Over 30 Hockey League

Week of January 20 (Game 1) – After starting off their season with a disappointing shutout loss and still suffering the lingering championship hangover effects, Trojan Horse was not about to let that trend continue.  Standing in their way was Team Cherry who were also coming off a disappointing loss themselves.  Trojan Horse got back to its winning ways with a

5 – 2 thumping of Team Cherry.

Getting off to a quick start was what Trojan Horse needed; they just didn’t expect just how quickly that jump start would occur.  Right off the opening faceoff, only eight seconds into the game, Cappy took a slap shot after being set up by Mike Surette and Nick Romano that eluded the goalie for a surprising goal.  Stunned and standing around watching Trojan Horse run around dominating play, Team Cherry withstood this opening barrage and managed to even the score when Dan Broderick took a pass from Gary Goodwin and Mark Stickney and tied the game.  Trojan Horse regained the momentum and lead when Jim Barber scored with less than a minute to play in the period, on a sniper top corner shot far side from the right wing, set up on a breakout pass by Nick and Cappy.

The second period saw more of the same from Trojan Horse as they caught Team Cherry standing around chasing the play unable to match their hustle.  Shawn Miville took advantage of this as he undressed the defenseman turning him inside out and scored two minutes in, on a set up pas from Jim.

Heading into the third period, Team Cherry needed to step up and start executing plays to get back into this game.  On the opening faceoff ten seconds in, Mark Stickney’s high slot wrist shot found the back of the net, as he was set up by Dan and Carlos Machado.  With new found momentum, Team Cherry carried the play and were hustling all over the rink and had their scoring chances.  However, Trojan Horse withstood this burst and saw Angelo Deluca put a dagger through their hearts with four minutes to play, set up by his Paisan brother Rick Cassano to take back all the momentum.  With the goalie pulled for an extra attacker, Rick sealed the win with a bank shot off the boards that caromed into the open net accounting for the final score.  

Week of January 20 (Game 2) – For both Maybe One and Fool’s Gold, what a difference a season makes.  Early indications indicate that each team may be heading in opposite directions from what happened last season.  Maybe One, with a revamped and stronger defense in place, crushed Fool’s Gold in a 5 – 0 shutout.  For Fool’s Gold, this was the second time in three games they have been shut out. 

In the first period, captain Matty Iannello made a strategic move that paid off right away as he started the game with his second line.  The move paid dividends as Joe Mancinelli banged home the rebound of the Pat Pirone and Derrick Powers shots out front only thirty seconds into the game.  Five minutes later saw Pat up the lead to two goals as he converted the rebound off a John Carey shot to stun Fool’s Gold.  Maybe One was setting the tone during the period with hustle and (surprisingly) a running game while outshooting Fool’s Gold by a two-to-one differential.

The second period was more of the same as Maybe One put this game out of reach by scoring three more goals.  Three minutes in saw Matty score off a set up pass by Ray Nickerson out front.  With two minutes to play in the period, Joe made a heads up unassisted play while short-handed, intercepting the goalies breakout pass along the right wing boards and quickly shooting it back into the open net before the surprised goalie could recover.  With less than a minute, Ray scored out front as he was set up by Matty and Joe Shannon.

Wrong Nickname

For years now we’ve been immortalizing Matty Iannello as “The Great One”.., and if you talk to Matty he’ll tell you the same.., in his own words “I’m the greatest Over-30 Hockey Player since this stupid league was created.”

You can’t argue with his stats as he was the 1^st player to 1,000 points, he’s #1 in All-Time Points and Assists… and before he retires will overtake Joe Shannon’s #1 Goals status… and not to mention he’s undeniably one of the greatest passers in the league.

But.., were learned last week that Matty’s drive to be the best comes with a price… we learned that Matty… well to put is simply… “He’s a Prick”.

Like the “MeToo” Movement.., former teammates of Matty are coming out of the woodwork to share their stories of being benched, berated and scolded by “The Great One”.., and that some people just don’t wanna play for him… because “He’s a Prick”.

Slowest Shorthanded Goal

When you let a guy whose nickname is “Turtle” get the first shorthanded goal of the season.., you better take a look at your powerplay unit.

Joe “Turtle” Mancinelli took a moment to look off his Captain (Matty Iannello) who was calling for the ball from Joe… instead “Turtle” opted to throw a shot on net as Joe noticed that struggling Fools Gold Goaltender Sean Roache had completely misplayed the ball and was awkwardly out of place to make a save from an almost impossible angle.

We reached out to Joe for a comment on his “Speed” and notching the first shorthanded goal of the season and all Joe said was… “I don’t know what people are talking about.., Matty’s not a prick”

Honorary Naming

We have the Bill Mayne Memorial Award along with the Richie Chamber Memorial Award.., and the newest Mike Hollingsworth MVD Award.., and once he retires from the league (they) will undoubtedly have to honor "The Great One" with the Matty Iannello Leading Scorer Award.

However.., if your name happened to be Pat Pirone… there is only one logical honor that we can bestow onto Pat.

Last week as we watched Pat make his way into the penalty box (again).., so we offer this honorary naming suggestion to the league; "The Pat Pirone Suite"

Positive Changes

Maybe One is full of positive changes this season and here are some of the reasons that will make them a contender this season;

• Scotty Young goes out on indefinite IR.
• Joe Shannon is anchoring a refreshed defense.
• Ray Nickerson knows who’s the real boss is.., (Right Joe?).
• Rookie Joe Gustitus brings speed and youth to the defense core.
• Derek Powers got a promotion to forward; where all the glory is.
• Jeff Deharo retired his jinxed pink and black jersey and is once again donning his Spring 2012 Championship Jersey and posts a shutout.

NoPro - GoPro

Last week while Ed Nigro was getting completely dressed with all of his own equipment.., someone pointed out a “bracket” on the top of his helmet. 

It was said that the “bracket” was for a GoPro Camera.., but after watching Team Cherry give up a league leading 12-goals in 3-games it became more apparent that the real reason Ed has a “bracket” on his helmet is for this;

The League Director Bill Abcunas.., figures if Ed is going to continuously play defense from behind the white icing line he might as well wear this siren to make it easier for Donny and the Refs to record goals.

The Most Interesting Man

Joe Shannon doesn't always ride motorcycles.., but when he does.., he doesn't wear a Helmet.., Stay thirsty my friends.

Someone thought that a mysterious helmet and gloves that were upstairs in the penalty box were Joe's.., Joe graciously took them for the lost and found box in the office.., and before walking off said... "You tell Billy.., the legend doesn't wear a Helmet."

Charlie Hustle

Let me get this straight... Jeff DeHaro the league's worst goalie from the 2017 Winter Season.., decides to get his head out of his ass and start playing like the decorated goalie he was just a few short seasons ago.., and you reward his shutout effort with NOTHING.., but instead opt to award a munchkin for his "Hustle"??

John Mastrocola can run around all he wants.., and can cram his face with cheeseburgers till the cows come home.., but Johnny wouldn't be eating one of the tastiest burgers in town if Jeff lets up 6-goals and they lose 6-5.  

We demand a recount…, #BurgerForJeff

Small "BIG" Hit

Don't worry John Mastrocola.., no one saw Colleen O'Connell put you flat on your face last week.  The official penalty was recorded as “tripping” on the game sheet because Johnny was seen pleading with the refs not to call her for “checking” and further embarrassing the speedy forward.

In fact we think the “Five Guys Award” that Johnny received last week might have been part of a payoff to avoid any litigation for Colleen putting John into the same concussion protocol program as Rob Gronkowski.

Coke Dealer

Looks like Team Cherry is losing some firepower as Joe Carlton is getting a promotion from Shaw’s to a Coke Dealer.

“Mean Joe” will be peddling his Coke up on the streets of the Northshore…trying to get kids and undiagnosed diabetics hooked on his sugary goodness… and you’ll probably be able to trade some of Joe’s Coke for street hockey equipment.

Good luck “Mean Joe”.., and don’t be afraid to come visit us with some Coke samples.

Shirt off his back

It was not as memorable as Ray Bourque giving up #7 to Phil Esposito.., and there was limited press and fanfare.., not to mention that nobody cared, but in case you missed it (and care).

Joe Carlton's played his last game before retiring this season due to a competing work schedule and wanted to literally give Paul Correia the #12 shirt off his back.

Paul is looking to return to his #12 roots and remarket himself to his former glory of the Revere days.., along with his new marketing brand "TC12" after seeing how popular “TB12” has become.

With limited press.., it looked like two guys exchanging shirts in a homeless shelter;

After the ceremony.., Joe gave a brief but tearful retirement speech that no one listened to.  Joe thanked his fans, his current teammates.., wished them all well this season and hopes to see them in the playoffs.   Joe went on to say that undoubtedly he will be replaced by a higher skilled player that will take Team Cherry in a new direction.

When asked about his return to the league in the future.., he said;

"If my work schedule changes I would love to come back and play.., and I'll play on anyone's team except Matty.., I hear he's a prick to play for"