Over 30 Hockey League

Week of December 1 (Game 1) – With three games to play, coming into this game, Coach’s Corner knew that they had to run the table and win all three of their remaining games if they wanted to make the playoffs.  Anything less and they would not qualify.  They expected their top players to lead the way this game.  Instead, they were led by a blue collar player who only had 1-assist in 8 games played this season, as Tony Bono got his 15 minutes of fame to lead Coach’s Corner to a hard earned 3 – 2 win over the Rhinos.

Right from the opening faceoff you could see that Coach’s Corner came to play and was committed to playing desperate hockey.  Less than three minutes into the first period, Joe Gustitus scored out front set up by Luigi Derenzes and Tony.  Five minutes in, Angelo Deluca struck building the lead to two goals as he was set up by Ray Dow and Tony.  Right around this time, the Rhinos lost their top defenseman Alex Leone to a lower body injury and left the game.

In the second period, the Rhinos started countering which paid off as George Medeiros made this a one goal game three minutes into the period as he was set up by Shawn Miville and Steve Medeiros.  Coach’s Corner countered with a minute and a half left in the period as Tony converted a bang bang play out front as Paul Correia quickly controlled the missed shot from Angelo from behind the net and fired a pass out front that Tony buried.  Twenty seconds later saw the Rhinos get back into this game as John Kelleher tipped home the shot of Shawn Miville who was set up by Niko Vramis.

In a scoreless third period, the Rhinos kept pressing with some quality in close scoring chances but goalie Dave Giusti shut the door stopping all 9 shots thrown at him.  Who knew that Tony Bono would end up making the difference for Coach’s Corner and earn himself a co-Dunkin Donuts gift card award for being the game’s impact player?  Certainly not the Rhinos.

Week of December 1 (Game 2) – With Black Hole on their bye week, Mixed Nuts had a prime opportunity to move back into first place in the standings and extend their winning streak to three games.  Led by who else but their captain Matty Iannello, Mixed Nuts made easy work of Gang Green and put an end to their one game winning streak with a convincing 5 – 1 rout.

In a fast paced start to this game with both teams playing up and down hockey and generating multiple scoring chances, it was Mixed Nuts who opened the scoring as Gary Goodwin scored from the high slot, off the passing of Matty and Dave Costa.

In the second period, this game changed from a close game to total command by Mixed Nuts on a heads up play by their captain later in the period.  Six minutes into the period saw Mauro Colucciello get set up on the wing by Matty and Ron Aquino to open up a two goal lead.  Needing something, anything to get back into this game, Gang Green cashed in as John Carey was set up out front a minute later by the passing of Dominic Defrancisco and John Colucciello.  The game’s key play took place less than a minute later as Matty rifled a shot from the high slot that went in and out so quickly both referees missed is and signaled no goal.  Undeterred, Matty stayed composed about ten seconds later taking a pass from Dave and this time scored so the referees could see it and call it a good goal.  Gang Green never recovered.

14-Contastents

Week #1 of the Throwback Jersey Pageant was a success.  The over/under for participation was set as 8-players (total) and we almost doubled that in the first week alone.

Remember $50 is at stake… this week is your last chance to squeeze into that ole nostalgic jersey and remember the glorious past.

Independent judges will be reviewing all the entries and thankfully there is no swimsuit part of this pageant.

Do or Die

Coach's Corner has their playoff destiny in their own hands.., and a perfect opportunity to sneak into the playoffs.., but here's what it's gonna take (and not a point less!)

(If) Gang Green wins (or ties) this week.., and keep in mind they are without their Captain Dominic DeFrancisco.., but (if) they win (or tie) it's game over and season over for Coach's Corner.

(If) Coach's Corner wins (and the odds makers are picking them to win).., then they would need 1-more point which means a tie or a win against Mixed Nuts in final week of the season. 

We asked Ray Dow to comment on the playoff run and he just said..,

Urgent

We were going to use Foreigner's "Urgent" video to describe the absolute sense on "Urgency" that is needed to win this week game of the week between Coach's Corner vs Gang Green.

But then we figured out it was more of a stupid love song with great music to disguise it.

Then it came to us via 1982.., and the greatest motivational song and intro of all time;

If I was playing on either of those two teams.., this would be blasting on my stereo all the way to Hockeytown.

First & Last

This week is the battle for 1st and also the battle for last.

5:00PM Mixed Nuts vs Black Hole for the seasons rubber match.  Separated by 1-point.., (if) Mixed Nuts wins they will take the top spot in the playoff bracket and have home dek advantage throughout the playoffs

6:00 Gang Green vs Coach's Corner should be an epic battle for the last playoff spot.., grab your beers and cheers as both teams are in a must win situation.

Ohhhhh Kato

Oh man.., did anyone else notice the look of disgust on "Oldman" Dan Broderick's face after his outlet pass that should have been a breakaway for his centerman Angelo "Kato"Deluca.., instead wound up as an icing call?

Dan may not be fast.., but the old bastard can still pass with the best of them.

Dan lead Angelo with a slightly airmailed pass on the center dot for and instead of Kato using his hands.., he waved his stick blade at it (and missed) which then went all the way down for an icing call on Dan

Dan tries to teach these youngsters today.., you need to know how to play with not only your stick (and your fancy stick handling).., but you need to play with your hands and more importantly your mind..., everyone knows the saying; "Hockey is ninety percent mental and the other half is physical."

Use your brain Kato.., and for Christ Sake pass the ball quicker and make some plays.  

New Award

Ray Dow has won almost every contest we ever had and now he gets the first ever Dunkin Donuts "Honesty Award" curtesy of the webmaster himself; Jim Barber.

Last week Ray was looking for the rightful owner of a new black Vulcan.., when everyone said "Nope, not mine".., Even Vulcan Industries CEO John Kelleher looked at it and confirmed it was one of his.., but since they are not serial numbered he didn't know who the owner was.

Then like a scene from Cinderella.., the webmaster who initially denied ownership, held the stick up to his nose and it was a perfect fit.   Then after checking his trunk and discovering it was his.., the League's Leading Goal Scorer was happy to have her back safe and sound.

For the record; that league leading 11-goals stick from Vulcan Industries is serial Number #001 as Jim was the first one to receive the prestigious honor after purchasing the previous two models.

If you watch the Walking Dead, Neegan has "Lucille".., Caddyshack's Judge Smails has "Billy Baroo" and the Over-30 Goals Leader has "Barbara"

However.., after the awards presentation Ray said that if he knew it was infamous stick used to bury that "Bush League" empty net goal against Mixed Nuts.., he would have turned the stick over to Dave Costa for a proper burial.  

Get Off My Lawn

There isn't a week that goes by that some innocent kids wanna come up and watch some grown men play dek hockey.

Bill & Kellie Abcunas should consider changing their last name to "Raytheon" because like radar they can detect a pesky kid from a mile away.

Until Billy can figure out how to charge these kids.., they all have to "Get off his lawn" under the disguise of this so-called "Private Rental and Insurance Ryder".

All the kids wanna do is watch a little hockey and in anywhere from 15-20 years they could be new recruits for the league.., and we're pretty sure Dan Broderick and Ed Nigo will still be going strong.

Thanks to a view submission.., we have actual video footage taken from the Abcunas' resident.., Warning; Parental discretion advised;

Poached Rhino's

What a tough week to be a Rhino.   

Last week poachers took out Alex Leone (lower body injury) and late in the game friendly fire had George Medeiros suffering from a bruised horn.

Thankfully the Rhino's have the week off to recover... and thankfully Gang Green and Coach's Corner are battling for last playoff spot.., because they have locked up their spot in the playoffs.   

The only real question is which Shawn Miville is going to show up for the playoffs.., the former Leading Scorer and MVP of the current #30th on the leader’s board 

Spoiler

11-games into the season (6-games actually played) and Walter Maslak finally recorded his first point of the season.

Unfortunately for Sean Roach it was the only goal for Gang Green and this ruined his shutout.., but his 1-goal stella performance catapulted Sean into first for the Leading Goalie Race.  This week the top two goalies face off against each other and every goal (For & Against) counts for these two goalies tonight.

Remain Calm

Did everyone see Matty Iannello score twice on the same shift "without" a whistle or stoppage in play?

Though only credited with one goal.., he technically scored two.  But what makes it so special is how he did it.

First he picked the top corner on Gang Green Goalie Jake Deehan.., but his shot was so precise, accurate and quick that both Referees missed it.

Now here comes the lesson on what makes "The Great One" great.., Pay Attention;

He knew he scored.., and was a little confused as to why play was continuing around him.., but instead of taking himself out of the play to whine and complain about the "non-call" like;Pat Pirone, Mike Luise, Niko Vramis, Carlos Machado, Ray Nickerson, Shawn Miville, John & Mauro Coluciello, Jason Carrien, Nick Romano  and Tony Medeiros.., did we miss anyone? .., Instead "The Great One" became "The Calm One" and remained in the high slot and buried the very next pass that came to him via defenseman Dave Costa.

Moral of the story; Quit bitching about what the referees missed and focus of the game that is still happening around you.