Over 30 Hockey League

Week of January 16 (Game 1) – In a game that would provide each team with an idea of where they stood early into the new season, Labatt Blues withstood the early offensive onslaught and running game of Consigliere, outlasting them by scoring four goals in the third period, and held on for a tough 6 – 3 win.

In the first period, each teams matched each other’s scoring chances, but, Consigliere was all over Labatt Blues with their aggressive running speed game.  Gino Tammaro opened up the scoring halfway through the period, set up by Steve Witkus.  Three minutes later, Ray Dow received a pass from Anthony Lauletta at the point, and his shot found the back of the net.

In the second period, the teams once again matched goals.  Mike Luise found himself open at the top of the crease and scored off a scramble, two minutes into the period.  With just under three minutes, it was the defense stepping up for Labatt Blues to lead their offense as Ray scored his second goal of the game.  From this point on in this game, Labbatt Blues took control of this game thanks to goalie Bill Gardynski Jr keeping his team in this game.

In the third period, Labatt Blues broke this game open with a four-goal output mainly due to the strength of their second line.  A minute in, Tony Mastrocola scored down low, as he was set up by Shawn Miville and Dan Broderick.  Two minutes later, it was rookie Tim Hickey being sent in alone on a breakaway by a smart pass from Shawn, giving his team a two goal cushion.  With just over three minutes to play, Rick Cassano scored on a bomb of a slap shot, set up by Angelo Deluca and Steve Witkus to make this a one goal game.  However, Gary Goodwin put an end to any comeback dreams by Consigliere, scoring two late goals within fifteen seconds of each other.  With the win, Labatt Blues moved into a tie with Consigliere for second place overall in the standings.

Week of January 16 (Game 2) – Blowout!  A spanking!  A beat down!  Call it whatever you wish, but, HABitual Complainers routed Island of Misfit Toys by the lopsided one-sided score of 9 – 1.  Games like this should NEVER happen in the Over-30 league!  This one-sided loss is not on the shoulders of the players of Island of Misfit Toys; rather, this is squarely on the shoulders of their goalie who gave a horrible lack of performance and lack of trying in net.  How bad was this?  When 5 of the first 7 shots in the first period go in for goals, you take the entire team out of the game.  If you are going to “give up” and not try, why should the team in front of you try?  Personally, we don’t blame them.

Back to the game.  In the first period, HABitual Complainers as previously mentioned scored on five of their first seven shots taken, led by Dominic Defrancisco scoring 2-goals, Tony Medeiros scoring 2-goals, and Joe Carlton scoring 1-goal and adding 1-assist.

It was more of the same in the second period, as a visibly frustrated Island of Misfit Toys team tried moving around players on defense, but, with no impact to slowing the offense of HABitual Complainers.  Three more goals were scored, as Joe scored twice and added an assist, while John Leite scored and Dominic added two assists.

Wrapping up the third period saw HABitual Complainers ease up (slightly) as John Leite scored his second goal of the game, assisted by Joe and Dom.  Unfortunately for goalie Jeff Deharo, the team let up with less than a minute to play and it cost Jeff his shutout as Jamie Kehoe broke in on a partial breakaway on a great pass from Matty Iannello to spoil the shutout bid.

Week of January 23 (Game 1) – In a game the featured two teams heading in opposite directions, the juggernaut HABitual Complainers faced off against Consigliere.  Heading into this game, HABitual Complainers has played two games and outscored their opponents 15 – 2.  Meanwhile, after starting out with an opening day victory, Consigliere has been in both of their last two games, outplaying their opponents at the start of the games, only to watch the other team score a couple of goals to take control of the games and pull out a victory.  The outcome of this game was no different as HABitual Complainers put together a scoring burst late in the second period to run away with a 6 – 1 win.

After a scoreless first period that saw Consigliere utilize their running game and outplay HABitual Complainers that paid off halfway through this game as Pat Pirone scored out front off a rebound of a Angelo Deluca shot.  The game changed for HABitual Complainers only thirty seconds later while playing short-handed, Joe Carlton was set up on the right wing by Brian Kehoe and his shot somehow eluded the goalie.  Taking advantage of the momentum swing, HABitual Complainers scored two goals in the last two minutes of the period as Brian Kehoe made a great individual effort splitting the defense and roofing his shot top corner on passes from Jason Carrien and Jim Barber.  That highlight goal was followed by Tony Medeiros (surprisingly coming off IR) to score from high on the left side as he was set up by Dominic Defrancisco and John Leite.

The quick turn of events at the end of the second period proved to be devastating to Consigliere as Brian scored his second goal of the game, set up Jim Barber and Steve Medeiros, on a shot that the goalie saved by it someone it trickled into the net under his glove only three minutes into the period.  With the game out of reach for Consigliere, Dominic scored a minute later as he was set up by his Portuguese brothers Tony and John.  Less than thirty seconds after that goal, Jason Carrien wrapped up the scoring for HABitual Complainers on an unassisted bomb from the point.

Week of January 23 (Game 2) – First shutout of the spring season posted by Labatt Blues, as they broke open a close game late in the second period and cruised to a 5 – 0 win over Broken Promises.  For Broken Promises, this marked the third consecutive game of playing short-handed, having two defensemen missing from the games forcing John Kelleher to fill in and play defense, while the team has difficulty generating offense and goals.

In an evenly played first period by both teams, Old Man Dan Broderick scored his first goal of the season on an actual slap shot five minutes into the game, as he was set up by Tim Hickey and Walter Maslak.  Officials in Toronto are still reviewing the video of this goal as it was so slow it needed help by deflecting in off the opponent’s defenseman to find the back of the net!

The second period was the key to breaking this game open for Labatt Blues as Shawn Miville was set up on the left wing by Dan and Walter only two minutes into the period to increase the lead for Labatt Blues.  Late in the period, it was Mark Stickney time as he scored 2-goals in forty seconds out front, set up both times by Shawn and Walter.  It was the best offensive game we have seen from Mark this year in the Over-30 league.

All that was left in the third period was for Walter to finally score, which he did with less than two minutes to play in this game.  It was fitting that Walter scored, as prior to his goal he factored in on every goal his team scored, setting up the first four goals of this game.

Mumbles and Stumbles

For over 20-years Mayo Thomas Menino “reign the streets” of Boston and in the process earned the nickname “Mumbles” from WRKO radio host Howie Carr.

Well for over the past 20-years Steve Oppedisano “rain the dek” of the Over-30 League… and by “rain the dek” we mean there isn’t a square on the dek Steve hasn’t fallen on.

Steve’s often unprovoked stubbles and falls have earned him a new nickname… Steve “Stumbles” Oppedisano

Forgive me Father

Dominic DeFrancisco has some repenting to do.  During last week’s win, Dominic stepped up to block a shot and the ball deflected of Dom’s shin pads and right into the eye of John “The Codfather” Leite… who oddly enough was sitting on the bench when he got injured.

After some intense rubbing John was back out for his next shift… and Dom was ordered to recite 5-Hail Mary’s and 10-Our Father’s before asking for John’s forgiveness.