Early Game – #1 Italy vs #4 Portugal

The early tilt featured first place Italy against a fourth place Portuguese squad looking to find their groove with their roster of proven players.

Greg Platt struck first for Portugal but John “Gretter” Annan tied it up to end a tight-checking first period.

Portugal puckhandlers Murray Russell and Jeff Boulton put the Lisboetas up 3-1 before Bryon Wright lit the lamp for Italy with only 7 seconds to play in the second period. Portugal 3, Italy 2. Could Portugal hold on to upset the top team?

Not on this evening. The third period featured 4 goals, all by Italy’s Dave Vincelli. Which goes to show, you can’t just defend against Leo with this squad. With this win the Italians almost guarantee themselves a first place finish. They will have to lose their last two and Slovenia will have to win both of their’s otherwise the Romans can make evening plans for March 15 with a first round playoff bye.

Koach Kostick wears the cockhat for Portugal and Dave Vincelli is the POG for Italy.

Late Game – #3 Ireland vs #5 Scotland

The late show featured the Battle of the British Isles. Scotland missing some key components in this one but came out battling with goals by Brad Stoll and Joe Peacock. Agostino Falcone’s nifty one-timer from the high slot and a follower by Chris Deware made it 2-2 before rookie sensation Steve Boyle put the Scots up 3-2 after the first period.

The second period was a goalie’s duel with Ireland’s Matt Goddard the only one to bulge the twine, sending the game into the third period tied at 3.

Early in the third, Goddard put Ireland ahead with his second of the night but the Scots got a CLUTCH goal from stay-at-home D-man, league rookie, and all-around nice guy Acheson Thomas for the FIRST GOAL OF HIS PCOHL CAREER. Hope someone grabbed the puck for his trophy case.

This one looked to be heading towards a tie until Ireland’s Brian Spence tickled the rafters with a pitching wedge that fell behind Rispoli the Goalie to put Ireland ahead. An insurance goal from Deware ended this one 6-4 for Ireland.

Lots of offence by the D-men in this one and lots of penalties (22 minutes) but nothing got out of hand and both teams looked to be getting into playoff shape. Scotland can still move up in the standings with a strong finish and will no doubt be a tough squad to beat when they bring their full lineup to the Round Robin.

Players of the Game go to league gentlemen Matt Goddard from Ireland and Acheson Thomas from Scotland.