Icebreaker Final Full Recap + Crunched Stats
WPH Press, 9/28/20
The WPH was proud to present the WPH Tucson 4-Man Icebreaker, the first official WPH event since February.
“We want to show people that we could safely hold an event with all of the COVID protocols in place,” stated WPH Executive Director David Vincent. “We closed the park, the referee wore a mask, we allowed a limited number of masked, socially distant fans, while ensuring the players were distanced as much as possible.”
Tucsonans David Fink, Shorty Ruiz, Abraham Montijo and Sam Esser kicked off the first Icebreaker, proudly demonstrating that handball can be played safely during this pandemic.
Final: Fink vs. Ruiz
Former R48 #1 David Fink faced 3-time 3WallBall World Champion Shorty Ruiz in the Tucson Icebreaker final. Fink overcame 3-Wall national finalist in the upper bracket semifinal, while Ruiz made comebacks in both games to defeat the “Kansas Kid ” in the bottom bracket semifinal.
The frequent training partners and friends battled one another and the Tucson heat, with on-court temperatures reaching 110 degrees in the sun. “I really respect Dave’s fitness,” stated Ruiz. “He is always in condition to play all day. His shots are also very hard to read, he is so aggressive but he can drive the ball deep with power too.”
“Shorty has a great serve and the best offensive ceiling shot in 3-Wall,” stated Fink. “He can hit a paddle kill two inches high or a ceiling shot that bounces over the gallery 40 feet behind the court with the same swing.”
Fink started quickly in the final, matching the Tucson heat with aces and kills en route to a 6-0 lead in the first inning. Ruiz served for the first time at 0-6 and quickly scored four points, climbing back into the match. “Shorty was hitting good deep shots and I somehow managed to hit the ball solidly but continually hit the fence above the ceiling,” stated Fink.
Fink earned a side out at 4-6 and took control of the game. Fink scored 10 consecutive points to take a 16-4 lead and closed out the first game with an ace. “I felt really strong, like I could have played 20 games,” stated Fink.
Fink continued to solve the Ruiz puzzle in game two, taking a 12-1 lead by continually playing the right shot. “I told myself to make no errors and play the ball deep when Shorty was in front of me and shoot when he was behind me.”
Ruiz looked like he may work his way into the match after a timeout, scoring four consecutive points to cut the deficit to seven.
Fink regrouped, scoring six straight points to put the match out of reach. “I was just so tired, I thought I was going to pass out,” stated Ruiz. “I was trying to hit the ceiling but I just couldn’t do it because I was too tired.”
Fink claimed the first WPH Icebreaker and WPH Yellow Jersey. “It’s a relief because I was very nervous in anticipation of this event. I wasn’t happy with how I was playing in practice but I think my nerves helped me. I was moving well and hitting the ball with power.”
Thank you
Thank you to the WPH, the WPH Board of Directors, the players, Matt Krueger and Vern Roberts for refereeing and Benny Young and Jeff Healam for bringing pro handball back safely to Clark Park.
How did Fink take the Icebreaker? Let’s Crunch the Numbers and see.
Game 1 Stats
Aces
Fink: 6
Ruiz: 1
First Strike Kills
Fink: 5
Ruiz: 1
Return of Serve Kills
Fink: 1
Ruiz: 1
Right Hand Rally-Enders
Fink: 3
Ruiz: 2
Left Hand Rally Enders
Fink: 10
Ruiz: 1
6+ Shot Rallies Won
Fink: 4
Ruiz: 0
Errors
Fink: 4
Ruiz: 6
Fly Kills:
Fink: 4
Ruiz: 0
Hinders: 2
Time: 16:05
Final: Fink def Ruiz 21-4
Total Points Scored: 25
Game 2 Stats
Aces
Fink: 8
Ruiz: 0
First Strike Kills
Fink: 6
Ruiz: 4
Return of Serve Kills
Fink: 0
Ruiz: 1
Right Hand Rally-Enders
Fink: 2
Ruiz: 8
Left Hand Rally Enders
Fink: 9
Ruiz: 1
6+ Shot Rallies Won
Fink: 7
Ruiz: 2
Errors
Fink: 5
Ruiz: 9
Fly Kills:
Fink: 1
Ruiz: 4
Hinders: 0
Time: 21:05
Final: Fink def Ruiz 21-8
Total Points Scored: 29
Game 1 + 2 Total Stats
Aces
Fink: 14
Ruiz: 1
Ruiz is known for having one of the best serves in the history of 3-Wall handball, riding his incredible serve to three 3WallBall titles. “I have played Shorty a number of times in 3-Wall and I know if I’m getting aced frequently I won’t win,” stated Fink. “I was determined to return every serve he hit to at least force him to hit a second shot. I think putting the ball in play on his best serves prevented him from making big runs.”
Fink used a power hop to score 14 of his 42 points (33%).
First Strike Kills
Fink: 11
Ruiz: 5
The serves dictated the first strike kills, as Fink earned a number of setups with his serve and executed 11 first strike kills, meaning 25 of his 42 points came on his first of second shot (60%)
Return of Serve Kills
Fink: 1
Ruiz: 2
“Shorty had the best left-hand paddle return kill in the game so I didn’t want to serve anything short to his left into his wheelhouse,” stated Fink.
Right Hand Rally-Enders
Fink: 5
Ruiz: 10
Left Hand Rally Enders
Fink: 19
Ruiz: 2
Fink executed 24 rally-ending shots (to include kills, pass shots and power ceiling rally-enders), while Ruiz totaled just half that number. “I was just tired,” lamented Ruiz. “I couldn’t hit the ceiling because my legs weren’t there.”
6+ Shot Rallies Won
Fink: 11
Ruiz: 2
Fink dominated the longer rallies, winning 11 of 13 of the 6+ shot rallies (85%). “I was confident in my overhand game and I was happy to pound the ball high and push him deep and wait for my opportunity to end the rally,” stated Fink.
Errors
Fink: 9
Ruiz: 16
Most of Fink’s errors came from behind the back line off Ruiz deep ceilings, while Ruiz made nine errors from in front of the short line. “Just too many mistakes,” muttered Ruiz during the second game
Fly Kills:
Fink: 5
Ruiz: 4
Hinders: 2
Time: 41:10
Final: Fink def Ruiz 21-4, 21-8
Total Points Scored: 54
WATCH THIS MATCH IN IT’S ENTIRETY BROUGHT TO YOU BY PATREON.COM/WPHLIVE: