First place on the line this weekend vs Ogden

The Utah Outliers continue their successful season this weekend as they prepare for the Ogden Mustangs in a home and home series. All year the Outliers have been near the top of the WSHL standings, as well as the Mountain Division. This weekend, the Outliers have a chance to get over the hurdle and secure first place. Coming into the two games, Utah sit just one point behind Ogden while still having three games in hand. Utah is rolling as of late, currently on an 8-game winning streak. Ogden has been cruising as well, boasting a 7-game win streak themselves. Fans should expect some fireworks as these two high-powered teams battle for the division title.

The season series between the Outliers and the Stangs currently is 4-3 in favor of the Outliers. Ogden took game one 6-5, followed by a Utah 3-2 win. Ogden bounced back winning game three 4-0, before Utah took a 3-1 decision. Ogden regained the series lead in a 3-2 game, but the previous home and home series was the first time all year one of these teams won two games in a row. The Outliers edged out the Mustangs 4-3, and then came away with a decisive 6-1 win in at home. The weekend games will be the last two these teams play until a possible rematch in the playoffs.

Some players to keep an eye on this weekend for the Mustangs are the usual suspects. Matus Spodniak continues his tear, leading the league with 53 goals and 110 points. Jacob Laurin is tied for the lead in assists with 57 to go along with his 37 goals. Ross Bartlett has been no slouch either with 32 goals and 50 assists. On the backend, Austin Dittenhafer leads Ogden with 11 goals and 29 assists. Between the pipes will be a new face, as the Mustangs have added former El Paso Rhino standout Tymen Edelkoort III to their roster. 

Utah has continued to rely on numerous players to get the job done on offense, as ten players have more than 10 goals, led by Brandon Krumpschmid with 21.  Dylan Massie has seen a recent surge, sitting in a tie for second with Kane Toriumi at 19 goals. Zack Hoffman leads the backend with 14 goals while also still leading the team in points with 49. In net, both Dawson Rodin and Otto Saxin are still carrying the load, boasting 15-4 (Rodin) and 10-1 (Saxin) records respectively. Trenton Wendt also holds a 3-0 record to go along with a 91 save percentage. 

The Outliers have some new faces that have recently been added to the roster. Philip Rodhe-Magni, a 2000 born Swedish forward saw his first taste of action last weekend against Superior. The 6’3 forward adds more speed and size up front for the Outliers. Also added to the roster for this upcoming weekend is forward Alex Crilley out of Pittsburgh, PA. Crilley, a 98’ born forward, joins Utah from the Rochester Monarchs of the NCDC. Last season Crilley was a big part of the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite U18 team that went 24-7, contributing 30 points in 28 games. 

Come out and support your Outliers as they make the push for first place. Saturday night’s game will take place at 6:30 PM at the Acord Ice Center, and Sunday’s game will take place at 1:30 PM at the Ice Sheet in Ogden, Utah.

Go Outliers!