In their drive for a playoff spot, the Brock women's hockey team has strung together the best winning record in the league through the last 10 games.
The Badgers are 7-3 in their last 10 and have climbed into sixth place.
"It's all about executing the details now," said head coach Margot Page. "It's a close race to try to make playoffs, so we just need to look at the next game that is in front of us. We are a pretty deep team, so we can put a lot of pressure on teams to help create turnovers, which hopefully creates scoring chances."
Brock plays host to a pair of opponents who they're currently sandwiched between in the standings - Guelph and Ryerson - at Seymour-Hannah Arena this week.
The Badgers (10-8) look to sweep their regular season series with the Guelph Gryphons (10-8) on Thursday, Jan. 30 at 7:15 p.m. Tickets
In their previous meeting, the Badgers shut out the defending national champs 3-0 in Guelph on Nov. 23. Forward Annie Berg has three goals and five points in seven career games versus the Gryphons.
"It's really coming down to the wire. We play two teams this weekend: one who is one point above us, the other one point below us," said Berg, who is third in the league with 12 assists. "We've worked hard this season to be in the position we are in and don't want it to all go to waste in the last part of the season."
On Saturday, Feb. 1, the Badgers battle the Ryerson Rams, who are on a three-game skid. Puck drop is 7:15 p.m. Tickets
Brock recently defeated Ryerson 4-3 in overtime on Jan. 16.
Each one of these games could mean massive swings in the standings.
"Every point has huge implications for the playoffs and where we end up," said Berg. "In the room it's a nervous, but excited energy, because we know how good we can be. We know we have to play our best and when we do we can compete with anyone."
The Badgers' strength has always been their goaltending as netminder Jensen Murphy leads the league with 485 saves, however Brock has scoring depth up and down the lineup.
Second-year forwards Cassidy Maplethorpe and Morgan Dezell have been productive on the offensive side of the puck during the month of January. Maplethorpe, who leads the team in scoring with eight goals, has three markers so far in the second half of the season and Dezell has a goal and three assists.
Meanwhile, first-year forwards Mikayla Flanagan, Mishayla Christensen and Emma Irwin each have contributed timely goals since joining the team this season.
"Many of the rookies are eager to get there first shot at playoff hockey," added Berg. "Many of the seniors think that we have the team this year to go on the run we've always wanted. It's just about playing your role and being willing to sacrifice for the team."
Women's Volleyball - The Badgers (9-3, OUA West 4-1) moved up a spot in the U SPORTS national rankings to No. 8 after shutting out McMaster 3-0 at home on Jan. 26. On Friday, Jan. 31, the Badgers travel to Hamilton to face the Marauders at Burridge Gymnasium at 6 p.m. The last time the Badgers played at McMaster they snapped a 12-game losing streak to the Marauders last year. In their previous meeting, the Badgers' offence ran smoothly. "Big win for us and the team executed the game plan really well," said head coach Steve Delaney. "We did everything we set out to do." OUA.tv
Men's Volleyball - Brock (5-7, OUA West 3-3) fell to the No. 2-ranked McMaster Marauders by a score of 3-0 at Bob Davis Gymnasium on Jan. 26. The Badgers have another chance to face them, but this time in Hamilton, on Friday, Jan. 31 at 8 p.m. "We showed that in times we can compete, but they served well and sided out at a way higher clip than us," said head coach Matt Ragogna. "I'm looking forward to getting another crack at them Friday." OUA.tv
Women's Basketball - Point guard Melissa Tatti, who has scored back-to-back career high games of 30 points each, has been filling up the scoresheet lately as the No. 8 Badgers (14-3, OUA Central 8-1) are currently enjoying a four-game win streak, which includes victories over nationally-ranked opponents Windsor and Queen's. Brock plays the rest of the regular season on the road beginning at No. 4 Ryerson on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 6 p.m. The Badgers opened the season with a 68-58 win over the Rams on Oct. 26. OUA.tv
Men's Basketball - The Badgers (10-7, OUA Central 4-5) have posted a record of 5-2 during the second half of season and now embark on a five-game road trip to close out the regular season. "We're heading in a better direction," said head coach Willy Manigat. "The guys are just understanding what we're trying to accomplish as a team. In our circle, in our family, in that locker room we know what the expectations are." Brock faces off against No. 9 Ryerson in Toronto on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 8 p.m. In their previous match, the Badgers won 65-62. OUA.tv
Men's Hockey - The Brock men's hockey team (12-13, OUA West 10-11) is in the midst of a four-game losing streak. "Just no puck luck," said head coach Marty Williamson. "The boys are working their rear ends off with no reward. We just need to preserve." The fifth-place Badgers have a chance to earn their spot in the OUA post-season when they play back-to-back games against the Lakehead Thunderwolves (11-13) in Thunder Bay beginning on Friday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. and on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. OUA.tv
