Over 30 Hockey League

Week of September 23 (Game 1) – Trojan Horse remained on their opening season hot streak, as they once again received balance scoring from both of their offensive lines in defeating Team Cherry by the score of 5 – 3.  Team Cherry still is playing short-handed, missing multiple players from its roster, and unable to develop any team chemistry or offensive lines.

For Trojan Horse, it was more of the same from their previous game as they broke open a close game in the second period that carried over into the third, in pulling out the win.  Shawn Miville continued his steady climb up the leading scorers table by scoring 2 key goals.  The first of which came late in the second period giving his team a two goal lead; the second of which provided his team with some added insurance in the middle of the third period.  In addition to Miv playing a big role in his team’s offense, Walter Maslak kept his scoring streak alive by recording his third straight multi-point game.  Maybe it was the impact of Miv and Walter’s scoring rubbing off on him, but captain Jim Barber finally scored his first goal of the season. At least Jim won’t have to worry about Colleen or Ed Nigro or Naz scoring before him now.

For Team Cherry, they remain winless but it is still early in the season.  Missing some impact players has not helped but once they have a full roster present, their fortunes will start to turn around.  In the meantime, they have to keep these games close and their role players need to step up and contribute.  Somehow, we believe that captain Dan Broderick will use his wealth of experience to draw up a game plan to get his team back into contention.

Week of September 23 (Game 2) – Fool’s Gold displayed some balanced offense from both lines, some timely defense and took the game over late in the third period, to shine brightly in defeating Maybe One by the score of 7 – 4, to notch their first win of the season.

For Fool’s Gold, defenseman Jamie Kehoe scored two key goals in this game, first late in the second period, followed by the backbreaking power play strike late in the third period that deflated Maybe One.  Jamie’s second goal had no business going in the net but sometimes it is better to be lucky than good.  Thank the Hockey gods for that one Jamie.  Also having himself quite a game was Niko Vramis who made an impact to the offense by scoring 2-goals.  Taking a cue from Niko’s play saw Sergio Costa stay healthy during the game to score his team’s insurance goal and set up two other goals.  Piling on into the scoring fest saw the Cooch brothers disregard the no look behind the back pass and down low cycling passing to set up three goals.

Most of us Over-30/40/50 Players have been teammates and competitors for many years... and over those years you develop friendships. 

We've congratulated each other on the birth of various kids, donated to help a good cause and in this case pass along our condolences.

This week Jeff Deharo unexpectedly lost his Mom (Marie Champoux) earlier in the week... and Jeff is honoring his Mother's wishes by not having any services for her.   We wanted to pass along our condolences to Jeff and the Deharo family on his loss.

He’s Back?

Welcome back Scott Young... We haven't checked the archives but we are fairly certain that's your first regular season game in many seasons

Wasn't it nice to get back into the swing of things and score a couple of goals?  

Grant it your effort was in vain... But it sends the right message to the team and the league.., "I'm here, I'm back and I'm and impact player"

He’s Quiet

Aside from Scott Young’s impressive return.., the former “El Baby” has nothing to complain about because his complaining voice has been silenced by League Officials who stripped him of his rank over the summer.

Make Papa Great (Again)

Jim Barber is taking over where Matty Iannello left off by making Umberto "Papa Smurf" Biancardi Great (Again).  Papa buried the first goal of the game off his Captain’s drop pass to earn him the Trojan of the Week Award from his teammates.   

Miville Correction:   The Trojan of the week Award is not handed out by Shawn himself... It is awarded and passed from the previous week’s winner to the current winner.  #TeamSpirit

Place your bets

This week is the "Basement Battle Royale" between Maybe One and Team Cherry.  The battle between a “Living Legend" and "The Great One".

Who will be the team to earn their first 2-points of the season and who will continue with their perfect winless season?

Today Odds;

Maybe One: 1-2

Team Cherry: 4-1

Tie: Even

BYE Week Workout

Hey Bob Snyder... WTF?  You had a BYE week last week and this reporter gets a tip that you were upstairs at 4:00 running suicide drills and practicing your moves?  

You win one championship and you think running suicides and deking an orange cone is going to put another championship trophy in your bed again?

Also the League wants $20 for the pre-game unauthorized rental (Bring cash)

What’s that J. Geils Song??

Correct me if I'm wrong... But didn't J. Giles have a hit back in the 80's... That went something like; 

We'll win a game

"Maybe One" I think

One thing for sure

"Pink" Stinks... Yeah yeah (Pink Stinks)

Phantom of the Nickerson

We now have hard proof that Ray Nickerson gets phantom assists from the referees... and we think it might be Jon Pickard that is on the take.  

2-weeks ago... Trojan Horse Defenseman Brian "Cappy" Capodiluppo circled from behind his own net and fired a chest high pass right up the middle to opposing player Matty Iannello... Who caught the airmail pass and quickly buried a goal on an unsuspecting Scotty Rosato.

Looking at the scoring sheets Ray "The Boss" Nickerson was credited with an assist of the term we have used over the years as a "Phantom Assist".

So there you go Ray... You got back one of probably many that the league has actually "Fu€k3d" you out of.  

However shame on you Jon Pickard for being on the dole... Just another shameless ref trying to make ends meet.

Why keep stats?

Which leads us to.., (Seriously)..,  Why are we keeping personal stats?  

We have a timekeeper who tracks stats.., and we have a backup statistician to track the timekeeper stats and yet we still can get the weekly stats right.

Ray Nickerson is getting credit for assisting on nothing... Jason Carien's stats were given to a teammate.., Dominic DeFrancisco is crying that he's missing an assist... and now the webmaster himself Jim Barber is also screwed out of an assist (that is clearly marked) in the game sheet (1G, 1A) but the leaderboard on shows one goal.

How about we forget the "League Leader" board and just give everyone a blue ribbon instead?   That way no one feels cheated out of any goals or assists. 

While we’re at it… let’s just draw names out of a hat for weekly award winners.

Frustration or Overheating?

Solar Eclipses, Hayley Comet and Joe Carlton Hattricks are all rare occurrences.   Add to that list... Matty Iannello playing hockey without a baseball hat.   

Last week, midway through the game we noticed "The Frustrated One" playing without his trademark baseball hat.   He claims that he removed it before succumbing to heat stroke... But we actually think he broke it while hitting Johnny Mastrocola over the head ala Skippy to Gilligan after he missed his second wide open net scoring chance.

Don't worry Johnny... No one noticed you missed those wide open net chances.., unless you count everyone on your bench, plus everyone on the other bench.., and the booze bags under the scoreboard and Statler & Waldorf themselves who were perplexed as to why you removed your jersey and elbow pads... Only to put them back on before your next shift.  We're your elbow pads on the wrong elbows??

Bottlegate

Another Jeff Deharo controversy is a brewing after another (good goal) goes unnoticed and once again it's not Jeff's skills that were credited.., but rather a banned substance resting on the top of the net.

First let us preface by saying that back in February of 2017 the league was considering a water bottle ban "Proposition H2O" under PUTA Forum Article 333... Whereas Jeff's beach towel (in back-to-back weeks) was the center of controversy for "good goals" not being credited because they hit the towel on the top of the net and shot out quickly before being counted.  

This lead to a towel ban and also the league purchasing water bottle holders for the back of the netting.., thus ending the top of the net banned obstructions.

However.., Shame on the League Officials and the Equipment Manager for not using those water bottle holders last week as it cost John Colucciello a goal and a hit to his personal stats. 

Cooch’s shot was a top shelf laser beam that hit the water bottle and shot right out as fast as it went in while play continued.  Without a review from Toronto.., the goal never happened and thankfully it did not affect the outcome of the game.  Goalie Jeff and the Defense in front of him affected the outcome of the game.  

Jersey Mix Up

Watching the Bruins Vs Chicago game on Monday the commentators were really praising the new "Adidas" Jerseys saying they were;

19% Lighter

133% More Permeable

We are left us wondering if there was a mix up at the jersey warehouse... Because we "used to have" lighter and more permeable jerseys.  

In fact our new "Burlap Inc" Jerseys are;

19% Heavier 

133% Less Permeable

The question is.., Can the players who haven't cut their jerseys apply for an RMA (Return Materials Authorization) from Burlap Inc?

Medical Clearance?

There are questions surrounding Gary “Stonehands” Goodwin to be Medical Clearance?  The League is not accepting clearance from Tatiana who works for Dr Miami who allegedly fixed Gary’s “thaaang”