Blaze Win in Overtime
June 18, 2016 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Atlanta Blaze News Release
The Atlanta Blaze went to Columbus Ohio this Saturday to play the Ohio Machine where tensions were high with so much on the line. The game saw plenty of back-and-forth with both goalies playing skillfully with great saves on either end of the field. Despite phenomenal showings from both teams and an overtime thriller, the Atlanta Blaze came out on top, 18-17.
In the first half on the Blaze side, Kevin Rice had a hat trick and Scott Ratliff scored a two-point goal, each by halftime. Regarding the Machine, Mark Cockerton had a hat trick, but tough defense and excellent goaltending from Adam Ghitelman kept much else from happening in the first half. Goals scored were equal, and it was only a two-point goal that put the Blaze on top to end the first half 10-9.
Mark Matthews and Randy Staats started off the second half with hat tricks of their own (with Matthews putting up two hat tricks), and the Ohio Machine responded to every goal scored by the Atlanta Blaze. At the end of the second half the score was tied at 17-17 for the first time since the game was 2-2, and for the second time in two games, the Blaze went into overtime play.
The Machine caught possession early on in overtime, shooting high on Ghitelman who easily grabbed it and brought the possession back to Atlanta. With under twenty seconds left on the shot clock, Kevin Rice passed the ball to Matt Mackrides who whipped a shot towards the goal and it rocketed past the goalkeeper, allowing the Blaze to defeat the Ohio Machine, giving them their first loss at home and allowing the Blaze to end their losing streak in a nail-biter of a game.
Ghitelman played an excellent game, saving 14 shots and characteristically taking control of the defense, particularly the rides in which he left the cage and cleared the ball out. The Coca-Cola Player of the game was Mark Matthews who recorded 2 hat tricks in his very first game for the Blaze.
Coach Huntley said of the game and of standout Mark Matthews, "Â Mark was Mark and was everything we thought he could be. Nice to have another good hand out there and I think he's out there to complement everyone else out there. It was also good to see our new acquisition Matt Mackrides get the winning goal for us this game, very rewarding."
The Atlanta Blaze will play their next game away on June 25th against the Charlotte Hounds before returning home for another matchup against the Charlotte Hounds.Â
• Discuss this story on the Major League Lacrosse message board...
Major League Lacrosse Stories from June 18, 2016
- Five Different Machine Players Tally Four Points, But Ohio Falls to Atlanta, 18-17 - Ohio Machine
- Blaze Win in Overtime - Atlanta Blaze
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
