After a (3-6-1) start the Brock Badgers men's hockey team has put together a nice stretch to close out the first half of the OUA regular season.

Wednesday night at the Seymour-Hannah Centre the Badgers won for the sixth time in nine games, defeating the Laurier Golden Hawks (5-11-1 OUA) 4-3.

Brock now sits at (8-7-1 OUA) overall, good for 5th place in the OUA West Division.

"Our start is still hanging over us, but thankfully we're (6-3) in our last nine (games)," said Brock Head Coach Murray Nystrom said.  "It feels good that we've been playing well, and hopefully that carries over into the second half of the season." 

Team Captain Mike McGurk echoed many of Nystrom's comments, but added confidence was also key.

"Once we started winning and finding that consistency, the guys started to buy in," McGurk said.  "Now we have to carry it over in the second half."

The Badgers opened a 3-1 second period lead on goals from Taylor Fielding (5), Ryan Purvis (1) and Jordan Gignac (5). With 2:38 remaining in regulation, Andrew Radjenovic beat Laurier goaltender Harrison Pharoah for his team leading eighth goal of the season and third game-winner. He ends the first half the regular season ranked 10th in OUA scoring with 21 points (8G, 13A).

In goal, rookie Clint Windsor recorded 27 saves for his fifth win in his last six starts. During that stretch, Windsor has posted an impressive .926 save percentage. 

The strong finish to the first half of the season also comes with a time of reflection for the Badgers as third year defenceman Milan Doczy was recently diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer.

"It was tough news when we all heard about it," McGurk added.  "Milan doesn't even know the full extent of what he's going through.  The guys have been really good. We're just trying to make him feel like coming to the rink is a place he can escape."

"It's shocking news," said Nystrom.  "We all want to do something.  Everybody is just trying to take a positive approach.  I think the holiday break will be a great time for everyone to reflect and appreciate things that maybe we take for granted."

Brock will be planning a fundraiser in the coming weeks for Doczy, who hails from the Czech Republic and played his junior hockey with the Owen Sound Attack.

Wednesday's game was dubbed "Badgers Care" night as fans were encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to the game in support of Community Care St. Catharines/Thorold.

The Badgers are now off until Friday, January 9 when they welcome the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.   Game time at the Seymour-Hannah Centre is 7:15 pm.