Over 30 Hockey League

Week of March 31 (Game 1) – With points up for the taking and a chance to punch their ticket into the playoffs, all Team Cherry had to do was win this game and they would be in the playoffs.  However, to do that, they would have to defeat Trojan Horse who was already in that playoff mode.  Team Cherry, missing its best offensive player made a game of it but ultimately ran out of gas in the third period as Trojan Horse won 5 – 2 to stay tied for first place in the standings.

Only thirty seconds into the game, Trojan Horse received a gift goal as Jim Barber gathered in a rebound with a wide open net as he was the recipient of the attacking style of Nick Romano and Shawn Miville (even Jim could not miss such a wide open net).  Two minutes later, Paul Correia let out his famous “woooooooo” comment by converting a nice Brian Kehoe feed out front to tie the game for Team Cherry.  Only a minute later, Trojan Horse re-took the lead and momentum as Rick Cassano scored out front off the hustle of Angelo Deluca. With less than a minute to play in the period, Ron Aquino scored out front as he was set up by Brian and Paul to re-tie this game.  Four goals scored in the first period as the game started out with both teams playing a wide open style of play.

After a scoreless second period and Team Cherry carrying the play, one couldn’t help but wonder if Matt Farrell, the team’s leading scorer and impact player was there, could Team Cherry be leading this game?  In this reporter’s eyes, the answer was a resounding yes.

Needing a wakeup call in the third period, who else but Shawn delivered just that with his three point outburst. Four minutes into the period saw Angelo score the go ahead goal on some pretty passing between Rick and Shawn.  Still in a close game, with just under three minutes to play, Trojan Horse put this game out of reach as Nick was set up in the high slot by Jim and Shawn while falling down to beat the goalie.  Thirty seconds later, Shawn put his impact stamp on this game as Angelo took advantage of a defensive turnover to feed Shawn on the left wing who beat the goalie cleanly top corner far side.

With Fool’s Gold losing and Team Cherry heading into their bye week, they can only watch from the sidelines to see if they too will have to play a must win game when they return for their last game of the regular season

Week of March 31 (Game 2) – In a game that was played with a playoff feel to it with all the associated emotion to it, Fool’s Gold was playing for their playoff lives and desperately needed the points, while Maybe One was riding a three game winning streak looking to keep their hold on first place in the standings.  Maybe One played a consistent steady game in shutting out Fool’s Gold by a 4 – 0 score to seriously impact Fool’s Gold’s chances of making the playoffs.  For Fool’s Gold it sets up a must win game next week and hope for some help the last game of the regular season.

In the first period, three minutes in, Maybe One got the upper hand and opened up the scoring as Joe “Turtle” Mancinelli scored from the right wing, as he was set up by the passing of Matty Iannello and Ray Nickerson.  The league is still investigating the recent play of the Turtle who looks more like the Hare in his playing style by requesting urine samples before every game.

Maybe One increased its lead in the second period just over a minute into the period as Ray was set up by Matty on the left wing for a crushing short-handed goal that helped them take control of this game.

Heading into the third period still in a close game, a minute and a half in, saw John Mastrocola use his speed to break free and score an unassisted goal on a great individual play.  With just under three minutes to play, Matty finished off the scoring as he was set up out front by Ray and Joe.  Goalie Jeff Deharo preserved the shut out by stopping all twenty-seven shots he faced to record his second shut-out of the season.

That’s a Wrap!

Matty "The Great One" Iannello wrapped up another "Matty Iannello Leading Points Scoring Award" by winning the award (by default) because Shawn Miville will be on vacation for the last 2-games of the season.

The only player who even has a shot (and it’s a long shot) is Angelo "Kato" Deluca with only 4-points behind the leader.

So for "Kato" to win.., he would need 5-points in 2-games and "The Great One" would have to record zero points.., and we all know that's not going to happen. 

So congratulations to Matty Iannello for winning another "Matty Iannello Leading Points Scoring Award" 

Disclaimer:  No official decision has been made and it often comes down to the last game of the season.., the Over-30 League Officials, it's Board Members and its influential but unofficial voters do not support or condone the following comments and no player names were leaked to the media.

Jeff Deharo could potentially get some MVP votes based on his comeback performance this season.  Jeff went from worst to first as last season he went 4-8 with a 4.25 GAA and as of last week he was 7-3 with an impressive 1.67 GAA.  Plus, a goalie hasn't won the award since 2013.   

However there are rumors of Jeff missing the final game to preserve his lead over the only other goalie challenging him for the award.., Scotty Rosato from Trojan Horse.  If Jeff misses the final game for "Business" then he will definitely lose points with the Lithuanian Judge.

Scotty Rosato has a long shot of being the only other goalie having their name tossed into the Season MVP hat.   For Scotty to increase his chances and sway more votes from the Judges.., he's going to need to finish the season at 9-2 and drop his GAA by a few more points, and a shutout would help too.

Matty Iannello is always in the Season MVP conversation.., with the nickname of "The Great One" how could you exclude include him from the voting.  Matty is on the verge of wrapping up another scoring title and he's taken a team that was supposed to win "Maybe One" and put them on the top of the standings.  The only thing hurting Matty's chances and costing his points are for him "Being a Prick" and putting Dave Gusti on permanent IR.., otherwise Dave's name could have been thrown in the MVP talks as well.., but we'll never know what could have been for Dave.

Shawn Miville, the reigning Season MVP and defending 2017 Champion would be giving Matty a run for the Leading Scoring Title, but Miv would rather vacation than win another glass award.   However, there is no denying that Shawn has been the driving force behind Trojan Horses success.., and it would not even be a discussion if Shawn's name wasn't mentioned as a candidate.  

And now our dark horses.., 2-players who should grab a pad of paper and pencil to write down a few people they want to thank during their acceptance speech.  

Rookie Matt Farrell who's played only 6-games and has 12-points (7-goals, 5-assists) and is a major part of why Team Cherry is in 3rd place and fighting for one of the last two playoff seeds. 

Matt brought firepower and skill to the table and we can't help but wonder what Matt's stats could have been if he played a whole season.  For Matt to increase his voting potential he's going to need to finish strong with additional points, and a win to get his team into the playoffs.., plus a few more assists would really help to show the Judges he can make others around him better through his own skill level.  Matt did lose a few points for oversleeping and missing his debut.

Joe Mancinelli.., perhaps the darkest horse in the bunch.., but this reporter is calling it now "2018 Spring Season MVP - Joe "Turtle" Mancinelli"

Joe has been anything but a turtle this season as he's currently in 7th place in scoring and could crack the top 5 with a few good games to finish his MVP-like season.  Joe could potential lose votes if he tests positive for PED’s, HGH or Anabolic steroids.

You want to know who the real winners are.., show up April 21st when all the real winners will be announced.  

Where's Matty?

This week’s viewer submission photo comes from Assistant League Director Mike Naczas who capture these (2) familiar faces in the crowd at The Garden;

Turns out Matty Iannello took Brian Capodilupo to the Bruins game for "Cappy's" birthday.

Now that you found him.., of if you haven't here's a hint;   Isn't it ironic that the #1 Foam Finger is sitting on top of the head of "The Great One".., and this was the exact team spirit award Shawn Miville suggested for "Maybe One" and could this be something greater?  

Perhaps this is also a sign that Matty will finish "#1" in scoring, "#1" in the standings and finish the season as the "#1" Champions.., didn't Mel Gibson write a movie called "Signs".., well Matty here's your “Signs”.

Is He Famous?

When the Assist League Director Mike Naczas was taking a photo of a random person in the crowd at TD Bank garden.., he had to explain to his daughter that he was taking a picture of "The Great One" and he said to her… "See that guy right there he's one of the greatest dek hockey players ever to play the sport" .., as his daughter looked up in amazement and asked.., "Is he known throughout the world? ".., to which Dad replied "Nope just in Saugus"

Quote of the week

This week quote of the week comes from an Over-30 player but not during the over 30 league play.

During the Bruins game last week.., it was announced that David Pastrňák scored his 200th Career Point.., and amidst the cheers of the crowd Mike Naczas overheard Matty Iannello say "Big deal.., I have over 1100 points"

Fact Check:  As of last week Matty Iannello has 1174 points and we fully expect him to create a new 1200 Points Club next season.

Safe!

"Safe!" Would be the call if Sergio Costa was playing "Hockeyball" and trying to "slide onside" into 2nd base.  But since those two sports have yet to be combined.., you cannot slide onside using your hand.  Good try through... "A" for effort.., and the best part was watching the look of conviction in Serg's face that he was onside.

An Italian Hit

Revenge is a dish best served cold.., unless you’re Mauro Colucciello who took his revenge in the form of a hard slapshot to his brothers back.

Mauro's finally had enough of brother John Colucciello's blind passes to no one.., behind the back passes to the other team.., and now potentially not making the playoffs for the 3rd season (out of the last 4 seasons) is becoming too much of a disappointment.

It was discussed between Mauro and Cousin Niko Vramis on who was going to send a message to Cooch.., and Mauro said "He's my brother.., I take the shot"

Last Call

This is it.., "Last Call" for Team Cherry and Fools Gold for their 2018 Spring Season.., as they both have 1-game left of the regular season to earn their last potential 2-points.., as the magic number to clinch a playoff berth is 11-points.

For Fools Gold it's their biggest game of the season and a must win game against Trojan Horse who will be without Shawn Miville, Nick Romano, Umberto Biancardi and Steve Iacoviello this week.

If they lose to the defending champs then Team Cherry & Blue Brothers clinch a spot in the playoffs and Fools Gold goes home and reads Hillary Clinton’s Book “What Happened?”

What if (Sinjin's Playoff Picture)

If Fools Gold loses they are eliminated from the playoffs (end of converstion)… However if;

• (If) Fools Gold wins then Team Cherry needs to tie or win their last game of the season to move ahead of Fools Gold (based on fewest losses tiebreaker)
• (If) Fools Gold ties, then Team Cherry stays ahead of them (based on fewest losses tiebreaker)

• (If) Fools Gold wins and Blues Brothers win then Blues Brothers remains ahead of Fools Gold
• (If)  Fools Gold wins and Blues Brothers loses then Blues Brothers needs to win their last game of the season to move ahead of Fools Gold (based on fewest losses tiebreaker)
• (If)  Fools Gold wins and Blues Brothers ties then Blues Brothers needs to tie or win their last game of the season to move ahead of Fools Gold (based on fewest losses tiebreaker)

• (If)  Blues Brothers loses Team Cherry stays ahead of them
• (If)  Blues Brothers wins they move ahead of Team Cherry
• (If)  Blues Brothers ties Team Cherry stays ahead of them (based on more wins tiebreaker)

Penalty Shot

If 9 out of 10 Dentists recommend Trident and 4 out of 5 Over-30 Teams make the playoffs.., then 5 out of 7 Referee's agreed that George Medeiros should have been given a penalty shot.  Those same “off the dek” Referees wanted to see the most exciting play in hockey.

Final Fluff

Mike Naczas often calls the forum Trash Talk a "Fluff Piece".

Well Mr ALD its seems you don't know a "Fluff Piece" from a "Slapshot".

Trash Talk is a creative well thought out journalism piece designed with hidden jokes, relevant references, psychological head games and videos for the online subscribers to enjoy as they tie into the story lines.

This sir is a "Fluff Piece"… enjoy!