It’s that time of the year folks, MLL Championship Weekend. Four teams are competing in three games in two days to crown one champion. Todays first game will preview the undefeated Denver Outlaws, who stand at 14-0, taking on the second year program, Charlotte Hounds who are 7-7, starting at 1 pm.
In their series, Denver has defeated the Hounds in every contest since Charlotte’s inauguration in 2012. The Outlaws have averaged 20 goals in the four games, beating the gold and blue 21-12 and 21-7 in 2012, while downing Cerino’s team 21-16 and 17-11 this season.
Leading Coach Stagnitta’s team is led by Chris Bocklet, who is tied for most points in the MLL this season with 55, along with Kevin Crowley of the Hamilton Nationals. Along with Bocklet will be attack men Brendan Mundorf, Jeremy Boltus, who’s a former Hound and Eric Law. They have been one of the most dominant attack units in the MLL, controlling the tempo of games and putting big numbers up for their team. However, the midfield has done it’s job as well. With second year player and Most Improved Player of the Year, Drew Snider, going above and beyond what his coaches have asked him too. Jeremy Sieverts is one of the toughest midfielders to defend and has a rocket of a shot, with six two-point goals this season alone.
In the backfield, there’s Goalie of the year in Jesse Schwartzman and Defensive Player of the Year Lee Zink. When you have two defensive award winners on your squad, there’s no doubt that your confidence is sky high and that your defense is working as one unit. Matt Bocklet, Dillon Roy and Chris O’Dougherty will assist Zink as the other poles, giving the Hounds offense the toughest game of their season.
Charlotte is ready to go. Their practice last night showed poise, focus and energy. They’re going to need all the momentum they can get heading into todays contest. Matt Danowski needs to keep his head on straight and keep his temper under control and just go off on the net. Ryan Young and Eric Lusby will have to help out and do damage themselves. Midfield is the name of the game for the Hounds. If they can produce, they may have a chance to upset the Outlaws. Mike Sawyer, Peet Poillon and Jake Tripucka have to come to play. Sawyer will have to fire a few two pointers.
Defensively, the Hounds have to hunker down and focus. Brett Schmidt, Ryan Flanagan, Mason Poli, Josh Hawkins, Joe Cinosky and Casey Cittadino are going to have a busy day. Adam Ghitelman has to stand on his head. The Hounds have a chance to make the biggest upset in MLL history and their defense will decide that.
Geoff Snider and Timmy Fallon will have a tough day going up against Anthony Kelly at the face-off X. They will have to get ahead of him and win the ground ball, because they will not come easily against the Outlaws wing play. Goals off the face-off’s will be crucial.
Game time is at 1 pm today on ESPN 2.
