Outliers Open Season with 7-2 Bang

By: Jesse Cook

McCALL, ID — The Park City Outliers (1-0) began the 2026-27 regular season with a road 7-2 swatting of the McCall Smokejumpers (0-1). Outshooting McCall 49-18, a hefty shot total and a hot start with a three-goal first period handed the Outliers all the tools to cruise to victory.

Head coach Richard Bohan credited the efficiency to early aggression. He said, “I’m really pleased we came out hard. I thought our forecheck was particularly strong.”

Never allowing more than eight shots against in a period, Bohan explained that the protection began in the attacking third. He said, “Our D really controlled the neutron zone -- we didn’t give up much at all.”

Forward Blake Bachmeier began the scoring just under four minutes into the contest. He combined with defenseman Andrew Brown for a two-point evening. Brown nabbed the next tally with about three and a half minutes to go in the opening frame. Just one minute and 18 seconds later, second-year Outlier Erick Bachtle struck through for his first goal.

Despite a down middle inning when the Smokejumpers scored twice, the third period fell handedly to the Park City crew. N.C.D.C. rookie Hank Hughes pulled through 3:45 into the third. After the Minnesota-native’s score, things turned to a California kid in Christopher Lundie.

The 19-year old struck twice in five minutes to elevate the score to 6-2 Park City. Forward Laker Pearson flipped in the final tally just 16 seconds after Lundie’s second score.

The Outliers finished two-for-four on the powerplay thanks to that second goal from Lundie and Brown’s first period marker.

Bohan capped the win by talking about the rookies. He said, “All in all, for the first game of the year, terrific effort. Lots of our younger inexperienced kids playing their first junior game, scoring goals. We look forward to seeing what we can grow into.”

The Outliers and Smokejumpers rematch for the second affair of the regular season on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. MDT. Park City hosts its first home game at the Black Rock Event Center on Friday, Oct. 2 at 7:05 p.m. against the Ventura Vikings. Fans can purchase tickets online at www.pcoutliers.com/tickets.