Weekend preview vs Casper Coyotes
This weekend, the Utah Outliers will host the Casper Coyotes at the West Valley Acord Ice Center Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The three-game series will be the second meeting between the Mountain Division rivals, with the first games heavily favoring the Outliers. Utah was able to sweep Casper in the three game set by a combined score of 23 to 1.
Coming into the weekend, the Outliers are emerging from a split with the Ogden Mustangs, while the always-threatening Idaho IceCats swept the Coyotes. The IceCats outscored the Coyotes 22-3 on the weekend. Currently in the Mountain Division, Utah sits with a 9 win and 4 loss record, whereas Casper is trying to claw their way up the standings with 3 wins and 8 losses. The Coyotes have been shut-out 3 of their past 6 games, with two shut-outs coming at the hands of the Outliers.
One player to watch for Utah this weekend is Roman Svik, who had 8 points in the three games against Casper, including one 4-goal game. Jacob Wanstrom also had a big weekend in Casper, putting up 8 assists. Goaltending will also be fun to watch, as Outlier’s net-minder line-up of Otto Saxin, Dawson Rodin, and Trenton Wendt are all playing extremely well. Saxin has a 3-0 record and a save percentage of 94%, and Rodin is carrying a 5-3 record while boasting a 94%. Young goaltender Trenton Wendt is 1-0 in his junior career with 87%.
The Coyotes will need big performances from their top players if they hope to break through the stalwart Outlier defense. Romaeo D’Intino still leads the charge for Casper with 10 points in eleven games. Jacob Elik has 8 assists and 9 points in eleven games, and Utah native Bradley Green leads the team in goals with 6.
Games will be played Friday, November 3rd at 7:05 pm, Saturday, November 4th at 6:35 pm, and Sunday, November 5th at 12:05 pm. As always, Outlier’s fans age 10 and under will receive free admission to the games.
By Carly Tashman