The Park City Outliers secured a 4-1 victory over the Casper Warbirds on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, at the Black Rock Mountain Event Center. The win was fueled by a standout performance from goaltender Will Zinnen, who recorded his fourth win in as many starts during the home contest.
Zinnen Anchors Defensive Effort
Goaltender Will Zinnen, a Wisconsin native, held the Warbirds to just one goal throughout the match. Zinnen successfully navigated six penalty kills and nearly two minutes of a seventh penalty kill, stopping 23 of the 24 shots he faced.
Following the game, the 19-year-old Zinnen noted that he felt great throughout the contest. He emphasized the importance of rebound control for both himself and the team's defensemen. Zinnen also credited the Outliers' forwards for providing significant support by maintaining offensive zone time and preventing Casper from establishing pressure in the defensive zone.
Early Offensive Momentum
The Outliers established momentum early in the game, scoring their first goal just five and a half minutes into the contest. Rookie Hank Hughes extended his personal point streak to six games by scoring on a power play.
As the second period progressed, second-year player Grant Barksdale scored his second game-winning goal in his last two contests with approximately four and a half minutes remaining in the period. The Outliers' offensive pressure was evident as they won the battle on shots on goal, outshooting Casper 30-24.
Third Period Insurance
The Outliers' dominance continued into the third period, where newcomer Jonathan Lee scored a power play goal approximately six and a half minutes into the frame to provide an insurance lead. Laker Pearson concluded the home scoring for Park City with his first goal in the arena, finding the net with nine and a half minutes remaining in the game.
With this victory, the Outliers have completed a stretch of three consecutive wins. The team also demonstrated efficiency on special teams, winning two of their last four matches when playing with the man-advantage.
Historical Matchup Context
The Oct. 16 victory was the second meeting in a planned series of 14 total meetings between the Park City Outliers and the Casper Warbirds.
Historical data regarding the matchup shows a competitive history between the two NCDC teams. While the Outliers secured this recent victory, previous encounters have seen varying results, including a 5-2 win for Casper in March 2026 and a 6-2 win for Park City in February 2026.
Upcoming Schedule
Following the win against Casper, the Outliers were scheduled to travel to Vernal for a Saturday night matchup. The team was also slated to return to Park City on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, for a rematch against the Warbirds.
Team Performance Trends
The Outliers' recent performance highlights a period of growth for the club. The team's ability to control the offensive zone and execute on the power play has been a significant factor in their recent success during the NCDC season.
