NYTHL OPENS 2025-2026 SEASON WITH CATANIA VICTORY

The NYTHL’s eleventh season commenced on Saturday October 4, 2025 at Rab’s on Staten Island.  It featured eleven competitors from three different states and two countries.  The road warriors once again were Dave Reid from Ennismore Ontario, along with Dan Henner and Matt Vestigo from Syracuse, New York.  Dan has really caught the table hockey bug and is working hard on his game as he rapidly improves.  Tom Kearns made his way from Pittsburgh PA to once again compete.  Tom’s dedication is paying off as he continues to ascend each month.  The players on hand competed in a twenty game double round robin then were ranked according to the day’s standings.  The top eight players would qualify for the end of day League Date One playoffs.  At the conclusion of the round robin, Vinny “The Vinner” Catania finished atop the standings.  Catania posted a 16-2-2 record.  Last season’s league Finalist, Chris D’Andrea finished just two points behind with a 15-3-2 mark.  NYTHL Champion George Slater officially began the defense of his title by finishing third at 12-4-4.  Slater did record two – one goal victories over Catania despite finishing six points behind.  The two times Stanley Cup Champion Dave Reid is making a name for himself on the board as he continues to compile the victories.  He was 11-4-5 on the day which landed him fourth.  Fifth place belonged to the returning John Power.  No one has done more for table hockey in the area than J.P..  His 11-6-3 tally placed him two points behind Reid.  League veteran Len Mecca finished sixth at 9-7-4.  The rapidly improving Dan Henner inched closer to finishing .500 as he ended the day 8-11-1.  Dan’s seventh place finish was two points better than “the Bob O” Bob D’Addario who finished 6-11-3 in eighth place.  Tom Kearns was 4-14-2 which landed him in the ninth spot.  Matt Vestigo (tenth) and Derek Nisbett rounded out the standings.  On to the League Date One Playoffs.

     Tom Kearns,  John Power and Derek Nisbett decided not to compete in the playoffs.  Seeds were adjusted accordingly.  In the Quarter-Finals the one seed Vinny Catania ripped past eight seeded Matt Vestigo by scores of 8-0, 9-0, and 8-0.  The two seed Chris D’Andrea swept by #7 Bob D’Addario by scores of 4-0, 2-1 OT, and 8-0.  These two usually have long playoff series, but Chris has really taken it to the Bob O lately.  Third seed George Slater Swept the upstart Dan Henner by scores of 2-0, 3-1 and 6-4.  In the last Quarter-Final series, Dave Reid defeated Len Mecca four games to one.  Len jumped out with a game one 5-2 victory.  Reid then swept the next three games 4-3, 3-2 OT, and 5-4 to earn the last Semi-Final berth.

          The Semi-Finals were underway.  The Vinner and Dave Reid once again waged war.  The Vinner took games one and two by scores of 4-2 and 6-0.  Dave bounced back for a 2-1 win in game three.  Needing to avoid a fifth game, Catania scored with just seconds left in game four to win the game 3-2 and the series three games to one.  George Slater then took on Chris D’Andrea in a rematch of the 2024-2025 NYTHL Championship.  Slater managed a sweep of D’Andrea, but it was not easy.  Two of the three games went to overtime, as Slater won by scores of 3-2 OT, 5-4 OT and 3-2.  Slater and Catania would match up for the year’s first league date title.  It was now on to the Finals.

     George Slater was riding high.  He was coming off his first League Championship and now found himself in the Championship at League Date one.  Slater also won both games earlier in the day during round robin play.  Catania as expected raised his play up a notch.  The Vinner took game one by a 4-2 score.  Catania really clamped down in game two, earning a 2-0 shutout over Slater.  The Vinner then closed the series over League Champion George Slater with a game three 4-2 victory.  The three game sweep earned Catania the League Date One Championship.  

     Another exciting opening league date is in the books.  It is now season number eleven.  The league continues to grow as more garner interest in this great sport.  Dare I ask?  With great games to play and great people to compete on them – what are you waiting for?  Get behind the rods and Join the NYTHL.  Like so many others, you will be glad you did.  See you at League Date II on Saturday November 15, 2025.

See you next month - God Bless!T