MLL Week 14 Preview

Published on September 6, 2019 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL) News Release

Boston, MA - It's coming down to the business end of the 2019 Major League Lacrosse season. Four teams (Denver, Chesapeake, Boston, Atlanta) can clinch their spots in the 2019 MLL Playoffs depending on this weekends results. Here are some storylines heading into Week 14 of the MLL season.

Chesapeake Bayhawks vs. Boston Cannons

The Bayhawks travel to Quincy with a simple task at hand, win and you're in. A Bayhawks win over the Cannons on Saturday guarantees Chesapeake will be in Denver competing in the MLL Playoffs. For Boston, they need to beat the Bayhawks and have the Blaze beat the Rattlers in order to qualify for the postseason.

Two of the Best at Getting Shots on Target: The Bayhawks and Cannons are second and third in the league respectively when it comes to shots on goal percentage. The Bayhawks sit at 60.17%, while the Cannons sit at 59.58%. 

Cannons Trying to Stop the Skid: The Cannons are currently on a two-game losing streak following losses to the Denver Outlaws and Dallas Rattlers. A three-game losing streak would be the longest of the season for the Cannons.

Rematch: This game is a rematch of an August 17th classic which saw the Cannons defeat the Bayhawks 12-11 in overtime. Brendan Bomberry tied the game with 56 seconds left in regulation before Zed Williams won it for Boston in OT. 

Denver Outlaws vs. New York Lizards

The first place Outlaws head to Long Island to take on the last place New York Lizards. There are several scenarios where the Outlaws can clinch a playoff berth, but the simplest result is win and their in.

Goal Differential Disparity: The Outlaws come into this game with a goal differential of +15 while the Lizards have a goal differential of -23.

Outlaws Looking to Keep the Good Times Rolling: One of the biggest reasons the Outlaws goal differential is so good is because of the 22 spot they hung on the Cannons last weekend. The 22 goals was the most goals the Outlaws have scored this season.

Lizards Finally Win: The Lizards beat the Dallas Rattlers last weekend in Frisco for their first win since July 20th. The 12-11 win over Dallas snapped a five game losing streak for New York. 

Atlanta Blaze vs. Dallas Rattlers

Much like the Outlaws and Bayhawks, the task at hand for the Blaze is simple, win against the Rattlers and you're headed to the postseason. Meanwhile, for the Rattlers, a win over the Blaze keeps their playoff hopes alive for another week.

Four Way Tie For First Place The Blaze can actually finish the weekend with a share of first place. An Atlanta win over the Rattlers combined with losses by the Outlaws and Bayhawks puts four teams (Atlanta, Boston, Chesapeake, Denver) in a four-way tie for first place at 8-6. 

Face-Off Battle: The Rattlers faceoff woes this season have been well documented. As a team, they are currently last in Major League Lacrosse with a 41.30% at the faceoff X. Noah Rak, who was acquired from the Lizards, has been a steadying force for the Rattlers however, with a faceoff percentage of 49.09% since being acquired by Dallas. He will match up against Alex Woodall who has a faceoff percentage of 52.20%. 

Rattlers Looking to Get Back to Winning Ways: From July 21st until August 25th, the Rattlers were the most unstoppable force in professional lacrosse. They had won six games in a row prior to a 12-11 loss to the Lizards last weekend. The Rattlers will be looking to get back on track and keep their postseason hopes alive this weekend in Frisco. 

Major League Lacrosse Stories from September 6, 2019

• Outlaws to Face off against Lizards on Saturday Night with Chance to Clinch Postseason Berth - Denver Outlaws
• Chesapeake Looks to Secure Playoff Spot with Weekend Win in Quincy - Chesapeake Bayhawks
• MLL Week 14 Preview - MLL

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