Boys, Our 2nd season has begun and the first Friday of our playoff round robin games are in the books. Our first game looked to be a mis match as the 2nd seed Portugal faced off against the 5th seed Italians. The Italians were still emotionally knocked as their beloved National soccer team were eliminated from the World Cup qualifier by North Macedonia, wtf????? Pre game press conference with the Portuguese gave warnings of this match was not to be as one sided as it looked as the Portuguese have had trouble all season with the Italians losing 3 of their 4 games to them. Both squads missing a few of their top guys. Portugal out scores the Italians in the 1st period 2-1. Italy stormed back in the 2nd period winning it 3-1 for a 4-3 lead after 2 frames. Both teams score early in the 3rd period and thats how this one finished as Italy upsets the Portuguese in the first game with a 5-4 victory. Italy went 0-1 on the PP and Portugal was 1-2. Portugal got 3 goals from Rob McKean and a single from Tony Thomas. Italy got 2 goals from fireplug Johnny Fasulo and singles from Tim Randa, Paul Barbosa and Sal Guerra. Randle is cementing his Mr. April strength with a 5 point playoff night, sand bagger that boy!! Awesome game to kick off our playoffs. Players of the Game were awarded to Portugals Rob McKean.

And for the Italians who beat Portugal in hockey but not in soccer the Player of the Game goes to Agostino Falcone, best name on this squad ever!!!!!

Next up the #3 seed Slovenia versus the #4 seed Ireland. Their regular season series was split with 2 wins each and not one of the 4 games was close so this one was completely up for grabs. Shut outs at both ends after one period and a bit more frustration on the Irish side as they dominated the play but could not solve the magic of Gordie Ide. Ireland scored first early in the 2nd period. Slovenia then responded with 3 straight goals taking a 3-1 lead after 2 periods. Slovenia scored mid way through the 3rd controlling this one now at 4-1. But their was some fire still with the Irish as they pushed hard scoring inside of 3 minutes to go and again with 90 seconds left on the clock making it a 4-3 game. The Irish pulled their goalie and pushed again as Ide made multiple saves. Finally a Slov bounce and an empty netter with 10 seconds to go closed this one out with Slovenia on top 5-3. Another beauty game in the books. Ireland went 1-2 on the PP and Slovenia was 0-2. Ireland got a goal from Leo Brideau and 2 goals and an assist from Alan Robb. Slovenia got all singles from Eric Fletcher, Dave Skingley, Mike Rukavina, game winner and a beauty from Ron Cormier and the final goal from Mattie Goddard. Players of the Game went to Slovenia’s Ronnie Cormier.

And for the Irish their trade deadline acquisition Alan Robb.

Ok our week 2 playoff round robin games will go on Friday, April 1, 2022 (that is NOT a joke haha). With a 9:00 pm puck drop our top seed Scotland will make their debut versus the revitalized, reenergized, excited and on a roll Italians. Their regular season record was 4 big wins all for Scotland out scoring the Azzuri 27 – 12. Italians post game this week sent a message to Scotland, we are ready for ya!!!! Late game has a puck drop of 10:15 pm between the both winless #2 seed Portugal and the #4 seed Ireland. Their regular season record saw Portugal win 3 and Ireland win once and all very tight games as Portugal out scored the Irish 16 – 13 in the reg season. So this too will be an exciting and very important match for both squads. #3 seed Slovenia get the week off for April Fools Day. See you all on the frozen pond boys!!