A Review of the 2025 Jonny Wookey Memorial Game

The 2025 Jonny Wookey Memorial game was one that the Typhoons and their fans won’t soon forget! The Typhoons controlled the pace of the entire game, ending the night with an impressive 6-2 win against the Edinburgh Eagles. Over 600 fans filled the stands, most of them notably supporting St Andrews. The student section certainly brought the spirit, waving a giant white flag with the Typhoons logo and sporting St Andrews merch and hockey jerseys. Spectators were encouraged to wear white to match the evening’s theme of “whiteout.” During the game, the team's Instagram page (you can find them at @ustatyphoons_hockey) was taken over by friends and fans, who filmed and posted content about the game throughout the night. The team ensured that students who couldn’t make it out to Kirkaldy could still support the Typhoons from home, providing an Instagram link on their main story that live-streamed the game. 

The puck dropped shortly after 7:00pm on Thursday, April 17th, at the Fife Ice Arena. Transportation was quick and easy, with buses lined up near the Rule, where the pre had taken place. The game consisted of three twenty-minute periods with a fifteen-minute break in between each period. Just like at last year's Wookey game, an impressive beer snake was created by two Typhoons fans who started collecting empty beer cups from the crowd at the beginning of the second period. However, this year's beer snake measured a record eight feet and three inches long, nearly two feet taller than last year! 

The Typhoons started the game strong, winning the puck drop and scoring the first goal of the game. Just eight minutes into the first period, Typhoons player Nikos Ninios, who wears #12, put the Typhoons up 1-0. Before the Wookey game, Ninos led the Typhoons with 22 points on the season. The second goal was scored just four minutes later by number 27, Jack Biggs. Players Andy Benstead, Oscar Aylward, Nico Corporon, and Bryce O’Brien also scored for the Typhoons. At the end of the first period, the Typhoons had a steady lead of 4-0. By establishing a solid lead early, St Andrews was able to set the tone of the game and feel a bit of weight lifted off their shoulders. The Eagles were never able to recover from their scoreless first period. They scored their first goal at the beginning of the second period, but it barely phased the Typhoons, who continued to outskate and outscore the Eagles all night, causing tension on the ice.

Things got heated between the Eagles and the Typhoons, and spectators cheered and shouted as some minor fights broke out between players. The Eagles goalie went down twice during the game, but both times, he was able to quickly get back on his feet and resume his role. As the game came to a close, fans chanted down from ten until it had officially concluded. When the clock hit zero, the Typhoons threw their helmets and sticks on the ice and grouped together in a mosh pit of celebration. The crowd erupted in cheers as the Typhoons achieved their redemption and took back the title crowning them as the winners of the Wookey game!

After the initial celebration, players and fans posed for pictures together on the ice. The team’s joy and excitement was palpable and clearly affected the already spirited crowd. Knowing they had suffered a tough loss the previous year made seeing their win all the more satisfying. Not only were the Typhoons undefeated against the Eagles in the regular BUIHA (British Universities Ice Hockey Association) season, but they have now won nine of the thirteen Wookey games. Second-year player Lucy McBride remarked that, “It felt so good to win!” She added, “We definitely worked hard for it. It was a fun night all around!” The 2025 Wookey game was fourth-year captain Tristian Long’s last Wookey game as a Typhoon. “We were very happy with the result and looking to bring this energy into nationals this weekend. We were glad to hear that the crowd enjoyed the very physical atmosphere this year and we hope to see everyone back next year for our 15th year anniversary,” he reflected a couple of days after the win. 

The night was a resounding success - an out-of-town ice hockey game may be an unconventional night out for St Andrews students, but the crowd’s enthusiasm spoke for itself. As an American student, watching a hockey game with my friends over hot dogs and a pint felt like a taste of home. I have confidence that the yearly Wookey game will only get more popular after the team's outstanding performance in this year's game. I’m already looking forward to next year’s game, where the Typhoons will look to bring their number of Wookey wins into the double digits!

Image by Derek Young