Well well well right when you think you can forecast a result something else happens. 2 very close games this past Friday in our 2nd week of playoff round robin games. Early tilt between #1 seed Rabba Fine Foods Scotland making their debut in the playoffs versus the #5 seed Dupal Studios Italy after their upset win in week 1 vs the Portuguese. Scotland dominated the regular season vs the Italians with 4 dominating wins. Both squads with many injured players in this one and both their goalies absent as well. Both teams played a tight opening frame scoring once each. Again both teams scored early in the 2nd period and the surprising Italians scored in the dieing seconds in the 2nd taking a 3-2 lead into the final period. Scots tied it up at the 10 minute mark. Italians took back the lead minutes later and the rest of the way fill in back stops McCallum and Ide took over and shut down all shooters. Italy wins!!! Italy wins!!! A shocker but a very excited Italian squad who sit on top of the playoff standings and all but secured their play for Championship Afternoon. Italy went 2-4 on the PP and Scotland was 1-2. Scotland got goals from Brad Stoll, Neil Wilson and Dave Wodar. Italy got goals from Johnny Fasulo, Tim ‘Mr. April’ Randa, Marcelo Di Luzio and the big game winner from the wood of John Annan. Players of the Game went to Scotlands rookie Neil Wilson and for the Italians Tim Randa.

Late game between the 2 winless teams from week 1 Gary Julius Portugal and Chinook Paddles Ireland. All shamrocks in the 1st period leading 2-0 after 1. The 2nd period saw both squads score 3 times as Ireland took a 5-3 lead into the 3rd. Portugal ties it up scoring twice in the first half of the 3rd period and this one finishes at a 5-5 tie as both squads take their first points in the playoffs. Portugal went 0-3 on the PP and Ireland was 1-2. Ireland got goals from Alan Robb, Brice Lewis (who also had 3 assists), Brian Spence, Joel May and Dave Vincelli. For Portugal 2 goals each for Dave Woodside and Tim Freeman and a single from Rob McKean. Players of the Game went to Irelands very handsome Dr. Joel May.

And the Portugal Plunger goes to Tim Freeman.

OK so Week 3 will go Friday, April 8 at 9:00 pm Scotland look to get back in the win column against Ireland with a puck drop of 9:00 pm. This one should be close as their regular season head to head record was a close one. Scotland won once, Ireland won once and they tied each other twice. Both squads scored 23 goals each. The big trade deadline of moving Alan Robb to Ireland had his post game interview on Friday show his excitement for this one match this next week, should be fun. Late game between the rested Slovenia team vs Portugal. This one also should be close as both teams won twice each during the regular season and Portugal just out scoring Slovenia 17-16 in those 4 tilts. The undefeated Italians get the week off.

See you all on the ice and please do not forget to let your team reps know if you will be away.