It was a rough start for the Prince Albert Outlaws in more ways than one on Friday.
The visiting Saskatoon Steelers jumped out to an early lead and held off a late Outlaw charge to win 12-9 in a penalty filled affair at the Kinsmen Arena.
Despite not getting the result he wanted, Outlaw co-head coach Mark Peterson said he was pleased with how the team responded.
“The guys were getting pretty down and frustrated with themselves and each other in the second period,” Peterson said. “Things just weren’t going our way. After the second period we went into the dressing room and just talked and got it figured out.”
After a sluggish start, the Outlaw found themselves down 10-3 at the end of the second period. However, the club battled back, outscoring the Steelers 6-2 in the third.
Peterson said the club showed much better communication and poise in the final frame, and got some timely stops from goaltender Tanner Fetch.
“The game was getting a little heated. We just got back and got our heads into it and did the little things,” he explained. “We were putting the ball in the net and our goalie made some key saves.”
The loss drops the Outlaws’ record to 3-7-1 on the season. The Prince Albert club got what should be a gift win on Saturday after the Estevan Impact couldn’t assemble enough players to make the trip north.
The Outlaws close out the season at home on June 16, when they take on the Saskatchewan SWAT. The SWAT are 2-9 this season, with the last meeting between the two teams resulting in an 11-9 Outlaw win in Saskatoon.
“We beat them on the road, so it would be nice to come back and get a win at home,” Peterson said.
He added that the team has come a long way in their inaugural year. Now he wants to see them finish strong.
“It’s gotten better throughout the season,” he said. “It seems that a lot of the games we’d play two really good periods, and have one bad one that puts us out. It would be nice if we could just play that full 60 minutes of the game.”
The Prince Albert Outlaws take on the Saskatchewan SWAT at Kinsmen Arena on Friday, June 16. Game time is 8 p.m.
Goals for kids
As part of their inaugural season celebrations, the Prince Albert Outlaws are raising money for Prince Albert KidSport. Hillside Physical Health and Fitness, who sponsors the Outlaws, has been donating $25 to KidSport for every Outlaw goal.
Peterson said it’s been a fun way to stay motivated and help the community.
“We jumped on it right away,” Peterson chuckled. “We though it was a great idea.”
The Outlaws raised $225 for KidSport in their most recent game against the Steelers, and will continue the fundraiser again in their season finale.
