2nd Annual Billy Hardwick Memorial Aslan vs. ZDawg Southern California Inviational

[Mike White]

I put these here since you seem to have lost the context.

So what happened to iceman?

You're thinking of the other epic "Aslan Entertainment" production; The Aslan vs. Iceman Challenge..

Is that the event were the majority of the activity ended up on the cutting room floor, or never recorded?

You're just mad because your gutter balls didn't end up getting edited!!

No gutter balls in Vegas because the conditions weren't highly unusual.

It just seems like there was a lot more video taken than what showed up on youtube.

[Aslan]

The 2nd Annual Billy Hardwick Memorial Aslan vs. ZDawg Southern California Invitational is now in the books.

Given how interesting and entertaining THIS tournament actually was this time around…I'm gonna hold off posting results until I've had time to edit and post the video in it's entirety. I'll try to post one video (Game 1, Game 2, Game 3/follow-up) per night.

I'm having some guests over next week so I really need to clean my apartment this weekend so I can't put together a huge video production right this second. But BELIEVE ME…this'll be worth the wait!! I mean, this event was SO much better and more entertaining than last season. There were highs, there were lows, there was excitement, and cheering, and even a bad fall during a shot. The commentary was more entertaining and the actual bowling was a lot better to watch than year 1.

So, no spoilers MWhite and ZDawg!!! Lets let the kids watch this one play out because it was a roller coaster ride!

[Aslan]

Here is game 1. I had to split it into two videos because Youtube was being annoying about the file size/length or something.



Obviously after the first 5 frames Mike was off to a commanding start. ZDawg and I were about dead even and both accomplishing that in the same way…whenever we didn't strike…we opened. ZDawg on 2 splits, me on a split and missed single-pin. It seemed that this THS that I'd say was medium volume oil…a very typical house shot…maybe a 'tad' longer…was perfectly suited to Mike's game. But, it coulda just been a hot start…maybe he self destructs in the last 5 frames…(to follow)...

[Aslan]

Last 5 frames of Game 1...



Mike continued his torrid pace but finally left ZDawg and myself at least a 'chance' to catch him when he opened on a split in the 10th which dropped him to a solid 240 rather than a potential 276!!

ZDawg was within striking distance when you factor in his handicap (+42) with a 206 handicap. And despite me turning a potential 201 game into a 170 game by missing 3 single-pin spares including one in the 10th…I wasn't too far back at 199 handicap.

Game 2 to be posted later today...

[vdubtx]

Does Mike ever smile? Seems to have a permanent scowl on his face. Or was that just his game face?

Looks like you all had a good time.

[Aslan]

Does Mike ever smile? Seems to have a permanent scowl on his face. Or was that just his game face?

Looks like you all had a good time.

Wait till you see his face in game 2!! (more coming…)

[zdawg]

Funny, I just watched my first shot and noticed a MASSIVE flaw that I had worked hard to eliminate last year. Looks like some of my bad habits have worked their way back into my game - probably time for a coaching session.

[Mike White]

Does Mike ever smile? Seems to have a permanent scowl on his face. Or was that just his game face?

Looks like you all had a good time.

Lets just say the environment was a bit annoying.

We had to keep an eye wherever we stepped because of either a dried spill, or a fresh one.

Add to that, the people around us had never heard of lane courtesy.

Bowling centers have become very lax on keeping the floors clean since I quit bowling years ago.

It's probably due to them wanting the party bowlers, and let them make as much mess as they want, then they will clean up just before closing. (if even then)

The approaches had some kind of black substance ground into them. Didn't effect the footing, just looked bad.

The right lane had a dried shoe print at the beginning of the approach. But I was playing well left of it.

[Aslan]

First half of Game 2...



This was probably the most crucial 5 frames of the match. Aslan starting off with the front 5 and MWhite having an approach issue in the 2nd frame that threw his game off. He was still solid on spares, but seemed to have lost his strike shot. And ZDawg slumped big time in the first part of this game.

[Aslan]

Last 5 frames of Game 2...



Obviously this game changed EVERYTHING in the match. Aslan finished clean and not only tightened up the standings, but took a commanding lead in the match. ZDawg fell to 3rd with his sub-150 performance, but managed to slightly close the gap between him and MWhite. MWhite found his strike ball again in the 2nd half of Game 2 and salvaged a decent score but now was under a great deal of pressure.

Mentally speaking, the dynamic had completely shifted.

- Aslan went from last place, wondering if he could climb back in it…to a 55-pin lead with another 29 pins of handicap. This meant all he had to do was bowl 'decent' and he was likely untouchable.
- ZDawg was only 25 pins back of MWhite in 2nd place and could finish in 2nd for the 2nd straight year if he could put together a decent game in Game 3.
- And MWhite went from a commanding lead to now being under a great deal of pressure (listed below):

1) MWhite obviously wanted to win and even the series at 2-2 in official head-to-head play against Aslan. Aslan had the 1ABHMAVZSCI and the Wood Lanes Challenge and Mike had the Aslan vs. Iceman Challenge in Vegas.
2) MWhite was now not only under pressure to lose, but was looking at possibly losing scratch to Aslan who was only 3 pins back of Mike scratch.
3) MWhite would need to beat ZDawg by 18 pins in Game 3 or he (MWhite) was facing his 2nd straight THIRD place finish in this tournament.

So, as we inch towards the final conclusion…will Aslan ride his lead to his 2nd championship? Or will he collapse and open the door? Will Mike find his mojo from Game 1 and re-take the lead? Will Mike at least finish ahead of Aslan scratch? Will Mike hold off ZDawg and his 42 pins of handicap? Or will ZDawg finally find his game; perhaps even rolling HIS 240s game?? Stay Tuned for the exciting conclusion!!!