Newton Nets Two in Three-Goal Comeback

VERNAL, UT — Down two goals midway through the third period, the Park City Outliers (7-1-0-0) rebounded with three scores in the span of a minute and 28 seconds to beat the Vernal Oilers (3-3-1-1) on Saturday night by a 5-4 finish. With his dad and brother down from Alaska, forward Burke Newton notched the first and final markers in the win.

After a two week absence from the score sheet, the second-year Outlier credited his linemates for helping him break through. Newton said, “Everyone was just getting up on the bench. We got a lot of energy. The boys were going, and we found a way to bounce back.”

Reflecting on his family’s support, Newton described an extra measure of motivation. “They just kept telling that I’d better get a hat trick or something,” he laughed. “It definitely felt good with them here.”

Head coach Richard Bohan called Newton’s journey well-earned. He said, “He’s one of the hardest working kids on the team.”

“Last year we had a lot of depth,” Bohan began. “[Newton] was kind of struggling at times to get in and out, but ultimately at the end of the day we knew we had a lot of talent.”

Fellow Alaskan Grant Barksdale kicked off the scoring in the third period comeback. Newton said playing again with Barksdale after youth hockey on the Team Alaska 14U squad added chemistry in their two seasons in Park City. He explained, “We were on a line before. We’re still going… and it’s great to see him go.”

The captain and the kid kept their streaks alive. Rookie Hank Hughes’ second period power play goal arrived on assists from Newton and captain Erick Bachtle. Finishing with four points, Newton led all scorers. Bachtle extended his point streak to all eight games of the season, and Hughes moved his streak to all seven affairs in which he appeared.

Defenseman Logan Fessenden’s three assists helped boost the offense, supporting Newton’s opening goal, Jonathan Lee’s third period score, and Newton’s game-winning tally.

Bohan credited his squad’s faith and drive in the win. Taking the lead with about 11 minutes left on the clock, he said, “We were looking for energy, we competed all night long. It took us getting into a deep hole to find it.”

Park City takes the early part of the week off from games, returning on Friday to rematch with the Casper Warbirds after Friday’s home 4-1 win. Puck drop stands set for 7:05 p.m. at the Black Rock Mountain Event Center. Fans can purchase tickets online at www.pcoutliers.com/tickets.