Over 30 Hockey League

Week of September 21 (Game 1) – Coming off their bye week, Olive Pits spent the time off making some adjustments to their game strategy, which paid off in a low scoring contest, limiting the amount of shots taken by their opponent.  In a methodical grinding game, Olive Pits scored late in the game to earn a 3 – 1 win over Drama Queens.  For Drama Queens, this marked the second game that the lack of substitute players played a big role in the outcome of this game.

In the first period, with both teams not generating much offense, and the game being played between the white clearing lines, Olive Pits broke through as Pat Pirone controlled the ball behind the net and found Alex Leone out front, jumping into the offense, at the four minute mark. 

Two minutes into the second period, Olive Pits went up by two goals on a gift defensive turnover by Drama Queens.  Rick Cassano was the lucky recipient as he was just standing in the high slot area when the Drama Queens player not to be named inexplicably passed the ball right onto his stick from the right wing boards.  The law of karma repeated itself when with three and a half minutes to play in the period Shawn Miville was standing all alone at the top of the crease when he too received a pass from the Olive Pits player from behind the net to make this a one goal game.

With neither team generating much of an offense, the game was being controlled by the defense, and both goalies were making timely saves when needed.  As the period went on, you could see that the lack of players on Drama Queens bench started taking its toll as players were gassed.  With just under three minutes to play, Dave Parquette broke past the defense on a breakaway but was denied by the goalie.  However, with just over two minutes to play in the game, Dave made up for it and scored on a timely set up by Jim Barber to put this game away.   

Week of September 21 (Game 2) – Welcome back Joe Shannon to the Over-30 league!  The league finally had its Willis Reed moment as Joe surprisingly appeared and gingerly walked onto the floor, bringing some positive hope to the Jake-O-Lanterns team.  The impact had an immediate effect on the team but ultimately a late game fluky bounce goal did them in as they fell to Shockwave by a 4 – 3 score.  For the third week in a row, Shockwave went down early by two goals.

In the first period, the play was carried by Jake-O-Lanterns and it paid off as only two minutes into the game, Sergio Costa was set up by Steve Medeiros for the game’s opening goal.  With less than thirty seconds left in the period, Todd Bryson crashed the net to convert the rebound of shots by George Medeiros and Joe Shannon to add to the lead.  Before you could say momentum, Niko Vramis was set up by the passing of Derrick Power and Dominic Defrancisco only thirteen seconds later to make this a one goal game.  This was a huge momentum swing.

Taking advantage of that late goal boost, Dominic wasted little time tying up this game only twenty-four seconds into the second period on a sniper shot from the high slot.  Five minutes later, the fore checking pressure of Shockwave paid off as Paul Correia scored, set up by Mark Stickney and Mike Roberto, to give his team the lead.

There’s a new segment for the Over-30 that will live right here between the Game Results and Trash Talk.

This year we are taking a page from the NHL and recognizing the Top 3-Stars of the week.

But, don’t too excited just yet.., the Over-30 Award Budget only allows to financially reward the “Top Star” with the true “Dunkin Donuts Player of the Week Award”.., while the 2nd and 3rd Stars are being recognized (in print only) for their standout performances.

The League will not be handing out mini-sticks for the players to give to some lucky fans over the glass either.., because Billy & Kellie tend to chase off any lucky fans with exclamations ”Get down below the glass!!”

With all that said.., here are your 3-Stars of the week;

1st Star

Sergio Costa

League Rebuttal

League Officials want to set the record straight regarding the use of Dave Costa 2-weeks ago (as covered in last week’s forum).., Dave was notbrought in to cover for the absent Bob Snyder.., that assignment went to the other fill-in defenseman Jimmy Clarke. Dave was brought in to do the work of the other two missing defenseman for the Drama Queens which mathematically means:

     Mike Surette

+  Steve Iacoviello 

=   Dave Costa

That math still doesn’t add up in Matty Iannello’s world as he’s still suffering from PTSD due to that inaugural beaten

Learn the rules

Apparently during the summer meetings newly appointed board member Jim Barber wasn’t paying attention during the new rule(s) portion of the summer agenda.

The Olive Pits Captain was arguing with head referee Jon Picard and Statler & Waldorf Luxury Suite hecklers who taunted the Captain with “Learn the Rules!!” after he questioned Jamie Kehoe firing the ball from his own defensive zone into the surrounding netting in the offensive zone.., which is no longer a penalty.

So you have that to look forward to Mike Surette when you someday return.

Also needing to learn the rules is Tony Bono who blatantly grabbed the ball ala-MISI style of hockey and both referees (who know the rules) let that go.

6-Attackers

Sorry Drama Queens.., Olive Pits stole the first goal of the game unfairly from you.

After Alex Leone buries the first goal of the game for Olive Pits.., and a quick role call showed that they had 6-players on the floor that went unnoticed.

You know what they say; if a tree falls in the woods and no one is around to hear it does it make a sound? The same applies for your goal; if you score a goal with six players on the deck and nobody notices… It’s a good goal!!

Make-up Goal

Happy Birthday Shawn Miville.., oh it’s not your birthday???

Then why did Alex Leone gift wrap and hand you an easy goal last week?

Perhaps Alex had some remorse about his 6th man goal. But, whatever the case.., let that be a lesson to all defenseman (and Colleen O’Connell).., don’t turn the ball over to arguably the most dangerous player on the floor.., he will make you pay for your mistakes 9-out-of-10 times… that 10^th time he’ll miss do to a vaping break.

Stupid Penalty

Play stupid games.., Win stupid prizes.

Make a stupid play.., Get a stupid penalty.

After 50-Seasons it’s true what they say.., “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”.., and in Pat Pirone’s case “You can’t teach an undisciplined player to be disciplined.”

Pat Pirone took home the “Stupid Play of the Week Award” while in the offensive zone with his team in full attack mode.., Pat slashed the stick from Jamie Kehoe’s hands right in front of the referee.

Which makes us ponder.., would it be easier to teach “Oldman” Dan Broderick to sit and fetch.., or to teach Pat Pirone to stay out of the box?

A Gray Area

One Referee says “No”.., One Referee says “Yes”.., and the League Director says “It’s a gray area”.., and no one can agree on if a penalty shot should have been called against the Drama Queens after a loose ball battle in the crease was intentionally covered during a scramble.

Everyone agrees that the ball never crossed the line for a goal.., but Olive Pits Assistant Captain Ricky Cassano was adamant that Drama Queen Captain Jamie Kehoe intentionally dove on the ball that was lying behind Goaltender Jeff Deharo’s back.

One ref says; “He didn’t grab it”.., one ref says; “Doesn’t matter he dove on it”.., and the League Director says; “It’s a gray area”

Sounds like someone needs to learn the rules along with Jim Barber

Bounce Back

Olive Pits Goaltender Dave Giusti had a bounce back game last week.., and if it wasn’t for one errant outlet pass.., Dave could have potentially won himself some free coffee or a cheeseburger after last week’s 3-1 win.

Dave was making the saves he needed to make.., while his team defense stepped up to support him for a solid 30-minute(s).

Screwed “A”gain 

We stripped the “A” from his jersey.., along with the “a” from his name.., and now “Brin “Cppy” Cpodilupo” had another “A” stolen from him 2-weeks ago when he was not credited with an “Assist” he alleges he had during the 8-2 blowout.

Sorry “Cppy” this season is not starting out to good for you.

Aftermath

After their Week #1 Bye.., The Jake-O-Lanterns opened their season with an 8-2 stinker.., and on Week #3 there was some aftermath results.

Goaltender Jake Deehan suddenly had an “elsewhere” to be after letting up 8-goals.., and Dan Hill quietly called it a career and retired after only playing the second half of last season.

Like Andrew Luck.., Dan’s abrupt retirement came out of nowhere and as the season was just getting started. The only difference between Andrew and Dan.., is that Dan is going out on a high note and retiring after winning a championship title with Mixed Nuts;

So long Dan.., we barely got you know you

Knock-Knock (Who’s there?)

Rick Pitino famously expressed; “Larry Bird is not walking through that door, fans. Kevin McHale is not walking through that door, and Robert Parish is not walking through that door. And if you expect them to walk through that door, they're going to be gray and old.”

Well we here at the Over-30 Welcome Committee was sure glad to see Joe Shannon walk through that door.., and Rick Pitino was right.., Joe is “Old and Gray”.., but so is Mark Stickney, Dan Broderick, Nick Romano, Pat Pirone, Mike Naczas, Ed Nigro and Ray Nickerson.., just in case you want to mention some additional “Old and Gray” players Mr Pitino.

But we can all agree that having Joe on the floor makes the league better.., and it’s those “Old and Gray” guys that gives the league history and character.

Where else can you see a sprinting 30-something year old get stop in his tracks by a smarter 60-something year old.

GWG & GLG

Nice job “Brin “Cppy” Cpodilupo” officially you won’t get credit for the goal.., but you were in the wrong place at the wrong time and “unofficially” scored both the Game Winning Goal and the Game Losing Goal at the same time as Shockwave’s Mark Stickney seemingly harmless pass/shot went off your foot and in.

“A”bsolutly No Clue

Once titled as “Secretary of Defense” for Black Hole.., Assistant League Director; Mike Nazcas watched as his team was deep in the offensive zone trying to mount a last minute comeback.

Fill-in Goaltender Scotty Rosato was patiently waiting for his instructions from the beach commander.., but Naz’ hesitation with his finger on the launch button was too delayed and the offensive reinforcements could not be sent in.

Cries from the stands of “Pull your Goalie!!”.., and “What are you waiting for it to go deeper”.., as the ball was already behind the offensive goal.

The Great Zero

Matty Iannello officially sits at 48th on the Leader Board as he tops the group of players with zero points.

After 2-games and posting 0-0-0 in the points columns could this be the decline or demise of “The Great One”… Will players like Ed Nigro and Mike Naczas finally finish ahead of Matty on the Leaders Board?

Or like Tom Brady and his 4-game suspension… is he just giving the rest of the league a head-start?

DOMinating 3rd Star

For the 3^rd Straight week Dominic DeFrancisco has been named the #3 Star. We’re not sure if that was intentional or just plain lazy?

After losing his game opener in OT.., Dave Giusti bounced back and pitched a board-line shutout (if his own teammate didn’t tarnish his perfect game).., and that doesn’t get any recognition.., not even an honorable mention like a 3^rd star?

If the Democrats want to start an investigation into a “Rigged Election System”.., I see no better place to start then with the Over-30 League.