The University of Windsor Lancers men's hockey team battled hard on Saturday afternoon in the OUA Queen's Cup Final but ultimately fell 5–4 in overtime to the UQTR Patriotes in front of a rocking crowd at the Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex. Windsor came out flying and built an early three-goal lead in the opening period, but UQTR responded with a strong push in the middle frame before eventually finding the overtime winner in a thrilling championship matchup.
STATS
Goaltender Max Donoso made 22 saves on 27 shots for the Lancers, keeping Windsor within striking distance throughout the tightly contested game. UQTR goaltender William Grimard turned aside 21 of 25 shots to earn the victory for the Patriotes.
Special teams played a key role in the outcome. Windsor's penalty kill produced two momentum-shifting shorthanded goals in the opening period but also allowed two power-play markers to UQTR later in the game. The Lancers finished 0-for-3 on the power play, while UQTR converted twice on four opportunities. Aaron Shaw and Keegan McMullen each recorded a goal and an assist to lead the Windsor offence. Additional goals came from Matt McNamara and Logan Linklater, while assists were added by Ty Toews, Dylan Schives, Jacob Boucher, and Colton Smith.
GAME FLOW
The Lancers fed off the energy of the home crowd early and opened the scoring just 3:27 into the game when Keegan McMullen fired home a shot off the right, set up by Ty Toews and Aaron Shaw. Windsor extended the lead midway through the period with a pair of shorthanded goals just seconds apart. Aaron Shaw struck first, with assists from from McMullen and Dylan Schives, and moments later Matt McNamara pinged the crossbar on a snipe off the rush to give the Lancers a commanding 3–0 advantage.
UQTR responded before the end of the period, as Loris Rafanomezantsoa scored on the power play to cut the deficit to 3–1 heading into the first intermission.
The Patriotes continued their push in the second period and quickly narrowed the gap when Felix Lafrance scored unassisted early in the frame. Later in the period, Conor Frenette capitalized on a power-play opportunity to tie the game at three. UQTR then completed the comeback late in the period when Kassim Gaudet finished a play set up by Anthony Munroe-Boucher and Thomas Auger, giving the visitors their first lead of the afternoon.
Windsor continued to battle in the third period and found the equalizer with just over six minutes remaining. Logan Linklater tipped home a shot by Colton Smith, bringing the crowd to its feet and sending the championship game to overtime tied 4–4.
Both teams pushed for the championship-clinching goal in suddent death, but it was UQTR that ultimately broke through. Zachary Gravel scored just over two minutes into overtime to secure the 5–4 victory for the Patriotes and claim the OUA Queen's Cup title.
UP NEXT
Despite the result, Windsor's performance in front of a packed and energized home crowd capped off an impressive playoff run for the Lancers, who showed resilience and offensive firepower throughout the championship contest and will to bring that momentum to the national championship in Halifax, N.S. next weekend. The Lancers will head to the 2026 U SPORTS Men's Hockey Championships at Saint Mary's University from March 19-22 with the University Cup on the line. Schedules will be announced at a later date, with games being streamed via CBC SPORTS YouTube and CBC Gem.
