Arizona Konixx Outcast Make Statement in Pro Western Debut Swing Through Colorado

After a delayed start to the PIHA Pro Western Division schedule, the long-awaited debut of the Arizona Konixx Outcast finally arrived—and they wasted no time proving they’re still a powerhouse. Fresh off last season’s run to the Western final, and with reigning Pro Defenseman of the Year Kyle Mooney back patrolling the blue line, Arizona opened its season with an intense three-day, eight-game swing through Colorado, facing the Colorado Springs Thunder, Parker Royals, Denver Demon Dogs, and Lakewood Fire.

Games began Friday night and wrapped Sunday late morning, with Friday and Sunday contests at Pepsi Roller Sports Arena and a busy Saturday slate hosted at Parker Field House. When the dust settled, the Outcast had piled up seven wins in eight games, including a pair of Saturday-night victories over the Demon Dogs, whose final scores are still pending from scorekeeping.

FRIDAY NIGHT – Pepsi Roller Sports Arena

Game 1: Colorado Springs Thunder 2, Arizona Konixx Outcast 1

Friday, Nov. 21 – 7:30 PM

The season opener was a grind from the opening puck drop, with both teams leaning on structured, low-event hockey. Colorado Springs struck first, capitalizing on a defensive-zone miscue to take an early lead. Arizona settled in, generating more controlled entries and finally breaking through with a tying goal that showcased their trademark puck movement. The Thunder, however, found a late winner, turning a broken play into the decisive 2–1 tally and handing the Outcast a narrow defeat in their first outing of the year.

Game 2: Colorado Springs Thunder 2, Arizona Konixx Outcast 3 (OT)

Friday, Nov. 21 – 8:15 PM

The rematch delivered the early-season drama everyone was expecting. Colorado Springs again opened the scoring and held Arizona at bay for much of the first half with smart gaps and strong goaltending. The Outcast responded with better pace and started to tilt the ice, eventually tying the game and then trading chances with the Thunder in a tense second period. In overtime, Arizona’s patience paid off—an extended possession shift wore down the Thunder defense before the Outcast buried the 3–2 winner, earning their first victory of the season in walk-off fashion.

SATURDAY – Parker Field House

Game 3: Parker Royals 0, Arizona Konixx Outcast 7

Saturday, Nov. 22 – 4:00 PM

Arizona carried the momentum from Friday night straight into their first game at Parker Field House, delivering a dominant 7–0 performance. The Outcast used extended offensive-zone time to pull the Royals’ coverage apart, attacking in layers and spreading the scoring around the lineup. Defensively, they were nearly flawless, limiting Parker to one-and-done looks and quickly exiting their zone with clean breakouts. Goaltending closed the door on every Royals opportunity, giving Arizona its first shutout of the young season.

Game 4: Parker Royals 1, Arizona Konixx Outcast 6

Saturday, Nov. 22 – 4:45 PM

The second game of the mini-series followed a similar script. Arizona’s speed and puck support overwhelmed the Royals early, leading to a multi-goal cushion that they never relinquished. Parker managed to break the shutout bid with a lone strike, but the Outcast answered quickly, re-establishing control and tightening their structure. Strong special-teams execution and a relentless forecheck helped Arizona close out a convincing 6–1 win and a 2–0 sweep over the Royals on the day.

Games 5 & 6: Denver Demon Dogs vs. Arizona Konixx Outcast

Saturday, Nov. 22 – 7:00 PM & 7:45 PM
(Outcast win both games – final scores pending official upload)

Saturday evening featured a hard-nosed doubleheader with the Denver Demon Dogs, and the Outcast rose to the challenge by winning both contests. Without full statistical data yet available, what stood out most was Arizona’s ability to adjust to a more physical, forecheck-heavy opponent. The Demon Dogs pushed the pace and forced Arizona’s defense into tough retrievals, but the Outcast’s experienced core—including Mooney on the back end—handled the pressure and turned it into transition offense. The sweep over Denver capped a perfect 4–0 Saturday and firmly established Arizona as the team to beat on the trip.

SUNDAY – Pepsi Roller Sports Arena

Game 7: Arizona Konixx Outcast 5, Lakewood Fire 4

Sunday, Nov. 23 – 10:30 AM

Sunday’s opener against the Lakewood Fire was a classic back-and-forth showdown. Arizona jumped out with quick puck movement and early goals, but Lakewood refused to go away, answering with timely scoring of their own. The Fire took advantage of a couple of defensive breakdowns to claw back into the game and turn the third period into a track meet. In the end, the Outcast found the extra gear they needed, netting the decisive fifth goal and making a crucial late defensive stand to secure a 5–4 victory.

Game 8: Arizona Konixx Outcast 4, Lakewood Fire 2

Sunday, Nov. 23 – 11:15 AM

In the weekend finale, Arizona delivered a more controlled, business-like performance. The Outcast tightened up in the neutral zone, denying Lakewood the same free-flowing rush chances they enjoyed earlier in the day. A balanced attack produced four goals, with secondary scoring stepping up to complement the top line. Lakewood generated some push in the late stages and found the net twice, but Arizona’s team defense and steady goaltending closed it out, securing a 4–2 win and a sweep of the Fire.

TEAM PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

Arizona Konixx Outcast — A Statement 7–1–0 Opening Weekend

Across three days and eight games, the Outcast put together a powerful opening statement, finishing 7–1–0 with their only loss coming in their very first game. After splitting the Friday doubleheader with Colorado Springs, Arizona rolled to six straight wins, including:

• A dominant 2–0 series over the Parker Royals

• A two-game sweep over the Denver Demon Dogs

• A tight but earned two-game sweep of Lakewood Fire

Their depth, structure, and composure were evident all weekend. From transition to special teams, Arizona looked every bit like a contender out of the gate.

Colorado Springs Thunder

The Thunder split their pair with the Outcast and proved they’re a major factor in the Western race. Their ability to keep games tight against Arizona—handing them their lone loss and pushing them to overtime in the second game—signals a potential playoff rivalry brewing as the season unfolds.

Parker Royals

Parker had a tough introduction to Outcast hockey, dropping both games by significant margins. Even so, the Royals showed occasional flashes in transition and will look to build from those stretches and tighten their defensive structure before their next divisional test.

Denver Demon Dogs

Though final scores are not yet available, the Demon Dogs’ Saturday night doubleheader with Arizona was described as physical and hard-fought. Denver pushed Arizona’s defense more than most opponents this weekend and will be a dangerous matchup once they convert that effort into full, 24-minute performances.

Lakewood Fire

Lakewood gave Arizona some of its hardest minutes of the entire trip, especially in Sunday’s 5–4 thriller. Their ability to trade chances and pressure the Outcast late suggests they’ll be a difficult out for any Western opponent once the season ramps up.

STARS & STORYLINES

• Kyle Mooney Picks Up Right Where He Left Off
  The reigning Pro Defenseman of the Year logged big minutes, drove breakouts, and stabilized the Outcast in key moments—especially against Denver’s forecheck and Lakewood’s late pushes.

• Outcast Depth Is Real
  Arizona didn’t rely on just one line. Across eight games, different groups stepped up at different times, a promising sign for the grind of the season ahead.

• Thunder–Outcast: A Rivalry in the Making
  Two tight games, one decided by a single goal and one in overtime, set the stage for what could be one of the Western Division’s marquee matchups.

• Rocky Mountain Gauntlet
  Facing four different Colorado-based opponents in one trip gave Arizona an immediate crash course in the Western style—fast, physical, and opportunistic.

WESTERN DIVISION OUTLOOK

It’s early, but the first Western Division action sends a clear message:

• Arizona Konixx Outcast look every bit like a top-tier contender again after their 7–1–0 start.

• Colorado Springs Thunder proved capable of going toe-to-toe with Arizona and will be circled on every schedule.

• Lakewood Fire and Denver Demon Dogs showed they can push elite teams when they’re on their game.

• Parker Royals have work to do, but they’ve seen the standard now—and know exactly what they’re chasing.

With additional Western teams still waiting to make their season debuts, the standings are far from settled, but Arizona’s opening weekend sets a high bar for the rest of the division.

WHAT’S NEXT

The Arizona Konixx Outcast return home briefly before gearing up for their second trip to Colorado later in the season, where they’ll see many of these same opponents again under potentially higher-stakes circumstances. Colorado Springs, Lakewood, Denver, and Parker will all continue divisional play as the Western schedule fills out—each of them now with firsthand experience of the level required to keep pace with Arizona.