Outlaws Rally in Third for Come-from-Behind Win
By Mike Unterreiner
Filling one of the two vacancies on their roster, the Outlaws coaxed former summer team player Tom Carroll out of retirement with a short-term incentive-laden contract over the winter holiday break. This proved to be a solid acquisition in their first game back against the IceDogs Monday night at Kirkwood. Carroll played an energetic game, and completed the Outlaws third-period rally by netting the game winning goal with just over three minutes to play in the game. The Outlaws 2-1 victory moved them into sole possession of second place pending the outcome of a game between the Hornets and Shock played later that night.
The Outlaws began the game with their usual slow start, as they were outshot 12-6 in the first period in spite of two power play opportunities. Solid, even spectacular, goaltending by Craig Schellenbach kept the IceDogs off the scoreboard. But the IceDogs finally wore down the Outlaw defense midway through the second period. Keith Overbeck scored on a shot that Schellenbach partially blocked, but the puck trickled over his blocker and flopped across the goal line. Pavel Nadin assisted on the tally which gave the IceDogs the lead, 1-0. Through two periods, the Outlaws were outshot 21-14, and had squandered three power plays.
Shortly after the third period started, the IceDogs were whistled for their fourth penalty, and the Outlaw power play perked up. As the penalty was expiring, Joe Wallington carried the puck through the offensive zone towards the goal, and fired a shot which was blocked by the IceDogs substitute goalie Ken Garthe. The Outlaws outnumbered the IceDogs in front of the net, and Wallington took a couple of whacks at the rebound, then Ryan Kromann got off a shot which hit Garthe. But winger Keith Gero, playing with Wallington and Kromann for the game due to the absence of Sean McCloskey, was able to tap the puck home to bring the Outlaws back into the game.
Throughout the rest of the third period, the Outlaws were called for two penalties, and killed both of them off with more excellent goaltending from Schellenbach to hold the game tied at one. After the second penalty had expired, and with the IceDogs keeping the pressure up in the Outlaws end, Doug Bennett was able to break out of the defensive zone and carry the puck the length of the ice on the left wing. New acquisition Carroll swooped in on the right wing and capitalized on Bennett’s efforts by scoring to give the Outlaws their first lead of the game with 3:10 remaining.
The Outlaws did not need to keep the lead for very long, and were able to do so by holding off the IceDogs last-minute efforts with the sixth attacker. For the game, the IceDogs outshot the Outlaws 30-21. Kudos to Schellenbach for his 29 saves, and to Wallington and Bennett for setting up the two goals. The Outlaws next game will be Tuesday, January 13th against the Eagles. Game time is 10:30 at Kirkwood.
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