Early Game – Portugal vs Ireland

It was a big early game as Portugal looked to avenge its first round defeat to this plucky Irish squad who are still looking to gel — great looking squad on paper, these Leprechauns, but injuries and absences have taken a toll on their W/L record.

Ireland sniper Patty Sharp broke the ice halfway through the first and Ireland looked to double that on a powerplay when Murray the Flurry Russell stole the puck for a breakaway and — ZING — top shelf for a short-handed goal to even the game at one goal apiece. Mike Russo added one more in the dying moments to end the first period Portugal 2, Ireland 1.

The Irish tied things midway through the second on a goal from their injured star, Paul Riopelle but Portugal came back again to end the period 3-2 on a Robin Flumerfelt goal.

Things got away from Ireland in the third period, which they lost by a 2-goal margin. Jeff Boulton scored for the Leprechauns but Alan Robb, Joe Peacock and Murray the Hurry Russell for his SECOND short-handed goal of the night, put a pin in this one, it’s a 6-3 victory for Portugal, the exact score they lost to these same Irish by in Round 1.

Steve Atchison is Ireland’s Player of the Game, serving up two helpers for the green team, while Portugal’s Murray the Hustle Russell takes the honours with TWO SHORTIES in one game.

Late Game – Scotland vs Slovenia

The late show was a HUGE game, pitting number 1 Scotland against a plucky Slovenian squad who could move into 2nd place with an upset.

Both goalies looking sharp in the first period — Rispoli the Goalie almost perfect but for a Frank Nweisser goal while Stu Henderson records a first period shutout for the kilts.

Slovenia’s Rick Gunther tied the game early in the second period before a scoring flurry at the halfway point of the game — THREE goals in one minute — Rookie Eddy Panetta putting Slovenia ahead, John Annan tying it back up moments later, and Dave Vincelli restoring Slovenia’s lead just 13 seconds after that. A Tim Randa goal in the waning moments and we were ALL TIED UP AFTER TWO. Scotland 3, Slovenia 3.

Furious action in the third period as both teams were hungry for the two points. D-man Sal Guerra showed his offensive chops to put Slovenia up 4-3 early on followed by his teammate Bruce Freeman only 28 seconds later to put Slovenia up 5-3 early in the third. Looking like an upset in the making!

But Scotland isn’t in first place for their looks. Tim Randa narrowed Slovenia’s lead to 1 goal at the midway point and then Matt Goddard tied it up with only 6 minutes to go. Scotland 5, Slovenia 5.

The energy at PCMA was electric as these two squads slugged it out for the win. Then with only 4 minutes left, perennial league star Leo Brideau put the 1st place Scots ahead. Scottish fans going nuts in the crowd, the Glenfiddich execs scurrying to draft Brideau’s endorsement contract while the Glaswegian crowd chanted, “LEE-OH, LEE-OH, LEE-OH!”

But league senior statesman Bruce Freeman was having none of it. With less than a minute to go, the elder Freeman showed his boys how it’s done with his second straight goal of the game to tie it up, and that’s how this epic contest ended — Scotland 6, Slovenia 6.

Slovenia’s Player of the Game naturally goes to the ageless one, Bruce Freeman, putting on a clinic for the youngsters. Scotland Player of the Game goes to Tim Randa who has been dancing through defences all season and leads the league in goals.