Over 30 Hockey League

Week of November 21 (Game 1) – After winning back-to-back championships, one thing we saw first hand was it will not be so easy for Olive Pits to lay claim to a “three-peat” this season.  Snow White got the first chance to deliver that message with a perfectly executed game plan on offense as their three forward forechecking system the whole game gave the Olive Pits defensemen fits causing pressure and turnovers.  The end result played favorably for Snow White with a 6 – 5 win over Olive Pits.  Take note other teams, Snow White may have just shown you a successful blueprint strategy to copy going forward.

In a well-played back and forth first period that saw Snow White hold an edge and cause all sorts of pressure on the defense of Olive Pits by attacking them and not holding back, captain John Kelleher was set up by Matt Farrell and John Mastrocola only a minute and half in.  Four minutes later, Elder Lopes was set up on the point by the passing of Alex Leone and Mike Luise as his booming shot from the point tied the game.  Only twenty-four seconds later, Chris Ducharme got free on a pass by Pedro Fontes as Snow White retook the lead.

Less than a minute into the second period saw Rick Cassano be set up by the cycling play of Mike and Mauro Colucciello to tie the game.  Less than two minutes later saw Matt score an unassisted goal for Snow White.  Three minutes later, John Kelleher was set up by Gary Goodwin for his second goal of the game.  On a power play just under a minute later, Jim Barber converted a rebound off a scramble out front after shots by Rick and Dave Parquette.  A minute after that, John Kelleher answered extending the lead to two goals as he scored an unassisted goal capping off a hat trick.

In the third period, with both teams playing all out, Chris broke in down the right wing off the passing of Pedro and Colleen O’Connell four minutes into the period to increase the lead to three goals.  However, before Snow White could celebrate controlling this game, Olive Pits stormed back.  Less than two minutes later, Pat Pirone scored out front off the passing of Rick and Jim.  Two minutes later, Mauro scored unassisted making this a nail biter and one goal game.  However, Snow White didn’t panic and held on to run out the clock.

Week of November 21 (Game 2) – Needing a total team effort from everyone to boost their confidence, Jake-O-Lanterns got just that, with the addition of the debut of Jon Picard on defense that came as advertised.  Jake-O-Lanterns broke open a close defensive game to pull away from Shockwave with a 3 – 1 victory.

After a scoreless first period that saw both teams defense control the play, it was Shockwave that scored the game’s first goal on a power play five minutes into the second period as Tony Medeiros was set up out near the left point by the passing of Dan Broderick and Rob Valley, who’s shot curved and dipped and beat the goalie short side.  Three minutes later, after some swarming fore-checking pressure, Matty Iannello found himself open in the left circle off the passing of Angelo Deluca and Gino Tammaro who then crashed the net and watched Matty’s shot go top corner far side tying this game.  On the ensuing faceoff, Nick Doherty used his speed to spring free off the passing of Carlos Machado and George Medeiros only twelve seconds later as jake-O-Lanterns took the lead.

In the third period two minutes in, it was Nick again who got open on the left wing to rush past the defense, set up by the breakout passing of Pic and Steve Medeiros, who deked the goalie backhand and scored to give his team some breathing room.  As they had done throughout this game, the defense of Jake-O-Lanterns shut down and denied the dual offensive scoring threats of Dominic Defrancisco and Rich Pelletier, limiting them both to only three shots on net.  The game strategy worked to perfection for Jake-O-Lanterns of controlling the defensive zone and making smart short breakout passes up to the forwards while keeping any opponents shots to the perimeter.

1st Star

John Kelleher

Reality Check

Still huffing the fumes from their back-to back championship high, Olive Pits got bitch slapped back to reality from Snow White who outplayed the two-time champs all game long.

This season there are 4-teams looking to make their bones against defending champs and preventing them from their “Team Three-peat” attempt.

It’s gonna be a long season for green as everyone is looking to beat the defending champs.., because according to Dave Costa “they hate us cause that ain’t us”

Semi-Retired

After the third oldest defenseman in the league Mike Naczas called a Week #1 season audible to switch places with Referee Jon Picard.., the second oldest defenseman Ed Nigro is taking a temporary leave of absent.

Ed’s family is a little worried about the spiking numbers.., and we’re not talking about Olive Pits first game Goals Against numbers.

Ed is not opting out.., he’s just laying low for an undetermined time.., but before doing so, the 61-yo showed the rest of the league why he leads in All-Time Championships when he was the lone defenseman on a 3-on-1 attack by Snow White. Ed quickly shutdown the younger and speedier Matt Farrell who was leading two other no named dwarfs before taking his temporary leave of absence.

#FreePic

We started that #FreePic campaign a few seasons ago in an effort  to get Jon Picard out of his “Referee Only” contract and back into his former glory of a player status.

(Finally!!) and thanks to Mike Nazcas.., we can join hands and say;

We want to welcome “Pic” back to his player status and nobody is happier that Jake Deehan with his defensive upgrade.

Explosive Offense

Nick “Man Bun” Doherty finally made his return from his Covid hiatus along with Gino Tammaro who recently came off his recent IR stint to add some much needed and explosive speed back to the Jake-O-Lanterns forwards.

Once the Jake-O-Lantern’s new “Phantom Captain” figures out the correct configuration of centers and wingers this a team that could lead both the “Goals For” and “Goals Against” in the standings this season.

Orange you glad?

Hey Matty Iannello.., here’s a new team segment we’re calling “Orange you glad?”

It goes something like this;

Knock, knock!!

(Matty) Whose there?

Orange?

(Matty) Orange who?

“Orange you glad” .., that Mike Naczas took a leave of absence and switched places with Jon Picard?

Automatic Penalty

Steve Medeiros didn’t bitch and complain we he was called for tripping last week.., he took his penalty like a man and served his 1-minute and even got out early for good behavior (with a power play goal) by Shockwave.

But the moral of the story is Steve never bitched about the tripping call which is an automatic penalty when you leave your feet and slide into another player.

All players remember this… Don’t argue about hitting the ball first.., if you leave your feet and it results in another player leaving theirs... it’s a 1-minute tripping penalty.

Oh Can-a-da

Dan Broderick and Rob Valley are reunited to pay tribute to their former glory days of playing defense for Dan’s legendary Team Canada.

Once a powerhouse team that was not only a top competitive dek hockey team but also an honor to play for when Dan asked you to play for him.

So.., Sean Roach make sure you sing “Ohhh Can-a-da” when you see Rob and Dan paired up in front of you because they are counting on you to “Stand on guard for thee” once the younger guys blow by them.

Thanks For;

It’s the first game back after thanksgiving and some of us are still eating those nice warm leftover turkey sandwiches.

As in every Thanksgiving season we look at what the teams and players are thankful for.

Olive Pits and Elder Lopez are thankful for his perfectly timed surgery and follow-up rehab. Elder went out right before the shutdown and came back to play a major part in their back-to-back championship run.

Drama Queens are thankful for the less drama start to their 2021 “Déjà flu” Season and the upgrade at center with Manny Nunes.., but their biggest thanks has to be the addition of a permanent goalie; Jake Brum who’s predicted to compete for the Rookie of the year, Season MVP, and #1 spot in the goalie standings.

Snow White has to be thankful that Matt Farrell and John Mastrocola are back healthy and contributing alongside their Rookie of the year prospect Pedro Fontes should be a solid competitor in the rookie race.

Shockwave should be thankful for last season’s #1 seed but also equally disappointed with their playoff loss to Drama Queens.., but they are even more thankful that their top award winning goalie Sean Roach didn’t need surgery and came back from IR early. They also are thankful for their horse in the rookie of the year race and diamond in the rough Rich Pelletier who continuously sparks the offense for Shockwave.