Cambridge Floorball Club were crowned National Champions for the second time in their history this weekend, with a finals victory over London Great White Sharks.
Cambridge won their semi-final thanks to a penalty shootout against United Cities of the Midlands. Tied 3-3 after overtime, goaltender Aaron Blowers was the hero in the shootout forcing four misses from the UCM shooters.
Reigning league and playoff champions, London Great White Sharks entered the weekend unbeaten in two seasons and beat Bristol in a 6-4 in their semi-final clash. Cambridge got off to a hot start with goals from Elvijs Sarkans and Dutch International Jasper Sangen to give the side from the East a two-goal lead after the opening period.
The Sharks showed just why they’ve dominated UK Floorball for the last few years as they tied the game shortly into the second period thanks to goals from Chris Holmes and Leevi Lahtinen. The game settled into a tense rhythm before Sangen restored Cambridge’s lead grabbing his second with a powerful drive from the left wing before GB hopeful Petr Perina bagged an equalizer for the London club.
Early in the final period Cambridge captain Linus Forsberg brought the ball out of his zone, turned his defender and fired a snapshot into the Sharks goal from a tight angle to make it 4-3 before Player-Coach Dimi Kessler picked up an errant pass and scored on the counter attack goal to regain Cambridge’s two-goal cushion. London were able to pull a goal back, a smart finish from right in front by Jim Forsgren on the assist from Lahtinen, but Cambridge weathered immense pressure from the Sharks who pulled their goalie for an extra outfielder. In the final minute Kessler and Forsberg scored empty net goals to clinch the title with a 7-4 victory.
Cambridge’s win has seen them qualify for the EuroFloorball Challenge in France this summer.
Earlier in the day United Cities of the Midlands clinched the Bronze with a nail-biting 6-5 victory over Bristol, and in a historic first, members of the GB Women’s national team played a Showcase Match with Team White taking a 7-0 victory over Team Blue.
Also on the day the league crowned their MVP as voted by the teams. UCM Forward Raivis Bogdanovs clinched the honor after leading the league in points and assists. A fine season saw Bogdanovs dish 15 assists, scoring 17 goals for a total of 32 points.
All games from the National Finals are available to watch back on the UKFF Youtube Channel
Source: Cambridge Floorball Club, article written by Darren Paul.
Photos: Graham Hodges
