Week of October 29 (Game 1) – The Over-30 league went retro with an old fashioned shootout game, featuring a lot of goals, shooter-tutoresque goaltending, and a lack of defense by both teams that resulted in a 6 – 6 tie between 11 Guys, 1 Ball and Shark Attack. This game was your classic whoever has the last shot, wins the game contest (almost). Sure let’s have some fun out their guys, but can we play a little defense in the process?
This game started out in the first period with Dominic Defrancisco scoring at the three minute mark, set up by Ray Dow and Scott Young (yeah he actually did show up). Three minutes later, Niko Vramis scored an unassisted goal, which was followed by Joe Carlton scoring three minutes after that, giving Shark Attack the early lead.
Then all hell broke loose for the goalies and defense in the second period as a total of six goals were scored between the teams. 11 Guys, 1 Ball scored the first three in a row, with Dominic, Scott and John Leite each scoring to take a two goal lead. However, Shark Attack came roaring back, scoring the period’s next two goals by Mauro Colucciello and Mike Luise, re-tying this game. Just when you thought the game settled down, Carlos Machado scored his third goal in his last two games giving 11 Guys, 1 Ball the lead once again. Six goals scored in a span of six minutes!
One minute into the third period saw Ray give his team a commanding two goal lead once again and briefly in control of this game. However, the wide open style of play made it impossible to keep a lead as Niko scored his second goal of the game to bring Shark Attack back to within one goal down. With thirty seconds left to play and down by a goal, Shark Attack pulled their goalie and had a set play on the faceoff. The move paid off as five seconds later, Mark Stickney won a clean draw back to John Colucciello at the right point whose slap shot deflected past the goalie re-tying the game. Dramatics over you ask? Not quite. With seconds left in OT, Carlos gathered in a rebound in the far right circle and threw a shot on net that beat the goalie five hole only to deflect at the last instant off the toe pad just missing the open net.
Week of October 29 (Game 2) – With the Pylons entering this game with a three game losing streak and Sour Grapes coming in riding a two game winning streak, the odds favored Sour Grapes. However, two key factors were apparent at the start of this game. First, Shawn Miville was back playing and off IR for the Pylons. Second, Sour Grapes were missing its two top scorers in George Medeiros and Dave Costa. The end result saw the Pylons snap their losing streak with a 4 – 1 win over Sour Grapes.
In a defensively played first period, the game’s opening goal was scored by Anthony Lauletta five minutes in, set up by Tony Mastrocola. For Anthony, since he started playing three games ago, he has scored in every game played so far.
In the second period, five minutes in, Shawn Miville got open and buried his scoring chance, set up by Nick Romano and Colleen O’Connell giving the Pylons a two goal lead. Needing some momentum and some offense, Sour Grapes caught a break as Sergio Costa’s turnaround shoot from the left wing found a seam between the goalie and the post, scoring a power play goal at the two minute mark, set up by Angelo Deluca.
The third period saw Sour Grapes turn up the offensive pressure halfway through the period, keeping the defense of the Pylons pinned deep in their defensive zone, looking to tie this game. The Pylons however, withstood this onslaught until Nick Romano got open at the right post in tight to take a heads up pass from Shawn behind the net with two minutes to play to retake a two goal lead. Only thirteen seconds later, Joe Mancinelli put this game out of reach with an unassisted turtle sniper goal, ending any comeback hopes for Sour Grapes.
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