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Denver Outlaws defenseman Jesse Bernhardt

How Jesse Bernhardt’s injury changed the Denver Outlaws

By Topher Adams | Jul 30, 2024

Everything was going to plan. Against the Boston Cannons, arguably the best team in the league, the Denver Outlaws were cruising toward their second straight win. 

The Outlaws led 9-5 with seconds left in the first half, then defenseman Jesse Bernhardt was pushed out of bounds. Denver’s captain landed awkwardly and immediately grabbed his left shoulder. He wouldn’t return to the game.

The defense ceded six goals in the third quarter, and the Outlaws offense couldn’t find any momentum to match. Denver was a completely different team before and after Bernhardt’s injury. This biggest change was in mentality.

“I think it kind of changed the tone and energy of everybody,” Outlaws head coach Tim Soudan said postgame. 

Losing Bernhardt also tangibly changed the defense’s execution. Bernhardt, who’s also the defensive coordinator at the University of Maryland, is the vocal leader and organizer of the Outlaws defense.

In an experienced, vocal group, Bernhardt is the quarterback. His presence was extra important against Boston with Denver’s defensive gameplan.

The Outlaws aggressively pushed the Cannons offense. Denver was quick to double-team primary initiators like Asher Nolting, and the whole defense pushed out and tried to force turnovers with checks.

Denver’s defensive physicality set the tone for the first half. Boston never got into an offensive rhythm and missed opportunities it usually scores. And while the Outlaws were aggressive, they weren’t usually reckless.

Bernhardt was the shining example of that. He was the most active defender in the first half with a challenging dual role. His primary responsibility was covering Marcus Holman – third in points this season – who’s one of the best off-ball players in the world.

But Bernhardt was also the first to slide and support other matchups. With one eye on Holman, Bernhardt flew around the field to disrupt plays.

The biggest benefit of this defensive approach was slowing down Nolting. The third-year star attackman ranks second in points this season and is one of the best quarterbacks in the league. After an assist on the opening goal, he was shut out in the first half.

Then Bernhardt went down. And who scored the first goal of the second half? Nolting attacking without a slide ready.

Without Bernhardt, Denver’s defense lost its edge and sharpness. The slides and rotations were a half step slower, the checks were a hair sloppier. Everything dropped just enough in the third quarter for Boston to pull away.

“In that third quarter, they just moved the ball better than we rotated and found open guys,” Soudan said.

The Outlaws did right the ship in the fourth quarter. The aggression and execution resynced, and the Cannons scored just one goal. But by that point, it was too late. Boston held on for a 12-10 win that dropped Denver to 3-3 on the season.

Losing Bernhardt affected Denver’s focus and mentality. Without their leader, the Outlaws made mistakes and lost their composure. But even without a player of Bernhardt’s caliber, Denver’s defense is more than capable.

Nick Grill filled in at close defense, and he’s a steady fourth defenseman. Another college coach, Grill is smart and knows how to play with the team defense. If Bernhardt were to miss extended time, Grill would be a worthy replacement in the lineup. 

Leadership and experience are the bedrock of Denver’s defense. Bernhardt has more of it than just about anybody in the world, but the team is capable of filling his absence.

But in the third quarter against Boston, the margins were small. The slight difference without Bernhardt was enough to give the Cannons the edge. Now, with or without Bernhardt, the Outlaws need to recover to ensure a place in the postseason down the stretch.

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