Early Game – Italy vs Portugal

Italy brings its 1-1 record into this game against the Portuguese who have only played once — a victory over Slovenia.

Both teams a little depleted in this one. Italy without their top three draft picks and spiritual leader Mike Rukavina. Portugal also missing their F1.

Team Italia jumped into an early lead with goals off the sticks of Chris Johnson and Ciro Napolitano. But Portugal struck back quickly with two goals in 22 seconds from rookie Alex Baluta and veteran Murray Russell. With 6 minutes to go in the first the game was tied 2-2. But the first was far from over.

Napolitano notched his second goal at the five-minute mark putting the Romans up 3-2, but Joe Peacock and Mike Russo both scored in the final two minutes to end the whirlwind first period with a 4-3 Portugal lead.

Things slowed down in the second period with no goals until, with 6 minutes to go, Robin Chantaj netted a beauty to give Portugal a two-goal cushion, but Rick Cecchetto scored a minute later to narrow Portugal’s lead to 5-4. More end to end action until Murray Russell potted his second of the night ending the second period 6-4 for Portugal.

Russell’s last minute backbreaker seemed to take the steam out of the Italians who went scoreless in the final frame while Portugal added three more (two from Russo for the hat-trick and a single from Flumerfelt).

Italy falls to 1-2 on the season and will have next week off to prepare for their final game of Round 1 against the Slovenians. Italy grabs a tie of first place with Scotland and will play the Irish next Friday.

Portugal Player of the Game goes to big George Letsos, showing no signs of rust after his absence and taking the Italians by storm.

Italy’s Player of the Game goes to Ciro Napolitano — PCOHL Scouting has Ciro as an under-rated player who will be a leader for the Italians this year and command big bucks on the free agent market next Fall.

Late Game – Scotland vs Ireland

Undefeated Scotland took on the winless Irish in the late show, both teams missing some key players. This one turned into a bit of a goaltender battle. Only one goal in the first period, a Joel May strike putting the Irish ahead after one.

More tight checking and goalie heroics in period two with the score remaining 1-0 until the two minute mark. That’s when Big D-man Brice Lewis bulged the twine to tie the game, but the period was…not…over.

With only 55 seconds left, sniper Patty Sharp beat Stuart Henderson to put Ireland up 2-1 and only 12 SECONDS LATER Scottish sharpshooter Brad Stoll tied the game AGAIN!! 2-2 after two!

At this point Ireland’s Finnish Phenom Tomi Nieminen closed up shop, dropped the curtain, turned out the lights, put out the PLEASE COME AGAIN sign. ZERO goals against him in the third period while Scotland’s Stoll notched his second and rookie Todd MacDougall added insurance in the waning minutes. Final score, Scotland 4, Ireland 2.

Ireland’s Player of the Game goes to Tim Lochner who was buzzing around the Scottish net all night. Two-way D-man Brice Lewis takes the honours for the victorious highlanders.

Ireland POG Tim Lochner