In an Open 8-Ball stop on the Lucasi Hybrid New England 9-Ball Tour, which featured short races to 3, half of the event’s final 14 matches were decided by a final game, including the second set of a true double elimination final, which was won by Dan Simoneau, forced to play that second set after an opening set shutout by Mike Barbagallo. The event drew 25 entrants to Legends Billiards in Portsmouth, NH on Sunday, November 6.

Simoneau and Barbagallo were both among the winners’ side final four, but facing different opponents. Simoneau squared off against Jeff Palmquist as Barbagallo took on Paul Eno. Simoneau survived the first of his own three double hill battles, defeating Palmquist, while Eno downed Barbagallo 3-1. Simoneau then chalked up another double hill win, this time over Eno, and sat in the hot seat awaiting Barbagallo’s return.

On the loss-side, Palmquist picked up Mike Nicaloro, who’d gotten by Scott Contrell and Ben Lablanc, both 3-1. Barbagallo drew Gill Stadig, who’d defeated Andrew Vigue 3-1 and chalked up one of the double hill wins in a battle versus Mark Small. Barbagallo and Stadig locked up in a double hill contest that eventually sent Barbagallo to the quarterfinals. He was joined by Nicaloro, who’d defeated Palmquist 3-1.

Barbagallo then got locked up in his second straight double hill match, and persevered to defeat Nicaloro, and earn a re-match against Eno. Barbagallo gave up only a single rack in the semifinals against Eno, and then completely shut out Simoneau in the opening set of the finals. Simoneau fought back in the second set to assist in recording the seventh double hill match among the final 12 players, and hung on to win it.