Early Game – #1 Ireland vs #2 Italy

2nd Place Italy looking to knock off league leader Ireland in this one and their fans weren’t disappointed. Italy went up 2-0 after the first period with goals from Vincelli and DiLuzio (this is Team Italy after all). Rookie John Levac made it 3-0 after two periods with Ireland struggling to find the net.

It remained 3-0 for Italy until the last 7 minutes when Ireland sniper Chris Deware cancelled Tomi Niemenen’s shut-out plans. But this gave Italy new life as the Italian Stallions Vincelli and DiLuzio added two more in the next 90 seconds. A loner by Deware late in the third ended this one with a persuasive 5-2 win for Italy over the lagging leprechauns.

Italy’s player of the game was Dave Vincelli.

While Ireland’s scoring phenom Chris Deware took POG honours again.

Late Game – #3 Slovenia vs #5 Portugal

The late game featured an old-fashioned shooting gallery between the surging Slovenians and rebuilding Portugal. Both teams followed up a hectic first period, ending 3-2 Slovenia, with another 3 goals per side in period two, which ended 6-5 for Team Slovenia. The fans braced for a nail-biting third period but Slovenia was just too strong on this night, scoring 3 goals per period to finish the game 9-6.

Slovenian leader Dave Dodic notched four goals while teammate Paul Riopelle recorded a hat-trick. Johnny Fasulo and rookie Scott Wilson added singles for the Lads from Ljubljana.

Portugal’s Mike Russo re-acquired his scoring touch with a hat-trick for the red and white while Mike Rukavina, Jeff Boulton and Robin Chantaj added singles for an impressive 5 goal night for the Portuguese.

Slovenia Player of the Game goes to their sponsor Dave Dodic.

While Portugal’s POG honours go to Mike Russo.