The Ice Skating Center Mechelen was buzzing on Saturday as 300 spectators gathered to witness a milestone in Belgian women's ice hockey: the Frozen Female Final. In a battle for the Belgian Cup, Lady Sharks Mechelen faced off against the Phantoms Phatales, ultimately skating to a 5-1 victory.
While the Lady Sharks walked away with the trophy, the path to victory was far from easy.
The game opened with a surprise goal from Justine Kruhlak (#6) of the Phantoms Phatales, who scored just 47 seconds into the first period.
The Lady Sharks responded and they capitalized twice on the power play to reverse the early deficit. Linnore Saunders (#11) netted the equalizer at 7:20, assisted by Anke Steeno (#34) and Femke Bosmans (#10). Just over a minute later, Lena Bollen (#76) pushed the Sharks ahead with apower-play goal at 8:38.
By the second period, the Sharks began to control the flow. Saunders scored her second of the night at 28:08, this time at even strength, with Steeno and Bosmans again involved in the build-up.
In the third period, the Lady Sharks maintained pressure, and it was Anke Steeno who delivered the final blows. She struck twice—once at 53:47 and again at 58:19—each time assisted by the duo of Bosmans and Vercruysse Alice (#7).
The 5-1 final score doesn’t reflect how the Phantoms Phatales made the Lady Sharks, playing most of the time with their high-level lines. work for the win.
This final was more than a game, it was a reflection of how far Belgian women's hockey has come. The increasing level of play is no coincidence. The ongoing women’s development competition has given every female player in Belgium the chance to grow, improve, and compete at a higher level.
This final was led by experienced referee Frank Palmaerts, supported by two female linespersons, Ajté Heyrman and Liesl Kuypers, rolemodels for female officiating
Justine Kruhlak (#6) of the Phantoms Phatales and Anke Steeno (#34) from Lady Sharks were both chosen as MVPs.