After 6 weeks all teams remained in the hunt for first place. This night’s games had the potential to turn the standings upside down, so lots of action expected from teams who are starting to really gel after 5 games together.

Early Game – Slovenia vs Portugal

Portugal stood only a point ahead of Slovenia going into this one, both teams looking at a chance to step into first place with a victory.

The goalies kept things quiet until midway through the first when rookie Stephen Davis beat Rispoli the Goalie to give his squad a 1-0 lead. Portugal’s Eric Fletcher tied it up a few minutes later but Davis struck again with three minutes to go in the period to make it 2-1 for Slovenia. And then with a minute left Davis completes his first period hat-trick. Score after one period: Davis 3, Portugal 1.

Seven minutes into period two Slovenia scored again, and again it is Stephen Davis getting the goal. But Portugal stormed back with three unanswered goals off the blades of Rick Gunther and a pair from veteran Johnny Annan to tie the game 4-4 going into period 3.

But that is when Slovenia’s peppermint-tea drinking backstop, number 30 in your program, number 1 in your hearts, Arty Senkowski, said, “Th-th-th-th-th-that’s alllll folks.” Portugal would be shutout in the third period while Slovenia’s rookie Stephen Davis would follow up the four goals he scored in the first period with a natural hat-trick in the third. That’s right. Seven goals for Davis in his third appearance of the season. Final score Slovenia 7, Portugal 4 with rookie sensation Stephen Davis scoring all 7 goals for the Lads from Ljubljana.

Slovenia rests next week but look for Scotland to key on Davis in two weeks time, which should make some room for Slovenia’s other able shooters to put a dent in the scoresheet.

Portugal POG goes to Johnny Annan who gave his team a chance going into period 3 and Slovenia POG goes to their new recruit with 7 goals, Stephen Davis.

Late Game – Italia vs Ireland

This game featured first place Italy vs last place Ireland (albeit only a 2 point difference). Fabulous Joe Peacock scored halfway through the first on a hard low shot that beat the Finnish Fence Tomi Niemenen to put the Irish up 1-0. Feisty Italian Greg Platt evened the score a minute later on a nice shot over Cioffi’s shoulder and then Platt strikes again with three minutes to go to put Italy up 2-1.

Both goalies playing absolutely fabulous hockey and leaving the fans wondering whether this game would end up 2-1. ZERO goals in the second period. ZERO goals in the first eight minutes of the third period. But just when it looked like the scoring was over, team rep Brian Spinnnnnnnnnnner Spence took a pass in the high slot and absolutely BULGED the twine with a rocket over Nieminen’s shoulder, the Italian goalie having no chance on this one. Italy 2, Ireland 2.

Fierce back and forth action for the next 12 minutes when in the dwindling seconds of the game Scott Wilson jumped on a loose puck in the slot and snapped one off the post to give the Irish the victory.

Fantastic game by both squads and some great camaraderie afterwards as both teams get together in Italy’s room to share some cake and refreshments to celebrate Dave Dupal’s 60th birthday. Thanks to Johnny Fasulo for organizing that.

Italy POG goes to Tomi Nieminen who blanked Irish sniper Riopelle (who was averaging a hat-trick per game). Lights-out sniper Brian Spence gets the honours for the Irish.

After 7 weeks the standings could not be tighter. Italy, Slovenia and Ireland are all tied for first place with 6 points a piece. Portugal and Scotland trail by only 1 point but both teams have a game in hand. Amazing parity and great sportsmanship on and off the ice this year.

Next week will match up Scotland and Ireland in the early game and Portugal will take on Italy in the late show.