THE VINNER GOES FOUR FOR FOUR AT LEAGUE DATE 4

The NYTHL rolled on its eleventh campaign this past Saturday January 24, 2025 at Rab’s in Staten Island.  It featured twelve competitors from five different states.  This month’s road warriors were Brian Sullivan from Needham, Massachusetts, Tom Kearns from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Dan Henner from Syracuse, New York.  This day’s dozen players competed in a twenty-two game double round robin then were ranked according to the day’s standings.  The top four players would receive a bye into the Quarter-Finals in the end of day League Date Four “A” playoffs.  The remaining eight would do battle to see which four would advance to join them.  The four who lost would participate in the “B” Playoffs.   At the conclusion of round robin play, it was Vinny Catania who topped the field with a 19-1-2 record.  Chris D’Andrea finished just three points behind the Vinner for second, with an 18-3-2 mark.  Defending League Champ George Slater finished third at 17-5-0.  Len Mecca played very well as he finished in fourth with a 14-6-2 mark.  The ageless Anthony Sciacca returned for just his second league date thus far.  As usual - he did not disappoint.  The master of the box defense surrendered just 38 goals in his 22 games as it catapulted him to 12-6-4 finish – good for fifth.  After a slow start, Bob D’Addario came on strong as he finished in sixth with a record of 13-9-0.  Dan Henner, organizer of the newly formed Syracuse Table Hockey League continues to gain experience and grow as solid player.  He was a very competitive 8-13-1 which had him seventh.  Brian Sullivan finished his day in the eighth spot at 8-13-1.  Larry Durham had another tough round robin as he continued to struggle during round robin play.  He was ninth with a 6-15-1 tally.  Road Warrior Tom Kearns of Pittsburgh recently formed a new league of his own back in the Steel City.  He too continues to gain experience as he played his way to a 4-16-2 finish which placed him tenth.  Hank Librandi had three wins as he finished eleventh.  Dennis Simone struggled as he made his season debut. The now New Jersey native managed two ties as he finished in twelfth place.  Let’s now recap the League Date four Playoffs.

     The League Date Four playoffs were underway with Vinny, Chris, George and Len all receiving Preliminary round byes.  Five seed Anthony Sciacca swept twelve seed Dennis Simone by scores of 8-2, 5-3 and 3-0.  Six seed Bob D’Addario swept past his opponent Hank Librandi while allowing just one goal in the series.  The Bob O prevailed by scores of 5-1, 5-0, 4-0.  Seven seed Dan Henner also swept his series as he defeated ten seed Tom Kearns by scores of 5-4, 6-3 and 3-1.   The last spot in the Quarter-Finals was earned by eighth seed Brian Sullivan when he too swept his series from nine seed Larry Durham.  Brian took the series by scores of 2-0, 6-1 and 3-2.  It was then on to the next round.

     The Quarter-Finals were played next.  One seed Vinny Catania took down number eight Brian Sullivan in a sweep by tallies of 4-2, 7-0, and 6-1.  Two seed Chris D’Andrea had to work in his series versus seven seed Dan Henner.  Chris took the opening game 4-1.  D’Andrea then won a hard fought game two in overtime by a 5-4 score.  Henner was able to extend the series with a tight 2-1 game three victory.  D’Andrea was able to put the series away in game four when he pulled away with a 6-1 triumph.  In the biggest upset of the day – three seed and Defending Champion George Slater was taken down by six seed Bob D’Addario.   The Bob O took game one via a 2-0 shutout.  Slater then rebounded with a 5-3 win of his own to tie the series.  D’Addario then connected on a goal in overtime of game three for a 2-1 win and series lead.  The Bob O then delivered the knockout punch with a 4-1 victory to take the series three games to one.  The final spot in the Semis was decided when four seed Len Mecca defeated five seed Anthony Sciacca in four games.  Mecca took game one 5-1 then followed it up with a 6-4 win in game two.  Sciacca as always showed plenty of heart as he took down Len in game three by a 4-2 score.  In the end Len was a little too much as he ended the series with a 4-1 victory in game four.  The Semis were now set.

          The Semi-Finals were then underway.  One seed Vinny Catania’s strong play continued as he swept past six seed Bob D’Addario by scores of 8-1, 9-1 and 3-2 in overtime.  Two seed Chris D’Andrea found himself in a war with four seed Len Mecca.  Len took the opening game 6-4.  Mecca followed that up with a dominating 7-2 victory to take a 2-0 lead and put D’Andrea on the brink of elimination.  Chris was able to squeak out a 3-2 victory in game three to stave off elimination.  He then tied the series with a neat 3-1 victory.  Game five was closer than the final score indicated.  D’Andrea was able to jump up by a goal, and when Len desperately tried to tie it, he made some mistakes which led to goals for Chris.  When all was said and done D’Andrea got off the deck and completed the comeback from 0-2 down as he won game five by a 6-2 score.   It was once again D’Andrea versus Catania in a League Date Championship.  

     Last month during the league date three semi-finals, Chris D’Andrea put up a superb effort before falling to the Vinner three games to one.  This time around D’Andrea didn’t have as much success.  The top seeded Vinner swept D’Andrea by scores of 5-1, 4-1 and 5-2 to take the League Date 4 Title.  Catania has won the first four dates thus far.  D’Andrea continues to play well as he continues in his quest for his first title.  

     In the “B” Playoffs nine seed Larry Durham swept twelve seed Dennis Simone by scores of 2-1, 6-4 and 2-0 in their Semi-Final.  Ten seed Tom Kearns swept past eleven seed Hank Librandi by scores of 3-0, 4-1 and 4-1 in theirs.  This set up a nine seed Larry Durham versus ten seed Tom Kearns for this month’s “B” Championship.    Tom started strong in the Final as he took game one 5-2.  Kearns also took game two with an exciting 4-3 overtime win.  Larry showed what he too was made of when he became the second person on the day to comeback from a two games to non deficit.  Durham won game three in dominant fashion 8-2.  His scoring touch continued as he netted seven enroute to a 7-4 series tying win.  Larry took the “B” title when he defeated Tom in the deciding game five with a 4-2 triumph.   

     Yet another exciting league date is in the books.  As a new year is upon us - we always welcome new players to expand our growing league.  You too can join us.   I once again dare to 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 V on Saturday February 21, 2026.

See you next month - God Bless!