Unversity of Sheffield 1-3 Sheffield Hallam
For the eighth year out of eight, the University of Sheffield’s near neighbours and deadly rivals took the bragging rights in the annual fight – literally and figuratively – for first blood in the opening event of Sheffield Varsity sport. A crowd of over 3,500 witnessed a rip-roaring encounter which perhaps surpassed even last year’s incredible 5-3 comeback victory for Hallam for sheer entertainment.
Hallam made much of the early running in an expectedly combative opening period, with Walker, Clark and captain Bryniarski all going close as Uni looked uncomfortable in defence, a theme that was to run through the entire encounter. Uni attempted to strike back, and after being on the back foot early were in the ascendency for much of the opening period, their own captain fantastic Rob Firth a driving force as they peppered Hallam keeper Dodd, who would later deservedly pick up the Hallam Man of the Match award.
Then, in the final two minutes of the period, two big events – the first fight, as Andrew Terentjev of Uni and Bryniarski of Hallam shed their armour and squared off to the delight of a crowd who provided the game with a truly electric atmosphere. But rather more significantly, seconds before the klaxon Hallam made it 1-0 – Anton Egorov found himself all alone up front, and comfortably rounded Uni keeper David Roxburgh to slot home.
Four minutes after the restart, the reigning champions doubled their advantage, as Uni’s at times shambolic defending finally came home to roost – Murray stole the puck and squared it to Ames, who slotted home. This sparked Uni into life, and it isn’t exaggerating to say they could have scored four or five in the remainder of the period – Ryan Jinn came into his own, slaloming repeatedly through the opposition in a manner that would not be out of place in next week’s skiing. Dodd however was inspired, reflex saves denying Jinn and Ware. His best was yet to come, heading the wrong way, Dodd somehow managed to save Laskey’s close-range shot. Uni had all the chances, Hallam had all the goals.
Hallam looked to have survived the worst of the onslaught, and tried to turn the screw as Mexican waves swept the Motorpoint Arena – by any means necessary, with captain Brynianski leading by example, picking up his second penalty of the day for interference, taking one for the team.
Uni called a 30-second time-out with 10 minutes to go as they attempted to strategise a comeback, and did indeed threaten something very special. With 43 seconds to go, and with Uni throwing caution to the wind and sending their keeper up field, Adam Szollosy scored, and very nearly added another, but Dodd’s fingertips denied the big man. In the end, there was time for another goal, but only to make Hallam’s extended winning streak safe, Bryniarski smashing it through the hapless Roxburgh.
There was still time for a final entertainment for the baying crowd, as Jack Ware for Uni took on King of Hallam in a superb punch-up, which fittingly rounded off one of the most exciting Varsity Ice Hockey games since their inception in 2004 – but, again, Uni were disappointed.
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