Early Game – #2 Italy vs #5 Portugal

The early game featured a surging 2nd place Italy against a Portugal team looking for its first win since September. Vegas oddsmakers were giving Portugal +500 on the moneyline.

Italy’s MVP Leo Brideau opened the scoring midway through the first but Dave Wodar responded quickly for the Portuguese to square the game at 1-1 going into the second period. Rookie John Levac put Italy up 2-1, but the Portuguese underdogs would not go away as Mike Rukavina knotted the game at 2-2 going into the third.

Italy struck first again in the third on a goal from veteran John Annan but the Portuguese would not lie down, responding with two goals in 10 seconds by Frank Arruda and Jeff Boulton to give the Lads from Lisbon their first win in 9 games. A character win for a well-stocked squad looking to find it’s groove heading into the new year.

Portugal POG Honours go to Frank Arruda.

While D-Man Dave Dupal earns POG for the Squad from Sicily.

Late Game – #1 Ireland vs #4 Scotland

1st place Ireland looking to end a 2 game skid against 4th place Scotland in this one. Scotland had other plans, blanking the Irish 3-0 in the first period off goals from Brad Stohl, Alan Robb and “The Commish” Richard Chalovich.

Robb and Stohl teamed up with Joe Peacock for another 3-0 thrashing in the second period while Rispoli the Goalie continued to turn away every Ireland chance.

The Scots took their foot off the gas in the 3rd, trading goals by Rick Cecchetto and Patty Sharp to finish the game with a 7-1 pounding of the lagging leprechauns.

“The Commish” Richard Chalovich takes Player of the Game honours for the Scots.

Ireland Player of the Game goes to their spiritual leader, Mark Plewes.