Over 30 Hockey League

Week of September 10 (Game 1) – Two games into the new season and winless, players on the Pylons were starting to hear the whispers from the sidelines of “how is that team 0-2?” or “No Witkus, no defense” or “What’s wrong with Shawn Miville….he has no points?”  They aren’t anymore as they exploded offensively, scoring four unanswered goals in the second period, to soundly defeat 11 Guys, 1 Ball in a 7 – 3 rout.  Surprisingly, the Pylons had the better “legs” throughout this game, controlling most of the play. 

Things did not look promising in the first period for the Pylons.  In fact, it looked like more of the same from the previous two games as Tony Medeiros remained hot, scoring his third goal in two games, seven minutes into the game.

A key strategic move by captain John Kelleher at the start of the second period (after hearing comments from his team lamenting how they hadn’t scored a goal in four periods) was pure Belechickian and paid immediate results.  John switched positions with Joe Mancinelli and moved himself into the center.  The result?  Four unanswered goals by four different players that allowed the Pylons to seize total control of this game.

Thirty seconds into the third period, John Mastrocola’s goal, set up by Tony Medeiros, gave his 11 Guys, 1 Ball team some much needed momentum.  However, it was short-lived as Jamie Kehoe was set up by Shawn and John to score a key goal breaking in from the point, to build the lead back up to three goals.  Dominic Defrancisco made things interesting by scoring on a five-on-three power play; however, Shawn Miville put the nail in the coffin, scoring twice in the last minute of play to seal the victory.

Week of September 10 (Game 2) – Yellow Submarine remained undefeated early in the new season with a surprising

3 – 2 win over Shark Attack.  Surprising in the fact that as a team they were missing five players, including their best defenseman and starting goalie.  Not surprising was seeing some players step up and fill in on defense (hello Tony Bono and Dez), while others raised their games.  Yellow Submarine may not be scoring goals in bunches as a team, but, they aren’t allowing a lot of goals either.  They continue to get the job done!

After a scoreless first period, Brian Kehoe (who had a monster game) scored the game’s first goal, as he was set up by John Carey, five minutes into the second period.  Late in the period, rookie Mark Richardson evened the score as he was set up out front by Joe Carlton.

The third period saw a determined team effort by Yellow Submarine as they took control of this game by outshooting Shark Attack by a 14 – 6 margin.  Who else but Matty Iannello led the way as he was sent in by Brian and Dez less than a minute into the period.  Three minutes later, Mike Luise answered for Shark Attack to re-tie the game as he was set up out front off a scramble by Mauro Colucciello and Niko Vramis.  This game had the feel and look of going to overtime until Ray Nickerson changed all that with a timely shot from the high left side, as he was set up by Matty and Brian for the game winning goal with just over three minutes to play.

What was surprising was witnessing Shark Attack FAILING to take advantage of a short-handed team and not utilize a consistent running / ball control game to their advantage, as well as being outshot the entire game.  Simply put………..no excuses!  One can talk about “having some fun out there” game in and game out, but, if you don’t simply “execute and play the game” it’s all just empty chatter!

For Lease

Attention Pylon Players:  For Lease (1) pair of bright orange sneakers to compliment your jersey.  Shark Attack Captain Jim Barber has a slightly used (1-game only) bright orange pair that did “nothing” for him during his game.  The catch is; any points you record while wearing the “Greatest Captain of All-time?” sneakers is… he gets credited with the points, because that’s the only way he’s going to make it on the Leader Board this season.

Disclaimer:  They are a Size 9, so Shawn Miville you are not eligible.  If fact they only (3) players on the Pylons that would fit them is either John Kelleher,  Colleen O’Connell or resident munchkin Tony Mastrocola… but he would probably have to stuff the toes with tissues so they don’t fall off.

Girl Power

Sandra Glista must have listened to a lot of the Spice Girls in the late 90’s because she has the “Girl Power” the British Girl group preached about.

Sandra not only filled in for Tim Hickey… but she pulled double duty and filled in for Jeff Deharo and single-handedly led both underdog teams to victories.

I know what you thinking when you see a “Girl” in net… or a “Girl” on defense that it’s… Oh good it’s “Pad the Stats Night”, but these girls can actually play.  To quote the late great Chris Farley; “Remember that time (Bill Abcunas) when you tried to go past Colleen O’Connell and she stole the ball and scored in your face… that was Awesome!!”

In case you forgot about it or want to read about the first ever “Goal of the Year” http://over30hockeyleague.com/2015springseasonrecap/2015springbestgoal.html

Most of you know that these are not just two “Girls” playing in our league… they are Medal Winning Women’s Team USA Players (unlike our non-medaling men: Jason Glista, Jamie Kehoe and Jon Picard), these are legit decorated USA Players.  So congratulations Sandra on what we believe is a first ever “Girl” Goalie playing in back-to-back games and recording two wins in the process.

In light of your exhibition of “Girl Power” we will induct you into the Spice Girls Club and will now refer to you a “Goalie Spice”

What do we want…

What do we want? …”RECOGNITION”… When do we want it? … “NOW”

Filling in this week will give Sandra 4-consecutive starts will give her a 2-wins 1-loss and a yet TBD (Week #4) record… Typically fill-in players are not allowed to win awards, but Colleen O’Connell should petition the league to allow Sandra to be eligible for both; weekly individual awards and be recognized in the “League Leading Goalie Stats”.  How can Jeff Deharo be the #2 goalie from home??  #EqualityForSandra

“Pointless”

File this one under… REALLY???

For 29-minutes and 51-seconds Mike Naczas was held “Pointless” while the rest of the Pylons were racking up points.  It was until 9-seconds (N-I-N-E) left in the game you record an assist on Shawn Miville’s 3^rd goal and 6^th point of the game on what we commonly refer to in this league as a “Punk Move”.

Clearly Scotty Rosato was having an off day… (but yet again) any goalie facing Miville is going to be in for an off day… but to add to Scott’s “wanna get away” performance in net,  you decide to keep the ball in the offensive zone, feed Shawn Miville and record a “cheap” assist as Scotty barely moved his foot with a feeble swipe attempt…. Then celebrate like it was game #7

We are calling for an independent review and appealing that you were the 4^th player to touch the ball on the goal.   Perhaps Nick Romano should have been credited with the 2^nd assist.  However keep in mind it’s the same Review Board Jim Barber filed a grievance with last season and they would not listen to conclusive evidence (and documented facts) that Mark Stickney scored the goal the Shawn Miville was credited for… so your assist will probably stand.

Jackets 48 to 59

Our last congratulations ever for the former HABitual Complainers… Last Saturday was Jacket Night as Jim Barber helped hand out Jackets #48 to #59 of his Captaincy.  The dynasty powerhouse team has been split (4-3-3-2) with 4-players landing on Yellow Submarine and they will be the team to watch and in particular Tony Bono as his “Quest for Five (Part Duex)” is the biggest story of the 2017 Winter Season.

“Congratulations Judas”

Congratulations John Desmond (or as we call him “Judas” for short) on winning the first $25.00 Gift Card Giveaway of the 25^th Anniversary Season.  All season long (once a month), a random player will be drawn and presented with a $25 VISA Check Card.

Secondary Congratulations:  As Judas also recoded an assist in the win over his former captain and defending Over-30 Champion Jim Barber.

Good Luck

Good luck to the Over-30 players playing in the Hockeytown summer season semi-finals on Monday night.  The Bricklayers finished #1 overall with a 12-0-1 represented by: Nick Romano, John Kelleher, Jim Barber and Scott Rosato in net with an impressive 1.09 GAA… while The Blueroom Devils finished the summer 11-2-0 on a team that features; Ray Dow, John Carey, Mark Richardson, Ray Nickerson and again Scott Rosato in net.

Side Note: Ray Nickerson who plays for both the Blueroom Devils and the Misfits… along with Scott Rosato (Blueroom Devils and the Bricklayers) are the only two players playing on (2) out of the (4) semifinal teams and since Blueroom Devils and the Bricklayers play each other in the semi-finals, Scott Rosato is the only Over-30 player that has a guaranteed spot in the finals.

Spectators wanted:   Monday night 7:00PM Bricklayers vs Blueroom Devils with the Winner (and Scotty) moving on to the finals.

Two New Fans

Congratulations Jeff Deharo and Jamie Kehoe on their off season acquisitions at the trade deadline; Jeff acquired Dalton Deharo (6-lbs, 13-oz) from wife Tracy… while Jamie acquired Mya (5-lbs, 15-oz) from Jessie and a ring to be named later.

All Four teams are happy with the trade acquisitions, as it looks like the Deharo family has a young prospect in Dalton that can finally stop the long shot.., and little Mya is already being scouted by the Glista’s for the Women’s Team USA -  Infant Division.