Early Game – #4 Scotland vs #5 Portugal

On the surface game 1 looked like a contest for last place, but Scotland won 3 games in Round 2 and Portugal has recent wins against 1st and 2nd place opponents. Both squads looking to move up in the standings.

Jim Maguire opened the scoring for Scotland but Platt responded for Portugal knotting the score at one-all until the final minute of the first period where Platt and Dave Woodside scored twice in 30 seconds to go up 3-1.

Platt and Woodside scored again in period 2 along with Jeff Boulton to push ahead of the Scots 6-1 going into the final period.

Scottish snipers Stohl and Sharpe tried to make it look respectable but were answered by Platt (for a 4 goal night) and gentleman Frank Arruda for an impressive 8-3 Portuguese win over the Kilted Kids from Kildary.

Portugal’s Player of the Game was Neil Wilson. Absolutely fantastic to see Neil back in the Portugal lineup.

Scotland’s Player of the Game goes to “The Commisssssh” Richard Chalovich.

Late Game – #2 Slovenia vs #3 Italy

With Ireland sinking fast, #2 Slovenia and #3 Italy were smelling blood in this one with the winner guaranteed to take over 1st place in the standings.

Two ringers in net for this one, former junior player Mauro Dilollo backstopping for the Slovenian squad while Art Senkowski’s nephew Jonathan Barbaro stopped pucks for the Italians. No surprise this one turned into a goaltender’s duel.

Slovenia could only muster singles from Dave Skingley and Paul Riopelle in the first two periods but stood on the shoulders of their goalie Mauro who turned away every shot until Eric Fletcher notched Italy’s only goal of the game with 7 minutes left. The red hot Riopelle iced it with his second of the game for a 3-1 Slovenian victory.

Slovenia gets their first taste of first place with this win, but they will face a rested Ireland team next week who are looking to retake the Crown and break their 4 game skid.

The Player of the Game prizes go to both goaltenders in this one.