Downtown St. Catharines pulsed with school spirit Friday night as 3,700 fans packed the Meridian Centre for the 26th annual Steel Blade Classic.

The signature Homecoming event once again proved to be about far more than hockey, with students, alumni, staff, faculty and community members coming together in a sea of red and white to celebrate Brock pride and mark the start of a new men's hockey season.

"The Steel Blade Classic is a true showcase of what it means to be part of the Brock community," said Melissa Krist, Executive Director, Brock Sports and Recreation. "You can feel the energy the moment you walk into the Meridian Centre. It's about tradition, pride and being part of something bigger than yourself."

From the lineups outside of the arena to the roar of the crowd inside, the evening highlighted the sense of belonging and camaraderie that has made Steel Blade a Niagara staple since its launch in 1999.

It also marked a special moment for the program, as the Steel Blade Classic helped launch the 60th season of Brock men's hockey, a milestone that enhances the legacy and tradition behind the program.

"The Steel Blade Classic is unlike any other game we play," said Brock men's hockey head coach TJ Manastersky. "It's about so much more than what happens on the ice. It's about sharing this moment with our students, our treasured alumni and the entire Brock community.

"The energy in the building pushes our team to rise to the occasion, and it's a memory our student-athletes will carry with them long after the final buzzer."

Brock lost a spirited game by a score of 5-1.

After Guelph's Nolan Degurse opened the scoring, Brock fourth-year Sport Management student Holden Rogers tied the game late in the first period to the delight of the red-and-white crowd.

From there, the Gryphons pulled away with goals from Giordano Biondi, Griffin Wilson, a second from Degurse and a late empty-netter from Kaeden Johnston.

Despite the final score, the game once again served as a celebration of Brock pride, uniting students, alumni, faculty, staff and community.