Early Game – Portugal vs Scotland

#1 Portugal faced off against #2 Scotland in the early game, the Scots looking to avenge their November 21 loss to the Lisbonites, but without star defenceman Brad Stoll and stalwart D-man Enzo Ianno who is doing dry land training in Pompano Beach.

Scotland’s stay-at-home D-man Mike Paciuc broke the ice with a goal 6 minutes in but Portugal’s stay-at-home D-man Alex Baluta returned fire before the period ended. 1-1 after one, both teams forwards still waiting for their Xanax to wear off.

Rookie sensation Don Hambly pots two huge goals midway through the period to put Scotland into a 3-1 hole, but rookie sensation Todd MacDougall closed the gap to 1 goal before the period ended. 3-2 for the Portuguese going into the final frame.

Early on in period 3, big Portuguese D-man George Letsos, who has shown flashes of offensive brilliance over the years, puts his chops on display once again with a couple of nifty dekes and a Crosby-like laser backhand over Henderson’s shoulder to make it 4-2 for Portugal, taking some air out of Scotland’s bagpipes.

Both teams battled for the rest of the game, and league goal leader Tim Randa made it interesting with a toe-drag snapper over substitute Nieminen’s shoulder, but the Scots couldn’t get the equalizer, even after pulling their goalie.

Final score, Portugal 4, Scotland 3.

Portugal’s Player of the Game is Alex Baluta with a goal and two helpers on top of his usual solid defensive play. Scotland’s honours go to their keeper, Stu Henderson, with a number of solid stops to keep the game close.

Late Game – Slovenia vs Italy

Third place Slovenia has lost only once since October and a win over fourth place Italy would move them into second place. But something has been brewing on the Italian squad, who have clobbered their last three opponents by healthy margins.

And it is these same Italians who jump out to an early start with goals from league leader Steve Davis and journeyman Dave Wodar, off the IR and looking sharp. Bob King narrows their lead to 1 before the period ends, but the Italians were looking in control going into period two.

The second period is a blowout. Art Senkowski slams the door shut on Slovenia, giving his team a chance to blow the game open with four unanswered goals. Wodar picks up his second while Ciro Napolitano, Jodie Young and Matthew Zeppa add singles. 5-1 Italy after two periods.

In period three, things go from bad to worse for the Slovenians when Wodar picks up his hat-trick and Davis grabs his second of the night. A last minute Tim Freeman goal provided cold comfort to the Slovenian squad who loses this one 8-2, the fourth team in a row to get trounced by the Romans.

What is up with Italy?? They had only two wins in the first two rounds (both by 1 goal) giving them a solid grip on last place. Then they SWEEP the second round, winning every game, by an average of almost 5 goals. Scotland better watch out next week or they might find themselves sliding further down the standings.

Slovenia’s Player of the Game is Bob King while Italy’s Conn Smythe Winner Art Senkowski takes the honours with his stingy goal-tending.