Sheffield beat Fife to win U20 National Final

Cole Shudra’s overtime winner secured Sheffield Scimitars the inaugural Ice Hockey UK U20 National Final trophy with a 4-3 victory over Fife Falcons at Dumfries Ice Bowl.

Liam Kirk scored a hat-trick in regulation time as the English champions edged a thrilling final.

Sheffield reached the final courtesy of a 7-6 victory over Solway Sharks, while Fife progressed after winning 4-2 against Billingham Stars.

Kirk edged Sheffield ahead early in the first period of the final, but three quick goals by Liam Cassidy, Garry Simpson and Cally Robertson put Fife 3-1 midway through the second session.

Kirk scored his second of the game to reduce the arrears after 35 minutes, then completed his hat-trick three minutes into the final period to level the game at 3-3.

With neither team able to find another goal the game went to three-on-three overtime, where Shudra fired home to seal an excellent comeback victory.

Sheffield Head Coach Heather McDermott said: “I feel absolutely over the moon with the guys. I couldn’t ask for anything more.

“They worked so hard for 62 minutes. It was an absolute fantastic job by all of the guys.”