The first Varsity Ice Hockey match was held in 1885 in St. Moritz, Switzerland. To this day, two of the oldest teams in the sport still play each year. This year the Varsity match was held at Cambridge’s training ground in Peterborough, giving the Cambridge Blues the home advantage. The Cambridge support consisted of a small fleet of coaches that left from Queen’s Road, Cambridge under a blanket of darkness.

Blinking under the fluorescent strip lights the Cambridge punters took seats opposite a smaller population of dark blue rival fans. First to take to the ice were the home side, as heavy rock music echoed off the Plexiglas.  As the team settled into some drills, Oxford announced their arrival with throbbing dance music. Both teams showed their discipline and intent, settling into some drills, with nets being thoroughly tested at either end.

The first face off was taken by Cambridge but Oxford countered immediately. The tone was set and the teams struggled to hold possession for more than thirty seconds early in the game. The first attempt on goal came from Cambridge, which sailed across the goalmouth but didn’t find the net. The dark blues soon replied but the Cambridge goaltender held resolute.

Much of the first period saw the teams evenly matched. Cambridge rattled the goalposts with several long range efforts and Oxford were denied repeatedly by the Cambridge goaltender. Then, 11 minutes and 44 seconds into the first period, Richardson, 6, took the first point for Cambridge lofting the puck past the Oxford crease into the net. As Oxford fought hard to equalise Cambridge’s Carl Mazurek, 35, was forced to pull off several stunning saves before the first period wrapped up.

Just 39 seconds into the start of the second period Richardson made his second mark on the scoreboard for Cambridge. Oxford’s number 77, Shepherd, retaliated soon after the restart with a distance effort that narrowly passed over the crossbar. As the second period drew on, Oxford’s frustration with Cambridge’s defence grew, finally erupting in a penalty against the Oxford captain, number 17, Matt Alkaitis, following a goalmouth scuffle at the Cambridge end.

Cambridge took advantage of the powerplay to settle into a period of possession which lead to Harris, 31, to flick Cambridge’s third goal past Oxford’s goaltender from point blank range. With 2 minutes and 31 seconds of the period remaining Oxford’s number 39 created a chance from nothing, converting a cross from Aguirre, 11, into the first point for the dark blues using his boot. Oxford’s relief was short lived though as the Cambridge attackers linked up to put their fourth puck away in the dying moments of the second period.

The final period saw the most physicality as penalties for roughing were dished out as Oxford pushed hard to get on the scoreboard again and Cambridge fought to keep them out.  Oxford gambled in desperation pulling the goaltender in the final minutes and replacing him with an outfield player. Harris made full use of Oxford’s all or nothing tactics to round off the Cambridge victory, making the score 5-1 just before the buzzer.

After the two teams shook hands, Stephen Osborne of Cambridge University Press, the Cambridge shirt sponsor, presented Bruni, 18 with the Oxford man of the match trophy. Carl Mazurek was awarded the Cambridge MOM trophy for a spectacular performance in goal, whilst Owen Radnett collected the overall MOM award for Cambridge. Finally, Taylor Burns, the Cambridge captain was presented with the Varsity Ice Hockey Trophy, which he held high amongst his light blue teammates.