Over 30 Hockey League

Week of March 17 (Game 1) – For both Blues Brothers and Fool’s Gold, this was a must win game for both teams.  Blues Brothers was free falling in the midst of a three game losing streak having trouble scoring goals, while Fool’s Gold seemed to be turning their season around winning two of the last three games played.  It seemed fitting that the game ended up in a 3 – 3 tie with each team earning a valuable point to move up the standings.

Fool’s Gold made a bold statement at the start of this game as only forty-two seconds into the opening period with Niko Vramis banging home the rebound off a scramble out front, set up by John Colucciello and Tony Bono.  Seven minutes later saw Mike Luise get set up in close by the hustle of Tim Hickey to tie this game.

In the second period, a minute and a half in, Dave Costa (who was shifted up front from his defensive quarterback position to change the offense for his team and create a powerhouse Portuguese first line) was set up on the wing by the passing of Dominic Defrancisco and Todd Bryson.  Four and a half minutes later with Fool’s Gold needing a spark, they received it from an unexpected source as Shawn Wyatt bulled his way down the left wing, cut to the dirty area of the front of the net and backhanded his shot while falling down for a great individual effort to re-tie this game.  Before the momentum could swing over, Mike Luise made sure that didn’t happen as he answered right back only thirteen seconds later as he was set up in the slot by John Leite to give his Blues Brothers team the lead once again.

Early in the third period, a minute and a half in, Cooch took a lead pass down the right wing from John Kelleher and buried his wrist shot to tie up this game.  In overtime, Blues Brothers carried the play, outshooting Fool’s Gold by a 5 – 2 margin but couldn’t put one past the goalie.  From this reporter’s vantage point, this was a very entertaining game and had a playoff feel to it as both teams competed hard all game long. 

Week of March 17 (Game 2) – In their previous two games played, Team Cherry definitely had Maybe One’s number, winning both games.  So the smart money was on Team Cherry winning this game.  However, someone forgot to tell Maybe One that as they broke open a one goal game in the third period by scoring three goals to cruise to a 5 – 2 victory.

In the first period, Ray Nickerson opened the scoring for Maybe One just over six minutes in as he took a pass from Matty Iannello (on a breakout pass from Alex Leone) on the left wing and buried his shot. 

Three minutes into the second period, Maybe One increased their lead to two goals as Joe Gustitus was set up by the passing of Matty and Ray.  Noticeable throughout the first and second period for Team Cherry were their constant struggles by their offense simply handling breakout passes from the defense and cleanly moving the ball out of their defensive zone.  This has been a constant issue for this team all season long and the self-inflicted turnovers have repeatedly cost them.

Needing something early in the third period to turn this game around, Team Cherry got it forty-six seconds in as Matt Farrell took a breakout pass by Jason Carrien and beat the goalie to get his team back into this game.  Two minutes later saw the game’s key play and turning point as John Carey (moved from defense to play up front) was positioned in the high slot right side and his back-hander fooled the goalie off some passing by Matty and Mike Caso giving his team some breathing room.  Two minutes later saw Matty get set up by Ray and the hustle of Joe Mancinelli to increase the lead for Maybe One to three goals.  Less than a minute later, Team Cherry put a scare into Maybe One as Ron Aquino scored his second goal in as many games, converting a rebound of shots by Matt and Carlos Machado.  However, a minute later Joe Gustitus ended the suspense with his second goal of the game as he was set up by John and Pat Pirone to put this game away.

Ray vs Hell

Looks like another Over-30 side bet is developing;

The week it's Ray Dow Passing the "Pink Stick Bag Challenge" vs Hell Freezing Over

Ray Passing: 100-1

Hell Freezing: Over 6-1

With 3-Games left and still needing 3-Goals.., inside sources say that there is ZERO chance of Ray earning himself a "Passed" badge.

The good news is.., the "Smilin Pete Lodi Pink Stick Bag" will be going on vacation this summer to sunny Bermuda. 

Forgive Me Codfather

Looks the "Codfather" John Leite was practicing the family business last Saturday.   

The always quiet "Codfather" was called for not ONE, but TWO slashing penalties.

Unlike other nameless "HABitual Complainers" teammates who like to argue penalties.., John just went quietly to the box to serve his sentence(s).   

However.., were pretty sure that if the "Codfather" was called for another penalty it was going to be for "whacking" as the family boss was starting to get a little aggregated by the marginal calls against him.

Oh and for future reference.., to any Referee that rings up the "Codfather" for 2-penalties.., you might want to let someone else start your car.., or you might end up with a Cod Head in your bed.  

Luck of the Irish

Sean Roach sporting his Irish Goalie Jersey.., had a little bit of “Irish Luck” on his side.

Blue Brother Tim Hickey crossed into the offensive zone… blasts a shot on Sean.., and the collects his own rebound.., deke’s Sean almost out of his goalie pads and with a wide open net… Hickey’s shot clanks off the post.

The crowd went wild for the Tim’s effort and Sean’s luck.

Boo Birds

What does Zdeno Chára, P.K. Subban and our very own Mike Naczas have in common?

They are all defenseman who have fallen victim to the dreaded "Boo Birds”

Last week every time Naz touched the ball "Booooooo's" rained down from the Statler & Waldorf Luxury Suite.

It was so contagious that we have unconfirmed reports of both referee's and players from the Blues Brothers benched joined the chant as well.

Pumpkin Ale Goal of the Game

Shawn Wyatt gets this weeks "Pumpkin Ale Goal of the Game" as Shawn scored an ESPN worthy highlight goal against Sandra Glista.  

It wasn't pretty.., but it was persistent!   Like a scene out of the movie Speed; Shawn was a streaking runaway Bus with no brakes as he plowed down the left side boards through the Blues Brothers line of defense careful not to drop below 55 MPH.

Shawn then took a right at the faceoff dot and headed downtown.., once again he plowed through another line of defensive players.., but with no brakes he went past his stop (at the crease) and had to fire a shot backwards towards an open net (while falling).  President Trump would call it a “tremendous individual effort.”

Btw Shawn… you have to bring your own Pumpkin Ale if you want an actual award.

Quote of the week

This week it comes from Colleen O'Connell who wants her team and future teams to know she’s a "50-yo woman" and understands “situational” hockey and she has no problem sitting during key situations to benefit her “team”.

Ass Over Teakettle

Don't worry Bob Snyder.., no one saw you almost go "Ass over Teakettle" trying to get on the dek for Overtime.., no one except your Captain Dominic DeFrancisco who quickly assessed the situation and sent you back to the bench. 

Sorry, but Dom wisely didn't want to risk the clumsiness in overtime.

"Slapshot" Debate

Last week guest defenseman Ray Dow was doing a post-game interview in the Statler & Waldorf Suite.., when a debate started over who has the harder "Slapshot".., Dan Broderick or Mike Naczas?

Ray was calling for the league director to dip into the slush fund and purchase an official league radar gun to settle the debate.

Dan was the overwhelming favorite.., well, except one person who said that would beat Dan by 10 MPH easily.

Dan vs Naz… Harder “Slapshot”.., talk amongst yourselves;

Munster Fore-checking

Did anyone else catch Pat Pirone's awkward fore-checking last week?

He looked like a dancing Herman Munster fore-checking (or) that he just shit his pants.., (or) both; Herman Munster with full metal jacket in his drawers and fore-checking.

Pat.., you think playing through a hamstring pull is a wise thing to do at your age?  You're doing more harm than good to your leg and your team.

Turtle Testing

Does anyone know if there's a kit for testing "Turtles" for HGH and/or Metabolic Steroids?

People are beginning to wonder if Joe "Turtle" Mancinelli is on the juice? 

The last few weeks "Turtle" has been flying (and we use the word loosely) but he's literally all over the rink fore-checking, passing and scoring.., Joe is tied for second on the team in Points, Goals, and Assists.

With all those skills.., we might have to refer to Joe as a "Ninja Turtle"

Sweepless In Seattle

Team Cherry had the opportunity to do what no other team could do.., that is to execute a season sweep against the #1 team Maybe One.

With (2) previous wins already under the belt.., Team Cherry needed these 2-points as they head down the final stretch.., and Maybe One Captain Matty Iannello had publically voiced concerns going into last week’s game.

For the legend Dan Broderick… it’s just two more points that got away.

Defenseless No More

Last year's defenseless punching bag that was Maybe One.., has dramatically turned it around thanks to their defense acquisitions and Jeff Deharo's potential award winning season.

Their biggest off season acquisition was signing Joe Gustitus who brings youth, speed and stick handling ability (without panicking).., then you add Mike Caso who's cool as a cucumber in the veggie drawer of any refrigerator.., and they in turn pair up with proven recent championship winners Alex Leone and John Carrey and together all four post a league leading 16-goals against.   

7-months ago Captain Matty Iannello looked at his roster and named his team "Maybe One" for maybe one win.., however that could mean something different in 6-weeks as he could be playing for "Maybe One" more jacket for those kids in Africa.