Early Game – Slovenia v Ireland

Slovenia and Ireland squaring off in the early game, both teams within striking distance of 1st place with a win.

Ireland’s Tim Randa broke the ice early in the first with teammate Paul Riopelle adding one less than a minute later. This seemed to light a fire under the lads from Ljubljana as they scored three unanswered goals (Steve Boyle and a pair from Stephen Davis) to take the lead 3-2 after one period.

Riopelle tied it early in the second but Davis restored Slovenia’s lead half a minute later. Ireland’s Scott Wilson tied it up with eight minutes to go but again the Slovenians charged back, Boyle with his second of the night to take back the lead and then a heartbreaker by Tim Lochner with eight seconds to go to make it Slovenia 6, Ireland 4 after two periods.

Team Sponsor Dave Dodic lit the lamp twice in the third giving his squad a four goal lead. Ciro Napolitano and Joe Peacock traded goals in the wee minutes of this one but it was the Slovenians’ night, taking the win by a score of 9-5.

Slovenian Player of the Game goes to Tim Lochner while Scott Wilson brews up the leprechaun magic for the dudes from Dublin.

Late Game – Scotland v Italy

1st and 2nd place doing battle in the late show, Scotland eager to climb into the top spot.

Both goalies looked sharp in the first period until Chris Deware scored with 6 minutes to go. Jim Maguire put a nifty snapper past Nieminen to end the period 2-0 for Scotland.

Italy got on the board halfway through the second with a nice follow-up by Dwayne Tygesen. Dave Vincelli answered half a minute later and Dr. Joel May struck 30 seconds after that. These three goals in just over a minute made the score 3-2 for Scotland. Chris Deware and Jeff Boulton padded Scotland’s lead before Dave Wodar got his first of the game, ending the second period Scotland 5, Italy 3.

Wodar struck again early in the third to bring the Romans within a goal and the Italian fans were dreaming of a comeback. Both goalies held fast for the next eight minutes but Italy seemed to run out of energy, allowing the Scots three more on second chances. Not much help for Nieminen who was heard muttering about waiving his no-trade clause before cooling down with a refreshing beverage and some old tales of Finnish glory before a group of rapt teammates.

Scotland takes this one 8-4 for their first win against Italy and sole possession of first place.

Scottish POG goes to Enzo Ianno while Dwayne Tygesen gets the honours for Italy.