Chicago Machine Looking for "Mile High" Win Over Denver Outlaws
Published on June 19, 2008 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Chicago Machine News Release
Denver, CO - Saturday, June 21, the Chicago Machine (1-4) will complete a three-game road swing against Major League Lacrosse's Western Conference leader, the Denver Outlaws (4-1). This is the first of a three game series between Denver and Chicago this season. This will be the sixth time both teams have met with Denver leading the series 5-1. Last season, both teams battled twice with the Machine winning 19-17 at home and Denver taking the second game 22-14 at INVESCO Field.
Chicago Machine
The Machine suffered their second overtime loss of the season last week in St. Louis. The Barrage took the 12-11 victory when attackman Seth Goldberg scored the game-winning goal off a feed from Ryan Boyle at the 1:42 mark into the extra period. Late in the 4th quarter, Chicago Machine scoring leader Kevin Leveille was able to score his fourth goal against the Barrage to extend a Machine lead to two points but the Barrage rallied for two goals to tie the game and force it into overtime. Chicago's Brian Clayton tallied three goals while Eric Pittard (one goal, one assist) and rookie Steven Brooks (two goals, one assist) were held to only five points total by the Barrage's defensive unit.
Other noticeable performance for Chicago includes defensemen Jake Deane and Jeff Bigas who combined for an astounding 12 ground balls; Deane also scored a goal. As the Machine drew five penalties, the defensive special teams were able to intercept and shut down the Barrage's key players allowing only one power play goal throughout the game. Rookies Mike Leveille and Tim Kimener struggled to make a run against the Barrage as they were limited to only seven shots and three ground balls. Kimener picked up an assist later into the game.
Chicago continues to struggle to win games, despite offensive power that has them 2nd in the Western Conference and 7th in the league for goals with 58.
Denver Outlaws
Last week the Outlaws picked up their fourth straight win and defeated the San Francisco Dragons 19-16. MLL Offensive player of the week Brian Langtry and teammate Matt Brown each scored four goals in the victory for the Outlaws, who improved to 3-0 at home this season. Ryan Powell (one goal, two assists) tallied three points and Brendan Mundoff produced three goals and an assist.
Keys to the Game
The Machine, MLL's youngest team, will be the underdog coming into Denver, looking to spoil the Outlaws for the franchise's first road win. It will be difficult to prevail against the Outlaws on their home turf. Eight different Denver players hold double digits in points through five games and are considered the most balanced unit in the entire league, leading the MLL with 88 goals and 133 points.
Chicago defenders Steve Whittenberg, Rob Smith, and Jake Deane, along with goalkeeper Mike Gabel are going to be having their hands full and feeling the heat from all angles. Gabel has had an impressive year, ranked second among all MLL goalies with a 60% save record, but he and the defensive unit will have to play relentlessly to outwit Denver and disrupt their chances of scoring. The Machine also cannot afford a lot of penalties as the Outlaw's power play unit has found back of the net 80% of the time this season. Disciplined defense, fewer penalties and inspired offense by the Machine's fast attack unit will be the key to victory.
Although the Machine are three games behind Denver, Chicago Machine Head Coach John Combs recognizes that his team won't give up knowing that anything can happen in Major League Lacrosse. Last week, in a matchup between the winless New Jersey Pride and the Eastern Conference leading Rochester Rattlers produced a 19-16 win for New Jersey. Chicago may be 1-4, but three of those losses have been by just one goal - two in overtime.
Can the Outlaws handle the horsepower of a young and hungry Machine squad? Chicago hopes to shred the Outlaw's four-game winning streak and return to Chicago riding a "Mile High."
Major League Lacrosse Stories from June 19, 2008
- Cannons win in slugfest - Boston Cannons
- Denver Outlaws Announce 4th of July Game Details - Denver Outlaws
- Chicago Machine Looking for "Mile High" Win Over Denver Outlaws - Chicago Machine
- Rattlers Battle Philadelphia Saturday In North Carolina - Dallas Rattlers
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