Over 30 Hockey League

Week of February 17 (Game 1) – Tired of their four game losing streak, Fool’s Gold made a commitment as a team, took the rust off their games and soundly defeated Team Cherry by a 6 – 3 score to get back into the playoff hunt.  For Team Cherry, it halted their two-game point’s streak as they fell behind by three goals heading into the third period and couldn’t catch up.

In the first period, after being motivated along with his brother John and Niko during a pre-game meeting, Mauro Colucciello scored his first goal after returning from medical IR, as he was set up out front by George Medeiros and Sergio Costa two minutes into the game.  Five minutes later, rookie Matt Farrell tied the score for Team Cherry as he was set up by Carlos Machado.

In the second period, Fool’s Gold kept up the pressure and team defense to break this game open.  Three minutes into the period saw Jamie Kehoe score off a bomb from the point, set up by the passing of Niko Vramis.  A key goal came with thirty seconds to go as Niko received a pass from Cooch (no it wasn’t behind the back) to put his team up by two goals.

Carrying the momentum into the third period saw Fool’s Gold play with some desperation that resulted in Ray Dow’s flutterball knuckler of a shot somehow elude the goalie three seconds after a power play had expired, giving Fool’s Gold a commanding three-goal lead a minute into the period. Needing something to change the momentum, Team Cherry got it less than two minutes later as Matt was sent in by Jason Carrien to once again make this a game.  Before Team Cherry could take advantage however, Cooch scored two minutes later as he was set up by Jamie and Mauro.  Pressing for a goal resulted in Paul Correia scoring out front with just over a minute to play for Team Cherry, as he was set up by Brian Kehoe and Dan Broderick.  With Team Cherry’s goalie pulled for an extra attacker, Mauro sealed the win with an empty net goal with four seconds to play to account for the final score.

Week of February 17 (Game 2) – In a battle of titans, Trojan Horse played a complete game from start to finish to avenge a shutout drubbing in their first meeting between these teams and hand Blues Brothers a 5 – 2 loss.  The loss ended a two-game point’s streak for Blues Brothers and moved Trojan Horse into a three-way tie for first place overall.

Trojan Horse came out flying in the first period sending a message to Blues Brothers that this would be a hard fought game.  Three minutes in saw Shawn Miville collect a pass from Walter Maslak and score the game’s first goal.  Three minutes later saw Trojan Horse increase their lead as Umberto Biancardi stayed hot, scoring his third goal in his last two games, converting off the passing of Angelo Deluca and Rick Cassano.  Less than a minute later however, Blues Brothers got back into this game when Tony Medeiros was set up on the wing by Mike Luise and Todd Bryson. Before you could say momentum swing, with less than a minute left in the period, Shawn scored his second goal of the game on a heads up individual play cutting across the crease, as he was set up by Rick and Steve Iacoviello. 

In the second period both teams traded goals.  Three minutes into the period saw Jim Clarke get set up by Dominic Defrancisco on the point for his first goal of the season.  Putting a dagger into the comeback hearts of Blues Brothers, Angelo was set up in close by the passing of Rick and Umberto only a minute later.  This same line combination worked its magic again less than two minutes later as Angelo scored his second goal of the game, set up by Rick and Umberto. 

Quote of the week

Carlos Machado gets this weeks "Quote of the week Award"

Carlos who is often quiet and not loud or outspoken.., was all over Referee Jon Picard by repeatedly telling him "Ref..,You're missing a hell of a game out here"

Carlos' dismay was in reference to Pic trying to do his job and clear "non-insured" spectators from standing over the glass.

But; Carlos thought he was spending too much time fraternizing instead of refereeing.

Worm Burner

With 50% of his season over and only 20% of his challenge complete.., Ray Dow will endure more pressure and jeering from his peers to score goals and beat the challenge (or not, unless your rooting against him).

Last week Ray notched only his second goal of the season and that thing was a real (for lack of a better term).. a real “worm burner” that limped by Jake Deehan.  But; as they say.., "it's not how, but how many."

The pressure should help Ray get ready for the Masters this summer.., but the real question is;  if Ray fails the challenge.., will he pack his sticks for Bermuda in his new pink stick bag?

Oh My Nose

The Webmaster Jim Barber was screaming across the rink to Dave Costa to "get down below the glass".., Dave responded by flipping the bird and laughing.

Not 10-minutes later Fools Gold Sergio Costa (who was probably in some sort of Portuguese collusion) attempted to clear the ball from his defensive zone that was tipped by Ed Nigro over the glass and hit Mr Barber square in the nose.

At least those very courteous Brady kids were raised to apologize.   Neither Sergio or  Ed didn't even acknowledge the webmasters pain.., while Dave Costa could not stop laughing.   

Portugal Collusion

The league is calling for an FBI investigation see if there was collusion with Portugal and the assignation attempts on the Webmaster and Trojan Horse Captain Jim Barber.

First the webmaster was shot in the head with a ball off the stick of a Portuguese Player in Sergio Costa.

Then fellow "Rumchata Chugger" Tony Medeiros tripped the speeding webmaster as he attempted to break away into the offensive zone.., and when one tripping penalty wasn't enough.., while getting up, Captain Jim was subsequently checked from behind into the boards resulting in Tony getting an additional 1-minute on top of the initial tripping call and the webmaster got to go home with an egg over his eye.

New Tattoo

Jason Carrien got his 8-stitches out last week that revealed his new permanent tattoo in the form of a scar.

Basically Jay indirectly has "Naz" name tattooed above his right eye.., because every time he looks in the mirror and sees his scar he'll always remember the ALD Mike Naczas.

Unconfirmed reports said Jason brought the extracted stitches to Dan and said "We need this many (+1) points to beat the over/under bet that the league issued last week against us.”

In case you missed it

Betting lines:

+8 Points 3/1

8 Stitches 1/3

Head Hunters

Is it too late to petition the league to change the name of Blue Brothers to Headhunters?

The last 2-out-of-3 weeks opposing players have incurred head related injuries.

Thankfully the Blues Brothers have the week off and the only damage they can cause this week is via Mike Naczas and his BYE week refereeing. 

Snow Cancellations?

Both Mike Delorey and Nick Romano texted and said they couldn't make the 6:00 game because they we dealing with the pending storm.., but yet when the 6:00 game finished at 7:00 there wasn't a flake on the ground???

When asked why they couldn't make it as the snow wasn't coming in until later in the evening.., Nick said "I like to get under the overpass early before all the good waiting spots are taken."

Smurf Trick

Umberto "Papa Smurf" Biancardi recorded himself a "Smurf Trick" last week by scoring 1-goal and 2-assists.  

Umberto's 3-point "Smurf Trick" helped put "Papa Smurf" over the top for his scoring challenge as he becomes just the 3rd player to register in the Spring Scoring Challenge.

Trojan Awards

Ricky Cassano will be getting free coffee next week thanks to his “Dunkin Donuts Player of the Week Award”.., but his fellow teammate’s award Angelo "Kato" Deluca the prestigious "Trojan of the Week" as Angelo jumped to the top of the leader board with his 2-goals and 1-assist performance last week.

Are we finally witnessing the return of the great "Kato"?  With only 5-games played.., Angelo is only one point behind his season total from last year.

Let One Get Away

Team Cherry Captain Dan Broderick said that last week’s game vs Fools Gold was a "Must win".., it's too bad the rest of Dan's team didn't feel that sense of urgency.., as they let one get away last week.

Despite the 6-3 blowout, there were highlights for Team Cherry.  For starters; the addition of Matt Farrell (who when he isn't oversleeping) is a real offensive threat as he netted 2-Goals.  While Paul Correia's new "WD40 Workout" regiment is helping shed more rust every week.., we fully expect Team Cherry to cash the "Playoff Check" that Jason Carrien's mouth wrote at the beginning of the season. 

Shut'er Down (Again)

Legendary Joe Shannon Is shutting it down (again) and walking away from the first place team.

There is zero truth to the rumor that Joe is leaving the team because "Matty is a prick"..,   Joe is going in for an MRI and was told to shut it down for the season.   They apparently are going to scan for the reason for Joe's lack of scoring.., as it's even more inevitable that "The Great One" Matty Iannello is closing in on (Joe) the "All-Time Goals" leader and it won't be long before Matt's trifecta domination is complete.

Total Domination?

Matty "The Great One" Iannello is the current "All-Time Points" and "All-Time Assists" leader.., and he is closing the gap on Joe Shannon for the "All-Time Goals" and the only elusive category "The Great One" hasn't dominated is "All-Time Championship Jackets".., as Ed Nigro holds that title with 14.

With Ed at age 65 and on the edge of retirement.., We asked Matty about the possibility of winning 7-more championships before he retires to surpass Ed for "Total Domination" and the Matty had this to say;

"I could give a rat’s ass about these so-called championship plastic jackets".., there's 8-kids running around Africa with "Matty 77" on their arm."

He continued by saying;

"I'm going to keep playing until either; the new Wynn Casino opens and I spend my Saturday nights gambling.., or the league awards something I wanna wear.., like a Championship Fleece.., then maybe I'll stick around long enough to dethrone Ed like I've done to so many other players over the years"