Over 30 Hockey League

Week of December 9 (Game 1) – With both teams locked into finishing either in second place or third place overall in the team standings for this season, and facing each other in the playoffs in a few weeks, this game may not have much significance overall but it could go a long way in determining the winner of that playoff game.  The smart money would have been on Blues Brothers winning this game as they came in riding a two game winning streak outscoring their opponents 7-1 while Fool’s Gold was stuck in a three game losing streak while giving up an average of six goals against during these three games.  Fool’s Gold surprised everyone not only by winning this game but by shutting out Blues Brothers by the score of 4 – 0.

After a scoreless first period that saw both goalies hold their own, Fool’s Gold scored the game’s first goal halfway through the second period, as Niko Vramis was set up out front by John Kelleher and George Medeiros.

In the third period, Fool’s Gold broke open a close game as Jamie Kehoe scored a power play goal a minute and a half in, set up by Mauro Colucciello.  Only a minute and a half after that, George was set up in close by Jamie for a key insurance goal.  With just under two minutes to play, Jamie scored his second goal of the game, set up by John Kelleher to account for the final score. Throughout this game, goalie Sean Roach was making the key saves to keep his team in the lead to preserve his first shutout of the season and once again reclaiming the lead in the goalie race with one game to play.

For Blues Brothers, it didn’t help their effort not having Tony Medeiros playing in this game.  Time will tell heading into the playoffs if Blues Brothers can reverse a trend of their first line not having a major impact in the team scoring on a more consistent basis.

Week of December 9 (Game 2) – Without a doubt, the biggest game of the winter season featured Maybe One and Team Cherry facing off against each other in a one-game winner take all playoff play-in game.  The winner advances as the final playoff seed, while the loser plans their tee times until the spring season begins.  In a big game moment, it was Maybe One stepping up and convincingly claiming that 4^th playoff seed with a 5 – 0 victory over Team Cherry.  While Maybe One had a full team roster, what hurt Team Cherry was missing three players, including their best overall player in Jason Carrien.

In the first period, this game was played just like a playoff game, as both teams played conservative with a feeling out process going on.  Neither team was willing to take a chance that resulted in a mistake although Team Cherry carried most of the play with the better scoring opportunities.

Things changed in the second period three minutes in as who else but captain Matty Iannello (who played this like a tournament game and focused on all the little things throughout the game) scored as he was set up by John Mastrocola and Alex Leone. The game’s key play came with just over a minute to play in the period, as Maybe One’s first line broke out of their zone and played tic-tac-toe passing between John Mastrocola-Matty Iannello-Ray Nickerson and back to Matty who finished with his second goal in tight.

On you mark… Get set… Debate

Since there's nothing good to bet on this week.., it was brought to our attention that the ALD Mike Naczas has become increasingly slower over the last few seasons.., and the question was purposed;

"Who would win in a race… Dan Broderick or Mike Naczas?”

Debate amongst yourselves…

Who would be the “Tortoise” and who would be the “Hare”?

Fools Report

Who needs John Coluciello and Sergio Costa.., when you have Sean Roach in net for your team.  

We think Cooch finally figured out that he needs to rest his hamstring for the playoffs instead of meaninglessly fighting for 2^nd or 3^rd place in the standings.., the playoffs are locked and doesn't matter where Fools Gold finishes.., it matters if they have John for the playoffs (or not).

Meanwhile.., Looks like Sergio suspended himself for one game after the Pat Pirone incident.   No official suspensions were handed out.., but we suspect Sergio wanted an extra Saturday Night to Christmas shop.

None of what we just talked about didn't mean anything to goaltender Sean.., who was dialed in for his shutout performance over the 2^nd place Blues Brothers.., in what should be considered a prequel to the first round of the playoffs. 

The Right Move

It seems Mike Nazcas made the right move in benching himself last week and blaming an "illness".., while his team was being shutout.   

The last time Naz was part of an opposing team shutout was the 9-0 Team Cherry Massacre that caused Goaltender Alby Luise to walk off the dek with a sunburn on the back of his neck and still 3-minutes left to play in that absolute blowout.  

Not wanting to be part of a "Part Duex" blowout.., Naz figured he better get off while the getting is good.

Missing Key Guys

Sorry Team Cherry.., you were missing too many key guys that could have help impact the game.

The biggest (or tallest) was the absence of Jay Carrien.., your leading goal scorer and best defenseman (after Dan of course)

Then you have "The Mouth of the South" Carlos Machado.., whose taunting skills alone could have made a difference.., and newly acquired diamond in the rough Paul Correia called in last minute saying he.., “had an accident”.

We still have yet to get clarification if Paul was in a “car accident” or at his age “shit his pants accident”.., But we can only hope for one thing… Tell him Neegan;

Those missing three players.., could have easily affected the outcome of the game for Team Cherry… but we’ll never actually know.

When we reached out to Team Cherry Assistant Captain Mark Stickney about missing the playoffs for the 3^rd straight season along with Joe Carlton and Ron Aquino… he only had this to say;

What are you doing here?

You know that you've missed a lot of games over the recent seasons when the first person you see is the Timekeeper Don.., and the first words out of his mouth are "What are you doing here?"

If fact that same question was asked by the first three people when Scotty Young walked into Hockeytown last week.

Mr Young.., (stop me if you heard this).., was scheduled to be elsewhere instead of helping his team fight for a playoff berth.  But, that elsewhere was cancelled due to the weather.

The storm lead to "El Baby" stepping up his game big time.., by playing defense and swapping roles with Derek Powers who got promoted playing forward.., which was actually a brilliant move by whoever wrote that lineup sheet for the game.

Shut out for Shutouts

Shaun Roach and Jeff Deharo throw up 2-shutouts last week and both of them were "shut out" and not recognized by the awards committee.   

Jeff posts a shutout for the biggest game of their season and doesn't even get an honorable mention co-award.., throw the guy a free coffee or cheeseburger for Christ sake.  He had a 4.6 GAA going into last week’s performance and secured the final playoff spot for his team by allowing ZERO goals.

We asked Sean about his unrecognized shutout.., and he said "You can cram your Player of the week awards.., I'm going to the Bruins bitches!!"

It only takes one

The Over-30 League has obtained footage of Shawn Miville bragging about how many chances he had in last week’s Bruins raffle.., and his reaction to drawing

Don't worry Shawn.., rumor has it that there is a Red Sox Raffle coming up for the Spring Season.., we suggest whatever you spent on Bruins chances.., you might want to “double it” for the Red Sox.   

Hugfest 

You know you're a respected Hall of Fame Legend... When newly “unretired” Joe Shannon crosses over into enemy territory to give Dan Broderick a pre-game hug.  

We guess Joe wanted to give Dan a hug before he buried his ass into the ground with a 5-0 win.   It's nothing personal Dan.., it's just business.

Ironically Sad

It's ironically sad that as Dan Broderick put it.., "We could potentially be the team with the lowest Goals Against all season and not make the playoffs"

But.., the other side of that coin is you could also tie for the lowest Goals For (if you don't score a single goal in your final game of the season).

So what can Team Cherry take away from this season.., you guys were in a lot of games.., lost a bunch of close ones and with Gary "The Wrecking Ball" Goodwin returning next season "healthier" we predict you won't miss the playoffs again next season.  

However.., for that statement to be true a defenseman cannot be the one leading the team in goals.., the forwards next season need to start putting more balls in the net.

One Goal Challenge

For the current “Smilin Pete Lodi – Pink Stick Bag Challenge” candidate Nick Romano it all comes down to the final game like many challengers before him.

Nick needs just (1) goal to complete the challenge and let the reigning holder Mike Naczas keep the bag for another season.

Rumor has it Mike paid Alby Luise $40.00 to stay home… while they let Tim Hickey play net for Blues Brothers.   Trojan Horse is countering Naz’ move with a “Let's Get Nick A Goal” campaign this evening.., as they play to feed Romano with a "All you can shoot" bufffet of passes.