Over 30 Hockey League

Week of October 7 (Game 1) – With a chance to climb back into five hundred hockey, Fool’s Gold took advantage of this opportunity to defeat Team Cherry by the score of 3 – 1.  For Fool’s Gold, it was an all-around team effort from the goalie out that resulted in a grind it out type of win.  For Team Cherry, the lack of players continues to hamper this team, preventing them from developing any team chemistry, as they suffered their fourth straight loss.

In the first period, Sergio Costa, sporting the cut-off gym shirt thug look, scored the game’s opening goal less than two minutes into this game, to set the pace for his team.  Not to be overlooked during the period was the solid play of goalie Sean Roach who stopped all ten shots he faced, coming up with the key save when his team needed it.

A minute into the second period on a power-play, Carlos Machado took advantage of the man advantage as he was set up by Brian Kehoe, tying up this game.  Team Cherry was carrying the play until Sergio struck again with two minutes remaining in the period, set up by the passing of Mauro Colucciello.  Heading into the third period you could see that this would be a low scoring game as both goalies, Sean and Jake Deehan, were turning aside some quality scoring chances.

The third period was played in an up and down quick pace by both teams that generated some prime scoring chances; however, the same pattern was repeated as both goalies would not let in another goal.  Finally, with less than a minute to play and Team Cherry pulling their goalie pressing for the equalizer, Mauro jumped on a turnover and buried a long shot goal into the open net to wrap up the victory for his team.

Week of October 7 (Game 2) – In the first highly anticipated game of the season, two undefeated teams at the top of the team standings, faced off against each other.  In a battle of titans, it was Trojan Horse pulling out the 3 – 2 overtime victory over Blues Brothers, as they generated a late game offensive surge to produce the win.  Surprisingly, it was Blues Brothers, missing their top two offensive players, who held a two goal lead for most of this game, mainly due to the play of their second line (the season’s surprising potent line of all the teams so far).

In the first period, Blues Brothers was clearly outplaying Trojan Horse as if they were sending a message that even missing their top two offensive players, they would clearly give Trojan Horse a run for their money.  Outplaying and outshooting their opponent finally paid off as rookie Todd Bryson scored off a scramble out front, cashing in the rebound shots of Mike Luise and Jason Glista’s with just under four minutes left in the period.

In the second period, the line of Todd Bryson-Mike Luise-Tim Hickey was playing more like the team’s top line for Blues Brothers and giving Trojan Horse fits as they had no answer from the constant pressure.  The relentless play of this line paid off as Todd scored his second goal of the game with a minute left in the period, set up by Tim and Mike.  Needing something to counter their listless play, Trojan Horse got it, as who else but Shawn Miville buried his shot as the passing of Nick Romano and Cappy paid off with only eighteen seconds left in the period.

The third period saw Blues Brothers continue to carry the play to Trojan Horse and it appeared that Blues Brothers would pull out the hard earned win as time was running down.  However, Rick Cassano changed that thinking with three minutes left, burying a booming slap shot just past the white line, as he was set up by the hustle of Jim Barber and Angelo Deluca.

Goalies of the Week?

Two weeks ago we saw for the first time (ever) since their inceptions... Both "Players of the week Awards" went to a goalie.., Alby Luise & Jeff Deharo.

While we can understand Alby Luise getting his.., Alby was clutch that week in keeping his undefeated team…. Undefeated!   

But critics around the league are asking... What did Jeff Deharo do?

Was Jeff being awarded for;

• Beating the last place team 2-1?
• Holding a team that scored 6-goals and gave up 11-goals in the first two weeks to only 1-goal?
• Or.., was it because he gave up less than 6-goals which made his Captain happy?

You know Jeff and Alby... If you meet up after next week’s game between the two of you.., you can have a coffee and burger while talking goalie talk.  Congrats on the first ever double goalie week awards 

Brighter-Side

That's right Dan "Butterkrud" Broderick... You guys played a pretty solid game against Fools Gold.  Plus if Sergio Costa and Mauro Colucciello didn't show up for Fool's Gold you would have won the game 1-0.  

Aside from "Finishing the Game "Butterkrud"... What other positives can we take from this;

More of your shots hit the net last week.   Jake “StateFarm” Deehan and the defense were actually pretty damn good... and Carlos Machado scored... That's better than him yelling (right?) 

Plus... You still haven't had a full squad.., Team Cherry should be 2-2 and if the rumors swirling around Anthony Luletta are true... You could be looking for some new talent.

Integrity vs Points

Sergio Costa is a man of integrity... Last week we witnessed Sergio step over the line with 25-seconds in a soon to be final 3-1 win... and with the temptation of a wide open net in front of him and an easy goal... Sergio turned left onto High Road and dumped the ball into the corner.

(Sergio) Not wanting to be associated with "Picardi-itis" or "Nickerson-fever" or "Barber-flu" whereas those people made other teams sick by dumping in an empty netter with less than 10-seconds to play... Sergio dumped it in the corner and rode off into the sunset for the win.

Trojan of the week

2-goals including the Game Winner in Overtime earned Shawn Miville his team’s Trojan of the Week as award by previous holder Umberto "Papa Smurf" Biancardi.

It took a couple of extra minutes in OT... but Trojan Horse has taken over sole possession of first and are halfway to the new magic number of 16-points to clinch a playoff berth for the once playoff-less Captain.

How convenient?

The league's timekeeper Donny "Shitbreak" had the week off last week... and his fill in is none other than the ALD himself ; Mike Naczas, who coincidentally is also an Assistant Captain for Blues Brothers... who were coincidentally were playing the other first place team for sole possession of first.

We saw Naz and the corrupt ref Jon "Cash Only" Picard exchange a hand shake pre-game... Only to then see Mike Surette get called for a Delay of Game for hitting the net... After he clearly hit the net while trying to clear.

But the real corruption came when ref Jon "Cash Only" Picard shook his counterpart George "I'll split it with you" Hodgdon right before the start of overtime.

Only seconds into the 4-on-4 Angelo "Kato" Deluca was called for a marginal tripping penalty on Dave Costa or to use an NFL term "Incidental Contact" 

"Incidental Contact"   Definition: At the discretion of the official, “incidental contact” is when “marginal” contact occurs between two or more players but a foul has not been committed… (Unless a $20 bill is split between two crooked officials)

Thankfully those two crooked ref's didn't cost Trojan Horse the game and for $20 bucks Naz' team walks away with 1-point.

Cleared for Return

With the Blue Brothers Loss.., Mike Naczas has officially ended his “sick out” by vowing not to return to the team until the winning mojo ended.  Last week that winning streak came to an end and pending a Medical Clearance Mike will be cleared to make his Blue Brothers debute.

We reached out to Blue Brothers Captain Dominic DeFrancisco (who was absent last week) for a comment on Naz’ pedning return and he said… “Really?  We lost?  You Sure?... F#@k!!!  How long do we have before the medical clearance paperwork is official?”

No "C"

With Matty Iannello on vacation and missing the next few weeks... Inside sources have newly demoted (and former) Captain Scotty Young seeking to step in for his missing Captain and take on the Captain’s role during Matty's absence.   

We received word from the front office that Scotty will receive a "C" this week.., but that the "C" will NOT denote "Captain"... It will denote "Chance"... Cause there is NO "Chance" in hell that Scotty will receive any type of authority roll while on his 2-season probation. 

As the great Soup Nazi on Seinfeld says... "No C for you... Come back 1-year!!"  

Raffle Tickets Here!!

Yes the Over-30 has the 50/50 raffle and Bruins tickets to raffle as well... But Ray Dow also needs your help.  

Ray is selling raffle tickets to help him get to the World Candlepin Bowling Tournament in Canada (Eh).., so don't be shy and help Ray live his childhood dream of becoming the best Candlepin Bowler in the World!!