Over 30 Hockey League

Week of January 11 (Game 1) – Two games in does not make a season, but, compared to last season, it looks like Jake-O-Lanterns is the real deal!  It’s early but it looks like everyone has bought in on this team.  We just need to see if goalie Jake Deehan will be showing up on a regular basis.  In a two minute span in the second period, Jake-O-Lanterns came from behind scoring three straight goals to extend the lead and then held on to defeat Drama Queens by a 6 – 3 score.

In a back and forth first period it was Drama Queens who scored first only thirty seconds in as Tim Hickey broke through the defense after Shawn Miville intercepted a defensive turnover.  Four minutes later, Jake-O-Lanterns tied it as George Medeiros converted a rebound out front off the shots of Carlos Machado and Matty Iannello.

In the second period, we saw four goals scored as Cooch took a pass from Umberto Biancardi three and a half minutes in to give Drama Queens the lead.  The next three goals belonged to Jake-O-Lanterns who took control of this game.  Twenty seconds later saw Gino Tammaro get set up on the wing by Angelo Deluca and Naz.  Off the ensuing faceoff only six seconds later, Angelo was set up by Gino.  Two minutes later, Matty was set up by the passing of Cappy and George to give their team a commanding two goal lead. Knockout punch delivered!

Three minutes into the start of the third period saw Papa get set up by Cooch and Joe Carlton making this a one goal game.  The game stayed this way in a wide open offensive period by both teams until Drama Queens pulled the goalie.  With a minute to play in the game, Nick Doherty gave up a shot into an open net to set up Gino.  Only nineteen seconds later, in a game that was already decided, Gino was set in on a breakaway by Cappy, to score the season’s first “punk move” goal.  Congrats Gino on your hat trick and making the “punk move” list!

How do we know that Jake-O-Lanterns are for real?  It took them seven games to record two wins last season and Drama Queens was their nemesis, beating them three times while outscoring them by an 18-6 goal differential.

Week of January 11 (Game 2) – Usually it is the defending champions who can suffer from a championship hangover.  After their first game, it looks like Snow White who is suffering from the hangover.  Scoring three straight goals in a minute and a half during the second period saw Shockwave soundly defeat and shutout Snow White by a 5 – 0 score.

After a scoreless first period that saw Snow White carry the play taking advantage of Shockwave’s captain and inspirational leader Dominic Defrancisco going down with an upper body injury and not return, it was other players on Shockwave who stepped up in the second period.  Their contributions enabled Shockwave to take control of this game in a span of a minute and thirty seconds as they scored three straight goals and never looked back.  Two and a half minutes into the period, Paul Correia was set up on the wing for a goal by the passing of Mark Stickney and John Carey.  Thirty seconds later, rookie Mike Roberto stayed hot, scoring his second straight goal this season, after going scoreless all last season; set up by John.  Fifty seconds later saw Dominic come back and do what he does best and score a momentum changing goal, set up by Niko Vramis.  Knockout punch delivered!

Not letting up the momentum, Shockwave put this game away early with back-to-back goals in the third period.  First, two minutes into the period on a power play, John scored off a bomb from the point, set up by Paul and Mark.  Only thirty seconds later and Snow White on the ropes, Paul put this game out of reach, scoring his second goal of the game, set up by Mark and John. All that was left was to see if goalie Sean Roach would secure his shutout, which he did.  It was perhaps one of the easiest shutouts Sean has earned in a game as he faced very little pressure throughout the game.

1st Star

John Carey

2nd Star

Gino Tammaro

AARP Award

When your turn 50 you get to look forward to two things.., a colonoscopy and your AARP membership card in the mail.

Now the Over-30 League is giving our senior players something else to look forward to each week with the new Over-50 players (only) weekly award.., with the new “Almost Approaching Retirement Player” of the week.

This small recognition is a two-fold award. One part is the recognition that you’re still competing at a recognizable level of play.., and the second part is you’re probably scared of retirement and social security income.., so we are awarding a $5 Scratch Ticket to the Over-50 weekly player with the hopes of adding to his retirement income. This could be your Over-30 League pension if you’re lucky enough like recently eligible defenseman Matty Iannello.

This single vote caster shall remain totally anonymous so as to not be bribed, threatened, coerced, or intimidated into voting for a particular player.., as we don’t want any collusion or potential meddling by the Russians.

Most of all.., these young “Whippersnappers” can’t win the award.., even if you 49-years and 364-days old.., you’re too old and you can’t win. You have to be 50!

I wish.., (*Poof*)

First it was lonely little George Medeiros just shooting a ball into an empty net when lil’ Georgie asked; “Mommy I wish I had a brother to play goalie and try to stop my shots”.., (*Poof*) along come Dave Medeiros to fill the pipes and challenge George.., but he was unable to stop George from scoring.

Still bored scoring at will.., lil’ Georgie asked; “Mommy I wish I had a brother to play defense against me to try and stop me from scoring on Dave”.., (*Poof*) along come Steve Medeiros to try and breakup George’s stick handling moves.., but he too was unable to stop lil’ Georgie.

Then as the Medeiros’ got older they prayed to the hockey gods.., “Dear Hockey Gods.., we wish we could win Back-to-Back Over-30 Championships and jackets”.., (*Poof*) along came Jim Barber who exclaimed; “There’s a third brother.., what size are you?”

Brother vs Brother

No we are not talking about the Colucciello’s.., that debate is over with Mauro proving he is the more talented and relevant brother.  John and his “blind behind the back passing” and no recent championship since the Winter-2006 Season (Over a decade and 3-Presidents ago) is slowly tarnishing the Colucciello name.

We’re talking about Medeiros vs Medeiros that was on display last week. 

One again; George Medeiros showed middle brother Dave Medeiros why he is still unstoppable.  Lil’ George scored the first goal for the Jake-O-Lanterns showing the rest of his team how to score on his younger brother.  Even their youngest Steve Medeiros tried jumping up and joining a few rushes to unsuccessfully try to bury one on Dave.

MISI Fleece

The new “Matty Iannello Summer Invitational” aka the MISI League jackets are in and the reviews are pretty positive.

Players were surprised that they didn’t have to actually win a championship to don a new fleece.., however the catch is that only a select few earned the additional “Champions” that was embroidered on theirs.

The only negative comment was about the hockey stick logo.., we were left wondering if the MISI League was a street hockey or field hockey league based on the awkward looking blade.

Trash Day

Looks like Bill Abcunas had a senior moment and almost mistook Jon Picard’s MISI Trash bags of MISI Jackets for the actual trash.

Rats

Never mind what Aerosmith was singing about and trying to warn Bostonians with their song “Rats in the cellar”.., I think Boston has a bigger concern with the size of the “Rats in the Subway”

Hair Styles

Remember back in the day when Jim Barber had long hair down to his ass? Aspiring to be a rock star.., his long hair had purpose and meaning.

Now it’s 2020 and can anyone tell me what purpose and meaning does Nick Doherty’s “Man-Bun” serves?  It’s certainly not helping on his breakaways.

New Punk Move

Congratulations Gino Tammaro you one-upped the “Punk Move” and created a whole new category.

It’s ok to score an empty net goal.., however the “Punk Move” is the term reserved for a player who willfully buries an empty net goal (with seconds left to play) on a game that is already decided.

Already up 4-3.., Jake-O-Lanterns winger Nick Doherty who is already a card carrying member of “The Punk Move Posey”.., saw an opportunity with 59-seconds left to bury an empty net goal (but) then thought better if it and passed it over to Gino to do the honors.

However Gino upped the ante and scored another empty net goal just 19-seconds later for his Hattrick and created what we are now calling the “Greedy Guido”

The “Greedy Guido” is when you score (2) empty net goals on an already decided game. 

Congratulations Gino you’re the first member and Club President.

Our team is, What?

The Jake-O-Lanterns look like the real deal this season with their 2-0 start.

With Matty Iannello playing Defense.., Nick Doherty wearing a “Man-Bun” and Gino Tammaro one upping the “Punk Move” to a “Greedy Guido”.., it can only mean one thing;

Do-Gooder

Captain Matty Iannello had a gameplan for last week’s tilt against Drama Queens and that plan was 7-Forwards and 4-Defenseman.

It was a good plan until his Assistant Mike Naczas deviated from that plan and wanted to have “a heart” and let Carlos Machado take a shift of defense.

That “Do-Gooder” Naz and his little insubordination stunt cost the Jake-O-Lanterns a goal, because as soon as Carlos took the floor the Drama Queens scored on him.

When you miss the playoffs because you only had 3-wins.., Matty doesn’t want you playing with “a heart”.., he wants you playing with “a brain” 

So remember that Naz.., Matty doesn’t want “Tin Men” with “hearts”.., he wants “Scarecrows” with “brains”.

Concussion Protocol

Though we don’t have actual video footage.., but based on the stoppage in play and Dominic DeFrancisco’s final resting position on the floor.., we theorized it was something like this when he hit Shawn Wyatt;

Dominic was woozy getting to the bench and went straight into the blue tent for concussion protocol… to check for his cohesiveness’ Dom was asked a series of questions;

What’s your name?  (Ummm) Dominic

What are the first 7-digits of Pi?  (Ahhh) 3.141592 (impressive)

Who’s the real Portuguese Power?  (Ohhh) Me!

With all the correct answers and no vomiting.., Dom was told to take the rest of the period off before returning to the 5-0 shutout beating of Snow White

Quick Two

Nobody likes the “Plus/Minus” stat more than our own Assistant League Director Mike Naczas. The question is why does he like it so much?

The answer is quite simple: it’s the only measurable number with some significant meaning when you are unable to post Goals and Assists.

2-weeks ago Naz’ made a bold prediction that he would finish +12 on the season.

Last week he got (2)+’s in just 6-seconds.., while counterpart Jason Carrien got (2)-‘s in 30-seconds (twice) before finishing -5?? to start the season.

Sure Jason Carrien might win the “Big Boy” awards like MVP and MVP.., but Mike Naczas still got a weekly star before him and is +3 after games.

Numbers Bet

There’s always side bets brewing throughout the season and last week another juicy one arose.

Matty Iannello and Ray Dow have wagered that (if) Matty wins the MVD (the only award not in his collection).., Ray has to wear #77 next season and Matty will don the #5 to become the “Real #5”

If Matty doesn’t win.., then Ray gets an all you can eat buffet with “The Great One” at Encore using Matty’s comp dollars.., and Matty has to show Ray which machine he uses as his own personal ATM.