Over 30 Hockey League

Week of December 7 (Game 1) – In a continuation of relishing in their spoiler role as the season winds down, a short-handed Jake-O-Lanterns team scored a late third period goal to comeback and deny Olive Pits a win, depriving them of a valuable two points in the standings and having to settle for a 3 – 3 tie.  The tie marked the first time all season that Jake-O-Lanterns has remained undefeated for more than one game.

In the first period, less than two minutes into the period, Sergio Costa found himself in the right place at the right team to convert the rebound of shots by George Medeiros and Carlos Machado.  With just over three minutes to play in the period, on a 4-on-3 power play, Mauro Colucciello, wasted little time scoring off the passing of Mike Luise and Alex Leone to tie the game.  As time was winding down in the period, at thirteen seconds, Carlos made a smart heads up chip over the prone goalie off a scramble in front, set up by George and Gino Tammaro, giving Jake-O-Lanterns the lead.

Early in the second period saw the only scoring was done by Olive Pits as Mauro was set up on the wing by Pat Pirone and buried his chance, once again tying this game.

As the game was being played out as a defensive battle with the defenses controlling the play, it was Olive Pits scoring early again in the period as Ron Aquino found himself open in close, set up by Mike and Jim Barber only twenty-five seconds in to give Olive Pits the lead again.  As the game wound down with under two minutes left to play, any thoughts of pulling the goalie by Jake-O-Lanterns never materialized as Naz made a heads up keep in at the left point to find Gino whose shot rebounded right to George who quickly scored.

In overtime, it was Jake-O-Lantern who carried the play with some prime scoring chances, the best of which was Matty Iannello, playing defense the entire game, jumped into the offense on a 2-on-1 breakout with George that could have ended the game but Matty’s shot sailed wide.  With the point, Olive Pits moved into 3^rd place overall in the standings.  

Week of December 7 (Game 2) – In an evenly matched game by both teams, there was a lot of stake coming into this game.  With a win heading into their bye week, Drama Queens could clinch 1^st place in the standings, while with a win Snow White could move into 3^rd place and set themselves up for a crucial “move up the standings” game next week.  Ultimately, it was Drama Queens winning out late by a score of 4 – 3 thanks mainly to Shawn Miville.

Only thirty seconds in the first period it was Drama Queens who scored first as Shawn Miville was set up on the wing by Ray Dow to get this game started the right way for his team.  With just over three minutes to play in the period, Gary Goodwin was set up on the point by Ray Nickerson and John Kelleher, and blasted a slap shot past the goalie.

In the second period, Snow White took control of the momentum with two goals scored early within twenty-three seconds of each other.  Just over a minute into the period, saw Ray Nickerson find some room in his office on the left wing and beat the goalie after a set up by John Kelleher and John Mastrocola.  On the ensuing faceoff, the same trio struck again only twenty-three seconds later as they cycled down low, this time with John Mastrocola beating the goalie from the wing, set up by Ray and John Kelleher.  Momentum swing right?  Yes but not for Snow White as Drama Queens answered right back as Shawn was set up by Ray and Umberto Biancardi and Shawn blasted his shot right past the goalie on a power shot with a little emphasis behind it.

1st Star

Shawn Miville

Paralyzing Defense

With Brian Capodilupo out of the lineup.., Jake-O-Lanterns needed a #1 Defenseman to fill the void.., and their Captain didn’t have to look any further than himself.

Matty Iannello must have provided some much needed comfort to Goaltender Jake Deehan who played one of his best games of the season behind his Captain.

However.., “The Great One” wasn’t so great when he almost took out the Webmaster Jim Barber with an awkward stumbling defensive maneuver that could have paralyzed the Olive Pits Captain.

Welcome

Welcome to the Over-30 League Don Maccini who replaced Darama Queens Defenseman Steve Iacoviello who’s missed the entire season on IR

Forever in Blue Jeans

Drama Queens Captain Jamie Kehoe was singing his own version of a Neil Diamond song last week... (Sing along)

Donny talks..,

But he don't sing and dance and can barely walk..,

And long as he plays Defense for me..,

He’d much rather play “Forever in Blue Jeans”

The difference between Donny Maccini and another notable “jeans wearing player” by the name of Jeff D’Addario is that Jeff would show up and score a Hattrick and go home, Donny wore jeans so he didn’t have to change after and get to the drinking quicker.

New Sheriff

There’s a new Sheriff in town for Snow White.., taking over the void left by Matt Farrell and his shoveling fiasco.., Ray “The Boss” Nickerson has picked up on his scoring touch as he had a goal and 2 “non-phantom” assists.

We asked Ray about his 3-point game as he factored into 100% of Snow White’s scoring and “The Boss” said; “If they would just get me the FU€#ING ball.., I’ll make $hit happen, (and) the Referees need to stop screwing me out of my assists”

OHLY Awards

Real professional sports players have the ESPY Award (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Award).., we have the OHLY Award (Over-30 Hockey League Yearly Awards)

This year is easy for 3 of the 5 OHLY Awards Categories.., but full disclaimer; these are NOT the winners (but a speculation) based on scientific data and guesstimations.

Leading Scorer: Dominic DeFrancisco - Dom has a monstrous season both offensively and defensively.., he smashed his Pink Stick Bag Challenge and he earned his team the #2 Seed in the Playoffs.  Lock it up (Dom wins) no one can catch him at this point.

League MVD: Jason Carrien - Although not a lock, this reporter is declaring Jason the League’s MVD with a scoring average of 1.66 points per game along with playing a major role in their team’s league leading 25 GA.

Best Goalie Award:  This award is a little more controversial.., as previously it was based on solely on the Goalies GAA.  When you calculate in some recent and questionable (Sandbagging) in years past.., the voting committee is now looking at a Goalies “entire body of work” throughout the season and not just one particular stat.

With that said; The Top-3 Goalies are all with a few decimal points of each other.., but one Goalie in particular has stood out this season for his; Team Top Seed Finish, Best GAA and overall consistency throughout the season, Jeff Deharo has been that goalkeeper.

Season MVP: This one can go either way but I’ll throw a few obvious names in the hat; Dominic DeFrancisco for his points production and leadership. Shawn Miville for his points production and major contribution to the 1st place finish. Jason Carrien (I said it) for his point production from a defenseman while playing his part as the real “Shutdown Defense”.

Bill Mayne Memorial:  (aka The Over-30 7th Player Award). Which player did the unexpected and performed over and above how they were drafted.  This year nominee should include; George Medeiros, Nick Doherty and Ray Dow.

Over-30 Achievement Award: The longevity award recognizing players who have played the longest and still make an impact for their team; This year nominee should include; Ed Nigro, Mark Stickney and Matty Iannello (Since hes not going to win the leading scoring title)

Equipment Malfunction

New recruit Donny Maccini was asked to step off the dek to fix his equipment malfunction.., only problem is there wasn’t a malfunction, as that’s his normal gear.

Playing in jeans and looking like he got his mismatched equipment from the Hockeytown Lost and Found Donny was puzzled by Referee/Timekeeper “Dube” to fix his glove.  If anything he should have been penalized for playing with some are calling “Dangling Garter Belts.”

Most OT games

Where checking the historical data.., but we think this season may be a record for “Most Overtime Games Played”

So far 8-Games have gone into Overtime with Drama Queens leading the way with 5-Overtime games with 3-Wins and 2-Ties

Playoff Seeding?

Drama Queens locked into 1st place (More wins than Shockwave).

Shockwave locked in as number 2 seed (Less losses than Olive Pits).

• If.., Olive Pits wins they finish 3rd seed.

• If.., Olive Pits ties and Snow White wins, Snow White is 3rd seed based on more wins.

• If.., Olive Pits loses and Snow White wins, Snow White is 3rd seed with more wins.

Signing Off

With the playoffs upon us.., we take this opportunity to stop all the “Trash Talking” and let the games and players speak for themselves.  We will resume after the finals and good luck to all those participating in the playoffs… and to the Jake-O-Lantern’s “Merry Christmas.., and Happy New Year”