- 2013 varsity review ice hockey
SPORT
The Varsity Ice Hockey clash between Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham ended in the most dramatic of fashions, with the biggest event on the Varsity calendar living up to its hype. UON snatched a late goal with two minutes left to play, making them triumphant winners by four goals to three. The Capital FM Arena was packed to the rafters, with the two opposing supporters on either side. The atmosphere was electric, and it was clear for all to see that this wasn’t just an ordinary ice hockey match. It meant a great deal more, this game symbolised the tribal warfare and deep lying rivalry between the two universities. The game began in the worst possible manner for Trent, going 3-0 down in the first eleven minutes. UON came out of the blocks lightning quick, scoring in the opening minute of the match from a close and central angle. With NTU seemingly shell-shocked with conceding so early,
UON continued to pile on the pressure. Trent keeper James Cantle was crucial to keeping the score down, saving the home side’s bacon on a couple of occasions with some great stops. Physical challenges continued to fly in from both sides throughout the first third, much to the delight of the vociferous crowds on either sides of the arena. With wave after wave of UON attacks on the Trent goal, finally the home side cracked under the pressure in the tenth minute. An excellent run from UON’s Sam Chandler down the left hand side proved costly. He weaved past a couple of NTU challenges, before slotting the puck through the legs of the despairing Cantle. A third followed soon after, when a muddle in the NTU area resulted in Simon Bell lashing the puck into the net. The pressure continued to mount on the home side, with UON peppering the goal with chance after chance. The home side was low on confidence, and the NTU faithful began to fear the worse. However, hope was restored
Photo by Media Arcade.
www.trentstudents.org
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