Early Game – Italy vs Ireland

The early game featured absolutely BLAZING hot Ireland versus an Italian Squad unbeaten in three games. Flash back to mid-December when Ireland was in second last place and under .500. There must have been a team meeting after that game because the Leprechauns have been FLAWLESS since then with SIX STRAIGHT WINS.

Both teams battle back and forth in the first period with some solid chances, but this game featured two scorching tendies who let in ZERO goals in the first frame.

It was more of the same in period two and the fans were wondering if this game would end 0-0 until Irish dangler Tim Randa finally broke the ice halfway through the game.

Randa picked up his second of the game with three minutes to go in the second period but Italy’s Robin Flumerfelt made it 2-1 with a minute to go. 2-1 for Ireland after two periods.

More goaltender heroics in the third period with furious action and magnificent stops for most of the period. With only 4 minutes left Italy was fighting a penalty and trying to keep it within a goal when Greg Platt redirected a corner pass behind Tony Cioffi — A SHORTY TO TIE THE GAME!

But the refs weren’t done with Team Italy and levied two more penalties in the final minutes for a total of 6 minutes of penalties in the last 5 minutes for the struggling Romans. Ireland took full advantage of the powerplay with goals from Robin Chantaj and Pat McCormick and that’s how this one ended. 4-2 for Ireland and their stunning SEVENTH win in a row.

Both goalies in this game absolutely spectacular but they can’t always get the POG. Italy’s honours go to stalwart winger Matt Goddard while the Irish Gangsta, Johnny Fasuuuuuuuuuulo sports the green fedora for the Irish.

Late Game – Slovenia vs Portugal

Slovenia vs Portugal in the late show, both teams looking to gel for the playoffs with records that don’t reflect the talent on both teams.

Absolutely fantastic to see League Prez, Frank “The Goalie” Rispoli, back between the pipes for Team Portugal. With Arty Senkowski away this week, Tony Cioffi was in the net for Slovenia after holding Italy to a pair of goals in the early game.

Both goalies looked strong early on until Slovenian Hitman Stephen Davis lit the lamp with 7 minutes to go in the first. League mascot Mike “Maybe This Year” Rukavina gave his squad a two-goal cushion 90 seconds later and Portuguese fans started grumbling. This was obviously both upsetting and inspiring to Portugal’s Rick Gunther who said, “Hold my beer” and proceeded to score TWO GOALS IN LESS THAN 30 SECONDS to tie the game 2-2!! Inspired by Gunther’s heroics, Johnny Annan made it 3-2 for Portugal a minute later and Tony Deluca doubled their lead shortly after that! Slovenia’s Davis got his second of the night with 8 seconds to go to make it 4-3 for Portugal after a busy first period at the scorekeeper’s table.

Chris Johnson added to Portugal’s lead halfway through the second period and then, having seen Gunther’s heroics in the second, Slovenian forward Tim Lochner said, “gimme summa dat!” and proceeded to absolutely WRECK the Portuguese defence singlehandedly. Only two goals scored in the second half of the period and it was ALL LOCHNER, tying the game at 5 and giving his squad some serious momentum going into the third period.

Both teams battled through the third with no goals until Portugal substitute Dave “Shoot from the Rafters” Vincelli scored three in the last seven minutes with no answers from the Slovenians. Portugal picks up its first win of 2025 with a strong effort from their spiritual leader Frank Rispoli.

Portugal Player of the Game honours go to Rick Gunther who was absolutely EVERYWHERE, while Tim Lochner gets the award for almost stealing the game singlehandedly for Slovenia.