| Randal
- 16 Jun 2011
Total Posts: 18
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Mike Thomas accepted my challenge and we'll be playing a match at his home in Boulder, CO next Thursday, June 23, at 9:30pm.
Those interested in watching a good match should contact Mike for directions. You'll know you've arrived at the right place when you hear Mike shouting, "We must protect this house!"
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| ajflanagan
- 16 Jun 2011
Total Posts: 509
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| This will be a great measure of where you're at. If you're all Nizzi makes you out to be, you should give Mike a good fight. How about a webcast? Looking forward to meeting you in August if you're coming down to H-Town.
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| MT
- 18 Jun 2011
Total Posts: 62
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| I had a work schedule change and can only play on Wed eve. Randal hearing this said he would adjust, and is available Wed. and a bit earlier. We have agreed on Wed. earlier than 9:30pm (aprox. 6:30pm is my guess, we will set it tomorrow: Sat.), everyone is welcome but there may be some shrinking of guests (space is limited). I would like to do a webcast. However, I need some input on what type of camera to use. As well as a camera person (or solid surface to rest camera apon?, and a computer? I really don't know how to do it. But, I do know that it is important to do these webcasts. Air hockey is wondrous (and anyone that matters here, and in the hereafter will at least appreciate the game or I'll probably opt out of the hereafter). Many people like our game (few take as seriously as it deserves), but with the amazing video age we are in, we can put competitive air hockey in millions of homes via computer. in my opinion we should consider spicing it up with celebrity appearances or other options. The top and most exiting players could be sponsored and cash in on there air hockey prowess. C U THERE, MT
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- 18 Jun 2011
Total Posts: 658
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I don't know who to contact regarding cameras around here, but perhaps Jonjak might know. This would be a good match to webcast. This is going to be another solid test to see how far Randal has come (or not come), and this will be an opportunity for Mike to show off his great skills as well.
Colorado is very close in playing skills right now, nearly neck and neck. Keith, Nick and myself the last few years we all competed have been finishing very close in tournaments. Just one small level below that are Thomas and Robbins along with Chris Lee. Randal is now knocking on the door of this level after defeating Stucky, and giving Chris Lee a real run for his money.
I'll be there.
-Nizzi
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| Randal
- 18 Jun 2011
Total Posts: 18
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| This match will now be played at 6:00pm on Wed., June 22.
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- 20 Jun 2011
Total Posts: 658
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If there is no webcam, i'll be happy to give updates each set. :)
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| Q
- 22 Jun 2011
Total Posts: 497
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| Good luck to both players! This should be a very good match and great practice for both leading into Nationals.
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| travis
- 22 Jun 2011
Total Posts: 530
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Good luck to both.. this should be a good one!
Travis Luscombe
AirHockeyWorld.com Webmaster
http://twitter.com/air_hockey
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- 22 Jun 2011
Total Posts: 658
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We are playing it at thomas's. We just waiting now for randall to enter the trailer park. I am already in ..... the thomas zone! And I will be your ref.... yes me, billy bob nizzi!
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- 22 Jun 2011
Total Posts: 658
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4 to 3 Randal 1st set
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- 22 Jun 2011
Total Posts: 658
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| 2nd set 4 to 1 randal
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- 22 Jun 2011
Total Posts: 658
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| 3rd set Randal 4 to 2
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- 22 Jun 2011
Total Posts: 658
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Randal wins 4 1 in final set
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- 22 Jun 2011
Total Posts: 658
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| Congratulations to our new top 16 player number 14 Randal leistikow! 4 sets to 0
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| TheAirHockeyGuy
- 22 Jun 2011
Total Posts: 472
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marknizzi said: | Congratulations to our new top 16 player number 14 Randal leistikow! 4 sets to 0 |
Impressive win for Randal, congrats on the victory. I look forward to seeing how well you can perform in Houston in a couple months. Based on the results of this match it should be interesting.
Chris Lee
Co-Founder, CEO
Air Hockey Players Association (AHPA)
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| Randal
- 22 Jun 2011
Total Posts: 18
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Randal Leistikow vs. Michael Thomas #14
Mike's Home, Boulder, CO
Wed., 6/22/2011, 6:00pm
Set 1:
RL 7737157 | 4 | 37pts
MT 6675773 | 3 | 41pts
Set 2:
RL 77677 | 4 | 34pts
MT 36735 | 1 | 24pts
Set 3:
RL 776747 | 4 | 38pts
MT 357072 | 2 | 24pts
Set 4:
RL 77477 | 4 | 32pts
MT 65766 | 1 | 30pts
Match summary:
23 games, Randal wins 16-7, gains USAA #14 World Ranking
RL 4 | 16 | 141pts | 6.13ppg
MT 0 | 7 | 119pts | 5.17ppg
As the scores above show, this was a tough-fought match, with more than 1/3 of the games tied at 6-6; my winning 6 of 8 was huge.
Thanks, Mike, for accepting my challenge and hosting the match. Thanks, Nizzi, for your continued coaching, wisdom, and hours of practice.
I'm looking forward to playing in my first big tournament in Houston this August, and hope to get a few more tough matches under my belt between now and then.
(Please add these results to a linkable match in the database and update the ratings. If it's possible to update challenge match scores in real-time, I'll figure out how to do that next time.)
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| drftwd
- 23 Jun 2011
Total Posts: 70
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Great job! Hard work and a good teacher pays off
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| MT
- 23 Jun 2011
Total Posts: 62
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| Randal played very well. He played each point hard and intelligently, especially the important points. Randal showed a well balanced attack and solid defense throughout the match. he was able to defensively knock off a lot of pucks to gain possessions, and come up with effective shots consistently and at at 6-6 games. I hope this match will help Randal in his quest to reach his full potential in Houston and beyond. Mike Thomas
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| Davisl
- 23 Jun 2011
Total Posts: 168
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| Great match Randal! Congrats on reaching top 16. I've always known both he and Colin Pollack have what it takes to make the top 10, enjoy the journey, because it is that difficult and then some. It's a great feeling when hard work pays off, sometimes it takes years and years and years before the payoff occurs.
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| Q
- 23 Jun 2011
Total Posts: 497
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Randal said: Randal Leistikow vs. Michael Thomas #14
Mike's Home, Boulder, CO
Wed., 6/22/2011, 6:00pm
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Congrats Randal. Match scores are entered.
http://airhockeyworld.com/match.asp?matchid=21950
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| carolina phil
- 23 Jun 2011
Total Posts: 1084
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Cory and now Randal knocking down veterans.
This is getting scary.
Phil Arnold
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| sjrbat
- 24 Jun 2011
Total Posts: 527
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Phil, who is Cory? :)
Maybe Colin?
Congratulations to Randal. Will be good to see you in Houston and see how you fare!! It looks like you will do well.
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| carolina phil
- 25 Jun 2011
Total Posts: 1084
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Yes, Colin Pollock from San Fran area and Randal.
But Cory is on the horizon; he flew in from San Diego and played in Houston this past Tuesday and Wednesday. flashing some impressive skills.
Congrats again to Randal!
Phil Arnold
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- 25 Jun 2011
Total Posts: 658
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-The match started out very evenly, but Randal took 3 out of the first 4 games. Mike then came on strong and tied it up. It looked like Thomas had the momentum going into game 7, and Randal could be losing his steam. Many newbies who get up on an experienced players often are on the receiving end of comebacks. I've seen it happen several times. The combination of the pressure to finish it off, combined with the focus that kicks in with the seasoned veteran, is often a forumla for a comeback. Surprisingly, Randal held strong and got the 7th game of that first set. In his last match with Chris, he held an important lead in set number 5, and lost it, as then his momentum. Getting off to a good start was critical here.
Set 2 could have been either players, as 3 of the 5 games it went were very close, but the edge went to Randal. Randals left wall under attack was working well on Mike, and his straights kept his attack balanced. Mike shot some pretty good cuts and crosses, but Randal defense was tough, and he stayed ahead with it. Up 2 sets to 0, the smell of victory was there for Randal, but Mike wasn't going to let it go so easy.
Set 3: As the match wore on, Randal was defending Mike surprisingly well, much better than most people do, especially those who've never played him. It was Randals 'D' more than anything that won him this match. His offense did a good job too, but the defense was great! Mike was starting to wear down a good amount, you could see it, as his shots were losing power, and 3 out of Randals 4 wins were blowouts. It was sort of a strange set, still going 6 games and really could have went either way, despite the point differential. Mike would get blown out one game, just to comeback and beat Randal the next. 4-2 Randal, and only needing one more set to get his new top 16 ranking.
Set 4 was Mikes last chance to turn this match around and hope for a comeback. He gave everything he could, his power was somewhat regenerated, and the games were really close. All shots were being fired, and both players were experiencing a little fatigue. At this point it was toe to toe battle, with each player scoring well. However, Randal didn't buckle to the pressure, managed to stay one point ahead (literally. He wanted that rank, and wanted the match to end, and he pulled out all his 4 wins by a combined 5 points, and acquired a new and first time top 16 ranking. -
Randal has been working hard since November on his game. He's come a good way, but does not want to be satisfied with this win. This was his 3rd challenge match he's ever played (Stucky, Chris Lee, and Thomas). He is now 2-1. He's continuing his attempt to climb the ladder in Colorado. His next opponent is most like Nick Geoffroy. That will be by far his toughest test so far. Nick is very capable of great things, and has the kind of game every player needs to take seriously. He's made master consistently since '06. This match should happen hopefully before Houston. - Nizzi
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| sjrbat
- 25 Jun 2011
Total Posts: 527
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Phil: Sorry didnt know that Cory was in town. Didnt mean any disrespect, just thought you misspoke.
Good luck on your match next week with Mike. I will be there to watch.
Take care........
Syed
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