Over 30 Hockey League

Week of October 27 (Game 1) – The consensus coming into this game was that Coach’s Corner had its best chance of finally winning their first game, and the smart betting money was on them.  What happened at the end of this game was literally victory being snatched by a buzzer beating goal to end up in a 3 – 3 tie between Coach’s Corner and the Rhinos.

During warm ups before the game, Coach’s Corner received a confidence building boost when John Mastrocola returned from 4 games on the IR and Joe Gustitus made his season debut on defense.  However, the boost was short-lived as John Kelleher was left all alone out front to score his first goal of the season on a great pass by George Medeiros after a pass from Chris Ducharme three minutes in.  With two minutes left in the period, Nick Romano scored when he was set up by Joe and John (impact made gentlemen).

After a scoreless second period, Coach’s Corner started taking over this game.  Four minutes into the period, Paul Correia channeled his inner Mark Messier to score out front off the passing of Tony Medeiros and Joe.  Less than two minutes later saw Steve Medeiros score his first goal of the season as he was set up by George.  Forty-four seconds later, Nick grabbed the momentum and lead back for his team as he was set up out front by John and Tony Bono.  With the lead and time running out and the ball in the right faceoff circle with seconds left, control of the ball was lost by a player on Coach’s Corner.  Instead of shooting the ball into the corner to run out the clock, the misplay went over to the boards onto John Kelleher’s stick.  With players on both teams thinking time would run out, players gave up for a split second which was more than enough for John to throw a shot at the net that somehow snuck in the low short side past the goalie as time ran out and the buzzer sounded.  In the history of the Over-30 league, we have never witnessed a buzzer beating goal!

In overtime, the Rhinos threw five shots on net and carried the play over the still stunned Coach’s Corner team.  However, Coach’s Corner FINALLY put an end to their five game losing streak to earn a valuable point in the standings.

Week of October 27 (Game 2) – This game matched two teams heading in opposite directions.  Mixed Nuts is rolling, winners of their previous three games, while Gang Green was stuck in a two game losing streak.  To make matters worse, Gang Green was missing five players this game.  The lack of players was too much for Gang Green to overcome as Mixed Nuts broke this game open in the second period for a 4 – 2 win.  With the win, Mixed Nuts moved into sole possession of first place overall in the standings.

In the first period, Matty Iannello set the tempo and pace for his team, as he was set up in the high slot by John Leite and Gary Goodwin with less than two minutes left in the period.

The rest of the scoring took place in the second period for both teams with five goals scored between them.  A minute and a half into the period saw Mixed Nuts Ron Aquino continue to impress this season as he was set up by Mark Stickney.  Three minutes later saw Mixed Nuts increase their lead as Matty struck again, set up by the cycling hustle of Ron and Gary.  Needing a big momentum swinging shift, Gang Green got it from an unexpected player wearing number 23.  Yes, Cappy was playing center this game and scored with four minutes left as he was set up by Dominic Defrancisco and Ed Nigro.  Less than a minute later, Cappy pulled off the double as he scored again, this time set up by Dominic. Making this a surprising one goal game.  However, any comeback hopes were squashed a minute later as Gary buried his chance, set up by Matty and John.

Who writes the Forum?

To ask that question is like asking "Who's the Phantom Gourmet?".., do you really want to know or do you just want to eat at the places he (or she) recommends.

But if you must know.., the forum has a bunch of Contributors, Reporters, Rats and Moles that help provide insight and humility to help interject a little humor into the league so no one takes it to serious.

But above all (we) and I mean "we" often say "The Forum writes itself" and it truly does.., and to prove that point just continue reading and enjoy.

Cleanup Aisle #27

Thank you Shawn Miville for picking up all the smashed French fries that the kids from the previous birthday party tossed on the dek.

Miv was worried saying "I'm not tearing my ACL because of a fry".., and if anyone should know about being injured due to food and drinks on the rink.., it's Shawn (who was an accessory to his own Gatorade related MISI tantrum and resulting injury) ~ Sorry Miv, but that was such a great instant karma moment. 

Called Up

Joe Gustitus got the called up from Providence and assigned to help turn Coach's Corner into a playoff contender.  

Actually he was called to replace Colleen O'Connell for potentially the rest of the season as ESPN is reporting that the Silver Medalist suffered a lower body injury and is out indefinitely.   

So welcome back Joe.., and hurry back Colleen.., there's still 4-more people you need to beat in the "Point" race.

Nursery Rhyme

Georgie Porgie, pudding and pie..,

Stole the ball and made Ray cry.., 

When Ray Dow was out of the play..,

Georgie Porgie sent a sweet ass pass over to John Kelleher for an easy one-timer.

Tenacious G

George "Tenacious G" Medeiros has to be one of most pesky little players since Johnny and Tony Mastrocola (back in their prime).  If George has any fear he doesn't show it.., even when he's battling and "Messin' with Sasquatch" Mike Surette in the corners.

This reporter has always said George has to be one of the best additions to the league both skill wise and personality wise.., he's a Class Valedictorian and Graduate of the Bill Belichick School of "Do you job" and never quit.

Days of Our Lives

Like “Sands” through the hourglass, so are the Days of Our Lives.

The soap opera drama continues.., last week after several analysts were calling it and saying “This is the week our Sand Color Team gets their first win”.., Coach's Corner came within 1/2 second of making their predictions a reality.., but like any good soap opera there's always a villain.

Last week's villain was Tony Medeiros who had the opportunity to take the ball into the corner and kill the last weening seconds.., but reasons unknown coughed it up and Rhino Captain John Kelleher made him pay with a buzzer beating goal to force overtime.

Trash Day

Apparently Saturday's is trash day in Saugus because Nick Romano is the king of garbage goals.., or as one heckler yelled out "Hey Nick I thought you were a Mason, not a Garbage Man"

Slew foot 

Welcome Back Ed Nigro.., or should we call you "Slew Foot Ed"?

One of the most (senior) and championship winners in the league decided to throw his 14-time championship leg out to slowdown "The Flying Hawaiian" Ron Aquino.

Fuzzy Green Math

With only 6-players showing up for Gang Green last week.., Captain Dominic DeFrancisco and Assist Captain "Slew Foot Ed" declined an offer for additional outside help.

Though we respect Dominic's reason for wanting to play with what you got.., the problem is this;

You had 6-players.., of which 3-players are (well over) 50-years old and when you do the math.., there was a calculated chance of less than 50% chance of you winning that game despite your best efforts.., and here's the math to prove it;

6-players = 54% of the team which means each player has  base "Face Value" of 9.0% FV.., (but) you have players playing at less than 100% of their playing potential. 

Dominic DeFrancisco is always at 100% (9.0% FV)

Brian Capodilupo the top defenseman is at 100% (9.0% FV)

Mike Surette taking fewer penalties is at 95% (8.5% FV) 

Ray Nickerson without Matty is 90% (8.1% FV)

Pat Pirone is hobbling at 85% (7.6% FV)

Ed Nigro and his age drops him to 80% (7.2% FV)

Total face value of 49.4% or the equivalent of 5.4 players.., and not enough to beat the first place team.

Life Alert

Life Alert Operator:  “This is Life Alert, what's your Emergency”

Brian Capodilupo:  “I've fallen and I can't get up.”

Life Alert Operator:  “No problem.., don’t panic help is on the way.”

The help that was on the way was our own head referee Jon Picard who (despite his denials) helped pick Cappy up off the floor and got him to his feet.

Once Pic got Cappy to his feet.., the ball immediately went to Cappy's stick and he quickly buried a goal (just 5-seconds) after lying helplessly on the ground.

League officials were immediately calling for Referee Interference and empathically signaling "No Goal".

Missed Opportunities

Wayne Gretsky is credited with saying "You miss one hundred percent of the shots you don't take."

Ray Dow is credited with saying "We miss ninety percent of the shots we take."

According to Ray.., Coach's Corner is "Not playing bad".., they are just missing the net with a lot of their shots (including Ray).

With the addition of Joe Gustitus and the return of Johnny Mastrocola.., coupled with the third straight loss and landslide that Gang Green is currently in.., we look to Dan Broderick and company to make a push for the final playoff spot and prove NAZtradamus right.

"AJ"

Jim Barber and Mike Naczas have a new nickname for current stick bag challenger John Coluciello.

With John's recent lower body injury that sidelined him last week.., The “New Regime” are referring to Cooch as "AJ" in reference to Andrew Jackson as they now see Cooch as a $20 bill since they each will take a $20 bill from Bill Abcunas once "AJ" officially fails his challenge.

Slippery when wet

Released in 1987 Bon Jovi's album "Slippery When Wet" sold over 28-millions.., Hockeytown's version of slippery when wet will cost Shawn Miville 31-minutes of missed hockey.

The league has levied a 1-game suspension for the unprovoked check on Tony Bono.

We know the #22 ranked Shawn Miville is frustrated at his lack of production this year.., but you can't blame Hockeytown's slippery floor for taking down two of your players (in the same wet spot) and then complain that there was no call, when by their own admission "they slipped"

Checking an innocent bystander because he was wearing a sand color jersey is something Pat Pirone would have done back in his hay-day.., but like Ray Dow says "You're better than that Miv".., and checking Tony Bono is the equivalent of the USA nuking a neutral country like Switzerland for no apparent reason other than they were there.