Outliers tame Coyotes in sweep

The Utah Outliers continued their successful start to the season this past weekend in a 3 game set with the Casper Coyotes. Coming into the series, both teams were enjoying winning steaks. Fortunately for the Outliers, their winning streak continued, and now sits at 7 games.

In Friday’s game, both teams spent the first period sizing up one another. The period featured several chances, with both teams showcasing their speed and strength. Goaltender Dawson Rodin (Outliers) and Dylan Ossachuk (Coyotes) stood tall, stopping 14 and 9 saves respectively.

In the second period, Utah started to assert themselves as the aggressors, pouring 23 shots onto Ossachuk. Nearly eight minutes in to the second period, the Outliers finally capitalized. A great fore-check by Captain Jacob Wanstrom led to a turnover in the Coyotes’ zone. Wanstrom fed the puck to Oskars Ancitis. Ancitis then found a wide-open Kane Toriumi in slot, and he buried the puck. The period ended 1-0 Outliers. 

The third period was all Utah as the team put four more goals past the Coyote’s goaltender. A few minutes into the frame, a beautiful passing play by Gianni Vitali and Brandon Krumpschmid created a great scoring chance, finished by Kaeden Meuer. Four minutes later, Ancitis and Wanstrom connected again, leading to a goal from Zack Hoffman. The Outliers did not let up and late into the game, another hard-working offensive fore-check resulted in a goal. Brandon Krumpschmid was the beneficiary of the hard work, with assists coming from Vitali and Viktor Burman. Ancitis sealed the game on a breakaway goal with two minutes left, with assists coming from Wanstrom and goalie Dawson Rodin. 

Rodin finished the game with a 22 save shutout to go along with an assist. The Outliers finished the game with 52 shots in the 5-0 win.

Saturday’s contest was a physical battle that saw forty minutes in penalties. In the first period, the Outliers gained the lead on two Toriumi goals, which came at the 13:28 and 12:24 marks. Hoffman had assists on both, while Vitali and Roman Svik collected the additional assists.

In the second period, Casper finally got on the board, courtesy of a Stepan Kudrna power-play goal. Utah answered back two minutes later when Wanstrom chipped the puck to newcomer Dmitri Munirov, who sprung Bogdan Khvatov on a breakaway and put the Outliers back up by two goals. The score remained 3-1 until late in the period when Utah saw back-to-back goals from Svik and Dylan Massie, with assists coming from Toriumi, Vitali, and Benji Mickel. 

The final period was a shooting barrage for the Outliers as the team peppered Coyote’s goalie Luka Sotlar with 23 shots. Halfway into the period, Utah was awarded a power-play opportunity. During the advantage, crisp passing from Vitali and Wanstrom led to a Hoffman one-timer that blistered past the Coyote’s net-minder.

Outlier’s goalie Otto Saxin recorded his second win of the season, turning away 15 shots, while once again Utah showcased their offensive prowess, registering 61 shots.

In the Sunday matinee game, Utah put the nail in the Coyote’s coffin and flexed their muscles, sending a message to their Mountain Division rival. 

Goalies Saxin and Rodin split the game, and combined for a 23 save shutout (Saxin with 12 saves, Rodin with 11).  The Outliers netted three goals in the first period, tallied two in the second, and buried the Coyotes with a dominating seven goals scored in the third for a 12-0 final score. Multiple Outliers recorded points, but leading the charge up front was Svik with 4 goals and 2 assists. Meuer recorded a hat trick, Hoffman tallied 2 goals and 2 assists, Ancitis had 1 goal and 4 assists, and Wanstrom contributed 3 assists.

The Outliers now prepare to face the Ogden Mustangs in a home and home series this upcoming weekend. Ogden is also on a sizeable winning streak of eight games. The current record between the in-state rivals is sitting tied at 1-1 this season, with Ogden winning game one 6-5 and Utah winning game two 3-2.

Friday’s game will be played at the Ogden Ice Sheet, with the puck dropping at 7:30 pm. Saturday’s game will be played at Utah’s own Accord Ice Arena, with puck drop at 6:35 pm. Outliers fans, don’t forget this Saturday is the Outlier’s Hockey Halloween costume contest! Free admission for all fans in costume, as well as a chance to win a cash prize. 

By Carly Tashman