CHIPPY Trixsters’ Peewee skater hockey team impressed on their European debut as they travelled out to Delémont, Switzerland, for the IISHF European Championships.

Following their triumph at the British National Championships last November, Trixsters were pitted against champions from nine other nations, including Germany, Israel, Holland and Denmark.

In the face of tough opposition, Trixsters fought admirably, holding Israeli side Zoran Falcons to a 2-2 draw before narrow defeats to SHC Givisiez, Crefelder SC and Odense Ishockey, set up a ninth-place playoff against Austrian side IHC Wolfurt Walker.

Holding the Austrian champions to a 2-2 draw in regular time, Trixsters eventually claimed a 4-2 victory in the penalty shoot-out.

Goalkeeper Brett Massey was subsequently selected for the end-of-tournament ‘Dream Team’, while Chippy’s ninth-placed finish was the highest achievement in the history of the competition for a British Peewee side.