100TH VARSITY ICE HOCKEY TRIUMPH FOR OXFORD

Two ice hockey players - one in white, one in blue - compete for the puck

100TH VARSITY ICE HOCKEY TRIUMPH FOR OXFORD

Returning to the very first venue, Oxford wins the centenary Varsity ice hockey match in St Moritz, Switzerland

Published: 26 March 2018

Author: Richard Lofthouse

 

Share this article

Oxford may have lost the boat race but it won the ice hockey, both events taking place on March 24. Deep in the Swiss alps, the two teams faced off at the Lyceum Alpinum boarding school ice hockey rink in St Moritz.

The Oxford University ice hockey team huddled together on the ice

Oxford before the start. The Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz played host in 1885 at the very first match.

 

In a close fought and thrilling match watched by a large crowd of alumni in plunging temperatures of minus 6 degrees centigrade, Oxford eventually prevailed one minute and 17 seconds into extra time, after a 3-3 draw.

An ice hockey match in progress, and Byrne, number 27, is surrounded by opposing players

Man of the Match Christopher Byrne (Kellogg, 2015), shown here, clinched victory for Oxford just a minute into extra time

 

When the match began at 8pm, Cambridge initially looked the stronger side but Oxford suddenly took control ten minutes in and scored, and then scored again. That initial edge, plus an unbeaten league record, appeared to give them a psychological advantage although there were many occasions when the pale blues could have prevailed, with a sparkling performance by the towering Wilbys. But it was finally Canadian Chris Byrne (Kellogg, 2015), who scored for Oxford from a complex goal mouth confusion, ending the match, the final score 4-3.

An ice hockey team on a rink, looking disappointed, with a scoreboard showing 4-3 in the background

Cambridge dejected as they take in the scoreboard after a long campaign in temperatures of minus 6.

 

Before the match, several mixed gender alumni teams played warm-up matches and Cambridge dominated the results. Another team dressed in antique kit to evoke the atmosphere of a century ago – but interestingly the equipment has changed very little save for the incursion of synthetic fabrics over wool.

An ice hockey match in progress, with the participants wearing vintage uniforms

Yesteryear heritage match played by alumni showed that the game has remained much the same.

 

Normally, the Varsity ice hockey match is played either at a rink in Peterborough, or at the Oxpens public rink in Oxford. Cambridge is building a new rink that will open next year. It was the Lyceum Alpinum boarding school that initially suggested a return to the St Moritz for the centenary match, and by all accounts the setting made for a special occasion.

People dressed for cold weather, stood in a busy cafe

The Lyceum venue provided warmth and conviviality on a very cold night in the Swiss alps in St Moritz.

 

An ice hockey helmet on an ice rink

All helmets strewn across the ice once the victory was secured - an Oxford tradition

Thanks to Swiss Tourism; Tourism Organisation Engadin St Moritz and to Evelyn Gorgos of Tschuggen Hotel Group, for supporting QUAD in the reporting of the match.