The Denver Outlaws succeeded in claiming the number one playoff spot for the Major League Lacrosse Playoffs. Over seven thousand fans stuck out the rain and lighting to see the outcome of Saturday night's game in Denver.

Nate Watkins was the Bud Light game MVP tonight. With four points, Watkins pulled three goals and one assist to help his Outlaws outlast the Lizards, 12-7. In the first quarter Long Island outscored Denver three to two. In the second period, Watkins scored first. Getting the assist from Brendan Mundorf, Watkins put one past Brian Dougherty as the Outlaws tied the score up. In the second, Denver put up three as the Lizards only mustered one.

Tim Goettelmann had two unassisted goals in a row to start off the second half. Denver however had the next three to finish the period out. Watkins assisted a Mundorf goal followed by Josh Sims on a power-play score and finally a Brian Langtry goal finished out the period for the Outlaws.

The fourth quarter saw some more Denver domination. Four Outlaws goals, only countered by one Ricky Pages goal finished the game up. As the game MVP, Watkins scored two in the second, one in the fourth and an assist in the third.

For Long Island, Goettelmann and Matt Danowski were the leaders. Goettelmann had two goals, both in a row in the third quarter and unassisted. Danowski's first goal came in the first, he also had one in the second period.

As for Denver, Mundorf had five points. Mundorf had goals in the first, second and third. His assist came in the fourth quarter off of a Matt Brown power-play goal.

Face-off specialists Peter Vlahakis and Shane Walterhoefer almost split the face-offs. Vlahakis barely edged out rookie Walterhoefer winning 12 out of 23, however the North Carolina graduate had four ground balls to even things up.

In goal Jessie Schwartzman only faced 15 shots. Making 8 saves, Schwartzman allowed 7 goals; the third year goalie only had to make one save in the second period. On the other side of the field, Brian Dougherty picked up 10 saves and allowed 12 goals as he was charged with his fourth loss of the season.

For full box scores and game sheets, visit PointStreak.com. For scores and standings, computer ratings, stories, and the schedule of upcoming games, see LaxPower's MLL Page. You can also visit the MLL web site for full coverage of the league.

2009-07-26