Wednesday morning began early—7 am to be precise. We were served eggs and toast before we were led up to the training rink where we would have our morning skate. We all took it quite easy, but the general consensus was this was the best ice around. We had one UTB player training with us, who by comparison was built like a wall. He joked that his team was wondering if we would go out there and kick the puck about like it were a football.
Following our morning skate, we were quickly ushered back to the rectory building where we would have our meeting with the rector of UTB. He took was quickly surprised by our goalie, Robyn Maby and questioned if she was intending to play the game that night. He had a lot of interest in hockey within the UK and how it compared to Czech and other leagues across the globe. To conclude the meeting, I presented him with his "makeshift" Manchester Metros jersey. He was pleased to have a bunch of English (1 American and 1 Norwegian) sitting in front of him.
After our meeting, we were allowed leisure time until we headed up to the arena on our time. Several of us headed to get our skates sharpened and to look at the selection of sticks in the two hockey shops. I, myself, was entranced at the selection and bought a stick for 589 CZK. When we had all indulged in new sticks, gear, and other necessities, we left for our pregame curry meal in the dining halls.
18;45 rolled around faster than we thought and we were soon on our way to Zimminí Stadion, home of PSG Zlín and of course UTB Hockey Team.
The locker room mood was actually quite light, even for a game at the caliber we were about to be against. I think it helped that we all felt we really had something to prove not just for ourselves against last year’s Czech National Champions, but also for all of hockey in the United Kingdom.
Had to hunt down the Red Bull girls for a pre-game Red Bull!
We hit the ice for the warm-up at approximately 19;52 [intense butterflies darting everywhere]. UTB was already on the ice and the stands were filling up quick. As we walked from our locker room and into the arena, I could feel hundreds upon hundreds of pairs of eyes breathing down our necks.
As soon as our skates touched the ice, the drums began pounding in our chests… “UTB! UTB! UTB!” was the chant vibrating in our eardrums. Michal had told me the pre-game program at the morning skate. We lined up on the blue line when the horn sounded. The announcer welcomed a speaker who spoke to us in Czech about how pleased he was to have us and about sportsmanship, ect. After he was finished, the announcer then read introduced the names of the UTB players, all received a thunderous applause.
Following the introductions, two violinists stepped onto the ice and performed the British and Czech anthems (This was getting serious). Michal then nodded to me that it was time for the ceremonial puck drop, which was being done by Jiří Králík, a former UTB goalie, 2 times academic champion and 1985 World Champion. He is considered a legend in the Czech Republic so it was a true honor to have shaken his hand.
In our arrogance of sending a 'message' that we were there to play and we weren’t just footballers, I was encouraged to win the ceremonial puck drop. I did.
After all the pre-game ceremonies were completed, we took one last warm up lap and got settled for the drop of the puck.
The Metros started Holder-Wilson-Gunn at forward and Drakeley-Jenion at defence, and the already famous, Robyn Maby in goal.
The puck dropped, play was underway. The game speed: ridiculous. Although, we did win the opening faceoff forward, it was forced directly back at us and into our defensive zone. 55 ticks into the game, UTB tallied its first goal of the night—a nerves/shock goal to wake us up. Challenge accepted.
The UTB tempo continued. Their offense was working on all cylinders. All we could do was really just watch as they passed the puck through and around Metros players at all angles. But our forwards and defence held strong in our zone, clearing the puck, limiting shots from the point, and stopping cutting UTB forwards. At the end of the 1st we found ourselves down 2-0 in a game that could have been blown wide open after their goal in the first minute: all credit to our goalie, Robyn Maby who was playing stellar as she always does.
The second period began after an ice cut—a “never” occurrence for BUIHA hockey. The team had definitely settled into the game more. Although we could adjust ourselves to their tempo, we played at a high level, trying to stretch their defence. Ashton Jenion grabbed our first goal on a slapshot that seemed to be going high and wide, but the UTB goalie tried to get a glove on it and direct it into the net, 2-1 UTB.
The Metros continued to battle. I had a breakaway after we stretched the D on a long breakout pass from Wilson literally fell out of the air and onto my stick, but I sent the puck careening wide of the net, a missed opportunity. We fought on. I was able to win a loose puck in the neutral zone with a stick check that I flying into the UTB zone. The speedy Marius Skogvang caught up to it and was taken down—the ref pointed to the circle for a Metros penalty shot. No question who would take it: we sent out Max Drakeley who buried it five-hole, 3-2 game.
As the 2nd drew to a close, we were tried to keep it a one goal game heading into the break. Unfortunately, a defensive faceoff in our zone went their way and a shot from the point to a deflection and ended up in the back of the net, 4-2 UTB with 5 ticks left in the period. The 4th UTB would ultimately be recognized as the turning point of the game as we lost all momentum. A 3-2 game versus a 4-2 game is a huge difference when the goal is scored in the last few seconds.
Regardless, we retired to the locker room as the Zamboni came on. We were down, but we were not out. The guys (and girl), prepared ourselves for a quick third period, as a 2 goal lead is not insurmountable. We found ourselves starting the third period flat, which cost us. UTB began tallying goals as we became more tired… 5-2, 6-2, 7-2, 8-2. As UTB took over, their fans began cheering us on with arms outstretched: “Manchester! *Clap, clap, clap* Manchester! *Clap, clap, clap*”, they yelled. A crowd who had questioned our worth before our arrival, understood and concluded, “Hey, this team can play.”
The clock ticked down the final seconds. We met Robyn at the net and gave her big hugs for her efforts in goal. Who knows how many shots she faced, but she met the challenge full on. We shook hands with a UTB team that praised our play. Max Drakeley earned his man of the match honors, as did their player.
UTB thanked their fans while we collected our things, but we weren’t done. The appreciative cheers began raining down from the stands again, “Manchester! *Clap, clap, clap* Manchester! *Clap, clap, clap*”. We took a ‘victory’ lap to thank everyone who had come. We had one fan who was literally pouring his heart and soul for us. He stood up on the side boards leaning over the glass leading his compatriots in thanking us. It gave me chills, I can tell you that. Win or loss, I know we didn’t lie down without a fight.
Final: Manchester Metros 2 : UTB Hockey Team 8
Following the game, Michal led us to the after party at Golem Club in Zlín. Much like everywhere we went, all eyes followed us. We were led to the backroom for an after game meal of schnitzel, chicken, and other finger foods.
Oh, and going back to that question, “do you really have a girl as a goalie?”—yes, yes we do. :]
Their reaction?
Absolute praise.
Photo credit to UTB Hockey Team, Zlínský nočník, and Martin Klefas-Stennett.
Here are several places you can check out full photo albums from the game:
UTB Hockey Team
Zlínský nočník
Highlights from the game:
