Over 30 Hockey League

Week of October 13 (Game 1) – With Gang Green missing two thirds of its first line and Black Hole missing its top defenseman, each team would be dependent on other players needing to step up and doing their jobs if they expected to win this game.  Little did anyone know that it would be a goalie that would make all the difference in this game.  Jeff Deharo was that goalie, as he was locked in the entire game making key timely saves to single-handedly lead Black Hole to a much needed 3 – 1 victory over Gang Green.

Matching Gang Green’s running fore checking game in the first period, Black Hole pressured their opponents defense consistently enough which resulted in a defensive turnover that saw Sergio Costa open the game’s scoring eight minutes into the period, as he was set up by Joe Mancinelli and Steve Iacoviello.  Sergio’s goal kept his goal scoring streak alive now at three straight games.

In the second period, Black Hole extended their lead only a minute into the period, as Sergio struck again, this time set up by Shawn Wyatt’s hustle and Steve’s timely passing.  Needing a momentum shift to get into this game, Gang Green got just that with just over a minute to play in the period; little did they know it would come as a result of being short-handed.  Taking advantage of a one-on-one opportunity on the right wing, Cooch surprised the flat footed defenseman to run right past him, cut hard to his left at the bottom of the circle and took the ball hard to the net beating the goalie with little available room to spare.  It was a great individual play by Cooch and his second game in a row scoring on a short-handed goal.  About two minutes prior to Cooch’s goal, Jeff made the save of the season on a highlight flash the pad save on a bang-bang set up from behind the net directly out front.

In a back and forth third period, the lack of players was starting to catch up to Gang Green.  For a good two minutes late in the game, they made one final push with ball control and pressure generating some scoring opportunities but failed to convert their chances.  Finally, with six seconds to play in the game, Matt Farrell sealed the win with an empty net goal.  

Week of October 13 (Game 2) – Two of the hottest teams in the league faced off in a much anticipated battle.  The Rhinos entered this game carrying a three game winning streak, while Mixed Nuts had a two game winning streak going.  In the end, it was Mixed Nuts easily romping over the Rhino by a 5 – 1 lopsided score.

After a scoreless first period, Mixed Nuts opened the scoring as Mauro Colucciello converted a tic-tac-toe setup by Ron Aquino and Tim Hickey four minutes into the second period.  Four minutes later saw Tim keep his goal scoring streak alive at two games as he was set up by Matty Iannello and Dave Costa.  Mixed Nuts had control of this game and was playing some solid team defense.

In the third period, the Rhinos got back into this game six and a half minutes into the period as Niko Vramis was set up by the hustle of Steve Medeiros and Shawn Miville.  A key game strategy by Mixed Nuts was to focus on denying Shawn the ball while generating their own offense.  This strategy paid off as Shawn was held to only an assist.  Twelve seconds after Niko’s goal, Mixed Nuts took advantage on the power play as Jamie Kehoe was set up by Matty giving Mixed Nuts a two goal lead again.  Less than a minute later saw Tim score his second goal of the game, as he used his speed to get set up by Ron.  For Tim, it was his second straight multi-point game.  Only forty-three seconds thereafter, Matty capped of the scoring with an unassisted goal for the final score.

Little did anyone know coming into this season that yes Matty would get his share of points but be somewhat overshadowed by the play of Tim Hickey and the Flyin Hawaiian!   Not to be overlooked in this game was the locked in focus of fill-in goalie Jeff Deharo stopping 24 out of 25 shots faced (56 shots stopped on 58 faced in both games played!).

Sabotage

Shame on you Jake "From Statefarm" Deehan for missing last week's game against Jim Barber.., it was (you) that started the streak and it should have been (you) that ended the streak.., but instead (you) called in sick and hid.., and shame on the League Director Bill Abcunas who had to sabotage Jim's streak by hiring outside "Non-Union Scab Workers" to fill in for Jake.

That's right Billy.., we saw you hand Dale McIssac a Dunkin Donut gift card after the game.  It's too bad the jokes on you.., Dale didn't shut Jim down, big Mike Surette shut him down (and) he alone was the sole reason Jim's streak ended.

Oh and Dale.., before you order your Dunkin Donuts coffee with your bribe card.., make sure you have cash on you too.., that card is probably just a prop for the weekly photos and has had a zero balance on it for 3-years now.

New Streak

Now that Jim Barber went scoreless on 3-attempts (including whiffing on a pass) from defenseman Mike Naczas.., the Captain is starting a new streak.., How many games in-a-row can he suck and go pointless.., the current streak is at 1-game and counting.

PLAYER(s) of the week

If our vote counted.., Jeff Deharo would be dunking his Five Guys Cheeseburger into his Dunkin Donuts Coffee, as Jeff single-handily broke up the three-way tie for 1st place.

Although he didn't get the shutouts.., Jeff made a lot of spectacular saves against the (former) first place team Gang Green.., and then filled in and helped Mixed Nuts take over sole position of the #1 spot in the standings.  

Jeff let up one goal for each of his two games.., which included facing players like Dominic "Did Nothing" DeFrancisco and Shawn "MIA" Miville.

Department of Defense

Assistant League Direct and now Department of Defense General Mike Naczas is doing a "tremendous” job with his team of defendants.  

We're still compiling the numbers.., but we believe Naz and company have allowed only 2-goals in 2-games while under his promotion to Defense Coordinator.   Our fact checking team will confirm those figures.

Also.., Last week while Jeff was trying to tie up a loose ball.., he had more sticks in his face than an Asian girl at a Bukkake Party.

While the substitute official was taking his sweet ass time in blowing the whistle.., Naz came to Jeff's defense and saved a goal from going against Jeff's GAA.., so maybe Jeff can bring Naz a donut for helping keep it a one goal game.  

See how happier it is when no one is yelling and blaming each other.  

Stick Magnet

Tony Mastrocola might not be a "Chick Magnet".., but he definitely owns a "Stick Magnet".

Last week we watched Tony, block, tip and blatantly stop anything within his 3-foot wingspan.

Tony who's typically (and formally) a speedy (pre-hip surgery) Speedster.., has opted to spend his playing time.., playing in the defensive pasture.

We asked Black Hole Defense Coordinator Mike Naczas about Tony's defense; 

"Tony has been a solid contributor on defense for Black Hole.., well, except for that one-time (in Overtime) when he thought he was Jay Carrien and tried to stick handle the ball from behind his own net.., then coughed it up to Mauro Coluciello who quickly buried the GWG OT Goal.., but other than that.., Tony has been as solid as any #2 drafted defenseman in the league."

Car Troubles?

I think we might have found the root cause at to why Walter "Chong" Maslak always shows up late and has lost his scoring ways.

I'm no mechanic.., but can anyone in the Over-30 League help Walter figure out why his car is smoking so badly.   It looks like it might be a bad oil leak?

#66%

WTF!!??.., could this be the season when a "Smilin Pete Lodi - Pink Stick Bag Challenger" beats the challenge with only short-handed goals?

Interesting stat.., Current PSBC John Colucciello needs 6-goals to beat this season’s challenge.   He currently has 2-goals and both are short-handed.  John wears #66 and ironically with John scoring 2-goals during their 3-minutes of penalties (with John in the lineup).., his short-handed scoring is also at 66% while his pre-game hugging of the League Directors wife is still at 100%.   

If Cooch wants a shot at beating his 6-goal challenge.., Gang Green needs to help him out by getting 9-Penalties (with him in the lineup) so John can maintain his 66% SHG Ratio and beat the challenge 

Usain vs Insane

If you’re going to have the loudest mouth in the league.., then you better own the loudest sneakers in the league from the Usain Bolt collection.

Check out our own Carlos "Insane" Machado's new kicks;

If those lime yellow tires could only add speed and talent to the guy in them.., as "Insane" Machado is one of 3-forwards left who have yet to score a point this season.

What's the point?

Speaking of pointless players.., there are currently 6-players who have yet to score a point for their teams this season.

So what's the point?   As we approach the mid-way point of the season there are 3-Forwards and 2-Defenseman that are now on the watch who have no points and are in danger of losing the points race to the only woman in the league who is also 0-0

This is the part of the season when we like to play America's new favorite game show... "Can you score a point before a 50yo Team USA Silver Medalist Woman Can?"

This is when all the cheering for our own 50yo Silver Medalist Colleen O'Connell starts to happen.., as we see who will be the last person (or persons) to score a point before Colleen does.

No pressure to the 5-remaining men who are now on the watch list.., (oh wait) no there is pressure (a lot) of pressure as we cheer more for Colleen who's won Silver Medals, Over-30 Awards & Championships and even the first and only "Goal of the year Award".., which still brings a smile thinking about that time she stole the ball from Bill Abcunas and went in and scored.., (oh, you weren't in the league then.., we'll read all about it by clicking the following link).  Also, you can read about the fastest and longest goals score in the history of the league and both by the same former player in the same season.

http://over30hockeyleague.com/2015springseasonrecap/2015springbestgoal.html

So.., Mike Naczas, Brien Sullivan, Walter Maslak, Tony Bono and Carlos Machado you can either start scoring or pass it to someone with more talent on your team and at least get the assist.

Old Expression

There's an old expression that can sum up Bob Snyder style of defense.

"You can't see the forest for the trees." ~ An expression used of someone who is too involved in the details of a problem to look at the situation as a whole: 

“The defenseman became so involved in the one-on-one battle that he couldn't see the forest for the trees; he did not realize that the play was happening around him.” 

Roasted Nuts

Mixed Nuts are looking more and more like "Roasted Nuts" because they are on fire.

If Mixed Nuts keeps on winning and Coach's Corner keeps on loosing.., we'll be talking "Magic Number" before this second 1/3 of the season is over.

Canned Ham Award

When I hear a the nickname "The Flying Hawaiian" for some reason it reminds me of my youth and my mother's canned ham recipe with pineapple and cherries on top.

If Ron "The Flying Hawaiian" Aquino wins any awards this year, can we present him with a canned ham.., because the "Cherry" on top of Ron's Hawaiian "Ham and Pineapple" season so far is that he just entered into the "Top 5" in scoring where typically all the elite players hang out (except Shawn Miville who's currently #20th in the standings)

After wrapping up the first 1/3 of the season Ron is on pace for a potential 21-point season. We asked Ron about his early success and he had this to say;

"I've played under the (Winningest) Captain.., I've played under the (Smartest) Captain.., and now I'm playing under the (Bestest) Captain.., and look what he did for Umberto "Papa Smurf" Biancardi's career.., now he's making Ron Aquino a household name."