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.
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.

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