The University of Windsor Lancer men's hockey team opened its home schedule in memorable fashion on Friday night, rallying from behind twice to secure a 3–2 victory over the Lakehead Thunderwolves at Adie Knox Arena.  
 
The win marked a historic return to the arena for Lancer hockey, playing at Adie Knox for the first time since 2008. After trailing twice throughout the contest, Windsor delivered a strong third-period performance to complete the comeback.  
 
STATS 
Windsor finished with 38 shots on goal, narrowly trailing Lakehead's 39. Lancer goaltender Max Donoso delivered a strong performance between the pipes, stopping 37 of 39 shots. Lakehead netminder Carson Cherepak turned aside 35 shots on 38 attempts.  
 
Both teams converted once on the power play, with Windsor going 1-for-7 and Lakehead also finishing 1-for-7. The Lancers recorded 14 penalty minutes across seven infractions, while the Thunderwolves accumulated 17 minutes on seven infractions.  
 
Cayden Faust, Ray Hamlin and Connor MacPherson each scored for Windsor, while Ty Toews, Colton Smith, Matt Jovanovic, Logan Linklater and Aaron Shaw contributed assists. 
 
GAME FLOW 
Lakehead opened the scoring early in the first period when Caden Drury converted on the power play, assisted by Malte Hasselgren and Naaman Hofer. Windsor responded to level the game when Cayden Faust found the back of the net off assists from Ty Toews and Colton Smith, evening the score at 1–1. The Thunderwolves continued to apply pressure, but the Lancers held firm to keep the contest level heading into the second period. 
 
Lakehead regained the lead just one minute into the second period when Quincey Supprien scored off assists from Caden Drury and Luke Janus, putting the visitors ahead 2–1. Windsor continued to battle throughout the middle frame, with Donoso making key saves to keep the Lancers within striking distance. Despite being outshot 13–9 in the period, Windsor entered the third trailing by just one goal. 
 
The Lancers turned the momentum in the final frame, outshooting Lakehead and finding the breakthrough at the midway point of the third. Ray Hamlin buried the equalizer off a setup from Alex Cunningham and Matt Jovanovic, bringing Windsor back level at 2–2. With the home crowd behind them, the Lancers continued to push for the go-ahead goal. 
 
Windsor's persistence paid off in the final moments of the game when Connor MacPherson scored the decisive power-play goal, assisted by Logan Linklater and Aaron Shaw, completing the comeback and securing a 3–2 victory. After overcoming deficits twice, the Lancers closed out the third period to earn a memorable home-opening win in their return to Adie Knox Arena. 
 
UP NEXT 
The Lancers will look to build on their home-opening victory next Friday as they travel to London, Ont., to face their rivals, the Western Mustangs. Windsor will aim to carry the momentum from its comeback home opener win into the rivalry matchup on the road.