Over 30 Hockey League

Week of February 1(Game 1) – In a major character test for the entire Olive Pits team after last week’s embarrassing blowout loss and desperately needing a win to get back into the playoff race, the entire team stepped up big time, to hand Shockwave their first loss of the season with a complete 3 – 0 shutout win, and putting a halt to their three game winning streak. With the win, Olive Pits moved back into the playoff race.

With Olive Pits holding the edge in play during the first period and containing the offense of Shockwave, defenseman Elder Lopes who always seems to shoot wide to the stick side of the goalies, finally scored his first-ever goal in the Over-30 league with twenty seconds to play in the period on a slap shot bomb from the right point.

In the second period, with the play going back and forth, and both teams having scoring chances, Olive Pits extended the lead on a controversial goal, putting them up by two goals.  With just under two minutes to play in the period, and Olive Pits swarming the net, and the ball loose in the slot, an unnamed player for Olive Pits made indirect (?) contact with goalie Sean Roach as he ran across the crease.  Seconds later, Mauro Colucciello pounced on the loose ball and scored an unassisted goal.  After a discussion between the referees, it was determined that minor contact was made with the goalie outside the blue crease and did not impact the goalie from making the save.   

As the third period played out, Shockwave made a change in game strategy, moving Tony Medeiros back up front as he was playing defense for two periods to help out his short-handed defense.  The move ignited the offensive attack for Shockwave who carried the play in the period.  However, any scoring chances were consistently turned aside by goalie Dave Giusti.  With time running out, Mauro scored his second goal of the game (and 5^th goal in the last three games) and Dave preserved his first shutout of the season.

Week of February 1 (Game 2) – The hottest team in the league, Snow White never broke stride and kept on moving forward with another complete game that wasn’t as close as the score indicated, as they won their third game in a row and defeated Drama Queens by a convincing 5 – 3 victory.  With the win and Shockwave’s earlier loss, Snow White moved into a tie for first place.

After a scoreless first period that was evenly played by both teams, Snow White got on the board first as thirty seconds into the period, fill-in player Jeff Harris scored an unassisted goal.  Three minutes later we thought we witnessed the Girl score from the left point, but Jeff got credit for the tip (the good news for Colleen is that her assist now qualifies her for the spring scoring challenge).  Needing a spark to change the momentum, Drama Queens got it as thirty seconds later saw Tim Hickey use his speed and score, set up by Ray Dow and Shawn Miville.  Before you could say game changing moment, Snow White went on the power play three and a half minutes later and Ray Nickerson was set up by the John connection, John Kelleher and John Mastrocola, in his office in the faceoff circle.

Early in the third period less than thirty seconds in, Snow White pulled away as Ray scored his second goal of the game again from his office, beating the goalie top shelf on a sniper shot, set up by John Mastrocola’s hustle.  For Ray it was his 3^rd goal scored in the last two games.  Three minutes later saw Jeff complete his hat trick with an unassisted goal.  Drama Queens was reeling but tried making a game of it late in the last two minutes with two goals.  Cooch was set up by the cycling play of Jamie Kehoe and Tim with just over two minutes to play.  A minute later saw Don Maccini jump into the offense with his glove dangling on a pass from Ray and Tim to score in close.  However, the damage was done earlier in the second period, and Drama Queens never recovered.

1st Star

Ray Nickerson

2nd Star

Dave Giusti

First Take

With the first third of the season complete.., there are a few noteworthy surprises this season.

Defending Champions Olive Pits were not playing “Championship” hockey until their last game of the first third.

From “First-to-Worst” is where the Drama Queens are spending their Saturday nights.

Jake-O-Lanterns lack of a playoff appearance had them jump out to early 2-0 lead only to level off and play .500 ball for the first 4-games.

Shockwave’s Captain Dominic DeFrancisco has yet to win a weekly star

Snow White finally has their “Princess” back and the Dwarfs are responding accordingly with a tie for first place.

Goalie Interference?

“After further review.., we have a good goal. Shockwave will not be charge with a timeout.”

It was good to see the Referee’s get together and discuss Jim Barber’s jumping screen and goalie interference that allowed Mauro Colucciello to score top corner on Shawn Roach.

Wellness Check

Hey Dan Broderick we noticed you were out last week.., was your absence associated to your fall two weeks ago when Gino Tammaro turned you inside-out?

If you need a league sponsored Medical Alert necklace please let us know and we’ll come up with another “Fresh New Idea” and raffle to help pay for it.

Poor Plan

Who’s idea was it to put one of Shockwave’s deadliest shooters on Defense? 

Tony Medeiros had to fill in for missing legend Dan Broderick..,in doing so we learned what Tony’s favorite part of a cupcake is.., the “icing”.

Jinx vs Curse?

For years-and-years-and-years.., it was Dave Hill and Gary Goodwin that were the league’s most notable “Cursed” players. If you had either one of them on your team.., you were better off throwing your league dues into an office shredder because you were not winning a championship that season.

That moniker somehow by default has transitioned over to Luigi DeRenzes as he is now the longest tenured player without a championship.

However during our internal investigation we discovered the difference between a “Cursed” player and a “Jinxed” player

John “Cooch” Colucciello is not a “Cursed” player.., as he has (2) championship jackets from 14-Years ago.

“Cooch” is more of a “Jinxed” player as the latest example shows;

Brother Mauro Colucciello who has one more (and back-to-back championships) than his brother (thanks to Mixed Nuts & Olive Pits).  If you look back.., 3-weeks ago Mauro had 3-Goals and 1-Assist and earned him the Player-of-the Week.

The very next game Mauro was excited to have his brother fill in for a depleted Olive Pits.., only to get blown out 7-1 by Snow White.

Then last week (No Cooch) in Mauro’s game.., he pops another 2-goals to bring his leave leading total to 5-goals (in four games).

Furthermore “Cooch” could become the longest recipient of the “Pink Stick Bag Challenge”.., so we ask you Mauro… Are you done playing with “la famiglia”?

GoFundMe

Sorry Donny Maccini.., you have quickly become a Forum Favorite.., the latest tip sent into the forum writers is that the league should start and sponsor a “GoFundMe” page.., the only question is how much does the league need to raise for all of the following;

• New gloves ($25)
• Matching shin pads ($30)
• New sneakers with Velcro ties ($45)
• Two new knees ($10k)
• Additional speed (Priceless)

25% Doomed

Good news for “jinxed” John Colucciello.., your reign of the pink warm-up jersey is almost over.

Current Challenger Jason Carrien is 25% doomed so far with 0-goals after 4-games.., and with the BYE week.., he’s only getting colder.

Blown Gasket Quote

Is there a mechanic in the Over-30 League?  We need to get a quote for a blown gasket on a Goalie.

Initial reports had Colleen O’Connell beating both Jason Carrien and Mike Naczas in the first goal race.., but upon further review her “goal” was awarded to Snow White Rental Player Jeff Harris.

As the fans booed Toronto’s reversal.., Drama Queen’s Goaltender Jeff Deharo starting steaming and got a little overheated at the thought of being the first goalie to give up a goal to “the girl”.

The good news for Colleen is.., even with the awarded “assist”, you are now officially qualified for the “Spring Challenge Raffle”

“The Next One”

He’s the self-proclaimed himself “The Great One”.., turned 50 and became “The Great 5-0”.., but there’s a new nickname brewing for Matty Iannello after he buries his next goal.., he will officially become “Mr 500”

Could we see a short-term return to forward to quickly achieve “his goal” ?

#73 Wager

There was almost another bet to be had in the Over-30 League.., there was texts floating around asking “Who will be the first #73 to score a goal.., Jason Carrien, Mike Naczas or Charlie McAvoy?”