In this day and age when in kid’s sports “Everyone” wins a blue ribbon and a trophy so now one feels left out… Apparently that same philosophy is being brought into the over-30 League and more specifically to the Assistant League Director Dunkin Donuts Player of the Week Award. Seems the ALD could not make a decision on who had a better performance Matty Iannello’s (2-goals, 2-assists) for 4-points or Dave Curcio’s (2-goals, 1-assist) for 3-points. So the good news is… when Naz takes over the league in the distant future… Both teams playing in the Championship game (despite the score) will both receive jackets.
Since we are on the topic of Assistant League Director Dunkin Donuts Player of the Week Award… seems there was another controversial award last week… No it wasn’t John Colucciello or Jim Barber being overlooked again… It was everyone’s favorite “Assist whiner” Ray Nickerson who was snubbed by the ALD. Joe Shannon (2-goals, 1-assists) for 3-points or Ray Nickerson (2-goals, 2-assist) for 4-points... oh!, and one of those goals was the Game Winning Goal.
Not that Ray needs a $10 gift card, but it's more of the lack of recognition and respect. He gets shafted on assists, was overlooked as playoff MVP and now this? Naz if he cuts off the Chinese Food Donation for the bowling events... we'll look back at this moment as a contributing factor.
Have you ever noticed that current Player of the Week winner Joe Shannon is a tucker? The former canteen driver with a cannon for a shot likes to tuck his shirt in (Who tucks in a hockey jersey these days?). Then we noticed teammate copycat Pat Pirone is also tucking in his jersey. Seems Pat took it upon himself (to put himself) in the same class as Joe Shannon. This reminded me or a great line from the 1988 United States vice-presidential debate by Democratic vice-presidential candidate Senator Lloyd Bentsen to Republican vice-presidential candidate Senator Dan Quayle;
“I played with Joe Shannon. I know Joe Shannon. Joe Shannon is a friend of mine. (Pat), you're no Joe”
How can we be certain that “Pat is no Joe”… While watching Pat play against The Portuguese Pretenders, he tried to go one-on-one against Hall-of-Famer Dan Broderick… DENIED! Then Pat led a 3-on-1 attack against a lonely BIG Mike Hollingsworth (and once again)… DENIED! Now go un-tuck your shirt Pat and pick a different role model because you’re giving the tucked look a bad reputation.
No Goal and No Call for Scott “El Baby” Young… seems Scotty was spotted hanging out front of an empty net trying to pad his stats with a cheap Empty Net Goal. Sensing that Scott was using this opportunity to add fantasy league points for himself (since Scotty picked himself) during the draft. Fantasy League Leader Bill Abcunas took the opportunity to show “El Baby” what the dek flooring looked like up close.
The new Over-30 League movement…
There’s a new trend in the league. It started with Midas Touch and recently spread to the Portuguese Pretenders. What is it? Taking their 50+ year old defenseman and converting them from a liability to less of a liability. Former defensemen Steve Oppedisano recently buried his first goal in 20-years while enjoying his new role as 2nd line center. Seeing the success that Steve and Midas are reaping.., Dave “The Anchor” Hill was recently spotted playing winger with league young gun Dominic Defranscisco. Although it was not a fruitful as anticipated as Dave whiffed on (6) golden opportunities.
This leaves us wondering when we’ll see the like of Dan Broderick, Mike Naz, and Ed Nigro being put out to pasture… and by pasture we mean a non-productive winger… kind of like current pasture grazer Bill Abcunas