(Games 1-6: Vans Skate Park in Novi, MI)
(Game 7: Zap Zone in Farmington, MI)
Jason Rich (not yet ranked)
vs.
Kevin Rich (not yet ranked)
How this match came about:
Kevin and Jason, first cousins, have been playing air hockey for what has seemed like their entire lives. A week prior to this championship match both entered their first tournament at the 2003 Illinois State Championship in Naperville, Illinois. There, both competitors fought with passion against some of the greatest players in the world. Kevin, age 18, took on the fierce competition on a bad ankle (caused by a roller hockey injury) and did great as he finished in 19th place. Jason, age 20, took on the fierce competition after a papercut the day before ripped away at his poor epidermis, and changed his air hockey style at the tournament switching grips, and switching grips well, as he was able to finish in 17th place. Upon arrival back in Michigan, Jason and Kevin knew what they had to do and the Michigan Air Hockey Association was born. Saturday June 28th, 2003 marked the first ever MAHA Championship!
Best of seven series:
Jason wins 4-3
Game 1: Jason 7 � 4 Kevin (Jason 1-0)
Game 2: Jason 5 � 7 Kevin (Tied at 1-1)
Game 3: Jason 7 � 1 Kevin (Jason 2-1)
Game 4: Jason 6 � 7 Kevin (Tied at 2-2)
Game 5: Jason 4 � 7 Kevin (Kevin 3-2)
Game 6: Jason 7 � 6 Kevin (Tied at 3-3)
Game 7: Jason 7 � 3 Kevin (Jason wins 4-3)
Summary:
Game 1: Jason got on top early executing a beautiful diamond drift that confused Kevin�s defense putting Jason on top 1-0.
Game 2: Kevin answered back executing alternating left wall under and left wall over shots to tie the series at 1-1.
Game 3: Jason dominated play, playing in what seemed like hyper speed and taking care of business very quickly to go up 2-1.
Game 4: Easily one of the greatest games of the series, the game saw Jason up by a score of 6-3 and on the verge of taking a 3-1 series lead until Kevin lit up the scoreboard scoring 4 consecutive goals to win the game and tie the series at 2-2.
Game 5: Kevin took the advantage early and was able to hold onto his lead to win the game and take his first ever lead in the series 3-2.
Game 6: This game took place as Vans was shutting down for the night, Kevin wasn�t able to finish off Jason though who struck his mallet hard and beat Kevin 7-6 to tie the series at 3-3 as Vans closed their doors.
Game 7: This game was forced to be held at a different location and Zap Zone in Farmington was chosen. Neither challenger knew how the move would affect their game and with the score of 3-3 and one game to decide the first ever MAHA Championship on a table that was not warmed up yet led to some apprehension. Jason took advantage in the game early, going up 4-2 before Kevin let in two goals on himself allowing Jason to get his final goal and win the game 7-3, the series 4-3, and taking home the first ever MAHA Championship!
MAHA Championship I Statistics:
Jason Kevin
Wins: 4 3
Losses: 3 4
Goals For: 43 35
Goals Against: 35 43
Average points scored/game: 6.14 5.0
Average points allowed/game: 5.0 6.14
Average margin of victory: 3.5 2.0
The First ever MAHA Championship goes to now #1 ranked (in Michigan) Jason Rich who has beaten now #2 ranked (in Michigan) Kevin Rich by a score of 4 � 3.
