NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Ohio Machine

Ohio Machine Game Preview: Game Six at Denver Outlaws

June 6, 2018 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Ohio Machine News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio Machine is set for a championship rematch this Thursday, June 7 at 2:00 p.m. The Machine (2-3) will be ending their three-game road trip at Sports Authority Field at Mile High against the Denver Outlaws (3-4).

WATCH THE GAME

Sheen fans can head over to Burger Theory at the Holiday Inn Downtown Capitol Square and North High Brewery to catch the team in action.

LAST TIME OUT

Despite an exciting fourth quarter, the Machine were unable to defeat the Chesapeake Bayhawks in their first meeting of the season, losing 13-8.

A tale of two halves, the first was dominated by the Bayhawks. Outscoring the Machine 10-2 in the first half, the Bayhawks would go on to keep the Machine scoreless in the third quarter.

After keeping the Bayhawks from scoring for 14 minutes, the Machine brought that momentum into the fourth quarter.

In a final comeback effort, the Machine scored the final five goals of the game. But, outscoring Chesapeake 6-3 would not be enough to lift the Machine over the Bayhawks.

Ryan Ambler, Kyle Harrison, and Marcus Holman each scored twice for the Machine.

Harrison added a two-pointer in the fourth quarter, his sixth of his career. Connor Cannizzaro recorded a team-high three assists.

MACHINE-OUTLAWS SERIES HISTORY

The Machine and the Outlaws have met 12 times prior to this week's matchup. The Outlaws lead the series 8-4.

For the past two seasons, the Ohio Machine and Denver Outlaws have been the finalists for the Steinfeld Trophy. Denver won the championship in 2016 and Ohio won in 2017. The Machine have reached the title game just twice, facing the Outlaws both times.

SCOUTING THE OUTLAWS

After defeating the league-best Charlotte Hounds 16-13, the Denver Outlaws improved to 3-4. The Outlaws have handed the Hounds their only two losses this season.

Denver leads the league in goals scored (106), shots (336), and shots on goal (214). Matt Kavanagh is the lead scorer for the team with 20 goals and 27 points so far this season. Goalie Jack Kelly leads the team in ground balls with 29. He has 109 saves, ranking second in the league this season. Defender Eli Gobrecht has caused eight turnovers for the team and is tied for fourth in the league.

CHAMPIONSHIP REMATCH

Thursday's game will be a rematch of the last two MLL Championship games. The Machine defeated the Outlaws in the 2017 championship game after finishing just shy of the title in 2016.

The Machine had their eyes set on the Steinfeld Trophy from the first whistle. The team scored the first two goals of the game and after back-to-back goals by Connor Cannizzaro, the Machine carried the lead after one quarter.

With four goals in the second quarter, Denver took the lead going into half, and seemed to be holding the reigns on the game. The Outlaws opened the second half with three goals to widen their lead. It wasn't until Peter Baum entered the game that the game started to turn around. He went on to score two of the Machine's three goals in the quarter and assist the third.

Down one with 15 minutes until a champion was named, the Machine were locked in. The team scored seven unanswered goals to defeat the Outlaw and win the franchise's first Major League Lacrosse Championship title.

NUMBERS TO NOTE

.800 - Midfielder Pat Harbeson leads the MLL with a shot percentage of .800. In four games played, Harbeson has four goals on five shots.

2 - The Ohio Machine and Denver Outlaws have met in the post season twice, both times in the championship game.

7 - With two goals against Chesapeake, Marcus Holman has scored multiple points in seven consecutive games dating back to 7/29/17.

8 - Kyle Harrison's fourth quarter two-point goal against the Bayhawks is his eighth of his career.

12.40 - Goalie Kyle Bernlohr ranks second in the MLL with a 12.40 goals against average.

59.09% - After winning 13 of 22 faceoffs against the Bayhawks, Kenny Massa holds the highest single game percentage from a player at the x.

NEXT GAME UP

The Machine have a quick turnaround as they head back to Columbus for a rematch against the Chesapeake Bayhawks on Saturday, June 9. The game will face off at 6:00 p.m. It will be Superhero Night at Fortress Obetz.

• Discuss this story on the Major League Lacrosse message board...

Major League Lacrosse Stories from June 6, 2018


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central