Early Game Italy vs Ireland

Italy entered this game ahead of Ireland in the standings but 0-2 against the leprechauns so far this season. Looking for their first win against the Emerald hoard Italy broke the ice with a goal from Robin Flumerfelt. Ireland answered quickly with two goals from Bruce Freeman and Paul Riopelle but John Levac brought the Roman squad even late in the period. Italian hearts sagged when Tim Randa bulged the twine in the dying seconds to make it 3-2 Ireland after one period.

Joe Peacock made no mistake with a loose puck to give Ireland a 2-goal cushion but Italy answered with a goal from Flumerfelt to make it 4-3 for Ireland. Johnny Fasulo and Paul Riopelle then had the fans chugging their Guinness when they appeared to put the game out of reach 6-3. But Dr. Joel May scored with five minutes to go and then team sponsor Dave Dupal lit the lamp with only 14 seconds to go to bring his Italian Stallions within one goal entering the final period. Ireland 6, Italy 5.

Tense Italian fans bit their nails, praying for a goal to tie things up. But Riopelle ain’t last year’s MVP for nuthin. Pocketing his 3rd and 4th goals of the game, he put his squad up 8-5 while substitute goalie Mike Vassallo turned away all Italian chances in the third.

The win brings a strong looking Irish squad to .500 on the season, now sharing 3rd place with Italy. Irish Player of the Game goes to Peter Freeman and his supporting case of Freemans, while Dave Skingley mayka da pasta for the Romans.

Late Game – Slovenia vs Portugal

Slovenia had a chance to grab sole possession of first place with a win against Portugal, but the Leo factor was going to be an issue. Portugal sits in last place, but this game would be F1 Leo Brideau’s third game only, and the Portuguese fans were looking for some redemption.

Rispoli the Goalie and Arty Senkowski stood on their heads for the first 15 minutes of the game until Mike “Maybe this year” Rukavina scored to make it 1-0 for Slovenia. Sniper Stephen Davis added a goal to put the Por-too-gaysh in a 2-goal hole after one.

Rispoli gritted his teeth and absolutely DENIED Slovenia in the second period, giving veteran snipester Johnny Annan the chance to make it a one goal game. 2-1 for Slovenia going into the third. Portuguese fans praying skyward, “Could it be? Could it really be?”

No. It couldn’t.

Arty Senkowski doubled down and blanked Portugal in the final frame while Davis added two for the hat-trick. Final score Slovenia 4, Portugal 1. Slovenia takes sole possession of first place while Portugal prepares for Italy next week, both teams looking to break losing streaks.

Slovenian player of the game goes to Arty Senkowski while Chris “Animal” Johnson rocks on for the Lisbonites.