OUTLAWS CORRAL MACHINE, 17-12
Denver Outlaws 17 vs. Chicago Machine 12
July 22, 2006
INVESCO Field at Mile High
DENVER – Alex Smith stopped 14 shots in his first career MLL start as the Outlaws (7-2) defeated the Chicago Machine (0-9) 17-12 in front of a crowd of 12,739 Saturday night at INVESCO Field at Mile High.
Chris Cercy controlled the pace for Denver, winning 20-of-32 faceoffs for Denver to earn the game’s MVP honors.
Smith, a former Colorado State goaltender and native of Parker, Colo., started in place of Trevor Tierney, who was manning the pipes for Team USA at the World Games. Smith shined in front of his hometown fans, which accounted for the third-highest attendance figure in Major League Lacrosse history.
The Outlaws struck first as Brian Langtry scored 3:14 into the opening quarter followed by a shot by Law 1:27 later to give Denver an early 2-0 advantage.
Chicago responded as Kevin Leveille put the Machine on the board 5:23 into the first stanza.
The Outlaws opened their offensive flood gates 9:29 into the first as the quick release of Matt Brown expanded Denver’s lead to 3-1. With a flurry of goals, including Greg Bastis’ first marker of the season, Denver opened a 5-1 lead to end the opening frame.
The offensive barrage continued as Josh Sims opened the second quarter scoring with his league-leading seventh two-point goal. Sims, Brown and Law each scored again which gave the Outlaws a seemingly commanding 10-1 lead.
Chicago finally put a stop to Denver’s eight-goal streak as Dan Flannery’s shot 4:38 into the second quarter ended Chicago’s 15-minute scoring drought. The goal sparked a Chicago run as the visitors cut the Outlaws’ lead to 10-5 on four consecutive goals.
Denver began the second half with their guns blazing, scoring a trio of goals in the opening three minutes. Matt Rewkowski ripped a shot seven seconds into the third quarter, followed by the third goal each for Sims and Law for a 13-5 Denver lead.
Chicago answered, cutting its deficit to 13-11 three minutes into the fourth quarter.
Langtry put a wrench in the Machine’s streak, creating turnover on the defensive end, gathering the loose ball, racing up the field and ripping the twine for a 14-11 advantage.
Matt Rewkowski put the game on ice with his third goal of the game 11:25 into the final quarter for a 16-11 lead.
Dan Flannery added his fourth goal of the game with just over 1:30 left in the game, before Hunter Lochte capped the evening with his first score of the night with 1:10 remaining.
The win keeps Denver atop the Western Conference and in the hunt for a playoff spot.
The Outlaws were without four players from their roster, who were competing in the World Games; In addition to Tierney (U.S.A.), who had started each of Denver’s previous eight games, Outlaws Brendan Mundorf (Australia), Geoff Snider and Jeff Zywicki (Canada) were competing for their respective countries. The Machine were without Doug Shanahan and Todd Rassas, both of whom suited up for Team USA.
Snider earned World Games tournament MVP with 10 points (3-7—10) and 143-for-195 face-offs throughout the games.
The Outlaws are expected to have a full roster when they travel to Long Island to face the Lizards on July 29.
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