HUGE stakes in this final round as the fate of four teams hangs in the balance. Only Scotland has their spot confirmed for Champ Day. Every other team’s fate for Sunday depended on these Friday night final round games.

Early Game – Slovenia vs Portugal

Slovenia needed a win to lock down a spot in the gold game and Portugal needed a win to avoid their season ending before Championship Sunday even arrived. Slovenia captain Greg Platt’s family came out to support their favorite player, giving the black team an early morale boost.

This one definitely had the feel of a playoff game with both squads skating and checking hard, feeling their fate in their hands. Slovenia’s Rispoli and sub Fabio Faoro both impenetrable until Dave Vincelli finally scored with four minutes left in the first. Don Hambly returned fire a minute later to even the score at 1-1 but a minute after that Dave Woodside put Slovenia up again. The action wasn’t over though. 20 seconds later Alan Robb tied the game at 2 to end the period. Absolutely furious action at the end of the first frame.

Both goalies stood on their heads in the second with dozens of quality scoring chances turned away. Peter Freeman was the only player to find net in period two which ended Slovenia 3, Portugal 2.

Both teams came out jumping in the final frame, Portugal in particular feeling the desperation as their promising season flashed before their eyes. But Rispoli could not be solved in period three while the Portuguese allowed a trio of goals to finish this one a commanding 6-2 win for Slovenia.

Team Portugal left scratching their heads after being in first place for most of the regular season, but managing only a point in 4 playoff games. Their season is over.

Slovenia’s Player of the Game is Jim Maguire while substitute goalie Fabio Faoro takes the honours for Portugal.

Late Game – Scotland vs Italy

Slovenia’s victory in the early game finalized the picture for Sunday, and so the late show was a Champ Day warm-up for Scotland (who is locked in for the gold game) and Italy (who will definitely play for bronze).

Italy was without the playoff’s leading goal-scorer, Ciro Napolitano, while Scotland had most of their key players on hand. Tim Randa broke the ice halfway through period one and Steve Davis evened it with four minutes to go. A late Brad Stoll goal put the Scots up 2-1 after one period.

Both netminders looked strong in period two. Henderson was perfect and Senkowski allowed only a pair (Stoll and Thomas). 4-1 for Scotland after two periods.

John Annan made it 5-1 halfway through period three but Fred Raidl brought Italy back within 3 with six minutes to go. And at this point Scotland said enough is enough. Three Scottish goals in the last 5 minutes (Randa with his second and Frank Nweisser scoring the other two), and this one was done. Final score, 8-2 for a very strong looking Scottish squad.

Scotland’s player of the game goes to Frank Nweisser with a pair of Ginos to put this one away. Fred Raidl takes the honours for Italy.

CHAMPIONSHIP DAY IS NOW SET!!

Two huge powerhouses — Scotland and Slovenia — will play for gold. It has been a while since two teams entered the gold game on such dominating runs. This one should be an amazing battle for PCOHL GLORY. The action kicks off at 2:45pm today.

The bronze game (1:30pm) should be an entertaining warm-up with late-surging Ireland taking on an Italian team that came within a day of reaching the Gold Medal match and wants to finish their season with a medal.

Don’t forget that we will have a barbecue outside at the north end of the rink starting towards the end of the gold game. Come on out for a final chin-wag with your fellow PCOHL brothers and enjoy some barbecue on us.

SEE YOU AT THE RINK!