Article 449 - March 27, 2021
Game Results and Player(s) of the Week
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Week of March 20 (Game 1) – Needing a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, Snow White was in this game halfway through until they got blitzed by the quick-strike offense of Jake-O-Lanterns, especially Nick Doherty, giving up three goals in a span of one minute and twenty-one seconds, to finally get eliminated from any playoff opportunity by Jake-O-Lanterns by a 5 – 2 score.
In the first period, the speed of Jake-O-Lanterns was clearly evident from the start as they pressured the defense of Snow White. To counter that, Matt Farrell was trying his best to gain control of the ball and counter-attack, but the ball was not cooperating and rolling off his stick. Three and a half minutes in saw Angelo Deluca benefit from some pretty passing between Gino Tammaro and George Medeiros to score the game’s first goal.
This game was quickly decided and over in the second period as Jake-O-Lanterns put on an offensive goal scoring blitz in a span of just under two minutes. With just over five minutes to play in the period, it was George taking a pass from Gino to up the lead. On an ensuing power play a minute later,Matty Iannello added to the lead off the passing of Nick and Steve Silveira. Just over thirty seconds later, Nick took a pass from Matty and the rout was on.
Down by four goals and knowing their season was on the brink, Snow White made a strong push responding back. A minute and a half into the third period,Matt was set up by Ray Nickerson and Pedro Fontes. A minute and nineteen seconds later, John Kelleher was set up by Gary Goodwin giving Snow White some hope. Snow White keep the pressure up and had a few prime scoring opportunities and a hit post, but goalie Jake Deehan was there to make the save until Nick put this game away with an empty net goal with thirty seconds to play. Now, Nick gets to wait on his bye week to see if his lead in the scorer’s race holds up to win his first-ever scoring title.
Week of March 20 (Game 2) – With a full roster entering this game, odds would have favored Olive Pits winning their game against Drama Queens and sweeping the season series. Instead, with five players out and unavailable, Drama Queens built up a commanding three goal lead and held on to defeat Olive Pits by a 5 – 3 score. The win extended Drama Queens winning streak to two games, while extending Olive Pits losing streak to four games.
Even though they only generated four shots on net in the first period, Olive Pits made them count as Mike Luise scored the game’s first goal set up by Jim Barber with just under three minutes left in the period.
Similar to what happened in the earlier game, Drama Queens generated an offensive blitz of goals especially late in the period to take command of this game. Just over two minutes into the period saw Manny Nunes get set up byJoe Carlton. Five minutes later saw Ray Dow one-time a pass from Manny to increase the lead. A minute and a half later, Manny took a flip pass from Don Maccini and buried his second goal. As time was running out in the period,Manny completed his hat trick, taking a feed from Tim Hickey and Tony Bonowith seven seconds left in the period. It didn’t help Olive Pits only generating a total of 7 SHOTS over two periods!
Eerily similar to how the third period played on in the previous game, Olive Pits woke up and made a game of it. Two minutes into the period saw Elder Lopesscore an unassisted goal from the point. This was followed a minute and a half later when Mike scored an unassisted goal, making this a one goal game. With the pressure on goalie Jake Brum stood tall, making some key saves out front. With time running out, Don took a pass from Mike Surette and pulled up at the blue line to score into the open net with thirteen seconds to play in the game.
With his 3-goal, 1-assist individual effort, Manny now sits only two points behindNick Doherty with one last game to see if he can move up the scoring leader board and overtake Nick for that scoring title. The same applies to goalie JakeBrum playing in one more game to overtake Jake Deehan in that goalie average category.
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1st Star
Donny Maccini
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| 3rd Star
Nick Doherty
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Death Bed
We’ve acquired security footage from Shady Acres Nursing Home.., where an aging Snow White was spending her final moments with Brian Capodilupo playing checkers and discussing her playoff wishes.
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Time of Death
At 4:29 in the 2nd period Matty Iannello pronounced Snow White’s Playoff Death with a top corner wrist shot on Scotty Rosato. Apparently Matty has no problem scoring weekly now that his quest to the best is over.
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Last Golden Ticket
Ironically at the same time 4:29 in the 2nd somewhere in Stoneham.., Shockwave Captain Dominic DeFrancisco was buying a chocolate bar and accidentally learned of his playoff fate:
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Run Dominic Run.., and don’t stop for anyone. You “earned” it and we use that word “earned” loosely.., just don’t get hurt on the way home to tell the team;
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Guest Referee
Another suspended player took his turn wearing the league issued black & white prison stripes to get a different view of the game (from the referees perspective).
Rick Cassano has a new appreciation for our league officials as he followed Tony Medeiros in the “Ref of Shame” as both players spent their suspension weeks refereeing with the League Director.
You can say that players having to fill-in as a Referee could be considered “trending” as the league is serious about reversing player(s) roles as part of the suspension mandate.
Referees Revenge
“Referees Revenge” is similar to “Montezuma‘s Revenge” but without the diarrhea
Mike Naczas and Ric Aylwin used their “paid time off” to turn the tables on last week’s guest referees.
Both Ricky Cassano and Bill Abcunas were out of position for most of their time on the floor and Ricky had zero clues on where to be during the entire time.
The “Boooooo’s” rained down on the “Scab Referees” from the actual Referees at “Scoreboards Pub”
Cries of “Get in position” and “Get lower” could be heard as both clueless Referees stood just 10-feet on either side of the off sides line.
Mea Culpa Mea Culpa
Before the game Ricky Cassano went on his apology tour.., and both referees understand Rick’s emotions got the best of him.
However; the real takeaway from this is another player having to serve his suspension (as a referee) is that Ricky now has a new found appreciation of what it’s like trying to watch..,10-moving players.., tracking a ball that’s all over the dek.., making sure your paying attention to goals, assists, penalties, off sides… all while not accidentally hitting the button on the electronic whistle.
All of a sudden.., the “I didn’t see it” excuse now makes more sense to him.., because according to Ricky “There’s is a lot going on”.
Tale of Two Hippies
“To Bun or Not to Bun”.., that is the question.
Nick Doherty and Jim Barber are now in competition for the longest hair in the league.
18-years ago it wouldn’t even have been a question as Jim’s hair was down to his waist for most of the 90’s.
We asked Jim about Nick’s “Man Bun” and he said; “In my day we wore long hair, bangle bracelets and eyeliner.., and not some gay “Man Bun”.
There’s just one question left: Which player will be “hair” for the finals on April 10th?
Scoring Race
The Leading Scorer race just got interesting. Last week Nick Doherty bested his Captain Matty Iannello to stay on top and finished his season with 27-points.., but with Nick enjoying the last BYE of the season (before playoffs) can his lead hold on?
Manny Nunes who hasn’t played in the Over-30 League since 2006 is on the verge of making a comeback statement after his15-year absence.
Manny is 2-points behind Nick with 25-points and more importantly (a game to go).
For players like former leaders Dave Parquette (-5) and Ray Dow (-7) points behind Manny.., they will have to wait until next year to try again.
All eyes are on Manny.., as his fellow amigos cheer him on this week.
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Side Effects
We’re not sure which COVID-19 vaccine Ed Nigro received before returning to action.., but one of the side effects hampers his ability to leap off the bench.
Just 2-games into his return, the elder statesmen almost checked himself into hospice for the playoffs.
Perhaps during his long hiatus Ed forgot how high the boards actually are… because during a line change Ed went ass over tea kettle falling onto the dek.
After the game his teammates encouraged the 3rd oldest player in the league to use the door from now on and they offered him preferential senior seating at the end of the bench (next to the door).
Good Grief
It never gets old seeing the classic Charlie Brown field goal kick.
Last week Tim Hickey pulled the same (Lucy) move on Jim Barber as he was winding up for a slapshot. Timmy yanked the ball away leaving Captain “Have some fun” with a giant embarrassing swing and miss.
Rumor has it… if Hickey does that again.., there will be retribution.
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Bom Mau
Manny Nunes doesn’t know what it’s like not to play in the Over-30 finals. In 6-seasons, Manny went to the finals all (6) times but with only a 50% winning percentage... which is "Bom Mau"
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Regular Season |
Playoffs |
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| Team |
Goals |
Assists |
Points |
GWG |
Goals |
Assists |
Points |
GWG |
Finals |
| Hillman Morning Show |
8 |
7 |
15 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
W |
| Hillman Morning Show |
6 |
5 |
11 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
W |
| Runnin' Blues |
5 |
4 |
9 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
L |
| Runnin' Blues |
6 |
7 |
13 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
6 |
0 |
L |
| My Brother's Keeper |
15 |
12 |
27 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
0 |
W |
| My Brother's Keeper |
5 |
19 |
24 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
0 |
L |
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If we look at Manny’s winning pattern… W-W-L-L-W-L-(?).., and if you believe in patterns Manny is on par for another “W”
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Perfect
Dave Parquette is another player who doesn’t know what it’s like to not play in the finals… but the big difference between him and Manny… Dave’s winning percentage is 100% when he gets to the big show.
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Regular Season |
Playoffs |
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| Team |
Goals |
Assists |
Points |
GWG |
Goals |
Assists |
Points |
GWG |
Finals |
| Mixed Nuts |
5 |
7 |
12 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
0 |
W |
| Olive Pits |
4 |
3 |
7 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
W |
| Olive Pits |
5 |
9 |
14 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
W |
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Expiration Date
The jar of Olives in the Over-30 refrigerator has an expiration date of 4-3-21.., as the 2x Champs are playing some of their worst hockey down the stretch.
Last week, the season long supremacy over Drama Queens came to an end with only (6) eligible players for Olive Pits showing up for the loss.
The “Pits” have one game to figure out their post season as the quest to become the first ever “Team Three-pete” is looking like a longshot prop bet at Encore.
New Jinx
Typically the playoff jinx is.., The team that wins the most season awards doesn’t win in the finals.
But this season we introduced a potential fresh new jinx. For the first time (ever) the leagues official photographer Mike Naczas decided it was a good idea to take a “1st Place” photo with Drama Queens to recognize the team that turned it all around after last season’s chemotherapy.
Is the outcome (a blurry team picture) a prelude into their post season?
Stay tuned…
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The 2021 Déjà flu Season is coming to an end.., this is when the PUTA Forum goes dark for the playoffs (and the season).
We want to thank everyone for their cooperation during the re-starts, the gathering restrictions and the COVID-19 protocols.., to say the least, (this season and last) have been the most challenging.
We had several players opt-out of the 2021 Déjà flu Season.., Captains had to deal with team impacting injuries and stints on the COVID-19 list throughout the season.., but we made it to the last week (and into the playoffs) without another shutdown.
We want to thank Snow White’s Pedro Fontes, Tony Fosco, and John Howland for stepping-in to fill-in… Rich Pelletier and Dave Wilson helped energize Shockwave.., Jake Brum and Manny Nunes are just what the Doctor ordered after Drama Queens Chemotherapy treatment.., and it was nice to get a look at Garvin Chan along with Tim “Tito” Burke to see what they can bring to the draft board.
This was a season when the Over-30 League laid down the law about player conduct and referee interactions to address the growing complaining.
As we end the 2021 Déjà flu Season we want you to be excited (as much as we are) for the 30th Anniversary Season as it will be a season to remember. The numbers are trending up for a potential 6th team.., but we can’t stress enough about the upcoming commitments (on your part) to make that happen.
To the Drama Queens, Jake-O-Lanterns, Olive Pits, and Shockwave… good luck in the playoffs.., tune in next week for Sinjin's Playoff Predictions.
To all the Over-30 players.., enjoy the spring, have a safe summer and we’ll see you bitches in the fall (September 11th) to be exact.
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