Triumph for Wildcats at National Championships

There was an enormous success for our Ice Hockey club this month with their A and B teams securing silver and bronze medals at the National Championships in Sheffield. The B team took home the bronze in the BUIHA Division 2 playoffs, and the A team took home the silver Champions title.

The B Team were up first with their competition starting the weekend prior to the A team, competing in the Non-Checking Division 2 of the BUIHA (British Universities Ice Hockey Association). After struggling in the regular season against more experienced teams, Wildcat Bs fought their way to victory in the bronze-tier playoffs.

With only six players having only started ice hockey properly this year, it was a huge success for everyone involved. Committee member James Milne reflects on this: “Most of the team had never touched ice hockey until coming to Newcastle. It’s been awesome to watch them literally go from zero to hero.”

Wildcat’s B captain Ethan Westerman was extremely proud of the team's effort and can’t wait to see what they can do next season:

"After a really tough season, it was great to get a win at nationals, even if it was the lower bracket. It's been so great to watch every single member of the B grow and improve, I couldn't be prouder of everybody."

The pride doesn’t stop there as club president Mabel Mundy recognises the effort and improvement that the team has shown is amazing and their dedication certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed:

“They've kept such high spirits throughout a tough year and it's awesome to see that be rewarded.”

Moving onto the A team, they also made the journey down to Sheffield the following weekend to compete in the BUIHA tier 1 non-checking. Finishing off strong and securing silver at the end of the weekend!

After going 3-3 in the group stage, they faced Southampton for a closely fought semifinal. Playing against Cambridge for the title, the Wildcats dominated the game and kept pushing ahead, winning with a final score of 3-1. It was an incredible performance from the whole lineup over the weekend and the team's commitment and energy were unwavering throughout.

Special shoutouts go to James Milne and Hugo Taylor. James scored 8 points, making him the points leader of the whole weekend; and Hugo Taylor, their B Team goalkeeper who stepped up when our A Team keeper could not make it. Hugo's brilliant performance, especially during a crucial penalty shootout in the semifinals, was essential to the team's success.

Haydn Richards, final year student and in his fifth year in the club reflects on what was one of the ‘best weekends of his life’:

"My first and last nationals with the club, and one of the best weekends of my life. I've made friends for life playing ice hockey at Newcastle Uni and it was amazing to end it on such a high"

It is safe to say this tournament was a success for both our Ice Hockey teams and it was great to see some of our students involved in such a high level of competition. We are extremely proud of the club and what they have achieved this year!