Over 30 Hockey League

Week of February 27 (Game 1) – Coming into this game, Drama Queens was 3-0 against Jake-O-Lanterns in head-to-head matchups.  If ever there was a game that mattered to Jake-O-Lanterns, this was it.  In a game that featured a big shift in momentum by each team, appropriately Jake-O-Lanterns and Drama Queens settled for a 4 – 4 overtime tie.

Determined to send a message in the first period, Jake-O-Lanterns did that and more in jumping out to a two-goal lead and controlling the game, mainly due to the speed and finish of Nick Doherty.  Just under five minutes into the period, Nick was sent in on a breakaway by Pic and Matty Iannello, as Nick blew right past the defensemen.  A minute and a half later, there was a similar repeat by Nick who scored on a partial breakaway, off the passing of Matty and Cappy.

Thirty-eight seconds into period two, Jake-O-Lanterns extended the lead and, in the process, Matty made Over-30 league history, becoming the all-time career leader in goals, assists and points when he scored his career 508^th goal, set up by Nick.  Little did Jake-O-Lanterns know that from this point on, the game changed and momentum swung over to Drama Queens.  Four minutes later saw Cooch get set up by Tim Hickey to get Drama Queens back in this game.  From this point on, Jake-O-Lanterns stopping running and started chasing, while Drama Queens kept attacking.

The third period featured a total of four goals scored, three of which belonged to Drama Queens, as they simply dominated play in the period.  A minute and a half in, Tony Bono heads up play set up Shawn Wyatt out front to score his first goal of the season.  With just over three minutes left, fill-in Garvin Chan put back a rebound of shots by Don Maccini and Manny Nunes tying this game.  Surprisingly, it was here that Jake-O-Lanterns woke up and started running again.  The move paid off as Steve Silveira broke out off the passing of Nick and Matty, came off the right point and scored his first goal of the season with two and a half minutes to play.  With less than a minute to play and a faceoff deep in the Jake-O-Lantern end, Cooch beat Matty clean right back to Ray Dow who’s slapshot from the left point beat a partially screened goalie short-side tying the game.  In overtime, both team generated chances but the goalies came up big preserving the tie.  Jake-O-Lanterns, with the tie, clinched a playoff spot.

Week of February 27 (Game 2) – Coming into this game, it was billed as the crucial game between both Shockwave and Snow White, as the final playoff spot hung in the balance.  If Snow White won, they would move back to only a point behind in the standings; whereas if Shockwave won, they would increase their lead to five points with each team having only three games to play.  Snow White would still be alive but realistically hanging on to life support.

All the scoring took place in the first period, as Shockwave had their running attacking game going applying constant pressure on the defense of Snow White.  Seven minutes into the period saw Rich Pelletier remain hot as he was sent down the left wing by Dominic Defrancisco and Dave Wilson to score the game’s first goal.  For Rich, it was his fourth goal scored in his last three games.  Two minutes later, an unforced turnover by the defense of Snow White led to a gift pass to John Carey, who’s shot beat the goalie cleanly.

In the second period, Snow White played desperate hockey, kept attacking and had their running legs going as they outshot Shockwave by a 14-7 differential.  Goalie Sean Roach was on his A-game, stopping some key scoring attempts preserving the lead for his team.  A scoreless third period preserved the shutout for Sean (his first of the season). 

1st Star

Nick Doherty

3rd Star

Chris Ducharme

Breaking News

The real breaking news is it’s over.., it’s finally over and there is no film at 11:00.

Finally after 4-weeks trying Matty Iannello finally scored his 508^th goal to solidify his immortality as the “Greatest Over-30 Player” in the leagues 29-year history.

However it didn’t come without a little controversy and questions about whether Nick Doherty’s shot and Jake Brum’s save/deflection had already crossed the plane and was actually Nick’s goal for his natural hattrick... thus making Matty’s mid-air tip for 508 not the record breaking goal.

After further review Toronto has ruled that the ball “broke the plane”… but did not “cross the plane” in its entirety and Matty did tap it in for a good goal.., but for the record it was going in without Matty’s assistance anyway.

League Officials concurred as they just want to move on from the weekly hype and follow up disappointment that surrounded his quest for 508.

League Recognition

“It is a testament to Matty Iannello’s character, longevity, talent and love for this game that he has become the Over-30 League’s All-Time Career Leading Scorer.  His accomplishment further distinguishes him as one of the top players to ever play in this league.  Congratulations to “The Great One”.”  

~Bill Abcunas (League Director)

508 Prize Pack

Along with Matty Iannello’s 508^th Goal.., Mylec President Rick Laperriere was following his quest to lead the league using nothing but a traditional Mylec airflow blade stick. 

Rick (on behalf of Mylec) acknowledged Matty’s accomplishment with a commemorative stick straight from the Mylec factory in Winchendon.

Along with Matty’s “508” ball and Mylec commemorative stick the league also gave “The Great One” a symbolic $50.80 slots ticket to Encore.., which he may (or may not) turn it into another one of his Jackpot hits.

So on behalf of the Over-30 League, Mylec and Encore… Congratulations Matty Iannello on your achievement to become the “All-Time” Leading Scorer in Points, Assists and now Goals.

Motivational Speech

Did interim Captain Jon Picard hire Pinocchio to give Nick Doherty a motivational speech before last week’s bout against Drama Queens?

Last week Nick realized his “potential” by not only becoming part history, he also factored in all of his teams scoring.., but more impressively he even scored on two breakaways.

After two dismal seasons.., We’d be “lying” if we said that the Jake-O-Lanterns aren’t championship contenders.., but the real question is; Does Jake Deehan have “potential” come playoff time?

Karma

It was Instant Karma... as it took a few months, but it was still Karma.

Sorry Nick Doherty.., officially you’re on the scoring sheet as for the lone assist on the historic Matty Iannello’s 508th goal.., but you did get screwed out of a natural hattrick in the progress.

We just find it fitting that you stole one of Matty’s goals earlier in the season and he returns the favor by stealing one of yours.

Orange You Glad?

Hey Matty Iannello..,

Knock, knock!!

(Matty) Whose there?

Orange?

(Matty) Orange who?

Orange you glad… you stole Nick Doherty’s natural hattrick goal for your 508^th?

Now you can play without the constant pressure and just focus on being a prick. 

Unbeaten

Dave Giusti holds the distinction of being the only goalie in the league to face the Drama Queens with (2) different teams and still remains unbeaten against the top dogs.

Filling in for Jake Deehan.., Dave should have been 4-0 against the Drama Queens but instead he’s 3-0-1 after watching the Jake-O-Lanterns’ flame fizzle out in the 3rd.

We asked Dave about losing the win and settling for the tie and he said;

“If Matty doesn’t lose the draw cleanly to John Colucciello.., then Ray Dow’s top corner bomb with less than a minute left doesn’t happen.., and I just want to go on record stating I’m glad I wasn’t the goalie who gave up #508”

Shelved

Its Official #73 Jason Carrien turned in his gun and badge over the weekend.  Jason’s lower body injury prevented him from making any type of triumphant return (again)

Jason turning in his jersey on the eve of Snow White loss to Shockwave is just the symbolic icing on the cake to their pending doomed season outcome.

Rest up Jason and we’ll see you in the fall.

Lower Body Injury

The league has a strict policy of never disclosing a player’s injury.

Last week BIG Mike Surette was seen limping around the dek pre-game and also appeared on the weekly IR Report with a “lower body injury”.

Another 1st

Chalk up another first for the Over-30 League.., and this one is facility related.

In the 29-years of the leagues history we have never dealt with happened last week.

Thanks to Hockeytown and their infamous shoddy roof leaks.., we had to deal with leaky conditions and water hazards on the dek.

For the first time (ever) this reporter witnessed the “Splitting of the 3rd period and swapping ends” .., so that both teams had equally time on offense and defense navigating the wet spots.

The only problem was for Snow White’s game when they made the call to pull Scotty Rosato from the net.., he had to run an extra 6-feet in goalie equipment to his bench.., that was in the other zone.

Coughed it up

Someone better tell John Howland he needs to get a Covid-19 Rapid Test.., because last week he tested positive for “coughing up the ball” from behind his own net.

John tried to send an outlet pass from behind his own net.., but instead put it right on the blade of Shockwaves John Carey who was standing right out front of the goal.

It happened so fast.., that we didn’t comprehend what happened at first.

John Howland was behind the net with the ball (a supposed safe spot for a defenseman).., and then 2-seconds later John Carey is celebrating a goal.

Just remember Howland.., these are only practice games for you at this point to help get you ready for the mother of all seasons.., you have all summer to train and increase your draft ranking for the 2021-2022 “30^th Anniversary” Season Spectacular.

Life Support

Someone better get Snow White a food tester.., because the next apple they bite into just might be the poisonous one.

Although they are not mathematically eliminated.., any Shockwave win (or Snow White loss) will result in their final sleep with no Prince Charming to wake them for the playoffs.

Mandatory Suspension

Tony Mederios will be on the outside looking in after last week’s exchange with league referees.

Last week with 1:49 left to play in the 3rd and Shockwave up 2-0.., an inadvertent whistle was blown. These new handheld whistles suck and the referees hate them as much as the players do.

The inadvertent whistle caused a stoppage of play which results in a faceoff at the center.., but for reasons unknown Tony wanted to argue the point with 1:49 left on the clock and (without an “A”) he was rung up for a 1-minute misconduct.., but additional arguing lead to a 5-minute game misconduct.., and here comes the part every player needs to understand.

On the game sheet you will notice an additional penalty “Verbal Abuse of Officials”

To All Players; Any time that penalty is added to a game sheet.., it’s an automatic (minimum) 1-game suspension and depending on the severity it could be more (up to and including) ejection from the league.

We get it.., Referee’s make mistakes.., it happens and you know who else makes mistakes? … You!!

The difference is when “You” make a mistake.., the Referee is not screaming at you “How the F#@K did you miss that shot”.., or “that passed sucked.., and you suck”

Do you like going to work and then get yelled at while you’re doing your job?

These guys don’t need the aggravation and they certainly aren’t doing it for the minimal pay that accompanies it.., they are here for us (because like you), they are former players who enjoy the camaraderie and friendships that are most often are decades old.

So if everyone could just remember the great words of Sargent Hulka…