Good Morning SSBHL, Community!

I apologize for the delay on this; However, I’ve had less pleasant league issues taking up my time in place of doing the fun things that we as a community love. I do just want to touch base on a few things before we get into the good stuff.

Respect for your opponent/refs: This one a in my opinion a no brainer, however from time-to-time things happen, tempers flare, the competitiveness of a game gets the better of us. I got it. However, when you let your emotions rule you and you act on emotion, it never goes well. If you ever feel like you are spiraling with emotions and getting heated in the moment, please, do us and yourself a favor and go to the bench and take a big breath of fresh air and calm down before you go back onto the rink. If you think someone is ruining the game and talking smack and getting under your skin. Feel free to message me about it after the game and I or one of our admins will handle it, I give you, my word. Don’t take it into your own hands, it’s NEVER the answer. Trust me. We are just trying to get out of the house, get some good exercise in, and play. We need to sometimes remember this is a recreation league and not the NHL. Just, Relax out their guys, seriously…. I get it, the refs miss calls, it’s going to happen. You need to consider; they are unpaid and doing this as a MASSIVE favor for us to keep things going! Treat them with respect! They do not have to put up with being screamed and yelled at. It’s unacceptable to lose your cool on them at any time. They 100% have the right to ring you up with a misconduct penalty if you talk back to them In a negative manner. Let’s all remember to be kind to one another out there, it’s a hard world from day to day, lets keep Sunday hockey a safe and fun environment for everyone going forward the rest of the season. No more drama please, let’s turn the page on the nonsense and start having fun again.

TLDR Version: Stop Being an ass lol, if you have issues with a player or ref, come to me about it and we can chat, I promise.

Ok, Rant over. Let’s Get back to our top performers of the week  

Offensive Engines of the week

#1 Top Offensive Player of the Week: Brendan “B-Mack” MacKenzie

When it comes to making an impact, few players have ever put on a performance like Brendan MacKenzie did this week. Known around the league as “B-Mack,” the Hooligans’ captain was an unstoppable force from the opening faceoff to the final whistle against the Stone Hands’ stingy defense.

B-Mack exploded for 5 goals and 1 assist, racking up an incredible 6 points—his highest single-game output in league history. Even more impressive, he factored in on every single Hooligans goal, scoring all but one himself.

Despite the Hooligans falling just short in an 8–6 loss, it was clear there wasn’t much more their captain could do. He was all over the rink, creating chances, finishing plays, and keeping his team in the fight until the very end.

This was a monster performance by B-Mack, cementing his spot as our Top Offensive Player of the Week.

#2 Offensive Player of the Week: Matt Connolly – Mustangs

When the Mustangs needed a spark, Matt Connolly lit the fire. Facing the Stick Figures last Sunday, the Mustangs found themselves in a deep hole, trailing 5–1 late in the second period. With time winding down, Connolly gave his team life, burying one with just seconds left to close the gap to 5–2 and shift the momentum heading into the third.

From there, Connolly went to work. Early in the third, he was Johnny-on-the-spot again, cashing in a rebound to pull the Mustangs within two. Moments later, he set up Aaron Gerstel with a shot from the point that created the perfect rebound, cutting the deficit to just one. The comeback was officially on.

After the Mustangs tied it late to force overtime, Connolly capped off his masterclass performance with a perfect cross-crease feed to captain J-Mac, who buried the game-winner just 20 seconds into OT. Connolly finished the night with 2 goals and 2 assists, directly fueling one of the biggest comebacks of the season.

Matt was the engine of consistency and the driving force behind a monumental win for the Mustangs, making him a clear choice for our #2 Offensive Player of the Week.

#3 Offensive Player of the Week: Matt Holleran – Stick Figures

Matt Holleran put together a complete two-way performance for the Stick Figures in their battle with the Mustangs, showcasing grit, playmaking, and offensive touch. He finished the game with 1 goal and 3 assists for 4 points, proving to be one of the most impactful players on the floor—even though the Stick Figures fell just short in overtime.

Holleran’s night started with a key response goal, deflecting one home to tie the game 1–1 and swing the momentum back in his team’s favor. Not long after, he circled the net with possession and found an open Dan Gately, who buried the go-ahead goal to give the Stick Figures the 2–1 lead.

In the second period, Holleran made one of the game’s defining hustle plays—blocking a Mustangs point shot, scooping up the loose ball, and threading a perfect pass to a streaking Thomas, who finished on a breakaway to stretch the lead to 5–1.

Though the Stick Figures ultimately couldn’t hold on, dropping the game in overtime, Holleran’s effort was undeniable. His mix of defensive responsibility and offensive production kept his team in it until the end, earning him a well-deserved spot as our #3 Offensive Player of the Week.

Top Tier Defensive Dynamos

Top Defensive Player of the Week – Nick Provenzano (Spiders)

Nick Provenzano earns this week’s top defensive honor with an absolutely electric performance from the blue line. Known as an offensive-minded defenseman, Nick stepped up in a big way, notching 3 goals and 1 assist to help carry the Spiders in their thrilling matchup against the Smokey Joes.

His first goal was one for the highlight reel—though not in the traditional sense. Firing from the blue line, Nick banked a shot off the boards behind the net that ricocheted off the goalie’s skate and somehow trickled in, cutting the Joes’ lead to 4–3. Later in the second period, with his team trailing 5–3, Nick launched a booming slap shot from behind his own faceoff dots. The rocket traveled the full length of the floor with pinpoint precision, sneaking past the opposing goalie to bring the Spiders within one.

In the third, with the game tied 5–5, Nick showcased his persistence and skill. Driving the play from his own end, he fired a quick wrist shot that was initially stopped, but when the rebound popped into the air, Nick batted it out of midair and into the net to give the Spiders a 6–5 lead. Though the Smokey Joes would tie the game again, Nick wasn’t finished. With the clock winding down, he made a slick feed from the blue line to linemate Ryan Gurly, who buried the game-winner to seal the Spiders’ victory.

Overall, it was a powerhouse performance from Provenzano, whose offensive flair and veteran presence on the back end proved invaluable. A well-earned nod as this week’s Top Defensive Player.

#2 Defensive Player of the Week – Aaron Gerstel (Mustangs)

Sometimes it’s not how you start—it’s how you finish. For Aaron Gerstel of the Mustangs, that couldn’t have been more true in his matchup against the Stick Figures. Early in the game, Aaron had a tough moment when an unlucky deflection off his stick found its way into his own net to open the scoring. Frustrated, he admitted to his goalie, “I changed the momentum in this game, I swung it in their favor… but that also means I can swing it back our way.”

And swing it back he did.

With the Mustangs trailing 5–2 in the third, Aaron ripped a wrist shot from the point that created a perfect rebound for linemate Matt Connolly, who buried it to cut the lead to 5–3. A few shifts later, Connolly returned the favor—firing from the point as Aaron crashed in and finished off the play himself, narrowing the gap to 5–4.

But Aaron’s biggest contribution came in the final minutes. With just 1:42 left, he battled hard behind his own net against a Stick Figures forward, came away with the ball, and quickly moved it up to captain J-Mac. The Mustangs’ leader blasted home a slap shot from center, tying the game 5–5 and sending it to overtime. The Mustangs would go on to complete the comeback and secure the win.

Gerstel finished the night with 1 goal and 2 assists for 3 points—more importantly, he lived up to his own words by turning the tide of the game back in his team’s favor. A gritty, resilient performance that earns him this week’s #2 Defensive Player of the Week.

#3 Defensive Player of the Week – Timmy “Tito” Burke (Mustangs)

Timmy “Tito” Burke was his usual rock-solid self on the blue line, showing why he’s one of the most dependable and intelligent defenders in the league. Poised, calm under pressure, and a veteran presence every shift, Tito’s consistency was a key factor in the Mustangs’ thrilling comeback against the Stick Figures.

Tito got things started early, converting a rebound off his backhand to put the Mustangs ahead 1–0. Later, with the team trailing 5–1 in the dying seconds of the second period, Tito fired a strong shot from the blue line that created a perfect rebound for linemate Matt Connolly to put home, helping swing momentum back in the Mustangs’ favor.

In overtime, with the game tied 5–5, Tito continued to show his defensive intelligence. Though he didn’t get a point on the play, he broke up a Stick Figures breakout and quickly transitioned the puck to set up a 2-on-1, which led to the game-winning goal, giving the Mustangs a 6–5 victory.

Beyond the points, Tito’s leadership and guidance were invaluable. Acting like a second captain on the ice, he advised linemates, positioned teammates effectively, and calmly directed play during critical moments. His intelligence and steady presence were crucial to the Mustangs’ comeback and ultimately securing the win. Tito finished with 2 points (1 goal, 1 assist) and, more importantly, left his mark as a true leader on the rink.

Stingy Goaltending

#1 Goalie of the Week – Brad Wall (Stick Figures)

Brad Wall truly lived up to his name this week, standing tall as an unmovable wall for the Stick Figures. In their matchup against the Mustangs, Brad faced a relentless offensive onslaught, dealing with a total of 42 shots, including numerous high-danger scoring chances.

In the first period, Brad was nothing short of spectacular—stopping all but one shot while navigating a heavy barrage of dangerous opportunities. The second period was more of the same, as Wall remained poised and calm under constant pressure, showcasing excellent positional awareness and reading the play with precision to keep his team in the game.

Overall, Brad finished with 36 saves on 42 shots, earning the top save percentage of the week at .857 and a GAA of 5.88. He was particularly impressive in key moments, denying two breakaways from Mustangs captain J-Mac and frustrating their offense throughout the matchup.

Although the Stick Figures fell in overtime, Brad’s performance was heroic from start to finish. His composure, consistency, and dedication in the crease helped secure a hard-fought point in the overtime loss. With a strong start to the season, Brad Wall looks poised to continue his stellar play heading into week three.

#2 Goalie of the Week – Manny DeBettencourt (Hooligans)

Manny DeBettencourt put on a gritty, standout performance in net for the Hooligans this week, facing a relentless onslaught from the hungry and tenacious Stone Hands. With 54 shots fired his way, Manny made 46 saves, finishing with a strong .852 save percentage and a GAA of 8.00.

Despite the Hooligans falling just short of the win, Manny’s effort kept them in the game and gave his team a fighting chance. Facing one of the league’s top flex players, Sean G, is no easy task, yet Manny held his ground, showcasing his unorthodox standup style that blends old-school fundamentals with creative, instinctive play. No one executes it quite like Manny.

With a solid start to the season at 1–1, Manny looks to carry this momentum into week three, ready to face the high-octane offense of the Mustangs and continue proving why he’s one of the league’s top netminders.

#3 Goalie of the Week – Nick Bonofiglio (Spiders)

Nick Bonofiglio earns his spot in the top three goalies once again this week with a strong performance against a dangerous Smokey Joes squad. Facing 39 shots, Nick stopped 33, finishing with a .846 save percentage and a GAA of 6.00. He stood tall in key moments, keeping the Spiders alive through several high-danger situations.

Nick’s task wasn’t easy—he had to contend with Matt Swan, the Joes’ captain and one of the most feared shooters in the league. With five championships under his belt, Swan knows how to generate offense, yet Nick limited him to just two goals—a commendable effort.

Adding to his impressive performance, Nick registered his first career assist, setting up a goal for blue-liner Nick Provenzano. His composure, skill, and ability to make crucial plays earned him the #3 Goalie of the Week honor and kept his team competitive throughout the match.

Standings so far…

Mustangs: 2-0-0 / 4 Points / 17 GF / 9 GA / +8 GD

Stone Hands: 2-0-0 / 4 Points / 17 GF / 10 GA / +7 GD

Hooligans: 1-1-0 / 2 Points / 9 GF / 10 GA / -1 GD

Spiders: 1-1-0 / 2 Points / 11 GF / 17 GA / -6 GD

Stick Figures: 0-1-1 / 1 Point / 7 GF / 9 GA / -2 GD

Smokey Joes: 0-2-0 / 0 Points / 10 GF / 16 GA / -6 GD

Upcoming Matchups…

9:00am – Smokey Joes at Stick Figures (Key Matchup: Brendan O’Brien Vs Brad Wall)

10:30am – Spiders at Stone Hands (Key Matchup: Matt Leary Vs Howard Troughton)

12:00pm – Hooligans at Mustangs (Key Matchup: B-Mack Vs J-Mac)

Transaction Notes:

Pat Schultz Drops from Stone Hands

Uncle Paul serves 1 game suspension (elbowing)

Thank you all, lets have a great Sunday of Hockey this week, nice and clean, no drama, no nonsense please.

Thank you!