Over 30 Hockey League

It’s official…, mark your calendars for the following upcoming Over-30 League Spring Events.

Over-30 Golf Tournament

Date: Monday May 13^th 2024

Time: 8:30 Shotgun Start

Place: The Meadows in Peabody

Format: Scramble

Cost: $600 (per 4-person team)

Over-30 Jamboree

Date: Saturday & Sunday May 4^th & 5^th 2024

Time: TBD

Cost: TBD

Place: Hockeytown

Format: 6-Teams (4-on-4)

New for 2024: “Everyone makes the Sunday Playoffs”

4-games minimum guaranteed

We start this week with a couple of PSA’s and we want ALL the players to read and understand them before looking for some game highlights and cheap chuckles in the Forum.

This is a new series called…, PSA’s from the League Director.

PSA #1 (Game Times)

Games are supposed to start at 4:30 – 5:30 – 6:30 respectively.  League staff, referees and timers are ready to start these games on time.  For those players playing in the first game at 4:30…, we ask that you get to the rink 10-15 minutes before the game to get dressed, stretch out and take warmups. 

The first game needs to start at 4:30 without delay.  If we lose any time to delays in that first game, we struggle to make it up in the later games. This applies to all parties involved (Players, Referees, and the Timekeeper)

Once the buzzer sounds and the referee blows his whistle to start the game, players on both teams should be lined up and ready to go.  Still taking shots, not having your equipment bags on the benches or holding team strategy sessions at your bench will not be allowed.  If teams continue this trend, as Director, I will instruct the referees and timer to “Run the clock.”

So, Remember the following

Horn Buzzer (Warmups are over, we’re ready to go).

Referee Whistle (Line up, we’re dropping the ball).

• Failure to lineup quickly may result in the clock starting (without a reset).
• Continuous delays could result in the ball dropping (with or without both centerman and/or teams ready).

PSA #2 (Pre & Post Game)

Once your game is over (win or lose)…, Shake hands, grab your bag and…, most importanly; “GET OFF THE RINK!!!”

We have too many guys hanging around and shooting the shit with players coming and going…, we understand that the comradery is a big part of the league, but please do your bonding at either “Hecklers Row” or Scoreboards Pub & Grill.  The next game needs to start on time (or as close to it).  For players in games at 5:30 and 6:30, please refer to PSA #1 comments. 

PSA #3 (Questioning Calls)

This is starting to get a little out of hand (again).  It doesn’t matter if you’re a Rookie or a seasoned Veteran…, the same rule applies to both. 

The Over-30 League rule is;

If you don’t have a “C” or an “A”, you are NOT allowed to bring the game to a halt to question or debate calls with a Referee based on your point of view.  You certainly can talk and ask “simple” questions…, but you are not allowed to “debate” calls.  They are simply going to refer you to speak with your Captain(s).  

Only the team captain or assistant captain should be over with the referees and timer getting clarification on any calls made.  If you don't have a letter, don't get involved.

The Referees are being deputized to throw players into the penalty box for persistent and continuous debating, arguing, or questioning calls.  Most Referee’s will give “Fair Warning” (which also, is not required)…, so we suggest you listen for the signs and/or warnings that you are about to be rung up for an “Unsportsmanlike Conduct” penalty.  Again, think about keeping these games moving along.

Super Bowl Squares

Thanks to all those players who purchased Super Bowl squares from Tony Medeiros.  The season of giving back continues and we were glad to keep the winners in the Over-30 family.

Wrap-up & Payouts:

• Dave Giusti had another shutout “0-0” earning himself another Over-30 $250 payday.  Two shutouts have earned Dave $300 so far this season.
• Pat Pirone scored 3-goals in the second quarter to give his team the “3-0” lead and earned himself $250 for the hat trick.
• Pat Pirone (well like Pat Pirone) he goon’d it up in the third quarter with 3-penalties and 0-goals, his “3-0” penalty performance earned himself another $250 before being thrown out of the game.
• Lee Nogeler finally shows up for a game this season and plays like Wayne Gretzky “9-9” to take the top prize of $300.
• Mike Naczas has a “Get that shit outta here” moment after learning his “5-2” “final” payout will earn him the equivalent of what he has for goals this season at “$0”.

How about those earnings:  Two players played a combined total of (1) game so far this season and they both walked away with a combined total of $800 in salary cap money.

In fact, if you also factor in that Pat Pirone also won the FREE season of $320…, we’re beginning to wonder if the Italians for Royal Family put “the fix” in so that Pat is paid to stay away from the team…, or they had whacked him, and the league then has to pay the former “Codfather” John Liete his portion of the winnings (for the favor).

Big Losses

Looks like there was a weekend TikTok trend happening called “Loosing Big.”

Week #5 had (3) teams winning big…, (3) teams getting embarrassed…, and (3) goalies rubbing aloe on the back of their necks Sunday morning.

Black Magic dismantled White Lies 5-1, but thankfully Rich Pelletier scored the only goal to ruin a Scotty Rosato shutout.

Leo Trombley put the Tealsters Union on his back with Rob Sheridan’s 3-helpers to beat the Sandbaggers 5-2.  But Sandbaggers goaltender Dave Giusti doesn’t mind as he lined his pockets with cash last weekend.

Mike Duggan continued his “Assault & Battery” on teams not wearing Maroon by scoring 2-goals and 1-assist, as Marooned sent Royal Family to the basement with their 4-1 win.

Round 1 Quick Recap

Last week marked the end of “Round 1” for the Spring Season with the Tealsters Union finishing on the top of the heap instead of Black Magic by just a single overtime point.

Marooned is hovering where they should be…, but the Sandbaggers are playing more like “Ledbaggers” as their 2-game freefall has them just one point out of the basement.

White Lies (Chazz Reinhold) and Royal Family (John Beckwith) are in their normal spots..., living in their parent’s basement screaming for meatloaf;

The first third leaders are Mike Duggan (15-points) along with Angelo De Luca and Rob Sheridan both with (11-points).  Please join us as the official “30-goal” watch is on.

We hope Mike Surette (7-points) took our advice and saved a picture of himself on the top of the defensive leaderboard because he dropped to second after Brian “Cappy” Capodilupo (8-points) had a 3-assist game to end the first third of the season.

Young guns Dan Poirier Jr. (Forward) and Chris Torres (Defense) finished the first third just 1-point out from getting their pictures amongst their respective leaderboards.

Scotty Rosato resumed his normal spot…, on top of the goalie leader board, but Steve Taddonio is playing like the “Team Perfection” Taddonio… except for 2-weeks ago when he played like “Lackadaisical” Taddonio.

Fake News

We heard a rumor that Leo Trombley had a team meeting to address all the bad press Leo has been getting in the media lately.   Leo said that everything that his teammates read about him was “Fake News” and that he would prove his critics wrong.

Leo did just that last week…, finally showing his critics he can finish, and he did it convincingly with a hat trick.  Thankfully none of those goals were a “ENG” opportunity with the goalie pulled…, otherwise he might not have scored the hat trick.

Over-30 Spelling Bee

Your word is… “Gravy Train”

Definition and Origin please: (Noun Slang) A position in which a person or group receives excessive and unjustified money or advantages with little or no effort.

Use it in a sentence please:  “Mike Duggan is riding the Over-30 “Gravy Train” by scoring goals with little to no effort this season”.

As we stated in previous Forum Articles…, There is ZERO chance that Mike “Do-ggan” joins the 20/20 Club…, with (4) games played and only 2-assists, its almost mathematically impossible for him to do so.

However, during those same (4) games, Mike has more goals than your average Over-30 player scores in a single season.  For example, last season only (3) players had more than 13-goals for the entire season and one of them was named Mike Duggan.   The other two were Rob Sheridan (14) and Pedro Fontes (17).

The real debate is…, can Mike score 30-goals this season?

He currently has13-goals with 9-games left to play. That’s a 1.88 goals per game average to hit his (no pun intended) goal of 30-goals.

Can he join the only other (3) players in the league’s 32-year history to score 30-goals, Joe Shannon (35-goals x2), Doug Sedille (33)…, and researching through the Over-30 archives, we uncovered another 30+ goal scorer (and he too) is still playing in the league.  Any guesses?  

New Discovery

You never would have guessed it and our Over-30 Historians missed it…, but Mike Luise once had a 32-goal season (1995 Winter – Season 4) with Grumpy old Men. 

Mike had 32-goals and 15-assits for 37-points… still 18-points shy of the “All-Time Record” set just the season prior by Joe Shannon with 35-goals, 30-assists for 65-points (1995 Spring - Season 3) playing for Ray’s Whiners.

For the record:  Mike’s 37-point season was also his first (of 11) Over-30 Championship wins out of 13-trips to the finals.

Record Breaking

With Mike “Do-ggan” Duggan scoring at will lately…, and his eye on the prize of 30-goals.  Do you think Mike has a shot at the single season record of 35-goals set by Joe Shannon (twice)?

Note to Marooned and Mike:  You already have your “Team Ferrari”…, sorry I mean “Marooned” Championship Jackets for 2023 (technically 2024).  So, you’re really playing with house money, and you have three objectives this season.

1)    Play for another championship and win the correct color combination.

2)    Help Mike make Over-30 history by scoring 36-goals and break Joe’s record.

3)    Achieve both of the objectives above.

Mike is already in the history books with “Team Perfection” aka the Roadrunners…, can he become another footnote with Marooned and score 36-goals with your help?

Officially Unofficial

Welcome aboard Jose Silva and Mike O’Neil…, you are both “Officially Unofficial”

What does that mean exactly?

Jose Silva has been assigned as a “part-time permanent” substitute for White Lies.  Jose has been tasked with filling in for Rich Pellitier, who for “work and nookie” reasons is splitting his time 50/50 between MA and NJ this spring season.

Mike O’Neil has been designated for assignment to the Royal Family.  Mike will play under similar circumstances “part-time permanent” substitute.

Both Captains will have the option to run the extra forward if they choose.

As we like to tell players that are new pledges… just get your foot in the door and next season with retirements, quitters, and/or expulsions…, you might find yourself on the 2024-2025 Draft Board.

Found Wallet

Last week there was a wallet turned in to the Over-30 League Lost & Found.  It was found on the rink right in front of the Timekeeper’s box, just lying there.

The wallet was “tan” in color… had a Velcro latch (so it definitely didn’t squeak when we opened it like the League Directors).., and it was embroidered with “Get Me The Assist” on the outside of it.

After looking at the video footage of the Sandbaggers vs Tealsters Union we found the rightful owner.

Turns out, Ron “The Flyin Hawaiian” Aquino went streaking down the wing when defenseman Mike Naczas stepped up to make a play on Ron.  “The Flyin Hawaiian” showed his teammate (Rob Sheridan) a little “Razzle Dazzle” of his own, as he deked the “Assistant League Director” Mike Naczas and blew by him causing “Naz” to drop his wallet from his shorts.

After the game, “Naz” went to the Lost & Found to look for his wallet:

Over-30 Annual Spring Scoring/GAA Challenge

The New Year brings a league wide scoring challenge and here's how the challenge/contest works;

The Challenge;

During the Spring Season only.., your New Years Resolution (and challenge) is to beat your previous Winter Season points total and for the goalies they must beat their previous season GAA.

The Rules;

• Players must play a minimum of 6-games in the previous winter season to qualify
• Must beat your previous points total by "1-point"
• Goalies must be "under" their previous GAA total
• Ties do not qualify - you must beat the previous winter season

The Prize(s);

All players that beat their previous season total will qualify to be entered into random drawing for a $75 Gift Card for Amazon

New 2024:  Vulcan (CEO) John Kelleher is low on Vulcan stick inventory..., Johnny has offered up some FREE groceries instead to the winner..., in the form of $100 Gift Card from Market Basket.

The Drawing;

The random drawing will take place between the first 2-games of the semi-finals playoff game of the Spring Season on Saturday, April 13.