Having relinquished their grip on the title last time out, the soldiers made the perfect start to the 2025 campaign as they recorded a 7-3 win over the Royal Navy Destroyers in the opening match at Ice Sheffield.
The senior service then went on to beat defending champions the Royal Air Force Aces 4-3, leaving the Blades as favourites for the silverware.
But a 4-0 loss in the concluding fixture left the players pondering what might have been as their rivals lifted the trophy courtesy of a superior goal difference.
Such a disappointing conclusion appeared unlikely after the army turned on the style against the Destroyers. In a frenetic opening 20 minutes, goals from SSgt Mark Morrison (R Signals), Pte Andrew McMillan (RLC) and Cpl Ian Spridgeon (REME) edged the soldiers 3-2 ahead before a clinical second-period performance saw them seize control of the tie.
With the workload of goaltender Lt Col Rob Warrington (RE) significantly reduced, the Blades dominated the puck and further efforts from WO2 Scott Boyle (Scots), Cpl Harry McBride (REME) and Maj Ross Walker (R Welsh) opened the lead to 6-2.
Boyle claimed his second goal of the night in the third period, before a navy consolation saw the match end 7-3.
“I’m absolutely stoked for the team,” Spridgeon told SoldierSport at full-time. “It was a physical game and we’re glad to come out on top.
“We came out for the second period in a different gear and showed how our hockey should be played.”
Spridgeon, who lined up for National Ice Hockey League outfit Cardiff Fire last season, said the squad travelled in determined mood following their disappointment 12 months earlier and was pleased to see the plans formed in the build-up pay off against the navy.
“It was sore to come back with a loss last year,” he continued. “We looked back at the video footage and highlighted the areas we needed to work on – that paid dividends tonight.
“Our approach hasn’t really changed though.
“We know the navy will be a physical challenge, while the RAF have more speedy and technical players.
“We’ve been holding regular training camps, although it has been quite gruelling trying to get away once a month – at times we’ve just had a skeleton squad on the ice.
“But we have strength in depth and the sport is coming on leaps and bounds.
“This tournament is getting harder every year. Ice Sheffield do a brilliant job, the fans are amazing, and the crowds are getting bigger and bigger.
“It is superb in terms of retention. We all come from different cap badges, but it is an incredible team to be around – whether we win or lose.”
Despite the services setback, it has been a year of progress for the Army Ice Hockey Association, with a number changes behind the scenes.
“We brought in a new manager this season,” said operations manager Capt Rory McLuskey (REME).
“He has held training camps every six weeks at locations all over the country.
“We have also paid for physios to come here, patch guys up and keep them in the game.
“We are trying to treat our players more like professional athletes and now have three men and two women competing at semi-pro level. We also have four personnel on the army’s talented athlete scholarship scheme.
“Batus was always our natural feeder, but with that drawing down we’ve had to look at organising learn-to-play sessions and have bought all the kit we need to run those.
“So, we are looking strong, and that is highlighted by the fact we have brought the biggest ever army contingent to this event.”
While the Blades and the Army Fury women’s team battled for forces honours, the competition also featured the Tri-Service Championships in which corps sides faced the challenge of their navy and RAF equivalents. The Royal Navy Kings claimed the overall title, with the Infantry triumphing in the plate competition. The Royal Air Force Bluewings and Vulcans B secured the bowl and quaich honours respectively.
Army Fury faced off against the Royal Air Force Pumas
The continuing development in women’s ice hockey was highlighted as the Army Fury faced off against the Royal Air Force Pumas in just their second Inter-Services fixture.
A 3-1 defeat at Ice Sheffield came on the back of a 7-5 reverse last season, but team manager and assistant captain Cpl Paige Atwell (RLC) insisted the squad is moving in the right direction.
“After the last Inter-Services, we held a couple of learn-to-play camps for the women who have shown an interest in getting involved,” she told SoldierSport.
“We had between 25 and 30 people showing up with a mix of abilities.
“We held three further camps since Christmas, focusing on the key players who were going to be selected for this competition.
“It was a chance to drill down on our skills and build some team cohesion as we didn’t really know each other that well.
“It has all come together and we now have a great atmosphere in the group.”
Atwell, who was victorious at the inaugural UK Armed Forces Strongest Man and Woman contest in April, was introduced to the sport while posted at Batus eight years ago and from there progressed to her corps team, the Chiefs.
When the Fury formed, she was desperate to join the ranks and is encouraging more females to follow suit. “I’ve always enjoyed high risk sports and ones that show how strong women can be,” the NCO explained. “Last year was the first time we’ve had an all-female ice hockey team and that has inspired others to get involved and ask about it. There is massive interest.
“You can see those who have skated before, and those who have been involved in other sports take to it quite quickly.
“Plans are taking shape for our next learn to play sessions and we are looking for women, and men, to get involved.”
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