Wednesday July 2, 2003
(Games held at Vans Skate Park in Novi, MI)
Champion: Jason Rich (#1)
vs.
Challenger: Kevin Rich (#2)
MAHA Championship III came about with champion Jason Rich offering his cousin and #2 ranked player in the state, Kevin Rich, to a match. Kevin, still on the road of recovery from his ankle injury, wanted to make sure that if a match were to take place in his condition, the title would be on the line. Jason had no problems with putting the title on the line and MAHA Championship III was set to take place. The battles between the two cousins have always been memorable and with the great battles that MAHA Championship I and II were, MAHA Championship III was sure to become an instant classic!
Best of seven series:
Jason wins 4-3
Game 1: Jason 2 � 7 Kevin (Kevin 1-0)
Game 2: Jason 7 � 5 Kevin (Tied 1-1)
Game 3: Jason 7 � 5 Kevin (Jason 2-1)
Game 4: Jason 1 � 7 Kevin (Tied 2-2)
Game 5: Jason 5 � 7 Kevin (Kevin 3-2)
Game 6: Jason 7 � 4 Kevin (Tied 3-3)
Game 7: Jason 7 � 3 Kevin (Jason wins 4-3)
Summary:
Game 1: The game was tied up 2-2 before Jason scored a goal on himself and Kevin took the advantage with 4 straight goals to win game 1 and go up 1-0.
Game 2: Jason took advantage in game 2 after a dismal performance in game 1, executing a perfect diamond drift to take the game and tied the series at 1-1.
Game 3: Jason continued his momentum to take a 5-3 lead in game 3 before Kevin was able to make it close by scoring to goals and tieing the game at 5, Jason was able to close it out though and win the game and take a series lead of 2-1.
Game 4: With Kevin going up 5 goals to 1, Jason brought out the goofy style of play, smiling and laughing as he threw his mallet all over the place letting Kevin take the next two goals and tie the series at 2-2.
Game 5: Kevin retained the momentum after the circus in game 4 and took a decisive lead in the series only needing one game to finish out the champion and win his first ever MAHA Championship. Kevin 3-2.
Game 6: Kevin knew that he had to beat Jason in game 6 to not go to a game 7 against the champion. Jason showed why he was the champion as he buckled down his defense and executed quality shots on Kevin�s defense securing the win, frustrating Kevin�s title hopes, and tieing the series at 3-3.
Game 7: Frustration continued for Kevin, knowing that he had the champion where he wanted him and couldn�t finish him out. Game 7 was just like game 6 for Kevin as the frustration continued and Jason was able to beat the challenger and retain the title. Kevin put on one good fight against the champion but like their previous championship matches, just couldn�t close out the deal at the end. This Championship match, however, saw Kevin dominate most of the play, scoring more goals then the champion, but again it�s the wins that count and Jason wins the series by a score of 4-3.
MAHA Championship III Statistics:
Jason Kevin
Wins: 4 3
Losses: 3 4
Goals for: 36 38
Goals against: 38 36
Average points scored/game: 5.14 5.43
Average points allowed/game: 5.43 5.14
Average margin of victory: 2.75 4.33
As the statistics certaintly show, the challenger put on an excellent fight against the champion almost capturing the title, but champion Jason Rich showed why he is the champion. With the conclusion of MAHA Championship III, Jason Rich retains his #1 ranking in Michigan and the MAHA Championship title while Kevin Rich remains at #2.
