By Mia Ines
 
After having a nearly record setting season, the Windsor Lancer women's hockey team is looking forward to their highly anticipated McCaw Cup playoff quarterfinal series against the Guelph Gryphons.
 
After finishing 15-11-1 in conference play, the Lancers are ready to play their first playoff game since 2017. Head coach Deanna Iwanicka states, "the playoffs are a new season. It is a season earned and not given. We've waited a long time to be back here and we are right where we are meant to be."
 
Iwanicka addressed the program's five year plan, which started in 2018, and the team's success this year is aligning with where they projected to be. Windsor won seven straight games, won 12 out of the 14 midseason games and were recognized with four OUA plays of the week and an U SPORTS athlete of the week recognition.
 
First year forward Keana McKibbin discusses, "We've been preparing for this all season. We are looking to build off of all the experiences this past year, show up ready to go, stick to our systems, and buy in to our game plan and compete." 
 
The Lancers are confident in net where Kristen Swiatoschik is ranked No. 2 in the OUA in save percentage and wins, and 4 shut outs as one of the top goalies in the league. Alongside Swiatoschik are forwards Jaden Cherry, Maggie Peterson, and Keana McKibbin, who led the OUA this season in rookie scoring. The remaining task is to hold off the Gryphons speed and attack, which will be a team effort led by veteran players such as Lizzie Coleman and Darcee Hall.
 
"Our strengths are well rounded," explains Iwanicka. "We play hard as a team. A game of speed and puck movement, focused on execution. We have shown an ability to comeback and respond positively to adversity and under pressure which was shown in our 4 overtime wins and 1 shootout win." 
 
The Lancers and Gryphons faced off three times in the month of November, with the Lancers coming out on top, winning the series 2-1. Their victory on November 11th, was the blue and gold's first win over Guelph in ten years.
 
At the core of Iwanicka's approach, the team applies the concepts learned from the book "The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team" by Patrick Lencioni with an emphasis on trust, conflict, commitment, accountability, and team results. 
 
When asked about one word that describes what will draw out the team's success, Iwanicka stated "hungry." Nonetheless, the blue and gold feel confident about their chances heading into their series against the Gryphons and are ready to battle down the stretch.