Over 30 Hockey League

Week of February 22 (Game 1) – In an old fashioned shootout that had plenty of scoring and only token defense, Snow White, who was missing its top defenseman and both centers, pulled off a stunning upset in shocking Jake-O-Lanterns with a comeback 6 – 5 win in overtime.  If ever there was a chance for Jake-O-Lanterns to put an end to their 4-game losing streak, this was it.  However, a lack of leadership and game strategy with under thirty seconds to play proved costly.  For Snow White, this was the Nick Romano show, who stole the spotlight and was THE impact player this game!

At the start of this game, it was Snow White who scored first as Nick scored an unassisted goal just over two minutes in.  Unfazed, Jake-O-Lanterns answered back a minute and a half later as Angelo Deluca tied the game on a set up by Cappy.  Thirty seconds later, Angelo scored again, set up by Cappy and Gino Tammaro as Jake-O-Lanterns carried the play for most of the period.  It was the best game we have seen Angelo play since the league began back in September.

In a wild wide open second period, a total of five goals were scored.  A minute into the period saw John Kelleher score on a set up by John Mastrocola and Ray Nickerson.  Four minutes later had Sergio Costa scoring, set up by Cappy.  Less than a minute later, John Mastrocola scored set up by Nick and John Kelleher.  Snow White kept pressing after that and finally took the lead as Nick was set up by Ray and Luigi Derenzes with a minute and a half to play in the period.  With one second left on the clock, Carlos Machado scored out front from the passing of Angelo and Matty Iannello to re-tie this game.

Things settled down in the third period and six minutes in, Gino was sent to the races on a breakaway off the pass from Naz to give his team the lead.  Things wound down to the last twenty-eight seconds and the lack of game management took a sure win away from Jake-O-Lanterns.  Off the faceoff in deep, the ball went into the left corner and was shot around the boards.  With no winger on the boards, Shawn Mulcahy kept the ball in and found Ray who set up Nick in the right circle who beat the goalie with eighteen seconds to play, tying the game.

In overtime, the defensive positioning of Jake-O-Lanterns proved costly as Luigi jumped into the zone and found Nick open in the high slot for the game winner.  For Nick, it was his fourth goal of the game to go along with his one assist.       

Week of February 22 (Game 2) – In a game played between two teams surging in the standings, it was a goalie and defensive battle as each goalie matched the other save for save, until Drama Queens finally scored late in the game to pull out a close 2 – 1 win over Olive Pits.

In the first period it was Olive Pits who jumped out quickly and scored the game’s first goal as Dave Parquette found a seam down low to score an unassisted goal only thirty-three seconds into the game.  Undeterred, two minutes later, Umberto Biancardi found himself all alone in close, taking a pass from Tim Hickey and lifting his shot over the goalie top shelf, tying this game.  For Papa, he once again showed off those scorer’s hands leaving no doubt on his goal.

1st Star

Nick Romano

2nd Star

Shawn Miville

1-Point

We’re just passing the midway point of the season and 1-point (ONE) separates 3^rd place from last place (and getting bounced) from the playoffs.

This is when teams really need to start playing “playoff style” hockey… and when teams need to focus on playing a “team style” game (both on the dek and on the bench) and less of an “individual style”… and giving up on plays to argue with the officials.

Players need to show up early (ready to play) and teams need to compete for the full 30-minutes.  The race to April 18^th is on….

Something About..,

Is it me.., or is there “Something About Johnny?” and his pre-game warmup earbuds? It reminded us of;

Is Johnny Mastrocola is taking a page from the Dominic DeFransico book.., “Be a better leader by tuning out your teammates” which in Chapter 5 Dominic writes about wearing headphones so no one will disturb you and ask about line combinations or dumb team suggestions.

We’ll Johnny unlike Dominic.., you’re no leader. Oh wait you are a leader.., you’re leading all players in the scoring race with 10-points.

So then we asked a real points leader (except this season), someone who’s a team captain (on paper), and a 17-time scoring leader about your pre-game headphones.., and “Mr 500” himself; Matty Iannello just shook his head and said “Act like you been there before”

There you go Mr Mastrocola.., “Act like you been there before”.., and before you getting any crazy ideas about mimicking others..,

Keep in mind that pregame chalk stunt will be called a penalty for “Unsportsmanlike Conduct” and a 1-game suspension for “Douchbagedry”

Bad Dog

The dog didn’t eat his homework.., instead he put him out on IR.

Snow White Captain John Kelleher is dealing with the loss of his top defenseman and future “Pink Challenge Flunky” Jason Carrien who was noticeably absent last week as he was home recovering from concussion-like symptoms due in part by a bad dog.

The league is conducting its own investigation but according to Jason’s testimony; during a nighttime bathroom run for his dog Stella (she)somehow tripped up the lanky defenseman (much like Brian Kehoe did in the playoffs) causing him to leave his feet and smash his head on the patio. He laid there for several minutes before Jess heard him moaning in the yard took him inside to their blue tent for concussion protocol. I know that’s weird.., who has an injury tent in their apartment?

We are awaiting lab results to see if alcohol was a factor.., and as the Doctor’s asked “Jason.., Do you feel safe at home?”

Jay is currently listed as “Day-to-Day”.., and his challenge is current listed as “Failed”.

Not Moving

Don’t bother packing or calling the movers.., Matty Iannello is not moving back to center.

Despite his horrendous +/- and despite having 508-Goals on his radar.., he’s committed to playing defense and whatever happens (happens!)

What’s not going to happen is Matty’s bid at an MVD.., it’s not going to happen. The production is not there, the stats are not there and most importantly his leadership is not there.

“The Great 5-0” has a better chance of seeing the State of Massachusetts re-legalize dog racing, rebuild Wonderland and get his old job back pitching dogs into the aluminum starting blocks.., than winning an MVD.

He would have a better shot hitting a slot machine jackpot, then enjoying a complimentary buffet with his Encore comp dollars, and then hitting another jackpot right after lunch.., then come home and hit the Mass Cash drawing for $100k.., than winning an MVD trophy.

It’s just not going to happen!

Battle Royale

Sergio Costa is the latest player to fall victim to the Colleen O’Connell Battle Royale.., as last week we saw the two battle multiple times with Colleen coming out the victor.

Sure she looks like an easy mark and probably listens to Shania Twain’s “Man! I feel like a woman!”.., but “Woman! she can play defense like a man”.., in fact she plays defense better than a few men in the league.., and if you’re scared that if might be you (you probably right) but we’ll never name names.

So Colleen.., Congrats on your AARP $5 Scratch Ticket.., and Good Luck, $5 is the top prize scratched so far by Mark Stickney.

Dry Martini

Umberto Biancardi must like extra Olives in his dry martini.., because he sure knows how to chew up the Olives and spit out the pits.

Out of the last 3-meetings between the two teams “Papa Smurf” has a team leading 4-goals scored against the defending champs.

“Strzelać!!”

What’s the old saying Mike Naczas.., 100% of the shots you don’t take, won’t go in”

You say you wanna score.., but scoring will only occur if you either;

A) Take some shots at the goalie.

B) Park your ass in front of the goalie and pray you get hit and it deflects in.

C) Start bribing the Referees

Passing up a shot.., with at least five “Cooch Mississippi’s” before the defender was on you is not going to get the job done.

When the fans in the stands are yelling “Shoot”.., you get nervous and (understandably) pass it to a more highly skilled player.

Would you feel better if we yelled “Strzelać!!”

Mini 1-on-1

Dave Parquette what was your thought process trying a little 1-on-1 against one of the biggest threats in the game (Shawn Miville).

Captain(s) spend nights scheming up ways to take Shawn out of the equation and you figured you’d go 1-on-1 against him (in a tie game) with 3:30 minutes left to play.

We’d ask “How did that work out for you?” (but) we already know the answer.

Sorry Dave Giusti that’s not on you.., you’ve been playing some excellent goaltending as of late and there was nothing you could do.., because in a blink of an eye that shot was by you and that much covenanted point (for a tie) went up in smoke.

Battle Ready

Speaking of Shawn Miville.., you playing left wing or goalie?

Last week you were wearing the same amount of body protection as your goalie Jeff Deharo. Are you doing that just in case Jeff goes down (or walks off) and you need to fill the pipes quickly?

It’s technically an Over-30 League.., more so an Over-40/50 League with a few approaching and playing in an Over-60.., so the Battle Armor seems a little excessive.

If you really want to prevent yourself from getting injured.., then make sure all the Gatorade bottles on the bench have their caps screwed on tight (just in case of a bad call)