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***Chevy*** · 12-03-2019, 01:22 PM

December 3, 2019 - Peter Croslen

After a rocky glimpse to the Season 51 roster of the Anaheim Outlaws, it was hoped that a few line changes would not only shake things up, but also settle down some on-ice jitters and roll out some smoother game play. Unfortunately this is not to be as the Outlaws have been bucked in the first week of play to the tune of 3-10 in the league.

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The Outlaws were hoping to strike back on the Scarecrows after their pre-season matchup retreat however the Scarecrows were definitely out to send a message.

The Scarecrows fired off first thanks to a goal by rookie Mega Tron on a wonderful assist by Marian Elsner and Flash Gordon, each their first of the season. Making a statement, the Scarecrows went un-answered again in the first with a second goal just past the twelve minute mark by James Ronlain, his first of the season. The Outlaws weren't able to match the goals in the first but it wasn't for a lack of trying as they outshot the scarecrows 14-13 and had a trio of power play opportunities.

In the second period the Outlaws were finally able to answer back on yet another power play opportunity offered to them from St. Louis. Rath McLeod found the net on his first of the season, assisted by veteran Kevin Robinson and rookie player Rhys Pritchard, their first assists of the season.

The third period is where things really heated up as the Outlaws fired off 16-7 on the Scarecrows. Leonid Kofix, the Outlaws' pre-season point leader, asserted his dominance in the power-play game with his first goal of the year and followed up later in the 3rd with the game tying goal (also a power play goal) to send the teams into overtime. Scarecrow veteran Yamamoto Mitsuharu scored once for St. Louis.

Heading into overtime, the Outlaws wasted no time in seeking their revenge for the pre-season and pressed on the fore check allowing Raquel Castillo Gutierrez to score the game winner at home, which in itself is a great way to start a season home opener.

Final score of the game: 4-3 (OT) Outlaws

Shots: ANA (38) - STL (33)
Stars of the game: 1 - Leonid Kofix (ANA), 2 - Flash Gordon (STL), 3 - Marian Elsner (STL)

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Game two of the season would end up being another nail biter for Anaheim as they traveled to Alaska to take on the iron lineup of the Armada. Both teams would struggle greatly as their defense was on point and neither team wanted to give up a goal. The Outlaws scored first in the first period on a slapshot from Kofix, his third of the year. The only other goal during regular time would be an answering salvo from Anchorage's Daniel Bischoff who was able to capitalize on a power-play provided by a hooking call on Jaakko Jarvinen.

Tied 1-1 at the end of regulation, game two again went to overtime where it was John Forfeit who was able to score the game winner, his first of the season. Upon lighting the lamp, it was heard from the crowd that the Outlaws had "Sunk their battleship", a tribute nod to the classic Hasbro game.

Final Score: 2-1 (OT) Anaheim
Shots: ANA (18) - ANC (25)
Stars: 1 - Leonid Kofix (ANA), 2 - Abroop Dhami (ANA), 3 - John Forfeit (ANA). Dhami's star came from an excellent .960 save percentage.

From there, things went down-hill as most things can do in the wild west as the Outlaws went on a five game losing streak:

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Score: 3-2 Detroit
Shots: ANA (27) - DET (21)
Stars: 1 - Raquel Castillo Gutierrez (ANA), 2 - Brennan Griggs (DET), 3 - Kaarlo Kekkonen (DET)

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Score: 5-1 Lethbridge
Shots: ANA (20) - LBL (24)
Stars: 1 - Thomas Vanice (LBL), 2 - Luca Veccelli (LBL), 3 - Disisde Dayudie (LBL)

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Score: 6-1 Anchorage
Shots: ANA (22) - ANC (35)
Stars: 1 - Daniel Bischoff (ANC), 2 - Mitchell van der Heijden (ANC), 3 - Jake Primeau (ANC)

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Score: 5-3 Halifax
Shots: ANA (17) - HFX (25)
Stars: 1 - Indigo Trevino (HFX), 2 - Al Kayhall (HFX), 3 - Bjornoson Bjornosonson (HFX)

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Score: 2-1 Kelowna
Shots: ANA (21) - KEL (20)
Stars: 1 - Capp Hatter (KEL), 2 - Morgan Forestier (KEL), 3 - Alex Ranch (KEL)

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The second meeting of the Lions and the Outlaws has been the bright point so far this season. With this meeting came some line changes from the Anaheim coaching staff including the appointment of its newest on-ice leadership and a couple fine starting performances from two of their star rookies. Rookie Rhys Pritchard was able to net his first career goal in the middle of the second period while rookie goaltender, Strom Chamberlain, was able to notch his first career win from a shootout of all things. Outlaw veteran Mike Richard is credited with the game winning goal in the shootout.

Score: 3-2 Anaheim (SO)
Shots: ANA (21) - LBL (23)
Stars: 1 - Jacob Riley (ANA), 2 - Disisde Dayudie (LBL), 3 - Kevin Robinson (ANA)

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Score: 5-3 Colorado
Shots: ANA (21) - COL (22)
Stars: 1 - Kevin Robinson (ANA), 2 - Vorian Atreides (COL), 3 - Hariken Urawa (COL)

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Score: 4-3 St. Louis
Shots: ANA (31) - STL (23)
Stars: 1 - Aron Hernadivic (STL), 2 - James Ronlain (STL), 3 - Raquel Castillo Gutierrez (ANA)

Despite the current record on the season, the spirits in the Anaheim front office are still high as they continue to work out their line issues to find that perfect formula for the season. One thing is for sure that needs to be improved on is their ability to capitalize on the powerplay. Having been offered 34 chances to score while being a man ahead, Anaheim was only able to capitalize 6 times. This barely puts them ahead of division rival Lethbridge who sits at 16.67% on the season in their powerplay ability and thankfully a full 10+ percent better than Colorado (7.32%) and Kelowna (3.45%). If they can learn to take better advantage of those advantages while keeping up their very respectable 82.86% penalty kill ability, we may just be able to see more W's put up on the schedule.

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