TRISH THOMPSON photography

At the beginning of June, I spent a week at Ice Sheffield photographing the annual UK Armed Forces Ice Hockey Tournament.  Four days packed with hockey, which saw teams from the British Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy compete in a round-robin competition for the Tri-Service Cup,  Plate and  Bowl.  Each evening, the Royal Navy Destroyers, RAF Aces and British Army Blades battled it out for the Inter-Service Championship Cup.  I am incredibly passionate about my ice hockey photography; this was my third year as tournament photographer, such an intensive (and cold!) week for me, but so much fun.

And so the stage was set…

The puck dropped on the 2016 Tournament with an 11-2 win for the Army Sappers.

Day One of the tournament saw some great hockey and ended with the reigning Tri-Service Champions, The RAF Bluewings, top of the leader board.

Victory for the RAF Aces, as they beat the Royal Navy Destroyers 9-2. Hat tricks from Guscott and  Hutchinson secured a place in the Inter-Service Cup Final against the British Army Blades.

Day two saw the Army teams step up a gear and the RAF Bluewings slipped from top spot

The Royal Navy Destroyers endure a punishing 14 – 1 defeat at the hands of the British Army Blades in the Inter-Service Championship Cup.

Day three of the tournament and the teams battled it out for placings in the finals of the Cup, Plate and Bowl.

The one everyone had been waiting for, the Inter-Service Cup Final between the RAF Aces and the British Army Blades.

As the RAFIHA photographer, it was a privilege to be invited into the RAF Aces locker room to document the preparations and anticipation ahead of the big game.

‘Not today…’

Heartbreak for the RAF Aces as they are defeated 7-2 by the British Army Blades, who retain the trophy for the fourth consecutive year.

Final day of the tournament and the REME Stallions lift the trophy as they beat the Army All Stars in the final to become Tri-Service Champions 2016.