TRENT ICE HOCKEY CHAMPIONS FOR SECOND YEAR RUNNING

With the title of Varsity ice hockey champions up for grabs it was bound to be a tense game, especially for the University of Nottingham (UoN)who would want revenge for their loss last year.

But Trent came out fighting and opened up the scoring within the first five minutes. Ben Wood capitalised on UoN’s slipups and snuck a shot past the netminder. Trent doubled their lead at 10.52 with an even handed goal from Yann Hafner.

A wild shot from forward Stuart Bates saw UoN close the gap. Just over a minute later, UoN went shorthanded as Simon Bell received a 2 minute penalty for holding the stick. Less than 30 seconds later, Kenny Klinge grabbed the rebound scoring a shorthanded goal and evening out the scored to 2-2 at the end of the first period. With Trent almost outshooting the home side 2:1 they had little to show for it.

Halfway through the second period and 3 seconds after Trent’s Ben Wood stepped out of the penalty box for a tripping call, UoN captain Tom Griffiths takes advantage on the powerplay and puts UoN in the lead making the score 3-2.

UoNs lead didn’t last for long though as 2 minutes before the end of the period Simon Payne sits a penalty for roughing. Trent make the man advantage count with a neat powerplay goal from Zandy Cleves at 38.44.

With everything to play for in the third and final period, the energy levels in the arena were high.

UoN came out fighting and had something to show for it as Jack Clarkson hit one home at 45.19 making it 4-3 and putting UoN in the lead once again.

But just like before their lead didn’t last for long as exactly 2 minutes later Will Weldon equalised on another powerplay making it 4-4.

Trent hold onto the title for a second year running

But the drama didn’t stop there! Trent continued to barrage the keeper with Gareth O’Flaherty putting Trent back in front with finessed shot into the net with the UoN keeper on his belly. 5-4.

Trent put two more in the goal before UoN scored a consolation goal in the final 50 seconds of the game.

With 22 seconds left on the clock, a fight broke out between Trent’s Ben Wood and UoNs Roland Soltys. Even with the fight sparking some life into UoN and with a pulled goalie, the game had already been won meaning that Trent remain the champions for a second year running. Final Score 7-5 to….

Altogether now, T – R – E – N – T…..

Tags: ice hockey, nottingham trent university, nottingham universitys, University of Nottingham, Varsity 2012