OUTLIERS SWEEP

The Outliers hosted a two-game set this weekend, taking on the Rock Spring Grizzles on Friday and the Ogden Mustangs on Saturday. 

Utah Outliers 4, Rock Spring Grizzles 0 (Feb 7th, 2025)

Netminder Marcus Ouelett took the crease to open the weekend. Utah found the back of the net three times during the first period while holding the shot advantage 14-9.

The Outliers opened the scoring at the 9-minute mark of the first period on a delayed penalty call. While playing 6-on-5, Outliers defenseman Jentzen Kaebel scooped up a loose puck in the offensive zone and danced his way to the slot. Kaebel faked a shot to beat the defender and placed a backhand shot past the Grizzlies goaltender for a 1-0 lead. This was Kaebel's third goal of the season, with the primary assist going to teammate Tevz Zibert. 

Utah would keep their foot on the gas as they scored their second goal of the contest, courtesy of Christian Theberge. Utah's Duncan Shin drove into the zone and dragged his defender with him, which allowed defenseman Christian Theberge to take the open ice he had been given and rip a shot at the net. Theberge’s shot was stopped, but the rebound found its way back onto his stick for an easy open netter. This was Theberge’s 3rd of the season, along with assists from Duncan Shin and Andrej Kubala.

Towards the end of the period, Utah would find themselves with the man advantage and take a 3-0 lead on a power play goal. After a successful setup in the offensive zone, the puck was quickly moved around the zone, where Chase Nyitray found himself in a shooting lane. Nyitray would rifle off a shot that slid through the goaltender's pads, and forward Michael Schwartz was in perfect position to tap the puck into the back of the net for his third goal of the season. Nyitray and Daniil Chupranov were awarded the assists on the play. 

Utah would hold onto this lead for the remainder of the first and second periods. The Outliers held the shot advantage 24-19 through two periods and controlled much of the play in the Grizzlies zone. 

Utah would add one more goal in the third period to secure a 4-0 victory. Late in the third period, Zakhar Meshcheriakov lobbed the puck up to Duncan Shin, who settled the puck down before finding Magzhen Sagadiev on a breakaway. Sagadiev would shoot the puck five-hole for his 7th goal of the season.

Marcus Ouellet stopped all 25 shots he faced to secure the shutout for his club. 

Utah Outliers 2, Ogden Mustangs 1 (Feb 8th, 2025)

Utah came into this game looking to sweep the weekend and build on its momentum from the previous night. Coming off a shutout against the Grizzlies, Marcus Ouellet was back between the pipes for the Outliers. 

Ouellet would remain perfect in the opening period as he denied all the Mustang's attempts with key saves and gave his club a chance to get on the scoreboard first. 

Attacking off the rush, Utah's Cole Mears chipped the puck into the Ogden zone and applied a heavy forecheck. Mears came up with the puck and found his linemate, Justin Obrochta, wide open in the slot. Obrochta made no mistake on his chance as he released a quick shot past the Mustangs netminder to give the Outliers a 1-0 lead. This was Obrochta's 13th goal of the season, with assists going to Cole Mears and Braden Hansberger. 

The Mustangs tied the game in the third period 1-1 when they capitalized off an Outliers turnover in the neutral zone and cashed in on their offensive opportunity. This goal would end Marcus Ouellet's shutout streak of playing five consecutive periods without allowing a goal. 

Utah showed strong resilience in the final frame as they pushed back after Ogden's tying goal and applied some intense pressure on the visitors. The Outlier's hard work paid dividends as they were awarded a power play for a 4-minute cross-check. While playing with the man advantage, Garret Joss found himself alone on the left side of the ice with an open lane to the net. He calmly skated through the lane and ripped his shot into the top corner of the net to give Utah a 2-1 lead.  This was Joss's 24th goal of the season, with assists from Makar Klochkov and Daniil Chuparnov. 

Ouellet would shut the door for the remainder of the game and seal Utah's 2-1 victory. Ouellet's stellar play over the weekend earned him two wins while posting a save percentage of .983 and a goals-against average of 0.50. 

The Outliers will head on the road next weekend for a pair of games against the Rock Spring Grizzlies and Ogden Mustangs.