COLUMBUS, OHIO– For the second consecutive week, the Outlaws (1-1) and Ohio Machine (2-1) outcome was decided by a single goal. This time, the Outlaws weren’t on the winning end, falling to the Machine 14-13 in overtime at Panther Stadium at Ohio Dominican University. The overtime decision is the Outlaws’ first since defeating Rochester 22-21 on June 20, 2015, and the overtime loss is the Outlaws’ first since falling to Ohio 23-22 on July 26, 2014.
The Outlaws held a lead after the first quarter as midfielder Drew Snider tallied two goals in the quarter and attackman Greg Melaugh notched his first goal of the day to give Denver its 3-2 lead.
The Outlaws entered halftime with a 6-5 lead thanks to a strong second quarter from Melaugh, who tallied two goals in the quarter. Midfielder Jeremy Sieverts also added his first of two goals in the framie. Rookie goaltender Ryan LaPlante played a solid half in the cage, tallying nine saves on 14 shots, good for a .643 save percentage.
Machine Midfielder Peter Baum scored the first two of his four goals to open the second half, both unassisted, and Ohio quickly took a 7-6 lead. Attackman Mike Bocklet scored all three Denver goals in the third quarter and the Outlaws entered the final frame with a slim 9-8 lead.
The lead wouldn’t last long as Ohio attackman Marcus Holman tied the game at nine just 38 seconds into the fourth quarter with an unassisted power play goal, his third goal on the day. After midfielder Nick Tintle notched his first goal of the season to retake the lead with 12:51 to go, Ohio built up a 12-10 lead thanks to three consecutive goals by Holman, attackman Steele Stanwick and Baum. Drew Snider
snapped the three goal run with his third goal of the day, and first since the first quarter, and the Outlaws trailed 12-11 with 8:11 to play. Midfielder Kyle Harrison put the Machine back up two with his only goal of the day with 6:27 to play, but both Snider and Sieverts scored a goal down the stretch, Sieverts with 1:02 to play, and held of the Machine to enter overtime.
Midfielder Greg Puskuldjian won the opening faceoff in overtime, but the Machine were unable to convert. The Outlaws had solid looks on both of their next possessions, but Ohio goalie Scott Rodgers made three spectacular saves to preserve the overtime tie. Marcus Holman was able to put the game-winner past LaPlante with 6:57 to go, sealing the victory for the Machine.
The Outlaws return to action next week at the Atlanta Blaze (faceoff set for 3 p.m. MDT).
Game Notes:
- The overtime game was the first since defeating Rochester 22-21 on June 20, 2016
- The overtime loss was the first since falling to Ohio 23-22 on July 26, 2014.
- For the second consecutive week, three players recorded hat tricks: Melaugh (three goals), Mike Bocklet (three goals, three assists) and Drew Snider (four goals).
- Snider and Mike Bocklet each recorded their second-consecutive hat tricks.
- Greg Melaugh tied his career-high with three goals.