Over 30 Hockey League

Week of April 7 (Game 1) – Save your season game 1?  After a dominant start to their season that was followed by weeks of being in a funk and free falling potentially right out of the playoffs, Blues Brothers took a big step to righting that sinking ship and turn their season around with a dominant rout and shut out of the short-handed Maybe One team, with a lopsided 6 – 0 win.  How lopsided you ask?  Maybe One generated a total of only 9 shots the entire game lopsided!

Blues Brothers wasted little time to start the game as Tim Hickey used his speed and quickness to get open just over a minute into this game and score as he was set up by Dave Costa and Naz.  Blues Brothers didn’t let up as with less than a minute to play in the period, Dominic Defrancisco was set up by Tim out front to increase the lead.

Blues Brothers took complete control of this game in the second period by scoring three goals, two of which came short-handed.  Again, only a minute into the period while killing off a penalty, Dave Costa scored an unassisted short-handed goal.  Two minutes later saw the defense get involved as Jason Glista was set up by Dave at the point to increase the lead.  With just under two minutes left in the period, Blues Brothers scored another “shorty” as Dominic found himself wide open after some timely passing by Tim and Jason.

Rounding out the scoring in the third period saw the blue collar guys get rewarded as Todd Bryson, who had a solid and impressive game, was set up out front by Jason and Tim.  Goalie Sandra Glista had a relaxing time in net stopping all nine shots faced in posting her first shutout while sitting in her rocking chair reading the Team USA Women’s Hockey News.  With the win, Blues Brothers qualified for the playoffs and can potentially lock up third place overall with a win next week.   

Week of April 7 (Game 2) – Save your season game 2?  In a classic “must win” scenario, Fool’s Gold came into this game needing only to do one thing and that was to simply win the game and then wait for help during their bye week in order to get into the playoffs.  They accomplished half of this as they held on for a gritty 4 – 3 win over the short-handed Trojan Horse team, who fell just short after being down by three goals.

Needing a quick start to set the tone of this game, Fool’s Gold got just that as they scored twice in the first period.  Just over two minutes into the period saw Mauro Colucciello get set up on the right wing in the faceoff by Tony Bono and Mauro buried his shot.  Four minutes later, it was Niko Vramis who took a pass from Cooch who didn’t miss and found the back of the net as Fool’s Gold jumped out to a two goal lead.

Playing desperate inspired team hockey into the second period resulted in Fool’s Gold getting rewarded for their efforts as Niko was set up by Sergio Costa three and a half minutes in for a commanding three goal lead.  Fool’s Gold was aggressively smothering the counter-attack by Trojan Horse and not allowing them to get back into this game.

Final Forum

As we do every time this year.., we shut down the PUTA Forum and Trash Can Talk and focus on the playoffs at hand.

But.., before we go a few parting shots.., and we saved the last edition for our biggest... enjoy!

Our Top Story.., What if?

This is it.., last week of the season.., and like so many seasons before it all comes down to the last game of the season.  Although, this season there is a lot more at stake for both the last playoff spot, and final seeding.  So.., here are the..,  “What if’s”:

Week 15 – April 14 game results possible scenarios (for 3^rd and 4^th playoff seeds):

• (If) Blues Brothers wins and Team Cherry loses, Blues Brothers finishes in 3^rd place and Fool’s Gold finishes in 4^th place.., Team Cherry is out of the playoffs

• (If) Blues Brothers loses and Team Cherry wins, Team Cherry finishes in 3^rd place and Blues Brothers finishes in 4^th place based on the tie breaker of 1 less loss than Fool’s Gold (even though tied in points and wins).  Fool’s Gold is out of the playoffs

• (If) Team Cherry ties Blues Brothers after OT, Blues Brothers finishes in 3^rd place and Team Cherry finishes in 4^th place based on tie breaker of 1 less loss than Fool’s Gold.., Fool’s Gold is out of the playoffs

• (If) Team Cherry loses in OT but gains a point, Team Cherry ties Fool’s Gold exactly in points, wins and losses but.., Team Cherry is eliminated from the playoffs based on the head-to-head tiebreaker (Fool’s Gold has 2 wins, 1 loss)

Week 15 – April 14 game results possible scenarios (for 1^st and 2^nd playoff seeds):

• (If) Maybe One wins and Trojan Horse loses, Maybe One finishes in 1^st place; Trojan Horse finishes in 2^nd place

• (If) Trojan Horse wins and Maybe One loses, Trojan Horse finishes in 1^st place; Maybe One finishes in 2^nd place

• (If) Maybe One and Trojan Horse ties after OT (both teams are tied in points, wins and losses), Maybe One finishes in 1^st place and Trojan Horse finishes in 2^nd place based on tie breaker of head-to-head record (Maybe One has 2 wins, 1 loss)

Over-30 league official tie breaker system:

• (If) tied in points, then most wins
• (If) tied in points and wins, then fewest losses
• (If) tied in points, wins, and fewest losses, then head-to-head records
• (If) tied in points, wins, fewest losses, and head-to-head records, then fewest goals against
• (If) tied in points, wins, fewest losses, and head-to-head records, fewest goals against, then fewest goals against head-to-head
• (If) tied in points, wins, fewest losses, and head-to-head records, fewest goals against, fewest goals against head-to-head, then most goals scored head-to-head

Portuguese Power Line?

Matty Iannello was shaking in his boots as he stepped in the faceoff circle and asked “What's this?.., the Portuguese Power Line?” 

With the "CodFather" John Leite absent.., Dave Costa was promoted to forward and centered "el Capitão" Dominic DeFrancisco and Tony Medeiros to form the new "RumChata Line"

Thankfully Dave and Dom showed up and got on the scoring sheet.., Tony did nothing notable other than chopping Ray Nickerson and not getting called for it.  Tony looked like he was still suffering from the long term side effects of that Spaghetti & Meatball Sub he ate a few weeks back. 

Congratulations it's a...?

Where still waiting to find out if Jeff Deharo gave birth to a boy or a girl.., at least that's what it looked like from the stands.

As Tim Hickey came barreling in on a breakaway.., Jeff looked like a "Chinese woman giving birth on a sidewalk" (Google that phrase) as he just crouched down and made ZERO attempt to stop what was about to happen.  

Tim came in.., Jeff sat down.., and within 74-seconds it was already 1-0 and it didn't stop there, as 5-more unanswered goals followed making it a 6-0 trouncing.    

To make matters worse; the league is submitting a bill to Jeff for one red light bulb as he let up 9-goals in two games and the new Management at Hockeytown had to replace the burnt out goal lamp and charged it to the Over-30 League.

Three-Hander?

Ray "The Boss" Nickerson was really getting worked over last week by Tony Medeiros.., Tony was chopping away at Ray and wasn't called for a penalty.  "The Boss" was like; "WTF no call.., I'm getting chopped with two-handers and three-handers over here" which reminded us of one of the best movie quotes of all time..,

Ray Nickerson recently bought a piece of property in Revere that he plans to renovate it this summer.., when asked about the project Ray had this to say;

Almost Blew It

What should have been Fools Gold last game of the season.., was almost their last game of the season as after being up 3-0 to an under staffed Trojan Horse, who valiantly tried to comeback in the 3rd with Two quick goals in the 3rd to make it 3-2.

One again we reverted back to our mathematical training to figure out the penalty minutes and when all the Fools Gold players were eligible to be released on their own personal recognizance from the penalty box

After (4) consecutive penalties Captain John Kelleher was overheard saying "if we lose this game I'm going to pull out onto route one blindfolded."   

Ohhhh… Ohhhh… Oh!

After the game Dave Costa congratulated the players from Fools Gold on their win..,

He then walked away "ohhh'ing" before hitting the Hockeytown showers (gross) to get ready for Vincenzo's cousins Dimitri's niece's, “Mozzarella Prosciutto Colucciello's”  party in the North End... “Ohhh!!”

Check & Ringtone

Jason Carrien.., we want to things from you this week;

1) That check you wrote yourself for "One Playoff Guarantee" will you be able to "Cash it" on Saturday.., or will it "Bounce"?

2) Put this ringtone on your phone for the next few days..,

#Inevitable

It was all but over before it started.., Ray Dow failed his stick bag challenge.  During the ceremonial passing of the bag, Ray gave his acceptance speech to the very small crowd that gathered.  Like all challengers before him, Ray graciously accepted the challenge (as no one has ever said no when approached to take it).

Ray went on to thank Billy for the opportunity to win another league sweepstakes.., but really wanted to thank to his selfish teammates who refuse to look up and use the wide open points all season long.., Ray was given less and less chances to score the required 5-goals.

Ray continued by saying that thanks to a lack of team chemistry, internal squabbles and guys playing with 20-pound weights around their necks and not looking up at the points.., my career has been forever tarnished and with this failure he hopes that one of these “Goombah’s” gets a crack at the challenge in the future as well.

Gimme a "B"

This Saturday we fully expect to see players from Fools Gold cheering for Blue Brothers to beat Team Cherry.

We want to see "Cooch" and company have their kids make signs for the game.., signs like "Go Dom Go" and "Shoot Tony Shoot" and "Jesus Saves, Costa Scores on the rebound"..., finally a big sign saying... "RETIRE!!"

Please Explain

Brian "Cappy" Capodilupo wants and deserves an explanation to the penalty call against him in the last minute of play that thwarted potentially the greatest comeback of the season.

"Cappy" has a real solid argument as to why he should have never been given that penalty and recalls the very famous court case of "Tree vs No One".., whereas it was stated on record "If a tree falls in the woods… and no one is around to hear it… Does it make a sound?" 

Here's Cappy's Lawyer to explain…

Unable to prove or disprove "the sound" actually occurred (or not).., "Cappy's" argument/defense is that (both) Referee's admitted to Brian that they "didn't see" the deflection.., and since they "didn't see" the deflection how could they "assume" there wasn't one and just call a penalty?

So, Jon Picard and Ric Aylwin so where all clear going into the playoffs... Like Johnny Cochran once said "If there could have been a tip.., you must acquit".  

"Wish it.., Want it..,"

We decided this would be a great book for the Over-30 League.

and now for our take on "Wish it.., Want it.., You Blew it..."

Jeff Deharo

“You Wish”.., to be season MVP

"You Want".., that recognition

“You Blew It”.., by letting in 6-goals before going on vacation and missing a game to ensure Scotty Rosato can't beat you in the standings.

Scotty Rosato

“You Wish”.., Jeff played his last game 

“You Want” .., to win the Goalie Award

“You Blew It”.., by giving up 4-goals last week

Ray Dow

“You Wish”.., you scored more goals

“You Want”.., to beat the challenge

“You Blew It”.., with the help of those Italians

Jason Carrien

“You Wish” .., Fools Gold lost last week

“You Want” .., to make the playoffs

"You .., (to be continued)...”

Casey Kasem Confession

Dear Casey,

This week I wanted to dedicate a song to my teammates and confess that last week’s goal against my own goalie was intentional.

My "Prick" of a Captain put me back on defense last week and let that "Ape Hobbling" Pat Pirone play forward and I had to sit back and watch as he did nothing.

No one on my team could even score one goal or even get a damn shot on net.  (Casey), we had 9.., "N-i-n-e" ...9-shots on net.., just pathetic for a team tied for first.

So between me and you (Mr Kasem) when the opportunity occurred for me to score a goal.., I said "F#@k it" and let one go off my foot against my own goalie.  I'll show those pricks how to score. 

With that off my chest.., and my "release papers" already submitted to the league for next season.., can you play a song for me?

Last Chance to Enter

Wow!!  What a Contest and what Challenge.., and what results.

We had 55 eligible players (including goalies) and with just (1) last game to play only 38% of the league (22) players have officially qualified.  There are still (10) players who have a last minute chance to score one or two points.

Interesting facts:

• Only (1) player from the Top-10 qualified.., (and yep) you guessed it, Matty Iannello was the only one.
• Out of the Top-25; Only (6) officially qualified, (2) have legitimate chances, (2) have a long shot chance and (15) have the same chance Ray Dow had at passing his challenge (Slim and None)

Here’s who’s in and who’s on the bubble;

Qualified

Matty Iannello

Niko Vramis

Brian Capodiluppo

Rick Cassano

Paul Correia

Tony Bono

Colleen O'Connell

Dave  Costa

Jim Clarke

Tim Hickey

John Carey

Dan Broderick

Umberto Biancardi

Angelo Deluca

Joe Mancinelli

Jeff Deharo

Only 1-Point Away

Jason Glista

Mike Delorey

Derek  Power

Ed Nigro

Steve Iacoviello

Only 2-Points Away

Dominic Defrancisco

Jim Barber

John Leite

Pat  Pirone

Mike Naczas

See you next year.., 

My job here is done.., Good Luck to everyone in the playoffs.