Bulls succeed in first season in the 3HL

By Jared Patterson, Globe Gazette

Todd Sanden has picked apart the season from all angles.

The North Iowa Bulls’ coach had as many questions as most when his team took the ice for the first time this season, namely, would junior hockey in North Iowa work this time around?

He didn’t have any doubt the Bulls would put a winning product on the ice, but would the support be there?

Not even a sluggish 1-7 start — a start that didn’t surprise him with a new cast of characters— tempered those expectations.

But his concern lied with the fans.

Would they show up after what transpired after the North Iowa Outlaws left due to a messy divorce in the second venture of junior hockey in Mason City?

Every concern he had was put to rest quickly and one of Sanden’s main focuses now is to get a contract extension.

He loved it here his first time around with the Outlaws. He loves it here now.

Sanden, who made it clear he wants to coach here next season, said the Bulls are in the first year of a five-year agreement to play 3HL hockey in Mason City.

They lead the 3HL in attendance with an average of 446 fans per night.

Read the rest of the story here.