UTAH OUTLIERS RETURN TO ACTION AFTER BYE WEEK

by Website Admin

The Utah Outliers are back in action after having a bye week. Utah used this to their advantage, as the boys were able to heal up injuries, get more training and practice, and rest up from the grind of a long season. Another thing that the Outliers were able to accomplish during the absence in games is shore up their team and bring in a few fresh faces to the lineup. In total, four new players will wear the black and yellow the rest of the season and each of them has come with their sights set on improving as a player and helping the team win. Utah returns to action this weekend as they host the 1st place Ogden Mustangs for a two-game series at the Acord Ice Center.

Bradley Green returns home as the Kaysville, UT native joins the Outliers after spending his first junior season with the Casper Coyotes, before joining the Northern Colorado Eagles for the first half of the 2018-19 season. The 99’ forward has competed in 80 WSHL games and has registered 32 goals and 34 assists so far. The local product should add some offensive depth to the club.

Austin Dennison comes to Utah as a 2000 birth year and already is in his third season of junior hockey. After spending his first two seasons in the NA3HL, the 6’5 power forward ventured to Canada and has spent this season putting up 15 points before joining the Outliers. He adds a lot of size and a very good work ethic and should be a welcomed addition for the rest of the year.

Charles-Olivier Lepage will add to the goaltending depth and is another 2000 birth- year player that is joining Utah after spending the first part of this season in Canada. The young netminder has had experience in the CCHL and has also played a game in the BCHL, but a majority of the season was spent with the Kerry Park Islanders in the VIJHL. So far he has had a successful year having just competed in the VIJHL all-star game. The addition should help Utah create a 1-2 punch in net and offer some top goaltending to the team.

Niklas Lejon travels to the Outliers from across the pond as the Swedish forward is looking to experience something new by playing in the United States. The 98 forward has spent the last several seasons playing in the J20 Elit and Division 1 and 2 leagues. Touted as a smart and skillful forward, Niklas should provide Utah with some experience down the stretch, as he is no stranger to playing in big time games.

All four players will look to make an immediate impact for the Outliers and should be players to watch for this upcoming weekend. Aside from the additions, Matt Bartel is still continuing his tear, leading Utah in both goals (28) and points (55). Nicholas Ness is leading in assists (29), and captain Zach Dornseifer is closing in on the franchise lead for all three major offensive categories. He is 3 goals, 13 assists, and 16 points from breaking each individual record for all-time Outlier history.

For Ogden, Rhett Rampinelli is having one of the better statistical seasons in the WSHL with 96 points (T-2nd) in only 38 games. Ammon Anderson trails with 75 points (6th) and Ian Currie is also in the top 15 in scoring with 60 points. In net, Artur Ogandzhanyan has been a main stay in net, compiling 20 wins with only 1 overtime loss and 2 shutouts. His 1.96 goals against average is amongst the league leaders and 93% save percentage tops all goaltenders with more than one game played.

Don’t miss a minute of the action as these two Utah based, Mountain Division rivals square off. Both games will take place at the Acord Ice Arena in West Valley, Utah. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM Friday night and 6:30 PM Saturday night. These are also two of the last three games of the regular season that will be played at home for the Outliers, with ten other games being on the road. Be sure to keep up with all the action live or online at Blackdog Enterprises.