5^th Annual Cream Can Classic

March 15, 2008 – McCanns Brew Pub

The tournament this year was held at McCann’s Brew Pub in Saint Cloud. Tournament changed venues with the lure of increased money added to the pot - $500 this year, up from the $200 in previous years. Another change was an increase in the entry fee up to $20 to hopefully entice some additional shooters to come out and play for the glorious Cream Can. Even though the venue changed, we still got prizes once again from Park Industries and Fastenal. The prize that was the highlight was the thermos and coffee cup set. It was the color of newly polished granite, and looked awesome. We also got an array of other coffee mugs, a wind jacket, t-shirts, can coolers and knit hats, perfect for winter in Minnesota. Thanks again to Park Industries and Fastenal for sponsoring our annual tournament.

The tournament this year also added a new twist called Calcutta. For those of you that don’t know what this is or how it works, it goes as follows. It works as an auction for who you think is going to win the tournament. Each of the players that enters the tournament gets their name pulled out and everyone gets to bid on who they think is going to win the tournament. Of the entire pot, we did a break down of 75% for the bidder on the winning player and 25% for the bidder on the runner-up. Of the money that each winning bidder receives, they get 85% and the dart thrower gets 15%. This was my first experience with a Calcutta, but it was a lot of fun watching the bidding action get crazy when the marquee players came up.

Another new twist this year was instead of a normal double elimination bracket, we ran a round robin with the top 2 players from each flight moving on to the double elimination finals. There was some discussion about this format in the beginning, but I think it worked out OK. I know I got to play more games. With the way I was throwing, I would have been knocked out pretty early, so I enjoyed the chance to play a few more games.

Now, what everyone really wants to hear about, how did the tournament go? Well, there was some disappointment with the turnout; we only had 16 players with the courage to step up to the plate. One of the players was “The Legend” Dave Clausen, the creator and brain child of the Cream Can. Out of those 16 we broke down to 4 flights of 4 for the round robin action. We played 5 games for each round: Cricket / 501 / Cricket / 501 / Choice. The 8 players that made it out of their flights were: Charlie Hillukka, Rolf Obey, Tom Klein, Ryan Loch, Mike Nelson, James Eikmeier, Scott Ferrian, and Jay Karasch. All of these players played fantastic darts to get make the final 8. The final 8 did not disappoint when playing each other. There were fantastic battles and some amazing finishes. The early story of the tournament was Rolf O. Rolf was on amazing run in the round robin and kept the great darts going in the finals. Rolf beat Charlie in the first round and then beat Tom K to move to a battle for King of the Hill with Mike N. On the other side of the bracket Mike N threw consistent darts against James to advance to play Scott F. This was the battle that I think a lot of people were looking forward to seeing. We all know that Scott is a great player and that Mike can be very solid when he is on a roll. Mike was a little more on his game in this meeting, taking advantage of the rare opportunities that Scott gave him. Mike advanced and Scott got sent to the losers side of the bracket.

On the losing side of the bracket, it was a race to 2. One of the best finishes had to be in the Charlie vs Ryan match. The game went to the tie breaker, the combatants (that’s just a fun word) played cricket. As the game was winding down, it looked like was Charlie was in complete control. Then Ryan in his final round down exactly 100 points and needing a single 17 to win the game, threw his first dart at the bull’s-eye, he missed a little low and to the right, yup, he hit the 17. The next dart was a double bulls-eye (can you feel the tension and excitement). The final dart, the winning dart, what are the chances that it would be a double bulls-eye, with Ryan at the line, pretty good. The dart was true and landed in the double bulls-eye – game over. From sure defeat to sudden victory, could that be the match that gets Ryan on a roll back to the championship round?

The next match would not be easy, the defending Cream Can champion would have to play Scott Ferrian. Ryan, used the momentum that he was gathering to play Scott very tough and came away with a victory. So, the next big shocker of the tournament, Scott Ferrian finishing in the 5/6 spot. Ryan played each person in the reigning NDA doubles champion and dispatched them both. Ryan seemed destined to get back to the finals after his first round loss to Tom K. As fate would have it, Ryan would get the chance to try and exact revenge against Tom. Apparently Tom did not get the memo that Ryan was on a roll. Tom had his own agenda of trying to get revenge on his second round loss to Rolf. Tom threw very efficient darts against Ryan, to make sure he had the chance to play for the coveted trophy, and to ensure that there would not be a repeat champion.

For the final 3 we have Mike N sitting on the Hill, with Tom K and Rolf O in a rematch to play for the championship.

In the 3^rd place match, Tom was too much this time for Rolf. Rolf made a great run, threw great darts, but just was not able to hang with Tom, who looked liked a man on a mission.

In the finals we have Mike N who made his way back to the championship. Mike was denied the glory of hoisting the trophy in 2006. The battle between Mike and Tom was awesome. There were very few chances that were given, everything had to be earned in the first four games. In the tie-breaker, it looked like both players were starting to run out of steam, I’m sure Mike was thinking “Not again, not another repeat of 2006”. Tom started to take a slight advantage and then something unexpected happen. Believe by Cher was playing on the jukebox and all of sudden Mike got a second wind and started playing inspired darts. Mike truly believed!!!!!! Mike started throwing precision darts and systematically shut down ever attempt Tom made to get back in the game. As Mike threw the winning dart, the song ended, and so did our 2008 Cream Can classic. Mike finally got the chance to hoist the Cream Can and add his name to the prestigious list of previous winners.

Congratulations Mike, we all believe that you were the best player on this day!!

Final standings:

Champion: Mike Nelson

Runner-up: Tom Klein

3^rd Place: Rolf Obey

4^th Place: Ryan Loch

5/6: Jay Karasch

5/6: Scott Ferrian

7/8: Charlie Hillukka

7/8: James Eikmeier

Thanks for all who participated. Special shout outs to Dani O who ran the tournament; McCann’s for hosting; Park Industries and Fastenal for donating door prizes.

Final 8 bracket

Pictures