Utah Splits Series With Bulls

The Utah Outliers returned to home ice this past weekend for a two-game Mountain Division showdown against the Pueblo Bulls at the Black Rock Events Center. The series delivered tight, competitive hockey from start to finish, with each team earning a win. Pueblo edged out Utah 2–1 in a shootout on Friday, while the Outliers answered with a decisive 6–2 victory on Saturday night.

Game 1: Pueblo Bulls 2, Utah Outliers 1 (SO)

Friday, November 22 – Black Rock Events Center

The Outliers opened the weekend looking to collect crucial points in a tightly contested division race. Utah wasted no time generating momentum, striking just three minutes into the first period. Forward Leon Buff found himself high in the offensive zone and fired a low shot from the point, and the rebound bounced directly to Magzhan Sagadiev, who punched it home for a 1–0 lead.

Pueblo responded with a strong push of their own, generating sustained pressure and firing 19 shots on goal in the opening frame. Outliers goaltender Colin Tornqvist delivered a stellar performance early, turning away every opportunity to preserve Utah’s lead heading into the first intermission.

The Outliers came out flying in the second period, dictating pace and elevating their physical play. Utah controlled much of the offensive zone time and outshot Pueblo 15–6. Still, Bulls goaltender Hayden Demaso continued his excellent weekend with several key stops to keep his team within striking distance.

The back-and-forth intensity carried into a fast, physical third period. Both clubs traded chances, and both goaltenders traded highlight-reel saves as the clock ticked down. With Utah pressing on the forecheck, a loose puck popped free to Pueblo, who quickly transitioned with a stretch pass that sent a forward in alone for a breakaway. The Bulls converted on the chance, tying the game 1–1.

Neither team found the winner in regulation, sending the contest to 3-on-3 overtime. Utah dominated the extra frame, generating four breakaways, but Demaso stood tall each time to extend the game. A tightly contested shootout followed, and after three rounds of scoreless attempts, Pueblo finally broke through with their fourth shooter to secure a 2–1 shootout victory.

Game 2: Utah Outliers 6, Pueblo Bulls 2

Saturday, November 23 – Black Rock Events Center

Seeking redemption after Friday’s disappointing finish, the Outliers returned with purpose for the Saturday rematch. Utah turned to recently acquired goaltender Brayden Nebus, who was aiming to record his first win with the club. Pueblo countered with Demaso again, following his outstanding performance the night before.

Utah once again set the tone early. Heavy forechecking pressure forced a turnover in the Pueblo zone, allowing Luke Goldberg to scoop up a loose puck along the half-wall and feed Anton Sollin in the slot. Sollin cut to the net and executed a smooth forehand-backhand move to open the scoring.

The Outliers extended their lead midway through the period when defenseman Jonas Pettersen pulled a slick fake at the blue line to create space and snapped a shot toward the net. Zak Palik deflected the puck in the goal crease, and Carson Young finished the play off to make it 2–0.

Pueblo fought back shortly after, capitalizing on a Utah breakout miscue that led to a rebound goal, trimming the lead to 2–1. Despite being outshot 19–6 in the opening period, Utah carried its one-goal advantage into intermission.

The second period saw Utah’s pace and forecheck intensify. The Outliers swarmed loose pucks and sustained long offensive shifts, but missed chances kept the game close. Pueblo tied the contest 2–2 on a breakaway shortly after a defensive collision with Nebus caused the puck to slide into the net.

Utah responded with resilience and poise. On the power play, Jesse Ivanovic fired a puck through traffic from the point to restore a 3–2 lead. Minutes later, relentless forechecking from Tyler Gudjonson forced a turnover deep in the Bulls’ zone. Young’s initial shot was stopped, but the rebound found Erick Bachtle, who buried it for a 4–2 advantage.

One of the night’s highlight moments came when Leon Buff exited the penalty box, intercepted a clearing attempt from Aidan Gordon, and burst in alone on a breakaway. Buff froze the goaltender with a slick pump fake before sliding the puck under the netminder to make it 5–2 heading into the second intermission.

In the third, Utah completely locked the game down defensively. The Outliers won the majority of board battles, controlled the neutral zone, and prevented Pueblo from generating any meaningful scoring threats. With Utah on the penalty kill late in the game, the Bulls pulled their goaltender to create a 6-on-4 advantage—but it backfired. Bachtle gained possession in the defensive end and lofted a perfect 200-foot shot into the empty net to seal the 6–2 victory.

Utah outshot Pueblo 41–19 and generated an 18–9 edge in high-danger chances. Nebus finished with 17 saves to earn his first win with the Outliers.

“I loved our response on Saturday,” said Head Coach Paul Taylor. “Friday’s loss stung because we played well enough to win, but our group showed great maturity by bouncing back with urgency, physicality, and commitment to our identity. That was one of our most complete efforts of the season, and it’s a standard we need to carry forward.”

Looking Ahead

The Outliers now prepare for a busy stretch of three games in four days. Utah will begin the week on the road in Grand Junction on Wednesday, November 26, before traveling to Idaho Falls for back-to-back matchups against the Spud Kings on Friday, the 28th, and Saturday, the 29th. The Saturday game will bring the team back home to the Black Rock Events Center.

All games will be streamed live on blackbearsports.tv.