If we’re being honest, it is going to take a lot for the #4 Charlotte Hounds to knock off the top-seeded Denver Outlaws on Saturday at 1 P.M. in Chester, PA. Denver ran the table during the 2013 season finishing 14-0, which included two wins over Charlotte in which the Hounds defense allowed a total of 38 goals. How can a team who is so overly matched and was outplayed on two occasions during the regular season knock off the top team in the league?
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Reduce the number of penalties
In the second meeting between Charlotte and Denver during week nine of the regular season, the Hounds collected 12 penalty minutes, allowing Denver’s offense to go man-up eight times, scoring four goals. If the Hounds want a chance to advance to the championship game, they must be more disciplined. Giving an offense like Denver’s more of an advantage than they already have will cause Charlotte to fall behind, something that they cannot have happen.
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Tighten up the defense
Charlotte allowed 38 goals (21 in week one and 17 in week 9) in two games against Denver during the regular season. If the Hounds want to knock off Denver, the defense must tighten up and buckle down. Denver’s transition game is one of, if not the best, in the MLL, and Charlotte must find a way to slow the Outlaws down. The Charlotte defense must realize that if the offense is going to be successful, it starts with the defense keeping Denver off the scoreboard.
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Keep the ball moving on offense
While not as experienced as the Denver, the Hounds offense can put them in a position to win. If the Hounds can keep the ball moving and get good looks and high percentage shots, then they can have a chance to knock off the number one seed. Lead by vets Matt Danowski and Ryan Young and complimented by rookies Mike Sawyer, Josh Hawkins, and Tim Fallon, the Hounds O is one of their strongest facets and they believe that it can carry them to hoisting their first Steinfeld trophy.
To win, the Hounds know that they have to be perfect through every facet of the team. In order to beat Denver the team needs to click, both offensively and defensively. More importantly; however, is the fact that Charlotte needs to be disciplined and keep Denver’s advantage’s to a minimum.
