Once again, Trent trumps UoN on the ice with a score of 5-4. At Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham holds one of the biggest university events of the year...
7,000 seats and one of the biggest games in the country – it’s varsity time. Half the arena dressed in green and the other dressed in pink, the crowds chanted and got rowdy, supporting their team till the very end.
From the Mexican wave to foam fingers, screaming at the top of their lungs, the crowd certainly had a spectacular night. What’s a better opening than two mascots wrestling? Trent Tiger and Nottingham Lion challenged each other on the ice with proper funny entertainment, getting everybody ready for the real game about to begin.
Ice hockey players roamed around showing off their amazing technique with number 70, Hodgkins (Trent), catching the puck with his hands at the very start, to get the game started. Players skated the ice, trying to block each other, when Trent scored repetitively in the first period, with the obligatory university chants to follow. It wouldn’t be a game without those and it’s really fun to join in, even if you don’t know some of the words.
As the game continued, more tension grew between the players, with the crowd screaming ‘Fight! Fight! Fight!’ with the players loving the attention. A bit of drama during a game is what it’s all about.
Ice hockey varsity has a lot more to offer than just the game itself. Little kids join to play a mini ice hockey game after the first period, and then there are the sport officers competing against each other, giving UoN pride as they won that round with the help of student representatives.
The cheerleaders showed off their amazing talent with their flying and stunt performances, laving everyone not knowing where to look. But my all-time favourite part of the game was when the crowd cheered every time the ice re-surfacer guy came around, as if he was the highlight of the night. It wouldn’t be a proper game without him.
When the second period started and the game increased with intensity, the scoring went back and forth. With a pause in period three, things got juicier. Player 20 (UoN) and player 21 (Trent) started circling each other, with the ref allowing them. Instantly, they start punching each other in the face repetitively and the crowds absolutely loved it. After a couple of seconds, the ref stopped it and the game continued on. Phew.
In the last few seconds of the game and UoN score. However, with Trent in the lead they already had their victory, and for two years in a row. With a score of 5-4, it was a brilliant game, and sure to be next year too, don’t miss out.
Trent player Myles Richardson commented: "We played well as a team and kept up with the team in regards to the physical side of the game. Our goalie played one of the best games he has all year and kept us ahead especially in the latter stages of the game. Getting the win was really good and hopefully next year we can make it three in a row!"
Notts Varsity Ice Hockey match took place at Motorpoint Arena on Thursday 30 March 2017
Notts Varsity website
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