Congrats to the 2010 Outcasts 94’s on their Bantam Gold division Silver medal

The spring and early summer of 2010 saw a shaky season for the Outcasts 94’s as they struggled through their qualifiers with less that desired finishes at 2 NARCh qualifiers, the AAU West Coast Nationals, and WIHA finals.  The team was given the challenge prior to NARCh finals; step up, salvage your season, and play to your potential! The first year bantam Outcasts 94’s didn’t get any favors from NARCh when the schedule was released early July. With 2 weeks of intense practices prior to their trip to San Jose, the 94’s (which included one ’95 and a ’96) managed to fly in their Oregon teammates for the last week of practice and made some huge improvements in a very short time. The team seemed more focused and energized by the time they were ready to leave for the 2010 NARCh finals in San Jose, CA.

After four games of round robin, the 94’s hadn’t lost a game. With a 2-0-2 record that included a 0-0 tie against Tour Raw Steel 94’s (one of the top teams in the division), the Outcasts 94’s earned a 5^th seed and spot in the quarter finals against #4 seed Rink Rat Split. Building off the momentum of their round robin success, Rink Rat Split was defeated 3-1 and moved on to battle Nor Cal Riot who started as the #6 seed before they topped the #3 seed  Reebok Jr. Ducks Eschelon in quarter finals. The 94’s kept their streak going as they soundly moved past the Nor Cal Riot winning 4-2. That win put the Outcasts in the Bantam Gold championship against the Tour Raw Steel 94’s for a rematch that would decide this year’s champion.

NARCh blogger Alex Morrison summed up the game best with the following:

“Back in the final, the rematch between Raw Steel and the Outcasts was very similar to the first time they faced one another. A very tentative, puck control game dominated most of the 24 minutes that were played. Raw Steel finally scored a goal against Outcasts, giving them a 1-0 lead. With the type of game they played, that one goal was all they needed, as they limited the Outcasts to the outside, never allowing an odd-man rush, and not getting beat in the slot. While some commented that it was a dull game to watch, it didn’t matter to Raw Steel, as the system they had in place was obviously a winner.”

Although the Outcasts 94’s didn’t walk away with the gold medal, they played as perfect a game as possible without winning. The goal that sealed Raw Steel’s win came on a power play that only beat 94’s goal tender Eric Brown with a lucky bounce. The silver medal the team was awarded was the second NARCh finals medal earned by an Outcasts team and the first NARCh finals championship game appearance of an Outcasts team. All of this was accomplished as a first year Bantam team. The Outcasts 94’s walked away from the 2010 finals with their heads up high and their sights on a bantam platinum seed for 2011.

Outcasts Program looks to the spring for continued success and growth

2011 season sees program growing again

The last season saw the Outcasts program grow from 4 teams in 2009 to 6 teams in 2010 with four teams competing in the Gold division and 2 in the platinum division at the 2010 NARCh finals.  5 of the 6 Outcasts teams made post round robin appearances with 2 semi finals appearances, one bronze medal game, and one championship game appearance as well.

The success of the Outcasts program has spread throughout the Arizona ice and inline communities with many inquiries already coming in about the upcoming 2011 season this spring. Plans are in place to offer the following teams for 2011:

‘98/’99 (12U)

’97 (14u Minor)

’96 (14u Major)

’95 (16u Minor)

’94 (16u Major)

’93 (18u Minor)

’92 (18u Major)

18U teams will form in April; interested players for those teams contact us directly at Coaches@outcastshockey.com. Tryouts for the 16U, 14U, and 12U teams and/or open roster spots will be held in March 2011, check back here at www.outcastshockey.com for further info.