Over 30 Hockey League

Week of September 28 (Game 1) – With their team playing with no subs to start the game, Olive Pits still managed to control the play early on and never let up in defeating Jake-O-Lanterns by a 2 – 1 score.  With the win, Olive Pits moved into a 1^st place tie in the standings while Jake-O-Lanterns have lost their third game in a row to start the new season.

As the game got underway, Olive Pits had no players on the bench, but the five players they had to start the game controlled the play and generated multiple scoring chances early.  What was noticed early was the lack of effort in running or even moving by the Jake-O-Lantern forwards.  This lack of movement and failure to make simple plays came back to impact Jake-O-Lanterns as Ron Aquino converted a rebound at the five minute mark of the first period, set up by Pat Pirone and Dave Costa.  What didn’t help Jake-O-Lanterns was their failure to score right out front on some prime scoring chances, as they either missed the net or goalie Dave Giusti came up big with the save.

In the second period two minutes in, on a power play, Olive Pits extended their lead as Dave Parquette gathered in the bounce off the back boards for an easy goal into the open net, set up by Ed Nigro and Rick Cassano.  Reeling, Jake-O-Lantern managed to bounce right back only fifty seconds later as George Medeiros hustled his way to the front of the net converting the rebound of a shot by Cappy.  However, Olive Pits controlled this period with some prime scoring chances, and Jake-O-Lantern goalie Jake Deehan was single-handedly keeping his team in this game by denying any more goals.

In the third period, Olive Pits controlled the play till the halfway point when Jake-O-Lanterns finally found their legs and game.  However, the same issue that happened in the first period of either missing the net in close or the goalie stopping them recurred again.  Late in the game on a two minute penalty, Jake-O-Lanterns had their opportunities but Dave was there to stone them or the defense prevented any shots from getting through.

Week of September 28 (Game 2) – In a well-played game by both teams, Drama Queens staged a late game comeback then scored in overtime to hand Snow White a 3 – 2 loss and end their two game winning streak in the process.

After a scoreless first period that saw Snow White dominate play, what was apparent was that both goalies Jeff Deharo and Scott Rosato came to play and were matching saves.  In the second period, Snow White finally broke through as Jason Carrien (who was all over the rink making plays all game long) was set up by Matt Farrell for the game’s first goal scored seven minutes into the period.  Just over a minute later, Joe Carlton was set up by Tim Hickey to bury his 4^th goal of the season.  Looks like Joe worked on his scoring prowess during his hiatus from the Over-30 league.

Two minutes into the third period saw John Kelleher stay red hot, scoring his fourth goal in his last three games played on an individual effort.  Thirty seconds later, Drama Queens answered right back on one of those “fluky” goals that was scored accidentally.  Umberto Biancardi was standing to the left of the net watching the play when Shawn Miville’s shot pass somehow got through two players to find Papa’s stick.  Surprised seeing the ball on his stick, Papa never shot the ball but just reacted to redirect the shot into the net past the surprised goalie.  Papa may tell you that he planned this all along and it was a sniper’s shot, but this observer saw it and knows better.

1st Star

Tim Hickey

Jacket Night

It was Championship Jacket Night or as we say “Ed Nigro Night” as last week players from the 2019 Spring Season received their championship pullovers.

For Tony Bono his 13th jacket puts him just one behind the leader Ed Nigro (14).., and the always quiet Bono is quietly making a push to rename it “Tony Bono Night” once he passes Ed on the leader board.

We’re #1?

Recently crowned Mixed Nuts teammates Ron Aquino, Dave Parquette, Co-Season MVD Jamie Kehoeand Co-Season MVD & Playoff MVP Dave Costa celebrate their last victory together with their new fashionable championship pullover.

Instead of saying “Cheeeese” they were asked if they wanted the old style plastic championship hoodies instead.., I’m pretty sure they were signaling “We’re #1 “ or maybe answering with a resounding “No!”

Punxsutawney Bill

Looks like it’s going to be an early season for the Jake-O-Lanterns.., as last week we saw “Punxsutawney Bill” make his first appearance of the season.., and after seeing his shadow coming off the bench.., it looks like an early winter with no playoffs for the Jake-O-Lanterns.

Senior Penalties 

Was Groupon offering discount coupons on penalties last week or was it “Buy One Get One Free” with you Senior Citizens AARP Card?

Olive Pits Senior Defenseman Ed Nigro kissed his Lady Bing nomination goodbye with an unprecedented 2-Penalties in one game.., meanwhile the “Not Real #5” Bill Abcunas did what he does best when filling in for a team.., he draws a stupid penalty in which the ensuing power play goal ends up becoming the game winner.

Kudos

Kudos to head referee Jon Picard and #2 ref Ric Aylwin who are not afraid to recognize stupidity and put their Boss in the penalty box (not once, but twice).  That must have been awkward having the penalized League Director hand you both checks after the game for doing an excellent job!

Oh and Ric.., your only family outside of the rink so don’t feel bad when your cleaning up the game inside the rink.  Your Boss wants his refs to control the game (and that includes him).  

Hopefully it won’t make for an awkward Aylwin/Abcunas Family Thanksgiving in 7-weeks.., but until then keep up the good work!!

Vaping Ban Effects?

With the state of Massachusetts banning Vaping for 4-months.., we are seeing the effects of the ban within our league.

Resident Over-30 Vaper; Shawn Miville has only 1-goal and 1-assist and 2-Penalties  in his last 2-games.., and was seen doing his best Charlie Brown “Uuuuuggghhhhh” impression to “exhale” his frustration as he is careful not violate the Leagues Zero Tolerance Policy.

Miv this could what Govern Charlie Baker wants for you.., put down the vape pipe and pick up on the scoring.

Cursed?

Ok.., let’s float this idea out there for the Jake-O-Lanterns.., could they possibly be cursed?

Let us submit the following arguments for you to debate;

• They start the season with an 8-2 loss
• Their Defenseman Dan Hill abruptly retires
• Their (replacement) Defenseman Joe Shannon comes out of retirement and then abruptly retires (again)
• Their (replacement-replacement) Defenseman Bill Abcunas draws a penalty that cost them the game
• Their Captain “The Great One” Matty Iannello has zero points
• George Medeiros gets 3-stitches during Game 3
• Lastly.., they are 0-3

Mind you; this is all without former jinx and cursed player Gary Goodwin on the team.  

Leaked Motivational Text

Our inside mole within the Jake-O-Lanterns camp forwarded us a copy of Captain Matty Iannello’s weekly pre-game text speech to try and motivate his team before this Saturday’s tilt against Snow White;

(Leaked text) ~Anonymous 

Let's play it smart out there. I wanna see a lot of work from you guys.., Use your heads out there, will ya? 

We all know how to play hockey.., Just play it smart. 

We need this win. We've a lot of losses.., That's what we're here for, guys. To win. 

Play heads-up out there. Let's be smart. Man-for-man we're better than any club if we try. 

Georgie.., Our line starts...

That “motivational text” sounded eerily familiar.., so we researched it through Google and found out that Matty plagiarized the whole damn speech from this movie scene;

No More Joe

It was good to see Joe Shannon make an attempt to return to the Over-30 League

But that return was short lived as the All-Time Goals Leader who was once plagued by hip pain.., has now replaced hip pain with knee pain.

We asked Joe why he returned to try and play.., Joe said; “Matty Iannello is within striking distance (just 12-goals away) from my All-Time Leading 507-Goals”.   

First; we complimented Joe on a remarkable feat of achieving 507-goals.., (but) then asked so why are you retiring again?  

Joe explained that his knees are now bothering him and that he feels confident with Matty’s current team woes that “The Great One” won’t pass his 507-Goals until the Winter 2020 season and by then he’ll have new knees to defend his title.   

So remember it’s not just Trump 2020 but also Joe 2020 

Double Loser

Sorry Todd Bryson.., you’re last week’s “Double Loser of the Week”

First Todd leaves Bruins preseason game early to make his “6:00 Game” at Hockeytown.., only to learn it was a “5:00 Game”.  

So he leaves a game in which Jake DeBrusk and David Pastrňák post a hat trick each.., only to drive 30-minutes through traffic just to watch his team lose.

To end on a positive note for Todd.., the championship pullovers look awesome (again)

Salting the Wound

As if it doesn’t hurt enough already for Jake-O-Lanterns Captain Matty Iannello to be pitching 3-Shutout games in a row.., but now Umberto “Papa Smurf” Biancardi officially has more goals than Matty.., when he “buried”(and we use that term loosely) buried a pass from Shawn Miville. 

New 3rd Star

Thankfully Dominic DeFranciscohad the BYE week off.., so someone new could win the 3rd Star of the week.

Congrats Dave Parquette you broke Dom’s streak of 3-straight weeks of lazy voting by the 3-Stars Committee.

Important Points

It’s not whether you win or lose.., it’s important to get a point. 

Dan Broderick will tell you “Points are important in this league as 0-0-12 will get you into the playoffs”.., so even if you lose in OT as both Olive Pits and more recently Snow White just did.., don’t get made, be glad you took a point because those points become very important come December.

Portuguese Hat trick 

George Medeiros had a tough game last week.., as he managed to record the first ever “Portuguese Hat trick” with an “Elbow to the head”.., Followed by “a rebound goal”.., and then “3-Stitches” courtesy of fellow Portagee Dave Costa.

It was a tough week for George.., but through it all he never lost the will to keep hustling and trying to win.., a subliminal message the rest of Jake-O-Lanterns should take note of... George NEVER quits (ever) whether it’s on a play (or the game).  George paid for 30-minutes and he’s going to play for 30-minutes.

Redemption 

Just a few minutes earlier in the 3rd Period “Drama Queen of the Week” Tim Hickey had a chance to end the game.., but thanks to his fumbling and bumbling in front of Scotty Rosato he was unable to bury a golden opportunity.

However; if “Revenge” is a dish best served cold.., then “Redemption” is best served with Deano's Pasta from Deano's Pasta Factory in Somerville (if you need fresh Italian Pasta ask Hickey and his Uncle Deano)..., sorry where were we?