Over 30 Hockey League

We have a lot of catching up to do as for unforeseen circumstances we were unable to bring you last week’s forum.., which means this week is a longer “Double Edition”.

Questions?

Have you ever found yourself aggravated about going to hockey?  Do you find yourself bitching at your teammates?  Do you think all the officiating sucks?  Lastly.., are you just not having fun playing dek hockey?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions then you are going about your Saturday nights all wrong.

Hockey is not always about winning and being the best.., it’s about camaraderie and friendships.., it’s about coming together and competing as a team with players who are better than you (and/or not as good as you).

It’s about a having fun on a team with a goal of winning.., but having fun in the process.  This is a league with a lot of older people in who just want to stay competitive while keeping a piece of their youth alive.

Remember you are one of the lucky ones that still has the ability to the play.., it could be gone in an instant.., so make sure you’re having fun and enjoying competing with your teammates.., you never know when it will end (your choice, or not).

Jacket Night

The star of the week (2-weeks ago) was supposed to be the “one-off” 30th Anniversary varsity style championship letterman jacket (Collector’s edition) for Omertà.

Those jackets just might have come with a blessing or a curse.

Jon Picard who in the midst of a meaningless tantrum was looking at a multiple game suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct and making contact with a league referee.., before he abruptly gave his notice to the league.

We’re still waiting to see if losing a former Season MVP and Playoff MVP is a blessing or a curse to Omertà.

Will Captain Ray Dow have to put out a contract on Jon because he knows too much of the team and family business and their winning ways?

After we got past the confusion it was decided that John wanted to have the jacket redone and present to Jimmy Straticos’ Father in loving memory of “#9 Stratty” who we lost in 2021. 

John who is wearing #9 this season to honor his longtime friend and show him he can still win championships.

Home & Home Series

Reunited vs Omertà

Game 1: Reunited took full advantage of a new “Pic-less” team by doubling up on the wins in the home-and-home series vs Omertà.  Dave Giusti returned to the lineup and immediately looked like he was on a diet of “Swiss Cheese” during his rehab after letting up 3-goals in his first 5-minutes of his return.

Game 2: Dave Giusti figured out he was letting in too many goals to win and returned to his award winning style of goaltending but by then ReUnited was heating up and swept the series with a dramatic OT turnover by Ray Dow to Mike Duggan… who knew exactly what to do with the ball… give it to “The Great One” Matty Iannello in OT for the GWG.

Last Call vs Loose Cannons

Game 1: Tim “Tito” Burke was putting goals “on ice” and serving them up to goaltender Jake Brum.  “Tito” scored all (3) goals for his team’s 3-1 victory.., but the bigger story was Dave Costa going out early with a pulled hammy.

Game 2: Without a MVD like Dave Costa in the lineup.., it got ugly quick.  Loose Cannons spread the scoring around with Nick Doherty leading the way with 2-goals as Loose Cannons easily swept their home-and-home series

For those wondering.., That is Jake Brum back in net.., but he is coming off a long IR stint and not playing like the award winning goalie (yet) but once he figures out and gets a little more confidence back in comdination with Last Call’s offense.., do not write them off!!  Especially with Gino Tammaro still running around and lighting it up.

Top Secret vs Gold Miners

Game 1: Was a fun game to watch as newly invigorated Dominic “LeDom” DeFrancisco who’s back to more hustle and less stick breaking as he scored a pair of goals for his team.., but the real excitement was watching Jamie Kehoe score two late goals to earn his team a hard fought point in the standings.

Game 2: Wasn’t as fun for Top Secret as they scored just 1-goal for every 2-goals by the Gold Miners.  Dominic DeFrancisco has a new secret weapon (which is no secret).., it’s Lee Nogler who’s helping ignite the dynamite for the Gold Miners.

Side note:  Joe Shannon forget about catching Matty Iannello and his new scoring title.., just focus on the wins and another trip back to the finals.

Closing Time?

Once a promising team.., Last Call might want to get it over with and change their name to “Closing Time” which typically occurs about 30-minutes after “Last Call”.

Last Call has only 1-measly point (from an OT loss) in their last 5-games.

Dave Costa is proving once again that without him in the lineup.., the odds of winning go down dramatically (as was proven with last year’s Olive Pits team) without Dave in the lineup they failed to three-peat.  No Dave = No Win.

Our Veterans Day

Congratulations to the backbone of our league.., the veteran players who have committed and played 40 to 50+ seasons in the Over-30 League.

Sure they “were” in their 30’s when they started but now 20-25 years later and hundreds of games under their belt.., they are all in their 50’s and 60’s and still playing at a very competitive level.

These players return year in and year out to compete in one of the best-run invitational street hockey league in existence and we wanted to recognize them for their longevity and more importantly “their commitment” to the league and their hundreds teammates over the years.

So remember those infamous words at closing time.., “drink up.., you don’t have to go home.., but you can’t stay here”.

You now have only 5-games left to hook up with a drunken goalie and get an ugly goal (or a cheap point)… Good Luck!