Danowski, Lizards Down Chicago, 15-14
from press releases
After a series of blowouts in week five, the Chicago Machine
delivered what looked to be yet another clean sweep in the MLL as
they flew past the Long Island Lizards 6-1 halfway through the
first quarter. Unfortunately for the Machine, the early lead
couldn't sustain the blow of the Long Island Lizards, who after
three more grueling quarters came out on top when Stephen Peyser
(3G) sealed the deal with a powerplay goal to give the Lizards a
15-14 win.
Going into the final quarter, it was an even playing field for the
two teams who were tied at 11-11 after an even third quarter. After
two back-to-back goals from the Machine's Brendan Loftus tied
things up at 14-14, a slashing foul by the Machine's Anthony Kelly
would give the Lizards an ultimate advantage in the final minutes
as Peyser fired in his third goal of the game for the win.
With the result, the Long Island Lizards advance to 4-2 while the
Machine falls to 1-5.
After just 8:40 on the field, Mike Leveille (4G, 2A) caught a pass
from rookie Kenny Nims (1A) for the Machine's fifth goal of the
game on a powerlay to take the 6-1 lead with the help of a
two-point mark by Brendan Cannon. While the lead came fast for
Chicago, the Lizards took it away that much quicker, scoring four
unanswered goals, including one two-pointer from the Bud Light Game
MVP Matt Danowski (4G, 1-2ptG, 1A) to tie things up just over four
minutes into the second quarter.
The Chicago lead that shocked the Lizards in the first quarter came
off shots from five different Machine players including Mike and
Kevin Leveille (1G, 1A), Matt Striebel (2G), Brendan Cannon
(1-2ptG) and Chris Rotelli. But as expected, the Lizards defense
picked up the pace making play after to play to help assist the
attack in what was needed most; goals.
With impressive efforts from Dan Cocchi, Frank D'Agostino and Ricky
Smith, who together picked up 14 ground balls, the Lizards were
back in the game and ultimately outplayed the Machine in loose
balls picking up 45 groundballs as opposed to the Machine's 37. In
goal, however, the results were fairly even as the Machine's Mike
Gabel stopped 16 of 30 shots while the Lizards' Brian Dougherty
stopped 12 of 25 shots on cage.
The Lizards came into the second quarter ready for revenge,
outscoring the Machine 6-2 to tie things back up before the break.
Tim Goettelmann (3G) and Danowski answered one another's goals
before Stephen Berger (2G) got on the board for an unassisted goal
to finish out the half.
A deciding factor for the game would prove to be the face-off
results as the Lizards' Pete Vlahakis won 20-of-30 attempts at the
X while the A-Train Anthony Kelly had a not-so-stellar performance
winning 10-of-26 and rookie John Glynn came out winning just one of
his five attempts.
Fortunately for the Machine, they will get a chance for a rematch
against the Lizards in the final regular season matchup on August
8th, this time on their home turf at Toyota Park.
Next week, the Machine will return home to face the Washington
Bayhawks for the game that will determine who will hold on to the
bottom spot in the league for yet another week. Then, after a week
off, the Lizards will get their own chance to take down the
Bayhawks in a July 4th game at the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium.
