The University of Windsor Lancers men's hockey team delivered a strong performance in game two of the OUA semifinals on Saturday (Mar. 7) night at the Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex, defeating the TMU Bold 3–1 to sweep the series and advance to the OUA Queen's Cup Championship, while also punching their ticket to the U SPORTS Men's Hockey Championship. Windsor scored three unanswered goals to secure the victory in front of an electric crowd.
"I couldn't be happier for our team. Our guys are a resilient bunch and we've never been out of games, and I couldn't be more proud of this group." said Lancer men's hockey head coach Kevin Hamlin.
STATS
Goaltender Max Donoso was rock-solid between the pipes for the Lancers, stopping 27 of 28 shots to earn the win. TMU generated consistent opportunities throughout the night, particularly early in the game, but Donoso remained composed and turned aside several key chances to keep Windsor in control.
Aaron Shaw led the offensive effort with a goal and an assist, while Brady Hinz and Keegan McMullen also found the back of the net for the Lancers. Assists went to Matt McNamara, Cayden Faust, Stef Dobrich, and Ty Toews as Windsor's balanced attack helped carry them to the win.
Windsor finished the game with a narrow edge in shots, outshooting the Bold 29–28. The Lancers most productive period came in the second frame, where they fired 15 shots and scored twice to swing the momentum firmly in their favour.
Bold goaltender Kai Edmonds made 26 saves in the losing effort.
GAME FLOW
The opening period saw both teams trading chances as they battled for early momentum. TMU struck first late in the frame when Brock McLeod converted with one hundred seconds left in the period, giving the Bold a 1–0 lead heading into the first intermission.
Windsor responded in the second period with a surge of offense. Brady Hinz tied the game after burying a loose puck from a shot by Matt McNamara, energizing the Lancers and the CPRC crowd. Later in the period, Aaron Shaw gave Windsor its first lead of the night, firing home a wrist shot off the rush to make it 2–1 heading into the final frame.
"Guys that typically don't get a lot of credit were monsters for us today [...] arguably the biggest goal of [Brady Hinz's] life. It's just special. The seniors are a tremendous group and I couldn't be more proud of the whole team," adds Hamlin.
The Lancers continued to press early in the third period, and Keegan McMullen extended the lead four minutes in during a scramble in the Bold crease. The insurance marker gave Windsor breathing room as they locked things down defensively for the rest of the night, and gave the standing-room only crowd plenty to cheer about down the stretch. The Bold pushed late in the game, but Donoso and the Lancer defensive unit held firm, limiting second chances and closing out the 3–1 victory.
UP NEXT
With the win, Windsor sweeps the semifinal series against the Bold and advances to the OUA Queen's Cup Championship. They will host the winner of the Queen's vs. UQTR series that will be decided on Sunday.
The Lancers have played lots of strong hockey recently and Hamlin believes in his group: "I'm confident that we can play Lancer hockey and it keep going here."
Puck drop for the Queen's Cup is set for 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 14 at the CPRC. Tickets are available online at golancers.ca/tickets and the game can be streamed via oua.tv.
