The University of Windsor Lancers women's hockey team begins their 2026 McCaw Cup playoff run as they match up against the Brock Badgers in the Play-in Game on Saturday, February 21 at 4 p.m. at the Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex as they look for their first playoff win since 2023.

The winner of the play-in game will advance to face the number one seed Laurier Golden Hawks in a best-of-three series quarterfinal next week.

The Lancers earned their playoff opportunity this season with a determined regular season effort, finishing just inside the postseason cutoff in a tightly contested OUA standings race. Two high-scoring wins over Nipissing and York, which the Lancers outscored their opponents 11-2, gave them the home-ice advantage for this game. Windsor's season has been defined by structured defensive play and steady goaltending to keep games tight and give themselves a chance to win each game.

Windsor and Brock split their regular-season series this year, with the Lancers winning the first matchup on home ice before the Badgers returned the favour in their own rink. In their first meeting at the Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex, Windsor delivered a composed performance in front of their home crowd in a 3-1 win, limiting high-danger chances and capitalizing on key opportunities to secure the victory. Brock answered in the second game on their home ice by a score of 2-1, using a physical effort and timely scoring to even the season series and set the stage for a decisive third meeting with playoff stakes on the line. 

Lancer Notes to Know:

• Home ice advantage: Windsor has been strong at the Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex this season, winning over half of their games, and have one each of the last three games between these teams in the Rose City. The Lancers will feed off the energy of the Lancer faithful in hopes of dictating this matchup. 
• Strong defensive structure: The Lancers have emphasized team defence all season, blocking shots and limiting high-danger opportunities. Their ability to keep games low-scoring plays to their advantage in elimination scenarios. 
• Balanced offensive contributions: Windsor has received scoring from multiple lines, making them difficult to match up against and less reliant on a single offensive threat. Bridget Cameron leads the team with 12 goals up front, and her and defender Teagan Paré have 19 points each. Eight Lancers have 10+ points this season, three of which are defenders.
• Special teams: The Lancers have the fifth-best power play in the province, converting at an 18.2% rate, and the eighth-best penalty kill at 84.6%. Staying out of the penalty box and making the most of any power play opportunities may prove to be the difference on Saturday.

Brock Badgers Snapshot:
The Badgers enter the play-in game with a physical style that can dictate pace and create extended zone time. Brock has been effective when generating traffic in front of the net and capitalizing on rebounds. Brock's transition game is another area of strength, as they look to create chances off turnovers and quick counterattacks. The Badgers rank 11th on both the power play (11.4%) and penalty kill (82.5%).

Head-to-Head History:
Recent meetings between these two programs have been closely contested, with momentum often swinging between the sides. Their split regular-season results reflect how evenly matched they are, and with a quarterfinal berth and a date with the conference's top seed awaiting the winner, another tight battle is expected. 

With the intensity of playoff hockey and a chance to advance, the Lancers will look to lean on their defensive structure, balanced attack, and the energy of their home crowd as they aim to secure a statement victory and keep their postseason journey alive. 

DETAILS
Satuday, February 21 at 4 p.m.
Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex – Windsor, Ont.
Tickets | Live Stats | Watch
 
2025-26 REGULAR SEASON STAT LEADERS
Windsor Lancers
Goals: Bridget Cameron - 12
Assists: Lerissa Stevenson - 10
Points: Bridget Cameron, Teagan Paré - 19
Penalty minutes: Makayla Mailhot - 24
Wins: Rebecca Noble - 8
 
Brock Badgers
Goals: Carly Sardine, Taylor Wolsey - 6
Assists: Allison Moore - 8
Points: Allison Moore - 13
Penalty minutes: Allison Moore - 44
Wins: Megan Thiessen - 12
 
HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY
Nov. 29, 2025 - Windsor at Brock, 2-1 BRO
Oct. 18, 2025 - Brock at Windsor, 3-1 WSR
Feb. 7, 2025 - Brock at Windsor, 5-1 WSR
Jan. 18, 2025 - Windsor at Brock, 4-3 BRO (OT)
Feb. 10, 2024 - Brock at Windsor, 4-3 WSR