On November 29, the curtain fell on the “Xiwang Cup” 4th National Collegiate Ice Hockey League at Beijing Aozhong Ice Sports Center.

The league was divided into three groups: Group A-A, Group A-B, and Group C, drawing participation from 14 teams across 10 provinces nationwide, with over 250 ice hockey players competing in more than 30 thrilling matches. Following intense competitions in the regular seasons and the finals, teams from Anhui Xinhua University, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, and Shenzhen MSU-BIT University emerged as the top three in Group A-A. Teams from Harbin University, Hebei Institute of Communications, and Harbin Sport University claimed the first, second, and third spots in Group A-B. Meanwhile, teams from Beijing Sport University, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, and Harbin Institute of Technology clinched the top three positions in Group C.

In a bid to inspire players to showcase their skills, and compete with determination and fairness, the league introduced several individual accolades, including “Best Player of the Match”, “Best Forward”, “Best Defenseman”, and “Best Goalkeeper”.

Esteemed leaders like Shen Zhen, Deputy Secretary-General of the Joint Secretariat of the Ministry of Education’s Student Sports Association, Vice President of the International University Sports Federation, and Vice President of the Federation of University Sports of China, graced the event. They awarded trophies and medals to the top three teams in each group, as well as to the individuals who excelled in their roles.

In today’s Group A-A final, teams from both Anhui Xinhua University and Chongqing University of Science and Technology approached the game with caution, leading to an extended match that went into overtime and finally, a nail-biting shootout. The team from Anhui Xinhua University triumphed in the shootout, securing the championship.

The Group A-B final was just as thrilling. Not long after the game started, the team from Harbin University seized the lead with a goal from Jian Yixiang and held on to secure a victory over the team from Hebei Institute of Communications, crowning itself as the Group A-B champion. This triumph represents the team’s first championship since its participation in the league.

Over in Group C, the team from Beijing Sport University stood out with a complete victory, taking home the championship. “We participated last year, but this year, we’re honored to achieve a complete victory and claim the championship”, commented Wang Gang, a player from Beijing Sport University. He added, “The facilities at the venue, along with the broadcasting setup, are notably well-developed. The event is organized with a high degree of professionalism, creating an ideal platform for teams to refine their skills and elevate their performance.”

The National Collegiate Ice Hockey League, now in its fourth year, holds significant practical importance in spreading the sport of ice hockey across colleges and universities nationwide under China’s important initiative to merge education with sports.

Ji Fang, Sports Channel, People’s Daily App