Di Miller, Beat Writer Denver Outlaws
Lacrosse is Awesome
As many of the critics would have it, the Denver Outlaws were virtually a non-existent contender at the mid point of the 2016 MLL season. As of June 23, 2016 their record was 2-6 and their hope of even ending their season at 500 was a stretch. But on June 24, 2016 when they hosted the 2015 MLL Champion New York Lizards their season took a turn in the right direction. They would go on to defeat the champs and remain undefeated throughout the remaining six games of the regular season and would not only knock the Lizards out of the running for another world title, but would go on to defeat the Ohio Machine in one of the best games in 2016. Final Score: Denver 19—Ohio 18.
Our prediction for the championship game had Denver defeating Ohio by the score of 21-20. Some said Scotty Rodgers, the number three net-minder in the MLL would never give up this many points in a single game. Others said that John Grant, Jr., who had been traded by the Outlaws to the Machine, the man who had put 10 points on the board in both the final regular season game and the semi-final game could not be stopped by the Outlaws. However, the red hot Denver Outlaws squad showed all the critics they were wrong.
Ohio started the game off with a bang, putting up seven goals in the first. Denver could only muster a meager two points. Kyle Harrison started off the game only 47 seconds in for Ohio, but Mike Bocklet would answer back for Denver only a minute later. Ohio struck back with one from Steele Stanwick, only to be answered back 43 seconds later by Wes Berg. The game was tied at that point with two goals apiece. But Ohio put it in full gear and would see Tom Schreiber; Grant, Jr.; Peter Baum; Brian Karalunas; and Jake Bernhardt score five unanswered goals. What hadn’t been done to the Outlaws since June had taken place in less than 10 minutes of play. Score at the end of one: Ohio 7—Denver 2.
The rain started to fall heading into the second, and Denver would strike first with an unassisted goal from face-off specialist Tommy Kelly. But that didn’t stop the Machine from putting a pair on the board, one from Baum and the other Stanwick. Almost four minutes would tick off the clock before Denver would go on a four goal run with goals from rookie Matt Kavanagh; Drew Snider; a second from Mike Bocklet; and Eric Law. Then the rain and lightning came. The MLL Championship game came to a halt. Fans were scattering as the lightning was striking all around. The field began to flood as the severe weather front parked itself over the stadium. Everyone began to wonder if the game would continue or if play would have to resume Sunday morning. Finally, after almost two hours the skies would dry, and although there was water on the field, play resumed. This break was just what the doctor ordered for Denver. It gave them time to regroup and make the necessary changes in not only their offense, but their defense as well. Schreiber would be the first to score after the delay on a power-play off a pushing penalty against Tommy Kelly (assist Stanwick). Ohio would see Marcus Holman score back-to-back goals within sixty seconds putting the Machine up by five yet again. They would close out the half with Schreiber getting his hat-trick on the night; and Stanwick on the power-play with only 16 seconds left in the half. Score at the end of two: Ohio 14—Denver 7.
Again, the break in action at the half gave the Outlaws yet another opportunity to discuss what was going on. Did they want the championship, something they had worked so hard for or were they going to let it slip away as the third quarter began. Absolutely not. The Outlaws would come out of the locker room and they were a team possessed. They would score six unanswered goals, including a two-pointer from Drew Snider (two goals); Kavanagh; Law (two goals)
; and Greg Downing at 11:08. Denver would dominate the first 11 minutes of the quarter and Ohio was in shock. Holman would put the only point up on the board for Ohio with under a minute left in the third only to be followed up by yet another from Law with four seconds left. Score at the end of the third: Denver 15—Ohio 15.
Everyone knew the fourth quarter was going to be a battle on both sides, but Denver would dominate the first three minutes of play with two goals from Wes Berg; and another from Kavanagh (hat-trick). The Outlaws would go up by three with ten minutes remaining. The tables had turned on Ohio and it was now them who were playing catch up. The Machine would put three unanswered goals on the board from Holman (fourth of the night); Grant, Jr. (second on the night); and Bernhardt with his second. The game was tied at 8:54 on the clock. From that point on it was the battle of the net-minders. Both Jack Kelly and Scotty Rodgers stopped shot after shot and as the clock ticked down, it would be Law scoring with only 13 seconds left giving the Outlaws the lead 19-18. Although the Machine tried it was not meant to be. The Outlaws would win their second World Title. Final Score: Denver 19—Ohio 18.
The Outlaws did what no one thought they could do. They contained one of the greatest players in the league…John Grant, Jr. and against all odds would go on to defeat the Machine.
With five goals and three assists, Eric Law most definitely deserved MVP of the 2016 MLL Championship game. Each and every member of the Outlaws squad came together as a team in order to bring home the trophy. This is what champions do and this is why Denver is again the World Champs.
Now that the 2016 MLL Season has come to a close, Denver will return home with the Steinfeld Trophy for the second time in three years. A team of rookies and veterans, each who sparked the other and against all odds are again the 2016 MLL World Champions.
Di Miller, Beat Writer Denver Outlaws
Lacrosse is Awesome