Over 30 Hockey League

Week of September 15 (Game 1) – Lesson to be learned here, you cannot win as a team if you only have 6 players show up for the game!  Gang Green found this out the hard way as the Rhinos came back, down a goal, to win their first game of the season by the score of 2 – 1.

After a scoreless first and second period, and doing their best with only one substitute player on their bench, Gang Green scored the game’s first goal and looked like they were heading to their second win of the season.  Brian Kehoe was set up by the cycle passing of Ray Nickerson and Dominic Defrancisco two and a half minutes into the third period to give his team the lead.  However, Alex Leone, making his season debut would have none of that and tied the score a minute later from the point, as he was set up by Jason Glista and Shawn Miville.  With just under two minutes to play in the game, Niko Vramis put his Rhinos team into the lead with a sniper shot from the right wing, as he was set up by George Medeiros and Alex.  That goal was too much to overcome by the Gang Green team, as the lack of substitute players finally took its toll.

For the Rhinos, it was their first win of the season and a confidence builder seeing how Shawn Miville did not score a goal in this game, as their defense stepped up to carry the team.  However, there are some warning signs for this team as once again, they gave up the first goal and struggled to beat a team missing half its players.  

Week of September 15 (Game 2) – Do not adjust your computer screen nor think that you are hallucinating, Jim Barber scored a hat trick!  Yes, that Jim Barber.  The captain led the way as Black Hole ended a one game losing streak and won their first game of the season by soundly defeating Coach’s Corner, 6 – 1.

In the first period, Black Hole got out to an early lead as Jim scored off the passing of Joe Mancinelli and Matt Farrell, just over three minutes into the period.

Black Hole continued getting its offense untracked as they scored the next two goals to jump out to a commanding lead in this game. Shawn Wyatt unleashed a one-timer from the left wing on a brilliant cross rink pass by Sergio Costa after a smart play by Bob Snyder keeping the ball in on the right point sixteen seconds into the second period.  This was followed three minutes later as Jim scored his second goal if the game, set up by Joe and Jason Carrien.  Needing a momentum swinging goal to stem the offense of Black Hole, Coach’s Corner got just that as Tony Medeiros was set up in the high slot by the passing of Nick Romano and John Mastrocola two minutes later.  Coach’s Corner had life, but it would be short-lived in the third period as the team ran out of gas, looked disorganized and failed to make the hustle plays to get back into this game.

The third period was all Black Hole as they scored the next three goals with no pushback from Coach’s Corner.  Four minutes in, Mike Luise scored from the high slot, set up by Shawn and Sergio.  With just over a minute to play, with the game already decided, Jim finished off his hat trick scoring performance, set up by Jason and Nick.  With less than a minute to play, Joe scored from in close to account for the game’s final score. 

It’s only one game played, but team captain Dan Broderick will need to find how to get his team going and playing as a team, as they played this game looking as if they were watching the other team more and failing to make the simple breakout plays in their own end.

Arrivederci

After only (1) game in front of Jeff Deharo and Steve Iacoviello already needs time off.

Steve "Ike" has formally filed his vacation request form with the league's front office and is seeking 3-weeks off to cope with the 5-3 loss during the inaugural game of the season.

Steve is getting as far away from Jeff as possible and heading to Italy where he won't be blamed for any of the goals that Jeff gives up during his absence.  

Power of "A"ttorney

Once again wearing an "A" on his jersey, Assistant League Director and Black Hole Assistant Captain Mike Naczas has been given the "Power Of Attorney" to run the defense for Black Hole.

Black Hole Captain Jim Barber was merciless ridiculed for not making a last minute "In-Game Adjustments" to his defense that some (in the media) blamed for their 5-3 loss.   As a response to his critics, Jim has turned the defensive reins over to Naz who took a Summer Class at the "Abcunas University of In-Game Adjustments".

Like all good leaders.., this move has given Jim an extra layer of insulation from any complaints between himself and his goaltender.  All defensive complaints should now be addressed to his new middle management supervisor and defense coordinator Mike Naczas

The move so far has been a positive one.., as the Defense under the new Naz' regime is 1-0 with a mere (1) GAA.

Pee Wee Call Up

Since Steve Iacoviello the #2 Defenseman for Black Hole left for his 3-week sabbatical to find inner peace.., Black Hole Captain Jim Barber made a call down to Pee Wee Farm Team to find a defensive replacement.

Jim asked all the forwards to give up their lucrative and glamorous forward position to hunker down and get dirty in the trenches to become a gritty defenseman.   

Tony "Munchkin" Mastrocola stepped up and proclaimed his willingness to report to newly appointed defense coordinator Mike Naczas.

Tony not only did a great job filling in for the absent Steve “Ike”.., but he willing volunteered to fill-in on defense whenever duty calls.  Great game Tony.., we especially liked watching you shut down the offensive attack of your brother John Mastrocola. 

Three of a kind

With his shoulders lighted as all defensive decisions are now funneled through Black Hole middle management.., Jim Barber was set free to focus on doing the impossible.., (and that is) making an attempt to put his name up into the top five scorers for  this season.

Jim scored in all three periods and despite what the fake news media reported about that being his “only” Over-30 hat trick.

(Fact Check) - We did a little fact checking and found this PUTA Forum gem from 2012

Week 6 Winner Tony Medeiros (4-goals, plus 1-assist) which is a great individual effort.., Bravo!, however is was done during a 7-1 lopsided (lack of defense) game while overlooked candidate Jim Barber also posted a hattrick (plus 1-assist), and played a major role in the total team effort win for Midas Touch. Jim factored in 4 of the 5 goals scored (and the only reason he didn’t factor in the fifth goal)… was because he was getting a much needed rest on the bench.  A true “Player of the week” effort that shall go un-recognized (on a player) who has a bounty on his head in the form of the newly created; Pete Lodi Stick Bag Award.

It's Over Johnny!

John Coluciello it's over.., you have zero chances of scoring 6-goals in the (10) remaining games... 100% ZERO chance!!

You might as well pick out something pink now (perhaps a tutu) for next season.

"It's Over Johnny... O-V-E-R... Over!!

You got lucky Ray Dow.., you only have to carry the bag for one season.   Maybe you should ask Cooch next week if he wants to pose for the "transferring ownership" of the bag photo (now) and get it out of the way before the holidays.

Wellness check

When you get to be Ed Nigro's age.., it's a good idea to do a wellness check on the elderly.   

Well Ed.., consider this your wellness check.   Your team started 2-weeks ago and if you don't show up this week.., we'll have no choice but to send the police over to conduct their own wellness check.

No wonder why Ed Nigro leads the league with (14?) Championship Jackets.., he only plays half the season to ensure his team(s) get enough wins to make the playoffs.., then he shows up (mid-way through) ready to go.

(Fact Check) - The Over30 League website reports that Ed won (14?) jackets.., after doing a little investigation it seems Ed has really won only (13) jackets.

1993 - Winter            Gangreene Slugs

1995 - Winter            Grumpy Old Men

1996 - Spring            Grumpy Old Men

1996 - Winter            Slow Rollers

1998 - Winter            Second Wind

2006 - Spring            An Offer You Can't Refuse

2006 - Winter            Help Wanted

2008 - Winter            Lords of the Rink

2009 - Spring            Lords of the Rink

2011 - Spring            Dead Men Walking

2012 - Spring            Lunchpail Kids

2016 - Spring            HABitual Complainers

2017 - Spring            Yellow Submarine

We have a request into the League Director for an official response from the league to confirm (or deny) there has been “Collusion” with Ed, the league's Chief Statistician and of course the Russian's (as we now blame the Russian's for everything).

Not a "Gang"

Last week Gang Green looked less like a "Gang" and more like a small "Gathering" of Green as only 6-players reported for duty for their Captain Dominic DeFranciso.

We always say.., "You can play with just 5 or 6.., as long as it's the right 5 or 6"

Last week Dominic had the right 6..,aside from himself, Dom had; Ray Nickerson, Brian Kehoe, Walter Maslak.., along with Mike Surette and John Carey who both logged major defensive minutes.

Gang Green scored first (just 3-minutes) into the 1st Period and then held off attack after attack for the next 18-minutes until Alex Leone tied it up for the Rhino's at the 6:22 mark of the third.

What should have been a Gang Green slaughter turned out to be just a flesh wound for the team that has been predicted to miss the playoffs.

Hockeytown Improvements

The new owners are committed to improving Hockeytown's appearance and accessibility.   

Starting with the outside.., they installed a new ramp so "Old Man" Dan Broderick can get into the building with ease.., and then they installed two new entry vestibules along with several new bleachers.

The only improvement they haven't gotten around to yet is installing handrails from the bench to the dek surface.

Last week we all witnessed the Assistant League Director Mike Naczas take a header off the boards while attempting a line change.

It looked similar to this (and probably felt the same)

Remember; these boards aren't getting higher.., we are getting older.  For our Senior AARP Qualified Players, please use caution when line changing.

Championship Awards Night

Congratulations to Dominic DeFrancisco and the rest of Blues Brothers.., "Here's your 2018 Spring Season Championship jacket you won back in May".., is what we would have said (if) they were in.., but they are not.   

What were in.., was Dave Costa's and the rest of the Azores Express Championship MISI bags that they won only a month ago.

In fact; well let one of the "still waiting" championship players from Blues Brothers comment on the bags below;

Different Start

Dave Guisti has to be wishing he had the same start he did back in January when he entered the league and quickly shut out the first two teams he faced.

Dave was on his way to a third consecutive shutout before "the incident" with Matty Iannello that quickly ended his streak and Dave’s season.

Now Dave looks more like a regular Over-30 Goalie when he started his season with a 6-1 loss.., and to add insult to his new 6-GAA he allowed the webmaster Jim Barber to burn him for 3-goals.

Let's see if Dave can bounce back in Game 2.., just like opposing goaltender Jeff Deharo did at the other end he (Jeff) let up 5-goals in week one and then bounced back to play a near perfect game in his second game of the season.

First Week Blues

Three out of the five teams all suffered a week one loss and were outscored 14-4.

Both the Rhinos and Black Hole bounced back in Week #2 and we look to Dan Broderick and company to do the same this week against the Rhinos.   

Last week Rhino's Captain John Kelleher barely squeaked out a win against just 6-players.  If Coach's Corner are going to have a shot at beating the Rhino's.., they are going to need a full squad (Right; Angelo, Todd & Luigi).

Rhino of the week

Though they barely squeaked out a win… the new "Rhino player of the week" was awarded to Niko Vramis.

According to Shawn Miville's tradition… Niko must decide the next player to win the "Rhino of the week" and pass the horned trophy to the next deserving player.

We here at the forum are waiting for the "Rhino Player of the Week" to also win either the Dunkin Donuts or Five Guys players of the week.., so we can see that Rhino in disguise posing for the award with the league officials 

Quiet Start

The league has been off to a quiet start.., and not because the scoring is down.

The quietness comes from the fact the Carlos "The Mouth of the South" Machado has been noticeable absent for his team.

Hey Carlos.., are you and Ed Nigro still using AOL dialup Internet?   The league started two weeks ago and you both missed out on the free Week #1 Gatorade.

Vulcan Black

Paul Correia and Jim Barber are the first two Over-30 players to use the new "Vulcan Black" Sticks from Vulcan Industries.   

Vulcan Industries President and CEO John Kelleher released the new "Vulcan Black" over the summer and wanted to put the super light sticks into the hands of the common player to give them the same scoring advantage as the marquee players in the league.

We asked Jim Barber; the current "Goals" leader with 4-goals if his new "Vulcan Black" stick had anything to do with his early success and Jim said; "You tell me.., Shawn Miville 2-games (0-goals) and I played 2-games (4-goals)."