OUTLIERS EARN FOUR POINTS

The Outliers traveled to Casper for a three-game slate this past weekend. They won two of the three games to earn four points.

Utah Outliers 4, Casper Warbirds 1 (Jan 9, 2025)

This game started with a lot of back-and-forth action between the two clubs, but neither team could completely take control of the play. Utah eventually found themselves on a late power play and converted to take a 1-0 lead with just 1:10 remaining in the opening frame. The Outliers Makar Klochkov won the draw on the power play and sent it back to defenseman Chase Nyitray, who ripped a shot from the point, which was redirected by teammate Michael Schwartz. The two teams headed into the locker room, Utah leading by a score of 1-0. 

The Outliers would keep their foot on the pedal as they scored 24 seconds into the second period to extend their lead to 2-0. Klochkov and Garret Joss played give-n-go as they broke into the offensive zone, with Joss receiving the puck and breaking down the wall. Joss dragged the defensive players with him, which allowed Schwartz to follow behind and receive the pass in a prime scoring position. Schwartz picked his spot for his second goal of the season and his second goal on the night. Utah added their third goal of the contest when Joss attacked up ice while shorthanded and potted his shot into the back of the net off the rush for a 3-0 Utah lead. 

The Warbirds worked to create some chances of their own but were met with Marcus Ouellet's red-hot goaltending. The veteran goaltender stood his ground and prevented Casper from getting on the scoreboard. Utah held the shot advantage 23 to 18, entering the third period. 

In the third period, the Warbirds broke Ouellet's shutout attempt, but the Outliers controlled much of the action for the rest of the game. Utah iced the game late as they scored their fourth goal of the evening into an empty net. With the Warbirds goalie pulled for an extra attacker, Utah forward Andrej Kubala raced up the ice toward the empty net but had his shot attempt blocked, which later landed on the stick of Carson Castro, who deposited it into the back of the net for his fourth of the season. 

Marcus Ouellet stopped 22 of 23 shots fired his way and picked up 1 assist on his way to victory. Utah outshot the Warbirds by a margin of 37 to 23. The Outliers went 1 for 4 on the power play and showed a strong effort in killing off both short-handed situations.  

Casper Warbirds 6, Utah Outliers 1 (Jan 10, 2025)

Looking to continue their momentum from the previous night, the Outliers entered Friday’s game with Jeffery Fillion getting the start in net. Utah would strike at the halfway mark of the opening frame for their first goal of the game off of an offensive zone face-off. Andrej Kubala won the draw and sent the puck back to the point where newly acquired defenseman Nathan Nadeau rifled a shot that beat the Casper netminder cleanly. It was Nadeau's first goal of the season with his new team. 

Unfortunately, this would be the only goal the Outliers would score during Friday’s game. The Warbirds went on to win this match 6 to 1. Fillion stopped 18 of 24 shots fired his way, while Utah went 0 for 6 on the power play and was scored on twice while playing shorthanded.  

The Outliers dominated most of the game and controlled puck possession, outshooting the Warbirds 42-24. However, they could not overcome the outstanding goaltending of the Casper netminder, who made many timely saves to keep Utah off the scoreboard and steal the victory for his team. 

Utah Outliers 3, Casper Warbirds 2 (Jan 11, 2025)

Following Friday’s loss, the Outliers wanted to bounce back and finish this three-game series on a winning note. Utah started Marcus Ouellet on Saturday, and he was looking for his second consecutive win against Casper. 

The Outliers scored once in the first period and outshot the Warbirds 15 to 14. Garret Joss capitalized on his shot in the slot off a fantastic feed from his linemate Makar Klochkov. Casper evened the score with just twenty seconds remaining in the period when they capitalized off the rush on a 2-on-1. Both teams would head back to their respective locker rooms with the game tied 1-1. 

The Warbirds took the lead early in the second period, but Utah would fight back and show their resilience as they evened the game at 2-2 while converting on the power play. Makar Klochkov scored his fourth goal of the season when he blasted a one-timer from the blue line that beat the Warbirds netminder cleanly. The second period would close with the score tied at 2-2 and the Warbirds narrowly outshooting Utah 28-26. 

As the third period continued, it looked like this game may be headed to overtime, but Utah's Garrett Joss had other ideas as he scored his second goal in the contest and his 21st of the season with 10:24 remaining. Utah shut the door the rest of the way to secure a 3-2 victory over the Warbirds. 

Marcus Ouellet was stellar in this game, stopping 42 of 43 shots and making a handful of excellent saves to preserve the win.

The Outliers will be off this coming weekend before hitting the road and taking on the Idaho Falls Spud Kings at the Mountain America Center on January 24th and 25th.