Over 30 Hockey League

Week of January 13 (Game 1) – After starting the new season with a loss and being shut out in the process, Fool’s Gold faced a challenge while trying to get back to winning hockey as they were missing three forwards and two defensemen.  They were also facing Team Cherry fresh off a dramatic overtime win last week.  Fool’s Gold, as a team stepped up and played a full thirty minutes of hockey to break this game open in the third period and run away with a convincing 6 – 2 win.

In the first period, with Fool’s Gold carrying most of the play and the scoring chances, Niko Vramis stepped out of the Cooch brother’s shadows (finally??) and scored the game’s first goal with three minutes left in the period off the passing of George Medeiros and Jamie Kehoe.

In the second period, three minutes in, Fool’s Gold extended their lead to three goals as John Kelleher scored on the power play converting a rebound off the passing of the defense of Ray Dow and Jamie.  With less than thirty seconds left in the period, George was set up in front on the cycling passing of Niko and Sergio Costa.

Down three goals coming into the third period, Team Cherry was having difficulty by the forwards getting the ball out of their zone and needed a spark to get back into this game.  They got it halfway through the period as Joe Carlton scored an unassisted goal giving his team momentum.  However, less than a minute later, Fool’s Gold answered right back to retake control of the game and momentum and followed that up a minute later as Jamie scored after being set up by Niko and George.  With less than a minute to play each team scored, Mark Stickney scoring from the high slot set up by the defense of Dan Broderick and Ed Nigro, which was matched by George scoring eighteen seconds later as he was set up by Niko and Sergio.

Time will tell if all that potential everyone sees in Niko develops into reality and finally displays itself full-time, or will Niko regress back into the shadows of the Cooch’s and just be another second line player?

Week of January 13 (Game 2) – The rematch game, was how this game was being hyped up!  Although this reporter looked at it as just another game in the new season as the “big” game took place two weeks ago in the finals of the winter season and we all know how that turned out.  For Blues Brothers, this was their opportunity at some redemption as well as to send a direct message to the defending champs Trojan Horse that this season is their time.  Blues Brothers left no doubt who will be the team to beat this season as they dominated Trojan Horse in a rout 6 – 0.

In a back and forth first period, Blues Brothers struck first with a pair of goals thirteen seconds apart halfway through the period.  Dominic Defrancisco playing more like the Dominic we are accustomed to watching on the rink scored an unassisted goal.  This was followed by Dave Costa scoring out front off the individual hustle of Dominic.  

After a scoreless second period, Blues Brothers broke this game wide open in the third scoring four times.  Three minutes into the period saw Tim Hickey score out front set up by the defense of Jason Glista and Jim Clarke. Two minutes later, Dominic scored his second goal of the game off the cycling passing of Dave and Tim.  Two minutes later, Tim scored his second goal of the game as he was set up by Jason and John Leite.  Rounding out the scoring saw Todd Bryson score out front off the passing of Jim and Tim.

Team Dementia

Poor Ed Nigro.., seems someone might need an early warning Dementia Test.  Ed left the house for hockey with a feeling like he was "forgetting" something.    

Then he pulled into his spot at Hocketown still trying to shake that "forgetting" feeling.   

Then as soon as Ed went to suit up for Jason Carrien's "Operation Playoff Guarantee".., Mr Nigro finally realized what the "forgetting" feeling was.., he left his shin pads and gloves home.

Not wanting to disappoint his teammates.., Ed asked ALD Mike Naczas to borrow his.   Naz said no problem... All you have to do is purchase $20 bucks worth of raffle tickets as a rental fee.

But that’s not the only person to “forget” something for Team Dementai… (More on that to follow);

It's a Cinderella Story

It's 5:00PM.., Team Cherry has taken the dek.., the game is underway and someone is noticeably absent from the ball.

The man who stuck his career on the line for a playoff guarantee.., shows up late with his own version of a "Cinderella Story."

It seems the "Cinderella Kid" Jason Carrien showed up late in his street clothes and announces he can't play because he “forgot” his sneakers.   How can you guarantee a playoff spot when you can't even guarantee you packed your sneakers?

Then out of no way come Jason's "Prince Charming" in the form of (again) the Assistant League Director Mike Naczas.  

Jason declaring that he wears a size 13.., was looking for a sneaker donor.  Naz says wear mine.., but I am a mere size 12.  Jason insisted they wouldn't fit.., but after he slipped his foot into Naz glass slipper.., it fit like a glove.   

Meanwhile Naz was walking around in Jay's moccasins declaring how comfortable they are, but there is no way they were a size 13.

Not a Fairy Tale Ending

With Mike Naczas lending everything except his stick and helmet to players.., it wasn't the fairy tale ending Team Cherry was hoping for… as Fools Gold threw the “Beggers and Borrowers” a 6-2 beating.

Just so everyone knows before they borrow anything else from Naz.., not only does he have to carry the pink stick bag from another season.., but he also jinxed his team before the finals as the ALD broke the cardinal sin and touched championship trophy before the finals… which is probably one of the reasons they lost in the finals 5-4.

Team Spirit Suggestions

Shawn Miville is so proud of his team bonding spirit "Trojan of the week" award that he's suggested a few ideas for the other teams.   

It was suggested that Blues Brothers grab a Black Hat and Sunglasses for their "Cool Player of the week"  

Perhaps Maybe One should pick up a giant foam finger for their "#1 Player of the week"

Fools Gold could find a Pick Axe for the "Miner of the week"

For Team Cherry they could... Well maybe... How about.., ahhhh forget it we can't think of anything since it was a stupid name to begin with.

Beginners Luck?

How the F' does a rookie goalie come into the league and post back-to-back shutouts for his rookie debut?

That exactly what Dave Guisti did for his Blues Brothers teammates.  Dave's wild-ass style of goaltending of cutting down angles and aggressive style of play has him sitting on the leader board with a 0.00 GAA and enjoy a FREE “5-Guys Cheeseburger”.

We keep hearing that this isn't normal for Dave and he'll be back to giving up 5+ per game.., and posting Alby type numbers.  From what we saw.., after shutting out the defending champs.., Blues Brothers are looking like the #1 team to chase this year.    

High Crash

Coming off their Championship high.., it was a reality check with a crash as Captain Jim Barber and the rest of Trojan Horse played more like “Trojan Jackasses” than Horses.  

Missing a few key players was no excuse for letting a rookie goalie shut them completely down to start their season.

As far as their "Trojan Player of the Week".., were pretty sure we saw Blues Brothers Tim Hickey posing with it after his one man onslaught of 2-goals and 2-assists to also win the Dunkin Donuts player of the week award too.

Opportunity Knocking

With Blues Brother “Gun Slinger” Tony Medeiors noticeably absent it was a good time for others to step up and take some extra shots that they wouldn't normally get with Tony in the lineup.

Todd Bryson and Tim Hickey together had 12-shots.., and Dominic DeFrancisco not feeling compelled to pass to Tony had 7-shots on his own.

Setting the record straight

For years.., we've heard the story of our ALD Mike Naczas suiting up in net and shutting out the infamous Reckers team.

That was Mike's claim to fame for many many years.., "I shut the Reckers out" was his shining moment in life.

Unfortunately like so many great debates in history.., like; "Is the earth really flat" and "Did Neil Armstrong really walk on the moon".., we are now rediscovering new evidence about Naz' infamous shutout.

There is no question that Mike “Shut the Reckers out”.., but our very own Joe Shannon finally gave is the inside scoop as Joe was on the powerhouse Reckers team.

According to Joe… There was (2) Reckers teams.  The “Winter” Powerhouse Tournament Player filled team (which included Joe)… that should not be confused with the “Summer” edition that was significantly less talented than their winter roster.

Joe says there is no way Naz ever shut him out… and there is definitely no way he shut out the “Winter” team.

The Over-30 League Director has a request into Hockeytown Archive Department to find out the actual date of Naz’ shutout.., and to see if it indeed was during the summer months.