Week of November 9 (Game 1) – In a back and forth game with plenty of momentum swings played by two evenly matched teams, Olive Pits erased a two goal deficit in the third period, then won the game very quickly in overtime to defeat Shockwave by a 5 – 4 score. The point kept Shockwave in first place overall, while with the win, Olive Pits moved into second place alone.
In the first period, Olive Pits scored first and carried the play early as Pat Pirone finished out front, converting the rebound of a Dave Costa shot just over two minutes into the period.
The second period belonged to Shockwave as they were led by the sudden re-appearance of the previously hibernating and MIA Tony Medeiros. Tony finally stepped up to take some pressure off his captain and real Portuguese Power Dominic Defrancisco by being the man for one game. Three minutes in, Tony was set up by Dominic on the wing tying this game up. Five minutes later saw John Carey jump into the offense on a set up by Dominic giving his team the lead. Only a minute later, the offensive outburst continued for Shockwave as Tony scored again, set up by John and Dom.
Needing something early in the third period to change the momentum, Olive Pits got it as they went on the power play and Mauro Colucciello unleashed a rocket, set up by Jim Barber out front only thirty seconds into the period. Carrying the momentum, less than a minute later, Rick Cassano was set up by Mike Luise to make this a tie game. As each team generated some prime scoring chances, it was Olive Pits Mauro who scored with two and a half minutes to play, set up on the right wing by Mike and Elder Lopes. Unfazed by this comeback, just over a minute later saw Tony finish off his hat trick, set up by Mark Stickney re-tying this game and sending it to overtime.
Everyone expected this game to end up in a tie. Olive Pits had other ideas as only nine seconds into overtime, Mike re-directed Mauro’s shot right off the faceoff from the right side past the goalie, capping off a big comeback win.
Week of November 9 (Game 2) – Heading into this game, coming off a big win last week, could Jake-O-Lanterns keep the momentum going and put together a winning streak to get back into the playoff race. The disappointing blowout loss answered that question with a resounding NO as Snow White controlled the entire game, easily winning 7 – 2 in a rout. This reporter is now questioning the heart and mindset of the entire Jake-O-Lanterns teams as it appeared that the entire team “quit” early in the second period and showed no desire to compete (why show up to play then?).
The first period saw an early surge by Jake-O-Lanterns but this was countered by John Mastrocola taking advantage of a defensive turnover five minutes in, set up by Ray Nickerson and Matt Farrell. The goal that seemed to send Jake-O-Lanterns on a downward spiral came with just over two minutes to play in the period as Matt’s wrist shot from out near the blue line center of the rink went past the goalie who never reacted.
The second period was more of the same for Snow White as they kept up the fore-checking pressure. Forty seven seconds in, Matt was set up in the high slot by Nick Romano. Six minutes later saw Jason Carrien score set up by Matt and Ray. Essentially, this game was over!
The third period saw five goals scored as first just under three minutes in, Gino Tammaro got behind the defense off the passing of Steve Medeiros and Angelo Deluca giving Jake-O-Lanterns their first goal. A minute later however, Snow White answered back as John scored again set up by Ray and Matt. This was followed two minutes later by John again finishing off his hat trick unassisted. Capping off the scoring for Snow White had Matt finish his hat trick, set up by Ray and John Kelleher. With just over a minute to play, Todd Bryson was set up by George Medeiros accounting for the final score. The lingering question for Jake-O-Lanterns is did the entire team quit and give up? You have to ask them!
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