Over 30 Hockey League

Week of October 26 (Game 1) – The sign of a good team is how they handle adversity during a game, especially when trailing in a game.  Shockwave handled that quite well thank you as three times throughout their game they overcame a two goal deficit to defeat Jake-O-Lanterns by a score of 5 – 4.  For Jake-O-Lanterns it was another tough loss, as they deserved a better outcome.  Shockwave kept their undefeated streak going, now at five straight games.

Jake-O-Lanterns made a point to make an impact right from the opening faceoff as they scored two goals in the first two minutes of the first period.  Only thirty seconds in, Angelo Deluca scored off the rebound of shots from Nick Doherty and rookie Jeff Harris.  A minute and a half later saw George Medeiros convert his shot off the passing of Sergio Costa and Todd Bryson on a power play.  However, Shockwave got one goal back only thirty seconds later as Jason Glista took a feed from Dominic Defrancisco back on the left point and his long shot eluded the goalie making this a one goal game.

In the second period, both teams traded scoring chances that resulted in goals.  Only sixteen seconds into the period, Nick converted a rebound of a Cappy shot from the point giving Jake-O-Lanterns another two goal lead.  A minute and a half later, on an ensuing power play, Paul Correia scored a second after the penalty expired as he was set up by John Carey and Dominic when Jake-O-Lanterns failed to clear the ball.  Two minutes after that, Angelo scored his second goal of the game unassisted.  Less than two minutes later, Mark Stickney was set up by Dom and John to make this a one goal game.

Clinging onto a one goal lead in the third period, Jake-O-Lanterns tried protecting the lead but Dominic made sure that strategy didn’t last as he was set up by Mike Roberto six minutes into the period.  As the game wound down and looked like it was heading to overtime, with just over two minutes to play, Dominic’s shot from the high slot rebounded off the goalie pad directly onto Derrick Power’s stick to the right of the crease who wasted no time shooting the rebound into the open net (call this a being in the right place at the right time goal).   Game over!

Week of October 26 (Game 2) – Olive Pits effectively used a smothering defense by their big-three defensemen to control the entire game and shutout the Drama Queens with a convincing 3 – 0 shutout performance.  Olive Pits got balanced scoring as they scored a goal in each period to move into second place overall with the win.

In an evenly played first period by both teams, each team generated some scoring chances until with only four seconds to play in the period, Jim Barber scored off the rebound of a Mike Luise shot out front.  Little did anyone know that one goal would be more than enough for Olive Pits based on how their defense would play.

In the second period, Olive Pits started to take control of this game as their fore check pressured the opposition defense, while their smothering defense controlled the pace, breaking up any counter attack generated by the Drama Queens forwards.  Less than three minutes into the period, Rick Cassano was set up by the cycling play of Mauro Colucciello and Pat Pirone in the middle of the offensive zone for a shot that rifled past the goalie.  The second period was played at a fast pace by both teams with plenty of shots being thrown at each net.

During the third period, Olive Pits defense really asserted their presence by their ball control play; as soon as Drama Queens tried getting the ball in deep, the defense of Olive Pits quickly countered that and got the ball back out.  With three minutes to play, Olive Pits gave themselves some breathing room putting this game out of reach, as Ron Aquino was set up out front by Jim and Elder Lopes for a big insurance goal.

1st Star

Dominic DeFrancisco

Motivational Email

Trying to inspire an individualized team to pull together as a team-team and get onboard with the same message a mantra to start winning some games.., Jake-O-Lanterns received an email from Tony Robbins wannabe before last week’s tilt against Shockwave.

Did it work?

Many viewers said they looked a little better.., played a little more aggressive, was in total control for most of the game.., and they actually would have won if the game was only 2-1/2 periods long.

But without their fearless leader Matty Iannello.., the win slipped away halfway through the 3rd period with an unlikely hero.

Unlikely Hero

Derrick Powers’ was last week’s unlikely hero.., no he didn’t save a baby from a burning building.., he was just in the right place at the right time... and picked the perfect time to make his 1st goal of the season count for Shockwave.

Derrick was camped off to the right of Jake-O-Lanterns Goaltender Jake Deehan when a Dominic DeFrancisco rebound found its way onto Derricks stick and he quickly buried the GWG.

Captain by Committee

If the Red Sox were successful using the “Bullpen by Committee” in lieu of a closer.., then maybe the Jake-O-Lanterns could win with a “Captain by Committee” as they were without a Captain Matty Iannello last week.

We didn’t see any real standout leadership.., and when we asked “Brin “Cppy” Cpodilupo” about who was in charge.., he said; “No Comment.., remember the league took away my “A””

Hands Down

Unless he’s raising your hand to ask a question.., Mike Naczas should keep his hands down.., as the Assistant League Director has drawn a penalty for batting at airborne balls in each of the last 2-games he’s played in.

Last week “Naz” got a 1-minute penalty for “Suretting” aka “Delay of Game” for batting a ball into the netting behind his Goaltender Jake Deehan.

Sure, Mike will use some lame defense like “it was going in the goal” so he had to bat it out of midair.

We’ll Mr. ALD.., you “might” have prevented that one from going in.., but not the one that went in 1-second after you jumped out of the penalty box and this sir.., “Is a Minus!”

Sounds of Silence

It was a quiet night last week with the Snow White BYE week and the absence of Jason Carrien.., you could actual hear the sounds of the game rather than insults from Jay “The Insult Defenseman” Carrien.

Cosmo

Thanks to the bias voters who have a crush on Dominic DeFrancisco when it comes to awarding him weekly stars (except for the week’s he’s not playing).., Dom has earned a new nickname.

Tell him what his new nickname is Kramer;

Dominic “Cosmo” DeFrancisco now has more stars than then some galaxies.., and with no end in sight and 5-games left in the season, this is shaping up to another MVP Season (you heard it here first).

Timing

Back for only his 2^nd game Mauro Colucciello is still a bit rusty.

It seems Mauro is still making the adjustment from a golf swing to a hockey shot… as Mauro almost fell over himself a few times trying to “time” a “one-timer”.

Under Review

In the Drama Queens vs Olive Pits game last week.., Mike Luise was credited for winning an offensive faceoff to his Captain Jim Barber.., but Drama Queens centerman Ray Dow says he’s the one that accidentally won the draw cleanly with a “tape-to-tape” pass to am awaiting Jim who had to do nothing except one-time it past Jeff Deharo.

Ray even exclaimed that Jim will never get a pass that good from his own teammates.

Hawaiian Goal

With just over 3-minutes left to play.., Ron “The Flyin’ Hawaiian” Aquino lived up after his name, as the Olive Pits Winger used his “Hawaiian Punch” for the knockout blow to any energy that the Drama Queens has left in the tank.

For the last 3-minutes the Queens just wanted to stay healthy and the only comment Captain Jamie Kehoe said about the loss was; “We’re on to Snow White”

Queen Cooch

It’s nice to see the Drama Queens keeping it positive.., in a world where everyone wins a blue ribbon despite the outcome of the game.  John “Cooch” Colucciello won the Drama Queen of the week.., during a week they got shutout.

So we were left wondering why was “Cooch” won the prestigious award?

Was it for?

A) Showing Up?

B) Winning a few face offs?

C) Came the closest to scoring on his fumbled break away attempt?

D) All of the above!

No Credit

No Scotty Rosato.., you cannot get credit for you fill in shutout for Olive Pits.., just like we won’t hold those 5-goals against you while filling in for Jake-O-Lanterns.

Despite not playing for your own team.., last week’s shutout performance helps make up for the previous week’s double loss.

Reassignment

Gary Goodwin’s reassignment paperwork is being processed this week in the Over-30 Front Office.  “Stonehands” was filling in for Johnny Mastrocola who is set to return to action this week.

Gary is now classified as a “Player for Hire” for both Defense and Offense.  This week’s assignment has the man with “hands of stone” is playing Defense for the Drama Queens.

GEN4 Vulcan

Vulcan CEO John Kelleher just received the next generation of his highly used Vulcan sticks.

The new “GEN4” Stick features the same lightweight but durable design.., with the same black checkered background but with a new BLUE lettering which is crucial to those who couldn’t score with the RED lettering.

GEN4 Stick (Serial #1) was reserved and allocated for Jim Barber based on last year’s performance when he lead the league in goals scored with his “G3” model.

Board Member Betting

Mike “Shutdown Defense” Naczas is going against his former Captain (and fellow Board member) Jim Barber for round two of their mid-season match up.

With heckling texts being sent back-and-forth… Jim says Mike with finish the game with a (-2) while Mike proclaims he’ll finish (+3).  Closes to their number takes $5 big ones.

To sum it up all Naz has to do is finish positive and he wins.., finish EVEN or below and Jim wins.

Exact Change Only

With all the league expenses and “Fresh New Ideas” that are costing the league money.., This Halloween instead of shutting their lights off and pretending their not home for those kids begging for free candy.., the Abcunas’s resorted to drastic measures;