The Sheffield Shadows have been crowned the English Ice Hockey Women’s Premier league champions this weekend with 2 league games still left to play.

The title was secured after beating rivals Slough Phantoms 4-1 on Saturday and 3rd place Guildford Flames 5-0 on Sunday.

This is the first time the Shadows have won the Premier league since promotion from Division 1 in 2002, and after narrowly missing out on the title to Slough last year on goal difference.

Captain Kelly Simpson said “it’s been a great team performance, its well deserved and a fantastic achievement”.

The next challenge for the Shadows is to defend the Playoff title won last year at the ‘Bill Britton Memorial Cup’ which will take place at Ice Sheffield on 23rd & 24th May. This tournament will showcase the best of women’s ice hockey with the top 4 teams in the league playing each other - with Sheffield battling to retain their title and win the double this season.

As league winners the Shadows team will now also go forward to represent British women’s ice hockey in the European Cup in October.

Team coaches Simon Manning and Mark Tracey both agree they are proud of the team and believe they stand a good chance in Europe, "even though the European style of hockey is different to in the Uk, we have a lot of skill on our team and with 11 out of 17 players having played for Great Britain we know we have a strong team."

The coaches also hope that the success of the premier team will inspire the Division 1 and under 16’s Shadows teams to excel next season.

If you are interested in learning to play ice hockey or would like to advertise your company with the team next season please contact us through the website www.sheffieldshadows.com

Sheffield Star Article