This year's event drew 48 players, up again as word spreads to the masses. The early rounds saw the field trimmed to the elite of the finger flicking world. Past Champion Jeff Paull was in fine form mowing through his opponents in ruthless fashion.

The usual trash talking was present in the early rounds but as the numbers shrank you could see the pressure building on the faces of the remaining contenders as finger sprains and slivers took their toll on the stalwart competitors.

Moose fell, fingers flicked and when the dust settled two past champions faced off for the big prize. Defending Champ Dolan vs the original Master of the Moose, Jeff Paull , for all the antlers. The stakes were indeed high as the Dolan patriarch was wagering the clan's Team destiny on his performance.

When Jeff took the initial game of the best of three, things looked bleak for the defending champion. But a miraculous shot in the second game swung the momentum and allowed Dan to tie the match and force a deciding third game. Now Dan summoned up all the resolve one would expect from the ruler of Dan's World to win his second straight Elchfest title - thereby earning eight points in the team tournament ... and leading his sons to victory there also. Will we all be forced to wear moose antlers next year?

New challenges await the serious Elchfest competitor in Lancaster in 2005. Will the tables be slower or will they offer a faster surface? Rumor has it the Dolans will be scouting out the playing surface before next moose season.

Next year we crack 50 and continue ELCHFEST's march toward Century status.

No moose were hurt in the making of this event ... which is more than can be said for the participants.