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This Saturday the Cannons will host the Denver Outlaws in front of a packed house for Fan Appreciation Night. Prizes will be given away to the faithful that have followed the Cannons all season right through the loss last week and on to the season opener next May. In addition to all the festivities, there is also a game being played this weekend. The Western Conference Champion Denver Outlaws will be playing in what they hope to be their first of three games, and three wins, at Harvard Stadium.
 

The Outlaws are now primed for a run that they hope will end in their hoisting of the Steinfeld Cup on August 24. In addition to being a prodigious offensive powerhouse backed by an immovable defense, the Outlaws have every possible advantage heading into the playoffs. They had the last possible bye-week and will be further rested after their tune-up against Boston this weekend. All of their remaining games will be at Harvard Stadium and as such they will be most familiar with the territory. Having the best attendance in the league they are used to playing in front of large crowds. But most importantly, they are a genuinely a good team. Above all other things Denver knows how to win. They don’t give up leads, they score when given the opportunity, and they neutralize the opposition’s chances. The Outlaws play team lacrosse and they do it well. They have been the best team in the MLL all season and there is little reason to believe that will change between now and the end of August.
 

Denver does not lose games, other teams simply win them. Washington was up by four with nearly four minutes left to play and allowed three goals before finally ending the game with a 17-16 win on May 24. On June 29 Chicago took a 14-8 lead into the fourth quarter and allowed five goals in addition to scoring two of their own for a 16-13 victory. The jury is still out on whether or not Denver lost to LA on purpose July 12 so as to help their Western Conference rivals into the playoffs and dilute the talent from the Eastern Conference. (C’mon, Denver. Really?  LA wins 16-6? Everything that could go wrong did go wrong in that game. LA had more than twice as many shots on net than Denver had all together.  Los Angeles won more face-offs and outscored the Outlaws in every quarter. Throwing a game is one thing, but at least make it look presentable. Denver, did you really need to practice your penalty kill 11 times?  Shame on you.)
 

Having some of the top players in the league does not hurt a team’s chances either. Midfielder Brian Langtry is having an MVP season.  His 22 goals are tied for fifth amongst midfielders, his 19 assists are tied for fifth in the league and lead all midfielders, his three two-point goals are fourth in the MLL and he is third in the league with 43 total points. Brendan Mundorf (40) and Ryan Powell (35) round out the three Denver Outlaws that are in the Top 20 in the MLL in points scored. Denver’s goalie Jesse Schwartzman isn’t bad either.  His 171 saves and .553 save percentage are fourth in the MLL and his 651 minutes played is second only to San Francisco’s Matt Vallone.  As a result of his stellar in-net performance Schwartzman is also first in the MLL in goals-against average with a 12.72 heading into their final game of the season.
 

Schwartzman can play so well and so often because Denver’s operation is a total team effort.  Though the goals against average is Schwartzman’s stat, it really represents how much the team labors to possess the ball and, when not in control, to keep the opposition’s attack away from the net.  And when they do get the ball off, Schwartzman’s exemplary performance keeps Denver feeling safe in any situation.
 

Boston might not have punched a ticket to the postseason, but they’re not going to lay down for Denver either. The Cannons are looking to end the season on a high note and avoid finishing the season at .500 (they also need some revenge for Denver being so friendly to LA on July 12).  Denver could very well be the team to beat at NB ZIP MLL Championship Weekend, but with pride on the line and a packed Harvard Stadium, the Cannons will be the team to beat this weekend.