Over 30 Hockey League

Week of November 17 (Game 1) – With both teams heading in opposite directions, Black Hole on a 4-game winning streak and Gang Green stuck in a 4-game losing streak, the question was would the same pattern continue?  Unfortunately for Gang Green, the answer was a resounding yes as they were missing their top defenseman and one of their top forwards resulting in a blowout win by Black Hole by a 6 – 1 score.

In the first period, Black Hole took advantage of some defensive miscues and jumped out to a lead.  Four minutes into the period, Jason Carrien carried the ball in his defensive zone and let loose a slap shot that surprised and beat the goalie from behind the white clearing line.  Five minutes later, Matt Farrell converted his shot off the passing from Rick Cassano and Jason.

The second period was more of the same for Black Hole who broke this game wide open with a three goal outburst in the last two minutes of the period.  With just over two minutes to play in the period, Jason was set up on the point by Matt and Sergio Costa.  A minute late saw Matt get set up by Jason and Sergio.  Thirty-five seconds after that saw Jim Barber score his league leading 11^th goal of the season off the wing, set up by Shawn Wyatt and Rick.

In the third period, with the game well in hand, Matt completed his hat trick with four minutes left in the game as he broke down the left wing on a pass from Rick and Naz to beat the goalie.  Even though mentally and physically out of the game at this point, Gang Green kept pressing and their efforts were rewarded.  With three minutes left in the game, John Carey moved across the high slot, set up by Dominic Defrancisco and Pat Pirone to score and deny a shutout. 

Without a doubt the best player in this game was defenseman Jason Carrien who factored into his team’s first four goals, played major minutes in carrying the defense and simply dictated the play of this game!

Week of November 17 (Game 2) – Another game played with both teams trending in different directions, saw Mixed Nuts, led by their captain, jump out to the early lead, opening the offensive floodgates in the second period to break this game wide open, and rout the Rhinos by a 4 – 1 score.

In the first period, Mixed Nuts came out running and carried the play with some quality scoring chances.  Less than two minutes left in the period, their persistence was rewarded as Ron “the Flyin Hawaiian” Aquino struck first, set up by Matty Iannello and Tim Hickey.

The second period was more of the same for Mixed Nuts who broke this game wide open with a three goal outburst in a four minute span.  On a power play with just over five minutes to play in the period, Dave Costa was set up on the point by Jamie Kehoe and Matty, whose booming slap shot beat the goalie.  Twenty-five seconds later saw Mauro Colucciello snap a shot from the high slot into the net, set up by the passing of Matty and Mark Stickney.  With just over a minute to play in the period, the offensive blitz continued for Mixed Nuts as Jamie ripped a shot past the goalie set up by Matty and Tim, accounting for all the scoring by Mixed Nuts.

Even though mentally and physically out of the game at this point, the Rhinos tried making a game of it.  An offensive flurry paid off, denying the goalie a shutout as Niko Vramis scored four minutes into the period, set up by John Kelleher and Derrick Power.

Zip It or Sit It

Massachusetts has "Click It or Ticket".., and the Over-30 League is now enforcing their policy of "Zip It or Sit It".

All the Referees, Captains and Assist Captains were debriefed by the League Director that the shenanigans of continuously questioning calls by the officials needs to stop.

Players are allowed to talk to the referees.., but they are not allowed to debate calls unless they have a "C" or an "A" on their jersey.

Referees have been instructed to keep the pace and playing flowing.., and the sidebar debates and discussions are to cease immediately.   

Players that do not heed the warning by the referee to "Zip It" will then "Sit It" for either a 1-minute penalty which will put their team shorthanded or they can face a 5-minute unsportsmanlike penalty.., (and) players can also be ejected and/or suspended if they become belligerent towards the referees, league officials and other players.

If you have a problem or want to question a call.., start with your team's Captain(s).., but in all likelihood they are going to tell you to forget about it and just keep playing.

Clinched

The first two teams purchased their tickets to the big dance in December.  

Both Mixed Nuts and Black Hole had dominating wins last week to clinch their playoff berths.  Analyst and bookies are projecting these two teams as the championship match up.

But as you know.., "Any Given Saturday" upsets and Naztradamus predictions can be foiled. 

The Defense Syndicate

Attention Goalies; you are playing a great game.., and stopped every shot you faced (so far).

Just remember one thing.., the Mob controls the unions, the Free Mason control the government and "The Defense Syndicate" are the ones that control whether or not you get that shutout you fought for.

If you are nice to them and they will allow your shutout to happen.., start blaming them for bad passes (or plays) and you will find yourself being "screened" or they'll leave that vulnerable back door wide open.

Queen Remake

Thank you Jay Carrien for rewriting the chorus to Queen's Song "Keep yourself alive" to celebrate Jim Barber's 11th goal of the season by singing "Keep that streak alive, yeah.., Keep that streak alive"

Youth Gone Wild

Skid Row sings it.., but Matt Farrell & Jay Carrien live it.., they are examples of the "Youth Gone Wild" movement in the league with their speed, stick-handling and goal scoring touches.

Last week Jay and Matt teamed up to score 5-goals and 3-assists in the 6-1 win over Gang Green.

The League Director does his best to balance the teams during the preseason draft process and this year is no exception as he put Matt in middle of a pair of 50-year old wingers.., while Jay has to carry two mid-50 year old defensemen on his back. 

Vet Report

After just one shift Joe "Turtle" Mancinelli had to shut it down for the game.  

We ask Black Hole Captain Jim Barber about "Turtle's" injury and playing status and the Captain said;  "We appreciate the inquires in Joe's injury.., he's officially on the DL as day-to-day as our team Veterinarian says "Turtle" has some lower shell inflation.., he is own a high leaf and lettuce diet and will be a game time decision come Saturday"

That a PLUS Season

Assistant League Director Mike Naczas as bullied Dan Broderick throughout the years with his “That’s a Minus” chants.., and now the ALD wants everyone to know that since he was promoted to “Defense Coordinator” for Black Hole his defensive core has the lowest goals allowed (22 GA) and while his offense is currently 1^st in the league with (38 Goals)… Mike is having a spectacular “That’s a Plus” season running at a +16..., not bad for a guy who was the last pick in MISI League.

Powerless Powerplay

What happened to the Rhino's as of late.., they started out a team as the team to be reckoned with.., but their mighty Rhino herd is quickly becoming a pack of Jackalope.

Losing 4-1 they had an opportunity to make the game a little more respectable in the waning minutes of the 3rd as Mixed Nuts spent the last 4-minutes of the game shorthanded with 4-penalties.

Instead of Scotty Rosato walking off in frustration.., he was pulled for the series of powerless powerplay(s) that the Rhino's couldn't capitalize on.  

December 8^th

Mark your calendar for December 8^th.., that’s when Gang Green and Coach’s Corner will meet each other for the final time this season and this could be the game that decides who gets that 4^th and final playoff spot.., or who get to hit the Square One Mall for another week of Christmas Shopping.

Anchorman Award

Jason Carrien is having another phenomenal season while playing defense for a team that was supposed to be the league's punching bag on defense.

Jay is the current co-leader (with Sergio Costa) for Winter Season Leading Points Scorer.  We'll have to ask our fact checking department.., but we're pretty sure a defenseman hasn't won the Leading Scorer Award since the Spring 1994 Season when someone name Bill Abcunas took home the trophy.

Jay's name has to be mentioned in the early voting for all the awards; 

• Most Valuable Defenseman
• Season Most Valuable Player
• Over-30 Achievement Award
• Bill Mayne Memorial Award
• The new Jason Carrien "Anchorman" Award

What’s the new Jason Carrien "Anchorman" Award you ask?

This award goes to the defenseman who is forced to carry not only himself but an additional 50% of the defensive core on his back.

Shutout Busters

According to Urban Dictionary a "Slump Buster" is defined as a large unattractive girl most commonly incorporated in sex with one that is suffering from a slump.

The Over-30 League had (2) "Shutout Busters" last week as both John Carey and Niko Vramis scored the last goal of both games (late in the 3rd) to bust the shutouts of Jeff Deharo and Sean Roach

Thanksgiving Day Thanks

Several and we mean several Over-30 players are now Over-50 players are thankful that their half century old bodies and minds are still allowing them to play competitive dek hockey.., here's a few others in the league that are thankful this Thanksgiving week.

The Referees are thankful for the new enforceable “Zip It or Sit It” policy.

Sergio Costa is thankful for the Portuguese Breakup that has him thriving in the #1 Spot and having his name talked about in the awards categories 

Jason Carrien is thankful to have his name mentioned in every single awards category

Jim Barber is thankful for his 11-goals and the new "Vulcan Black" hockey sticks 

Dominic DeFrancisco and Dan Broderick are thankful the end of their season is only weeks away and look forward to the new season reboot.

The "New Regime" is thankful that Todd Bryson is working on a new championship jacket.., and the first 12-players to win it will be thankful too.

Walter Maslak is thankful for his first point of the season.., (oh wait - not yet).., we'll save that for the Christmas Miracle list.