Over 30 Hockey League

Week of November 13 (Game 1) – Since the second week of the season, Loose Cannons has been the most consistent team in the league and deserve to be at the top of the league standings.  After going unbeaten for six games starting in week two, they have come back to earth stumbling with a 1-3-1 record over their last five games.  Top Secret took advantage of this, led by the offense of an unexpected source, to pull out a close 5 – 4 win.

In a game that saw each team score a powerplay goal as well as a shorthanded goal, it was the older veterans who lead the way for Top Secret this game.  In a back and forth first period, first Joe Shannon scored on the powerplay, walking in from the left point as his slapshot was perfectly placed low far side easily beating the goalie.  This was followed by Mark Stickney’s goal in the dirty area of the crease, giving Top Secret a stunning early two-goal lead.

However, Loose Cannons countered once Nick Doherty arrived fashionably late to his game, and proceeded to score a natural hat trick, including scoring a powerplay and shorthanded goal on his own.  Late in the second period into the third, matching Nick’s production saw Mark finish off his own hat trick, including his own shorthanded goal.

Late in the third period saw the hustle and determination of Tony Fosco pay off as he was all alone behind the net and relentless on the forecheck.  Tony scored a highlight goal as he came around the net with a defenseman on him, took a wraparound shot on net, got taken down by the defenseman and while lying on the rink, he powered his shot through the five hole into the net for a key insurance momentum swinging goal as Top Secret held on for a clutch win.

B-o-r-i-n-g

Let’s call it what it was... Last week's games were in the words of the ALD Mike Naczas... "B-o-r-i-n-g".

There were only a handful of eventful and newsworthy storylines that spotlighted a "B-o-r-i-n-g" news week.

So if you made the 4:30 news broadcast below... Consider yourself lucky that somebody else noticed your efforts.

Honored Guest

Aside from the "B-o-r-i-n-g" games this week’s.., most will agree that one of the weekend highlights was the honored guest and another defensive icon Steve Witkus who ranks #50 All-time.

Like all the weekly guests who are “not retired” but also “non-active”… Steve admits he misses the games and the weekly comradery.., but he mostly misses the drinking as Scoreboards Pub wasn’t opened back in his day.  So like Norm from Cheers… Steve was holding court at the end of the bar and there was even a rumor that he might be available to “fill-in” during the 2022 tax season…, stay tuned on that rumor, but you heard it her first.

Marksman

The specialty skill of a true Marksman (and sniper)... is patience.  That patience was displayed during Top Secrets powerplay and in particular a sniper they call Joe.  During Top Secrets first powerplay, Joe "The Canteen Guy" Shannon received a pass back to the point.

Just like John "IR" Colucciello counting "Mississippi's" with the ball on the back of the next... Joe had about (4) "Mississippi's" to stick-handle around the white line patiently waiting to pick his spot on former leading goaltender Jake Deehan. 

With zero pressure and Joe taking his sweet time picking a spot.., Jake had about (3) "Mississippi's" to finish crapping his pants as it was mano-a-mano (Goaltender vs Shooter).., the former best in the league vs the former leading goals scorer of all-time.

So who won?

All we can say is... "Jake don't forget to wipe"

AARP POW

Speaking of players who are approaching an age where you cannot trust a fart... Mark Stickney was the AAPR Senior Player of (wait what??)... Mark was actually the Dunkin Donuts "Player of the Week"?

One of the most (not the most) senior player in the league beat out a speedy Nick Doherty for the top award.., as Nick had a natural hat trick during his loss to Mark and the rest of Top Secret.

Mark showed the rest of the league how he could still pick top corners with a beautiful goal on Jake Deehan just 33-seconds after Joe Shannon made Jake soil his underwear during the powerplay.

We asked Mark about Jake soiling his pants on a blast from Joe.., and if Marked liked to wear boxers or briefs…Mark just said “Depends?”.

The Cycle

Even though Loose Cannons have lost the last two games both 5-4.., there was one highlight from their loss.

Nick Doherty who was beat out of the Dunkin Donuts "Player of the Week" by a guy almost twice his age… Nick managed to pull off a unique scoring accomplishment that may have been another first in the league’s 29-year history.

Nick not only had a (natural) hatrick… but we think he was the first player ever to score a regular strength goal.., a powerplay goal.., and a shorthanded goal consecutively.

Nick’s hattrick came off the stick of Johnny Mastrocola’s errant pass that sent Nick away on a shorthanded breakaway.  The most amazing thing about Nick’s goal was that he actually buried the goal instead speeding too fast and losing it at the last second.

Half-rican

According to Dave Costa we found out that fellow Portagee George Medeiros is not 100% Portuguese… he’s actually half Portuguese and half Kenyan.

We’re pretty sure if George enters the Boston Marathon he would be the first white Kenyan to win the race… as he just doesn’t stop running.  You put him on the starting line with a hockey stick and a ball… and he might be the first one ever to break the 2-hour mark.

Last week George had a number of great individual efforts.., but one of the hightlight plays for the little fella is he almost buried a shorthanded goal on another great individual effort to send himself in on a breakaway.  George beat Gold Miner’s Goaltender Jeff Deharo.., but unfortunately he couldn’t beat the crossbar.

Gaffe’d Again

If Dave Giusti wins another Gaffe Award before the end of the season… we may have to rename the award from the "Mortimer and Randolph Gaffe" of the week.., to the “Dave Giusti’s Dumb Play of the Week” as he’s now won it for two consecutive weeks on freaky-fluky goals.  Dave was caught sleeping during the weening seconds of his 2^nd potential shutout..., and last week got caught looking in the wrong direction as the ball ricocheted off the backboard, then off his facemask for a reverse facing goal.

Unsung Hero

He’s not fighting crime or winning hockey games.., but Derek Power was ReUnited’s unsung hero last week breaking a potential shutout with just 2:23 left to play.

That was Derek’s second goal in two weeks and despite the loss.., he finding his role as blue collar grinder for ReUnited.

The problem last week was after being on a semi-streak… ReUnited had a full team for the first time and struggled to find the chemistry required to beat Last Call’s fill-in goalie Joe “Guido” Conray.

Guido’s Revenge

Joe “Guido” Conray posted his 2^nd win as a fill-in goalie.., and he did it against the perfect team, his former ReUnited teammates.

Joe was 0-1 as a ReUnited player.., but 2-0 while filling in for Last Call.

Assistant Captain Dave Costa had to remind Matty Iannello.., next time you’re sitting at a Roulette table at Encore.., don’t forget to always bet on “Black”

Mr Freeze

When he’s not taking league photo’s… scanning nature and the city for the perfect shot.., or shooting Tim Hickey’s engagement photos (congrats hickey!!).., you can find “Mr Freeze” aka Mike Surette icing the ball at hockeytown.

Mike used to be known for his Delay of Game penalties.., so much so that the league once referred to the penalty as “Suretting”… now his Delay of Games are way down.., but his icings are way up.

So remember Mike… if you’re on fire; “Stop, Drop and Roll”.., but after you’re done breaking up an offensive attack; “Stop, Look and Listen” for your open forwards.., and you too will be on your way to your 500^th assist like defensive Hall of Fame inductee; Dan Broderick.

Portugal vs Italy

We haven’t checked on them in a few weeks… so let’s how our side action of the  Portugal vs Italy scoring competition is coming along with only 3-games left to play (and 2-games this weekend)

It looks like the Portuguese have taken a 6-point lead over the Italians with 3-games left.

Unconfirmed reports say the Italians might have gotten a few “Yellow” cards and lost points for badgering the referee after they score.., but can you blame those Pisano’s for wanting all their earned points and maybe some points they didn’t earn.

The first of the doubleheader weekend will feature these 6-players facing off at 6:30… will the Italians close the 6-point deficit… of will the Portuguese say “Arrivederci” to winter season foes.

Tasty Treats

Thank you to John Howland and more so to his girlfriend Erin for the box of tasty treats for the league.  After the game we asked (and assumed) the Italians brought the treats in to butter up the refs for more points.

We asked them if they were good… and they said “Eh.. Oh.. It’s no Mike’s from the North End”.., but yet those greasers stayed hoovered around those boxes enjoying the cupcakes while others had to cut in line to get one.

Big Push

There’s 3-games left (with two being played this weekend).., so this a BIG weekend for those players vying for the top spot in the scoring races.

Manny Nunes holds a 3-point lead of Gino Tammaro… while Jason Carrien also holds a 3-point lead over Jamie Kehoe.

Statically Sandra Glista holds the top spot in the goalie race… but she only played half the number of games to this point.

Aside from the players racing for their top spots… this is also a good weekend to impress the judges for the end of the season awards.

I’m no NAZtradams.., but Paul Sequeira is a strong candidate for Season MVP along with his teammate Manny Nunes. 

Ray Nickerson may have won (or bought) the Summer MISI MVP.., but he’s a potential candidate for the Over-30 Achievement Award along with Mark Stickney

Pedro Fontes continues to impress as a candidate for the Bill Mayne Memorial Award.., but he might have to beat another leading candidate with his teammate George Medeiros.

If you weren’t mentioned.., there is still plenty of time to impress the judges… so bring your “A” games this weekend and get your name in the mix.