Week of March 7 (Game 1) – This game was played like a playoff game by both teams. There was tight checking with not much room to move around on the rink. There were momentum swings throughout. There were timely and big saves made by both goalies. In the end, FOURget About-it received a big goal by Carlos Machado to just get by Goodfellas by the score of 3 – 1. An enjoyable back and forth game to watch from the sidelines.
The game started off in the first period all Goodfellas as they controlled the play and outhustled and outworked FOURget About-it. This persistence paid off early in the period as John Kelleher scored two minutes in as he was set up by Jamie Kehoe and Mike Collins. If it wasn’t for goalie Scott Rosato making some timely saves, this could have easily have resulted in FOURget About-it looking at a much larger deficit after one period.
In the second period Goodfellas came out running and carried most of the play early; however, that all changed two minutes in as Dez took advantage of a seam in the defense, while his team was short-handed, off a pass from Mark Stickney, to tie the score for FOURget About-it. Not fazed by the goal, Goodfellas kept pressing the attack. Yet, FOURget About-it was now producing some of their own prime scoring opportunities. Just like in the first period by his counterpart goalie, it was goalie Bill Gardynski Jr of Goodfellas turn to flash some leather and showcase his own highlight reel saves, keeping this a tied game.
It all came down to the third period. However, after carrying the play and momentum for two periods, Goodfellas was now trying to keep up with FOURget About-it. As the game progressed back and forth with both goalies shutting down the scoring chances, with less than five minutes to play, Carlos Machado scored off a bomb from the point, set up by Dez and Mark Stickney, to break the tie. Goodfellas still had their chances, but Dez added the insurance goal with an open net score.
Week of March 7 (Game 2) – With a three game winning streak on the line, Legends Last Stand was facing a tough task to extend their winning streak to four by missing five of their starters. Eventually, this lack of personnel caught up to them as they broke down in the third period, losing to Who Needs Superstars by a 5 – 2 score.
Playing a sit back and wait style in the first period paid off for Legends Last Stand as they took advantage of a defensive turnover with two minutes to play in the period as Ray Nickerson was set up in close by Matty Iannello and Mauro Colucciello. Ray didn’t miss as he buried his shot to give his team the early lead.
With the score stuck at 1-0 and the pace and style still favoring Legends Last Stand, Who Needs Superstar’s Derek Shaw scored a timely goal halfway through the second period to get his team back into this game off a rebound of a Jim Clarke shot. Forty seconds later, after his line mates were on the bench, Mike O’Neil stayed out to bury his scoring chance as he was set up by Sal Provanzano. With just under two minutes left in the period, Mike Luise found himself open out front to bury a pass from Derek. However, thirty seconds later, John Colucciello ripped a slap shot from the point off a clean faceoff win by Matty Iannello.
In the third period, Who Needs Superstars finally broke away and wore down Legends Last Stand as Mike Luise and Mike Surette scored two minutes apart to seal the victory. Interesting to note that Who Needs Superstars is the only team in the league who have given Legends Last Stand their only two losses this season.
