Bachtle’s Overtime Goal Clinches Outliers Playoff Spot

PARK CITY, UT - Erick Bachtle’s overtime goal handed the Utah Outliers hockey club a tightrope 3-2 win over the Ogden Mustangs at the Black Rock Event Center on Wednesday night, solidifying their fourth place spot in the N.C.D.C. playoffs.

Since the Pueblo Bulls have five contests left to play, a 12-point lead in the Mountain Division standings puts the Outliers out of their reach, clinching the four-seed in the hunt for the post-season.

Utah head coach Richard Bohan explained the importance of finally punching that playoff ticket. He said, “It was a big milestone for the group to finally get over that hump. We’ve been fighting for that spot with Pueblo since November, so to finally get the two points over them was crucial for us.”

Despite trailing 1-0 after the first period, Outliers forward Zach Palik’s 23rd goal of the season brought the game back to even just under five minutes into the second frame. Team captain Jesse Ivanovic capitalized at the halfway mark of the period to hand Utah its first lead of the night. Both of those tallies arrived on the powerplay. While Ogden suffered an 0-for-3 mark on the man-advantage, the neon and grey finished 2-for-4.

Bohan credited the victory to consistency. He recapped, “I thought it was a great effort all the way through… I thought the entire team was committed defensively to playing our game and sticking to our structure. Outside of that, I thought our special teams were fantastic, and our powerplay was excellent in nabbing us two goals.”

Bachtle’s O.T. snipe filed the Outliers into the win column for the 26th time this season, marking his 14th goal.

Utah kicks off the final week of the regular season at home at the Black Rock Event Center at 7:05 p.m. M.D.T. on Tuesday against the Rock Springs Miners.