Over 30 Hockey League

Week of March 3 (Game 1) – A major upset!  Heading into this week’s game against Blues Brothers currently mired in a two game losing streak, things were not looking good for Maybe One, as they would be playing this game short-handed, missing five players and only having one substitute player on their bench.  Rather than accept any fill-in player, captain Matty Iannello never hesitated in announcing “we will play with what we have!”  Who knew that move would pay dividends as Maybe One shocked and upset Blues Brothers by a 3 – 1 score.

Surprisingly seeing their opponent only having one substitute did not seem to change the mindset of Blue Brothers as they failed to put the constant pressure and running game on Maybe One right from the start of this game.  Instead of a dump and chase game strategy, they played more of a sit back style of play.  Seven minutes into the first period saw Tim Hickey get set up out front by John Leite that resulted in the game’s first goal.  However, the momentum was short-lived as Joe Gustitus tied this game a minute and a half later for Maybe One as he jumped up on offense, cut across the high slot and buried his scoring chance on a great individual play.

In the second period, Maybe One continued to play a stifling defensive game as forwards rotated back onto defense and defense rotated up to forward to keep everyone fresh.  Three minutes into the period, Joe struck again, this time set up high by John Carey, as the defense was the offense for Maybe One in this game.

With Maybe One barely holding on to a one-goal lead in the third period and Blues Brothers playing more desperate hockey pressing for the game tying goal, Maybe One took an ill-advised delay of game penalty halfway through the period.  However, Maybe One played some solid team defense to kill this off.  Two minutes later, Joe and Ray Nickerson’s passes sprung Matty down the left wing and he used a quick burst of speed to lower his shoulder and catch the defender by surprise, going around him waiting for the goalie to commit then roofing his shot short-side for the huge insurance goal and complete the shocking upset!

Week of March 3 (Game 2) – In a battle of two teams currently in the midst of a two game winning streak, something had to give.  Trojan Horse jumped out to an early two-goal lead and held on to earn a convincing hard fought win over Fool’s Gold by a 3 – 2 score.  Trojan Horse kept its place atop the team standings and looks (once again) like the team to beat.

Carrying the play in the first period and shooting the ball every chance they had paid off for Trojan Horse eight minutes into the period as Jim Barber got a gift wrapped open net goal as Shawn Miville took a breakout pass from Cappy down the right wing and Shawn’s booming shot caromed perfectly off the end boards onto the other side of the net for a waiting Jim.  Even Mr. Barber couldn’t screw up this opportunity to give his team the early lead.

Just over a minute into the second period, Cappy was set up on the point with a pass from Shawn and he didn’t miss, burying his scoring chance into the back of the net.  Playing hard but down by two goals on the scoreboard, Fool’s Gold needed to catch a break.  They did so two minutes later on the power play as Mauro Colucciello was set up out front by the passing of Niko Vramis and Ray Dow, making this a one-goal game.  Unfazed by this, Trojan Horse answered right back two minutes later as who else but Shawn took a breakout pass by Cappy down the left wing and his sniper shot picked the top far corner of the net stunning Fool’s Gold.  This goal reinforced why Shawn IS THE premier goal scorer of the Over-30 league and unmatched in his sniper abilities.

Well it turns out Dave was here.., but Dave didn't have "the stuff" he had before his injury. 

After weeks on the IR.., Dave Guisti returned to the lineup and his first game back was against the same team that knocked him out in the first place.

It's too bad Dave (and his team) picked up where they left off.., losing to Maybe One.

The Walking Dead

Maybe One had only 6-Forwards and Jeff Deharo in net.., those 6-players included Pat Pirone.., so it's really like 5.5 players.  

Their fore-checking at times looked like A&E's version of The Walking Dead with guys slumped over and walking at times while gasping and groaning.   

What should have been an easy walk in the park for Blues Bothers turned out to be a nightmare zombie apocalypse and a very disappointing 3-1 loss that ruined Dave's welcome back revenge party. 

Hey Baby You Need Players?

Nick Romano and Jim Barber were in The Waldorf and Statler Luxury Suite trying to whore themselves out to Matty Iannello who was short a few "short" players.  

True to his motto of "Play with the players you have" Matty declined.., and opted to play with the 6-players that showed up.., but no one could have predicted that underdog effort and outcome.

Rookie Impact

Congratulations to Joe Gustitus who picked the perfect game to show his captain the value he can bring to the team for the playoffs.  

The speedy rookie, who's been criticized for his tendency to hold the ball to long (but not as long as John Coluciello) used his speed and youth to score 2-goals (including the game winner) and assisted on the 3rd goal during the 3-1 upset over Blues Brothers

The only problem the league had with Joe's performance is that he didn't do it in his league issued jersey.  That's a BIG no-no in this league.

If Joe wants his award this week he better get to the dry cleaners early.., because everyone knows "No Tickee - No Shirtee - No Shirtee - No Awardee - No Awardee - No Coffee"

Natives Got Restless

All this time we thought Mauro Coluciello was an Italian American.., but it turns out he's actually part Native American.

During Mauro's attempt to breakup Jim Barber's potential breakaway.., Mauro who's Indian name is "Him Shoot A lot" was witnessed by every official and the people in the stands as Mauro made a "Distinct Tomahawk Motion" to break up the play.

"Him with vicious stick" say.., "But I never touched him".., but it's not the contact, it's the intent.., which thankfully you didn't connect because the league would lose both the decades winningest captain and the league's greatest webmaster with one chop.

Blame Game

Fools Gold should have called "Civil War" because by definition;

Civil War - a war between citizens of the same country.

There was a heated battle last week after their disappointing loss to Trojan Horse.., with several theories flying around as to why they lost.

Allow this reporter to sum it up for you.., the sole reason Fools Gold lost last week was not because Jamie Kehoe was placed on IR.., but because Mauro Coluciello let his emotions get to him (that’s it).

Instead of Mauro just quietly serving his 1-minutes penalty (60-measly seconds) he took himself out of the game with almost half the game left to play by getting thrown out for violating the league's Zero Tolerance Policy.

Just minutes before being ejected Mauro scored a nice power play goal to make it a 2-1 game.., but then an emotional meltdown lead to Fools Gold losing the leading “Goal” scorer for the last 14-minutes was just asinine, because they were playing a great game against the defending champs.   

No Conspiracy

It was Romano Construction XL and XXL free tee shirt giveaway night.., and that doesn't mean that just because Mike Nazcas who was wearing said XXL shirt with a picture of Nick's Dad on the front.., that he was bias and wanted Trojan Horse to win.

Mike Naczas is a bonafide referee.., and quite frankly one of the better ones we've had over the years.   This is ZERO collusion with the Russians or Trojan Horse to affect the outcome of last week’s game.   

If fact; the Over-30 just put down a sizable retainer with Robert Mueller's office to investigate any collusion or conflict of interests with active players refereeing on their off-game or bye week.

Quote of the Week

The "Assistant League Director" Mike Naczas gets this weeks "Selfish Quote of the Week"

While his team was playing against (and loosing) to a team that only had 6-players.., the ALD himself said "I'm plus one".

Way to go Naz.., like they say there's no "I" in "Team".., but there's a Capital "I" in.., "I'm plus one"

2 for 3

The always optimistic Dan Broderick knows he just needs 2-points to go from the basement to the 3rd floor.  The baseball player in Gary Goodwin knows “2 for 3” is a great day at the plate

That's the message Team Cherry needs to realize.., let's go “2 for 3” and jump Fools Gold who’s off this week and jump into a tie for 3^rd with a win.

My Wallets Gone!!!

Hey Matty Iannello.., Dave Costa called he wants his wallet back.

Last week "The Great One" completely undressed Dave while going in one-on-one... and scoring the 3rd and final goal of the greatest upset during the 2017-2018 seasons.

If you see Dave’s wallet (which is probably Velcro)… you can keep the cash, but he wants his Subway Rewards Card, his Harvard ID Card.., and his Week #1 Dunkin Donuts Players of the Week Card which still has $0.85 cents balance on it.

Punk’d?

Last week’s “Trojan player of the Week” Brian "Cappy" Capodiluppo wants to even the playing field when it comes to Delay of Game Penalties.   

"Cappy" was overheard discussing why Ray Dow's flip into the netting while Ray was in the "Offensive" zone wasn't called for "Delay of Game".., at first Jon Picard thought he was on an episode of Ashton Kutcher's "Punk'd".., but then he quickly realized he (Cappy) was serious.

Just so "Cappy" and the rest of the league is clear.., "Delay of Game" or "Suretting" is when Mike Surette or any other player flips the ball (and not tipped) into the netting (anywhere around the entire rink) while in the "Defensive" zone by a "Defensive" player. 

English Hockey Lesson

After watching another Fools Gold "Foolish meltdown".., we wanted to help simplify a team building strategy that can help their gold mine “Produce gold” before it gets “Condemned” from the playoffs.

We wanted to keep it real simple;

“See George Run”

“See George Give 100%”

“See George Get Hit”

“See George Not Complain”

“See George Never Give Up”

“See George Repeat Efforts”

“See George and Be Like George”

Now “See George eat a cheeseburger”.., for winning the "Five Guys Award" for putting in the effort and playing the game the right way with hustle and respect