Match Preview | Birmingham (A) Varsity

Written by club volunteer, Leon Higgins.

The Manchester Metro’s head to Solihull to take on the Birmingham Lions in the IceBull Invitational Varsity match (7PM Face Off) bidding to defend their title after last year’s 6-4 victory.

The Metro’s come into this game fresh from winning the Checking 2 Division title against Sheffield and this being the last chance to hit the Ice before the big National's competition at the end of April.

The Lions come into this clash full of confidence after a 10-3 victory away victory at the famous Alexandra Palace in London against the Imperial Devils. Birmingham finished 2nd in the Checking 2 South Division table behind Imperial Devils and ahead of the Oxford Vikings and Cardiff Redhawks. They lost 2 games in their campaign the first being the opening game of the league at the Oxford Ice Rink against Oxford (9-1) and at home to Imperial Devils (10-3) at the end of November. They also drew 3-3 at the Vindico Arena in Cardiff against the Redhawks. Charles Coney is the Lions top point scorer this season with 12 while also having the most goals (8). Ying Wang Andres Law has 10 points this season with 5 goals and 5 assists, the most in the team.

Last year’s event saw plenty of drama with 6 goals in the first period alone. After Birmingham lead 3-0 after 7 minutes in period 1, the Metro’s bounced back to be level with the formidable three of Kai Gennoe, Dominik Weaver and Chris Kelly Wong all getting goals. The Lions weren’t helped by the removal of star player Peter De Coppi who was ejected from the game box for a brawl that also saw the Metro’s temporarily lose Dominik Weaver, Jaeyoon La, Lenny Fay and Oliver Russell. Ultimately 3 goals in period 2 and 3 from Kai Gennoe, Dominik Weaver and Dalton Thompson were enough for the Metro’s to claim the Varsity title and win 6-4.

The Ice Bull varsity is unique in that it is an invitational varsity, hosted by the Birmingham Lions. The first two seasons in 2014 and 2015 saw the Hull Ice Hogs invited to compete infront of a huge Birmingham University crowd with the Hogs claiming victory on both occasions. In 2016 and 2017 the Cardiff Redhawks travelled up from South Wales to the Solihull Ice Rink to claim a defeat in 2016 but claiming revenge in 2017 against the Lions. Warwick and Coventry Panthers took on the Lions in 2020, a few days before the country shutdown for the COVID with the Panthers winning 6-3.