Week of March 8 (Game 1) - This would be a crucial game for the Shooting Stars, as they faced the hottest team in the Over-30 league, White Lightning, who was undefeated in their last four games played. The Shooting Stars jumped out to a commanding three goal lead, watched in stunned silence as White Lightning scored two goals in twenty-two seconds to tie it up in the last minute, then overcame their shock to win it in overtime by a 5 – 4 score.
In the first period, we witnessed the comeback debut of Sergio Costa after taking a few weeks off per doctor’s orders, as he was set up by George Medeiros and Matt Reghitto just under three minutes in, to score from the high slot, giving his Shooting Stars the early lead. Less than two minutes later, Dez increased that lead, scoring out front off the passing of George and Jim Barber.
Early in the second period, Matt Reghitto’s curve shot from the point, set up by Dez and Mark Stickney, eluded the goalie to give the shooting Stars a commanding lead and making this game appear to be over. However, before you could say game over, White Lightning finally woke up, scoring two goals in a minute. First, George Zeinert was set up down the wing by Steve Oppedisano and Pat Pirone four minutes in. Then, Tony Bono found the rebound of a Derek Shaw shot, set up by Scott Young, to make this a game. After withstanding the momentum swing and pressure from White Lightning, Mark Stickney answered with just over three minutes left in the period, set up by Dez and Jim Barber, to seize back the momentum for the Shooting Stars.
In the third period, the Shooting Stars were coasting to victory when White Lightning caught fire and struck quickly in the last minute, turning a sure loss into renewed hope, both goals scored by Scott Young. However, in overtime, Mark Stickney ended any comeback hopes by scoring out front on a power play.
Week of March 8 (Game 2) – Blame the Girl needed a statement game to change re-establish their dominance atop the league standings and send a message to their closest challenger, Cuckoo’s Nest. Blame the Girl jumped out to a commanding three goal lead then was reeling from the hard working comeback by Cuckoo’s Nest to tie up the game, only to re-assert themselves late in the third period to coast to a 8 – 3 win.
In the first period, luck would be smiling down on Blame the Girl as a Cuckoo’s Nest goal only ten seconds in to the game was called back. Eighteen seconds later rookie Jeff McCarthy scored his first goal of the season, set up by Gary Goodwin and Carlos Machado. Just under three minutes left in the period, Dominic Defrancisco scored on a rebound out front of a Naz shot.
Early in the second period, Carlos scored all alone from the right wing to give his team a commanding three goal lead. However, just like the first game, Cuckoo’s Nest came storming back, scoring the next three goals tying this game. Tony Mastrocola scored his first goal of the season late in the period, set up by Mario Deluca. That was followed by Angelo Deluca scoring on a breakaway on a pass from brother Mario with seconds to play. Taking advantage of the momentum early in the third period, Angelo again was sprung on a breakaway pass to tie the game up. Less than a minute later, Angelo had a wide open net and missed scoring the go ahead goal. Taking advantage of a defensive coverage breakdown, Tony Medeiros made no mistake and buried his chance from the high slot to give Blame the Girl the lead again. In the next two minutes, the rout was on as Dominic and Tony each scored two more goals to seal this win.
