Chicago Machine Lacrosse Looks to Sour US-Canadian Relations
May 20, 2009 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Chicago Machine News Release
Chicago, IL - If Chicago's professional lacrosse team has anything to say about it, US - Canadian relations will take a turn for the worse this Friday when the Chicago Machine (1-0) travels north for a game against the Toronto Nationals (1-0). Chicago hopes to spoil the home opener for the Nationals, an expansion Major League Lacrosse team and the first outdoor professional lacrosse team outside of the USA.
The Chicago Machine came out on top last week, defeating the defending MLL Western Conference Champion Denver Outlaws on the road, and Chicago looks for win #2 in a battle of undefeated teams in the young MLL 2009 season. The incentive to win is great for both teams. With their home opener scheduled for Saturday, May 30, at Soldier Field, Chicago would love to play to a raucous crowd as one of the MLL's only undefeated teams.
A combination of new additions and veteran leadership proved to be key components in last week's Chicago Machine win. Matt Striebel had 2 goals and 2 assists for the Machine, while Machine All Star Kevin Leveille extended his league record of consecutive games with a goal to 48 by scoring 3 goals, including one 2 pointer. Chicago Machine All Star Mike Gable recorded 20 saves on 31 shots on a goal, a game MVP-worthy performance.
Scouting Chicago: "New faces in different places" might be the theme of the 2009 Chicago Machine. Last week, LA Riptide acquisition Anthony Kelly was 18-27 on faceoff, while former Philadelphia midfielder Matt Striebel added 4 points for the Machine. Additionally former San Francisco Dragons attackman Liam Banks added one goal and one assist for the Machine. In fact 4 out of 10 starters last game were playing somewhere else in 2008. To go into INVESCO Mile High Stadium and beat the former Western Conference Champions was a huge accomplishment for the Machine.
Toronto Preview: Toronto scored 17 goals last week off of 35 shots; last week's highest in the MLL. The high powered offense was led by Merrick Thomson, who was named MLL player of the week for his 7 goal performance against the Washington Bayhawks. Jeff Zywicki also looked sharp last game, adding 4 points for the Nationals (3 goals, 1 assist). Goalies Rob Scherr and Brett Queener had a combined 28 saves for Toronto and looked solid in net. Washington was able to get off 44 shots on goal in the contest.
Keys to the Game: Chicago was outshot 31-21 (54 to 40 including all off goal shots) last game against Denver. Yet, Goalie Mike Gabel found a way to keep the ball out of the back of the net for the Machine. If the offense can continue to find a rhythm and things tighten up on defense the Machine should walk away from Toronto with a 2-0 record for the first time in franchise history.
News and Notes
Never Too Old: On April 6, 2009 the Toronto Nationals brought Lacrosse Legend Gary Gait out of retirement and signed him for the 2009 MLL Season. Gait is now the MLL's oldest player at age 42. After three years spent in retirement Gait decided to return to the MLL in which he was a pioneer player-coach. Gait will work with Head Coach Dave Huntley, someone with whom he has extensive experience. Huntley coached Gait on four separate occasions on Team Canada.
Draft Day: The 2009 MLL Draft will take place on Wednesday May 27th at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey. Chicago has the first pick in the draft, and will have five total selections. The draft will take place following the Brine Major League Challenge, which will feature 40 top NCAA players all displaying their skills in an invitation-only scouting combine. The Draft will air live on ESPNU at 8:30 pm.
Keeping it "National": As the MLL's newest franchise, the Toronto Nationals tried to stay true to their name when forming their 2009 roster. They have 16 players on the active roster who are native Canadians, many of whom were with the Rochester Rattlers, one of the MLL's four dissolved teams. In addition to the 16 natives, 4 out of 5 players on the practice squad and injured reserve list are also natives. In total 20 of 29 players in Toronto are truly keeping it "National."
Suspended by the MLL: Chicago Machine Head Coach John Combs and defensemen Steve Holmes will both serve a one game suspension on Friday against the Toronto Nationals. Holmes used an illegal piece of equipment (non-sponsored crosse stick) in last Saturday's game against the Denver Outlaws, which led to the automatic action taken by the MLL against the player and coach. Coach Combs will travel to Toronto but will watch from the grandstands.
ESPN 2 Schedule Announced: The Chicago Machine will play the Washington Bayhawks in an away match on Saturday, August 1st that will be replayed nationally on ESPN 2 on Tuesday, August 4th at 2:00 pm. ESPN will also air selected games live online at ESPN360.com. Comcast will also partner with the Machine to locally broadcast several home games for the 2009 season. Those dates have yet to be announced.
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Major League Lacrosse Stories from May 20, 2009
- Bayhawks Game Thursday Night at Long Island Lizards to Air on ESPN2 - Chesapeake Bayhawks
- Chicago Machine Lacrosse Looks to Sour US-Canadian Relations - Chicago Machine
- MLL News and Notes - MLL
- Toronto Nationals Inaugural Season Home Opener This Weekend - Hamilton Nationals
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