By: Jimmy Grosklaus

After a disappointing weekend on the road in West Sound, the Tri-City Outlaws (1-5-1-0, 3 pts) come home for the first time this season to take on the Eugene Generals (7-0-1-0, 15 pts). The last time these two teams met earlier this season, the Generals topped the Outlaws by scores of 7-0 and 8-0. In the previous weekend Eugene headed down to Seattle to take on the Seattle Ravens (5-2-0-0, 10 pts) winning both games by scores of 3-1 and 1-0, while the Outlaws lost both of their games against the West Sound Warriors (2-6-0-0, 4 pts) by scores of 7-3 and a 5-4 OT loss.

The first period began in exciting fashion as a rowdy bunch of Outlaws fans piled into the Toyota Arena to support their team. The fans were not disappointed as Adam Shimamoto lit the lamp early at 3:23 in the period to give the Outlaws a 1-0 advantage. Eugene tested Outlaws netminder Jimmy Grosklaus heavily in the first but he was not wanting to disappoint. At the end of the period, the Generals would be leading in the shots category 20-6 but the Outlaws would lead in what mattered, the scoreboard.

Early on in the second period at 2:46, Shimamoto put the biscuit in the basket once again to bounce the Outlaws ahead by two goals. This would soon be followed by a goal from Tri-City Captain Payton Okon at 3:56 putting the Outlaws ahead by a score of 3-0.  The Generals found themselves in an unfamiliar position and frantically took shot after shot until finally at the 15:00 mark Baxter Cox was able to cut lead to 3-1. Tri-City, though not phased, struck again as Shimamoto found the back of the net notching his second junior career hat trick and his first hat trick of the season. “It felt good, but it was even better to help contribute the four points to the team to get the (eventual) OT win,” expressed Shimamoto on his hat trick. Shots in the second period were in favor of the Generals 13-6.

The Outlaws came out in the third period keeping up the same intensity as the rest of the game with a goal from Chase Lazelle at 6:53, his first junior career goal. “It was a huge relief to score during my first game this season, it is one less thing to worry about while trying to play my best,” Lazelle on his first career goal. This goal would put the Outlaws up by a resounding score of 5-1 early on in the third. The Generals were able to answer the bell and tie the game up with four unanswered goals scored by Brett Sparks, Jack Geisler, Kory Palmer, and Generals captain Logan Sanders. At the end of the third, the score was 5-5 and the Outlaws found themselves in their second overtime situation of the season. Shots in the third period were once again in favor of the Generals, 19-6.

The Outlaws were looking to not repeat an overtime loss that happened in Bremerton the weekend before and first year defenseman Lazelle made sure the home crowd went home happy.   Lazelle would find the back of the net early on at the 1:54 mark to give the Outlaws their first win of the season and an outstanding one at that, beating the undefeated Eugene Generals by a score of 6-5.

“The first goal was great but the second one was just was the cherry on top. I was just glad to get the win. I have to give credit to Coach McCue for putting me out there, Adam Shimamoto for a perfect pass, and of course the posts,” Lazelle on his overtime winner. The shots in overtime were 2-1 in favor of Eugene.

With the win the Outlaws sent fans home with 50% off their entire order the next day using promo code OUTLAWS at www.yourpapajohns.com.  When the Outlaws win, YOU WIN!

GAME SUMMARY

●Final Score (OT): Outlaws 6, Generals 5

●Shots: Outlaws 19, Generals 54

●Power Plays: Outlaws 2 for 2, Generals 1 for 3

Saturday would prove to be a much different game than the outstanding win the night before. Eugene was able to catch the Outlaws off guard, with a quick goal from Brett Sparks at 2:51 followed by two more by Cole Bloemer at 11:39 and 18:34 putting the Generals up 3-0. Despite the score, Outlaws tendy Shane Phillips made some outstanding saves. Shots at the end of the first were in favor of Eugene, 19-6.

Eugene would keep the pressure up in the second period with a goal early on at 0:29 from Logan Sanders, and again at 9:07 from Baxter Cox. The Outlaws put on some hard shots but were unable to find the back of the net. Later on in the period, Cox was able to score once again at 19:38 giving the Generals a 6-0 lead. The Outlaws were able to outshoot the Generals 10-8 in the second.

The third period was much of the same as Sanders scored at 6:23 and Cox at 7:07 increasing the Generals’ lead to a tally of 8-0. After many chances, the Outlaws were finally able to find the net at 9:29 with a goal from Adam Shimamoto. Despite this goal, the Outlaws would go on to be defeated by Eugene by a score of 8-1. Shots in the third were close, but Eugene had the upper hand 13-12.

            Next weekend, The Tri-City Outlaws will have a home and home series against the Seattle Ravens. On Saturday, October 15th, the Outlaws will travel to Kent Valley Ice Center for the second time this season, and on Sunday, October 16th, the Outlaws will return home to take on the Ravens at Toyota Arena for the first time this season.  Time of the game is at 3:05pm and tickets are available at the Toyota Center Box Office or at the door.  We hope to see you at the game!!

GAME SUMMARY

●Final Score: Outlaws 1, Generals 8

●Shots: Outlaws 28, Generals 40

●Power Plays: Outlaws 0 for 8, Generals 2 for 7