July 24, 2008

by Corey McLaughlin, Special to Lacrosse Magazine Online

Chicago Machine (3-7) at Denver Outlaws (7-3)
Saturday, 4 p.m. Mountain
Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver

Denver can clinch the Western Conference championship and a playoff berth with a win or a Los Angeles loss, making this game an important one for the Outlaws. The teams have split the season series so far, and Chicago's young, talented core could make a statement for those with an eye on 2009. If he scores in this game, Chicago's Kevin Leveille will tie John Grant Jr. for most consecutive games with a goal (47). Leveille's last game without a goal was Aug. 5, 2004, when he was with the Boston Cannons.

Barrage (6-3) at Los Angeles Riptide (5-4)
Saturday, 4 p.m. Pacific
The Home Depot Center, Carson, Calif.

The Riptide had been playing great team ball - until last week, when it lost to Chicago, 17-13. Another loss would hand Denver the conference title, and also make it harder for L.A. to keep pace with the top Eastern teams (the Barrage being one of them) for a wild card spot.

"We can't dwell on that loss too much," said Los Angeles rookie attackman Mike McDonald. "We didn't play very well all-around. We made mental and physical mistakes. It will be important that we come out really fired up for this game. We have to play as a team on our home field."

New Jersey Pride (3-6) at Washington Bayhawks (3-6)
Saturday, 7 p.m. Eastern
George Mason Stadium, Fairfax, Va.

Do you believe it? New Jersey still hasn't been eliminated from the playoffs, but time is running out. A loss renders the Pride mathematically ineligible for the postseason. Washington, meanwhile, is struggling through another disappointing season and searching for offense. It might be time to give some of the young players more playing time.

San Francisco Dragons (2-7) at Long Island Lizards (5-4)
Saturday, 7 p.m. Eastern
Mitchel Field, Uniondale, N.Y.

Long Island should win big, right? Well, not so fast. The Lizards have lost their last two games, and after a bye week, hope to regain the form they had during their previous five-game winning streak. While East leaders Boston and Rochester battle each other, Long Island has a valuable chance to better position itself for a division title or wild card spot. For San Francisco, it's another chance to play spoiler. Two of the games best defensemen will be on the field for this one: San Francisco's Eric Martin and Long Island's Nicky Polanco.

Boston Cannons (6-3) at Rochester Rattlers (6-3)
Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Eastern
Paetec Park, Rochester, N.Y

A guaranteed share of first place in the crowded-at-the-top Eastern Conference is attainable here. Also at stake is an advantage in the complicated MLL tiebreaker rules. Rochester won the early-season meeting with Boston, 17-14, in week two, and can take the series outright with a win at home. With only four open playoff spots, every win counts enormously. Each team is two victories away from eight, which should get either into August's four-team postseason.