Point, counterpoint

It’s on.

Evan Lysacek made a statement in the Senior Men’s short program at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships Thursday afternoon at the Arena.

Then Johnny Weir went out and made his rebuttal.

The top two finishers from last year’s nationals established they are the contenders for the title, all but separating themselves from the rest of the field entering Saturday night’s free skate.

They finished 1-2 after skating matching clean programs. Then the drama really began as both plotted their possible strategies for the final.

Lysacek, the perpetual runner-up, said he needed to prove something in this effort – to his critics (media or otherwise), but more so to himself.

He felt he hadn’t skated a clean short program out his last five. He was determined to not start in a hole this year at nationals.

Mission accomplished.

Lysacek skated sixth (last in the first group) and put up a personal best of 78.99 with an inspired, athletic effort. Weir (78.14, not a personal best) is a close second.

“It’s something I was trying so hard last season, but never really made the point that, yes, I can do this and, no, it’s not a big deal for me – the short,” said Lysacek.

Lysacek cruised through his elements, then showed some strong emotions before he was done with the skate.

He pumped his fist after his last jump and finished out his program to a standing ovation from the crowd of 6,540, then skated a victory lap as the crowd acknowledged him. About his display of emotion, Lysacek said it was like a weight was lifted off his shoulders.

Weir, the three-time defending champion, watched Lysacek’s program and the reaction by the crowd from his off-ice position.

He went out five skaters later and nailed a near-perfect program in which he tried to leave no room for doubt with the judges. He finished his program with his own fist pump and an unrepeatable exhortation.

Yet, in the end, Weir scored lower in both categories of the marks from the judges.

Weir said he was still feeling pain from a lower-back injury for which he has been receiving treatment, yet showed no apparent effects from it. He landed all his jumps and held all his positions for as long as possible to earn the highest marks.

“I’m excited that I pushed through the program and it may not have been perfect on every level, but it was the best I could do today and I’m thrilled with that,” he said.

Ryan Bradley (73.58) was a surprising third with a unique program skated to a combination of a polka tune and “Happy Birthday” while dressed in the most obnoxious, bright outfit he said his costume-maker was able to design.

Several other possible contenders had short programs that were surely disappointing, veteran Scott Smith (seventh, 67.01) and 2006 Junior champion Stephen Carriere (10th, 64.34) among them.

So, it’s nearly down to Weir and Lysacek, two close rivals who seem to continually push each other higher.

“I’m glad I was prepared and I’m glad he skated well, because it pushed me to my best,” Weir said of Lysacek.

They will repeat their showdown Saturday in a little more dramatic fashion. Lysacek drew the 16th spot for the free skate and Weir will follow him directly.

Both skaters clearly have a desire to be crowned champion and the closeness of the scores has each considering going for broke.

Each has practiced the high-risk, high-reward quad jump this week in practice but said earlier in the week they planned to wait for Worlds in March to try it in competition. The head games about the issue began afterward.

Weir, wearing a costume with a knight on it, said he doesn’t know anything about chess but made the first move, saying he will definitely attempt the jump Saturday, although he’s struggled with it this week.

Lysacek, who landed the jump Wednesday in practice, countered by saying he is going to wait to decide on that issue sometime after today’s skate at the Convention Center. He and coach Frank Carroll will make that decision jointly.