Over 30 Hockey League

Week of March 9 (Game 1) – In a game featuring two of the top teams in the league, but, trending in different directions, the match-up of Mixed Nuts playing Black Hole would give both teams a better idea of where they stood.  Mixed Nuts was on a two game winning streak, while Black Hole was on a two game losing streak.  Which streak would continue?  The answer was Mixed Nuts, as the soundly controlled this game throughout, recording the season’s first shutout by defeating Black Hole by a 3 – 0 score.

In the first period, Mixed Nuts was all over Black Hole, generating some quality scoring chances and smothering any offensive push back by Black Hole.  The speed game and team defensive coverage were clearly evident during the period.  With just under three minutes to play in the period, Jamie Kehoe was set up on the point by Matty Iannello and Tim Hickey in scoring the game’s first goal.

The second period featured more of the same style of play by Mixed Nuts as they kept up the fore checking pressure on the Black Hole defense and ball control offense by moving the ball around quickly to open players. Four minutes into the period, this effort paid off as Ron Aquino broke free and was set up by rookie Dave Parquette and Tim for a goal.  A minute later, Mixed Nuts would get all the scoring they would need in this game as Dave Costa was set up on the point by Tony Bono and Matty to take a commanding three goal lead and never look back.

The third period was more of the same from Mixed Nuts as they generated 14 shots on net, controlled the play throughout the period, as Black Hole looked disinterested in battling back to get into this game. Frustrated by getting outplayed throughout the game, players were not moving their feet or trying to make anything happen, as if they settled in accepting their fate.  For fill in goalie Scott Rosato, he had an easy time of it only facing 19 total shots to record the season’s first shutout.  

Week of March 9 (Game 2) – The pattern continues for Coach’s Corner, give up some first period goals, battle back in the second / third periods to tie the game, only to find a way to lose late in the game.  Such was the case again as Gang Green jumped out to an early three goal lead then hung on to win late and defeat Coach’s Corner by a 5 – 4 score.

In the first period, it was all Gang Green as they scored the game’s first three goals led by Cooch.  A minute and a half in, Cooch was set up by the passing of Brian Kehoe and Ed Nigro for the game’s first goal.  Four minutes later, Cooch scored again as he converted the rebound of a Mike Surette shot.  A minute and a half later saw Brian snipe a goal, set up by Cooch and John Carey.  The first period momentum was dominated by Gang Green and Cooch.

In the second period, that momentum switched back over to Coach’s Corner as they outplayed and out hustled Gang Green.  Five minutes into the period saw Tony Medeiros convert the passing of Angelo Deluca and Colleen O’Connell to get back into this game.  Just over two minutes later, a hustling John Mastrocola down the right wing scored his 7^th goal in his last five games, unassisted.  Showing his commitment to hustle, John single-handedly killed off forty-five seconds of a penalty late in the period by keeping the ball in Gang Green’s defensive zone.

Last Lap

With two-thirds of the standings race over and spring upon us.., there's just enough time for one more lap around the league.

With a four point swing between 1st and 4th.., these are the games when teams start jockeying for playoff positions and start to get a sense of who their first round playoff opponent could be.

We could also see the top (3) teams clinch this week with one key mathematical loss.

It's Mathematical

From here on out.., every game is a must win for Coach's Corner.., but this week is an ABSOLUTE must win.  With only a “3” in the point’s column and 4-games to play.., Coach's Corner can earn a maximum of 11-points.   

If they lose against the Rhino's this week then their maximum earned points would drop to 9-points.., Which means that with a Rhinos win they would go to 10-points and Gang Green (12-points) along with Mixed Nuts (10-points) would all punch their playoff tickets.

The only team left with 9-points is Black Hole.., and then either a Black Hole (Tie or Win)..., and/or another Coach’s Corner loss will send Black Hole into the playoff seeding race and subsequently send Coach’s Corner to the Driving Range across the street.

Bye-Bye Bing

Matty Iannello will have to settle for one of "Player(s) of the week Award”.., after last week's vicious tripping penalty "The Great One" has tarnished any bid for the Lady Bing Award this season.

But.., with only 5-points behind Dominic DeFrancisco.., we could see another epic race to the finish line for the Leading Scorer.  We've seen Matty come from behind to win, and we’ve seen Dominic get screwed out of one.., what's it's gonna be this year?? 

Seeing Red

Another Pink Slip was sent out last week as the season total rises to a record setting 4th player to be relieved of their roster spot and the second player from Mixed Nuts.

If it hasn't become apparent yet.., the league is serious about cutting ties with non-injured players that are taking up roster spots and then over committing and/or not showing up thus putting their team(s) short week in and week out.

The Pink Slips are not permanent firings but more of a temporary layoff.., as players affected can reapply for reinstatement into the 2019-2020 Draft.., but let the record show the League Director is serious about player commitment to their teams and to the league. 

Green New Deal

Just like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's whacky ideas in her "Green New Deal".., the Over-30 League Director had his own version of a "Green New Deal".., as Dominic DeFrancisco almost had another speedy forward added to his lineup.

Dave Parquette was a member of Gang Green for about 4-days (on paper).., but before he could make his official debut wearing green.., he was reassigned to Mixed Nuts to replace Matty's second lost player of what we are calling "The Season of the Pink Slips".

So with that said; welcome aboard Dave Parquette you are now officially playing with greatness.., oh and don't be offended if your Captain Matty Iannello is a “prick” sometimes.., that's just his other nickname too.

Perfect Example

Dave Costa showed the league a perfect example of why there will never be an all Portuguese Team.

We watched as Jim Barber was covering Dave at the point.., and without the ability to play the ball with his stick.., Dave opted for the equivalent of a corner kick inbound pass and launched the ball over the attackers head towards the goal.

The league is considering calling a penalty on any Portuguese Player (only).., that uses his foot as an unfair advantage as they will be called for a minute under the proposed "Portuguese Shod Foot" penalty.

Lollygaggers 

“You Lollygag on the forecheck..,”

“You Lollygag on the backcheck..,”

‘You Lollygag after the ball..,”

What's them make Larry?  “Lollygaggers!!!” (Lollygaggers)

What's our record Larry?  “0-5-2-1”

0-5-2-1... How did we manage to tie 2-games?.., “it's a miracle!”

(It's a miracle...)

Hey Kool Aid

That's what John Colucciello needed was just some good ole fashion fructose and water.., as we watched Cooch hit the dek for what we thought was a major injury.

Turns out he was just overheated and/or dehydrated.., hey Cooch, here’s an idea; Stop playing with a wool stocking cap.

The only thing that would have made that borderline fainting spell a little better would have been if you were playing against Mixed Nuts and your brother Mauro brought you a water from the bench instead of Dominic DeFrancisco.., then he truly would be "Your brother’s keeper" once again this season. 

War Face

Tony Medeiros was trying to fire up his team (and himself) by screaming at fellow Portuguese brother-in-law Dominic DeFrancisco as they both chased down a loose ball.

Unfortunately Tony's "War Face" wasn't scary enough (and he needs to work on it).., as Dominic and company handed Coach's Corner their 3rd straight loss.

Johnny on the spot

John Mastrocola has had a case of the hot hands as he's scored 7-goals in his last 5-games.

Although they are almost mathematically eliminated from the playoffs.., Johnny is putting his talents on display for the 2019-2020 Draft and just like LeBron he may "Take my talents to Revere Beach and join a real contender."

Cappytain Material

Brian Capodilupo who's name has been floating around as a potential MISI League Captain this summer should Matty Iannello take the summer off.., scored his 4th goal of the season and his 2nd GWG last week.

Cappy is tied for second goals scored.., and together with Mike Surette (4-goals) are second in the league for team defenseman scoring with 8-goals.., just one goal behind Mixed Nuts leading 9-goals.

C-C-C

Hey Ray Dow.., you like contests and challenges.., you've won just about everyone (well except the Pink Stick Bag Challenge).., but here's an opportunity to motivate yourself and your team’s defense.

In reviewing Brian Capodilupo stats for the storyline above.., we noticed that Coach's Corner is the only team in the league without a goal by a defenseman.., let's see if we can break that winless and goalless streak at once with a Coach's Corner Challenge of a team win and defensive goal

Lost in Space

Black Hole is playing like a black hole as they look like they are lost in space for the past 3-weeks.

Their leading centerman Matt Farrell has been on IR with an undisclosed lower body injury.., key players are missing at key times.., and their leader is not leading by example as he will undoubtedly go "O-fer March"

The scouting reports are reporting that it only takes 3-goals to beat the defending champions as they've now lost (3-2, 3-2 in OT, and blanked 3-0)