Over 30 Hockey League

Week of September 22 (Game 1) – For the second week in a row, the Rhinos gave up the first goal then stormed back late in the game to keep their winning streak alive as they defeated Coach’s Corner by a score of 3 – 2.

In a back and forth start to this game, it was Coach’s Corner striking first as Nick Romano was set up in the slot by the cycling passing of Paul Correia and Angelo Deluca six minutes into the game.  However, three minutes later saw the Rhinos Shawn Miville get set up by John Kelleher and Niko Vramis, to score his first goal of the season after being shut out in his first two games played.

In the second period, the game’s next goal came off the stick of Nick again as a defensive turnover five and a half minutes into the period resulted in some quick thinking and passing by Tony Medeiros and Dan Broderick, giving Coach’s Corner the lead once again.  But before Coach’s Corner could take advantage of the momentum swing, the Rhinos tied the score from an unlikely source.  Only thirty-seven seconds later, Derrick Power took a pass down the left wing circle from George Medeiros and Jason Glista, to surprise the goalie and beat him short side.  For Derrick, this was only his second career goal scored in the Over-30 league.

In the third period, both teams went all out on offense with the Rhinos throwing 14 shots on net and Coach’s Corner putting 12 shots on net.  This game was looking like it was heading to overtime as both goalies were stopping everything thrown their way.  However, a locked in focus Shawn had other plans.  With just over two minutes to play, on a quick breakout, Jim Clarke got the ball up from deep in his zone to John who spotted Shawn all alone with a step on the defense on the left wing.  Shawn took advantage running down the left wing and set up the goalie looking far side then switched and scored top corner short side (a pure snipers goal and release).

Week of September 22 (Game 2) – In another closely played game by both teams, Gang Green won their second consecutive game as they broke open a tied game in the third period, scoring three goals, in beating Mixed Nuts by a

4 – 2 score.

The first period saw Gang Green carry most of the play that paid off five minutes in on the power play as Dominick Defrancisco scored an unassisted goal out front.

In the second period, Mixed Nuts tied the game as Matty Iannello was set up seven minutes in by the passing of Ron Aquino and Jamie Kehoe.

The third period featured plenty of scoring for Gang Green who finally wore down Mixed Nuts and their defense.  Two and a half minutes into the period saw Pat Pirone take a pass from Cappy and in typical Pat fashion scored while on his knees.  A minute later saw Ron score as he was set up by Jamie and John Leite tying the game.  Two minutes later saw the dagger applied from another unlikely goal scorer as Gang Green took control of this game.  After some down low passing between Walter Maslak and Pat, Ed Nigro found the ball on his stick on the left point.  Not panicking, Ed let go a (as he says a “rocket” of a shot) but it was more of a floater knuckleball that had eyes and found the back of the net.  It’s been so long since the last time Ed scored we don’t know how many years ago this was; what we do know is that Colleen still has more goals scored than Ed since she started playing in the league!  With the game on the line and less than two minutes to play, Mike Surette was on the left point with the ball and took his typical wrist shot that found nothing but net for the insurance goal. 

Another ONE that got away
Poor Dan Broderick… He has become the King of the “one-goal losses”

Last week Dan and Company let another game slip away (and yep you guess it)...by one goal… But the good news is it was not for a lack of effort.

Dan did his post-game analysis as to why they lost… and he attributed to the fact that most of the shots missed the net and hit the glass.

Although they are off to a rocky start, we fully expect Coach's Corner to make the playoffs.., but we'll know more in December.

Sounds of the game
We don't have the technology or the budget to mic the players during the games.., but one sound from the game is the sound of a hard slap shot hitting the glass.

Leave it to "Old Man" Dan Broderick to have the best quote about hitting the glass;

"Sure, hitting the glass with a slap shot sounds cool… But it doesn't win hockey games"

ONE more than... 
Coaches corner Captain Dan Broderick is not panicking… His gunslinger Tony Medeiros is not panicking… and as Tony said "Relax, we're only two games into the season"

Well we are just two games into the season, but here are a couple of things you should be aware of;

• The Cleveland Brown's have more wins than Coaches Corner
  Ed Nigro has more goals than Coach's Corner has wins.
• Mike Surette has more Game Winning Goals than Coach's Corner has wins.
• Ray Dow has more appearances (and shutouts) as an Over-30 Goalie than Coach's Corner has wins.

These are all things that shouldn't be of any concern.., but that you should be aware of for a little motivation.

Cease & Desist Letter
The 2019 MISI Summer League could be over before it even starts after seeing Jay Carrien tampering with and recruiting Over-30 players for next years 2019 MISI Summer Season.

Over-30 League Director Bill Abcunas has emailed his lawyers and is threatening legal action.  Bill's team of Lawyer(s).., F. Lee Bailey, & Beetle Bailey of the Law Firm Barnum & Bailey have been made aware of Jay's poaching.

Lawyer’s plan to send a "Cease & Desist" letter if it openly continues they will be seeking triple damages and more importantly changing the brand recognition. 

Brand Recognition

With so many players from the Over-30 League playing in the MISI League.., Barnum & Bailey lawyers will seek the name to be change to the 2019 BASA League (Bill Abcunas Summer Association) since both leagues and their players are associated will Bill.

MISI is using copyright material from the Over-30 League as both leagues are using the same proprietary time-keeping and scoring sheets.., along with website sign-up registration forms.

The MISI League is also accused of poaching the Over-30 "Fresh New Ideas" by giving out a weekly "Player of the week" for $20 instead of (2) $10 awards.

What's next.., the MISI League will award plastic championship jackets.., which no one desires?

Called out
Before scoring his first two goals of the season last week.., Someone called Shawn Miville out by saying "We see you psychically showing up on the dek.., but you're not showing up on the scoreboard and game sheet."

Not to mention it must be killing Miv.., when he looks for his name on the League Leaders and sees names like Jim Barber, Pat Pirone and Ron "The Flying Hawaiian" Aquino all above him in the standings.

Head-to-Head
Hey Miv.., see if they sell spinach flavored vapor.., otherwise next season well drop you down in the head-to-head challenge and have you go up against Ron "The Flying Hawaiian" Aquino, so you have more of a challenge.., your current H2H Challenger Walter "Chong" Maslak is pitching a perfect game with 0-0-0-0 after 2-games.

Hey Walter.., while Miv is looking for "Spinach Vape".., why don't you shop around and switch from your "Purple Haze" or "Bubba Kush".., and smoke some strains like "Goal Scorer " or "Hat Trick".

Drop one 9
Matty Iannello went from #77 to #17 this season.., and we here in the forum are calling for Pat Pirone to drop one of his 9's as wearing #99 is an embarrassment to the "Real Great One"

We don't care if you drop the first 9 (or the second 9).., but after this season we want to see you just wearing just #9

Watching you play is like watching a wounded Elk running around the Serengeti waiting to get pounced on by a pack of lions.., you're hobbling all over the place, falling for no apparent reason, passing to players that aren't there.., but (somehow) though it all you still managed to force a goal in from your knees.

We are not saying you have to retire.., but the #99 should.., do Wanye Gretski some justice and let the NHL league-wide retirement of the #99 carry over into the Over-30 League.

Leite a fire
With the Portuguese Crime family all on their own.., Tony Medeiros tried to fire up "The Codfather" John Leite by telling him that his opponent Dominic DeFrancisco was sleeping with his sister.

Be careful Tony… you don’t want to wake up with a Cod fish head in your bed

Tom Johnny Surgery
Similar to "Tommy John" Surgery for a shoulder injury.., John Mastrocola could be facing "Tom Johnny" Surgery to repair his "ailing" elbow.

Johnny is currently on the DL while "Dr Ruth" evaluates and treats John's elbow.

According to Dr Ruth; It seems there has been some "over-use" and "repetitive jerking motion" that may have led to "hypertension" from too much "Master(ssshhhh)" you can't say that Dr Ruth.

Anyway.., until Johnny gets a note from Dr Ruth.., John is on the DL and forced to give himself "the stranger" while using his other arm.

Hurry back Johnny we miss you.., but for the record; no one should shake his hand when he returns.  

Party for two - Sioux City 
I know we said it (twice already) about John Coluciello and his challenge being "Over!!" before it started.., but especially after missing last week's game (his second in a row).., Chooch’s Challenge is not only over…, it’s “DONE”

If fact if the Hilltop was still open and you ordered the early bird "Cooch Special" the waiter would ask if you wanted it "Done or Well Done?"

There are a couple of gitty board members who are on tap to take $20 each for the League Director.., which means Cooch's 2019 Spring Season Dues just went up to $290.., thanks Cooch (like us) we knew you would FAIL.  

Messin' with Sasquatch
First Matty Iannello called BIG Mike Surette "Sasquatch" as he was trying to tie his shoe.

Then "The Great One" went on to film his own commercial that Matty wrote, directed and starred in.  Instead of a Jack Links Beef Jerky.., Matty made his own version of "Messin' with Sasquatch" for the Mylec Corporation.

Matty came over the right side of the dek going one-on-one against the gentle giant.., while faking to the outside boards.., Matty quickly cut back to the inside (forcing Mike to do the hokey pokey and turn himself around).  While Mike was still trying to get his bearings and figure out what just happened.., Matty rifled a shot passed Jake Deehan who was caught off guard because (like all of us) as he too was laughing at Matty's "Messin' with Sasquatch" move.

To penalize or not penalize 
With all the new NFL rule changes.., the NFL Color Commentary and Play Callers in the booth are confused on "what's a catch" and "what's not a catch" these days.

Well those watching from the "Statler & Waldorf Luxury Suite" last week were left guessing "what's a penalty" and "what's not a penalty".

It must have been "Opposite Week" last week because we watched John Carey (Playing Forward) on a breakaway getting chased down by Gary Goodwin (Playing Defense).., and Gary chopped at Carey's stick and impeded his scoring attempt.., while the League Director motioned for a penalty shot.., the dek officials said "No Penalty"

Then Mike Surette accidentally gets his giant mits tangled around Matty Iannello's throat and he gets a penalty for holding.  Mike said he just trying to hug Matty and thank him for the MISI Championship hockey bag.., and it had nothing to do with the Sasquatch comment.

Quarterbacking the D
Every good hockey team has a defenseman that quarterbacks the offense and starts the offensive breakouts

With Gary Goodwin playing defense for Mixed Nuts.., last week we heard someone wearing stripes ask.., "Do you really want Gary quarterbacking your defense?"

Having Gary Quarterbacking your defense is like having Jay Cutler or Tyrod Taylor Quarterbacking your offense.., they both seemed like a good idea on paper, but fail to produce results or a championship.  

The year of the 2^nd tier 
This year the league has broken up all the power couples, duo’s and trio’s… in an effort to balance the talent across the league.

What NAZtradamus didn’t predict, but the League Director is predicting and is going on the record by saying … “This is the year of the 2^nd tier players”

Last week we watched Ed Nigro and Derek Powers score goals early in their seasons.  Mike Surette already has a GWG and even Ron "The Flying Hawaiian" Aquino is flying high above his Captain Matty Iannello and (co-reigning League Leading Scorer) Shawn Miville in the standings.

Look for this trend to continue as more-and-more 2^nd tier players are going to play a bigger role in their team’s success.