Early Game – Ireland vs Portugal

The pundits, predictors and prognosticators were all chiming in on this one. After all, Ireland was a total WAGON in the first round, looking like the odds-on favorite to take home the Rukavina Cup next April. But they are on a 2-game skid and Portugal has been looking very solid lately. More importantly, Portugal could TIE Ireland for first place with a win.

As always when it’s Rispoli vs Nieminen, the goal gods were stingy in this affair, noone bulging twine until Steve Davis got one past the Finnish Fence (Nieminen) with 7 minutes to go in the first period. Dave Vincelli answered almost immediately for the Irish but it took Portugal’s Matt Goddard only 14 seconds to put his team ahead for the second time. Chris Deware tied things up with a minute to go and it was a close-checking, low-scoring, 2-2 game after one period.

Dave Skingley delivered the mail for Portugal at the 13 minute mark of period 2 but Chris Johnson knotted things at 3 before the period ended. What a game!! This one would have to be decided in the final frame. Who would be the hero? Who would either secure sole possession of first place for his Irish squad or put his fellow PORTUGAYSH in a tie for top spot??

Well, the youngest player in the league is 50 years old. And the man who settled this one was 30 years his senior. That’s right. The ageless Bruce Freeman scored the only goal in the final frame to give his Portuguese squad a share of first place. The Pastéis de Nata were flowing in the Portuguese section of Port Credit Arena as delirious Portuguese fans chanted, “Brucey! Brucey!”

ESPN has reported that the league’s elder statesman was quickly signed to a huge sponsorship deal with Portuguese grocery conglomerate Continente. Naturally, he was Portugal’s Player of the Game while Rick Gunther pulled the taps for Ireland.

Portugal POG Bruce Freeman

Ireland POG Rick Gunther

Late Game – Scotland vs Slovenia

With Portugal edging Ireland in the early game, Scotland could join a FOUR-WAY TIE FOR FIRST PLACE with a win over Slovenia. The black team was without their F1 Paul Riopelle, but there is plenty of talent on their bench to cover his absence.

Both Senkowski and Cioffi looked very strong in net with no lamps lit for the first 15 minutes. With 5 to go, Patty Sharp charged in on a breakaway and drifted one over Cioffi’s shoulder to break the ice for Scotland. Mike Russo tied things up moments later, but Pat McCormick put his Scottish squad up 2-1 in the dying moments of period one.

The second period was an absolute goaltender’s DUEL. Chance after chance, back and forth, but zero pucks given until less than a minute to go when Dwayne Tygesen snuck one by Cioffi to make it 3-1 for Scotland going into period three.

More fabulous goaltending at both ends in the final frame. Greg Platt gave the kilts a 3-goal cushion halfway through but Ciro Napolitano made it 4-2 moments later. Robin Chantaj moved in from the point and found twine at the four minute mark, but Napolitano scored again to keep things interesting with two minutes to go. Alas, that was it for goals in this one and it ended 5-3 for Scotland.

And here we have a VERY RARE EVENT. A FOUR WAY TIE FOR FIRST PLACE. Slovenia is in second place with 4 points and all other teams have 8 points after eight weeks of competition. Talk about parity!!

Art Senkowski takes the Scottish kudos while Ciro Napolitano is the pride of Slovenia.

Scotland POG Art Senkowski

Slovenia POG Ciro Napolitano