Early Game – Scotland vs Slovenia

It’s still early in the season, but Scotland and Slovenia both had a chance to move into first with a win on Friday night. Scotland short-benched with only 9 skaters faced Slovenia with the stingiest keeper in the league after three weeks (Cioffi with a 3.00 GAA).

Historians of the PCOHL will remember a young fireplug rookie named Greg Platt who won the Calder 16 years ago before heading out east for a few years. Well he came back with a fury after Covid, winning the Art Ross for the second time ten years apart and then two Hart trophies in three years. This year Scotland has Greg in their lineup and on Friday night he showed why there’s not a lot of spare room in his hardware case.

With the first period almost half over it was still 0-0. 10 minutes later it was 4-0 for Scotland, every goal of Platt’s stick. Back-breaking for any opponent. Frank Nweisser made it a 5-0 hole to end the first period.

Returnee John Levac made it 6-0 early in the second, followed shortly by Frank Nweisser picking up his second to make this one 7-0 — ouch. But the Slovenians did not give up and clawed back with two goals by Eddy Panetta and Jeff Boulton to make it 7-2. But Platt wasn’t done yet and picked up GOAL #5 on the night to end the second period Scotland 8, Slovenia 2.

Returnee Paul Barbosa was the only ink on the scoresheet in period three, and that’s how this one ended. A rather decisive 8-3 win by the kilts. Tony Cioffi kept this one as close as it was and wins the honours for Slovenia, while five goal scorer Greg Platt leads the parade for Scotland.

Slovenia POG Tony Cioffi

Scotland POG Greg Platt

Late Game – Ireland vs Portugal

The late game was a much tighter affair and a tale of two players. Returnee Chris Deware’s knee looks all healed up (knock on wood) as he made it 2-0 for Ireland early in the first period. Bob King added to the Irish lead but Portugal’s Don Hambly returned fire just before the end of the period to make it 3-1 after one.

The second period was a goaltender’s duel, for the most part, save and except for the period’s two lone goals, scored in the final minutes, both by the aformentioned Don Hambly, whose hat-trick sends this one into the third period all tied up. Yes, the same Don Hambly who bagged 4 goals last week. This guy is on fire!

Irish and Portuguese fans watched tensely as half of the third period went by with the game still knotted at 3. Deware scored his FOURTH of the game halfway through the period, but Portugal’s Enzo Ianno responded almost immediately to tie the game again, 4-4. It was really looking at this point like a question of who would cement the win for their team, Deware or Hambly.

It was Deware. Final score, Ireland 5, Portugal 4, pushing the Leprechauns into sole possession of first place at 3-1, but they are guaranteed zero points in next week’s Round 1 final as they have a bye. Scotland will be looking to beat these same Portuguese to give them a share of first place, but the Lisbonites will have something to say about that.

Ireland’s POG goes to Chris Deware with four goals, including the winner. Portugal’s Picture of Dorian Gray, Bruce Freeman, serves up the Piri Piri for Portugal.

Ireland POG Chris Deware

Portugal POG Bruce Freeman