Dominant Fourth Quarter Shows Present Clutch Gene For The Chaos

ALBANY— I really did try my best to eliminate the pun, but it really was a chaotic first ever game for the Carolina Chaos. Many storylines to unpack, but undoubtedly the brightest was Carolina’s ability to separate themselves to cruise to a 16-11 victory over the Denver Outlaws after trailing to start the fourth quarter, out scoring them 7-1 in the period.

After a two-point goal from the Outlaws towards the end of the third quarter, it seemed as if the game was slipping away a bit from the Chaos. Then we see the offense absolutely turn it on to end out the period and the content, something that should get fans of the red and black very excited.

However, success did not come without an expense, and a potentially costly one at that. In the first half, Blaze Riorden went down with an injury in the same stadium he called home for his college years. He went down in the first half, after having a start that matched his status as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, making six saves before giving up his first goal in the final minute of the first, posting a 73 percent save percentage before going down.

The injury warranted backup goalie Austin Kaut to come into the game for relief for the Chaos. Kaut started off a tad shaky, but settled in to give the Carolina defense the support they needed down the stretch. That was enough to at least give Chaos fans hope that Kaut can be the one in net, should Riorden’s absence be more long term. But one thing is for sure, Kaut was at least ready for his opportunity and the moment.

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“It’s my job to be his support, he’s(Riorden) the best goalie in the world, so when my name is called, it’s my job to step up and play,” Kaut told the ESPN+ broadcast after the game. “Our defense played unbelievable in front of me and gave me the shots I was supposed to see and the offense did their job and we got the win.”

It was clear the Chaos had to shake off some rust on the offensive end in the first few possessions as they had a few unsettled opportunities early on. On the flip side, they thrived in transition and was a big reason they got out to a 7-4 halftime lead.

The Denver Outlaws young defense shined through Jake Piseno in his former college stadium, allowing the Chaos to score just two goals with a late one before the end of the quarter with a two-goal Outlaw lead. That was when the Chaos offense turned it on and flourished.

Perhaps the highlight of the game was a Josh Byrne behind-the-back goal, fresh off an NLL Championship with the Buffalo Bandits. Ross Scott and Kyle Jackson also used their creativity well in that spurt to extend their lead over the Outlaws in a 5-0 run in just over five minutes.

That was all capped off by an absolute heater of a two-point goal from Jack Rowlett that ripped the net at 100 MPH. His long shot was one of two from Carolina, which is an encouraging sign after they turned in just six last year for the entire season. Something that will get the Chaos fans hyped up and ready for homecoming weekend.

The statline was fairly even for Carolina as nine players recorded two or more points. Leading the way was Ian McKay with three goals as Sergio Perkovic also tallied three points. Scott, Byrne and Jackson were among those that also recorded two points as well as star attackmane Jules Heningburg. Nate Rowlett recorded five ground balls but could see some improvement at the Face-Off X going just 10 for 27. Kaut and Riorden each recorded eight saves.

The Chaos were slightly favored in this game, but it is still nice to see one in the win column without a loss. The Chaos had the third lowest odds to win the championship this year, however, two wins next weekend could change all of those expectations, making them into a contender this year.

They will do so among their home fans in Charlotte in homecoming weekend, which will help as the RedLegion and others will be out in full force. They will kick it off Friday night at 6pm against the California Redwoods. On Saturday, they run it back against the league leading New York Atlas who cruised by impressive competition in the opening weekend.