Three Point Weekend

The Outliers hosted a two-game series against the Idaho Falls Spud Kings over the weekend and secured three points, including a thrilling overtime victory on Friday night and another point in an overtime loss on Saturday.

Utah Outliers 4, Idaho Falls Spud Kings 3 (March 7, 2025)

Goaltender Matthew MacArthur looked to continue his win streak as he started in Friday night’s game. Utah held the lead 3-2 after a goal-filled first period.

The scoring started early, with the Spud Kings netting a goal before the three-minute mark of the opening frame. The Outliers quickly responded, tying the game within two minutes of Idaho Falls taking the lead. On an offensive zone faceoff, center Braden Hasenberger cleanly won the puck back to the point to defenseman Jesse Ivanovic, who rifled a shot that was blocked in the high slot but landed on Magzhan Sagadiev’s stick. Sagadiev released a fluttering backhander that found its way into the net for his eighth goal of the year. 

Idaho Falls responded less than two minutes later to regain the lead 2-1. Midway through the period, Utah went on the power play and tied the game at 2-2 when Edvin Edlund dished the puck back to Sagadiev as the team entered the offensive zone. The initial pass was blocked but still ended up on Sagadiev’s stick. Sagadiev cruised to the top of the left circle before ripping a laser over the Spud Kings goalie’s blocker for his second goal of the game and ninth of the season. Justin Obrochta picked up the secondary assist.

Utah struck again before the end of the first period. Just past the twelve minute mark, Kole Mears had his shot blocked in close, but Tevz Zibert corralled the loose puck and beat the Idaho Falls goaltender on the blocker side. It was Zibert’s ninth goal of the season, with Mears and Kaleb Pitman recording the assists. The Outliers maintained this lead through the remainder of the first period and headed into the locker with a 3-2 lead. 

Unlike the high-scoring first period, the second period saw just one goal. The Spud Kings tied the game at 3-3 with a point shot that found its way into the back of the net. Despite conceding the goal, MacArthur had a strong period, stopping 12 of the 13 shots he faced. The second period ended with the game tied 3-3 and both teams looking to come ahead in the final frame. 

The Outliers came out flying in the third period and dominated the play, outshooting the Spud Kings 20-2. However, they were unable to find the game-winning goal in regulation. Idaho Falls took a costly penalty with under three minutes remaining in the third period, giving Utah a 5-minute major power play that carried into overtime.

It took less than a minute for the Outliers to capitalize in overtime. The play started in the neutral zone, as Utah entered the offensive zone and formed their power play. Thomas Duhamel grabbed control of the puck and whipped a pass to forward Justin Obrochta, who didn't connect on the initial shot. Kaleb Pitman was left alone in front of the net and buried the game-winning goal off the rebound to secure a 4-3 Outliers victory. 

Idaho Falls Spud Kings 2, Utah Outliers 1 (March 8, 2025)

Looking to continue their strong homestand, Utah's Marcus Ouellet got the start in net on Saturday night. Once again, the Spud Kings struck first, taking the lead within the first ten minutes of the first period. However, the visitor's advantage didn’t last long, as the Outliers tied the game at 1-1 with under six minutes left in the opening frame while playing on the power play. 

During the man advantage, Utah passed the puck around the offensive zone. Defenseman Nathan Huntington walked the blue line and then fed the puck to Thomas Duhamel, who drove down the half wall for a shot. Duhamel’s initial attempt was stopped, but Mears’ strong net-front presence allowed him to find the loose puck and bury it for his eighth goal of the season. The opening frame ended with the score deadlocked at 1-1.  

For the remainder of the game, no goals were scored as both goalies stood tall for their respective clubs and made timely saves. Outliers netminder Marcus Ouellet stopped 12 shots in the second period, 9 in the third, and another 6 in overtime for a total of 31 saves. 

Unfortunately for Utah, they fell short in the overtime 3-on-3. The Spud Kings broke free up ice on a rush that led to a breakaway, which Ouellet stopped but the rebound found its way onto the stick of an Idaho Falls player, who buried it into the back of the net. Utah would pick up a point in the 2-1 defeat. 

The Outliers continue their homestand at the Acord Ice Center as they host the Casper Warbirds on March 14th & 15th.