MVP Christopher Finch in actionDave Tudman

Cambridge Light Blues 12, Oxford University Dark Blues 3

For perhaps the first time in the history of Oxbridge sports, a team has had to play two Varsity Matches against separate teams from The Other Place – and beat them both.

The Cambridge Men’s Ice Hockey Blues had just stunned the Oxford Blues (OBs) the week before 10 – 0, securing the first clean sheet for Cambridge in more than 75 years and Oxford’s worst loss in recent memory. The OBs had come into the game as reigning Varsity champions and holders of the Patton Cup, the symbol of Varsity ice hockey victory since 1927. This team had detached from the Oxford University Sports Federation and has competed in the British University Ice Hockey Association (BUIHA) Division One for the past two years, despite having lost their Blues status.

This year, a new team emerged: The Oxford University Blues (OUBs), who had the previous team’s Blues status reinstated and also played in BUIHA Division One, but had relied heavily on Oxford Brookes players to fill their roster. (Students whose universities do not have their own ice hockey team are allowed to play league fixtures for the nearest university team; however, Brookes and Anglia Ruskin students are not permitted to play in the all-important Varsity Match.) 

Cambridge had spent a year preparing to reclaim the Patton Cup from the OBs, but two weeks before the Varsity match, the Cambridge Men’s Blues Committee, after careful deliberations, legislated that to qualify as an official Varsity Match, both teams are required to be aligned with their respective Sports Federations. 

This meant that the men in Light Blue would play the Oxford Blues for the Patton Cup, (which they won comfortably on 7th March), and the Oxford University Blues for their official Varsity Match. Cambridge had planned strategically and methodically for months to beat the OBs, but with only six days between Varsity Matches and very little information about the OUBs, the Light Blues were counting on the momentum from the previous week’s triumph to guide them to a second Varsity win. Thus, the Cambridge motto all year has been GDBBOs, the latter portion being both Oxfords.

One of two labours had been accomplished, and the boys stepped out onto the ice at Alexandra Palace in their vintage away jerseys for ice hockey Varsity Part II. 

A momentary lapse of focus and a defensive error on the very first shift left an Oxford attacker alone in front of the Cambridge net and after 30 seconds of play, the Dark Blues led 1 – 0.

That was unexpected, but Cambridge were hardly about to give in so easily, and after some intense offensive pressure, the Light Blues’ defenseman Svenny Martin Sedlak smashed home his second goal in as many Varsity Matches to tie the game at ones.

Less than a minute later, Dr Marty Smoragiewicz set up Czech star Vaclav Beranek in the corner who waited patiently for 6’5” Swedish phenom Oscar Wilsby to drift into the open slot. A perfect pass right on Wilsby’s stick, a deadly accurate release, and Cambridge had taken the lead, 2 – 1.

90 seconds later, the Cambridge forces struck again. Baranek again set up in the corner, but this time instead of feeding his linemate, he fired a seemingly impossible shot past the Dark Blue keeper. Cambridge 3, Oxford 1.

Not long after, a savage hit led to a Cambridge penalty, but even with a player down, the Light Blues still dominated the action. As the advantage was about to expire, the BUIHA’s leading scorer and Player of the Game from the first Varsity Match, Christopher Finch, danced around a defender before shooting into the top corner to increase his team’s lead to three.

The assault was without relent. Playmaking genius Baranek once again presided from his favourite spot and this time found Smoragiewicz, who slammed home yet another goal. 

This took the score to 5 – 1, Cambridge.

Try as they may, the Dark Blue defence had no answer for the mighty Cambridge attacking trio and on their next shift, they wreaked more havoc. Smoragiewicz snatched up his own rebound, turned, and passed sharply to Wilsby, who netted his second of the night. 

With only 30 seconds left in the first frame, an accidental giveaway allowed Oxford to find the back of the net for the second time.

The first period expired with Cambridge in the lead 6 – 2.

A few minutes into the second, after killing off a penalty, it was Baranek again who walked around a Dark Blue defender to slide a perfect pass to Wilsby, who tapped in his third of the game to complete the hat trick.

Later, a precise pass from Brennan to Gagnon set up a shot at the net. The rebound landed perfectly for Finch, who acrobatically fired the puck past the diving Oxford keeper to make the score 8 – 2 in Cambridge's favour.

After a long period of sustained offensive pressure, the Cambridge defence made another slip, and conceded the third Oxford goal.

However, the Light Blues continued to attack as Gagnon launched a cross-ice pass to Rodier, who took two steps over the blue line and fired a slapshot so hard it nearly ripped through the back of the net. Cambridge 9, Oxford 3.

The second period concluded without consequence and the third began devoid of an ice cut after 40 minutes of play, leaving the surface very slow. It also saw the debut of Finnish goaltender Danny Orvomaa, the team’s public relations rep.

After more than ten minutes of near-continuous, scoreless play, a crushing body check by triathlete Simon Rodier turned the puck over right to Finch, who circled around the Oxford net and scored his third of the game to put Cambridge up 10 – 3.

Vaclav Baranek, who secured five points on the nightDave Tudman

Five minutes later, Jaason Geerts netted a pass from Michal Barabas before the two swapped roles and Barabas notched up one of his own to take the tally to 12 – 3. Aussie Kum Nathan assisted both goals.

Despite a barrage of Cambridge shots, no more pucks would find their way across the goal line. 

A genial handshake was followed by both teams converging for a group picture, and for a banner supporting the Women in Sports campaign as a testament to the relationship between the universities and between the respective men’s and women’s clubs. 

There were excellent Varsity performances from Player of the Match Christopher Finch, who bagged three goals and an assist, and Vaclav Beranek with a goal and four assists. Spencific Brennan made fantastic passes all game long, Oscar Lars Wilsby grabbed three goals and an assist, and goaltender Daniel Orvomma kept a clean sheet. The Team-Voted Player of the Game went to Michael Barabas for his goal.

An honourable mention also goes out to Oxford goalie Alan Keeso, who faced 73 shots.

Cambridge would like to sincerely thank Coach Bill Harris, manager Roberts Blukis, Dave Tudman the photographer, Tafara, and Anton Wright for video coverage. Finally, of course, Cambridge would like to thank the fans who cheered the Light Blues on to this second victory in less than a week. 

The men in Light Blue finish the season as Patton Cup winners and undisputed champions of both Varsity Matches. This is the second greatest number of goals Cambridge has ever scored, and the second largest margin of victory for Cambridge in an ice hockey Varsity Match in their 130-year history.

Cambridge will enter the Nationals on 25th and 26th April in Sheffield.

GDBBOs