Bosnian Hockey season review

It was once again very interesting and exciting hockey season in Bosnia and Herzegovina. National league started in early January with four teams competing. HK Bosna came back in the competition after one year of absence. All teams played 9 games in regular season, three times against each team. Stari Grad Vukovi were the best team with 18 points collected which was enough for top spot. Runner up was team Sarajevo Medvjedi with 17 points. Third placed team was Ilidža 2010 Ajkule with 16 points which shows how well balanced competition was. However, HK Bosna finished dead last with only one victory and 3 points. Two top seeded teams earned direct spot in final series which was played in best-of-three system.

In game one Vukovi earned a 3-1 victory. with goals by two Canadians; Anthony London and Angus Tasker and by homegrown player Tarik Čatović. Vukovi goaltender Amel Čapin had great night with 15 saves. Game two was another tight game with only two goals by each team in regulation so the game was decided in the shootout. Kevin Auerbach (Vukovi) was the only scorer while Amel Čapin stopped all three shots by Medvjedi's players giving his team the final 2-1 victory. That was the end of the series, Stari Grad Vukovi celebrated their second title in Bosnian hockey league, first after 2010. This was third consecutive loss in finals for Sarajevo Medvjedi so they remain without title. All three individual trophies went to champion's players. Anthony London was the best player, Amel Čapin the best goaltender while 17 years old Haris Mrkva was voted for the best young player.

National cup was played few days later. In the semifinals games Ilidža 2010 Ajkule defeated Sarajeo Medvjedi while Stari Grad Vukovi defeated Bosna. In the cup finals Ajkule defeated Stari Grad 3-2 after shootout and won their second cup title, first after 2011. This was great way to correct unsuccesful regular season in the league in which they failed to qualify for the playoffs. On the other side Vukovi failed to become the first team in Bosnia and Herzeogovina to win double crown; both national league and national cup.

All games were played on the only regular sized ice rink in country, the one in Sarajevo that is situated under the baloon in front of Zetra Olympic hall. In these unsatisfying conditions Bosnian hockey community was once again able to organize succesful competitions for all the Bosnian players. They were also able to work with youngsters and organize their own league; so called BHL kids league. This was a second year of the league and continued work with youngsters. Result of it came in February when Bosnian U8 team became winners of the tournament in Subotica, Serbia where they defeated teams from Serbia and Hungary, much more developed hockey countris than Bosnia and Herzegovina. This was only confirmation that Bosnian hockey has it's future even underthe terrible conditions that they are having.

Tweets by @eurohockey