Legion Bowl and Pub on Park played host to a Friendly Faceoff Air Hockey Tournament, founded by Nate Lemoi, on Saturday, August 26. The $250 winner-take-all Newcomers Showdown brought some great new players out of the shadows to try their hand at winning the prize.

The round robin tournament gave each player a chance to play against each other before proceeding to a semi final and then the final best of three competition. While silver and bronze medals were handed out, the cash prize went to Mike Davis, along with the gold medal.

The Friendly Faceoff tourney, arranged and thrown by Johnston native Nate Lemoi, is just one of the events he has put together to bring more people into the sport.

Having played the game for about 15 years, Lemoi has played in the World Air Hockey Championships twice and competed in the United States Air Hockey Association competition in Houston, TX, in 2021.

This was a beginner-friendly event and was restricted to non-professional air hockey players. Players were not allowed to compete in this event if they had a current or past skill rating/ranking from the United States Air Hockey Association.

To contact Lemoi or his Friendly Faceoff organization to learn more about their plans for upcoming events email them at friendlyfaceoffofficial@gmail.com. (Photos by Steve Popiel)