Halloween Foosball Tournament accomplishments
Corey Pinkham was thought to be wrapping up a magnificent Halloween Foosball Tournament career in 2003 when he defeated his bitter rival, Greg Ouellette in the finals for the second year in a row to become the first ever 4-time Halloween Foosball Tournament champion. Humperdink pledged to retire and move to Florida, but a year later Corey has apparently had a change of heart. He will be back again in 2004, going for championship #5.
In 1998 Corey was a virtual unknown in the foosball world. He started his impressive Halloween career with a win over Billy Gendron. But it wasn't until Corey shocked the Halloween Foosball Tournament world by defeating then-undefeated Greg in the semi-finals that year. Ironically, very few people actually witnessed that historic moment and there is no video evidence, but time has shown that to be a clear turning point in HFT history. Corey's victory over Nicky in the finals that year was not popular with the crowd that year at "The Barn", but it catapulted him straight to the top of the Foosball world.
Corey returned in 99 and picked up right where he started, a quick victory in the first round led to a revenge match vs. Pat for Patrick's comments referring to Corey as "the goofy kid with the hat". Corey shut Pat out and then beat the wily veteran Jim, to advance to his second straight finals appearance. After winning the first 7 games of his career, Corey dropped a controversial decision to Steve in the finals of the 1999 Tournament. However that loss was not without controversy as James Higson, Steve's cut-man for the match, continually threw goldfish at Corey throughout the match.
But in 2000, Corey came back and plowed through the first two rounds WITHOUT ALLOWING A GOAL! In fact, Corey accepted the challenge of Angel, who was actually supposed to be the #6 seed in the Tournament. He shut Angel out, then Shut out Wilson in round 2. Then in round 3 he faced his most challenging game, giving up a couple early goals to Jim, but he eventually won, marking the second year in a row, Corey eliminated Jim in the semi-finals.
The 2001 Halloween Foosball Tournament was the only tournament since Corey's career began that he would not make it to the finals. He once again was dominant in the first two rounds, defeating Derek in the first round and Keith in the second. However he got off to a bad start against Jim and despite forcing overtime, he lost for only the second time in his Halloween Foosball career and for the first time ever in the semi finals. Many would rank the match between Jim and Corey as one of the best matches in Halloween Foosball Tournament history.
However like all great champions, Corey bounced back. In 2002 he received a bye into the second round where he again faced his rival (for some bizarre reason) Derek. After defeating Derek, Corey would get a rematch against Jim. This match again would go the distance, but on this night it was Corey who was successful. The win put the Dink in the finals and set up the dream match up between himself and Greg. Unfortunately the match itself was not as great as the anticipation for it and Corey won rather easily to become a three-time Halloween Foosball Champion, tying Greg for the distinction of most championships.
Corey would break that tie in 2003 when he defeated Greg in the finals once again, ending any dispute whatsoever over who the greatest Halloween Foosball Tournament player of all time is. Corey also showed that he hadn't forgot his only finals loss, enlisting James Higson's brother, Joe, as his cut-man for the final round.
Corey has also had a successful career in the doubles tournament. Teaming with his opponent in the 1999 and 2000 finals, Steve, he became one half of the Jamaicans. The Jamaicans dominated the first two tournaments, capturing both the 2001 and 2002 Doubles titles, but they were shocked by losing in an upset in the first round of 2003.
Rivals: Greg: Greg claims Corey's a fluke, but Corey beat Greg
in the semi-finals in 1998, and then in the finals of 2002 and 2003.
The two are ultra competitive however Corey has dominated Greg in
every game the two have ever played.
James Higson: This is a matter of revenge for Corey, who feels he was screwed
in 1999 because of Higson's interference. If they should meet in the tournament, expect some tension in that match-up..
Jim: Corey and Jim have met in every Halloween Foosball Tournament since
1999. Although Corey has a commanding 4-1 lead in the series, all the
matches had been close until 2003, when Corey soundly defeated Jim 10-1.
New seedings mean that Corey and Jim can only face in the finals of 2004,
and both seem intent on making sure that match number 6 happens.
Derek: Derek must have done something to piss Corey off or something
because Corey has treated him like an arch rival ever since their first
meeting in 2001.
Nelly/Joey: Nelly and Joey upset Corey and Steve in the first round
of the doubles tournament.
Versus record:
vs. Greg 3-0
vs. Steve 1-1
vs. Nick 1-0
vs. Jim 4-1
vs. Pat 1-0
vs. Billy 1-0
vs. Sothey 1-0
vs. Angel 1-0
vs. Wilson 1-0
vs. Derek 2-0
vs. Keith 1-0
vs. Nelly 1-0
