We are live at Varsity Ice Hockey, where Trent are looking to retain their title as they play University of Nottingham (UON).
Ice Hockey is kicking off this years Varsity – the annual tournament which sees the university rivals compete in a series of sporting events held in popular venues across the city.
Trent are looking to retain their Varsity ice hockey title after they regained the trophy when they beat UON in a 17-4 upset last February.
NTU had previously previously lost their ice hockey crown in 2023 in a low scoring 2-1 defeat.
Trent boast a squad that is captained by former UON player James Cox and includes the likes of Latvian winger Marks Kannins and 21-year-old forward Eric Perry.
UON’s roster is captained by 23-year-old defender Ben Marples who is partnered at the back with Scottish defender Gregor Park.
There will be no love lost between the two sides with the rivalry expected to continue both on the ice and in the arena.
Whoever wins the event will give their university a 1-0 head start in the Varsity series which runs until early Easter.
The event, announced in November, has now sold out for the third year running.
Varsity ice hockey has grown massively in popularity with the event having previously not sold out between the years of 2017 and 2023.
The two teams will go head-to-head today (February 10) at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena, with the game kicking off at 7pm.
Read our live coverage below – all photos taken by Taylor Ind:
1′ minute: Trent go one goal up
After a strong start, Trent take an early and deserved lead
5′ minute: Trent double their lead
Trent are all over UON here as they double their lead inside five minutes
7′ minute: UON halve the deficit
UON’s number 15 gets a goal back for UON
8′ minute: UON equalise
UON equalise through Austin Mitchell-King
Back underway for the second quarter with the scores all level
22′ minute: Trent retake the lead
Goal for number 38 and assistant captain Marks Kannis
23′ minute: UON strike straight back
An immediate reply from UON
25′ minute NTU back ahead
Trent’s number 46 Matthew Bell puts Trent back ahead
36′ minute: Goal for Trent as they make it 5-3
Goal from Trent’s number 22 as NTU stamp their authority on this game
39′ minute: Trent make it 6-3
Another goal from assistant captain Marks Kanins
39′ minute: Immediate reply from UON
UON reduce the deficit by to just two goals
The game so far, captured
Our brilliant photographer Taylor Ind has been going around Motorpoint Arena capturing the game. Here’s a few of her shots so far:
51′ minute: NTU with a powerplay goal
Number 46 Matthew Bell gets another to make it 7-4
54′ minute: UON get another back
UON make it 7-5 with six minutes remaining
FULL TIME – NTU Victory
NTU looked confident throughout as they retain their crown and give Trent a 1-0 lead in the Varsity series
22 Harry MacGarvey is man of the match
22 Harry MacGarvey for NTU is the man of the match. A well deserved and victorious winner!
Blog now closed
Thank you for reading – we’ve been your reporters, Sports Editor Henry Green and Editor-in-Chief George Palmer-Soady. Stay tuned for plenty more Varsity coverage over the next few days, including an official match report and gallery. COME ON TRENT!!