Over 30 Hockey League

Week of January 9 (Game 1) – The hottest team in the Over-30 league, Jake-O-Lanterns, once again showcased that as a team they have turned the corner to be recognized as a contender, extending their winning streak to three games with a 5 – 3 win over Snow White.  Once again, Jake-O-Lanterns put on a relentless offensive goal scoring barrage while throwing 45 shots on net (the most shots generated so far this season).  For the third game in a row, Jake-O-Lanterns second line was their most dominant line (it has to be the coaching influence here).

In a dominant first period, Jake-O-Lanterns scored first as just over a minute into the game Nick Doherty stayed hot, extending his goal scoring streak to three games, set up by Matty Iannello.  If not for the solid play of goalie Scott Rosato in net stopping 16 shots, Snow White could have trailed by even more.

The second period saw Snow White push back and gain momentum to take the lead.  A minute and five seconds in, Matt Farrell was sent in by John Kelleher and Ray Nickerson to toast the goalie on a great move.  Twenty seconds later, Nick Romano was set up by John Mastrocola and Pedro Fontes giving Snow White the lead.  Five minutes later Todd Bryson tied it with a key huge goal, set up by Steve Silveira and Gino Tammaro.  On an ensuing power play with eighteen seconds left in the period, Gino, setting up in the right face-off circle, one-timed a sweet cross-rink pass from Todd from Steve Medeiros to retake the lead.  Scott continued to do his part in stopping thirteen out of fifteen shots faced, to keep this close.  For two periods, Scott was the best player in this game.

In the third period, just over three minutes in, Angelo Deluca took a pass from Todd and used his speed (?) to break between both defensemen and finish off a Kato-like move.  Two minutes later, Pic scored set up by Nick and Steve Medeiros to add an insurance goal.  With a minute and a half to play and short-handed, John Kelleher scored from the right point, but it was too little too late.  For Snow White, they continue in free fall, stuck in a four game losing streak.

Week of January 9 (Game 2) – Relentless.  Focused.  Running.  Attacking.  These were just some of the words to describe the dominating clinic that Olive Pits put on Drama Queens, as they completely and convincingly routed them by a 6 – 1 score.  In doing so, they put an end to Drama Queens three game winning streak, handing them their first regulation loss of the season.  Message delivered Olive Pits.  Welcome back to Earth Drama Queens!

In the first period, right from the opening faceoff, Olive Pits attacked and back-checked even harder, never letting up the entire game.  Just over three minutes in, Dave Costa kicked off the scoring with an unassisted goal.  Five minutes later saw Mike Luise score unassisted as Olive Pits kept up the fore-checking pressure on the Drama Queens defensemen.

The second period saw Olive Pits extend their lead four minutes in on a power play as Elder Lopes was set up by the passing of Dave Costa and Mike to score on a perfectly placed shot.  With just over a minute left in the second period, big Mike Surette scored his third goal in two games, set up by Manny Nunes and Ray Dow, as his shot was initially saved by the goalie only to get lost and fall in behind him.

1st Star

Elder Lopes

3rd Star

Dave Costa

Jacket Night

It was Championship Jacket Night for the 2x defending championships Olive Pits.

Though he’s on a temporary sabbatical… Ed Nigro was in the house to grab his league leading 16^th Championship Jacket… we couldn’t help notice that Ed was singing to himself as he walked up to get his jacket. 

The jackets were well received but not without a little controversy. 

By the looks of the colors on the jackets.., it appears that the championship apparel committee who was supposed to buy “Black-White-Green” to commemorate the Olive Pits back-to-back championships.., instead bought “Black-White-Gold??” pullovers.

We suspect that’s because they were either probably bought on sale before the finals.., or they were anticipating that the Drama Queens would emerge victorious.

So Drama Queens… if you want a sneak peek to see what your championship pullovers will look like (on you?)… Walk up to any Olive Pits player and ask to try one on.

Spelling Error

Apparently there was a spelling error on Dave Costa’s sleeve…, they spelled “Dave” on his sleeve instead of his Portuguese nickname “Franchise”

Turnstile

Too bad there weren’t any fans in the stands to witness Matt Farrell turn John Picard into a human turnstile last week.

Matt had Pic spinning 270-degrees as the youngster turned the master “inside out” before ripping a shot on Jake Deehan.., and we really can’t blame Jake on the goal as he too was equally impressed by what happened to his MVP Candidate.

Not His Fault

We know Scotty Rosato has been struggling these past few weeks but last week’s loss wasn’t on him.

Scotty was “locked in” early making big save, after big save.., but when your opponent puts 45-shots on you.., some are bound to go in.

Snow White has plenty of offense.., but they need to shift to a team defense first with the loss of their #1 defenseman Jason Carrien.

Remember; Snow White is just 2-seasons removed from their 4-3 OT loss during the 2019 Winter Season.  The framework is there, the offense is there.., until Jason returns the focus needs to be on limiting the shots on Scotty and playing team defense first.

Goons

What do Colleen O’Connell and Gary Goodwin have in common.., aside from playing defense for Snow White?

Last week they both played the role of a “goon” by burying the most innocent of players.

First Colleen takes Jake-O-Lanterns chief hustler George Medeiros out at the top of the offensive zone.., then Gary Goodwin almost decapitated George with a cross check as he was going to the net.

Why don’t you guys pick on someone your own size… (oh wait) Colleen and Gerorge are the same size… then Gary why don’t you try cross checking Mike Surette this week.

You know why you won’t… because this is what happens when you’re “Messin with Sasquatch”.

CHOP suey

Our favorite league superhero Angelo “Kato” Deluca was enjoying a nice plate of “CHOP suey” courtesy of Gary Goodwin last week.

“Kato” had to endure and fend off several “Chops” on the way to scoring his 6th goal of the season to tie him for the team lead in goals scored.

Like all of “Kato’s” favorite Asian dishes.., he prefers his prepared with “No MSG” .., and that missing ingredient has carried over to the team as there is finally “No More Sulking & Glooming” … especially when you’re winning!

Quiet Exit

Last week Gary Goodin’s frustration got the best of him after watching Nick Doherty send a pass down low to a wide open Jon Picard (who was hiding behind the net) and jumped out to receive an easy pass.., for an even easier goal.

Gary’s breaking point came as he fired his stick into the corner resulting in a Game Misconduct penalty with included an immediate ejection from the game.

Luckily for Gary… he left the rink without any additional antics.., as the Referees (who typically see nothing).., observed his quiet and embarrassed exit.  The Referee’s typically meet with league officials to discuss any additional fines or suspensions, and luckily for Gary there was none.  However, his Game Misconduct penalty goes on his permanent record for future reference.

Sliding PSA

Jake-O-Lanterns defenseman Steve Medeiros showed us both “Good Slides” and “Bad Slides” last week during his game against Snow White.

The “Good Slide” came on the heels on Matt Farrell who was aggressively attacking his goaltender Jake Deehan on a breakaway and Steve laid himself out on a sliding defensive move to save his team from an almost guaranteed goal from Matt.

The “Bad Slide” was another tripping call… which is why we are highlighting Steve’s second offense this season.  “If” you leave your feet (aka slide) and the opposing player falls over you (or you cause him to trip)… it’s an automatic penalty.  So sliders beware!

New Odds

The league Psychic’s issued their season predictions (see Article 438) for the 2021 Déjà flu Season.  Two of them picked Jamie Kehoe as their MVD and the 3^rd picked Rob Valley.

Odds makers at Encore just announced another candidate’s odds in the race.

Not only is Elder apparently deadly on the point… he’s logging major minutes with his Portuguese defense partner and also a former MVD Dave Costa.  Coming off of his (2) Power play goals (and an assist) performance… Encore has Elder Lopes listed at 6:1 odds of winning the 2021 Déjà flu Season Most Valuable Defenseman Award.

Outscored

Looks like the Olive Pits are trying to reinvent themselves after a disappointing start this season and so far after one week the change may just be what the team needed to spark the offense.

Last week Olive Pits dismantled the top dogs (Drama Queens) and their “Best Goalie” Candidate Jake Brum by switching up the offensive lines and using aggressive line changes throughout the game. 

Last week’s 6-1 victory has Olive Pits outscoring the league’s leading Goalie 9-1 in the last 5+ periods of play, going back Week #4’s 3-2 win in overtime.

Jake’s GAA took a massive hit going from 1.80 to 2.50… showing the rest of the league is not a machine.

No Good Deed…

My mother would always say.., “No Good Deed Goes Unpunished”

Last week the statement couldn’t have been any truer for Drama Queens winger Shawn Wyatt

During pre-game warmups Olive Pits centerman Mike Luise broke his stick during a shot.  Unfortunately for Mike (who’s a righty) is on a team of lefty’s and he forgot to bring a backup stick (who does that?).  Definitely not his teammate Mauro Colucciello who brings like (3 or 4) sticks depending on his opponent.

So Mike reached across the isle to his opponent to inquire about the use of a lefty stick.  

Genuine Good Guy and Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale Connoisseur Shawn Wyatt offered his extra stick to Mike… which was “The Good Deed”

“The Unpunished” part was Mike using the stick to not only score the GWG.., but set up Elder Lopes’ (2) power play goals off of masterful draws.  Had Drama Queens Captain Jamie Kehoe known how much of an impact Shawn’s stick would play in the win… he’d probably tell Mike to go downstairs and spend $15 bucks on a Matty Iannello “custom curve” plastic Mylec stick.

Olive Pits Assistant Captain Dave Costa submitted the proper paperwork to nominate “Shawn Wyatt’s Stick” for the “Player of the Week”.., but the voters denied his request and award Mike Luise with the Five Guys Award.., so it looks like Mike owes Shawn a Cheeseburger… and Shawn will in turn bring the Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale… (Another Win/Win)