Over 30 Hockey League

Week of December 8 (Game 1) – In a late season match-up with the Holy Trinity of 1^st place, leading scorer race and leading goalie race on the line, Mixed Nuts and Black Hole faced off potentially to clarify each of the three races.  Instead, the end result shifted the spotlight onto the last games of the season as Black Hole kept their 6-game winning streak alive while putting a stop to Mixed Nuts 3-game winning streak, with a convincing 6 – 2 win and taking the season series 2 games to 1.  Missing half their team for this big game didn’t help Mixed Nuts either.

Smelling blood in the water in seeing that Mixed Nuts only had six players for this game, Black Hole pressured the defense early and often in the first period and never let up the entire game.  Four minutes into the period, Jim Barber was set up by Matt Farrell as Jim buried his league leading 12^th goal of the season.  Four minutes later, Matt took a feed from Sergio Costa down the slot and beat the goalie.

Things continued on the same pattern in the second period for Black Hole as they scored three unanswered goals turning this close game into a rout. Four minutes into the period, Sergio was set up on the wing by Matt to start the scoring.  Two minutes later, Matt was set up by Sergio and Jim for his second goal of the game.  With forty-six seconds to play in the period, Rick Cassano buried his chance on the passing of Shawn Wyatt and Mike Luise.  The rout was on and Mixed Nuts had no answer.

Needing something, anything to try getting back into this game, Mixed Nuts scored off the opening faceoff of the third period only nine seconds in as Ron Aquino was set up out front by Mauro Colucciello.  However, any comeback thoughts were quickly squashed a minute later as Steve Iacoviello broke in off the point, set up by Jim and Sergio and scored his first goal of the season.  Four minutes later, Mark Stickney converted a pass from Jamie Kehoe and Matty Iannello to account for the final score.

Week of December 8 (Game 2) – Entering this key game of the season, one thing was crystal clear.  Coach’s Corner had to win; nothing else would help them get into the playoffs.  For Gang Green, a tie or win got them in.  Otherwise, they would have to wait and watch from the sidelines next week to see if they were playoff bound or home for the holidays.  Coach’s Corner broke open a tie game with two key goals halfway through this game and held on for hard earned 5 – 3 win.  It didn’t help Gang Green not having their captain and leader playing this game.

In the first period, Coach’s Corner came out flying and put a lot of fore checking pressure on the defense of Gang Green.  This pressure paid off as Nick Romano opened the scoring six minutes in as he was set up by Dan Broderick and Todd Bryson. 

In the second period, a minute in, Tony Medeiros was sent in down the wing by Dan and he didn’t miss giving his team a two goal lead.  Two minutes later on the power play, Cappy was set up John Colucciello on the right point and his bomb cleanly beat the goalie as Gang Green got back into this game.  Two minutes later saw Cooch take advantage of a defensive turnover in the crease and rebounds of Walter Maslak and Pat Pirone shots, tying up this game.  However, the key goal of the game took place only thirty-eight seconds later as Angelo Deluca took a pass from Nick and Todd and his individual move down the left wing put Coach’s Corner back on top.

In the third period, thirty seconds in, Angelo struck again off the passing of Todd and Paul Correia, as he tucked a short side goal past the goalie.  Less than a minute later while short-handed, big Mike Surette took a pass from Cooch in his defensive zone and unleased a wicked wrist shot that surprised the goalie, making this a one goal game.  Less than a minute later, Tony sealed the win with his second goal set up by Nick and Paul.  It all comes down to the last game!

Last Edition

Just like Labor Day weekend is the unofficial end of summer.., the last week of the regular season and the unofficial end of the PUTA forum as we now go dark for the playoffs

This is our last chance to get a few last parting shots in.., and then we'll pick it back up for the 2019 Spring Season.

Parting Shots

Jason Carrien blew his chance to be the first Defenseman ever to win the scoring title.  At least you have something to strive for next season.

Correction: Previous reports had Bill Abcunas listed as a defenseman when he won the scoring title.  He was actually a forward and to this day no defenseman has ever won the scoring title (ever!).  

Sergio Costa could become just the 4th Portuguese player to ever win the scoring title.., but more importantly only the 2nd since 2001 (36-seasons ago) when Matty Iannello started his reign of scoring titles.  Matty trails Sergio by two points and we've seen Matty in this exact situation before.  “The Great One” goes first at 5:00PM, so Sergio may (or may not) have pressure for his 6:00PM game.  “The 2018 Winter Season Scoring Leader is…??? (Oh the suspense is killing me)

Shawn Miville comes into the last week of the season in 32nd place with just 6-points.., no one saw that coming (especially NAZtradamus) who predicted Miv would win the scoring title again.  The good news Shawn.., this does go on your permanent record.., but we all start over at zero in a few weeks.   So forget about the past 16-weeks and let's focus on the playoffs.  

Jim Barber gets the new Vulcan Black Serial #001 from Vulcan Industries CEO John Kelleher and then goes on to lead the league is goals all season long.., that's another prediction NAZtradamus missed.  Which makes you wonder.., Does the player make the stick.., or does the stick make the player? ~ We think the later for Jim.

Ron "The Flying Hawaiian" Aquino shocks everyone and could possibly finish in the Top 10 in scoring.

Mike Naczas comes into the last week of the season leading all "Goaless" players with 6-assists.., which puts him 2-spots above Shawn Miville on the leader board. 

John "Pinky" Coluciello fails his "Smiling Pete Lodi" Pink Stick Bag Challenge.., thus letting Ray Dow off easy with only a one season carry.  Photo opt and ceremonial passing of the bag to follow this week. 

Next Pink Stick Bag Challenger

Now that John Coluciello has officially failed.., we have already chosen 2019 Spring Season Candidate.., and today we will pop the question to that one lucky player.

Just remember; if it’s you.., “No one” has ever said “No” to the challenge.., which is based on your personal historical data.

TBJ Success

Finally a "Fresh New Idea" comes from someone other than the new regime.., and it was a smashing success.

ThrowBack Jersey Night(s) had 32-players, a referee and the League Direct himself were all donning jerseys from their glorious and historic pasts.  

32-players!!  Wow, someone (who shall remain nameless) said it was a "Stupid Idea" and said "No one will do it".., and "you'll be lucky if 8-players wear them".   I guess that same (nameless player) couldn't "predict" that that many players would participate.

Destiny or Fate

Call it what you want.., but Coach's Corner has both in the palms of their hands.

The question is.., Will "Destiny" get them into the playoffs this week.., or will "Fate" have them going home 2-weeks early.

Pineapple Goal

Why was Jeff Deharo pissed off after last week's 6-2 win over Mixed Nuts and his #2 rival Sean Roach?

There is no doubt that Jeff has played a significant role during Black Hole's 7-game winning streak.., but seriously, just because you let a Ron Aquino shoot a rolling Pineapple from the timekeepers box for a goal.., don't take that out on your team.  Try celebrating the win like they do after the games.., instead of bitching them out.

Goalie Policies

Just a reminder of Rule #9 Section A.., If you lose your goalie for the playoffs… You have to go with the leagues designated assignee;

• 1^st - Backup Goaltender(s)
• 2^nd- BYE week Goalie
• 3^rd - Non-playing (but) comparable Goalie.

Ray Dow and his "one trick shutout" is not available for the playoffs (for any team).., except his own because he's a roster players.

Also remember Goalie Policy Rule #33.  No goalie shall be award "Goalie of the Year" if it is determined that "Sandbagging" with the Russians has occurred during the final week of the season to affect the outcome of the voting.

$20 Cheer

Andrew Jackson (CLAP, CLAP.., clap-clap-clap).  Andrew Jackson (CLAP, CLAP.., clap-clap-clap)

If the cheers from the Statler & Waldorf Luxury Suite confused you.., you're not alone.   In fact if confused the very person the cheer was about.

It was absolutely priceless; the look on John Coluciello's face when he finally realized the chant was about him.., and why?

Cooch.., perplexed was like "Andrew Jackson??".., then like the red goal light going off (or not in John's case).., he realized the chant was in reference to his failing the pink stick back challenge and the chant from those two knuckleheads we're excited about taking a $20 each from the League Director.   

Longest Wrist Shot

It wasn't the longest goal in the Over-30 League's History.   That honor goes to John Lasala Jr 

Recap:  October 11, 2014  -  “The longest goal scored in Over-30 league history”, as John Lasala Jr scores off Alby Luise from a shot taken behind his own defensive zone net (behind the line), and scores an estimated 157 foot goal.

But now Mike Surette now owns the “Longest & Slowest, Shorthanded Wrist Shot Goal” in Over-30 League History.  The BIG man used his patterned “Musket Loading Speed” to fire a wrist shot on David Guisti while Mike was just 5-feet in front of his defensive line.  Thankfully Mike’s shorthanded clearing attempt that resulted in an accidental goal didn’t affect the outcome of the game for Coach’s Corner

League Investigation

The font office Special Investigation Unit is looking into an incident that took place last week during the second game.

It appeared that Head Referee Jon Picard had a little fall on the rink.  At first glance it appeared that Pic stepped on the ball which led to his stumble.

But the league investigator has spoken to several eye witnesses who testified that Pic was "Drinking on the job" and that perhaps his fall was a result of him slipping on his own tea (Ala Shawn Miville and his self-induced Gatorade injury).