THE REIDER TOPS FIELD IN FINAL TUNE-UP AT NYTHL 2025-2026 LEAGUE DATE VIII.

The NYTHL’s eighth league date of its eleventh season took place on Saturday May 9, 2026 at Rab’s on Staten Island.  It featured ten competitors from four different states and two countries.  The day was highlighted by the return of Phil Brancucci who made his season debut.  Dave Reid from Ennismore Ontario, Dan Henner from Syracuse, New York and Tom Kearns from Pittsburgh, PA were the road warriors of the month.   As voted on a couple of years back the members of the N.Y.T.H.L. implemented a new rule which stated there would be no playoff tournament at the end of round robin play of league date eight.  This was in order to build more anticipation for the League’s Championship which takes place on June 6, 2026.  Instead the ten players participated in a grueling triple round robin consisting of twenty seven games.  Let’s review the day.

     With the NYTHL championship playoffs just around the corner, the day’s triple round robin would go a long way toward determining seeding.  Those seeds will be decided by winning percentage.  Vinny “The Vinner” Catania had a sizeable lead on the rest of the field for the regular season title.  He however for a second straight season will sit out and not compete for this year’s league championship.  Dave Reid due to prior obligations will also be unable to compete in the Playoffs.  The league date was exciting nevertheless.   At the conclusion of triple round robin play – it was The Reider – Dave Reid who finished first on the day.  His record of 21-2-4 was a single point better than The Vinner’s record of 20-2-5.  Chris D’Andrea continued his great play, finishing with a 20-3-4 mark good for third.  Len Mecca played to a 9-10-8 record which landed him fourth.  The rapidly rising Dan Henner finished fifth at 11-14-2.  The Ageless Anthony Sciacca had a rough day by his standards, finishing 9-12-6 which put him in sixth place.  The Bob O – Bob D’Addario’s season to forget continued as he struggled to a 7-13-7 tally which placed him seventh.  The returning Phil Brancucci played to a 7-15-5 record, but he was in pretty much every game he played.  Phil performed very well considering it was his first appearance of the season.  Larry Durham had a rough day as he finished 6-18-3 which was good for ninth.  Last but not least was Tom Kearns.  He managed just two wins and two draws against twenty-three defeats.  That put him last, but he continues to improve each league date and his games are far more competitive.   It’s a short matter of time before his overall record reflects his improvement.

     On Saturday June 6, 2026 the N.Y.T.H.L. will close its eleventh season by crowning its champion.  There will be a single round robin which will count toward the end of the year standings.  All winning percentages will then be tallied and each player will be seeded.  Eight players will be eligible to compete for the “A “Championship. To have qualified each player will have had to attend the average number of league dates.  Those eight will play a best of seven series with the four winners moving on to the Quarter-Finals.  The four who do not move on will then join all other players to compete for the “B” Championship.  Those players include anyone new or a player who did not attend the required amount of league dates.  All series from that point on will be best of sevens until both Champions are crowned.  The league will also announce the three winners for Most Improved, rookie of the year, and the Anthony Sciacca Sportsmanship awards.

     Another exciting league date is in the history books.  We hope to see you at the league’s year end Championships.  Table hockey along with the N.Y.T.H.L. continues to grow.  With great competition, even better people, and the best games to play on - Dare I ask - 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 IX (CHAMPIONSHIP SATURDAY) June 6, 2026 at our home - Rabs.

Until next month – God Bless!