Over 30 Hockey League

Doubled Up (Part 2)

Here we go again... the holiday cram games in (Part 2). 

Aside from the Goombah's who are taking no prisoners this season and running away with a potential 1st place finish.., the rest of the league are all within 2-points of moving up or down in the standings.

This 4-point swing weekend should shake up the standings this week as we have some key matchups on tap.

The once "Hot" Captain's Mutiny moved to "Luke Warm" after an 8-1 blowout.., and they are facing the #1 team on Sunday.  They better win Saturday - or they might go home 0-2 after Sunday’s matchup!

The Justice League has lost 4-straight games.., and ironically Ed Nigro (who was supposed to be retired this season) has filled-in for all four losses. Things that make you go... "Hmmmmm?"  ~ More on that later…

Will the Roadrunners continue their 2-game winning streak and emerge with a 4-game winning streak after Sunday?

Over Quickly

It wasn't even close.., and it was over quickly as the GWG scored by Gary Goodwin was scored just 49-seconds into the game.

We're talking about the 8-1 blowout that the Roadrunners threw on Captain's Mutiny.  Within the first 49 seconds of the game.., the flying birds had 2 goals off 3 shots and both goals were set up by rookie Doug Morand. 

Then you compound the early deficit with 3-more goals before the end of the 1st period was over.., it was a done deal and an end to Captain's Mutiny 2-game winning streak.

Running Time

Newly reinstated Captain Matty Iannello filed a petition with the league last week to allow running time to start as soon as the 5-goal deficit is achieved.  In his petition request he stated the following argument for consideration;  "If our forwards can't score for shit and our goalie can't stop shit.. (and we can't throw in the white towel).., then at least run the clock so we can all get home early to shower and try our luck at Encore." 

This would have meant that running time would have occurred at the start of the 2nd period.., and although the League Director likes the idea to keep the games moving.., there will be no change in the policy.  (Petition Denied - No Board Vote Required).

One Highlight

When you’re getting your ass kicked 8-0.., the only thing left for Captain's Mutiny was to ruin Steve Taddonio's bid for his 2nd shutout of the season at the halfway point.  Thankfully Elder Lopes gave them something to fist bump as he scored the lone "shutout breaking" goal at the 6:21 mark in the 3rd.

Bad Ass Rip

Apparently Elder Lopes was so jacked up about being the lone goal scorer and breaking a potential shutout that he called his wife on the way home to tell her about his achievements and to send the kids to their grandparents.., it was dress up and role playing night in the Lopes house.

If you’re going to be the lone bad ass to score for your team… might as well celebrate by dressing up as Rip from the Netflix hit series Yellowstone.

Replacing #1

Rookie Goaltender  Steve Taddonio is filling in "Defending Leading Goalie" and the "Defending Champion Goalie" with Jake Deehan.  So it's only fitting that Jake's replacement (replaces) Jake in the Goalie Leader Board.

Jake Deehan underwent off season surgery to replace his "Five-Hole".., and according to undisclosed reports could end up missing the entire season (and next) as Jake is expected to be ready for the Winter 2023 draft.  Apparently closing up the "Five-Hole" has a longer recovery time than expected. 

Needless to say.., Steve has filled in nicely and when we asked the Roadrunners Captain Dominic DeFrancisco for a comment on replacing a former #1 Goaltender with a current #1 Goaltender.., all he said was; "Dom #8 Large, Mike #91 Large, Gary #34 X-Large, Joe #5 Large.., etc"

DOH!

Speaking of goaltenders... how do we record Goalies scoring themselves?  We didn't see it but apparently after giving up 2-goals to make it a 2-2 game, Vulcan Grip Jeff Deharo scored on himself last week to give the Justice League a 3-2 lead late in the second period.

So if you’re on this list above… Just know a goalie has more goals than you this season.

Fair Warning

Welcome to The Forum Rookie Mike Cresta who earned his recognition by scoring his own version of a highlight goal from his knees while sliding towards the net.  Typically sliding and betting is frowned upon here at Bushwood.., so Mike we hate to see a player get rewarded for sliding, but in your case Congratulations on your 1st Career Over-30 Goal.., you are now tied with teammate Jeff Deharo with a goal each.

But as a reminder and tribute to Van Halen's greatest album ever "Fair Warning".., if you slide and take out another player in the process it’s an automatic tripping penalty.

Zero to Hero

In just a blink of an eye... with a 2-2 tie and under 1:30 to play in the 3rd.., Sergio Costa went from “Zero” to “Hero” when he whiffed on a beautiful pass to win the game.  Somehow after fumbling and falling on his ass.., Sergio channeled his inner "Portuguese Force" that told him to not quit on the play (like he's done so many times in the past) and this time his effort paid off as his second attempt (to bury the first attempt) paid off for him and he scored the GWG with just 1:21 to play.

So what is the take away Serg? 

Never quit on a play.., and never stop playing to bitch about a play... Just play and good things will happen.  Like that time in 2018 when you were the Season MVP (remember that?)

Framed

Leave it to a Goombah to frame another Goombah to take the rap

Last week Tony Bono was sentenced to 1-minute in the big house for tripping.  With minimal complaining Tony not wanting to rat out a fellow teammate agreed to serve his sentence even though he committed no crime.

The often quiet and trusted confidant refused to rat out the real tripping bandit.., but instead opted to just give a clue of what he might look like using his newest family member to the Romano Crime Family...

Illegal Goal

We told you last edition that when you put a bunch of Italians together they’ll steal goals and assists.  Well last week Lee Nogler had a front row seat to another stolen goal.

During the opening minutes of the 2^nd period the ball hit the post in front of the Goombah’s bench and should have been blown dead.., (but stop me if you heard this before)… the Referees missed the call and play continued on despite Lee’s pleas from the bench.

As the play continued with the bitching going on in the background newly appointed forward Mike Delorey was the recipient of the ill-gotten goal with a quick slapshot that he buried.

One again… another example of “Play until the whistle”.., or in this case “No whistle”

Retirement?

Our most winningest championship player (ever) in the Over-30 League history is none other than Ed Nigro. 

Ed was slated to retire this season and as a tribute to him.., when Jason Glista was commissioned to create the new “Old Man” Over-30 logo we had him incorporate Ed’s #7 into the helmet. 

Going forward that’s the tentative plan to recognize and retire longevity and impactful players numbers in the future.  One day Ed’s #7 will be retired from the league and it will be sent to the Over-30 rafters… the only problem is Ed hasn’t retired.., the League Director keeps bringing him back to “fill-in”.

We found a picture on Ed’s Facebook page of a paid Over-30 Operative that was sent to Ed’s new startup business to beg him to fill-in for Justice League while Bob Synder was having “pronoun” surgery. 

The only problem with Ed returning is the league is getting a little younger and rougher as we saw the Senior Defenseman get a little roughed up by Pedro Fontes.

We asked Pedro about roughing up the All-time Championship Leader and his thoughts on Ed’s looming retirement and willingness to fill-in when asked by the League Director and Pedro’s comments to Ed where simple;