Week 24 and our 2nd to last set of games for this regular season.

Early match between Sweden and Canada.  Strong opening frame on both sides of the pond as both teams score twice after one period.  Canada took over this tilt the rest of the way as they score 2 unanswered in the 2nd frame and 3 unanswered in the 3rd period for a very convincing 7-2 win.  Sweden went 0-1 on the PP and Canada was 0-0.  Sweden got goals Leo Brideau and David ‘Shampoo’ Dupal.  Canada got 2 goals from both league leader Patrick Sharp and Neil Kelly and singles from Pat McCormick, Robert McKean and the very handsome George Letsos.  Players fo the Game went to Canada’s Neil Kelly and for Sweden Brian Burke.  Note he was not on the ice but was on the bench and he brought beverages, class act!!!!!!

Late game between Finland and Poland.  Finland needed 3 replacement players for this one as they had 7 skaters all with the virus????????   Patty Sharp, Brice Lewis and big brother Peter Freeman skating with younger bro Tim for this one were their call ups.  1-1 after the opening frame.  Finland scored 2 unanswered in the 2nd for a 3-1 lead.  All Finland in the final frame as they score 3 times for a final 6-1 victory.  Finland went 1-1 on the PP and Poland was 0-0.  Poland lone goal off the wood of Alan Robb.  Finland got 2 goals from fill in Peter Freeman.  Singles for a lot of Tim’s.  Tim Randa, Tim Martins, Tim Freeman and Tim Tygesen, oops sorry that would be Dwayne, got carried away with my Tims.  Players of the Game goes to Polands Alan Robb and for Finland Gordie Ide.

With the Poland loss they are the only team to secure their playoff seeding and know their schedule.  Poland will be the 5th seed.  This week Friday, March 6, 2020 the early game at 9:15 will be Canada vs Poland.  If Canada wins they will be the #3 seed, Finland #4 and Poland #5.  If Poland wins or ties this tilt then Finland will get the #3 seed, Canada #4 seed and Poland #5 seed.  Late game is at 10:30 and it is a doozy as Sweden will face off against the rested USA team.  A USA tie or win will give them the #1 seed and Sweden the #2 seed.  A Sweden win will give them the #1 seed and USA #2 seed.  So lots up for grabs this week.  The Finland squad gets the week off but will be following the live streaming of the Canada vs Poland game to see where they will finish off.

Also up for grabs this last week of games is the league scoring race and the battle for the Art Ross trophy.  Canada’s Patrick Sharp is on top with 38 points, USA Marcelo Di Luzio in 2nd with 37 and Swedens Leo Brideau in 3rd with 36 points.  Should be a fun finish.  Also up for grabs is the fight for the Vezina trophy for best goalie (and defensemen and or back checking forwards haha) USA Bobby Ide sits on top with a 3.68 average followed by Swedens Scott McCallum with a 3.79 average.  Sweden has allowed 2 more goals against vs USA after 19 games played.

Also another bit of useless trivia for all of you.  Our average age in our league is just slightly over 57 years old.  We have 8 boys in their 40’s, our youngest member is Tim Freeman from Finland at 45.  We have 34 members in their 50’s and 27 in their 60’s.  Our 2 oldest members are in their 70’s.  Bruce Freeman is 73 and Gary Julius is 70.  Mark Plewes is next at 69, then Bobby Ide at 67 and Billy Dawe at 66.  4 of our 50’s boys will turn 60 later in the year after our championship night, Joel May, Mike Rukavina, Rob McKean and Robert Morettin.

OK that’s it for now see you all on the ice!!!