The Denver Outlaws (2-0) take on the Boston Cannons (1-1) Saturday May 10 at Harvard Stadium. The Outlaws who have won 22 consecutive regular season games are ready to make it 23. The team has an amazing chemistry going right now. They’ve got one of the strongest attack-lines in the league; undoubtedly the best goalie in Major League Lacrosse, Jesse Schwartzman; and Jeremy Sieverts who has perfected the 2-point goal.
In 2013, the Outlaws ended their regular season with the record 14-0; while the Cannons ended up 5-9. Since the two teams have faced each other on the field, although Boston holds the record for wins against the Outlaws 7-5; the Outlaws have won 4 of its 5 games against the Cannons in the last three seasons. Since 2011, Boston is 0-3 at Harvard Stadium against Denver. Last season, Boston lost both games against the Outlaws by the scores 14-10 and 24-14, and definitely wants to be the team to break the Outlaws win streak.
If Boston has any chance of winning, they are going to have to contend with the top three Outlaws players: Eric Law, Attack #15 who leads Denver with 7 G, 2 A, and an SPCT of .583; Chris Bocklet, Attack #10 with 5 G, 4 A, 1 GB, and an SPCT of .385; and Jeremy Sieverts, Midfield #20 who has 5 G (two 2-pt. goals), 1 A, 4 GB, and an SPCT of .263.
The Outlaws have tremendous speed in their attack and midfielders; and they have some of the best defensive players in the league in Lee Zink, Dillon Roy, and Matt Bocklet. And, let’s not forget, John Grant Jr. who is now playing for Denver, had an assist to Eric Law, and an amazing behind-the-back goal in his first appearance as a Denver Outlaw.
When you look at the Cannons, the Outlaws need to watch for: Kevin Buchanan, Attack #27 who leads the Cannons with 9 G (two of which were PPG), 4 GB, and an SPCT of .600; Paul Rabil, Midfield #99 with 4 G, 4 A, 6 GB, and an SPCT of .250; and Manny Will, Attack #1 who has 4 G, 3 A, 1 GB, and an SPCT of .267.
The Goalie match-up looks like this:
Denver Outlaws-Jesse Schwartzman 20 GA (one 2 pt G), 26 saves, 10.03 GAA, and a save percentage .500
Boston Cannons-Jordan Burke 17 GA, 26 saves, 8.50 GAA, and a save percentage of .605
This season, the Denver Outlaws have not allowed an opponent to score a goal in the first quarter; Jeremy Sieverts started 2014 with the most two-point goals in team history; and Jesse Schwartzman is currently tied for first with the most wins and only one win away from becoming the All-time winningest goalie in MLL history.
As Eric Law put it during my interview with him for In Lacrosse We Trust after their win against the Machine on May 4, “They came out slow in the second half, but got a gritty win against the Machine”.
The Denver Outlaws keep finding ways to win. They’ve got amazing talent; strong shooters; great defense; and a chemistry amongst the players that is second-to-none. They play unselfish lacrosse, feed the ball well, have a great close defense, and just plain “know how to win”.
Therefore, the Outlaws could see extending their winning streak to 23 and going 3-0 on the season.
Next Saturday May 17, the Denver Outlaws return home to host the Rochester Rattlers (2-1) at Sports Authority Field at Mile-High in beautiful Denver, Colorado. Last year, the Rattlers lost both games to the Outlaws, 20-7 and 12-9, so they will be looking to redeem themselves in the Mile High City.
