Early Game – Italy vs Scotland

The early match pitted the first place Italians versus a Scottish squad looking to make their mark in these playoffs.

The Scots broke the ice six minutes into the first period on a goal from rookie sensation Steve Boyle but this seemed to light a candle under the Italians (a Roman candle?) as nineteen seconds later, the decorated veteran Jay Cummings (two-time season MVP, Rocket Richard winner and Calder winner), tied it up for the Italians. Team-mate John Levac would score twice in 14 seconds and Marcello DiLuzio got his first of the post-season to make it 4-1 Italy after the first period.

Italy blanked the Scots in the second period and picked up a pair from John Annan and Dave Vincelli. 6-1 after two, the Italian squad showing why they finished in first place.

John Levac picked up the hat-trick and made it 7-1 with six minutes to go in the game. Frank Nweisser made it 7-2 with just three minutes to go. This one was over, but Dave Vincelli stayed on offence, tempting karma by padding Italy’s lead to 8-2. A last minute goal from Steve Sparrow ended this one 8-3.

Scotland will rest next week before hitting the easier part of their schedule while the Italians face a 2-0 Portuguese squad that is starting to look like a team of destiny.

Scotland’s Player of the Game goes to rookie sensation Steve Boyle while Italy’s POG goes to John Levac with the hat-trick.

Late Game – Slovenia vs Portugal

The late game pitted a strong Slovenian squad against the surging Portuguese. Both teams bringing round 1 wins to this one and looking to go 2-0.

Slovenian hitman Tony Thomas broke the ice halfway through the first frame but Portuguese sniper Dave Wodar tied it up with 4 minutes to go in the first period. Thomas was having none of that and banged in his second of the game to make it 2-1 Slovenia with 2 minutes to go in period 1. But the period was far from over. Wodar got his second with two minutes left and Portugal’s anchor, Greg Platt got the go-ahead goal before the first period ended Portugal 3, Slovenia 2.

Slovenia Sponsor Dave Dodic took matters into his own hands early in the second period, tying the game at 3. Big-man George Letsos then put the Slovenians ahead 4-3 with five minutes to go. Was this going to be another Slovenian comeback win? Mike Russo voting “NO” on that one with a tying goal to make it 4-4 after two.

Tension was definitely building at PCMA as the third period began. It was a goaltender’s duel for the first six minutes until Dave Wodar picked up a HAT-TRICK to put the Portuguese ahead 5-4. But the public address system was still buzzing from that one when Slovenian sponsor Dave Dodic tied it up AGAIN! What a game! Would these teams share two points or was a hero waiting to be born?

Regular season point leader Paul Riopelle had two apples so far in the game, but it was his time to shine as he ripped one by Art Senkowski to put the Slovenians in the lead. The fans from Ljubljana were blowing the ROOF off the joint until Portugal’s Mike Russo potted his second of the night to tie this one up for the SIXTH TIME.

Both squads bore down and battled for the marker, but there was to be but one hero this night. The speedy one with the best beef jerky in town, with barely two minutes left in the game…for the HAT-TRICK AND THE WIN….Number 9 in your programs, number 1 in your hearts — MIKE RUSSO.

And that’s how this one ended. Portugal 7, Slovenia 6. The fans sure got their money’s worth. Congratulations to both squads for a PCOHL Playoff Game for the ages. Look for Slovenia to come back next round with a chip on their shoulder against Ireland while Portugal brings their undefeated playoff record into Italy’s barn. Should be a great one!

Portugal’s POG with the hat-trick is Dave Wodar, while Dave Dodic takes the honours for Slovenia.