Hounds vs. Outlaws Game Preview
June 1, 2018 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Charlotte Hounds News Release
The Hounds welcome the Outlaws for the second leg of the two game season series on Saturday. In the last meeting, Charlotte suffered a 17-13 defeat on the road. While the Hounds rebounded with a victory against the Machine in Week 6, the Outlaws enjoyed a week off and will fly into Charlotte untested since the last matchup between the two teams.
LAST TIME OUT
Behind five goals from Matt Rambo, the Hounds returned to Memorial Stadium and defeated the Ohio Machine, 14-12, extending their unbeaten streak at home to five games. It wasn't easy though. Charlotte survived a late-game offensive push from the Machine, who outscored the Hounds 5-1 in the fourth quarter. Ohio entered the final stanza trailing 13-7, but a quick goal from Ryan Ambler gave the visiting team life. Peter Baum then capitalized scoring twice on two different power plays and slashed what was once a six goal deficit, to three goals. The Machine had stolen the momentum, but against the run of play, Rambo scored the lone fourth quarter goal for the Hounds setting the stage for teammate Michael Ehrhardt to snag the game-winning interception in the final seconds.
FACEOFF FOLLIES
In the Hounds' only loss of the season at Denver in Week 5, the faceoff battle was one sided. Charlotte won just 12-of-34 faceoffs, which led to a significant disadvantage in possession. Kevin Massa will slide back into the X this weekend against the Outlaws and will have help from sixth-round draft pick Noah Rak, who won 8-of-13 faceoffs in his debut against the Machine last week. Although the question remains, who will enter the X for the Outlaws? Max Adler won 24-of-34 faceoffs against the Hounds, but first-choice faceoff specialist Thomas Kelly returns to action after missing the previous game.
SCOUTING THE OUTLAWS
The matchup with the Hounds on Saturday marks the second meeting of the two-game season series. While the Outlaws dispatched the Hounds in their last time out, the 2018 campaign hasn't been up to par with the standard they've set over the past decade. Denver currently sits at 2-4 and much of the onus falls on a defense that's allowed 93 goals this season, the highest mark in the league. With that said, goalie Jack Kelly did limit the Hounds to 13 goals in Denver's Week 5 win. If Kelly can muster up the same performance on the road, the Outlaws have a good chance at sweeping the season series behind star-studded attackmen Matt Kavanagh and Eric Law.
PARKING ADVISORY
The CPCC Parking Deck at E. 7th Street and Charlottetowne Avenue has been closed for renovations. Please consider parking at the alternate parking deck on the corner of Charlottetowne Avenue and East Fourth Street until further notice.
The surface lots at the corner of N. Kings Drive and East 7th Street will be open for parking and tailgating, but note, these lots fill up quickly. Parking lots will open at 3 p.m.
Parking remains $5.00/car.
Box Office/Will Call opens at 5 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m. Game starts at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets for the game against the Chesapeake Bayhawks are available below.
PURCHASE TICKETS
RENEW YOUR SEASON TICKETS FOR 2019
Purchase your season tickets for 2019 now and reserve your seat for every match next season. Every shot, every goal, every cheer, every moment. And it's now even quicker and easier to purchase with just a $25 deposit per seat. Reserve your seats at the historic Memorial Stadium at the Hounds' final two home games - June 2 and June 23 - and receive a Major League Lacrosse game ball and post-game photo with a player and Blue on the field.
To purchase call (704) 206-1515.
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