The Lebanese national hockey raises the trophy of the second edition of the Arab Ice Hockey Cup which took place from May 4 to 14, 2023 in Kuwait. (Courtesy of the Ice Hockey Arab Cup)
After a long 15-year hiatus, the second Ice Hockey Arab Cup kicked off in Kuwait in May.
The Cedars, the Lebanese national men’s team, made an impressive first appearance. They clinched the Arab Cup.
Led by head coach Gregg Kennedy, the Cedars defeated a Group composed of Saudi Arabia ( 7-1), Egypt (7-0) and Oman (15-5).
They then defeated Bahrain with similar ease (8-1) before facing the host country, Kuwait, for the final game that took place Sunday afternoon.
Under the eyes of the Lebanese public, who traveled to Kuwait City in large numbers to support the Cedars, the Lebanese national team was put to the test by the Kuwaitis — also undefeated.
After the first period ended with a score of 3-3, the Lebanese team took the lead at the end of the second quarter (5-4), before taking the lead in the last quarter and concluding the game with a clear score of 9-4.
The 20 members of the Lebanese team celebrated their triumph by lifting the trophy alongside their supporters.
This article was originally published in French in L'Orient-Le Jour. Translation by Joelle El Khoury.
