Over 30 Hockey League

Article 456 - November 13, 2021

Game Results and Player(s) of the Week

Week of November 6 (Game 3) – Going into this game missing their top scorer on offense, the consensus was Top Secret had no chance of winning this game.  Someone forgot to tell the players who were there as they played hard but came up just short, losing to Omerta, in a defensive game, losing 2 – 1.

Omerta won their third game in a row, making a push to capture one of the top seeds in the standings, while Top Secret is struggling, losing their last three games mainly due to a lack of bodies at their games.  All season long, this has been the key issue hampering Top Secret, as we have never seen them consistently play with a full roster.

After a scoreless first period, Nick Romano made the heads up play of the game. Positioning himself inside the defenseman covering him at the side of the crease, Nick took a step out to receive the pass from his team mates, and with the defenseman all over him causing Nick to fall down, he chipped a sniper’s shot top corner past the surprised goalie while lying on the rink.  It was a momentum changing play by a veteran player.

Extending the lead in the second period saw George Medeiros get set up out front by Manny Nunes (who assisted on both goals).

With the clock ticking down and a shutout looking more and more a reality, Jamie Kehoe scored with fifty-eight seconds to play as his slapshot from inside his defensive zone that eludes the goalie.  All goalie Dave Giusti needed to do was come out of his crease, cut down the angle and stop the desperation shot by Jamie.

That mental time out cost Dave that shutout as the shot caught Dave not set, hit his pads, and as Dave was contorting while sitting on his backside, the ball rolled through the 5-hole and into the net.

Week of November 6 (Game 3) – In a back-and-forth game between two teams, ReUnited overcame giving up the lead three times in this game, to shock Loose Cannons early in overtime for their biggest win of the season, winning the game 5 – 4.  For ReUnited, it was a statement game as they were missing three of their better players, but saw solid efforts from all their players and key secondary scoring by the role players.

Big Mike Surette got things rolling for ReUnited, scoring the game’s opening goal in the first period with a minute to play, on a bomb from the point. 

Loose Cannons upped their game in the second period with a solid all-around effort, scoring three times to take the lead.  Early into the period saw Pat Pirone score in front.  Just over a minute later saw Rich Pelletier score putting ReUnited back in front.  Two minutes later saw Dave Parquette put his team in front with the first of his two goals, followed up by Dave scoring again three minutes later.

In the third period, ReUnited flipped the script on their opponent by upping their game to score two goals, retaking the lead.  Niko Vramis was in the right place at the right time to re-tie this game halfway through the period.  A minute and a half later saw the hustle of Derek Power pay off with a huge goal.  However, Loose Cannons came storming back tying this game as John Kelleher scored (his 7^th goal scored in his last four games).

Matty Iannello puts the dagger in the heart early in OT for the game winner, scoring only thirty seconds in, set up by Niko.  For Matty, it was his ninth multi-point game in eleven games.

Still Got It?
One week he was dropping a ceremonial faceoff.., the next week he’s coming out of retirement and facing the Gold Miners.  Jim “Ozzie” Osgood who still looked good enough to play was somehow convinced to fill-in for old-times’ sake.

Jimmy thought he’d be filling in for the statistically worst goalie and the last place team to ease himself back into playing.  Nope, Jimmy was thrown right into the deep end and filling in for the #1 Goalie Jake Deehan and the 1^st place team Loose Cannons.

When asked how he felt after the game… Jimmy said “it was easy getting down for the saves.., but the getting back up part took a little time.”

Although Jimmy got the 3-3 tie.., the funny thing about “Ozzie” filling in was that he managed to get the League Director Bill Abcunas to be his personal action photographer.., just in case this was his last unretirement game.

Commencement Address
This weeks’ honored guest was the natural born leader that we know as Rob Sheridan. 

With Mike Duggan MIA for ReUnited.., rumors were flying quickly that Matty Iannello was crying and getting another #1 draft pick to help them get out of the basement.., but the rumors were quickly quelled once everyone saw that Rob was just there to drop a 30^th Anniversary ceremonial ball.

Rob was not only was on hand to drop the Week #11 Ceremonial ball.., but he one up’d the previous guests by delivering the first ever commencement speech.

Although Rob only played 10-seasons, he ranks 57^th All-time and wanted everyone to know the most important stat of his 5-year stint in the league… Rob was 4-for-4 (100%) in championships.

Fun fact: Rob should have been the one to break “The Curse” for Dave Hill.., but Dave quit and walked out during overtime in the playoffs and forfeited his potential championship (which ended up happening) without him.

Short Side Help
Last Call beat the Gold Miners 4-2 last week with the help of a goalie’s best friend (the posts).  Sandra Glista has the short side post to thank for that win.., otherwise it’s a 4-4 tie as the Gold Miners forwards rang the doorbell twice on Sandra.

Last Call rumor update: From a very reliable source, we hear that Sandra is definitely filling that #35 dress for the rest of this season and into next.., and no Sandra you still cannot cut the sleeves or hem that dress.

Inflation
With the supply and demand crisis currently facing the US consumer as hundreds of container ships filled with goods from China anchored off the US shores waiting for lazy Americans to get back to work.., so we assure you this is no time to be breaking Vulcan hockey sticks (as they come from China… and are on back order until further notice).

Last week Dominic DeFrancisco’s frustration got the best of him.., as not only one, but two Vulcan sticks meet their demise at the hands of Dom.

The other thing to consider when smashing $200 worth sticks is the cost rising of inflation.  Those $200 sticks indirectly cost Dominic $250 in Joe Biden’s new inflation economy.., which is the worst in 30-years.

So Dominic instead of smashing sticks.., try a simple cheer to help out with your frustrations… “Let’s Go Brandon!!”

That cheer also works on referees too.

New Warning
On the topic of frustration and stick smashing., the league is issuing a new warning to the players who can’t control their frustrations.  If the League Director witnesses an outburst worthy of a game misconduct or even a game suspension (regardless) if the referee’s call it (or not).., disciplinary actions will be taken against said player(s).

Players safety is first and foremost.., followed by keeping the games moving.., but even more importantly is if a player smashes his stick against the glass (and it breaks) it can jeopardize the following games and the player will be personally (and financially) responsible for their actions.  So remember “Let’s Go Brandon!!”

Goalie Shutouts
Every goalie in the league now has a shutout including the fill-in goalies., (oh wait) Sean Roach doesn’t have one yet?

Hey Top Secret what are you guys waiting for? Help Sean out and get him into the shutout club.  Forget the wins and losses (everyone makes the playoffs).., even ReUnited helped Scotty Rosato get a shutout and they’re in last place.

Shutout Killer
Top Secret Captain Jamie Kehoe played the role of “Shutout Killer” by scoring from his own zone on Omertà goaltender Dave Giusti with just 58-seconds left and preventing Dave from posting what would have been a league leading 2^nd shutout.  But that not going to happen on Jamie’s watch.., not before his goalie (Sean) gets his first.

This is not the first time we’ve seen Dave give up a long shot and a weird-ass goal.., we all recall the Luigi DeRenzes “back spin” goal.., and this time Dave is claiming a “tipped” ball threw him off balance.  We think the Referee’s should check his water bottle as Dave might be a GUI suspect... (Goaling Under the Influence)

Whaaat?
Speaking of Jamie Kehoe when he is not ruining a shutout with 58-seconds left.., you can find him friendly firing his own teammate Johnny Mastrocola in the ear (not once) but two weeks in a row.

Logo Swag
The season of “wow” continues as ReUnited joined the Gold Miners with their own matching team shorts.., they are officially 2-1-1 in their shorts and warming up for the playoffs.

(and) If you get a chance.., ask Jake Deehan to see his new helmet logos courtesy of Todd Bryson.  Jake had the Loose Cannons logo added to his helmet.., and it seems to be paying dividends as Jake continues to be the league leading goalie.

For other looking teams looking to join the trend of matching logo paraphernalia see Todd.

Bermuda Triangle
We witnessed one the greatest passing plays in Over-30 League during Top Secret vs Omertà.

Last week the always pesky and speedy George Medeiros got caught up in the Bermuda Triangle of passing perfection.

George was trapped chasing the ball as Joe Shannon started a passing triangle between himself, defensive partner Jamie Kehoe and Doug Sedille.

George looked like a cat chasing a laser beam as all three of them sent the ball around three times between themselves with George endlessly chasing it.

500th
Like waiting for Matty Iannello to score his 508th goal.., we had to wait weeks for the Hall of Fame Inductee and living legend Dan Broderick to score his 500th career assist.

Despite Dan’s use of the Mylec Airflow stick.., Mylec is not being called and a commemorative stick is not in the works.., Dan also used his beloved Canadian sticks for many of those points.., whereas Matty would never use a stick where he couldn’t bend the blade to his precise curve.

2^nd 1/3 Recap
Two thirds of the season is in the books and now the focus becomes playoff matchups

ReUnited has definitely heated up as they have now gone 3-1-1 with (2) overtime wins in their last 5-games.., and last week they beat the top team (Loose Cannons) in overtime as Matty Iannello scores the GWG just 30-seconds into OT.