There are various game boards that define table hockey. The differences in each one of them - require a unique skill set that is acquired through hard work and practice by it's player. It is rare that a player masters more than one board. Even more uncommon is a player who has won on a handful. In step Kenny Dubois. This Massachusetts native has won titles on Stiga, Benej, Monroe, and Super Chexx to name a few. The Coleco board popular here in the North East is a more congested board, smaller in size as compared to the others Dubois has won on, yet the sheer talent and artistry in Kenny's game was on display again. This time on the Soho Coleco board in Steeplechase Beer Garden in the heart of Coney Island. Other factors that made the night special were the MSG cameras which filmed the event which was hosted by "The Maven" Stan Fischler for his Brooklyn Beat segment which will be aired during a future New York Islanders game. The feature will also be aired during a New Jersey Devils broadcast as well. If that wasn't enough - it was the opening of a new season in the N.Y.T.H.L. After a very successful inaugural season, year two was off to a flying start with a total of 16 Competitors, none more prominent than the returning Champion Lou "The Legend" Marinoff. Lou won every league date in 2015-2016 with the exception of league date 4 which was won by NTHL Champion Carlo Bossio. League runner-up Vinny Catania, Len Mecca (3rd), John Fayolle (4th) were all on hand and ready to do battle along with the man that started this all John Power. Improving players such as Bob D'Addario and Larry Durham ensured that every contest would be a battle. The new season brought more players, renewed rivalries and tougher challengers for Lou the Legend. The round robin was hotly contested but no one was able to match up to Kenny Dubois. He destroyed the competition with a 15-0 record, scoring 99 goals while giving up just 16. Vinny Catania had his strongest showing to date with a 14-1 record. In doing so Catania defeated Marinoff in the round robin, something he had not done in the prior season, propelling him to a 2nd place finish. Lou "The Legend" finished 3rd in round robin play with a 12-2-1 record. John Fayolle, Anthony Sciacca, Bob D'Addario, John Power, and Len Mecca rounded out the top 8. As the round robin commenced various interviews were conducted by the MSG crew. The festivities culminated with a showdown between Kenny Dubois and "The Maven" Stan Fischler who dared Kenny to score on him. Kenny didn't disappoint as he displayed pinpoint precision on a couple of give and go's that impressed The Maven. There were no losers in this encounter as it was a victory for all of table hockey. Once the playoffs rounds began, the intensity multiplied and this would be a war like no other. There were no big surprises in the opening round as Dubois, Catania, Marinoff, Fayolle, Sciacca, D'Addario, Mecca and Chermiti all advanced. The Elite Eight saw Dubois Sweep through Chermiti and Marinoff Sweep D'Addario. Vinny Catania won a hard fought series against Len Mecca 3 games to 1 where 3 of the 4 contests were decided by just one goal. Not to be outdone John Fayolle and Anthony Sciacca played an epic 5 games series that featured three 1 goal games, one 2 goal game. It wasn't until game 5 that Fayolle pulled away. The Semi Finals were set with 2 great matchups. Kenny Dubois swept John Fayolle but it was a hard fought three games. In the other Semi-Final it was a rematch of last years Championship. The result would be no different as Lou Marinoff exacted revenge for the round robin loss to Catania by taking the series in four games. The Legend lost game 1 then took the next three. Games 3 and 4 were 1 goal thrillers with Marinoff taking the series on a game 4 overtime winner. It was then the matchup that most anticipated and it did not disappoint. Defending N.Y.T.H.L. Champion Lou Marinoff versus world renowned Kenny Dubois for the League Date 1 title. Lou "The Legend" proved right off the bat two things. One - this would be no cakewalk and two - that he was indeed a great champion. Lou dealt Kenny his only loss of the night in a game 1 thriller by the score of 6-5. As all great players do, Dubois rebounded to take the next three games all hard fought close games, decided by just one goal, but all in Dubois's favor. On this brisk November night - Kenny Dubois dropped into Brooklyn and once again proved that he is a world class talent. He had to be in defeating Marinoff, who for sure will rebound himself and be right back in the finals again. In the 3rd place consolation series Vinny Catania defeated Johnny "N.Y. Lightening" Fayolle by scores of 9-4 and 2-1 to take 3rd on the night. So much action and this was only league date 1. With great venues, great games to play on and great people to compete with - it is sure to be another great season.
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New York Table Hockey League
N.Y.T.H.L. OFFICIAL WEB SITE
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