Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, we had 2 unbelievable games played last Friday. The early game between our #1 seed Scotland and #4 seed Ireland had many more storylines behind this one. The pre trade deadline of Alan Robb to Ireland was the big pre game press conference questions. Robb seemed to be harbouring no negative thoughts towards the Scottish management and kept repeating how happy he was playing for the shamrock green and just wanted to lead his new squad to the promised land. This tilt did not disappoint from opening puck drop until the final buzzer. Ireland scored the first goal with just under 3 minutes to go as Leo Brideau notched his 2nd of the playoffs. Scotlands Patty Sharp tied it up with 45 ticks left on the clock in the first. Scotlands Sharp scored his 2nd of the game at the 10 minute mark of the 2nd to give Scotland the lead. Irelands Brideau scored his 2nd of the game tieing up the game at 2’s as the 2nd period expired. Scotland jumped back on top early in the 3rd on the power play as Murray Russell buried his first in the playoffs. Irelands Alan Robb then scored to tie it all up at 3’s but wait????? No goal, as the referees convene and decide Robb’s goal was a slapshot. Not only is it not tied but Scotland now has a power play. Things did not look good for the Irish. As Scotland pressed Senkowski, former Polish all star, led his squad to killing off this devastating power play. Momentum seemed to now swing back towards the Irish as they continued to apply a major push. Veteran Patty McCormick tied up the game with under 2 minutes to go for the Irish. It seemed that it was inevitable it was going to end in a tie until the traded Alan Robb took over and scored with 40 seconds to go to give the Irish a surprising victory. What a game!!!! Scotland went 1-2 on the PP and Ireland was 0-1. Players of the Game went to Scotlands Patrick Sharp.

And for the Irish, even though Leo had a 3 point night this one belonged to the former Scot Alan Robb.

Late game between Portugal and Slovenia did not look too good during the warm up skate. Slovenia down to 8 skaters for this one missing almost half their squad. Portugal up 2-0 after one period. The ageless Bruce Freeman scoring his first in the playoffs. Rob McKean notched his league leading 5th in the playoffs. 3 more Portugal goals in the 2nd period as Slovenia gets 2. Portugal on top 5-2 after 2. Rookie Mike Russo getting his first 2 of the playoffs and Jeff Boulton getting his first. Eric Fletcher notching his 2nd of the playoffs as did Matty Goddard for the Slovenians. The final frame seemed to be tilted Slovenians way as they pushed the Portuguese back onto their heels. Rukavina scored his 2nd of the playoffs mid way through the 3rd making this a 5-3 game. Slovenian Eric Fletcher scored his 2nd of the game and 3rd of the playoffs with under 7 minutes to go making this a one goal game. That goal seemed to energize the thin benched Slov’s. With under a minute to go the Slov’s pulled their goalie just as the Portuguese took a delay of game penalty. A face off in the Portuguese backyard was cleanly won by Slovenian Tygesen right back to Fletcher who buried a top shelf, right where Grandma leaves her cookies, goal for his hat trick on the night. Fill in backstop Senkowki did not see this one. This bad boy ends in a 5-5 tie. Slovenia went 1-2 on the PP and Portugal was 0-1. Player of the Game for Portugal was fill in goalie Art Senkowski.

Art looks good with the plunger eh???? And for the Slovenians for sure hands down Eric Fletcher with his hat trick and a 4 point night.

So much excitement and still so much undecided. All we know for sure after 3 weeks of playoffs is that Italy is in for sure for one of the big final games. Everything else is still up for grabs. Maybe one of our most exciting playoffs ever. This week our games will go on Thursday, April 14 at Port Credit arena NOT Friday as it is Good Friday this week. The early game puck drop will be 9:45 pm. The winless and very desperate Scottish will face off against the undefeated Slovenians. The regular season saw the Scottish handily beat the Slovs 3 of the 4 games and the 4th finished tied. Should be a dandy. The late game between the 4th and 5th seeds will have a puck drop of 11:00 pm (naps will be mandatory for both squads). Italy will do battle with Ireland. Italy won 2 reg season games 6-4 both times. Ireland won once 2-1 and one game finished tied. This should be a nail biter. An Italy win will guarantee them a spot in the Gold medal game. Portugal will get the week off.

Don’t forget to fill out next years application and get Sal Guerra your $50 deposit to secure your spot for next season. See you all on the ice lads!