The Denver Outlaws head to Florida Atlantic University Stadium on Saturday April 26 and will go head-to-head against the newest team to the MLL, the Florida Launch. The Outlaws are coming off an outstanding season in 2013, and during the off-season had time to regroup; figure out what changes needed to be made, which included signing some amazing lacrosse players. The hype surrounding this game will be spectacular. The Launch fans will be in store for an exciting game, not only with the firework show which will occur after the game, but they are going to see their home team go up against a very strong opponent in the Denver Outlaws.
For the next few weeks, the Outlaws will be without several players who currently play in the NLL. They include: John Grant, Jr., Attack (Mammoth); Matt Gibson, Attack (Swarm); Cam Flint, Attack (Swarm); Zack Greer, Attack (Rush); Eric Law, Attack (Rock); Chris O’Dougherty, Defense (Vancouver); and Curtis Dickson, Attack (Roughnecks). Of those players, four are on rosters of teams who will be heading to the NLL playoffs– Grant Jr.; Greer; Law; and Dickson.
The Launch also have some players who are out until the NLL season ends. They include: Casey Powell, Attack (Mammoth); Kevin Crowley, Midfield (Wings); Mike Poppleton, FOGO (Wings); Jason Noble, Defense (Swarm); and Garrett Thul, Attack (Wings). Of those players, only Powell will be out until the NLL season is over.
The Outlaws players who Florida needs to keep in check are Chris Bocklet, Attack (the Outlaws 2013 leader in points with 42 G, 13 A, 55 P, 20 GB, and 69 SOG); Drew Snider, Midfield (31 G, one 2 pt. G, 14 A, 46 P, 30 GB, and 54 SOG); and Jeremy Sieverts, Midfield (27 G, six 2 pt. G, 11 A, 44 P, 10 GB, and 85 SOG). Anthony Kelly is in great shape and will be taking the face-offs for the Outlaws. And, we can’t forget Jesse Schwartzman in goal, who was named the 2013 Warrior Goalie of the Year, fourth all-time in saves with 1,050, and eighth all-time in save percentage at .555.
Who do the Outlaws need to watch out for? Well, you’ve got Casey Powell, Attack, who is in his 10th year in the MLL, second in MLL history in points at 405, and third in the MLL with 193 assists; Kevin Crowley, Midfield who was the 2013 MLL MVP, and 2013 Brine Offensive Player of the Year; Garrett Thul, Attack, and Tucker Durkin, Defense, both US National Team members; and Brett Queener, Goalie who was named a 2013 MLL All-Star.
A key factor in this game will definitely be the battle of the FOGO’s. Anthony Kelly of the Outlaws, who won 195 out of 354 face-offs (.555%); and Mike Poppleton of the Launch who won 123 out of 246 face-offs (.500%). Whichever team wins the face-offs will definitely control the game, and I’m putting my money on Kelly.
Opening day always brings quality lacrosse to the fans. The players are stoked to start the season; the fans in Florida finally have an MLL team, and they get to open their season against the Denver Outlaws.
The Outlaws are definitely going to be the team to watch this year. Can they repeat their amazing 2013 season? That is the question on the mind of lacrosse fans and players throughout the league. With their amazing roster, they are going to give every team in the MLL a run for their money.
