Ok so we completed our round robin playoff games last night to much fanfare. Early game between #1 seed Scotland and #2 seed Italy was a well fought affair. 1-1 after the opening frame. Scotland scored the lone goal in the 2nd taking a 2-1 lead. Italy tied up the game mid way through the 3rd. Scotland scored the go ahead goal with just over 3 minutes to go and thats how this one finished, Scotland 3 Italy 2. Lots of Canadian Shenanigans in this one as Brenda was very busy logging 18 minutes of penalties. Italy was 0-4 on the PP and Scotland was 0-1. Scotland got goals from Patty Sharp, Dave Wodar and Timothy Randa. Italy got a goal from Rob McKean and Paul Barbosa. Players of the Game wen to Scotlands backstop Tomi Nieminen.

And for the Italians, I think he comes from Calabria???, Tony ‘First Aid’ Thomas.

Late game had a lot on line as Ireland needed a tie or win to get to the Gold medal game. Portugal already crowned the Schlepp Champions could play spoilers. This was a big brother showdown as Murray Barrett was trying to send his younger bro Dan to the Kiss your Sister game. This puppy was all shamrock shakes as the Irish dominated from the opening whistle to the final buzzer. Final score 5-0 but honestly if it wasn’t for the Portuguese goalie it would have been 20-0. Nothing in the tank for the Portugal team has they fumbled their way to the Schlepp Championship. Portugal went 0-2 on the PP and Ireland was 0-3. Lots of screams of joy on the Irish bench as they hammered the Portugal squad who were just eager to hear the final buzzer. Ireland got goals from Dave Vincelli, Steve Atchison, Paul Riopelle, Dr. Joel May and Dave Skingley, the screamer. Shut outs are very rare in our old farts league and was an easy choice for Irelands player of the Game Scott McCallum.

For the Portugal squad a no brainer as rookie goalie Stewart Henderson was the only teammate who came to play tonight.

The Portugal banner and Plunger get stored with all their sweaters for next season and these lads go into our archives as the 22-23 Schlepp Champions.

So we are all set to go for our Championship Day tomorrow, Sunday, April 30 at Port Credit Arena. There is only a few tickets left as it should be a sold out event. At 1:15 our very famous Kiss Your Sister game for the Bronze medal goes with the #1 seed Scotland on a 2 game win streak will face off against the #4 seed Slovenia. Last time they met Slovenia won 4-3, this one will be a good one. The Gold Medal game for all the marbles (marbles which Rukavina has never touched in 25+ seasons, goes at 2:30 tomorrow as the #2 seed Italy facing off against the #5 seed Ireland who are on a roll. Last game these 2 titans met Italy scored 2 very late goals to beat Ireland 3-2. Last year Ireland beat Slovenia for Gold, can they make it back to back?? And Italy beat Scotland for Bronze, can they add a gold to their team trophy case?

We have cancelled the out door BBQ as the weather is not looking good but will have many pizzas coming at around 3:45 right after the Gold Medal game. Come down to rooms 2 or 3 after the Gold game, have a bite and toast our 36th season in the books. Don’t forget to ensure a spot next season to bring your filled out applications and $50 deposits as tomorrow is our deadline. We will be collecting all your sweaters, no socks, at the end of your games and stay on the ice for a team pic please. See you all at the rink tomorrow afternoon.