The MLL regular season is over and now comes the fun part, the MLL Championship run! The third-seeded New York Lizards will head to the second-seeded Denver Outlaws in one of the two semifinal games set for this weekend. What makes this game even better is the fact that the Lizards are fresh off an overtime win over the Outlaws just last week! Will the Lizards make it two straight victories in back-to-back weeks or will Denver get back to the MLL Championship game for the second time in three seasons?
The last time the Lizards visited the state of Colorado, the Lizards lost 16-11 and had a 3-4 record in the first seven games of the season. That game was not entirely indicative of what happened in Denver as the Lizards were blown out through three quarters and closed the gap once the Outlaws’ starters were pulled.
Fast forward, to this visit to Colorado and the odds are stacked against the Lizards. The Lizards are 3-4 on the road this season while Denver is 6-1 at home. What’s even more concerning is how the Lizards defense played last week. New York’s defense was not too good in preventing the Outlaws from getting in on Drew Adams and if it wasn’t for Adams standing on his head, the Lizards would probably have lost that game last weekend.
Heading into this weekend’s game, Drew Adams will not have 22 saves like he did last weekend. Denver is one of the best offenses in the league and boasts some high percentage shooters across the board. Also don’t dismiss the difference in playing in that Denver air that gives players some problems who don’t regularly play there.
Outside of the non-tangible aspects of this game, the Lizards and Outlaws will be a true version of offense vs. defense as the Lizards defense ranks second in the MLL while the Outlaws offense ranks tied for second in the league. It will be interesting to see how the Lizards choose to matchup with the Outlaws offensive players.
For the Outlaws, John Grant Jr leads the way with 54 points with Eric Law following close behind at 52. We can’t forget that Law had nine goals last year in the MLL semifinal game. Jeremy Sieverts comes in with 48 points and Drew Snider has32 points. Will the Lizards put Hartzell on Sieverts or the long ranging shooter in Snider? Can Karalunas and Fletcher effectively handle Law and Grant Jr.? Those are two big questions for the game.
In terms of looking at the other side of the field, the Lizards feature Rob Pannell, who seems to have no trouble taking on Lee Zink. In the two games against Denver he recorded a six and five point game. The big question is how much the rest of the team steps up around him on offense? Everyone else seems to rely on Pannell’s playmaking ability and in order for them to win, they will need a secondary scorer to step up this weekend.
The one thing the Lizards do have a clear advantage in is the faceoff game. Anthony Kelly missed this last week’s game but in th previous matchup, Greg Gurenlian won the faceoff battle 14-11. Gurenlian can stop the Outlaws scoring runs or extend the ones the Lizards make.
It shouldn’t be a blowout like the game was the first time around, I expect it to be very close just like last week’s game. It will all come down to the goalie battle. Jesse Schwarztman has played well in goal but has his demons in big games. Last year’s MLL semifinal game and the Team USA gold medal game come to mind. Drew Adams was a beast last week but can you rely on another 16+ save game?
Bottomline, this game should be a great one and I expect the Outlaws to narrowly edge the Lizards out in this game and try and get some revenge for their goose egg in last year’s playoffs despite having a perfect record in the regular season.
