When I set out to report on this game, I was under the impression I was going to watch a game of field hockey. I thought this would be a nice courteous sport played by a bunch of spiffing chaps. However, I soon realised that this game had exchanged a nice patch of shrubbery for a large icy puddle and a bunch of impulsive and hot-blooded Canadians. This wasn’t any kind of hockey, this was “Ice Hockey.” The first match was played against Boreal. In the first period Trent University’s Men’s Intramural team skated about like a pack of wild dogs. Each player was alternating on and off the field of play and then quickly snapped back on their leads by ice hockey coaches/dog handlers Patrick Shearer and Terry Kirkham. I missed the first goal because my eyes were taking some time adjusting to the speed of the game and the intense arctic conditions had frozen my eyeballs stiff. I managed to defrost just in time to see one captain fantastic, Ryan Minicola, storm down the right wing, give a quick give-and-go and then precede to pummel the puck into the back of the goal;
taking the score line to 2-0 in favour of Trent. In the second period goalie Jack Barry, having stood motionless for the majority of time, quickly snapped up and played a key role by saving two penalties in a rather calm and precise fashion. Out of all the games, this was the most brutal. Drew Hampel and Ryan Minicola spent a large amount of the third period becoming familiar with the penalty box – guilty, so I’m told, of checking, hooking and just generally being mean. The game ended a resounding 5-0 to Trent University – bravo!
The next game was played against Seneca Newnham. This game appeared to me to be a much more open and fast paced game of hockey. The first period ended 0-0. In contrast, the second period was far more one-sided as Trent University demonstrated their more superior staking and passing abilities. Trent secured two comfortable goals, but the latter end of the period took a dramatic twist when the opposition held a two-man advantage over Trent. It turned from a war of movement into a war of position and if it wasn’t for Trevor Green’s boisterous play in front of goal, and some resolute defending from Cory Hazael, Dylan Withers, and Lucas White the match could have taken a dramatic twist. The third period was equally as entertaining.
The pace picked up and Trent were fighting it out in every corner. Tactically Trent appeared to attack the opposition’s corners and play a diagonal pass back in the hope of a late arrival to slap shot it into the roof of the net. At one stage Josh Peters read the move perfectly but his shot was unlucky enough to rebound off the cross-bar. Strangely, however, he opened out into a fit of rage and began to break his own hockey stick in half. Trent University were unlucky not to make it beyond the semi-finals of the tournament. Trent outplayed their opponents but they lost in a penalty shootout in which the opposition had metaphorically parked their school bus, a.k.a. extremely large goalkeeper, in front of the goal. I would argue that player of the tournament is a toss up between Josh Brault and Lucas White. Josh appeared to be all over the rink, was an excellent tackler, distributer of the puck, and also scored an impressive slap shot. Lucas passed, shot, and defended extremely well all throughout the tournament; and I’m told has “excellent lateral movement.”
Overall, I found the whole day out extremely enjoyable and I would recommend getting yourself involved if you too have excellent lateral movement and also possess a healthy record of anti-social behaviour. Next year’s try-outs will be held in September and I suggest contacting Campus Rec in advance. If you want to pop down and watch the guys, then they will be playing the Fleming Lindsay Tournament on Friday February 17 and then the Georgian Barrie Tournament on Thursday March 8 in preparation to qualify for the Challenge Cup finals in March. So get along and support!