Peltoma Breaks Record; Harcharik Nears Another at Alexandria
March 23, 2009 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
North Iowa Outlaws News Release
Mason City (IA) The North Iowa Outlaws' are only in their fourth season so when it comes to writing records down, one is better off served to use a pencil rather than pen. So with that in mind, it should come as no shock that as the 2008-2009 regular season winds down more changes are in store in the Outlaws' all-time record leader boards.
Already Brandon Brodhag (Brooklyn Park, MN) has set a new single-season franchise record for goals with 30 this year, but he now has company in the record-breaking category with defenseman Ryan Peltoma (Brainerd, MN) with forward Joe Harcharik (Johnston, IA) at the front door and on the precispoius of joining them as well.
Thanks to a two-minute slashing minor in the first period of the March 21st game at Alexandria, Peltoma passed former Outlaw Marc Lorence for the most penalty minutes in a single-season. Peltoma now has 143 PIM surpassing Lorence's 142 from the 2005-2006 season. The record comes with plenty of tongue-in-cheek jokes and good natured ribbing from teammates but a record is a record.
"Ryan has been a wonderful player for us and the penalties reflect his hard work and his aggression on defense. A defenseman is going to rack up penalty minutes, it's the nature of the position and few of Ryan's penalties have been a result of laziness or poor discipline" commented Outlaws' assistant coach Garrett Strot.
Meanwhile, fourth-year forward Joe Harcharik (Johnston, IA) will enter the final two-games of the regular season two points back in his quest to match former Outlaw Max Mobley's career point's record. Harcharik has 136 points following a quiet weekend at Alexandria and though the suburban Des Moines native has slowed down his pace considerably this month, he still has a great chance to not only tie the record, but break it.
The Outlaws' opponent this weekend for the final two games of the regular season is Albert Lea, whom Harcharik has 13 points in 11 games.
If Harcharik either matches or breaks Mobley's record, he'll have done so in one fewer game than Max. Mobley played with the Outlaws from 2005-2006 and just finished his first season with Division I St. Lawrence University.
Former Outlaws' Compete in Frozen Four
Three former members of the Outlaws' competed in the 2009 NCAA Division III Frozen Four last weekend in Lake Placid, NY though neither of their teams won the title. In fact, in the national semi-finals on Friday, all three faced each other as the University of Wisconsin at Stout fell to Gustavus-Adolphus in overtime 4-3. Stout features former Outlaws Alex Breeden and Matt Morin, while Ross Ring-Jarvi skates for Gustavus.
Gustavus lost the national championship game to Neumann.
The NCAA Division I tournament kicks off this upcoming weekend with three former players involved.
Alex Tuckerman plays for Northeastern, while Tyler Jundt and Shea Walters skate for Bemidji State. Northeastern plays Cornell and Bemidji State faces Notre Dame this weekend in the Grand Rapids, MI regional.
Playoff Match-ups Set
The North American Hockey League Central Division playoff match-ups are set, though schedules have yet to be finalized. The #1-seed Bismarck Bobcats will take on the #4-seed Alexandria Blizzard, while the #2-seed North Iowa Outlaws go up against the #3-seed Owatonna Express.
Attendance Record
With two home games left, the Outlaws are 1,154 fans away from passing last season's attendance mark. The Outlaws need to average 577 fans over their last two games to break the record.
Outlaws Last Week
Fri. Mar. 20th @ Alexandria 2-3 SOL
Sat. Mar. 21st @ Alexandria 2-3 Loss
Outlaws This Week
Fri. Mar. 27th vs. Albert Lea 7:30pm
Sun. Mar. 29th vs. Albert Lea 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 March 23, 2009
- Bobcats Sweep Road Trip - Bismarck Bobcats
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- Bandits, RoadRunners fight to the finish - NAHL
- Rangers to Bid Farewell to Six - Marquette Rangers
- Phantoms Give Back with Fan Appreciation Week - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- âCats split in Topeka, clinch third in South - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Peltoma Breaks Record; Harcharik Nears Another at Alexandria - North Iowa Outlaws
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