The University of Windsor Lancers men's hockey team opened their 2026 Queen's Cup playoffs with a 5-2 win over the Guelph Gryphons on Wednesday, Feb. 25 at the Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex, powered by a hat trick from rookie forward and OUA goal scoring leader Colton Smith. 

GAME FLOW
The Lancers opened the scoring as Brady Hinz roofed a shot top shelf ten minutes into the game, and the momentum built from there. Colton Smith scored his first career OUA playoff goal by firing home a one-timer on a cross-crease pass from Owen Jones on the power play to double the Windsor lead. Ray Hamlin netted a third blue and gold goal on a backhander on a partial breakaway to send the Lancer faithful into a frenzy. Guelph responded with a goal by Nathan Allensen before the end of the frame.

Smith netted two more power play goals in the second period to complete the hat trick. Both goals were scored on eerily similar plays, with Smith taking a pass at the top of the left circle, taking a step towards the goal, and rifling a wrist shot above the left shoulder of Gryphons goalie Olivier Ciarlo. As the scored grew wider the game became chippier, resulting in a plethora of penalties on both sides.

Windsor ended the game with nine power play, scoring on three, while Guelph scored on two of seven. The Lancers controlled play in the third period, but Guelph made it a three-goal game on a goal by Nolan Dann with four minutes to play.

STATS
Max Donoso made 27 saves for the blue and gold in the team's first win of the 2026 playoffs. Ciarlo stopped 16 shots for Guelph, and Cal Schell made three saves.

UP NEXT
The Lancers and Gryphons jump into action on Thursday, Feb. 26 night for game two of this best-of-three series that the Lancers now lead one game to none. Windsor has a chance to move on to the semifinals with a game two win. Puck drop for game two is set for 7:30 p.m. in Guelph, Ont. and can be streamed on oua.tv.