Chicago Machine vs. LA Riptide Game Preview

July 3, 2008 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Chicago Machine News Release


Game Details

Los Angeles Riptide vs. Chicago Machine

Sunday, July 6, 2008 - 3:30 PM CT - TOYOTA PARK, Chicago, IL

For tickets call (312) 255-1522

Live Webcast: ESPN360.com TV (Tape Delay): Comcast SportsNet, Sunday July 6, 7:30 PM CT Live Game Day Text Updates: Text "Lacrosse Update" to 2854 Special Game Promotions: July 6 is "Armed Forces day" at the Chicago Machine game. Join us as we honor our nation's armed forces. Special pricing applies for the July 6 game. Active military and their families may attend the July 6 game for $12/adults, $5/children.

Last week, the Chicago Machine stunned the Denver Outlaws, 16-13, to earn their second win of the season. Kevin Leveille received the Bud Light MVP honors after leading the Machine to victory with three goals and two assists.

With the second win, the Machine (2-5) moved into third place in the Western Conference, three games behind Denver.

On Sunday, July 6th, the Machine hopes to continue it's winning ways as they host the Los Angeles Riptide. This will be the second of the three-game series this season and a critical game for the Machine as they hope to even the series and begin a streak toward the playoffs. Los Angeles is coming to town fresh off a win over the Rochester Rattlers 15-10 which improved their record to 3-3.

After winning the three-game series last season, the Riptide holds an all-time record of 7-0 over Chicago. But this is a very different Chicago team. Though just 2-5, four of the losses have been by just one goal, and two were in overtime. The "buzz" on Chicago is that they're much more dangerous than their record would suggest. Los Angeles will be swimming into TOYOTA PARK, looking for their fourth win to improve their record towards playoff contention with six games remaining.

Los Angeles Riptide:

The Riptide have become a threat in the Western Conference thanks to the combination of several key players like Jesse Hubbard, Kyle Harrison, Terry Riordan and Chazz Woodson, each of whom will pose a challenge to the Chicago defense. Rookie attackman Kevin Huntley can now be added to the list as well; he was named last week's MLL Rookie of the Week. The former Johns Hopkins player scored five goals in the win over Rochester and was also named the Bud Light Player of the Game for the first time in his career.

The Riptide is 3-3 in the league, but team statistics give some insight into how they have won three games this season.

Los Angeles is dead last in the league in powerplay percentages at 22.22 and are weak on penalty killings with only a percentage of 52.94 after six games. The biggest threat for the Machine is on the face-off as Riptide's face-off specialist Anthony Kelly has won 93 out of 101 draws in the past six games. Even with a strong faceoff, the Riptide seem to have trouble finding the net, managing a .263 shooting percentage and making .594 percent of the shots-on-goal for 84 total goals.

Although their statistics suggest they have some weaknesses, the Riptide is a sleeper team in the league and should never be underestimated when it comes down to winning.

Chicago Machine:

Head Coach John Combs has worked hard to keep the Machine together through five losses before defeating the Denver Outlaws at TOYOTA PARK last weekend. In that game, the defensive squad improved their communication and coordination on sliding and shutting off passes between key Outlaw players. Goaltender Mike Gabel came up big with 13 saves in the win over Denver, who made 26 shots-on-goal. The Machine is showing more balance and improvement on both ends of the field.

Statistically, the Machine is showing more strength and energy compared to their opponent. Chicago's powerplay percentage (25.00) is starting to improve, after scoring back-to-back powerplay goals against Denver last week. Another addition is the Machine's penalty killing percentage (65.63). Combs will be pushing for the same balance this week as Machine Goalie Mike Gabel, ranked second in the league among goalies, and his defense, consisting of Jake Deane, Steve Whittenberg and Rob Smith, will concentrate on limiting Hubbard, Riordan, Woodson and the rest of the Riptide offense.

Chicago is currently fourth in the league for shots-on-goal percentage (.684) and will be looking to improve that number after scoring 86 goals this season. The Machine offense, led by attackman Kevin Leveille and rookies Steven Brooks, Mike Leveille and Terry Kimener, will need to be at their best to master the Riptide's top rated defense.

Keys to the Game:

With win number two in the books, the Chicago Machine are ready to turn their season around and focus on winning one game at a time toward their goal of reaching playoff contention. Steady improvement on both sides of the field and some success in finding chinks in the Riptide's defensive armor should result in a victory for the Machine. If the team plays like last week, they will succeed in putting Riptide Goalie Mickey Jarboe under water.

Tickets:

For tickets to Chicago Machine games, called (312) 255-1522, or visit www.ChicagoMachine.com. Special pricing applies for the July 6 game. Active military and their families may attend the July 6 game for $12/adults, $5/children.

End Note:

The MLL has named Chicago Machine players Kevin Leveille, Mike Gabel and rookie Steven Brooks to the 7th Annual Major League Lacrosse All-Star Game. This is Leveille's fourth All-Star appearance and the first for Gabel and Brooks. The All-Star Game will take place in Denver on July 17, 2008, and will be broadcast live on ESPN2. You can read more about these three All-Stars at ChicagoMachine.com.

The MLL featured brothers Kevin Leveille and Mike Leveille in their "MLL Top Corner" this week. Read the Story at MajorLeagueLacrosse.com.



Major League Lacrosse Stories from July 3, 2008


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