Denver Outlaws vs Ohio Machine-Game Preview
May 27, 2015 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Denver Outlaws News Release
DENVER - The Denver Outlaws (4-2) seek to hold on to second place in the MLL as they face the Ohio Machine (3-3) at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Friday at 7 p.m. MDT.
Denver was victorious over Ohio in their Week 2 matchup for the Outlaws' first win of the season. Michael Bocklet was the Coca-Cola Player of the Game for his four goals, including the game-winner with 2 seconds left.
For the past two weeks after his return to the team John Grant, Jr. was named the Coca-Cola Player of the Game. The first Outlaw to do so since Jesse Schwartzman and Eric Law were named player of the game in consecutive games in 2013. Grant's seven points against Chesapeake were the most by an Outlaw this season, as were his four assists. It was the first time that an Outlaw scored at least seven points in a game since Grant scored nine against Ohio in the 23-22 OT loss in 2014.
Chris Bocklet recorded his 16th career hat trick and Cam Holding scored his first career hat trick in the win over Chesapeake, as part of the high-powered Denver offense that tallied a season high 17 goals. Nine different Outlaws scored goals in the victory, and six players contributed to the season high nine assists in the game.
The game is sure to be barnburners as the Machine are coming off an equally high-powered 20-12 win over the Florida Launch. Much like the Outlaws, the Machine are led by their midfielders, with Tom Schreiber and Peter Baum leading the team in points. The Outlaws' defensive midfielders will need to step up to limit the Ohio middies.
"We've had some great battles with them over the last two seasons," Head Coach B.J. O'Hara said. "I expect this is probably going be a high-scoring game. They're awfully dynamic on offense. They're coming off a great effort versus Florida last week. They score from a lot of different places. They definitely keep you on your toes. Looks like they're getting great faceoff play at this point in the season, so again I think it's probably going to be a high-scoring game and we're going to have to be on our toes to defend whoever put out against us."
Ohio has the best penalty kill in the league, allowing just one extra-man goal all season. In the first meeting, the Outlaws did not score a power-play goal but gave up three to the Machine.
Anthony Kelly won a career high 80 percent of faceoffs in the win at Ohio. He is coming off a similarly dominant performance against the Bayhawks, in which he tied the career high of 24 faceoff wins that he set at the Machine. Kelly was named the FOAthlete of the Week, presented by the Faceoff Academy, for winning more than 77 percent of the faceoffs against Chesapeake.
Dillon Roy was also awarded by the league for his performance against the Bayhawks. For the second week in a row, Roy was named the Warrior Defensive Player of the Week. Roy held Chesapeake attackman Ben Rubeor to just one goal in the game.
Schwartzman and Dillon Ward combined for 12 saves against the Bayhawks as Ward saw his first action of 2015 in the fourth quarter. Schwartzman held Chesapeake to just three first-half goals and made six saves. Ward made three saves and allowed just one goal in the fourth quarter.
Tune in to Altitude TV or ESPN3 as the Outlaws and Machine square off at the Paws at the Park game benefitting the Dumb Friends League this Friday at 7 p.m. (MDT).
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Major League Lacrosse Stories from May 27, 2015
- Week 7 Preview: Lizards v. Hounds - New York Lizards
- Denver Outlaws vs Ohio Machine-Game Preview - Denver Outlaws
- Hounds' Joey Sankey Named MLL Rookie of the Week - Charlotte Hounds
- Major League Lacrosse Announces Week 7 Player Of The Week Awards - MLL
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