Over 30 Hockey League

Week of December 2 (Game 1) – In winning their fifth straight game in a row, Trojan Horse solidified their place as the Over-30 league’s hottest team, as they soundly defeated Team Cherry by a 6 – 3 score.  In the process, Trojan Horse clinched first place overall in the team standings.  For Team Cherry, they missed a golden chance to move closer to clinching that final playoff spot and now play a showdown winner take all game next week against Maybe One.

Less than a minute into this game, Team Cherry struck first jump starting their offense as Mark Stickney was set up out front by Gary Goodwin and Steve Medeiros.  The start was exactly how Team Cherry needed this game to begin.

Early In the second period however, Trojan Horse seized the game’s momentum big time with a three goal outburst.  Less than a minute into the period, Walter Maslak scored his team’s first goal as he was set up by Shawn Miville (for Walter, this marked the fifth game he has scored his team’s first goal).  Forty seconds later, saw Shawn score, set up by Walter and Nick Romano.  Twenty seconds after that, Angelo Deluca scored when set up by Cappy and Mike Delorey.  Before Trojan Horse could put a stranglehold on this game, Jason Carrien was set up by Brian Kehoe on the ensuing faceoff as his slap shot deflected off the goalie’s stick into the net.  With just under four minutes left in the second period, Nicky scored the back breaker goal as he was in the right place at the right time to score into an open net off the rebound of a Shawn slap shot off the end boards.

In the third period, less than thirty seconds in, Team Cherry closed the gap making this a one goal game, as Gary scored out front off a rebound of a Carlos Machado and Mark Stickney rebound shots.  Holding onto this one goal lead by Trojan Horse paid off as Ricky Cassano, who played both defense and offense in this game, scored two goals in less than thirty seconds with three minutes to play, to put this game out of reach.

Week of December 2 (Game 2) – With Team Cherry losing their game, Maybe One stepped up as an entire team to soundly defeat Fool’s Gold by a convincing 5 – 1 score.  For Maybe One, the victory tied them with Team Cherry for that final playoff spot with a winner take all show down game next week.  For Fool’s Gold, they are reeling heading into the playoffs as they have now lost three straight games.

In the first period, Maybe One took the early momentum as Pat Pirone hustled his way to the net to score the game’s first goal, set up by Tony Mastrocola and Joe Mancinelli halfway through the period.  Maybe One had the better of the scoring chances as they had both offensive lines running and applying pressure on the Fool’s Gold defensemen.

In a wide open back and forth second period played by both teams, it was Maybe One who scored the period’s only goal as Joe “I run this League” Shannon scored two minutes in on a booming slap shot from the point, set up by Ray Nickerson and Matty Iannello, giving his team a crucial two-goal lead.

In the third period, Maybe One kept the pressure on and attacked the defense of Fool’s Gold.  This pressure paid off as a minute and a half into the period saw John Carey get set up by the hustle of Pat and Tony and score from the point.  Needing something to swing the momentum and get back into this game, Fool’s Gold got just that on the ensuing faceoff as Cooch was sent in alone on a breakaway on a pass from George Medeiros to make this a two goal game.  However, four minutes later saw Ray put a dagger into any Fool’s Gold comeback thoughts as he was set up on the left wing by Matty for the killer goal.  With just over a minute to play in the game, Alex Leone scored an unassisted goal to put this game away.

Back to Work

"Taking a knee" for Colin Kapernick didn't work out so good in terms of his playing career.., but has been nominated GQ's Citizen of the Year and named a Finalist for Time Magazine Person on the Year

However the "Kapernick knee" has helped address and resolve a front office and webmaster dispute that now has all parties returning to doing their respective jobs.

So without further ado.., please enjoy this week’s trash talk.

Worst to First

Jim Barber can breathe a sigh of relief as his Trojan Horse was actually full of quality hockey players and not just a horse piñata filled with sour candy and a losing record.

After missing the playoffs for the last two seasons.., the former Shark Bait Captain finds himself clinching the #1 Seed and looking to his team to help remove #1 Draft Pick Shawn Miville from the "No Jacket List"

The BIG "Gray & Old" 3

You're right about that Mr. Pitino.., Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish aren't walking that door.., but look (again) who did…   

None other than the legendary Joe "The Canteen Driver" Shannon did walk (weeeelll) more like "waddled" through that door.., and you're right Rick, "he was old and gray."  

The Over-30 "BIG 3" of Ray Nickerson, Matty Iannello and Joe Shannon have once again joined forces in an effort to add a bonifide #1 Defenseman and blue line quarterback to the (51) GAA Leaders.

Last week’s performance shows just how a seasoned veteran (like Joe) will control the ball.., not panic at the first sight of a fore checker and adds a huge cannon to their blue line gun turret.

"Maybe Four?"

For Matty Iannello and the reunited "BIG 3".., it's a one game playoff this week as "Maybe Four" will get you the "Number Four" spot and get themselves into the playoffs.., (but if.., and only if) they manage to beat Team Cherry this week for the final playoff spot.

One Game Playoff

Maybe One vs Team Cherry has played 11-meaningless games so far this season.., as both of their seasons come down the final meeting between these two teams in a "Winner take all" playoff berth.  

There is no "Gray" area.., it's literally "Black or White".., Win and you're in.

Big Dan Theory   

Dan Broderick once said.., "This is the only league you can finish 0-0-12 and still come in 3rd place."

That theory is about to be tested.., because if Fools Gold does not win either of their last two games they will finish with only 10-points on the season.., and Dan will wish he had a 0-0-12 record.

Biggest Game Bets

For those of us who enjoy placing bets on the Over-30 League.., even though betting is not allowed at Bushwood.

The Vegas bookies are busy taking all kinds of betting action and setting lines for this week’s match up of Maybe One vs Team Cherry.

Betting lines;

Maybe One - Even

(Game Winning Goal)

Matty Iannello - 1/4

Ray Nickerson - Even

Joe Mancinelli - 1/3

Joe Shannon - 1/2

 Anyone else - 2/1

Jeff Deharo -  GAA

(over/under) - 3.5

Team Cherry - 2/1 

(Game Winning Goal)

Mark Stickney - 1/3

Joe Carlton - 1/2

Brian Kehoe – 1/2

Jason Carrien - 3/2

Anyone else - 4/1

Jake Deehan - GAA

(over/under) - 4.0

Hocketown Mosquito?

We had to stop Mike Surette before he went downstairs to file a formal complain about the Mosquitos at Hocketown.

Last week late in the 3rd period, "The BIG Man" thought he was bitten in the neck by a large Mosquito.  It wasn't till after the game that we had to explain this it wasn't a Mosquito.., it was actually a shot from the Ed Nigro.

Pervert Patrol

With all the current Hollywood types, Politicians and News Media Personnel being ousted for sexual harassment.., the Over-30 League is conducting its own investigation into why the Assistant League Director Mike Naczas was prancing around the dek last week taking pictures or players in various stages of getting dressed.

Is this some sick new perversion.., or was Mike "doing what he was instructed to do" for another sick pervert higher up?

If you feel your privacy has been violated we encourage you to file a class action lawsuit against the ALD with the law office of Wienstien-Lauer & Associates

The Hop Alongs

Now that Joe Shannon has "un-retired" again.., and is officially on the Maybe One roster.., can we now refer to them as "The Hop Alongs"

Newly acquired defenseman Joe and EVERY Forward (Matty Iannello, Ray Nickerson, Pat Pirone, Joe Mancinelli, Tony Mastrocola, Johnny Mastrocola and Scotty Young (when he shows) all have some sort of lower body impairment that prevents them from running normal.

Ironically it's their original Defense of John Carey, Derek Powers, Brien Sullivan and Alex Leone that are the healthiest runners on the team.., which makes us want to issue an public apology to the league's worst GAA leader Jeff Deharo.

We're sorry Jeff.., apparently 63% of your team is legally disabled and unable to back check to support the defense and yourself.., and here we were blaming you the whole time.  Our sincerest apologies Jeff and good luck with Joe and whatever limited time he gives you (before he retires again) mid-season.

Triumph the Insult Timekeeper

Newly indicted ALD Mike Naczas was filling for the absent timekeeper Don.., and apparently he brought his "Triumph the insult dog puppet" with him in the timekeepers box as Naz was all over various players all game long.., 

Hey Jim Barber.., your switch hockey game sucks so bad that it's almost "Bad enough for me to poop on"

Hey Mauro Colucciello.., keep shooting those high and wide shots.., maybe all of the five sticks you brought.., "Need to be pooped on"

Ray Nickerson.., why you yelling at Jon Picard for giving you a penalty.., if your stick was any higher.., "It would be too high for me to poop on"

Jeff Deharo.., you almost won the Dunkin Donuts Player of the Week Award.., but then you gave up a goal.., "So I had to poop on your award"

Call Your Shots

Hey Alex Leone.., just like in pool you need to call your bank shots.., we didn't hear you say "orange ball off the bench boards and into the open net".., but seeing you're in law enforcement.., we'll let you keep the goal.  Like Toronto says " It's a good goal".

The Real Reason

Matty Iannello thinks Joe Shannon came back to help his team get into the playoffs.., but our TMZ reporter found out the "real reason" Joe has returned to the Over-30 League is because his "All-Time Goals" of 505 are in jeopardy of being dethroned by "The Great One".

Matty who previously overthrew the All-Time Points & All-Time Assists Leader Ray "The Boss" Nickerson.., now has Joe's record in his sights as Matty is now just 36-goals behind the leader.

Rumor has it that Ray has paid Joe a substantial amount of money to return ($250 per season) to be exact.., in exchange Joe will help Ray regain his #1 titles.., and together have vowed to keep Matty of the scoring sheets.