The final message came when Trevor Karasiewicz, poked his head into the locker room and told the remaining players and staff to pack it up.
The early morning announcement meant Williamsport's bid at being the home for a Federal Hockey League team has ended.
The news, which was delivered by team captain Karasiewicz without the Outlaws owner Kristin Rooney and head coach Chris Firriolo in attendance, came as rumors swirled about the team's impending doom.
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Outlaws coach Chris Firriolo and players watch during Saturday’s game at Airmen Pond at Bowman Field, which turned out to be the franchise’s final game.
Firriolo, reached later Monday by phone, said, "We are all out of jobs. For me, and the players, it's very disappointing. The owner has suspended all operations today. We won't be playing for a championship."
The Outlaws canceled Monday's season finale Sunday night with an official announcement on the team's web site.
The team was scheduled to finish the last few weeks of the season on the road, as its lease with the city to Bowman Field expires this week.
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Players and personnel will meet today to distribute final paychecks and clean out the locker room. Players were told not to take anything extra, including jerseys and team gear.
"Basically, Kraz (Karasiewicz) came in a little after 11 o'clock and told the remaining players to pack their stuff up," said Ian Catherine, media relations director. "Firriolo wasn't here and said he would be here tomorrow morning to give the players their last paychecks. As of this point, the Outlaws' season is over. No road games, no playoffs and no chance at a repeat of the championship."
The Outlaws, at 19-3-3-16, were in second place behind Dayton in the FHL standings as they tried to defend the title they won last year in their franchise debut in Wayne, NJ. They moved to Williamsport last year with hopes of finding an indoor arena. But, with none ready, the Outlaws became the first known professional hockey team to schedule its entire home season outdoors.
Still unresolved, however, are issues of unpaid bills. Williamsport mayor Gabriel J. Campana said at a July, 2012 press conference when the team arrived that no city dollars would be used for construction of the rink and that was to be available to the public 85 percent of the time.
City Council said last Thursday that the final $5,000 of the $20,000 assurance bond owed by the team for Bowman Field repairs was "pending."
Also, Campana told City Council on Thursday the unpaid $15,000 utility bill owed by the nonprofit group Williamsport Ice Arena that operates the rink was sent to the wrong place and that he was confident it would be paid.
Other Federal Hockey?League play resumed as normal Monday, with Danbury playing Dayton.
"The league is fine," FHL Commissioner Don Kirnan said. "We really don't know much right now. We are having a meeting later and will have more information."
The FHL began operations in 2010 with Kirnan as the the commissioner. During its initial season, the league relocated its Broome County franchise to Cape Cod. The Rome Frenzy also suspended operations.
The league then added three new teams for the 2011-12 season, including the New Jersey Outlaws and the Danville Dashers. At season's end the Outlaws won the Commissioner's Cup and Brooklyn Aviators ceased operations.
For the 2012-13 season, the Federal Hockey added the Dayton Demonz and relocated the Outlaws to Williamsport. Midway way through, Cape Cod moved to Maine and then once again to New York. And as of Monday the Outlaws have suspended all operations.
