Over 30 Hockey League

Week of February 13 (Game 1) – This game reinforced why Labatt Blues is one of the top teams in the Over-30 league as they featured two lines that brought different components to the game.  The first line generated plenty of offense, while the second line used a relentless fore checking / back checking and speed component.  The result was a convincing 5 – 0 win over the reeling Island of Misfit Toys team.

In an evenly played first period between both these teams, Mark Stickney opened the scoring for Labatt Blues as he was set up by Shawn Miville halfway through the period.  It was evident early that Labatt Blues would have both lines running and keeping constant pressure on the defense of Island of Misfit Toys.

The second period was where this game turned in favor of Labatt Blues as they took advantage of Island of Misfit Toys not running, not generating any sustained offense, not fore checking, striking for two goals.  Halfway through the period, Shawn was able to get open on the wing, set up by Walter Maslak and Dan Broderick, to unleash a bomb of a shot that found the back of the net.  Less than four minutes later, Tim Hickey’s hustle the whole game paid off as he was set up on the high left wing by Tony Mastrocola, and he beat the goalie low.

Less than four minutes into the third period, Labatt Blues put this game out of reach as Walter took a shot from the high right wing, set up by Mark and Shawn, that beat the goalie cleanly.  Rounding out the scoring a minute and a half later saw Mark score his second goal of the game, set up by Walter.  Goalie Bill Gardynski Jr was not really tested throughout this game in posting his second shutout of the season.

For Island of Misfit Toys, the downward losing spiral continues as they remain winless, losing their fourth straight game, while playing this game with no heart, no emotion.

Week of February 13 (Game 2) – Don’t let the final score fool you, this was a much closer game between Broken Promises and Consigliere, as Broken Promises scored two goals in the second period to break this game open on their way to a 6 – 2 victory.

In a back and forth first period that saw Broken Promises jump out to an early lead, courteousy of Niko Vramis scoring only forty-five seconds in, set up by John Mastrocola and Mauro Colucciello.  With just under four minutes in the period, Pat Pirone tied the game for Consigliere, as he was set up by Steve Oppedisano and Joe Mancinelli.  However, two minutes later, Nick Romano scored off some timely passing by John Kelleher and Umberto Biancardi.

In the second period, just over a minute in, Gino Tammaro scored on a bomb from the wing as he was set up by Mike Luise and Derek Power.  However, this is where the game changed in favor of Broken Promises as they grabbed the momentum when John Mastrocola scored an unassisted goal just thirty seconds later.  This was the key goal of this game, giving Broken Promises the lead back that they would never give up.  Four minutes later, Nick scored his second goal of the game, set up by John Kelleher and Alex Leone.

The third period saw Broken Promises score two more goals late in the game.  Off a nifty feed from Niko, Mauro scored on the right wing, which was followed a minute later by Nicky finishing off his hat trick, set up again by John and Umberto.  Nicky can now savor his Player of the Week award Dunkin Donuts gift card when he spends those long hours plowing for the state while watching all those sparks fly from his plow hitting un-snowed upon pavement.

Last Minute Enjoyment

So Joe Carlton sent Shawn Miville a pre-game text saying he was enjoying his last waning moments of being the League Leading "Goal" Scorer.  That's because Joe knew that Shawn was playing against his favorite punching bag Billy Gardynski Sr.

A controversial scoring error put a stop to Shawn's impending lead... but more on that later.

Opps... Senior Moment

Hey Dan Broderick... before you celebrate a goal, make sure it goes over the line first.  Dan should have been penalized for high-sticking during what we are calling a "Senior Moment"

Dan emphatically celebrated what amounted to be a shot on net... DOH!!! 

Munchkin Bullying

Apparently the league has no official policy on "Munchkin Bullying"... because both of the top league officials would have been in violation for their actions against Tony Mastrocola.

First the League Director Bill Abcunas could have been flagged on many occasions for "Taunting" and the Assistant League Director Mike Naczas almost fitted Tony for a back-brace.

These menacing basement dwellers make Pat Pirone look like an altar boy on the dek.

Let your little voice be heard Tony Mastrocola, John Mastrocola and George Medeiros...  "We may be little, but you can't push us around."

Another Blind Ref

Welcome back Joe Shannon... at least in wearing stripes.   Joe's hip, knee, and talent level have all declined and thus rendered him a myth of his former self.

Joe is now a member of the "I Didn't See It" Club.  Last week we saw (former Defenseman) and now (former Referee) turn back into a Defenseman Mike Naczas absolutely bury Tony Mastrocola with a paralyzing cross check in front of the crease.

The scene of the assault happened just feet from Joe... and guess what?   Yep, no call.

Did these refs all graduate from "The Who's School of Refereeing"... Cause these "Deaf, Dumb and Blind Refs sure play a mean pinball"

Sock Cozi

File this one under strange and gross... Bye week spectator and HABitual Complainers Defenseman Jay Carrien attended last week’s games so he didn't miss out on any of the after parties.

With the absolute bitter cold and Jay's willingness to drink an ice cold beer comes at any cost and sacrifice.

Last week Jay invented the "Sock Cozi"... and not the knitted kind you see on Pinterest.  This was the actual kind from his feet.

Jay forgot his gloves on the coldest day of the year... but thankfully he had socks on, and with Jay's alcoholic MacGyver type skills quickly invented the "Sock Cozi" and they will be on sale next week in both pre-game and post-game condition (your choice) and price may vary.

Here's his new ad campaign slogan:

The "Sock Cozi" by Jay... "Keep you drinking hand warm and your feet cold... but at least you’re drinking right"

Rumor has it resident alcoholic Gary Goodwin has pre-ordered a pair of size 12's for after his game next week.

Scoring Correction

Nick Romano actually scored 4-goals last week... Not only did Nick Romano score a Hat Trick for Broken Promises, but he also tipped in a goal for Consigliere.

Which leads us to ask... If Nick Romano scored a goal for Consigliere, that was credited to Pat Pirone how is that you can give (2) Assists on the play???

We demand a recount (and apology)

There was no "Hanging Chads" a term we learned from the morons in Florida during the 2000 Presidential Campaign... but instead a "Bureaucratic Unjust"

In last week’s 5-0 BLOWOUT of Labatt Blues vs Island of Misfit Toys... Shawn Millive started the scoring halfway through the 1st period against his "Goal Mine" goaltender Billy Gardynski Sr.

Miville owns the elder Gardynski and as history has so often repeated itself.., Miville lite him up again... or did he?

After the game is was discovered that line mate Mark Stickney was credited for what amounted to as the "Game Winning Goal"... because at the other end Billy Gardynski Jr gave up nothing and earned nothing in the weekly awards for the shutout.

The shutout was meaningless because Ray Dow could have filled in for Jr and done the same.  Shutting out the "low-power" offense of the basement dwellers is meaningless.  Sorry Billy Jr, no free coffee or cheeseburger for you this week.

But the real story here is... Shawn Miville was screwed out of a goal he worked hard for and goals don't come easy for Shawn.  Oh wait, (sorry) goals do come easy for Shawn... its Jim Barber that goals do not come easy for.  But nonetheless, we have a huge unjust looming and you will learn all about if you choose to continue reading the P.U.T.A. Forum.

The Court of Appeals - You make the Call

Opening argument:

In my personal quest to right the wrong... to fight for the un-empowered Over-30 Players and to the Ray Nickerson's, Tony Bono's, Joe Carlton's, and now the Shawn Miville's of the league who have been maliciously screwed out of points... It's for you; I wage my war against the bureaucratic machine.

Let the evidence show that numerous people involved (including) the games referee and even the player in question who scored the "Phantom Goal" admitted he did not score the goal.

Even with this overwhelming evidence that supports my client Shawn Miville was wrongly screwed... the heartless powers that be refuse to right the wrong and let an innocent man get his game winning goal by reversing the scoring.  (Probably because he's married to the statistician)

The soulless power that is… is standing behind a confused referee who was recently brought back to fill the void left by former referee Mike Naczas (who did a fine job refereeing, but got a little fat because of his lack of playing, but still did a great job refereeing).

Exhibits - A, B, and C clearly shows who rightfully scored the first goal of the game and it shows that Joe Shannon doesn't know how to spell names correctly.  For Exhibit C he refers to Dube as "Bube" (rightfully so) and Shawn as "Sean" but the facts of the matter are correct.

"Sean" scored and "Bube" recorded it wrong.

I'm with Shawn vs I'm with Billy

Show you support... Are you "with Shawn" or are you "with Billy"?  Let your voices and opinions be heard.

We refer you to a poem written by Pastor Martin Niemöller (google him) and we revised the poem it fit our situation accordingly

First they came for the "Goons", and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a "Goon".

Then they came for the "Goal Scorers", and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a "Goal Scorer".

Then they came for the "Play Makers", and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a "Play Makers".

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Remember that… the next point they screw someone out of, could be yours... Now take to the streets and march for scoring justice.

For this insider:  I'm with Shawn"

Now let's Fight the Power 

YEAHHHHHH BOYEEEEEEEE!! ~Flava Flav