Toronto Nationals to Host Denver Outlaws on Saturday
Published on August 6, 2009 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Hamilton Nationals News Release
TORONTO - The Toronto Nationals play their final game of the 2009 Major League Lacrosse (MLL) regular season on Saturday, August 8 when they host the Denver Outlaws at 7:00 p.m. ET at BMO Field.
The Nationals (6-5) snapped a four game losing streak with a dominating 19-9 win over the Long Island Lizards in New York on July 18, and come off a bye-week, rested and still riding their 18-17 overtime win against the Boston Cannons on July 23 that secured them a playoff berth in their inaugural season.
"I think we're making a great come back," said Nationals head coach Dave Huntley. "The Boston game was a real good game; exciting. Anyone who had never experienced lacrosse before that game would definitely come out again and become a fan."
Nationals attackman Merrick Thomson agrees with Huntley that the July 23 game was a memorable one.
"The third quarter against Boston was rough for us," said Thomson. "We stuck together though, since we all knew we needed to get that win to clinch a playoff spot. It was one of the best MLL games that I have ever played in."
After playing 10 games for the Nationals Thomson leads MLL in goals with 40. If he can score at least three goals in Saturday's game against Denver, Thomson will break his career-high of 42 regular season goals set in the 2008 season when he played for the New Jersey Pride.
The Denver Outlaws (9-2) are the only MLL team to have secured a ranking for Championship Weekend. The Outlaws hold the #1 seed, and will take on the unlucky fourth ranked team in Annapolis, Maryland. Denver has handled the Nationals twice so far this season with a 15-8 win in Denver, and a 20-16 win in Toronto.
The Outlaws are led by Brendan Mundorf with 42 points (33 goals, 9 assists) and goalie Jess Schwartzman, who Huntley calls "the best goalie in the league", leads MLL with the best goals against average at 10.88.
Though the outcome of Saturday's game will have no implications on playoff hopes, a Toronto win would secure a second or third place seeding that would have the Nationals facing Boston or Long Island instead of top ranked Denver in the semi-finals on August 22.
"We're looking to get the win," said Thomson. "It would be nice going into Championship weekend knowing that we can beat Denver."
"People say it is hard to beat a team three times," adds Huntley. "We're putting up a good effort, and just need to keep playing well.
"Hopefully we'll see Denver again in the championship game. If we don't win this weekend, and we win the next time we meet I am happy with that."
The Toronto Nationals will have two weeks to prepare for the playoffs in Annapolis, Maryland on August 22 and 23. Final seeding for Championship Weekend will be decided Saturday after all regular season games have been played. The Washington Bayhawks and Long Island Lizards are the two teams left in contention for the fourth and final playoff spot; the Chicago Machine were eliminated last week after a loss to the Bayhwaks.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from August 6, 2009
- Cannons Fall to Washington in Season Finale - Boston Cannons
- Toronto Nationals to Host Denver Outlaws on Saturday - Hamilton Nationals
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.
