Having not played ice-hockey for over eight months, Team Malta had to rely on teamwork, skill and sheer determination to play six gruelling games in just three days in the 2004 CAE Dubai Mighty Camels Invitational tournament in UAE (www.dubaimightycamels.com) last month.
In all, there were 18 teams taking part. Team Malta was one of the two Europeans, the others being Switzerland's Team Yellowstone, among the entry list. This was filled mostly by sides from the Middle East and the close regions.
The Team Malta delegation consisted of 11 players, namely, Alex and Kenny Attard, Mike Calleja, Steve Ellis, Robert Holtet, Markus Lindner, John Rayworth, Mark Sullivan, Arpi Toth, Ossi Uotila and Ryan Yada. Jan Hallkvist was the coach.
Team Malta was assisted by McDonalds, O'Caseys Irish Pub, Chequers Pub, MCE, Buhagiar Motors, Sigma Paints, IML, St Gabriel's Band House and Emirates Airlines.
It was the first-ever international experience for the team and one to remember after managing a creditable runners-up placing in the C Division. Thanks to their solid placing, Team Malta also earned automatic entry into next year's tournament besides two other invitations for competitions in the Middle East.
Team Malta finished tied for first place after the qualification round. They lost 6-3 to Dhahran Saad Falcons, were victorious with a shutout against the Dubai Bruins 2-0 and beat Ghantoot 3-2. They easily eliminated Oman Old Forts 6-2 in the quarter-finals and the Dubai Bruins (for a second time) 7-2 in the semi-finals.
In the final, the Qatar Desert Qanucks proved to be a worthy opponents to stop the charging Maltese with a 2-0 win.
Apart from Hallkvist's coaching expertise, other highlights for Team Malta included a rock-solid performance by goaltender Lindner, Yada's offensive dominance, putting him second in overall points, Ellis' scoring excellence, strong all-round performance by captain Holtet, an MVP effort by Uotila and the vital scoring contribution from the Attard brothers.
Encouraged by the team's fine showing in Dubai, the Malta International Ice Sports Association (MIISA) is now looking to develop a strategy for adequate facilities and a sustainable ice sport programme on the islands. For more information one may pay a visit at www.miisa.org.