More people — by far — watched the Denver Outlaws line up this season than any other team in Major League Lacrosse. In their fifth year in the MLL, the Outlaws are the most-followed team in the league.
They’re also one of the most successful teams, qualifying for the playoffs in each of their five seasons. But if an unnerving trend continues, Outlaws faithful will soon be tagged by the very Cubs-like descriptor “long-suffering.”
Denver has yet to win the MLL championship, coming oh-so near but not quite in three title games, including a cruelly close 10-9 loss to Toronto in the last season’s final.
The Outlaws head back to the MLL tournament with another chance at the Steinfeld Cup this weekend, starting with a semifinal matchup against the Long Island Lizards on Saturday at 1 p.m. The MLL’s final four plays out in Annapolis, Md.
“Every year has been a learning experience,” Outlaws coach and general manager Brian Reese told this week. “A lot has to happen to win a championship, and we’ve been pretty close. We just have to focus on making one play at a time.”
If Outlaws fans know the dissatisfaction of not winning the big one, the Outlaws’ core feels it even more. Six players on Denver’s roster have been with the team since its inception: Brendan Mundorf, Brian Langtry, Matt Brown, Casey Cittadino, Sean McCarthy and Lee Zink.
If the Outlaws — who finished second in the regular-season standings — are to finally break through in the playoffs, this year’s path will be one of their toughest tests.
Against Long Island (7-5), Denver will face an offensive threat in the Lizards’ Matt Danowski. His 47 points (25 goals and 18 assists) rank second in the MLL this season. The league’s top scorer, the Boston Cannon’s Matt Poskay (52 points), was voted MVP.
The Outlaws counter with the most balanced attack in the MLL, with more scorers among the league’s top 15 than any other team, led by Mundorf’s 38 points (22 goals, 16 assists). Collectively, they are the second-highest scoring unit.
Denver swept Long Island in two meetings this season — by 15-10 and 13-10 scores.
Boston, which beat the Outlaws in each of three meetings, is the top seed and will face the Chesapeake Bayhawks in the other semifinal.
MLL playoffs
At Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, Md.
Saturday’s semifinals
* Chesapeake Bayhawks (6-6) vs. Boston Cannons (8-4), 10 a.m., ESPN2
* Long Island Lizards (7-5) vs. Denver Outlaws (8-4), 1 p.m., UNIV*
Sunday’s championship
* Semifinal winners, 11 a.m., ESPN2
*Comcast 250, DirecTV 630
AROUND TOWN
An early look at Falcons.
Sporting News magazine tabbed them to finish 9-3, third in the Mountain West, with a trip to the Independence Bowl. Early conjecture, to be sure. But with coach Troy Calhoun — named the MWC preseason coach of the year by the SN — the Air Force Falcons are primed for a big year.
Get an early-season look at the Falcons on Saturday when they host their second Air Force Football Kids Day at Falcon Stadium, on the academy campus. The open practice runs from 9:30-11:30 a.m. The day is free and open to fans, and will feature mascot fun and cheerleaders. And fans can get on the field after practice for autographs and photos and an up-close look at the players and coaches.
For maximum fun, kids can play junior beat reporter. Here are some questions to ask: “Reggie Rembert, as one of the best DBs in the MWC, what game on the schedule will challenge you the most?” “Coach Calhoun, have you started to game plan for your matchup with Oklahoma? What will be the keys to an upset?”
STAY ON THE COUCH
Lashley puts perfect mark on line.
Since joining the MMA ranks in late 2008, Denver’s Bobby Lashley has cut an imposing figure. At 6-feet-3, 250 pounds, the 33-year-old Lashley had little trouble in dispensing 250-pound Bob Sapp last year. He also earned a first-round TKO over Wes Sims in Miami in January.
On Saturday in Houston, Lashley will put his undefeated record on the line against Tucson’s Chad Griggs in a Strikeforce heavyweight bout. The fight airs at 8 p.m. on Showtime, with the pay-cable network’s A-team of Gus Johnson and Mauro Ranallo cageside.
The Lashley-Griggs matchup will prelude two card-toppers. Mo Lawal defends his light heavyweight belt against Rafael Cavalcante, and Ronaldo Souza fights Tim Kennedy in a middleweight bout.
GET OFF THE COUCH
Peachy keen races.
In grandma-speak, the word “peach” is less about fruit and more about sweet, as in, “My granddaughter, she’s such a peach!”
Two produce-themed runs this weekend will include both definitions — literally racing for fruit, with a sweet nature, to boot.
The Palisade Peach Fest 5-Miler on Saturday will race around Riverbend Park as part of a perfect party in praise of peaches. Start time is 8 a.m., with plenty to do after the finish line ().
Also on Saturday, the Peachy Cheeks on the Move 5K Run/Walk in Greeley will race in support of the Hospice and Palliative Care of Northern Colorado, which will host a fundraising peaches sale after the race. Starting line is at St. Michael’s Town Square, at 8 a.m. ().
WHAT WE’D LIKE TO SEE
Racing at Bristol: Go with Busch.
NASCAR’s Sprint Cup races on Saturday this weekend, with the Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol, Tenn. And if you’re handicapping the field, the easy choice is Kyle Busch, who has won three of the last seven stops on Bristol’s short track, including a sweep last season.
But for perspective, Darrell Waltrip holds the record at Bristol with 12 career victories, including an unheard of seven consecutive checkered flags between 1980-84.
We mention this historic tidbit because Saturday’s race will be the 100th at the famed Bristol Motor Speedway.
Kevin Harvick continues to lead the season series after he won at Michigan last week. Harvick’s Richard Childress Racing teammate Regan Smith, driver of the Denver-based No. 78 Furniture Row Racing car, looks to move up from 30th in the standings.
