NFHA Standings

Niagara Falls, NY — Week 18 of the Tuesday Night Over 30 Niagara Falls Alumni Hockey League featured fewer goals, more penalties, and a noticeable increase in “ref, c’mon” energy. Defense showed up, tempers flared, and Advil stocks surged league-wide.

Brick Oven Grinders Edge Watchtower in a Defensive Masterpiece (Yes, Really)

In a game nobody saw coming, Brick Oven Grinders (2) squeaked past Watchtower Financial (1) in a low-scoring affair that felt like playoff hockey… or maybe everyone was just tired.

Shaughan Irving scored both goals for Brick Oven, personally accounting for all the offense and most of the bragging rights. Andy Streng chipped in an assist, while both teams combined for 8 penalty minutes, mostly for hurt feelings.

Watchtower’s lone goal came from Mark Wojcinski, with helpers from Ryan Coyne and Scott Glenn, but that’s all the interest they could generate on this investment.

GI Greatscape Stays Cool, Beats AAA Timberline

GI Greatscape (5) quietly handled AAA Timberline (2) in one of the cleaner games of the night — zero penalty minutes, which is suspicious in this league.

Jeff Gruarin and Eric Leffler each scored twice, while Mike Mondoux added one for good measure. Gordie Stewart was in full distributor mode with two assists, and Shawn Conshafter and Greg Spagnolo kept the puck moving.

AAA got goals from Tom Hanna and Matt Beamish, but GI was simply sharper, faster, and probably stretched beforehand.

Mackenzie’s Automotive Survives Villani’s Landscape (and the Penalty Box)

Mackenzie’s Automotive (4) outlasted Villani’s Landscape (2) in a game best remembered for 29 combined penalty minutes and a whole lot of “that’s a weak call.”

George Woodley scored twice for Mackenzie’s, while Scott Retzlaff, Steve Ortman, and Darin Desantis added offense. Dave DiMizio and Jack Hornung chipped in assists as Mackenzie’s stayed mostly upright.

Villani’s goals came from Anthony Villani and Cory Espanola, but the real story was time spent sitting down. At one point the penalty box looked like a team meeting.

Greater Niagara Mechanical and HHJ Dentistry Punch It Out to a Draw

In the heavyweight matchup of the night, Greater Niagara Mechanical (4) and HHJ Dentistry (4) skated to a tie that featured 25 combined penalty minutes, proving once and for all that first place doesn’t mean calm.

Mechanical was led by Mike DiMatteo and Ryan Thuman, who each scored twice, while Matt Mack and Sam Prezioso dished assists like they were trying to avoid the box.

HHJ answered with Ryan Metzger’s two-goal night, plus goals from Aaron Wilson and Matt Shumate Jr. Despite the tie, HHJ remains on top of the standings — and apparently very willing to defend that position.

Standings Check: Things Are Getting Tight

HHJ Dentistry still sits in first, but now with 81 PIMs, proving dominance can be physical and emotional.

AAA Timberline, Watchtower, and GI Greatscape are all jostling for position.

Villani’s Landscape continues to score goals and penalties at an elite rate.

Mackenzie’s Automotive may not win often, but they never fail to make things interesting.

Final Horn

Week 18 had everything:

Defensive games

Tie games

Penalty box group chats

And at least one guy saying, “I didn’t even touch him.”

Same rink, same night.

Bring ice packs, tape, and maybe… slightly better discipline.

See you next Tuesday 🏒😂