Green 4
Tom Baker
vs
Brian Kretzer

I am going to favor Tom in this match because I like his equipment match up better especially in the morning. I think Brian's game and equipment will force him to use more angle than the morning striped pattern will like.

 

Green 3
Pete Weber
vs
Brad Angelo

Not only is Brad concerned about this match up but I am too. Pete will look to stay left of Brad the whole time. No brain surgeon needed here. Brad will just have to sack it up and out bowl Pete.

Green 2
Joe Ciccone
vs
Chris Barnes

This is not an easy match up for Chris. I have witnessed some very intense matches between these two. I expect this match to go seven games. Joe has had great success on this pattern hooking the lane. Chris tend to try and over power the friction and often wind up over throwing it. creating carry, reaction and ball choice issues. His forward roll with higher rev rate almost seems like a tweener ration on the breakdown transition on this pattern. You can never count Chris out on anything at anytime.

Green 1
Chris Loschetter
vs
Jack Jurek

Jack Jurek is a part of the Buffalo bracket. There are four bowlers in this quarter of the bracket and if they all win their first match every bowler in that quarter will be from Buffalo. Chances of that happening are very slim that Jack will be able to get by the amount of strikes that Chris has been throwing this week.

Blue 4
Chris Collins
vs
Mike DeVaney

Chris is not an easy draw for anybody this week. The best bet is to make him have to think more because he seems to have limited moves. He is quick to change balls and if he gets uncomfortable he starts to implode. It is not easy to think quickly and efficiently when you begin to loose your cool. A clear picture and a good game plan will be necessary for Chris to avoid an eruption this week. The pressure goes up when the scoring pace goes up.

Blue 3
Randy Weiss
vs
Mika Koivuniemi

As long a Mika doesn't see a wet/dry lateral breakdown he should get by Randy without too much difficulty. Randy seems to be working on his game and this is a pretty natural pattern for Mika. I saw Randy using multiple angles during qualifying while Mika never had to move much. I think Mika should gain ground on Randy during that transitional period of the match.

Blue 2
Walter Ray Williams Jr
vs
Patrick Healey Jr.

This week should be the week we see Walter going for title number 41. I don't expect Patrick to be much of a road block for Walter.

You can see the confidence in Walter even in the Locker room and banquet area.

I think speed allows a bowler to stay in one spot longer than a slower opponent especially on the fresher strip.

Blue 1
Patrick Allen
vs
Jeff Zaffino

Will the real Patrick Allen please stand up. What was up with Patrick and his first round of qualifying (+35) after the first round and then (+320) for the second round. I am guessing Patrick didn't like the friction he was sensing in the first round. If this is like the first round yesterday, which I think it should be Jeff will have a much better chance of getting past Patrick.

Black 4
Walter Schaub II
vs
Robert Smith

I expect Walter to be simple prey for Robert late in this match. Have you ever seen a cat play with a mouse. Getting in between its paws and slapping it back and forth. Then just staring it down until it moves again. Only to start slapping it again. Well that is how I see this match going. Walter should find it very difficult to get away from the playful torture Robert has on his opponents.

Black 3
Norm Duke
vs
Dino Castillo

It is the right part of the lane for Norm but I am not a big fan of his slower speed this week. Norm does have a pretty decent bracket match up though. I think Norm can win this match on pure talent and as the 20-30 foot range gets a little tighter in the next rounds I think he will have a bigger advantage on his opponents. I am not sure he sees how the 20-30 foot range is effecting his ball reaction. Dino has the speed to match up this week and I can see his focus on his angles but he is going to need some help to create the amount of lateral area he is using.

Black 2
Steve Wilson
vs
Steve Jaros

I think Steve J. will have the advantage because of the fewer revs in the front part of the lane. Steve W. tends to roll the ball awful heavy for somebody with his rev rate and tilt. His combination is liable to be seen in his struggles to carry on the morning fresh. His ball choices will be more critical than Steve J's.

Black 1
Tommy Jones
vs
Bill O'Neil

Tommy on the second shift but this is the first shift. Both of these bowlers are going to see something different than they saw last night. They will find friction but it will be more difficult to get their ball to avoid looking too strong. From the foul line they are likely to see their ball hook early on one shot and move off it and have the great feeling of seeing it look like it went long. When in reality it is most likely too strong too early. The scoring pace will go up in the late games but the winner should be determined early.

Red 4
Wes Malott
vs
Michael Haugen Jr.

I would like to say Michael has the advantage in this match and he would if he was bowling well. Michael seems to be effected by his performance this year and seems confused. A couple more weeks on shorter patterns should help but I have a feeling his lack of confidence will effect him, especially when Wes starts striking.

Red 3
Tim Criss
vs
Rick Steelsmith

I think Tim is the more natural match up on this pattern. Rick has been using too strong of equipment which should force him to see quicker transition than Tim. Tim should be able to create a longer window than Rick because of his natural game. Ricks game is not tight and long enough through the hit zone to get his ball to push through the higher friction spots forcing him to use more angle as well as effecting his ball choices.

Red 2
Mike Scroggins
vs
Brian Voss

Bookends. Brian and Mike will be attacking the lanes very similar in this match just from opposite sides of the lane. This was the first week in a long time that I saw Brian focus on keeping his ball speed up. I think Brian's versatility in ball roll will prevail in this match because the fresh plays very dry from 20 to 30 feet and I think this will be less visible to Mike than Brian.

TV

Green
Round of 8
Pete Weber
vs
Chris Barnes

Mike says I will pick Pete Weber because I want to go home. Del say I will pick Chris Barnes because I will never go against Chris.

Remember John said Chris was hungry and we all know he is cheap so he will be back for the free food at 6PM. As long as there is free food Chris will be there. As far as reaction Chris looks like he understood the the difference in Round of 16 better than most. 

Del wants to add than while most players go back to the room to rest Chris is camped out in front of the food line.

Blue
Round of 8
Mika Koivuniemi
vs
Patrick Allen(Guest Commentators Mike Wolfe and Del Ballard)
 

As the president of the IHL Del says PA all the way and I can't pick a winner.

Mike says it Depends of which pattern the bowl on. Del says they do them the same. No more comment from Del, he likes Mika.

 

Black
Round of 8
Steve Wilson
vs
Dino Castillo
(Guest commentators Mike Wolfe, Del Ballard and John Gaines)

Talk about Hungry These are a couple guys who could use a free meal. Sorry guys but food is the theme.

Lets get real.

Mike says-I am taking Wilson I like his ball speed and angles better.

Del Says -I am taking Dino because after being in the heat of the battle the last two weeks it is his turn and I feel sorry for him.

John says - I have to go with Dino. After going through a couple great players his confidence is high

 

Red
Round of 8
Brian Voss
vs
Wes Malott
(Guest Commentators Mike Wolfe and Del Ballard)

This may depend on what condition they bowl on. I don't know what happened but the round of 16 was goofy. They were so much tighter than any other time of the week every bowler in the building was using a different ball and in many cases different games.

My prediction is that BV's head will bobble and we will never know if Wes fouls or not.

Mike starts with-
I pick Wes Malott because the back ends are going to get tighter and BV's ball will go the wrong direction. Del says I am going the opposite direction. I want the veteran.

Green
Round of 16
2
Brian Kretzer
vs
Pete Weber
(Guest Commentators Del Ballard Jr and John Gaines)

Pete Weber is one of the best gutter players I have ever seen. Brian has something to prove in this one. Everybody knows he can play the left gutter.  But he has a lot to prove playing close to the right gutter. Del says he isn't going to throw anybody under the truck on this one. John is busy with his own computer work but takes time to add it is always tough to bet against Pete especially this week on this pattern. Brian has proven he is capable but however it is tough to bet against Pete on this one.
 

Green
Round of 16
1
Chris Barnes
vs
Chris Loschetter
(Guest Commentators Del Ballard Jr and John Gaines)

Why is everybody so quiet on this one. Del jumps in with Chris L is bowling with a lot of confidence on this one but I will never bet against Chris Barnes. John adds. I think Chris B is hungry right now and he is starting to bowl very good.

Personally I will be surprised if Chris L. can keep up with the transition Chris B is going to throw at him.

Blue
Round of 16
2

Mike Devaney
vs
Mika Koivnuniemi
 

Del says Mike has a lot of confidence right now and Mika is great on this pattern. John adds I think catch up is the key word in this one. If Mika can get out in front early it will just be a matter if Mike can catch up. The fresh has been very good for Mika. Mike is a lot more versatile than people give him credit for. He can play the gutter but he may have to move more than Mika.

Blue
Round of 16
1
Patrick Allen
vs
Patrick Healey Jr.
(Guest Commentator Del Ballard Jr)

PA all the way on this one if you don't believe it just ask him. Don't forget I am the president of the IHL.

 

Black
Round of 16
2
Dino Castillo
vs
Robert Smith

This is going to a really tough match they are both going to stand in the same place and throw it at the gutter. It is going to be a matter of who can strike but I am not going bet against the guy who owns this pattern and that is Robert. If Dino is smart he would take out a dull ball and force Robert left than move right and free hand it. John is in agreement.

I think Dino has been bowling much better lately. He got by a 7 game match against one of the best. I think his confidence is high and I think he will give Robert all he can handle. too close to call

Black
Round of 16
1
Tommy Jones
vs
Steve Wilson
(Guest Commentator Del Ballard and John Gaines)

Del says I am going to take Steve Wilson on this one because of his end over end roll. If Tommy can get his ball speed right he might be able to take advantage of what Steve does to the lane. If Tommy doesn't find it early it could be a bad match for Tommy. Hommer King (John Gaines) says Tommy was very fortunate to get by his first match and he is going to make the correct adjustments.

Red
Round of 16
2
Rick Steelsmith
vs
Wes Malott
(Guest Commentator Del Ballard Jr and John Gaines)

Everybody is quiet on this one. They are shaking their heads. Del say he is going to pick Wes so Rick will have a chance. As the gutter gets tighter both John Gaines and Del think things begin to shift into Rick's favor. Personally I haven't seen Wes have any problems with the oil down lane this year, but it is two against one on this one.

 

Red
Round 16
1
Parker Bohn III
vs
Brian Voss
(Guest Commentator Del Ballard Jr)

Nobody is better than throwing it up the gutter than Parker and even though Brian outscored Scroggs it wasn't that  he out bowled him. Another reason I am picking Parker is everybody know I can't pick a winner and this is the only chance Brian has.

 

Red 1
Parker Bohn III
vs
Jason Couch

Picking the favorite in this match has very little to do with what happened during qualifying. Parker and Jason will be on the same pair and Jason has the luxury of being the higher rev player. Staying  just inside of your opponent on this pattern can be advantageous if your opponents lay down area gets burned up. Our focus will be to drill something that will allow Parker to play the part of the lane he has played no matter what Jason does to the lane transition.