Early Game – Scotland vs Italy

Early tilt between the kilts and the bootmen turned into a fierce goal-tenders battle. No score until 5 minutes left in the first when Dave Vincelli broke the ice followed by Murray Russell a couple of minutes later. 1-1 after one.

Both goalies playing superbly against a barrage of chances by each side. Jeff Boulton puts Scotland up 2-1 halfway through the second and Dave Woodside added some cushion a few minutes later. Enter Murray Russell for his second of the game to bring the Italians within a goal. Going into the third period the Scots are up 3-2.

And that’s when both goalies boarded up their goals, absolutely standing on their heads in a feisty 3rd period that saw 12 minutes in penalties and ZERO GOALS. Congrats to both netminders. And best wishes to Scotland’s number one player Chris Deware who left the game with an injury. We’re all pulling for a quick recovery Chris.

Scotland POG goes to the Great Wall of Glasgow, Stewart Henderson while Italy’s only goal-scorer, Murray Russell takes the Honours for the Romans.

Late Game – Slovenia vs Ireland

Slovenia looking like a real competitor this year, hoping to rebound from an 8-3 loss last week and re-assert themselves in the hunt for first place. The Irish, on the other hand, have been slowly climbing with a 3-1 third round. This one promised to be a good one, even with Ireland missing their sniper Riopelle.

Ireland’s Tim Randa lit the lamp 7 minutes in but was countered by rookie Ciro Napolitano moments later. Clearly pissed off at their short-lived advantage, Ireland sponsor Brian Spence scored 30 seconds later to restore Ireland’s lead. Spence’s retaliation goal seemed to spark the Dubliners as they went on to score three more unanswered goals off the sticks of Robin Chantaj, Pat McCormick and Peter Freeman to put Ireland up 5-1. Rookie sniper Stephen Davis would add one before the first period ended 5-2 for Ireland.

League veteran and perennial spokesman Mike “Maybe This Year” Rukavina absolutely dominated most of the second period, adding two snipes to bring the lads from Ljubljana within a goal late in the frame. 5-4 Slovenia.

But they don’t call them the Fightin’ Irish for nothing. With only 7 minutes to go in the second period, the Irish put the afterburners on and got FOUR unanswered goals to go ahead 9-4, leaving Ireland in their dust (Freeman, McCormick and Randa each bagging their second goals of the game with a single by Joe Peacock).

Slovenia gave it a mighty effort, beating Ireland 3-0 in the third period (Davis with the hat-trick and Napolitano with his second of the game). But it wasn’t enough as the leprechauns take this shoot-out 9-7.

Ireland Player of the Game goes to #1 Leprechaun Tim Randa while Mike “Maybe This Year” Rukavina takes the honours for Slovenia.

Next week the well-rested Portuguese take on Slovenia while Italy tries to break its losing skid against the high-flying Irish.