Di Miller, Beat Writer Denver Outlaws
Lacrosse is Awesome
The Denver Outlaws, the No. 3 seed are set to face off against the Ohio Machine, the No. 1 seed in the 2016 MLL Championship game on Saturday August 20, 2016 at the Fifth Third Bank Stadium at Kennesaw State University, game time 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. This will be the second appearance in two years for the Denver Outlaws, where they came away victorious in 2014 defeating the Rochester Rattlers in spectacular fashion. This is the first time the Ohio Machine will vie for the Steinfeld Trophy.
The Outlaws became the Dream Team in 2016 starting off their season with a close victory at home against the Ohio Machine on Sunday May 1 by the score of 17-16, only to head to Ohio the second week of their season and were defeated in a close game by the score of 14-13 in OT. They would then lose to Atlanta and Chesapeake only to come back and beat the Cannons. From there on out the Outlaws had a tough go of the season until it turned around for them on a rare Friday afternoon game against the MLL Champion New York Lizards on June 24. From there, the Outlaws never looked back and went on the longest winning streak in Major League Lacrosse during 2016 and would win six in a row. They found out what they needed to do and the rookies gave the veterans a new outlook on the game.
The Outlaws would have to face the Lizards again in the first round of the play-offs, the same as they did in 2014 and they would come away with yet another victory, giving them seven wins in a row.
When you compare the two teams offensively, you can see the talent that abounds on each roster. Tom Shreiber of the Machine is third in the league with 23G; one 2pt goal; and 36A, giving him 60 points in the regular season. Tied for the 13th in the league are Drew Snider of the Outlaws with 33G; three 2pt goals; and 11A giving him 47 points; along with Eric Law of the Outlaws with 28G; 19A and also 47 points. Next up you’ve got Peter Baum of the Machine and Mike Bocklet of the Outlaws tied at 17th with 44 points apiece. Jeremy Sieverts of the Outlaws closes out the two teams at 22nd in the league with 39 points.
Now we take a look at the net-minders. Jack Kelly of the Denver Outlaws is ranked No. 2 and was named the MLL Rookie of the Year in 2016. Since he was named the starter for the Outlaws, his record is 6-1 in the regular season with 91GA; four 2ptGA; a 12.55GAA; and a .545 SV%. Scotty Rodgers of the Machine is right up there with Kelly ranked third in 2016. His record boasts a 7-4 win record; 138GA; four 2ptGA; a 12.76GAA; and a .519 SV%. Rodgers was also named the MLL All-Star MVP.
What do the Outlaws need to do? Contain John Grant, Jr. who was traded to Ohio in exchange for Adam Fullerton. Many people criticized the trade because of Grant Jr.’s talent; however Matt Kavanagh has filled his shoes as well as the other rookies on the team, and veteran players Mike Bocklet; Eric Law; and Wes Berg. If Denver can control the tricky behind the back shots that Grant seems to pull out of nowhere, they can control their offense. The trick to that is knowing that Jr. has a keen way of acting as if he is going to come around from behind the net and shoot straight on. But Jr. has perfected his trick shot by coming around with his back to the net and somehow finds a way to get it past the net-minders. If Denver’s defense can keep Jr. from setting up, Kelly will be ready for the infamous BTB shots Jr. is so well known for.
But, as we all know, one player doesn’t make any team. It is a team effort and the Outlaws have put together one of not only the strongest offensive attack squads on the field, but also has one of the best defensive lines. Matt Bocklet scooped his 100th ground ball in the season finale against the Hounds on July 30th and Michael “Tree” Simon has been hitting some two-point bullets.
Ohio has to contain the on-fire offensive lines of the Outlaws squad. They can fire on all cylinders with Law; Snider; Sieverts; Kavanagh; Tills; Berg; Bocklet; and Ossello. Now, can they control this offensive powerhouse? The Outlaws have many options to choose from and during my interview with new face-off specialist Tommy Kelly, who prior to the end of the season was over 500 at “X” told us that the Outlaws have come alive and the rookies are firing up the veterans.
The Outlaws want to show the world that it wasn’t a fluke winning seven games in a row and rising up from seventh place in the league to third. They want to bring home the Steinfeld Trophy again in 2016.
Ohio also has the fever…they want to win their first ever MLL Championship and show the country that they deserved to be ranked No. 1 in the nation.
Look forward to a high scoring game; spectacular net minding; both teams looking for those caused turn-over’s; and I see each team going for the two-pointers as often as they see the opportunity.
My prediction: Outlaws 21—Machine 20.
Di Miller, Beat Writer Denver Outlaws
Lacrosse is Awesome