Photo Credit: Di Miller
On Sunday June 29, the Denver Outlaws (7-1) head to Rochester, NY to play the second place Rochester Rattlers (5-3) at Sahlen’s Stadium. The last time the two teams faced off was in Denver on May 17 when Denver beat the Rattlers by the score of 14-8. Rochester hasn’t lost at home this season, and they want to keep it that way. Denver on the other hand, wants to win the series against the Rattlers, and keep their three-game lead in the MLL. It’s going to be a big night in Rochester. Kevin Leveille #19, Attack will be honored for 271 career goals, making him the All-Time Goals Leader in MLL history; and rookie Jordan Wolf #32, Attack will make his home debut.
Rochester just took down the Florida Launch on June 20 (18-13) moving them into second place in the MLL, and only two games back from the Outlaws. Denver walked away victorious on June 21 when they defeated the Chesapeake Bayhawks (9-6). The Rattlers are looking very strong, but can they beat the Outlaws who keep finding ways to win? Especially when you consider the fact that Denver has the number one Goalie in the league in Jesse Schwartzman; the number one two-point shooter, Midfielder Jeremy Sieverts; and Attack Eric Law who leads the league with a .524 SPCT.
If Rochester expects to beat Denver, they will have to control their strong offensive squad including Midfielders Drew Snider #23; Jeremy Sieverts #20; Justin Pennington #14; Cameron Flint #18; Terry Kimener #6; and Attackmen Eric Law #15; Curtis Dickson #17; and John Grant Jr. #24.
The Outlaws are going to have to keep in check Attackmen Kevin Leveille #19, and Mark Matthews #17; and Midfielder Justin Turri #12, all of which had hat-tricks against the Launch last weekend. The other offensive players Denver will need to defend are Midfielders Dave Lawson #2, Jordan MacIntosh #29, and John Ranagan #31; and Attackman Miles Thompson #74.
Denver may still be without Chris Bocklet #10, Attack who as of last weekend was still recovering from an illegal cross-check he suffered on June 7, against the Charlotte Hounds. They will also be without Defensemen Dillon Roy #91. As of Wednesday, the Outlaws game plan included putting Defensemen Lee Zink #29 up against Lawson; Chris O’Dougherty #4 against Thompson; and Ken Clausen #27 matching up with Leveille.
Here’s how the two teams match up eight weeks into the season:
Team Stats:
Outlaws—.875 WPCT, 99 GF, 81 GA, 6 2ptGF, 4 2ptGA, 221 GB, 334 S, .296 SPCT, 210 SOG, .629 SOGPCT, 115-211 FOW, .545 FOPCT, Record 5-0 home, 2-1 away
Rattlers—.625 WPCT, 99 GF, 96 GA, 4 2ptGF, 1 2ptGA, 261 GB, 342 S, .289 SPCT, 208 SOG, .608 SOGPCT, 114-229 FOW. 5o0 FOPCT, Record 4-0 home, 1-3 away
Goalie Stats:
Outlaws Jesse Schwartzman—409.35 min, Record 7-0, 58 GA, 3 2ptGA, 8.50 GAA, 114 S, .663 Save%
Rattlers John Galloway—494.29 min, Record 5-3, 96 GA, 1 2ptGA, 11.65 GAA, 116 S, .547 Save%
Special Team Stats:
Outlaws—7 PPGF, 15 PPA, 46.67 PPPCT, -0- SHGA; Penalty Killing—6 PPGA, 25 TSH, 76.00 PKPCT, -0- SHGF
Rattlers—7 PPGF, 26 PPA, 26.92 PPPCT, 1 SHGA; Penalty Killing—9 PPGA, 31 TSH, 70.97 PKPCT, -0- SHGF
Top Scorers in the League:
Outlaws Eric Law—Fifth place 22 G, 11 A, 5 GB, 42 S, 37 SOG, .524 SPCT (Number one in the league), 1 GWG
Outlaws Jeremy Sieverts—Tied for ninth place 14 G (five two-point goals and number one in the league), 4 A, 3 PPG, 3 GWG, 5 GB, 49 S, 33 SOG, .286 SPCT
Rattlers Justin Turri—Tied for ninth place 12 G (two two-point goals), 9 A, 1 PPG, 6 GB, 40 S, 25 SOG, .300 SPCT
When you compare the two teams, statistically they are evenly matched. It all boils down to which team brings their “A” game onto the field as to who will come out with the win. The Outlaws continue to find ways to win, and Rochester is climbing the ranks and gaining ground on the league leading Outlaws. Even though Rochester wants to keep their home winning-streak alive, Denver has the better team in every respect, and will come out with the victory.
