This week’s games marked the end of Round 3 and with two rounds to go it’s anybody’s season. Scotland and Slovenia go into these games looking to cement first place position in the back stretch.

Early Game – Scotland vs Portugal

Powerful Scotland up against a Portuguese squad that looks really solid on paper but has had only a single win since October 11. Will this be Portugal’s TSN turning point?

Scotland’s Jim Maguire and Portugal’s Johnny Annan trade veteran goals halfway through the first period and it was looking to end that way until SNIPESTER Jody Young bulges the twine to make it 2-1 for Portugal after the first period.

Jeff Boulton tied the game six minutes into the second frame but sub Patty “Kiss me I’m Irish” McCormick put Portugal up by a goal a few minutes later, followed by Mike “Portugal is my happy place” Russo who gave the Lisbonites a two-goal spread. Stalwart D-man Steve Atchison showing off his offensive chops, brought Scotland back within a goal but Mike “Try my jerky” Russo strikes again to restore Portugal’s two-goal lead.

Scotland players scratching their heads and waving their kilts at this upstart Portuguese squad, determined to storm back in the third to take the win. But Portugal was more determined. Absolutely stoning Scotland’s snipers in the third period — the wall of Portugal — and adding a final goal by Leo Brideau, the Portuguese loooooooookin goooooooood in this one. Final Score: Portugal 6, Scotland 3.

Portugal POG goes to Mike “I don’t even miss Slovenia” Russo while Steve “I’m often compared to Bobby Orr” Atchison goes regimental for Scotland.

Late Game – Slovenia vs Italy

Another potentially lopsided match in the late game with first place Slovenia on a mid-season roll while Italy yet to win a game in Round 3.

Italy backstop Tomi Nieminen a healthy scratch and Ireland’s Tony Cioffi doing his second substitute of the night (he backstopped Portugal to their win in the early game).

Good action back and forth in the first period, a pair of goals 50 seconds apart by Italy’s Dave Wodar and Matt Goddard the only difference maker. Italy surprises Slovenia in the first which ended 2-0 for the Romans.

Dave Skingley rushes off the D seven minutes into period two to give the Italians a THREE goal cushion, this one starting to slip away from the vaunted Slovenians. But Art Senkowski stacked the pads for the rest of the period while rookie Ciro Napolitano put Slovenia on the board to make it 3-1 for Italy after two periods.

Lots of work to do for Slovenia to keep their Round 3 unbeaten streak alive, and they were up to the task. Rookie Robert King pounced on a loose puck halfway through the period followed by D-Man Sal Guerra a minute later — the SLOVENIANS STORM BACK TO TIE THE GAME.

Italians puckering — they thought they had the upset victory, but Slovenia looking unstoppable. Halfway through the third period its a tie game (3-3) and Slovenia is rolling!

But Italy slowed Slovenia’s roll with FIVE UNANSWERED GOALS in the last EIGHT MINUTES. Two for Dave Wodar for the hat-trick. Two for Dwayne Tygesen from his fill-in defence position. And some icing on the cake by Joel May to make this an 8-3 victory for Italy over first place Slovenia!

A rollercoaster game with minimal shenanigans — Slovenia maintains their first place spot thanks to Portugal’s shutdown of Scotland, but who knows for how long with this year’s PCOHL.

Slovenia’s Player of the Game goes to Rick Cecchetto while Dwayne Tygesen’s 3-point night from the blueline gives him honours for Italy.

That’s it for 2024 boys. Have a GREAT New Year’s and we’ll see you in 2025!