Over 30 Hockey League

Week of January 12 (Game 1) – In a well-played back and forth wide open game that featured plenty of scoring chances by both teams, both Gang Green and the Rhinos remained undefeated for the spring 2019 season as they settled for a 2 – 2 tie.

The first period saw both teams feature their running attacking game putting a lot of pressure of each team’s defenses.  When a scoring chance did occur, goalies Jake Deehan of Gang Green and Scott Rosato of the Rhinos were there to make the save keeping this a scoreless game.

All the scoring in this game took place in the second period.  Opening the scoring for the Rhinos two and a half minutes in, saw John Kelleher take a pass on the high left wing from Chris Ducharme and Jason Glista and beat the goalie top corner.  Two minutes after that, Brian Kehoe was sent in flying down the right wing by Dominic Defrancisco and his perfectly placed shot low far side evened the score.  A minute and a half later, Dominic found a seam between the defense at the crease and banged home the rebound of shots by Brian and Ray Nickerson.  Less than a minute later, Steve Medeiros made a heads up read of the play behind the net resulting in some cycling play by George Medeiros and Carlos Machado as Steve dropped down from the left point and threw a knuckler shot on net that fooled the goalie to re-tie this game.  For Steve it was his second straight game with a goal scored that tied the game, accounting for the final score.

In the third period, Gang Green carried the play as both teams continued to play that wide open fast paced style.  With both teams defenses gassed from the constant pressure, both goalies stepped up making timely key save after timely key save keeping this a tied game heading into overtime.  In overtime, goalie Jake Deehan made a brilliant right toe save of a shot that was labeled for the far corner preserving the tie with each team earning a well-deserved point in the standings.  

Week of January 12 (Game 2) – Déjà vu part II.  In a rematch of their semi-final game during the winter 2018 playoffs, Black Hole once again scored the go ahead goal late in the third period to pull away from Coach’s Corner with a 4 – 3 win.

Picking up where they left off from last season, the defending champs Black Hole came out flying in the first period to jump all over Coach’s Corner.  Surprisingly, they were doing this while missing their top defenseman.  Only thirty seconds in, Rick Cassano took passes from Steve Iacoviello and Joe Mancinelli to score the game’s first goal.  Keeping the pressure on and hounding the defense of Coach’s Corner paid off for Black Hole as on the ensuing power play, Jim Barber scored another goal set up by Matt Farrell and Naz.

In the second period, Coach’s Corner made their pushback and got back into this game.  Five minutes into the period, John Mastrocola’s hustle down the wing, off the passing of Todd Bryson and Ray Dow brought his team within a goal.  Three minutes later saw Tony Medeiros unleash a wicked shot, set up by the play of Paul Correia and Angelo Deluca to tie up this game.  However, forty seconds later, Black Hole retook the lead on Rick Cassano’s breakaway goal as he was sent down the right wing on a heads up read by Naz recognizing the left defenseman pinching in and passed the ball to the open space.  With only two seconds left in the period, Coach’s Corner went on the power play.  On the faceoff, Angelo drew the ball cleanly back to Tony who caught the goalie by surprise and tied up the game with a second left!

In the third period, with both teams having scoring chances, each goalie held their ground making some timely saves.  What hurt the scoring chances by Coach’s Corner was resorting to “perimeter play” rather than attacking the net and getting to the dirty areas for rebounds.  Five minutes in, Matt took an outlet pass by Steve, rushed down the left wing with two defenders on him, turned to the boards then quickly moved across and threw a partially screened shot past two defenders past the goalie for the game winner.

WTF?

That was the question people where asking "WTF is Billy doing playing with the Rhinos?"

They weren't short guys?  Not according to the substitute rule on the homepage.

“Then why?”  Insider information has it that "He wanted to see where he's at psychically"

Judging by his play former Arizona Cardinals Coach Dennis Green was right "He is, who we thought he was"

Mr Abcunas.., wanted to see where he's a viable and relevant player.., and to be quite honest.., if he could stay out of the box and play a little less "Old Time Hockey" and a little more "Old Man Hockey" he would actually still be better than half the league at his age.., just like the timeless Dan Broderick.

That's a Minus 1

Now one in the Statler & Waldorf Luxury Suite took more pride than the Assistant League Director Mike Naczas when he got you yell his trademark catchphrase "That a Minus!!" to his boss and controversial fill-in player Bill Abcunas (who coincidentally was wearing the #1).., as he was berated and taunted with "That's a Minus 1" after Gang Green scored while Billy was watching helplessly on the dek.

Billy quickly took a page from Jeff Deharo’s Book “50-ways to blame someone else” as the League Director quietly pointed his finger at his defense partner after the goal.

Both the Webmaster and ALD were both hoping he would finish "That's a -1" but unfortunately he was on the deck for Steve Medeiros' game tying goal to put him even on the day.

29-Seconds

No that's not how long Smurfette said that Umberto "Papa Smurf" Biancardi lasts in bed at his age.., but 29-seconds is actually how long Umberto's long-awaited comeback lasted.

Reputation Alert

Hey Brian “Cappy” Capodilupo just wanted to let you know to tread lightly on all your recent questioning about “Calls and Rules Clarifications”.  We’ve been seeing you spend more-and-more time in front of the timekeepers box conversing with the Referees instead of with you team in between periods.

We know the power of the “A” allows you a “FREE Pass” into the Referee’s Lounge.., but we sure would hate to see you put in the same classification as say; Mike Luise, Pat Pirone and The Colucciello Family.

Killing in the name of...

Rage Against The Machine once sang "Killing in the name of.." But they never actually said what they were killing in the name of.

We'll our very own Ray Nickerson is "Killing in the name of Assists".

Years of getting screwed out of assists by the referees, timekeepers and league officials has finally taken its toll on the #2 All-Time Points Leader.

After a Gang Green goal last week.., the mere joke by the webmaster to Ray about getting credit for a point had "The Boss" issuing verbal death threats into the Statler & Waldorf Luxury Suite. 

All week long the webmaster had his wife start and warm-up the cars in the driveway every morning.. and just a warning to the rest of the Over-30 League Officials, Referee's and Statisticians.., if Ray is willing to kill the webmaster over an assist (whom which he doesn't do the stats) then we might need to hire some of the furlong Secret Service during the Government Shutdown.., or bring back Joe "The Real Boss" Shannon out of retirement.

No Surrender

Black Hole is not taking their foot off the gas this season as they picked back up were they left off… or a Charlie Sheehan says “Winning!!”

Even with their #1 MVD and Playoff MVP Defenseman Jason Carrien.., out of the lineup for the first win of the season.., and with threats of missing multiple games this season.., Defensive Coordinator Mike Naczas will continue with his highly successful his “3D” Defense Plan and utilize the teams classified secret weapon (when necessary)

Stuck in neutral 

John Kelleher and his herd of Rhino's are stuck in neutral after the first two games of the season.  

They are not on a winning streak, nor a losing streak.  They are taking a page from Dan Broderick's book "Ties Equal 3rd Place" and the proof is in this week's standings.

Rumor has is Shawn Miville is out this week as possibly a few more.., and with Alex Leone still on IR and Chris Ducharme missing this week for a tournament.., Look for the Rhino's to either put the season into drive with a win or reverse it with a loss Mixed Nuts.

Black Vulcan Streaks

Vulcan CEO John Kelleher is excited to see Black Vulcan Sales for 2019 are on the rise.

All of the previous press and Jim Barber's league leading 13-goals last season has John Kelleher making a bid a his own goal scoring streak as John has buried a goal in both of his team's ties.

Meanwhile teammate Niko Vramis invested  in his 2019 Spring Season with a new Black Vulcan as well.., but it seems Niko might have to send his back to the factory for recalibration as he's been spraying the ball all over the place with zero accuracy during his 2-game "No Points" streak.

Getting Some Action

Here’s some of this year’s action lines, so don’t be offended when you hear players cheering and booing.., these are some of the reasons;

• Bill Abcunas vs Jim Barber & Mike Naczas for Mauro Colucciello and his 6-Goal Challenge
• Mike Naczas vs Mike Delorey on Head-to-Head Stats
• Mike Naczas vs Luigi Derenzes for Mauro Colucciello and his 6-Goal Challenge
• Bill Abcunas vs Jim Barber & Mike Naczas that Naz will not qualify for the 2018 Spring Scoring Challenge (9-points)
• Bill Abcunas vs Jim Barber & Mike Naczas that Jim WILL NOT score 10-goals this season