Early Game – Slovenia vs Portugal

Slovenia enters this game with two straight losses but could still move into first place with a win against Portugal, a team riding high after its victory over 1st place Scotland last week.

Hot starts for Slovenian backstop Art Senkowski and Portugal sub Mike Kvasni with no goals for most of the first period, but things heated up at the end. Slovenia’s Stephen Davis lit the lamp with seven minutes to go followed less than a minute later by teammate Rob McLaughlin. Portugal’s John Annan responded but Davis notched his second to make it 3-1 Slovenia at the intermission. FOUR goals in less than three minutes in a period-ending flurry.

End to end action in the second period, but the goalies were almost perfect, Davis’s hat-trick goal the period’s only marker. Slovenia 4, Portugal 1.

Davis made it 5-1 halfway through the third period but this Portuguese squad showed its character and never gave up. Mike Russo responded quickly with a goal and D-Man Bryon Wright got in the mix less than a minute later. It was looking like a Portuguese rally with 9 minutes left and only a two goal margin.

But once again the goalies took over and despite Portugal’s press, the game ended 5-3 for Slovenia who jump into first place over the resting Scots.

Both goalies earn POG Honours with a pair of standout performances.

Late Game – Italy vs Ireland

The late game featured the 2nd place Irish vs a flagging Italian squad that has lost four of its last five games, but with a chance to share 2nd place with a win against Ireland.

A quick pace to this one. Italy’s Dave Wodar put the biscuit in the basket early on but Johnny Fasulo tied it up with six minutes to go. Murray Russell charged in and flipped a nice one over Cioffi’s shoulder and it looked like Italy would win the first period until Joe Peacock notched a heart-breaker with 9 seconds to go. A 2-2 draw after one period.

Both goalies played well in the second period, Peter Freeman being the only hero, putting the Irish up 3-2 after two periods.

Italy surged in the third period with some good chances early on but Ireland’s sniper Paul Riopelle gave his squad a two goal cushion with a hard shot that beat Nieminen low midway through the period. Robin Flumerfelt deflected a John Levac shot past Cioffi a minute later but it took Scott Wilson only 37 seconds to restore Ireland’s 2-goal lead.

Furious action to finish this one off but Wodar’s second of the night with 2 minutes to go was too little too late. The Irish stave off the Italians 5-4 to move into a tie for first place with Slovenia.

No penalties in this one and some great post-game camaraderie between the teams, sharing tall tales and refreshments in the Italy room PCOHL-style.

Greg Platt with two apples takes the POG for Italy while Irish netminder Tony Cioffi bags well-deserved kudos for the Irish.