Over 30 Hockey League

Week of January 18 (Game 1) – Only playing their second game of the new season you could classify this game for Snow White as a “must win” considering they were still playing without their best offensive player, were missing half their team, and were facing the undefeated first place Jake-O-Lanterns team.  In a surprising twist of fate, it was a much hungrier Snow White team that took control of this game in the second period to earn a much needed 3 – 1 win.

After a scoreless first period that saw Snow White playing with only one substitute player for most of the period, and Jake-O-Lanterns making a crucial mistake of not capitalizing on that and not playing with a sense of urgency, it was Snow White who was playing with more desperation and urgency.  That mindset paid off just over three minutes into the second period as John Mastrocola was set down the left wing on the passing of Jason Carrien and John Kelleher to beat the goalie and score the game’s first goal.  Only thirty seconds later, Jake-O-Lanterns responded as Todd Bryson was set up in front by Matty Iannello and Gino Tammaro tying the game.  Three minutes after that saw fill-in player John Carey take a pass from John Kelleher on the left wing and beat the goalie short side for the go ahead goal for Snow White.

The third period saw Snow White continue to out play their opponent and have the better of the play.  Both teams were filling the lanes and shortening the gaps and blocking any prime scoring chances.  It was in the third period that Snow White goalie Scott Rosato was at his best, helping to preserve the lead for his team by smothering scoring chances.  Clinging to a one goal lead late in the game, Snow White went on the power play and John Mastrocola put back a rebound off shots by Ray Nickerson and John Kelleher with twenty-two seconds to play to close out the win.  

Week of January 18 (Game 2) – This game saw multiple momentum swings take place in the third period that turned a game that was cruising along one-sided into a battle between Drama Queens and Olive Pits, that ultimately Drama Queens recovered to hold off Olive Pits 5 – 4 in overtime.

Right from the start, Drama Queens had their legs and fore checking game going as they were running all over Olive Pits and testing their goalie with some quality scoring chances, while not allowing the Olive Pits defense to settle in and dictate the pace of the game.  This attacking style paid off as Cooch was set up by Ray Dow only two and a half minutes into the game giving Drama Queens the early lead.  Building on this lead saw Joe Carlton score his first goal of the season on the wing off a pass from Don Maccini three and a half minutes later. To say that the game was tilted in Drama Queens favor in the first period is an understatement.

In the second period, it was more of the same for Drama Queens as they continued to carry the play.  With just over a minute to play in the period, Shawn Miville had an energetic shift and was set up by Tony Bono to give his team a commanding three goal lead and all the momentum.  Little did anyone know or expect that things would heat up and change dramatically in the third period.

With Drama Queens totally in control of this game in the third period, three and a half minutes into the period saw Mauro Colucciello single-handedly start his team’s comeback on a diving goal redirected into the net.  A minute later saw Mauro jump on a defensive turnover to score unassisted making this a game.  Three minutes later there was Mauro again taking a pass from Dave Costa and finding Ron Aquino open for the tying goal and shocking Drama Queens.  Not done, a minute later saw Mauro again take advantage of a defensive turnover in the high slot to beat the goalie giving his team their first lead.  After taking a timeout to settle everything down, Drama Queens set up on the faceoff in the offensive zone and only thirty seconds after Mauro’s goal responded as Joe was set up by Tim Hickey and Ray.  Game on!

1st Star

Mauro Colucciello

2nd Star

John Mastrocola

Snow Right

With 50% of their team unaccounted for.., Snow White Captain John Kelleher had only 5-players (the right five) from his normal roster and (2) subcontractors to help get their first win of the season while handing the Jake-O-Lanterns their first loss and thus ending their Miami Dolphins bid for a perfect season.

Goaltender Scotty Rosato came up “Big”.., and their “Big” defenseman Jason Carrien came up “Huge”.., and their “Huge” winger Johnny Mastrocola came up (well) “Short” as always for the “Dunkin Donuts Player of the Week” but nonetheless Johnny had a monstrous game by scoring the first and third goal in their 3-1 win.

Too Old

Since turning 50.., Matty’s been contemplating retirement because..,

At 50 years old.., “The Great 5-0” was trying to beat a much younger Jason Carrien to the ball with just 1:49 left to play in their first looming loss off the season.., Matty Iannello who was done for the week (as soon as the game buzzer sounded) and was only 1:49 seconds from going home to pack for a Caribbean cruise in the morning.., but uh-oh there’s trouble ahead.

No not inclement weather, no not rough seas.., it’s Matty’s 50-year old hamstring as the leading MVD candidate came up limping after trying to beat Jay.

Matty.., what the hell were you thinking so close to vacation?

“2-on-1”

Hey Ron Aquino.., next time your leading an offensive attack and you hear “2-on-1”.., make sure the other “one” is your teammate.

With a full head of steam Olive Pits left-winger Ron did enter the offensive zone on a “2-on-1”.., the problem was; there was “two” Drama Queens against the “one” Ron.., so Shawn Miville used the oldest trick in the book.., and yelled “2-on-1” to Ron.., who quickly with hesitation (and without looking) sent a beautiful pass over to his opponent (Shawn) who happily accepted Ron’s pass and promptly cleared it from the zone.

15 for 15

There’s an Over-30 documentary in the works and it’s a spinoff of ESPN’s 30 for 30.., its call 15 for 15.

15 for 15 is about the size of Mike Surette’s sneakers and the number of seconds it takes for him to get a wrist shot off from the point.

We’ve seen one-minute rice cook quicker than the time it takes our beloved Sasquatch to get his shot off.., but yet the biggest man on defense manages to get a few shots off a game.

If you’re doing the math at home;

You can add the MPH of Ed Nigro, Mike Naczas and Dan Broderick “Slapshot’s” together.., they still wouldn’t equal the MPH of Mike’s velocity “Wrist-shot”... that’s a fact “Google it”.

Goals Aisle #27

“Attention Walmart Shoppers.., there are “Free Goals” on aisle #27”..., that’s the announcement Shawn Miville heard before ripping a long slapshot on Olive Pits Goaltender Dave Giusti.

That shot came from across Route One (inside Walmart) from aisle #27.  Those long shots from Miv are a goalies worst nightmare. Thankfully it wasn’t the game winner.

Lighten Up Francis

Hey Shawn Miville.., we have a new nickname for you.., “Francis”..., but if any of you homos "touch him"...

Lighten up “Francis”.., Dave Costa might have caught you with an incidental High-Stick that went unnoticed and uncalled.., but I can assure you Dave’s defensive play wasn’t intentional.., so there was no need to exclaim from the bench if “anyone touches you.., you’ll kill them”. Plus for the record “Francis” (opps sorry Miv).., what’s one of your signature defensive moves? It’s the reverse upward chop, followed by an air-bound stick spinning towards the ceiling (from the hands of an unsuspecting player) who was weakly holding their stick.., we’ve seen it dozens and dozens of times that also goes uncalled (and) is equally as dangerous.

Lastly.., just a friendly reminder about getting overheated; remember “Gatorade-gate” when “you” put “yourself” in IR.., remember what the root cause was?

The Vape Ban is over.., so grab some “Chillax” or “Maui-Waui” and remember we’re all friends here playing a childhood game from the streets as we hold on to what’s left of youthful memories.

Excessive Celebration

Act like you been there before.., we’ve all heard that term (right?)

Donny was boiling on the inside (but) didn’t say a word to Mauro because the goal before that his own teammate Shawn Miville was celebrating like he just beat the Russians for the gold medal in the Olympics.

So before anyone goes tossing a glove in the air and pretending to shoot it.., or puts into their imaginary sword back into their scabbard sheath (google it).., keep in mind;

This will be called for penalty for an excessive team celebration;

Complaint Box

The League’s Front Office has received an official complaint in the “in box” relating to an error with the stats (I know stop me if you heard this before).

However this one comes from a well-respected veteran of the League as Mark Stickney wrote;

“Someone needs new glasses I didn’t get credit for my goal on 1-11-20 someone needs to reread the game sheet.”

(Mark) first we apologize for the error and we ask that you please be patient as the League is working on a new “Get it Right” Campaign.  Whereas (we) take the extra few seconds or a minute to double check the Goals and Assists during the game and also before being published.