Weekend preview: Outliers vs Casper Coyotes

The Utah Outliers hit the road this weekend to take on the Casper Coyotes in a 3 game series at the Casper Ice Center. This weekend marks the first three of nine games these teams will play against one another. Last season, the Outliers enjoyed a 5-1 record against the Coyotes.

Both teams are coming into the weekend riding a wave of success from their previous series. Both the Coyotes and the Outliers took three games from their opponents by a wide margin, and both clubs are looking to continue their success and climb the tough Mountain Division ladder.

The Coyotes enjoyed a three-game sweep at home against the Wichita Jr Thunder, outscoring their opponents 27-1. Some big names to keep an eye on for the Coyotes are Cameron Cross and Romaeo D’Intino who lead in points with 8, and Bradley Green who leads the team with 6 goals. The Coyotes currently sit with a 3-3 record this season.

The Outliers celebrated a three game sweep at home against the Southern Oregon Spartans. Utah showed its offensive prowess, scoring 22 goals and allowing only 4 against. After the weekend, the Outliers winning streak currently sits at four games. A positive attribute for the team has been the depth scoring and contributions from numerous players. Fifteen players have scored a goal, and of those fifteen, ten have multiple goals. Nineteen players have registered a point, and all three goalies have picked up wins. The Outliers currently have a 5-3 WSHL record this season.

Some statistical notes to keep track of this weekend are on the special teams side. The Utah Outliers are currently converting on 30% of their power-plays, good for fourth place in the WSHL. Utah is also killing penalties at an 86% rate, coming in at seventh in the WSHL. Casper hasn’t been as successful on the power-play this season, only converting on 18%. They are in similar standing with the Outliers on the penalty kill, boasting an 85% kill rate putting them directly behind Utah for PK %, for eighth place in the WSHL.

The weekend should be a good test for the Outliers in this young season, as every inter-division game is crucial in what is considered the toughest division in the WSHL.

By Carly Tashman