Outlaws Clinch Home-Field Advtantage for 2014 MLL Playoffs
August 9, 2014 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Denver Outlaws News Release
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y, - Despite the 12-11 overtime loss to the New York Lizards (9-5) Saturday afternoon, the Denver Outlaws (9-5) clinched home-field advantage for the 2014 MLL Playoffs. Denver will host a semifinal playoff game on Saturday, Aug. 16 at 3:30 p.m. MDT at The University of Denver's Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium.
The semifinal game will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network, and the winner will travel to Kennesaw, Ga. for the 2014 Championship Game at Fifth Third Bank Stadium on Aug. 23.
Denver will be either the No. 1 or No. 2 seed, depending on the outcome of the Rochester Rattlers' game tonight. If Rochester wins, Denver will be the No. 2 seed and host the Lizards in a rematch of today's game. If Rochester loses, Denver will be the No. 1 seed and host either Boston or Ohio.
Denver took a quick 4-2 lead early in the game behind Drew Snider's first-quarter hat trick. Rookie Brent Hiken, filling in for the injured Anthony Kelly, was 4-6 (66.7%) on faceoffs in the first quarter against faceoff veteran Greg Gurenlian.
There were a combined nine goals in the second quarter, and three different ties. Eric Law scored two goals and Jeremy Sieverts added a third goal for New York, but the Lizards finished out the second quarter with two quick goals to take an 8-7 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Denver struck first in the second half when Zack Greer was able to get a good shot off thanks to an effective pick by John Grant Jr. Rookie Colin Dunster scored his fifth goal of the season to put Denver up 9-8, before New York added two goals midway through the third to take a 10-9 lead into the fourth.
Law tied it up for the sixth time of the night two minutes, 27 seconds into the fourth quarter with his third goal of the night. New York's Michael Kimmel notched his second goal of the game to give the Lizards an 11-10 lead with 4:28 left in the game.
Greer set up Junior to tie it up at 11-11 with 2:48 left in the game. New York's Rob Pannell attempted to end it in regulation and took a shot with under 30 seconds left, but it went off goal and Dillon Roy recovered the ball and sent it down field, but the Outlaws were unable to convert and the teams headed to overtime. Kyle Hartzell sealed the overtime victory for the Lizards, but since the Outlaws only lost by one goal they secured home-field advantage for the playoffs.
Outlaws fans are encouraged to wear orange to the game in support of the Denver Outlaws and use the hashtag #OrangeOut.
Tickets will go on sale online exclusively for season ticket members tomorrow, Sunday, Aug. 10 at noon MDT. If tickets remain after the season ticket member purchase period, they will be made available to Outlaws group leaders, Outlaws single game buyers and DU season ticket members on Tuesday, Aug. 12 at 9 a.m. MDT. If any tickets remain, the general public on sale will begin on Wednesday, Aug. 13 at 9 a.m. MDT. All tickets will be available only at Ticketmaster.com.
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Major League Lacrosse Stories from August 9, 2014
- Cannons Fall in Season Finale - Boston Cannons
- Ohio Machine Clinch Playoff Berth with Win - Ohio Machine
- Outlaws Clinch Home-Field Advtantage for 2014 MLL Playoffs - Denver Outlaws
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