Oh what a difference a year makes. Last season, the Ohio Machine went 2-12 and got the No. 1 pick in the MLL Collegiate Draft for the second straight season. The team certainly got better this season but some considered the team still a year or two away from competing for a berth in the MLL Championship Weekend. However, due to the merger between the MLL and LXM Pro Tour, as well as some other offseason acquisitions, the Machine might be better than we thought.
This was evident in the Machine’s dismantling of the Charlotte Hounds this past weekend. Yes, those same Hounds who made a surprise run in last year’s MLL Championship Weekend and came within a couple of goals of winning the Steinfeld Cup. With everyone returning and the addition of another loaded draft class, the Hounds were expected to be among the Top 3 teams in the league.
Like I said, what a difference a year makes. This past weekend, the Machine looked like the team ready to make a run at the Steinfeld Cup, not the Hounds. The young Machine may be closer to competing than we thought.
What is the reason why? Well let’s take a look at their acquisitions through the merger of the LXM Pro Tour. The Machine took Peter Baum with the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft but he opted to play in the LXM Pro Tour instead. With the merger, he signed his contract with the team, which already bolsters a mediocre midfield unit. Then the team got Kyle Harrison through the waiver process with the new player pool. The Machine went from having no viable threats from up top, to having two really good ones. Finally, the Machine added Salisbury attackman Erik Krum from the Pro tour as well.
How much did it impact Saturday’s home opener? Well, the Machine’s newest additions combined for seven of the team’s 15 goals and added two assists as well. Baum was as good as advertised with a hat trick and an assist while Harrison also had a hat trick and an assist. Krum added a goal.
Meanwhile, the attack line was without Logan Schuss and Steele Stanwick! Holman had two goals and two assists to pick up the slack. This offense is not only dangerous, but now has threats all over the field. Holman, Stanwick, Schuss and Krum make up one of the best young attack lines in the game and Baum and Harrison can bring the heat from up top.
Their defense was also improved. Scott Rodgers reminded everyone why he was one of the best goaltenders coming out of college as he had 23 saves in the season opener! Meanwhile, Greg Bice, Chad Weidmaier, Dana Wilbur and Chris Lightner did a good job of handling threats such as Mike Sawyer, Matt Danowski and Ryan Young.
If Saturday night’s game was any indication, the Machine are looming large in the MLL and are no longer a team that opponents can take lightly.
