Outlaws Fall in Season Opener Despite Three Hat Tricks
April 12, 2015 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL) - Denver Outlaws News Release
The Denver Outlaws fell to the Boston Cannons 16-13 this afternoon in their 2015 season opener at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. The game spotlighted new players and uniforms for the Outlaws and a new home for the Cannons.
The Boston Cannons controlled the tempo in the first quarter, winning the first four face offs and taking advantage of two Outlaws turnovers, to get off to a rapid 3-1 start in less than six minutes. Pat Harbeson connected with Chris Bocklet for his first career point to tie the game 1-1. Bocklet sprinted from behind the cage and dove to complete the first Outlaws goal of the season just over a minute and a half into the game. Bocklet converted on another diving shot for Denver's second goal. Harbeson recorded his first MLL goal with 3:35 left in the quarter to bring the Outlaws within one goal of the Cannons, 4-3, at the end of the first.
The second quarter was off to a sluggish start with each team scoring one goal in the first 8:26 minutes of play. Greg Melaugh kicked off a scoring run in the final 6:34 with his first career goal, off an assist from Drew Snider. Boston pieced together a three-goal run before Bocklet stopped the streak with his third goal of the half with 42 seconds left on the clock. The Outlaws trailed 8-5 at the halfway mark.
After a goal by Drew Snider assisted by Justin Pennington 34 seconds into the third quarter, the Cannons expanded their lead in with back-to-back two-point goals. Eric Law responded just over a minute later with his first goal of the season, assisted by Snider. Pennington recorded two goals in the third quarter, bringing the score to 13-9.
The Outlaws outscored the Cannons in the final frame of the game with a three-goal run to start the period and the completion of second half hat tricks for Pennington and Snider. Boston had their own fourth-quarter run with two goals by Coca-Cola Player of the Game Max Seibald and a goal from Will Manny. Michael Bocklet closed the game with his first career goal with 3 seconds remaining, to bring the final score to 16-13.
Anthony Kelly won 17 face offs for Denver, and Matt Bocklet picked up five ground balls. In goal, Jesse Schwartzman made 13 saves, including seven in the third quarter.
The Outlaws return to action on the road against Ohio Sunday, April 19, at 11 a.m. MDT before taking on Charlotte in the home opener Saturday, May 3, at 7 p.m. MDT.
Notes:
- This marks the first MLL career goals for Patrick Harbeson, Greg Melaugh and Michael Bocklet
- This was Justin Pennington's second career hat trick, Drew Snider's 10th career hat trick and Chris Bocket's 14th career hat trick
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Major League Lacrosse Stories from April 12, 2015
- Outlaws Fall in Season Opener Despite Three Hat Tricks - Denver Outlaws
- Cannons Start off Strong with 16-13 Win over Defending Champs - Boston Cannons
- Machine Falls to Lizards in Season Opener - Ohio Machine
- Hounds Drop Season Opener in OT - Charlotte Hounds
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