Early Game – Scotland vs Italy

Undefeated powerhouse Scotland goes for their fifth straight win against last place Italy in the early show. Not much doubt about the outcome of this one, right?

Matt Goddard opens the scoring for the favored Scots but the Italians respond before the period ended leaving it a 1-1 tie after one period.

The gritty Italians continued to hold their own in period two. Scotland appeared to be on the march with a pair of goals from Tim Randa but the Italians responded with goals from Ciro Napolitano and Steven Davis to make it a 3-3 tie after two periods.

Apparently these plucky Italians did not read the scouting reports.

Tight checking and goaltending characterized the third period until 13 minutes in when Napolitano and Davis teamed up again for a pair of goals 30 seconds apart to put these Italians up 5-3 with only seven minutes go to!

Defect Enzo Ianno added a late one for the Scots but it wasn’t enough to prevent his team’s first loss of the campaign, giving Italy a much needed win.

Scotland’s player of the game goes to Todd MacDougall with a strong performance on the ice and before the game where he broadcast the Jays game to give his team motivation.

Italy’s POG goes to Rick Cecchetto who helped steer his team to victory with three helpers, including an apple on the game winner.

Late Game – Slovenia vs Ireland

Slovenia looked to cement 2nd place with a win against last-place Ireland in the late game, both teams well-stocked and looking for 2 points.

It was a goaltender’s battle in the first with both Ireland’s Nieminen and Slovenia’s Rispoli recording shutouts in the first frame.

The shutouts continued to the game’s halfway point when Slovenia broke through with three goals in the second half of period two — Greg Platt netting two of them with Peter Freeman potting the third. Veteran Pat McCormick brought the Irish back within two but that’s how the second frame ended: Slovenia 3, Ireland 1.

Period three produced another 3-1 edge for Slovenia with Rick Gunther netting two and Peter Freeman getting his second. Ireland’s Patty Sharp got their lone goal in the third. Final score: Slovenia 6, Ireland 2.

Ireland’s Player of the Game goes to keeper Tomi Nieminen who saw more rubber than a — anyway, he had a great game.

And Rick Gunther takes the Honours for Slovenia with a couple of sweet snipes to help his team to victory.