The Denver Outlaws (8-3) head to Selby Stadium in Delaware, Ohio to face the Ohio Machine (5-6) on July 26. The last time these two teams met was in Denver on opening-day May 4, when the Outlaws defeated the Machine by the score of 14-12 on May the Fourth Be With You (Star-Wars Jersey Night) The Outlaws are currently tied for first place with the Rochester Rattlers, but there are five teams vying for those four precious play-off spots. At this point in the season every game is important, each team wants to head to the play-offs and the infamous MLL Championship game on August 23. Last weekend the Denver Outlaws won in spectacular fashion, and defeated the Florida Launch. The Ohio Machine defeated the Charlotte Hounds in OT and are looking strong going into the final stretch. Last weekend each team was without some of their key players due to the FIL 2014 World Lacrosse Championships. Denver was missing Cameron Flint #18, Attack; Curtis Dickson #17, Attack; Zack Greer #88, Attack; Jeremy Noble #35, Attack; and Dillon Roy #91, Defense. Ohio was without Marcus Holman #1, Attack; and Kyle Harrison #18, Midfield.
So how do the teams stack up and who do they need to watch out for. Here’s the stats:
Points Leaders thru Week 11
Denver Outlaws: Eric Law #15, Attack is fifth in the league with 29 G, 12 A; Jeremy Sieverts #20, Midfield is sixth with 29 G, 7 two-pt goals (league leader), 11 A; and John Grant Jr. #24, Attack is tied for eighth with 17 G, 17 A.
Ohio Machine: Peter Baum #15, Midfielder is seventh in the league with 29 G, 8 A; and Marcus Holman #1, Attack is tied for tenth with 22 G, 3 two-pt goals, 8 A.
Who should the Outlaws keep in check? Last week, Machine player Derek Maltz #7, Attack scored 4 goals; and Logan Schuss #20, Attack had 3 goals, 1 assist.
The Machine need to watch out for John Grant Jr. who had 4 goals, and two assists; Jeremy Sieverts with 1 goal, 1 two-point goal, and 3 assists; Cam Holding #9 Midfield, Chris Bocklet #10 Attack, and Drew Snider #23 Midfield each with 2 goals apiece.
Goalie Match-up
Denver Outlaws: Jesse Schwartzman #19, is number one in the league with a 10.88 GAA, 95 GA, four 2ptGA, 131 saves, and a .580 SPCT.
Ohio Machine: Brian Phipps #30, sits in seventh with a 12.48 GAA, 104 GA, two 2ptGA, 103 saves, and a .498 SPCT
Face-off Specialists
Denver Outlaws: Anthony Kelly #47—FOW 148-272, .611 FOPCT
Ohio Machine: Robert Dattilo #36—FOW 48-99, .454 FOPCT
Special Teams
Denver Outlaws: Power Plays—7 PPGF, 23 PPA, 30.43 PPPCT; Penalty Killing—11 PPGA, 31 TSH, 64.52 PKPCT
Ohio Machine: Power Plays—13 PPGF, 29 PPA, 44.82 PPPCT; Penalty Killing—9 PPGA, 36 TSH, 75.00 PKPCT
With the Outlaws having the best goalie in the league, the Machine’s offensive-lines are going to have to be on-target in their shots. If they want to get the ball past Schwartzman, they’ll have to get through the defensive line of Zink, O’Dougherty, and Roy as well. Denver figured out what was going wrong heading into the second half of last weekend’s game. If they can keep that momentum going into their match-up with the Machine, although the Machine are finally coming together late in the season, I still see the Outlaws as the stronger team coming away with the win.
