You could even hear the concession vendors at the Finals yelling “Get your Peanuts.., Popcorn and Mixed Nuts here.” Come to play right from the start! Bury your scoring chances early to suck the life out of the opposition! Control the play with a balanced scoring attack, led by your defense! Do all of this with the league’s leading scorer not having to be the impact player! Storm through the playoffs as an unbeatable juggernaut! All of the above summarized how Mixed Nuts completely dominated the Finals (and playoffs) with a 7 – 1 blowout. This was not the worst rout in Over-30 league history but right up there as this game was over in the first period with Mixed Nuts scoring on their first 3 shots in the first four minutes which Gang Green never recovering.
Perhaps what should be pointed out in all this euphoria was how Mixed Nuts struggled in their first five games of the spring season as they lost 4 players from their roster and had their roster rebuilt mid-season, played the start of the season with only 2 defensemen, was underperforming with a 2 – 3 record, had a rookie player come in later to outperform all expectations and make an immediate impact on this team, and finish the season on a 7-game winning streak.
The first period defined this game as Mixed Nuts made the most of their scoring chances, jumping out to a commanding four goal lead that Gang Green never recovered from. No one saw this coming as everyone expected the speed of Gang Green would disrupt the ball control offense of Mixed Nuts. Just a minute into the first period, Dave Costa was set up at the right point by the passing of Mauro Colucciello and Dave Parquette for the game’s first goal. Forty-five seconds later, Dave Parquette beat the goalie top corner as he was set up by Jamie Kehoe. This was not the start that Gang Green was expecting. However, a minute later, Gang Green got a much needed break going on the power play. The momentum ended before it could start as Dave Costa jumped in from the point on a heads up play with his team in control deep in the zone and roofed his shot top corner from the slot as he was set up by Dave Parquette and Matty Iannello halfway into the penalty kill. To say at this point that Gang Green looked stunned was an understatement. Four shots taken by Mixed Nuts, three goals scored all up high! Just over a minute later, Mauro converted a pass from Mark Stickney on the power play keeping the flood gates opened and the rout was on. Needing something, anything to halt this momentum and get back into this game, Gang Green finally got on the board as Ray Nickerson converted a pass from John Carey on the left wing beating the goalie with three minutes to play in the period. At the end of the first period, Mixed Nuts held a 14 – 10 edge in shots and more importantly a commanding 4 – 1 lead on the scoreboard.
Entering the second period, Gang Green needed to play desperate hockey, take chances to get back into this game. However, any thoughts of a comeback were quickly stopped by Mixed Nuts as Jamie Kehoe was set up on the point only thirty-five seconds in by Dave Parquette and Dave Costa. Three minutes later saw Dave Paquette (whose draft stock just went up for the Over-30 league) scored a sweet goal after being set up by Jamie and Tony Bono. The rout was on! There would be no comeback. Any scoring opportunities generated by Gang Green were always kept to the perimeter or one and done thanks to the defense of Mixed Nuts. All season long, the defense (Dave Costa and Jamie Kehoe) were the foundation of this team that controlled most games. At the end of the second period, Mixed Nuts was clearly in charge with a 6 – 1 lead and had a 24 to 18 edge in shots.
With running time in effect, the third period went by quickly. Gang Green thought they had scored about four minutes into the period, however, both referees consulted and it was ruled that no goal was scored on a bang bang play out front. The way this game was being played out, it would not have mattered as Mixed Nuts was locked in and totally controlling this game. With four minutes to play, Dave Costa made a breakout pass to Tim Hickey who found Ron Aquino down the right wing. The “Flyin Hawaiian” buried his shot beating the goalie in close up high.
All that was left was for the clock to wind down and watch Mauro Colucciello breathe a sigh of relief that his 13 year wait for another championship not only was over but at the expense of his brother Cooch. The final score favored Mixed Nuts in a big way, in a dominating rout by the score of 7 – 1, holding a 32 – 31 edge in shots.
On their way to the Finals, Mixed Nuts jumped out to a three goal lead and efficiently took control of their game in the third period against the Rhinos, winning by the score of 5 – 2. Jamie Kehoe was the impact player, scoring 2-goals to break open a one goal game, factoring into two of the first three goals scored by his team. Matty Iannello was his usual playmaker self with
1-goal and 2-assists, while Mauro Colucciello also scored 1-goal and added 2-assists.
For Gang Green, their road to the Finals was a lot tougher as the only goal scored was by Brian Kehoe unassisted with less than three minutes to play on perhaps the highlight goal of the year (considering the moment). Brian came down the right wing, pulled the ball through the first defenseman's feet, cut across the middle, pulled the ball through that defenseman's feet to move in front of the net then calmly roofed his shot under the crossbar with a sniper's shot that drew cheers and a standing ovation from the fans watching on the sidelines.
For his overall impact on both his playoff games, playing solid shutdown defense, quarterbacking the defense and scoring timely goals throughout the entire playoffs, Dave Costa was a unanimous choice for Playoff MVP.
Congratulations to Mauro Colucciello for winning another championship jacket after a 13-year wait. Ironic isn’t it that the first year he was separated from his brother Cooch, he wins that jacket! Nice season overall Mauro, winning the championship as well as beating that Pink Stick bag Challenge.
Congratulations to goalie Sean Roach, Ron Aquino, and rookies Dan Hill and Dave Parquette on winning their first-ever championship jackets.
Congratulations Tony Bono on moving into 2nd place overall with your 13th championship jacket.
Congratulations to Mixed Nuts for their Spring 2019 championship, whose players include: Captain Matty Iannello, Mark Stickney, Mauro Colucciello, Tim Hickey, Ron Aquino, Dave Parquette, Dave Costa, Kamie Kehoe, Tony Bono, Dan Hill and goalie Sean Roach.
|
