sun. Jan. 25th vs. Bismarck 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 19, 2009
- Phantoms Rise to Occasion at Top Prospects - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- NTDP Squads Earn Two Wins at NAHL Top Prospects Tournament - U.S. National Team
- Addendum to Wildcats - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Wildcats sweep Wenatchee; Four players in Showcase - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- 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.
