June 26th 2021: Oxford Ice Rink - 103rd Varsity Match
Cambridge 4-3 Oxford
(3-3 after regulation time, 3-4 for Cambridge after shootout)
Oxford started the game with 15 skaters while Cambridge had only 10. Cambridge managed to sustain Oxford’s pressure during two penalty kills at the start of the first period. Coming back in full strength, #68 Bryan Lehman scored the game opener after a breakaway pass from #47 Martti Palosuo. Cambridge dominated the game for the remainder of the first period and scored their second goal during power play. The Light Blues’ captain #97 Ivan Grega entered the Oxford zone, circled around the net, made a pass to #57 Evgeny Goncharov, who faked a shot and found assistant captain #88 Martin Limbäck-Stokin wide open for a one-timer. Cambridge suffered a substantial loss towards the end of the first period when #17 Rory Clark hit the ice after a hard collision and his chin was cut wide open and bleeding. The score was 2-0 after the first period.
Losing one player in the first period put Cambridge into a disadvantaged position. Playing with 9 players put the team out of rhythm, which was further worsened by numerous penalties. Oxford managed to tie the game by scoring two powerplay goals. The Light Blues bounced back when #68 Bryan Lehman picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone, entered the zone, passed to assistant captain #88 Martin Limbäck-Stokin who took a shot, and subsequent rebounds by #68 and #26 Jonas Fiala found a way past the Oxford goalie. Score after the second period was 3-2.
Both teams entered the third period knowing the stakes were high. Cambridge did not restrain from taking further penalties and the penalty kills drained the Cambridge bench. Oxford managed to score the game equalizer. The Varsity Match would proceed into a five-minute overtime when the Light Blues took further penalties. With 7 skaters left to finish the game, they managed to sustain Dark Blue pressure thanks to a strong performance of Cambridge goalie #31 Matthew Neville who was the Oxford-chosen MVP for Cambridge. The game would be decided in the shootouts. Cambridge’s #22 Daniel Fisher scored two goals in his two attempts versus one goal for Oxford and was selected the overall game MVP. Cambridge won the 103rd Varsity Match 4-3 after shootouts.
Cambridge Men’s Blues team:
#16 Lucas Maddalena (A), #17 Rory Clark, #22 Daniel Fisher, #26 Jonas Fiala, #31 Matthew Neville (NM, C), #34 Jonathan Parker, #47 Martti Palosuo, #57 Evgeny Goncharov, #68 Bryan Lehman, #88 Martin Limbäck-Stokin (A), #97 Ivan Grega (C), Prof Bill Harris (coach)
