Over 30 Hockey League

Week of February 6 (Game 1) – Even though it is only the beginning of February and the playoffs are two and a half months away, we witnessed a playoff-like atmosphere in the game contested between HABitual Complainers and Broken Promises.  This game had all the intensity of a semi-final playoff game, whereby defense dictated how this game was played, offense was limited due to the lack of free space found anywhere on the rink, and both goalies were matching each other save for save.  In the end, HABitual Complainers held the advantage as their “Jason” defense stepped up and led the offense in a gritty 3 – 1 victory.

In the first period, finally playing the last two weeks with a full roster, Broken Promises was out to send a message to the top team in the Over-30 league that they would be a contender for the rest of the season.  Late in the period, Nick Romano scored out front on a rebound off a pass from Umberto Biancardi and Scott Young.

Early in the second period, Jason Carrien did what he instinctively does during a game and did not hesitate jumping into the offense on the left wing, finding himself open to score the tying goal on a great feed from Dominic Defrancisco and Tony Bono.  The game remained tied for the next three minutes until the other Jason, Jason Glista (playing his best all-around game on defense this season) took a page out of his defensive partner Jason Carrien’s playbook and jumped into the offense, scoring a key momentum swinging goal, set up by the other Jason and John Leite, giving his team the lead.

In the third period, HABitual Complainers used a smothering team defense with an aggressive strong back checking aspect to break up any potential rushes or scoring chances by Broken Promises.  This strategy paid off as Tony Medeiros scored the insurance goal with just over three minutes to play as he was set up by John Leite.  With this victory, HABitual Complainers moved back into sole possession of first place overall heading into their bye week.

Week of February 6 (Game 2) – Each season, there are certain games that turn into “key” games on the schedule, based on how the teams are playing week to week.  Such was the case in week 6 between Consigliere and Island of Misfit Toys.  With Consigliere only one game ahead of them in the standings, Island of Misfit Toys had a prime opportunity to get back into the playoff chase and tie their opponent in the standings.  Unfortunately, the result was not favorable as Consigliere built up a three goal lead and held on for a 4 – 3 win.

In the first period, it became obvious that Consigliere would utilize the advantage they had with their speed in generating offensive scoring chances.  The strategy paid off as Joe Mancinelli used his breakaway speed (not) only two minutes in to score the game’s first goal, set up by Jim Clarke (the Knighthawks connection paying dividends!).  This was followed five minutes later by Angelo Deluca getting off a shot from the high left wing on a pass from Gino Tammaro that Mike Luise found himself in the right place at the right time to score on the rebound.  Needing a response, Island of Misfit Toys got just that as Ray Nickerson was set up on the left circle by Matty Iannello and Sergio Costa.

The second period saw Consigliere break this game open as some defensive turnovers at the six minute mark led to Pat Pirone’s unassisted goal at the crease, which was followed three minutes later by Gino throwing a shot from the high right wing on net that went in, as he was set up by Angelo and Rick Cassano.

Bo Knows & "Bono's" 

Remember that Nike Campaign... Bo Knows?

We'll we're bringing it back and calling it "Bono's" (Get it?)  Tony "Bono" Knows.

What does "Bono's" this week... Like all players in the Over-30 League, "Bono's" he got screwed out of an assist.  Normally Tony wouldn't care, but when you over 50-years of age those assists aren't coming like they used to. 

Like many scorned players before him, Tony Bono emailed the PRB "Points Review Board" for an assist that he was screwed out of.., and like every complaint/appeal that has been filed in the past... it was immediately flagged as "Spam" and sent to the trash bin.

"Bono's" he got screwed!!

Toys in Basement

Rumor has it Aerosmith is revising and releasing an updated Over-30 version of their classic song "Toys in the Attic" 

Steven Tyler and company are in the studio working on the follow-up; "Toys in the Basement" for Matty Iannello and his team of misfits who have just one measly point after 5-Games.

We reached out to recently departed defenseman Jimmy Clarke for a comment on playing against his former team and he said he couldn't be happier playing with a playoff contender with Consigliere.

As far as Jimmy is concerned... Steven sang it best... Taaa-Taaa-Taaa-Taaa-Toys. Toys, Toys in the Basement.

Wide Open Misses

There must have been something in the drinking water at Hockeytown to cause 3-people to miss 3-WIDE open goals last week.

First Joe Carlton missed a WIDE open attempt  on a beautifully threaded pass from line-mate Jim Barber as Joe's shot went somewhere near the scoreboard.

Then Joe returned the favor... and set Jim up for a WIDE open one-timer that Jim put into the dashers behind goalie Scott Rosato.

But... the BIGGEST miss of all came from the smallest player in the league, when Jamie Kehoe stick-handled deep into the offensive zone and spoon fed George Medeiros an easy tap in and George used his Bauer 9-iron to send the ball sailing over the net along with the hopes of their first win of the season.

Double D's

No we are not talking about boobs.... you perverts!

We're talking about last week’s award winners.  Not sure if it's happened before but both the Dunkin Donuts and Five Guys Awards went to a Defenseman.

Jason Glista played a MASTER-ful Team USA worthy style of defense... while also scoring a goal in the process and quarterbacking his forwards late in the game.

Rick Cassano will be asking Five Guys if they can put some Mozzarella Cheese on his burger.  

Rick stepped up and volunteered to help protect his defensive zone and a goalie that averages giving up 4-goals a game.  Rick presence must have given goaltender Alby Luise a boost of confidence because Alby, Rick and the rest of the defense only allowed 3-goals and eked out a must needed win to earn those valuable 2-points.

There's a hole in the net, dear Liza, dear Liza

Anyone else see that trick shot that players of Broken Promises were whining about last week?

Much like Ray Nickerson's "Phantom Assists"... Broken Promise is trying to count "Phantom Goals" and argued that the goal should count because it "looked" like the ball went through the netting.  They cried for so long that they were almost forced to use their only time out to continue crying to the League Director.

HABitual Captain Jim Barber did not bother to get involved with the antics because he knows you can't collectively get together with the officials and award a goal based on circumstantial evidence and an optical illusion.

The only hole in either net was Broken Promise goaltender Scott Rosato who gave up 3-goals in the loss.

Billy Gardysnki Sr was behind the net claiming it went in and the call was "Horrible"… that is until referee Jon Picard tossed him out for voicing his opinion and Tony Medeiros reminded him that Tony drove Sr to the game and he need to shut his mouth.

One Shot - 2 Posts

HABitual Captain Jim Barber missed a prime scoring chance earlier in the game and then double-downed when his blast blew by Scott Rosato and dented the post.  The rebound came back out only to hit Scotty and rolled back hitting the same post for a second time.

Broken Promises forward John "Failed" Mastrocola quickly reminded Jim that neither of those shots counted.

Oldest vs YOUNGest??

After Ray Dow accurately determined who the oldest and youngest teams are in the league are (and won a prize in doing so)... it was time for Scott Young and his team of grumpy old men to finally meet and greet the real "Young" team (and the defending champions) HABitual Complainers.

Despite the 3-1 final... Scott and company proved they could compete with the juveniles and even Mr "Young" himself helped set up the first goal of the game (or what we refer to as the first dribble of a goal) that Nick Romano took credit for.

Scotty's leadership is proven to be invaluable as not only does he bring credibility back to Broken Promises... but he also argues the most (even if he's wrong). 

Welcome back El Baby!!