On paper, Denver has the upper hand. Then again, there have been a few whacky losses this season. In their first meeting, the Outlaws took home the win 16-12. Since then, both teams have matured, gelled and will play hard to win.
Denver’s attack is led by Brendan Mundorf who has been hot and not at different times this season. He’s either rattled the cage or let others do the work, but he can still dominate no matter what type of game he’s having. Assisting him is Jordan McBride, who has scored 26 goals and tallied 9 assists in the nine games he’s played in. Josh Sims can be great when he wants to be, recording 13G and 3 assists so far this season, including six points against Hamilton and five points against Long Island in back to back weeks. Rookies Mark Matthews and Chris Bocklet have stepped up in a big way, playing like third year players. Bocklet is averaging three points a game and has recorded 16 points total in five games. Matthews is pulling out all his tricks this year. Since joining Denver in June, he’s scored 14 goals and 6 assists.
Rochester’s long poles will have to have their heads on a swivel with this attack unit. Lade, Montelli and Manley are going to be busy. Lade will most likely take the Mundorf assignment. Manley on Matthews and Montelli on McBride, Bocklet or Sims. Lade will have to shut the gate early with Mundorf, because once he gets around that corner, he’s scoring. Manley’s job on Matthews is going to be tough. With Mark’s stick skills, Manley will have to try and not get fooled. Their slides will have to be quick and on point if they want to stop the Denver attack.
At the midfield, Rochester’s short stick d-mids will have to play tough and physical. Drew, DeNapoli, Lang, Ross and whoever gets caught back during transition better be on their toes and communicate well. Joel White will have to be himself and not fall asleep. The Denver midfield will take advantage of anything they can. Transition and guarding the two-point arc will have to be the name of the game for the Rattlers defense, one mistake could mean their season.
The Outlaws offensive midfield unit is as good as they come. Jeremy Sieverts, Peet Poillon and Terry Kimener are Denver’s top scoring midfielders. However, they’re not the only ones that can score. Drew Snider is right behind them and has adjusted to the MLL game very well so far. He recorded his first career hat-trick against Boston just two weeks ago. He has a great career ahead of him and the Rattlers defense will have to watch him, along with the rest of the Denver midfield unit.
As for the defensive units for Denver, they won’t have an easy task either. Matt Bocklet, Steve Holmes, Lee Zink, and Dillon Roy will not be able to take the Rattlers light either. Zink will have to shut down Crotty, Bocklet will most likely be on Boyle and Holmes on Leveille. Boyle and Leveille will need to be wide awake for this game and rattle the cage.
Short stick d-mids for the Outlaws are going to be busy with Lang, MacIntosh, Rotanz and Striebel. One thing they will have to watch out for is Crotty being inverted into the midfield. He’s been dangerous from up there and will use his speed and dodging to run by his defender. Defending Striebel at the two point arc will be a big assignment for the midfield defenders. If he’s open, he will shoot.
At the faceoff X, Tim Fallon will be busy fighting off veteran Anthony Kelly. Fallon has proven himself this season as a good faceoff guy. He will be tested this weekend against Kelly, who knows a thing or two about facing off. Winning the faceoff’s will be crucial for Rochester if they want to beat Denver.
Goalie play will be a big factor for both teams. If one of their goalies doesn’t show up to play, the goose will be cooked., especially for Rochester. Schwartzman will need to be big and make the necessary saves. Galloway will be put to the test big time against this high powered Outlaw offense. He will need to make the saves that even he thought he couldn’t make, more so than usual.
The Rattlers will need to win this game to have hopes for the playoffs. Game time is set for 7 p.m. and will take place at Sahlen’s Stadium in Rochester.
