Over 30 Hockey League

Week of February 8 (Game 1) – In this reporters memory, we don’t recall seeing a 0 – 0 game in Over-30 history.  We could be wrong as the body and brain are now older, but we are pretty sure there has never been a scoreless game played in the league.  What we did witness was an old fashioned defensive battle that was dictated by the defense and the goalies and took away the spotlight from the forwards.  We still have not seen a scoreless game as Shockwave took advantage of a multiple defensive breakdown by Drama Queens and won this game by a 1 – 0 score with seconds left to play.  The impact player for this game was definitely goalie Sean Roach who recorded his second shut-out of the season.

For Shockwave, they continue to post wins, not due to Dominic Defrancisco doing the scoring or setting up the goals, nor from Tony Medeiros (when he is there) reliving his Portuguese Power past and scoring some timely goals.  No, this team continues to win by getting unexpected contributions from multiple forwards and strong goaltending from Sean Roach.  For Drama Queens, it was another disappointing outcome this season, as they continue to find ways to not pick up any points, losing four of their first five games and now on a two game losing streak.  It is still early, but this team needs to buy in as a team and turn their season around, otherwise, they are looking at making league history by going from first place to last place.

After two scoreless periods, with Drama Queens dictating the play and having the better scoring chances, Shockwave finally woke up in the third period and started to make plays.  Both goalies, Sean Roach of Shockwave and Jeff Deharo of Drama Queens were matching each other save for save.

As the game was winding down and looking as if it would go into overtime, all that stood between Drama Queens and picking up a valuable point in the standings was a faceoff deep in their defensive zone.  Taking a timeout to set up in their zone may have actually worked against them.  On the ensuing faceoff, Mark Stickney managed to push the ball around the center and stayed with it to get a one handed shot on net.  As the defense was late to react and the goalie went down to block the shot, the rebound found its way on Niko Vramis’ stick left all alone at the top of the crease.  Niko reacted quickly and roofed a shot over the goalie and into the net with only eleven seconds left to play.

Week of February 8 (Game 2) – Suddenly it looks like Olive Pits has finally woken up this season to defend their title as they played their second straight thirty minute game, jumping out to a two goal lead, then scoring three goals when it mattered in the third period to run away with a 5 – 2 win over Jake-O-Lanterns.  For Jake-O-Lanterns, after starting the season impressively winning their first two games, they have now stumbled and lost three in a row.

The line of Rick Cassano-Dave Parquette-Ron Aquino was the best line this week and dictated the pace of play.  Eight minutes into the first period saw Rick get set up by Dave Costa and Alex Leone to give Olive Pits the early lead.

In the second period, it was Ron taking advantage of a defensive turnover on the fore checking hustle of Dave and Rick, five minutes into the period to extend the lead.  Needing something to change the momentum, Jake-O-Lanterns got it with a minute to play on a historic goal as Matty Iannello moved in from the point on a pass from Carlos Machado and beat the goalie on a sniper goal top corner for his 500^th career goal!  Congrats Carlos you are now forever a trivia answer.

1st Star

Sean Roach

2nd Star

Niko Vramis

New Goalie Award

Drama Queens Goaltender Jeff Deharo submitted his nomination for the “Over-30 Pulitzer Prize Award” when he emphatically announced “FU€# the girl story” was last Week’s Best PUTA Forum story of the week.

Grumpy Old Men

Mark Stickney seems to be getting grumpier as he get older. He and Dan Broderick were chirping at referee Ric Alywin (for probably missing a call) or something.

For the past two weeks we’ve seen Mark argue passionately about the officiating and/or missed calls.

Looks like Mark is trying to win another AARP award since he only won $5 bucks on his last one.

Versatile

Pat Pirone thinks he’s the “Sweet Lou” Merloni as the Red Sox former utility player.., while paying his league dues he was overheard asking his Captain “Where does he need him this week?”

Pat says he can play any position.., which reminded us of this gem;

Pat Pirone (Wing-ah).., Pat Pirone (Cent-ah).., Pat Pirone (Defense).., Pat Pirone... (Penalty Box)..,

Pat Pirone (Goalie?) ~ not is this league

Insurance Binder Coverage

Speaking of Pat Pirone.., can the League Director Bill Abcunas.., please check the leagues insurance binder to see if it covers both personal and structural damage in regards to Pat’s opening the bench door for a change.

We notice when Pat goes on the dek during a line change he flings the door open like he digs for a loose ball on a goalie (forceful and reckless).., he’s either going to tear the door off the hinges or put the player sitting next to it on the IR like he did when he flung the door open into his Captain’s thigh.

Almost Historical

It was looking like history in the making.., could we see a league first 0-0 tie.., followed by a 0-0 Overtime? Thus awarding two teams 1-point each for doing nothing!!!

Several of the analysts and commentators were saying that the Shockwave vs Drama Queens was heading towards a 0-0 final score.., and was we were waiting to see if history was to be made.., but Niko Vramis ended our hopes of potentially making history with a 14-second backhand rebound (top shelf) to end the game.

Trick Play?

That play didn’t work out for Kansas City as they came up a little short.., and it also didn’t work out for the Drama Queens, who also came up short.

The play you should have drafted on the clipboard was; Drop “Miv” back 5-yards.., win the draw cleanly to him and let him blast one of those dipping-curving slapshots on Sean Roach and then everyone yell “CHARGE!!! ” and crash the offensive zone.

Jacket Night

The 3rd edition of the new highly desirable championship jackets were delivered to defending champions Olive Pits.

The new green color is surly going to make a few players jealous and motivated to win one.

There was a slight screw by the embroidery as Jim Barber’s jacket was supposed to be stitched with an “asterisk” next to his name.., as the Olive Pits Captain only play 1/2 of the Semifinal and 1-1/2 shifts in the Finals due to a lower body injury.., which means Jim won the Scott Young “Commemorative Jacket”.., which is awarded to players who didn’t actually play, but are technically eligible to receive one. That’s why Dave Giusti was smiling ear to ear while being handed his new pullover.., this one Dave actually earned.

MAGA

We’re not sure (or care) of Todd Bryson’s political status.., all we can tell you is he’s turning out some sweet MAGA swag.., as the latest Olive Pits jackets are a nice shade of jealous green and once again thanks to Todd who is “Making Awards Great Again”

Mr. 500

Well that didn’t take long.., and he didn’t have to move back to forward either to score his 500th Career Goal. Matty “The Great 500” Iannello notched his 500th Over-30 Goal with just 54-seconds left to play in the 2nd period.

With number 500 in the history books.., Matty’s next and final plateau is Joe Shannon’s 507-goals. Once “The Great 500” hits 508 he will become the single greatest player in the Over-30 having achieved the #1 ranking in Points, Assists and Goals.

We asked former teammate Ray Nickerson about Matty’s accomplishment and said; “Big deal.., I already would have 500-goals and more assists than Matty if the league officials and referees didn’t have a personal vendetta against me.”

Early Polling

With the NH State Primary going on last week.., with thought it would be a good time to speculate on some early polling for Over-30 award candidates

With none of the marquee names on defense doing a whole hell of a lot.., John Carey and Elder Lopes have stepped up big time for their respective teams as MVD candidates and lead in early polling.

Leading Scorer.., Johnny Mastrocola? Yes folks he’s topping the list. The question is.., can he keep up the pace and take home the award?

“Best Goalie Award”.., No longer solely based on stats.., we’re going out on a limb and projecting (2) candidates.., league leading Sean Roach and look for a dark horse candidate Dave Giusti to be in the race if Olive Pits start playing continuous championship style of hockey in front of him.

Season MVP is always a tough one.., but again, forget the marquee name players and look for players like; Johnny Mastrocola, Mauro Colucciello, Gino Tammaro and maybe another goalie nominee with Sean Roach (if he stays the course) with his impressive start, which includes 2-shutouts.

+/- Warning

We want to take this moment to issue a warning to Jake-O-Lanterns Assistant Captain Mike Naczas.

While we are betting on and tracking your +/- not your Captain Matty “Mr 500” Iannello.., and we suggest you focus more on yours and less on his.

Remember the last guy that tried to track his horrendous +/- got bounced from the league.

You’ve been warned...

Bird Boxing

6-weeks in and we are getting a better understanding of why so many calls (are not being called).., or why so many close or marginal plays are creating controversy.

Both referees are using the “Bird Box” method for refereeing...

From the 2018 Movie Trailer: “When a mysterious force decimates the population, only one thing is certain -- if you see it, you die.”

Well in the Over-30 League... if you see it – you’re “supposed” to call it (unless it’s not your end).

Mutiny Experiment

We heard a rumor floating around that newbie Drama Queen Donny Maccini has been questioning his Captain’s decision making.

As part of a social experiment Drama Queen’s Captain Jamie Kehoe is turning the helm over Donny to sail the “SS Drama” for a week.

The question is under Donny’s guidance will he require all players to wear mismatched gloves, different color shin pads, untied sneakers.., and how long will this “Mutiny” actually last or will he be forced to walk the plank?