Over 30 Hockey League

In Memoriam

Tonight, before the 5:30 game please join Bill Abcunas and the Over-30 Hockey Family as we honor one of our own.

We will be honoring the Over-30 career of Nelson Sousa who passed away unexpectantly on May 11, 2023. 

We ask that you join the celebration on the deck as we honor Nelson’s memory with his family and present his widow Helen Sousa with some Nelson memorabilia.

Jacket Night

Hopefully we’ve heard the last of “Team Perfection” and their 17-0 season.

Never in the history of the league has ever been a “Team Jacket Photo” but then again never in the history of the league has there been a 17–0 team.

Ok…, so can we let this celebration die… or are we going to relive it and do another photo opt every time the last team that loses their bid for perfection (loses).

Are we going to celebrate (again and again) like the last remaining members of the ’72 Dolphins?

Taleggio

Taleggio Cheese: This Italian cow's milk cheese from the Val Taleggio region is washed in seawater once a week during aging to arrive at its wet-socks-and-grass aroma.

That’s what the Pisano line is playing like, 3pcs of stinky Italian Taleggio Cheese.

At least that’s what was implied when a chirp from hecklers row blurted “You stink!!” to Pisano line of Angelo De Luca, Rick Cassano and Gino Tamarro.

Voodoo Magic

It looks like trouble in paradise for Black Magic…, or someone was messing with a Ouija Board as both Bill Abcunas and Jason Glista went down with undisclosed injuries..., and right on cue in walks “undrafted” Doug Morand.

Doug who was visiting to receive his “Team Perfection” jacket was undrafted because he couldn’t commit as he’s planning on being “Coach Doug” for kid during the Winter Season.  However, with the new IR report released he is now being tapped as a possible fill-in.

Conspiracy theorists are waiting to see if Black Magic just happens to have the #27 as part of their “spare” jerseys.  The original conspiracy was Bill would play the Winter Season and bail on the Spring Season to give Dominic a younger, faster and more talented defenseman with Doug.

However, the real “Voodoo that he do” was Patrick Spencer and his 2-goal performance just 2-games into his rookie season.

Royal Shorts

Add the Royal Family team to the growing list of teams using logo shorts.

It’s not too late for the other 50% of the league to order shorts…, because everyone knows; if you can’t win…, at least you’ll look good loosing (or stinking) like the Pisano line.

More RIP 17-0

So long “undefeated status” to Gary Goodwin and Steve Silveira it was fun while it lasted.  You know what we just realized…, Gary was part of one of the greatest “Losing Streaks” as he was known as part of “The Curse” and now ironically, he’s gone on to be part of one of the greatest “Winning Streaks” and it’s all thanks to booze.  #Sparkplugs

Do to a technicality Mike Duggan stayed on the list with Steve Taddonio..., but unfortunately and despite his hat trick performance last week, Mike is no longer “undefeated.”

Let's update the list and see who’s left:

Sandbagging

It’s good to see Paul Sequeira back a week earlier than expected.

Lee Nogler must have spent the week texting his Dracut buddy to get up to Hockeytown (sooner than later) and help the Sandbaggers get into the win column after their week #1 ass kicking.

It’s just ironic that another highly skilled “undrafted” player makes his way onto a roster for a team that goes by the name “Sandbaggers.”

Are you happy now Lee?  You got some real talent to work with and a pair of free shorts courtesy of Mike Naczas.

Goal Riddle

What came first, the chicken or the egg?

Last week we saw a hockey twist on that with:

“What came first, the goal or the save?”

Dave Giusti had what seemed like a save… But it ended up that he “hatched it” for a Marooned goal. 

Dave who was sitting in his crease like a proud mother hen keeping the hockey ball nice and warm under his ass (as he thought he made the save)…, but what really happened was the ball went through his 5-hole so fast that it hit the back of the net and rebounded even faster under Dave (so fast) that he thought it was a save.

Thankfully Head Referee Jon Picard was in position as it could have been another “I didn’t see it go it” type of call…, and we all know how much we love those missed goals by the referee (but not this time).

The Best

Speaking of the Referees…, We heard the comment from Heckler Row that…, “It’s sad to say but the two best players on the rink are the Referees.”

We couldn’t agree more as we watched Joe Shannon break up plays and outlet passes.  Hey Joe…, remember you retired, you’re not playing defense anymore.

We watched Joe break up a half a dozen plays during his three games in stripes.  If you want to get back and play it looks like there’s an opening on Black Magic…, They are the next team that has a “perfect” chance to go undefeated.

Laser Show Tickets

John Carey nonchalantly asked the spectators in the “Owners Box”.., “Did you get your tickets to the Laser Show?”  As John was referring to his first goal of the game.

But before they could they even ask “What Laser Show?”…, John ripped his 2^nd goal of the game off a clean draw by Mike Duggan right in front of them and said “That Laser Show”

Offensive Defense

Last week 6-goals were scored by 5-defenseman. John Carey (2), Derek Donegan (1), Jason Carrien (1), Alex Leone (1) and Brian “Cappy” Capodilupo (ENG).

Thankfully Dave Costa didn’t score last week as we would have had to ask…, was he playing defense or cheating to beat another challenge playing forward?

First Misconduct

Welcome back to the Over-30 League Tony Mastrocola. In case you missed it…, the “Zero Tolerance Policy”…, no we’re not woke…, but the league does frown on slamming of the sticks in anger.

So sorry you had to be the first recipient of the first 5-minute misconduct of the year.  Hopefully you spent the five minutes reflecting and finding inner peace with yourself.

30 for 30 36

Mike Duggan is off to a fast start after scoring a hat trick last week.  He now has four goals to open a season and he vows he will be in the 30-goal club this year.

If he maintains his two goals a game average over 13 games, no problem see you at 30 goal celebration Mike. 

But why stop there…, The real “goal” should be…, can you get to 36?

That would give you both, the 30-goal club and break the all-time season record of 35 goals set by Joe Shannon (twice)

Loopholes

Jason Carrien doesn’t welch on bets … but he does look for loopholes.

After losing a bet to the league Director Bill Abcunas last season Jay has to wear one of Billy‘s old hockey jerseys for warm-ups, but never specified how to wear it.

Standings Correction

We wanted to correct the committee the decides on which team are “HOT - WARM – COLD” on the standing page.  Officially White Lies is listed as “COLD” team…, However, they lead the league in both “Goals For” and “Goals Against” and technically lost both of their games by (1) goal if you don’t count the ENG last week.

So can you please correct the images to reflect what is actually pictorially correct below?

More Over-30 Champions

Congratulations Mike Surette, Donny Maccini and Mike Duggan on your Wednesday night Hockeytown D2 Championship with the Wolfpack.

Also; congratulations Dave Costa, Ray Nickerson, Paul Sequeira, Jason Carrien and Dave Norton on your Thursday night Hockeytown D1 Championship with the Misfits.

So, what does that mean to you, the reader?

Dave Costa, Ray Nickerson, Mike Surette and Mike Duggan all have the ability for a threesome (No!, not with each other). All (4) players were part of the MISI Champions (Hook ‘ems), and each won their Divisional Championships game…, but can they be the 2023 Winter Season Champions (TBD in December)

NBHL Playoffs

Good luck to all the players from the Over-30 League that are playing in this weekend’s NBHL playoffs in New Jersey.

The Over-30 League is well represented in the newly formed NBHL.

Good luck to Dan Poirier Jr with the (Tier 1) Vengenance team…, and most of the league’s representation coming in the form of the (Tier 3) Rattlers..., Good Luck; Steve Taddonio, Sean Roach, Dave Costa, Elder Lopes, Steve Iacoviello, Rich Pelletier and team captain Jon Picard.