The last time Williamsport and Danbury got together two major fights broke out and the police were called. And then there was what happened on the ice.
Danbury coach Phil Esposito received a three-game suspension for his post-game antics, as well as the Outlaws' Dan McNeill, who received a one-game suspension.
And it didn't look like either team forgot about the end of the game arguments. Within the first two minutes Rob Sich, who posted two goals in the teams' last meeting, and Anthony Pisano went at it.
The heated emotions continued to boil in the team's fourth meeting as a Sich overtime goal gave the Outlaws a 3-2 win. It was the Outlaws first win in four tries and the third time they went into overtime against Danbury.
"It was a rival last year, and it's a rival this year," Outlaws coach Chris Firriolo said. "We've played them four times so far and three of the games went into overtime. It was our time. I thought we played a great, great hockey game. It's always nice to beat these guys. There's definitely no love loss."
Williamsport broke through in the second period when Brett Needham tallied his third goal in as many games. Trevor Karasiewicz and Jeff Winchester assisted on the goal.
"Tonight was Brett Needham's best game," Firriolo said. "He did his job and opened up space on the ice."
"I just try to use my size and open up space for my two line mates," Needham said. "They are the goal scorers and setup men, and my job is to open the ice for them."
Since joining the Outlaws, Winchester, who assisted on two goals against Danbury, has been on a tear. In four games with the Outlaws, Winchester has posted a goal to go with five assists.
The Outlaws added their second goal of the period moments after Needham's when Martin Moucha took a pass from Karasiewicz and slipped a shot by Mike Brown for his fourth goal of the season.
Much like the last two meetings, the third period went to the Whalers. Tyler Noseworthy punched in Danbury's first goal two minutes into the period. Greg Holt then took advantage of the momentum created from Noseworthy's goal, sending the equalizer from just across the blue line.
"A two-goal lead is the toughest lead to protect in hockey," Firriolo said. "We've struggled with protecting that lead."
Once in the extra period, the Outlaws went on the attack, posting two of their 41 shots. Sich gave the Outlaws their fifth consecutive home win when he collected a Winchester pass and sent it by Brown. The goal was Sich's third in four games against Danbury.
