Over 30 Hockey League

Week of October 19, (Game 1) – In a game that the experts were billing as a mismatch, turned into a contest that Blame the Girl ended up having their hands full, holding on to just get by the White Lightning team by a score of 3 – 2.  With the victory, Blame the Girl kept its undefeated streak alive at 6 games without a loss.

As they have done so in five of their six games played this season, Blame the Girl scored first, as Tony Medeiros was set up down the left wing by team mates Jon Pickard and Chris Ponte three and a half minutes into the game to open up the scoring.  Just over a minute later, the defense for Blame the Girl was activated as Colleen Sedille sent a pass down the right wing to Pic who had joined the rush.  Pic made the defense commit to him, which left a wide open Carlos Machado alone out front for an easy tap in to score his first goal of the season (nice Carlos to have other people do all the work for you so that you can pick up the leftovers and have a wide open net to score in).  Even though it was only the first period, White Lightning needed a goal to stay in this game and they got it from Dave Curcio from the high slot after some hustle down low by Tony Bono.

After a back and forth scoreless second period, that was evenly played by both teams, in which both goalies came up big making timely saves, Gary Goodwin scored an “excuse me” goal two minutes into the third period, as the low cycling by Rick Hudson and Carlos Machado resulted in a pass into the slot that literally hit Gary’s stick and spun back into the net past a surprised goalie (regardless of how Gary says it went it, he did nothing to score that goal other than have his stick in the right place at the right time).  Playing with a sense of desperation, White Lightning made this a one-goal game once again as Mike Surette scored off a shot from the point as he was set up by Scott Young with just over two minutes to play.  Pressing for the tying goal, White Lightning won the faceoff with a few seconds to play, only to have Blame the Girl get to the shooter to block that final shot to preserve the win.  Six games played for White Lightning and still no wins!   

Seems our League Director has an issue with Colleen Sedille being one of the root causes of the mid-season retirement by Dave “The Anchor” Hill.   We caught Mr Abcunas very late in the 3^rd period bowling over our resident female and team mascot for Blame the Girl.  Our theory is Bill was trying to sabotage the mojo of Blame the Girl (whom remain undefeated).  Many speculate that she is the glue that is holding that team together, and the reason Billy Gardynski Jr has been on his best behavior.

Let’s not forget… every time a team hires Mr Abcunas, not only do they get an upgrade to their defense, but after watching his moves and cuts last week… an upgrade to the offense as well.  The only problem is the highly sought after fill-in… also comes with a minimum of 1-penatly per game.  He leads the league in penalties… yet he doesn’t play for a team.  The irony in all this… he was also seen arguing (from the penalty box) with the refs over his penalty… which has to make it awkward for the refs when they collect their checks after the game.  What’s the matter Mr League Director?  You didn’t like the call against you?  Welcome to our world pal… now you know how “Mr Innocent” Pat Pirone feels.

Was there an Italian Festival last week in the North End… or is another hairy WOP of the market?  We noticed that John Colucciello, Mauro Colucciello, Luigi DeRenzes, and Joe Mancinelli were all missing last week from Golden Oldies.  Half the team’s talent (plus Niko Vramis) was somewhere stuffing their faces with pasta and cannoli’s

So while the Over-30 Mafia were off taking care of official Italian business… once again “Rent a mule” Bill Abcunas had to pull double-duty and try to fill the void left by the Ginzo’s.  Only this time… (2nd verse same as the 1st)... with back-to-back fill-in losses. 

The loss of half his team had “The Real #5” posting a “-5” on the scoring sheet… despite help from “The Pretender” and “The Imposter”

There was no happier person on the dek for the Shooting Stars than John Mastrocola… John was seen verbally assaulting and taunting the league's head honcho after he scored his first goal on the game… telling Bill “Every time you’re out here I’m going to score.”  True to his word and 30-seconds later (on the same shift), John buried his second goal of the shift… to which Mr Abcunas just hung his head in shame while walking to the bench with John taunting every step of the way with “No stay out here… where you going…”

Take two more names off the “Colleen scored before you” list… Congrats to Mike Delory and Carlos Machado… Turn in your membership cards to any of the “We can’t score” board members; John Colucciello, Jim Barber or Ray Nickerson

Just to be sure that the guys from Shooting Stars didn’t get too excited about having Billy Gardynski Jr, filling in for dear old Dad.  Billy Jr had to let in a few fluky goals including a shot from John Kelleher that was blasted and labeled top corner… after just taking two steps over the middle line.  It looked more like a Matt Ancil goal than one from the GAA leader.

Dear Mr Assistant League Director Mike Naczas… seems you left your stick behind last week after if you ever want to see your beloved two-piece composite again then I would seriously consider your choice this week for the Dunkin Donuts Player of the Week.  The word on the street is Jim Barber is in possession of your stick… I think Jim should be the front runner for the reward (I’m mean award), despite his pending lack of performance this week.

Lastly it seems it official… The Dave “The Anchor” Hill has indeed pulled up anchor an sailed (or sunk) off into the sunset of his hockey career.  Below is Dave’s Swan Song;

Dave Hill (October 13) via Facebook

So to put my Hockey career in perspective. And trust me it is not easy to say good by. but this helps.
Started playing Dek Hockey in Saugus 1980 playing 4-5 nights a week for several teams, Started playing tournament level hockey in 1985 to 1992 in Leominster, Long Island, and couple of other spots .Started playing in the over thirty league in 1990 ,finally breaking the curse 2 years ago and walking way with 3 jackets , so the long and short of it I have been playing a high level of competitive Dek hockey for 33 years.  I am walking away from this with my head high , still able to compete and on my my terms. While I will miss the game and all that comes with it , I know in my heart (and my knees) it was time.

For those of you on my Facebook who have played with me over the years thank you for the competition, memories, and the never ending friendships we have formed over the years. Good luck and make sure the beers are cold you never know when I might drop in,

So after Dave Hill decided to call it a career… he had a talk with his wife and summed up his 33-years of playing dek hockey and all his acomplishments with one simple word… but we’ll let The Hill’s explain;